Don't let the bedbugs bite...

Take a look at this video from Dateline on bedubgs:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11916682/

KEY POINTS
- Bed bugs can be extremely difficult to detect. Proper diagnosis requires highly trained professionals.
- Bed bug services are very labor intensive, rely heavily on the careful use of residual pesticides and should only be conducted by highly trained professionals.
- Proper service requires that ALL possible harborages are treated. This usually requires the complete cooperation of the customer to access all areas that need to be treated.
- One service WILL NOT eliminate bed bugs from your home. A typical bed bug management program consists of an intensive initial service followed by a number of follow up visits over a period of several months.
These follow up visits are necessary to ensure a maximum level of control.
- In rare cases, total elimination of bed bugs may not be possible through our regular program. We will work with the customer to design custom treatments to give the best control possible.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BED BUGS
Bed bugs occur world-wide and bridge all economic and social strata. Bed bug infestations in North America have become much more common over the past 10 years. Adult bed bugs are brown to reddish-brown,approximately 3/16-inch long, 1/8-inch wide, broadly oval, and flat. Immature bed bugs (nymphs) are tiny and appear translucent or pale in color. The eggs are pearly white in color and only 1 mm in length, thus they can be very difficult to detect with the naked eye. Inspections for bed bugs include looking for live bugs, shed exoskeletons and characteristic black stains created by fecal droppings. These insects feed exclusively on blood
however there has been no evidence to suggest that bed bugs transmit any diseases.
Bed bugs do not enter homes from the natural outdoor environment; instead they must be introduced into the home from a previously infested environment. This can occur by picking them up during travel, bringing them in on rented or used furniture, introduction by guests or visitors, or other means. Often the exact source of the
infestation is unknown. Once in the home bed bugs will seek small, protected areas to hide. Although called bed bugs, they can live in almost any area of the home such as beds, couches, picture frames, night stands, wall voids, under carpeting, or virtually any available small crack or crevice. However, they will most likely try to live very close to where people sleep. Only highly trained professionals can correctly identify and treat all of these potential harborages. Bed bugs are nocturnal insects and therefore usually hide during the day and are most
active at night when they leave their harborages to seek a blood meal. Bed bug bites are essentially painless and often go unnoticed while the bugs are feeding. Bed bugs mature quickly, lay hundreds of eggs, and can live almost a year. Therefore, infestations can grow rapidly and persist indefinitely until proper corrective actions are taken.

Do not try to treat bedbug problems themselves... this will only cause the population to spread and grow. Call the clean, professional, green team at Craig Thomas Pest Control to solve all your pest needs!

Happy Spring!

Happy Spring to all our friends! We can now look forward to warm and sunny days; however warm weather causes insects and wildlife to move around. If you are confronted with insects or wildlife problems at your home, first call a professional. Do not try to treat yourself; you will only make the problem worse. Spring time is a time where termites and ants make their way into homes. How to tell the difference between the two insects can be difficult. Below describes the difference between the Carpenter ant and the termite.

Key features of Carpenter Ants:

• Very large, usually black, about 1/2" in size.


• Distinct one segment pedicel ('knob') protruding from the link between the thorax and abdomen.


• Abdomen encircled by yellow hairs.


• Thorax is evenly rounded C.


• Carpenter ants nesting in wood only hollow out 'galleries' for reproduction.


• Early signs of structural infestations are swarms of adult reproductive flyers in or around the home.


• Most often they can be observed at dusk or dawn when they are most active.


• Sawdust around baseboards and walls is also evidence of carpenter ant activity.

Key features of Termites:

• Characteristics – Size: Worker/Solider: 1/8-inch in length. Primary/Supplementary Reproductive: About 1 inch in length.


• Color: Soldier: Light colored with brown head. Supplementary Reproductive/ Worker: Light colored. Primary Reproductive: Dark brown/black.


• Behavior – This termite is known to swarm in May and June, but small flights can occur at any time of the year.


• Swarming is the primary way the termite naturally spreads after it has been transported to a new area.


• Three elements are needed for swarming to be effective: 1) Proper food resources (cellulose and wood), 2) moisture, and 3) a physical niche.


• Habitat – Subterranean termites live in colonies in the ground, building vertical tunnels that look like mud tubes above ground level so that they can search for food. Subterranean termites will die if exposed to air for an extended period of time, so the tunnels provide protection from the open air, allowing workers to carry food to the nest. Subterranean termites can form tunnels through cracks in concrete, so slab homes are not exempt from these termites. They need to stay in contact with the soil in order to survive.

To learn more about developing a pest management plan best suited for your needs, call the team at Craig Thomas Pest Control!

Save $$ with TAP Insulation

President Barrack Obama recently signed The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009. The provisions enable homeowners to claim a credit of up to $1,500 for the installation of TAP Pest Control Insulation. The credit is calculated as 30% of the amount spent, or $1,500, whichever is less.

Do something good for your health and home by investing in TAP Insulation.

Craig Thomas Pest Control is currently offering 10% off TAP installations right now!

This offer ends April 1, 2009!

Why not save money, while protecting your home against pests and reducing heating/cooling costs?

For more information visit: www.callcraig.com.

For more information on TAP Insulation visit: www.tapinsulation.com

Our bugs are ready to tackle your bugs!

Have you seen our new bugs on the road?

Well, we have been travelling around the Hudson Valley protecting residents and businesses from their pest control problems!

Did you know? Non-users of professional pest management services are twice as likely to think they can solve pest problems themselves according to the Professional Pest Management Alliance. However, pest control is something you should leave to the professionals. If you run into a buggy situation, call our bugs for a fast, green solution!