One of Christopher Marley’s Creations!

Last week we talked about some pretty gross stuff, so we thought we would head in a different direction this week.

Normally, when people think of bugs, they think creepy, crawly, ugly, slimy…you get the idea!

But did you know bugs can be used as art? One creative artist by the name of Christopher Marley, with a love of nature and the eye of designer, began using them to create unique and striking works of art.

In his youth, Chris regarded insects as all that was ugly in nature, but as he began to look a little more closely, he discovered cool lines and vivid colors within the insect world, particularly beetles. He began to arrange them on stark white backgrounds to amplify their geometric shapes and deep hues. And voila…art!

Chris also endeavors through his art to help people overcome their innate fear of bugs and draw them into a different perspective. 

Pretty neat, huh? Better than last week’s vomiting and pooping flies? Yeah, we thought so!

But if you prefer to have your beetles or any other bugs eradicated from your home and not framed and hung on your wall, give us a call! We’d be happy to help.

Good News Pest Solutions provides you with superior pest control methods while being mindful of your health and the environment. We are striving to be the best pest control leader in all things green! Contact us today!

Don’t let his cute little hat and cane fool you! Houseflies are disease-carrying insects!

So, you see a little fly buzzing around your house, reach for your fly swatter and SPLAT! All taken care of, right? Hmm…not so fast! These little bugs can cause BIG problems!

Wikipedia states, “The housefly (also house fly, house-fly or common housefly), Musca domestica, is a fly of the suborder Cyclorrhapha. It is the most common of all domestic flies, accounting for about 91% of all flies in human habitations, and indeed one of the most widely distributed insects, found all over the world. It is considered a pest that can carry serious diseases.”

Um, what? English please! Here, let us give it a shot! <Ahem>…Houseflies, also known as annoyingus bugus, are everywhere and are a big pain, especially when you are trying to have a summer picnic and they’re tracking vile stuff all over your food! Yeah, that’s better!

What’s the big deal about these little flies? Here are some fun facts about these ubiquitous critters!

Houseflies feed on substances that have been softened by their own saliva or vomit. Because of their enormous appetites and non-stop eating, they poop constantly. This delightfully charming characteristic is what makes the housefly a dangerous carrier of pathogens.

What pathogens, you ask? Good question! They’ve been known to carry pathogens that are capable of causing typhoid, cholera, salmonellosis, bacillary dysentery, tuberculosis, anthrax, ophthalmia, and parasitic worms!

These vomiting & pooping critters are active during the day and rest at night, e.g., at the corners of rooms, ceiling hangings, cellars, and barns, in your HOUSE!

Annnnnd, some strains of houseflies have become immune to most common insecticides! But, are you ready for some Good News? They are not immune to us!  If you’re having a problem with houseflies or any other bugs for that matter, give us a call! 

Good News Pest Solutions provides you with superior pest control methods while being mindful of your health and the environment. We are striving to be the best pest control leader in all things green! Contact us today!

The Clean Fifteen Continued…

8. Kiwi: Kiwi peel provides a natural barrier from pesticides. Give them a rinse before cutting into that juicy goodness!

9. Cabbage: Cabbage doesn’t require a ton of spraying to grow it, so that means less residue. And guess what? Cabbage is a superfood so be sure to include it in your next meal!

10. Eggplants: Maybe it’s the thick purple skin, but eggplants are among the least likely to be contaminated by pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group.

11. Papaya: Pesticide residue stays on the papaya’s outer skin, so be sure to give them a wash before slicing open!

12. Watermelon: Watermelon’s thick hearty rind is a natural defense against the onslaught of any pesticide!

13. Broccoli: Because broccoli faces fewer pest threats, it is sprayed less!

14. Tomatoes: Tomatoes were on the 2008 Dirty Dozen list of foods with the most pesticide residue, but the latest update finds them cleaner than most. Why? The Environmental Working Group isn’t sure…go figure!

15.  Sweet Potatoes: Not only are sweet potatoes unlikely to be loaded with pesticides, they’re also a superfood, packed with Vitamin A and beta carotene! So go ahead and fill up your shopping cart with ‘em!

So that’s The Clean Fifteen! We hope you find this information helpful as you endeavor to live clean and green!

Good News Pest Solutions provides you with superior pest control methods while being mindful of your health and the environment. We are striving to be the best pest control leader in all things green! Contact us today!

If you need to pinch pennies and stretch your grocery budget, we would like to introduce you to The Clean Fifteen! These fruits and veggies are either naturally pesticide-resistant due to their thick skins or sprayed less so you don’t necessarily have to buy them in the organic section.  Let’s check ‘em out!

1. Onions: Onion’s strong flavor is a natural deterrent to pests. (Think onion breath!) Since they’re not as sought after by pests, they are simply sprayed less. Less spraying equals less pesticide residue. So go ahead and order extra onions in your next salad!

2. Avocados: Avocados have natural thick skins that protect the fruit from pesticide build-up and residue. 

3. Sweet Corn: Sweet corn may take a lot of fertilizer to grow, but you’re unlikely to end up with any pesticides on those tasty kernels thanks to their protective husks!

4. Pineapples: Pineapples are another fruit that have a thick outer skin. This protects the fruit from pesticide residue. As with all your produce, you should rinse the pineapple before cutting into it!

5. Sweet mango: Sweet mango flesh is protected by its thick skin from pesticides. Still, you’ll want to rinse under water before cutting open.

6. Asparagus: Asparagus, like onions, don’t attract as many pests. They are sprayed less which equals less residue.

7. Sweet peas:  Sweet peas are among the least likely vegetables to have pesticide residue, according to the Environmental Working Group’s latest survey of government data.

Stay tuned next week for the Part Two of The Clean Fifteen! You don’t want to miss it!

And remember…Good News Pest Solutions provides you with superior pest control methods while being mindful of your health and the environment. We are striving to be the best pest control leader in all things green! Contact us today!

Do you know the dirty dozen?

Last week we introduced you to the first six of the dirty dozen! No, we don’t mean this dirty dozen—we mean those fruits and vegetables that have the highest reported  levels of residual pesticide.

Here’s the other 6 of The Dirty Dozen!

7. Grapes (Imported)

Imported grapes can have more than 30 pesticides. Raisins also have high pesticide residue tests. Hmmm, makes you wonder about that red wine you had with dinner, huh?

8. Sweet Bell Peppers

Yikes, maybe sweet bell peppers aren’t so sweet after all. Nearly 50 different pesticides have been detected on sweet bell peppers of all colors and varieties.

9. Potatoes

America’s longstanding favorite vegetable is the potato; unfortunately, more than 35 pesticides have been detected on them. If you can’t get over your hankering for potatoes, perhaps you might consider sweet potatoes which have less pesticide residue.

10. Blueberries

Oh my…happy little blueberries are on  the list too since more than 50 pesticides have been detected on them. Here’s some news that won’t make you feel so blue: frozen blueberries have proved somewhat less contaminated.

11. Lettuce

Joining spinach as a fellow green leafy vegetable, lettuce also has the ignominious honor of making the dirty dozen list. More than 50 pesticides have been identified on lettuce.

12. Kale

Known as a superfood (but not everyone thinks it’s super tasty!), kale is known as a hardier vegetable that rarely suffers from pests and disease, but it was found to have high amounts of pesticide residue when tested.

So there you have it…the dirty dozen! We hope you find this information helpful. Our goal is to arm you with additional knowledge as you endeavor to  ”Go Green!” Do your best to buy these particular fruits and vegetables organically, thereby limiting your exposure to all these pesticides.

Good News Pest Solutions provides you with superior pest control methods while being mindful of your health and the environment. We are striving to be the best pest control leader in all things green! Contact us today.

You may be bringing home more with your fruits & vegetables than you realize!

Here at Good News Pest Solutions we believe in being green….and not just in pest control! We believe using green or organic products are better for ourselves and the environment!

And we know people are looking for products that work without poisoning our ground, our water, our air, our pets or ourselves. 

With this in mind, we would like to share with you today the latest list of foods with the highest pesticide residue…yuck. They are also known as the dirty dozen.

This list includes some familiar fruits and vegetables, and things that may surprise you.  Ready? Great…let’s go!

The Dirty Dozen

1. Apples

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but if it’s not organic, it’s not keeping the pesticides away! More than 40 different pesticides have been detected on apples because farmers are trying to keep away various fungus and insect threats. Alarmingly, pesticide residue is also found in apple juice and apple sauce! It’s best to buy organic apples and apple products! 

2. Celery

USDA tests have found more than 60 different pesticides on celery…wow! Sixty! Definitely look for organic celery in your grocery store or local farmer’s market.

3. Strawberries

Unfortunately, good ole Strawberries are always on the list of dirty dozen food partly because fungus causes farmers to use pesticides to keep it at bay. But, the pesticide residue remains on berries sold at market. Again, nearly 60 different pesticides have been found on strawberries, although fewer are found on frozen strawberries.

4. Peaches

Peaches are another fruit that always makes the dirty dozen list! Again, more than 60 pesticides have been found on peaches.

5. Spinach

Oh boy…Popeye is going to be mad! Leading the leafy green pesticide residue category is spinach, with nearly 50 different pesticides. Your best bet, other than organic spinach leaves, is canned, which has far fewer detected pesticides.

6. Nectarines

Imported nectarines have been noted to have a high level of pesticides. Domestic nectarines don’t test with as much pesticide residue, but overall 33 pesticides have been detected on nectarines.

Stay tuned next week for the Part 2 of The Dirty Dozen. You don’t want to miss it! And remember…Good News Pest Solutions provides you with superior pest control methods while being mindful of your health and the environment. We are striving to be the best pest control leader in all things green! Contact us today!

]]> http://goodnewspest.com/blog/the-dirty-dozen-part-one/feed/ 1 http://goodnewspest.com/blog/act-now-to-remove-bats/ http://goodnewspest.com/blog/act-now-to-remove-bats/#comments Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:24:38 +0000 Macy's -- Good News Pest Solutions http://goodnewspest.com/blog/?p=3969 Did you know bats are protected under Florida Wildlife Laws and it’s illegal to willfully kill bats in Florida? And, did you know if you would like to have bats safely removed from your home or commercial property (bat exclusion), there’s a window of time in which that can be legally done?

Since bats are a protected species, we have to follow strict guidelines when doing bat exclusions. We are not able to do bat exclusions during the bat’s mating/maternity season, which in Florida is April 15th through August 15th! 

Safe Bat Removal

So, what do you do if you discover bats in your home or suspect you may have them? Good News! Macy’s can help! We can safely remove these critters before they cause extensive damage. But act quickly because the window of opportunity is quickly coming to a close—April 15th is right around the corner! (Gosh, that date seems familiar!)

Here’s a sample of what we would do to safely and effectively rid your home or commercial property of bats.

• Locate entry points of bats. This is usually done at dusk or early in the morning.
• Look for bat droppings (guano), or smell them (strong ammonia odor).
• Affix netting like a veil over the opening where bats are roosting.
• Bats leave to feed, but cannot re-enter roosting area due to netting.
• After 5 – 7 days, once all bats are OUT, remove netting and permanently close openings.

So remember, April 15 – August 15 is their mating season and NO bat exclusion work should be done during that time, unless there is harm to individuals or the structure by their presence. We do not kill them; we safely remove them. Bats are actually beneficial to the environment in that they are insect-eating machines!

If you suspect you have bats in your home or building, contact us immediately. We would be happy to assist you!

Ant Lollipop!

How does a hot, steaming plate of crunchy crickets or some deep-fried juicy grubs sound for dinner? “No, thank you,” you emphatically say? Well, you might just be missing out!

Human insect-eating or entomophagy, is very common in some cultures around the world , such as North, Central and South America; and Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Although insect eating is still rare in the developed world, our friends across the pond, the Brits, are entering into the world of entomophagy and figuring out ways to turn these critters into delicious delicacies. 

In fact, the first annual “Pestival” (pretty funny, huh?) will be hosted in the UK in April. The festival will feature dozens of edible bug products and dishes from chefs and home cooks. Fans of eating bugs say they “taste like chicken” or that they’re an excellent source of protein. Hmm…we’ve heard that before!

How about a chocolate-covered grasshopper?

Some of the more popular insects and arachnids eaten around the world include crickets, cicadas, grasshoppers, ants, various beetle grubs (such as mealworms), the larvae of the darkling beetle or rhinoceros beetle, various species of caterpillars, scorpions and tarantulas. Hungry, yet?

Now, if capturing those crazy ants in your kitchen and frying them up in some olive oil and garlic doesn’t float your boat, we’re still here for you! Feel free to give us a call and we’d be happy to come by and get rid of them for you!

Good News Pest Solutions provides you with superior pest control methods while being mindful of your health and the environment. We are striving to be the best pest control leader in all things green! Contact us today. 

We’re excited about our new magazine!

Have you seen our ‘Good News’ Magazine yet? You haven’t? Oh wow—well, it’s really great. (If we say so ourselves!)

This publication is full of pest control tips, information about our organic practices, and of course, the comfort and power of the Good News of the Gospel!

Here’s a look at an article that talks all about our decision to ‘go green‘ and our commitment to you to bring you the absolute best in eco-friendly and eco-superior products…enjoy!

Eco-Superior Pesticides For Pest Eradication and Control
by Jacqueline Cross

Macy’s Termite & Pest Control, now Good News Pest Solutions, has served Manatee, Sarasota
and Charlotte Counties since 1989. In 2006, the company made a landmark decision to “go green,” eliminating all chemical substances and substituting natural active products for eradication of household pests. The substitution was made for all 3,000 customers who relied on Macy’s for regular pesticide treatment at that time.

Company president Dean Burnside acknowledges that this was a daring move, but one that was preceded by careful research, study and hands-on testing. “We could see from the literature, both popular and industry-specific, that the mood of the country was headed toward eco-friendly products,” he explains. “Major cities, including New York City, and some entire states were seriously considering banning all pesticides. We wondered, ‘where will this leave our business if the trend continues to Florida,’ so we became proactive in the environmental movement.” 

Burnside continues, “We are not just eco-friendly, we are eco-superior. There is a heightened hunger in both the ‘green’ community and the nation at large for products that work without poisoning our ground, our water, our air, our pets or ourselves. We’ve met that challenge. Our client base has increased to 8,000, satisfaction remains extremely high, and Good News is considered a national model for organic pest control.” 

Burnside notes that the biggest difference between organic and traditional pesticides is the origin of the active ingredient. “In the past, pesticides were developed to target the nervous systems of pests. Unfortunately, those same poisons affected animals and people, putting pets and homeowners at great risk. Now, the target is muscle groups, for example the mandibles of termites,” he states. “There’s an active ingredient in these new organic products that attacks an enzyme within an insect that people and mammals don’thave. Good News uses those products exclusively. And this doesn’t mean more expense to the homeowner. The costs are very comparable, with service calls no different between scheduled and nonscheduled callbacks.”

 He stresses, too, that organic applications are just as effective in eradicating bugs as traditional pesticides. “That’s where our “eco-superior” concept comes into play,” he says. “We provide products that work better than what people anticipate. One example is a DuPont product that we use extensively called Altriset. We have been very pleased with this product and I’ve been honored to share our experiences nationwide with other pest control companies on behalf of DuPont. 

“We also offer Thermal Acoustical Pest Control (TAP), an insulation material that is very ‘green.’ It’s composed of 85 percent recycled paper, and the insulation increases the R rating in homes while providing pest, rodent and termite prevention. Two other new applications are Sub-Secure termite monitoring and Sentinel Stations to attack Super Colony Ants.”

So there’ a brief look at our new magazine! If you would like to receive your own copy, please contact our office at 941-412-9610.  If you don’t want to wait that long, just click here to see our digital version.

But not all tiny-winged critters are termites. Ants and termites can look a lot alike and telling them apart can be confusing!

Here are a few tips to help you determine if it’s an ant or a termite…

The Termite:

• has no “waist,” its body is more rectangular without any constriction.
• has straight, beaded antennae.
• has four wings that are of equal size and shape. Its wings are also longer than its body.