Being Green on a Budget

/in /by

Eating organic and driving a hybrid car is not in your budget now. But here are some simple things you can do help the ecology of the planet and in turn save money.

Kiss bottled waters goodbye. America has the best municipal water system; though in recent years, concerns over clean water have risen. Lead discovered in the Flint water supply and additional concerns about clean water have come up in the news this past summer in some North Carolina communities, are both legitimate reasons to be wary of our old utility infrastructure. Investing in a filtration system or buying a simple Brita to place of the tap are precautionary measures you can take to insure safety, while not contributing to more plastic waste.

Recycle is a given. But what else aside from bottles, cans, and cardboard boxes are recyclable items? If you’re in the good habit of donating clothes to charities then you are on the right track. There are those clothes that are too tattered to give, but a few things you can do with them before they are dumpster bound. Use those old rags for crafts, line pet cages, cleaning, or if you like to sew, use them for practice patterns or cut up the material and use them for stuffing home-made teddy bears or throw pillows.

Cut down on paper waste by transferring all bills and newspaper subscriptions to electronic format. Not only will this reduce clutter and waste, becoming more organized will lessen stress which is always good for mental health.

Our economy is designed to urge citizens to consume. However, the level of consumption that cheap energy has afforded us is simply not sustainable. Our sentimental attachments to things and stuff could be redirected. Instead of purchasing that new book, borrow it from the library or if invest in a used copy instead, and then pass it on to a friend. Donate old magazines to schools or offices. Instead of buying a new power tool, rent or borrow it. Hey, it’s a great way to meet your new neighbors.

Become an informed consumer. Buying green products can cut overall waste and save you money. However, it’s important to know which companies to trust. Look for companies that promote eco-friendly products and prove environmentally favorable practices throughout the entirety the product’s life cycle. And if you do your homework and familiarize yourself about how different companies conduct their business practices; i.e. extraction of the raw materials, production, packaging, disposal, etc. you will benefit by making better decisions on where and how to buy the goods you rely on the most.

EcoRaider is committed to providing natural and non-toxic product options that consumers can feel confident using, even in the most sensitive environments. Check out our new Roach Killer Spray, the newest green repellent added to the EcoRaider family. The EcoRaider team continues to research and make it their highest priority to deliver sustainable, green products to the world that are effective against pests and cost-effective. Visit our shopping page to view all the available products.

 

 

Avoid Bed Bugs When Consignment Shopping

/in /by

Do you just love feel of a comfy old couch or the appeal of the rustic style that only antique furniture can behold? Then you are probably a little like me, and a bit of a consignment and antique junkie.  

Unfortunately, some furniture doesn’t always get properly inspected before making its way to the showroom floor. Therefore, I would like to offer a few tips to shoppers so they avoid bringing home an extra guest with their thrifty purchases.

Inspecting a piece of furniture thoroughly is the first step every consumer should take. Check for bumps and other kinds of abnormal wear and tear –these might be indicators that pests are roaming about in the furniture. Of course, you don’t know what the conditions were like where the furniture was stored prior to your ownership so it is necessary to take some precautions. For example, keep the piece separate it until it is fully steam cleaned.

Another way to avoid bringing in bed bugs is be choosy about what used furniture you buy. Used mattresses are no-no. People’s skin cells, sweat and bodily fluids seep into their mattress. So those facts plus the bed bugs, and that should gross you out from wanting to buy a used mattress.  

Since bed bugs live off blood they tend to leave these stains behind, these stains are a clear warning sign to stay away even the cutest of cute adorable throw pillows.  

The news is not all bad for the thrift-store shopper. As long as you keep in these tips in mind and keep certain tools on hand, you don’t have to sacrifice those great furniture finds.

EcoRaider bed bug spray is a treatment, maintenance, and a preventive measure and could be used right after you buy a pre-used item. Before you introduce your new sofa or lounge chair into your living room, apply a mist throughout the upholstered piece to secure that no bugs stray far away.   

Let’s not forget pests hide in less obvious places, even that antique mahogany chest or a second-hand dining room  table which will spruce up your hipster shack nicely are hiding places. Be mindful, before you stain and polish, heed this advice, mist with EcoRaider to keep your valuable treasure in tact and your home and consignment finds, bug free.

Need help to get your kids back to school?

/in /by

Things to do:

  • Summer reading list for the kids, Check!
  • Packed away summer clothes Check!
  • Bribed the kids to get them away from the swimming pool long enough to have them try on fall wardrobe, Check!
  • Cashed-in on back-to-school supply sales, Check!
  • Made arrangements for all parent teacher conferences and penciled in the back to school night on the calendar, Check!
  • Ahead of the game; preparation for the school year in tact!

One evening, as you are tucking the kiddies in bed, your youngest is complaining about redness on their skin, while the other child is scratching away. The first thought that goes through your head, oh no, poison ivy! Oh, how you implored the kids to stay away from brush in the backyard.

On closer examination, you rule out the heinous rash in exchange for something just as sinister, bed bug bites. The red welts and swelling on one child’s leg and the flat, reddish blisters found along your other child’s arm points to bed bugs being the culprit.You ask the children if they have noticed any bugs crawling around their bedroom at night. They give affirmative answer and you plunge full-on into a thorough investigation. The kids had visited several friends during their summer recess and were invited to a sleepover or two.

Of course, you don’t want to rule out any possibilities; the family did stay 1-night at that road-side motel where cleanliness was not ideal. Maybe a stowaway snuck into the luggage and made themselves at home. Maybe, as the host of several weekend barbecue shindigs, perhaps a party guest brought them over to your home as an unintended gift.

Regardless, of where the bed bugs came from, if you don’t act quickly you could have a major problem on your hands, legs, arms, and other body parts. Anxiety has returned – you cannot send the children back to school when they will likely get nibbled on as they slumber.

Good thing you know all about Eco Raider products. Their all natural and non-toxic bug killers are very easy to use. The Eco Raider bed bug spray can extinguish bed bugs on contact and has an extended residual that is sure to combat all those insects lurking in the dark.The spray is child and pet friendly, which is such a relief. And eco raider’s extended protection will bring you peace of mind to focus on enjoying your remaining days of summer together with the family.

Once you applied eco raider, signs of the bugs disappear, the children’s bites start healing, and you adjust back to normalcy. However, other challenges await you, like disciplining the family back into school-year mode. Conducting the eco raider cleaning process will seem like a walk in the park compared to getting the kids back to bed-time schedules and waking them up early again to catch the school bus, along with enforcing home work and study time. Finish off one check list just to begin the next.

 

Don’t Bring Back Gym Bed Bugs!

/in /by

Realistically, though many gym enthusiasts won’t want to think about this, if you really take a look at it there’s no great surprise that with all of the gym bags, towels, and dirty clothes lying around locker rooms and workout areas there would be bed bugs. Just like public places such as hotels, hospitals, schools, club houses, etc. bed bugs travel back and forth from your home to your gym and back again quite nicely. Truth be told, one of the nicest gyms in New York had a bed bug problem a number of years ago. And whereas this may be a great excuse to avoid the gym, you’re not going to get off the hook that easily. There are ways to protect yourself from gym bed bugs.

Don’t Bring the Problem to the Gym

You can’t blame the gym for your bed bug problem if you were the one that brought them into the facility in the first place. Make sure that bags, clothing, and other workout accessories do not carry creatures from your home into the gym. You may not even be bringing them from home. You may bring them from work, school, or some other stop throughout your day.

Doing Laundry? Use a Bug Proof Bag

Yes, there is such a thing. They are specially made laundry bags and can easily be found online. They contain a fabric that is bed bug resistant and are perfect for carrying your dirty towel and gym clothes after a good workout. Put the dirty contents from the bag directly into the washing machine and use the hottest water possible. This is sure to kill any freeloading bed bugs.

Pick a Locker That Is Higher Than the Others

Even though you might trust the people you are working out with, you’re still going to want to use a locker in which to keep your belongings at the gym. That way, you don’t have to put things on the floor where the bed bugs are crawling around. As long as you can reach it, use the highest locker that you can and absolutely use the hooks provided inside. Bed bugs are apparently lazy – they don’t like to climb. Placing your belongings along the bottom of the locker is just asking for trouble. But hanging your clothing on hooks will at least help discourage lazy bed bugs. Of course, it won’t hurt to do a quick scan of the inside and outside of the gym lockers before putting your belongings inside.

If perhaps you should discover a bed bug problem in your home, there are powerful bed bug bio-insecticides such as EcoRaider on the market that work well in the fight against the pesky little varmints and other creepy, crawly creatures. Even pest professionals are relying on EcoRaider to solve bed bug infestations for many homes, so you can have complete peace of mind using it.

Essential Hygiene Tips For Operating A Restaurant

/in /by

You may not have known this because it’s not something restaurants publicize on a regular basis, but thousands of people are sick every year because of outbreaks related to foodborne diseases that originated in a restaurant. Sadly, no matter how stringent the safety standards are involving food and restaurants, there is no foolproof, 100% effective way to make sure that food handlers play by the rules of general restaurant hygiene tips and recommendations. They are supposed to wash their hands… but do they always? And how many pests are coming and going through open doors, windows, and via visiting customers and vendors? What is a restaurant owner to do? The following are tips for basic restaurant hygiene.

Utilize Effective Pest Control

Keep in mind that it’s not just insects, cockroaches, and rodents that pose a problem in restaurants. Bedbugs can also rear their ugly little heads by traveling back and forth with your customers and workers. The best practice is, of course, to have a regularly scheduled pest control professional come in and treat not just existing problems but lay down preventative measures so you don’t have to hear about a problem from a customer or, god forbid, the health department. But on your own, you will need to take daily pest control measures such as using natural pest sprays to keep your restaurant free of pests.

Ensure Stringent Personal Hygiene Methods

We all know that you’re supposed to wash your hands before and after handling food. In theory, that’s a great practice. Getting your employees to actually commit themselves to this is another story altogether. Teach proper hand washing techniques to your employees and educate them on the dangers of spreading germs from restrooms and raw foods such as seafood and poultry.

Keep Kitchen Utensils Clean

One would think that this goes without saying, and they would be wrong. It’s a little like the handwashing thing. You have to not only teach your employees but see to it that pots, pans, utensils, cutting boards, sponges, towels, etc. get not only washed but sanitized to kill harmful bacteria. Chlorine bleach is a wonderful way to achieve this. It only takes a little bit of something left behind to feed a cockroach for a long, long time. Scrub and sanitize everything!

Be Sure That Food Is Cooked Thoroughly

The caveat here is that some people like their steaks, and other meats, cooked rare. If you want to keep that customer coming back, you will do as they say but assure them that there is the chance that undercooked meats can present a health hazard. That aside, make sure that foods are cooked to the proper inner temperature to decrease the possibility of bacterial growth and the spread of disease. Boiling temperatures should be reached by curries, stews, and soups before serving. Even when reheating, proper temperatures need to be achieved.

 Select And Handle Food Carefully

Where you buy your food shouldn’t matter, but sadly, it does. Always purchase restaurant foods from reputable, reliable vendors. Spoiled or pest infested foods delivered to your store can contaminate the rest of your food supply and equipment. Additionally, always check expiration dates as well as a doing a physical inspection of foods for damage, bloating, broken seals, etc. Store all of your food in properly sealed containers and when handling any kind of food, avoid cross-contamination at all costs.

You can make lots of good hygiene rules and regulations as they apply to your food handlers, servers, etc. What you cannot do is watch them 100% of the time to make sure they adhered to them. This is why it’s important to follow as many of the tips listed above as possible and always be on the lookout for signs of pests. Prevention is, of course, the best ammunition against pest infestations and the spread of disease. Don’t wait until the health department shuts you down!

Where Do All The Pests Go During The Winter Season?

/in /by

There are any number of families that head south for the winter months to warmer weather. In certain regions, those people are known as snowbirds. It’s not, for the most part, that they can’t survive the cold weather; they just prefer a warmer climate. But what about insects that literally can’t survive cold weather? What happens to pests during winter? Do they die? Do they hibernate like bears or migrate like some birds do? The answer is… yes. All of the above. Mother Nature has instilled in insects, as it has in many animals, the drive to survive under any circumstances by whatever means necessary. Climate and its severity are the major consideration when it comes to whether or not pests can stay behind when the weather snaps. Let’s take a look at how pests survive the winter months.

Hibernation – It’s Not Just for Bears

Many people associate hibernation with bears. They climb into a cave, go to sleep, and wake up in spring refreshed and revitalized. Bears are not the only ones that drop into a dormant state for the winter months. Some mosquitoes, paper wasps, and ladybugs are just an example of pests that hibernate in the crevices of rocks, inside hollow trees, or under leaves and bark until the weather is warm again. Some creatures, like moths, form cocoons in which to complete their development and hatch from them in the spring in their new form.

Get To Know The Process Known As Overwintering

We may all know about hibernation, but not everyone has heard of a process called overwintering. Under the bark of trees, inside buildings, and under the fallen leaves in forests, some insects pass the time simply waiting out the colder seasons. Box elders and honeybees are an example of insects that seek this kind of shelter from temperatures that are considered frigid. Until winter subsides, these species’ activity is reduced, literally, to nothing but breathing. Of course, rodents, cockroaches, spiders and some other pests take up residence in our homes and other buildings to wait out the winter months so their overwintering period is considerably more active and, clearly, far comfier.

Some Species Migrate

One would think that more than just humans and birds would migrate and that is exactly the case when it comes to certain insects. Monarch butterflies are possibly the most well-known migration when it comes to insights. Santa Barbara California is the winter home two monarchs that normally live west of the Rockies. A winter gathering in a forest in central Mexico’s Oyamel takes place each year by monarchs that live east of North America’s Rocky Mountains. These species of insect determine the distance they will travel for the purpose of migration.

In order to survive a harsh winter, insects will do whatever it takes. They are, after all, built to survive. Their precise method of winter survival depends largely on instinct and their geographic location. And even those that die leave behind the next generation of creepy, crawly creatures in the form of eggs that will be ready to hatch in spring. The best way to fight these insects is through methods that kill not only the live pests but the eggs/larva/pupae left behind as well.

5 Most Common Types Of Household Pests In The United States

/in , /by

Household pests can be a problem in every home; every neighborhood; every city, and every country. Insects and pests in one form or another have been around since before the beginning of mankind, and show no sign of leaving the planet anytime soon. Household pests come in all different sizes, shapes, and species. Here’s a look at five of the most common pests we encounter here in the United States:

Ants

Some ants are so small you can barely see them. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Here are some species of ants in the United States: pharaoh’s ants, pavement ants, ghost ants, garden ants, fire ants, carpenter ants, bull or bulldog ants, black house ants, and Argentine ants. While some are destructive, they are all creepy, crawly nuisances. Covering up food when not in use, whipping up sticky messes, treating apparently nesting areas outside, and ceiling obvious entry points can help control and save your home.

Bed Bugs

This is a pest problem that has come to light more and more lately, and can present an infestation problem in not just low-income areas or establishments that have seemingly countless visitors on a regular basis, but in high-end stores, luxury resorts hotels, well-known gyms, and ritzy homes. Bed bugs ride around town on clothing, in luggage, in purses – and when they can’t ride, they crawl. Their bites look similar to mosquito bites but they leave behind telltale signs on furniture, draperies, rugs, bed linen, and mattresses that let you know they’re bunking with you.

Mosquitoes

One would think that a creature that can carry and spread diseases like the Zika virus, malaria, and the West Nile virus should have been eradicated from the face of the earth. As pleasing as that would be to some of us, mosquitoes do have their own little place in the whole ecosystem being the main food source for some larger species. That doesn’t mean they have a place in and around our homes, however. At least partial control is available through insect repellents and insecticides, cutting back tall grassy areas, eliminating standing water, and wearing the right kind of clothing when you’re outside to avoid bites. This is another species that has somehow lasted millions of years.

Rodents

In the minds of many, rats are worse than mice but in the minds of others, a rodent is a rodent. No one wants either one of them in their house. Rats can devastate a home. They can undermine retaining walls and hillsides by burrowing through them. They chew cables carrying electricity which can cause a fire. They chew through walls and floor joists and damage the insulation in your home. Mice have equally destructive habits through feeding and nesting and are known, like rats, to spread disease. Some are so small that they can slip through almost unperceivable cracks and crevices.

Cockroaches

Just the name invokes shivers, the hair standing up on the back of your neck, goosebumps… you name it. These are some of God’s most disgusting, vile, and despised creatures. And for good reason. They have been around since the beginning of time and will be here long after humans are gone. That doesn’t mean, however, that they have to take up residence in your house! Would you believe that researchers have determined that certain cockroaches have actually developed personalities? It’s what may help some adapt to change and survive more than others. Worst of all, cockroaches bring disease: allergies, viruses, fungus, roundworm, tapeworms, dysentery, and food poisoning can all be attributed to cockroaches.

Ridding your home of these pesky creatures will likely mean killing some in the process. That’s too bad, but it is unavoidable in many cases. Few of us feel bad about it, truth be told. There are safe ways to get rid of insects and other pests in the home. Green methods of pest control are already in existence and new eco-friendly methods are springing up every day. Talk to us if you are having trouble with pests, and can’t seem to find the remedy you are looking.

Learn To Prevent An Ant Infestation This Coming Spring Season!

/in /by

When spring is right around the corner, many people’s thoughts turn to flowers, robins, warm weather, spring break… you get the idea. Not ants. Their minds turn to food sources and how to get them. Unfortunately, your home is probably going to be the best place to grab a quick meal for many household pests this spring, including ants. The good news is that you can prevent an ant infestation this spring by any number of methods. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Where To Typically Find Ants

Finding ants around the outside of your property can eventually lead to finding ants inside your property – namely, your house. Air-conditioning units, garages, basements, bathrooms, and kitchens are popular infestation locations for not only ants but many other insects and household pets. They are not limited to those areas by any means, of course. Spring cleaning is a great time to take a look at your yard and areas around your house in order to head off the next ant infestation.

Pets Versus Pests

When you have pets around the house you provide an increased source of food for household pests. When your pet is done eating, promptly wipe up any water or spilled food and keep their bowls and/or dishes clean, as much as possible. Remove food from the bags in which it comes and transfer it to sealed plastic containers stored it a dry area. This also helps keep the food fresh. Ants and rodents can get into a paper bag in the blink of an eye.

Clean That Kitchen

As with cockroaches, it doesn’t take a lot of food to feed an ant. Take the trash out on a regular basis. Keep fruit, especially if it is right, in the refrigerator. Keep all food in sealed containers. And always remove spills and crumbs from the floor and wipe off countertops. This will also help curb the spread of disease.

Get Rid of Standing Water

Ants, just like any other creature, have to drink. Out-of-doors, make sure that water is flowing outwardly from the foundation of your home and that gutters and downspouts are operating properly. Indoors, in places like attics, crawl spaces, and basements, consider utilizing a dehumidifier to cut back on dampness. Check for leaky pipes or other causes of moisture under sinks and around tubs.

Seal Off Entrance Points

If you can stop ants before they come in you have taken the biggest step toward controlling an infestation. Trim shrubberies and tree branches back away from the outside of your house. Use a silicone-based caulk to seal tiny gaps and small holes through which ants may enter. Areas around utility pipes, cables, and other crevices and cracks are good places to start your inspection and begin sealing the tiny little entryways and to your home.

Killing the live ants in your home is only part of the process. You have to stop them from coming inside so that, once you do kill the living ants, more don’t come in to sublet the homes of the deceased. Thankfully, there are many methods with which to treat ants and other pest infestations. Best of all, eco-friendly, natural methods of pest control assure the safety of the ecosystem and our loved ones.

International Students More Apt to Bring in Bed Bugs and Develop a Need for a Green Solution, Expert Says

/in /by

College and university housing professionals are facing a large bed bug problem with their international student population – mainly because those coming in from other countries don’t have the insect prioritized as importantly as American students do, per Bob Hughes, a veteran pest management professional who has worked with major universities for years to control bed bugs.

“With international traveling students, because some of the cultures in the world are not as concerned as we are with bed bugs they see it as a nuisance pest and not a health hazard,” said Hughes, a 20-year pest management professional who has worked supporting university pest control departments throughout the Midwest.

“You see the problem more so in international housing because schools tend to group international students together by country and culture so they have some familiarity. Thus, they have a bond and when there’s a bed bug problem students tend to not throw their friends ‘under the bus’ by tattling on them. That’s how it gets out of hand.”

A major issue facing pesticide control of bed bugs, Hughes said, is resistance. Bed bugs have formed a resistance to common insecticides, according to a study by University of Sydney researchers published in April 2016 in the journal PLOS One.

“Resistance is a tough issue because pesticides can’t skirt around it, it’s truly an issue and that’s why there are always other products to turn to but this study showed that most common insecticides are giving way to some form of resistance.

“I’ve run into it before, several times actually and the first was at least six or eight years ago, before it became news. Now once you experience that you have to seek alternative approaches for bed bug treatment.”

According to Hughes, EcoRaider and its botanical or “green” formulation allows for a strong performance but it is not susceptible to resistance, which makes it a game changer when seeking a product that can actually kill a bed bug infestation once and for all.

“EcoRaider is really good because its formulation is designed to prevent resistance and to help end a bed bug problem,” Hughes said. “By using EcoRaider, universities can help break that cycle of never truly taking care of the problem because it delivers the power of performance with the safety of a green product.”

About EcoRaider
EcoRaider is a highly efficacious botanical-based bio-insecticide that can be applied anywhere bed bugs or ants are found without restriction. It carries no signal words or cautions and has no label restrictions or precautions on usage.

Because EcoRaider is a green product, it is an ideal fit for sensitive accounts and environments where low-impact methods are advised. These include college dorms, senior-living facilities, managed-care and assisted-living housing, schools, health-care facilities, public housing, multi-family, and hotels.

For more information, visit http://ecoraiderpmp.com/ or call 1-800-338-0212. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Why Are There So Many Ants In Your House?

/in /by

Although ants are not usually dangerous, they are one of the most common pests that can infest your home. But that doesn’t mean you want them around. Below are seven reasons why you might see a lot of ants in your house and how to get rid of them.

1)   You have too many plants inside your home

Plants can be beautiful and a lovely way to decorate, but plants also attract a variety of unwanted insects. If you are having a problem with ants, it may be best to keep these plants on an outdoor patio or garden area instead of in your living space.

2)  High moisture levels in your home

Most insects, including ants, love water and a moist environment. If you live in an area with high humidity or one that has a rainy season, reduce the humidity level inside your home with a dehumidifier. Run it daily to create drier air quality which will significantly reduce the attraction for ants.

3)  You have a messy house

Most insects and ants love to live in a messy house. There are lots of things to use with which to build nests and hide in, making it very attractive. It is recommended to regularly clean your home – wipe off kitchen counters, vacuum rugs, put away shoes, throw away old newspapers, etc – in order to eliminate anything the ants would enjoy living in.

4)  There is leftover food on your counter

Food particles are a welcome mat for ants. Ants are omnivores, which means they will eat anything they can find, especially sweet or moist foods. Make sure to put food away in the refrigerator or in air tight canisters.

5)   High temperatures outside

You don’t like being out in the heat and neither do ants. As the temperature rises, ants will try to come into your home. Make sure the environment isn’t welcoming and they won’t stay for long.

6)  Your house has cracked walls or open windows

If you see a line of ants coming in, try to find the source. If you notice a broken window, an open window, or a crack in the wall, have it fixed as soon as possible because this may be how they’re getting in. Close up any access points to keep these pests out.

7)  You have a pile of wood leaning against your house

Many insects love to build their nests in wood. Keep wood piles away from the perimeter of your home by at least five feet to eliminate ants from getting in.

Keep these seven points in mind when you’re trying to eradicate ants and other pests in your home. Consider calling a professional pest control company if you’re having trouble getting rid of them. Professionals have proven strategies to remove and destroy insects quickly and easily. By the way, do you know that EcoRaider products are also used widely by pest management professionals in eradicating ants?