Wildlife Photo Contest!

January 27th, 2012

Be sure you head over to the Bug Busters USA Facebook page! We have updated a new wildlife photo contest tab. Customers and persons residing in our service area are all eligible to enter and win. Simply upload your best wildlife photo along with a story about when you snapped it and you could win a Bass Pro Shop gift card! You can upload the photo directly through the wildlife photo tab. The contest will run for a couple of months and close on 4/1/2012. Other rules and restrictions may apply.

VIA http://images.bidcactus.com/items/bassproshopsgiftcard_1.jpg

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Q & A: What steps can homeowners take to reduce the likelihood of occasional invaders inside their homes?

January 25th, 2012

What steps can homeowners take to reduce the likelihood of occasional invaders inside their homes?

There are many steps homeowners can take to reduce the likelihood of occasional invaders:

Keep all kitchen areas clean (including floors) and free of useless clutter. Kitchen appliances should be kept free of spills and crumbs. Clean shelves regularly and store foods such as cereal, flour, and dog food in resealable containers.

Periodically sweep and vacuum floor areas in the kitchen, under furniture, and around dining areas.

Keep garbage areas clean. Garbage should be stored in sealed containers and disposed of regularly.

Seal cracks, crevices, and other gaps around doors and windows. Doors and windows should always be kept closed or well screened.

Check pipes and pipe areas around the house for leaks, cracks and gaps and seal and patch any problems if necessary. Leaky faucets should also be fixed.

Keep basements, attics, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. If you have mold and mildew in your home or office crawlspace, it’s a symptom of an excess moisture problem.

Inspect boxes, grocery bags and other packaging thoroughly. Insects have also been known to come in on potted plants and in luggage.

What steps can homeowners take to reduce the likelihood of occasional invaders inside their homes?

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Butterfly wings are what talented artist Vadim Zaritsky needs to make unsual paintings

January 24th, 2012

Meet artist Vadim Zaritsk. He is like nay other artist except for the fact that he uses a very unusual material for his paintings – butterfly wings. He is well known for using butterfly wings to paint pictures of various politicians, landscapes, fellow artists, landscapes, and still life’s.  To see some of Vadims pieces of work check out: Butterfly wings for politicians’ faces

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Keep Rodents Out!

January 23rd, 2012

Did you checkout the January 2012 Newsletter? It focuses on ways you and your family can keep rodents out of your home.

To get tips about keeping rodents out you can read our newsletter HERE.

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South Carolina Exterminator Finds Man Under Church

January 20th, 2012

A South Carolina exterminator found more than he bargained for while treating a church in South Carolina.

According to WYFF4.COM, “A member of the church told police an exterminator had come to spray under the crawl space and found a homeless man living there. He said there was also food and clothing in the space.”

I have heard of find a lot of things in crawl spaces but this one might just top them all.

Have you found anything unusual while inspecting crawl spaces?

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Invasion of the Bedbugs

January 19th, 2012

The Travel Channel recently ran a great article on Bed Bugs in The United States.

It highlights some of the common questions about bedbugs, how to avoid bedbugs, and what to do if you get bedbugs.

To read the article click on the link below.

Invasion of the Bedbugs

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Poisoning cases illustrate dangers of pesticide misuse

January 18th, 2012

Pesticide misuse is more common than many people may think. A recent article in The State highlighted some of the results of pesticide misuse specifically in Lee County. Officials believe many people are getting the pesticides illegally, without labels, and are told that’s great for getting rid of wildlife. There are even detailed instructions sprawled across the internet on how to mix pesticide with meat to create effective poison.


Clemson officials think that they get involved in only a small fraction of the actual pesticide poisoning incidents. Rural residents often are reluctant to report neighbors to law enforcement, and nobody much cares if there are a few less coyotes or raccoons in the woods. “But the cases we do get are pretty scary,” said Tim Drake, state programs manager for the pesticide regulation department. To read the full article visit The State online at http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/03/2098924/poisoning-cases-illustrate-dangers.html

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Critter Crafts

January 17th, 2012

Critter Crafts

Critter Crafts features 24 instructional videos teaching parents, teachers and children how to make fun, creative, pest-themed arts and crafts projects. This family-friendly content is perfect for sharing with online visitors and customers with children.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in and around Atlanta

January 16th, 2012

Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in and around Atlanta

by Shane Harrison

Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on Aug. 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. We honor the great civil rights leader with a holiday on Monday, when Americans are encouraged to volunteer and give back to the community. UPI.Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his famous “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. We honor the great civil rights leader with an annual holiday on Monday, Jan. 16, when Americans are encouraged to volunteer and give back to the community. UPI.

Many of the King Day events are centered in the King Historic District in the Auburn Avenue area, including Monday morning’s annual commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church and the march and rally on Auburn Avenue Monday afternoon. The yearly “Salute to Greatness” is a highlight, too, but this King Center fundraiser starts at $250 a ticket. The majority of the events are free, and they’re a happening all over the metro Atlanta area. Below is just a sampling of the events surrounding the King holiday. Check the King Center’s website and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Site’s online home for more. For volunteer opportunities, head over to Hands On Atlanta’s MLK Day page.

“From King to Obama – DuBois and Back Again: Reflections on Race, Nation and African American Internationalism.” An art exhibition by J.R. Phillips focusing on the artistic interactions between the African Diaspora and mainland China in the 20th and 21st centuries. Through March 31. Free. Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, 101 Auburn Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-730-4001.

Atlanta Technical College MLK Birthday Celebration. Keynote speech by Judy Forte, Superintendent of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. 11 a.m. Jan. 12. Free. Atlanta Technical College, 1560 Metropolitan Parkway S.W., Atlanta. 404-225-4400.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: A King Celebration Concert 20th Anniversary. With cellist Yo-Yo Ma. 8 p.m. Jan. 12. $55-$125. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-5000.

“Salute to  Greatness” Awards Dinner. The King Center’s primary fundraising initiative and one of the Center’s highest honors. The awards recognize national and/or international individuals and corporations that exemplify excellence in their leadership and have demonstrated a commitment to social responsibility in the spirit of King. 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14. Individual tickets $250; tables $3500 and $5000. Hyatt Regency, 265 Peachtree St.  N.E., Atlanta. 404- 526-8974.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Presented by Thankful Baptist Church. 5 p.m. Jan. 14. Free. Kennesaw Mountain High School, 1898 Kennesaw Due West Road N.W., Kennesaw. 678-797-0611.

“A King Celebration Musical: A tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” 5 p.m. Jan. 15. Free. New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church, 923 Valley Brook Road, Decatur. 404-508-1400.

“A Balm in Gilead.” Combines music, dance and storytelling in order to reconstruct the two turbulent months that transformed the Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike of 1968, which became the setting of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. 5 p.m. Jan. 15. Free; donations accepted. Wheat Street Baptist Church, 359 Auburn Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-659-4328.

Multi-faith Worship Service and Candlelight Vigil In Honor Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The theme is community service and participants will have an opportunity to converse with members of other faiths. 6 p.m. Jan. 15. Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Morehouse College, 830 Westview Drive S.W., Atlanta. 404-215-2608.

Emory Celebrates King Week. Emory University’s annual celebration of the life, work and interests of Martin Luther King Jr. features a range of service, education, entertainment and memorial activities. All events are free and open to the public. It kicks off on Jan. 15 with a conversation and performance featuring poet Eugene B. Redmond as he celebrates the 25th anniversary of Drumvoices Review. MLK Day (Jan. 16) is a day of service known as “Emory’s Day On.” On Jan. 17, Melissa Harris-Perry, professor of political science at Tulane University and MSNBC contributor, will deliver the keynote speech, “King’s Legacy and the New Civil Rights Frontiers” in Cannon Chapel. The popular jazz vesper service featuring Dwight Andrews and the Atlanta Jazz Chorus is 7 p.m. Jan. 19 in Cannon Chapel. Visit the official King Week at Emory website for a full list of the school’s King Week activities.

Nikki Giovanni. The poet will speak at 2 p.m. Jan. 16, followed by a book signing, as part of Kennesaw State University’s annual MLK Day event. Free. Bailey Performance Center, 1000 Chastain Road N.W, Kennesaw. 770-423-6650.

Sandy Springs King Holiday Celebration. Event will feature music, a keynote address by Georgia Supreme Court Justice Harold D. Melton and presentation of the 2012 Humanitarian Award. 10 a.m. Jan. 16. Free.  City Hall, 7840 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs.

MLK Day of Service 2012. 9 a.m. Jan. 16. Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston. 404-501-0107.

Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Commemorative Service. Keynote speaker is Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, Senior Pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. 10 a.m. Jan. 16. Open to the public (seating is limited). Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-526-8911.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Celebration. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 16. Included with Museum admission ($12.75). Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-659-5437.

King Holiday March and Rally. The march is held on Auburn Avenue from Peachtree Street to Jackson Street. The rally is held on Auburn Avenue in the King National Park Area. The areas of concern are education, technology, medical, investment, transportation, housing environmental justice, job creation, conflict resolution, interfaith, cultural exchange, peace, justice and voter registration. 1:15 p.m. Jan. 16. Sweet Auburn District, Auburn Ave N.E., Atlanta. 404-614-3233.

Cobb County’s 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The holiday event is free and open to the public. The event, titled “The Dream, the Life, the Legacy,” is sponsored by Cobb County NAACP. 10 a.m. Jan. 16. Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. 770-425-5757.

King Sunday Worship Service. 11 a.m. Jan. 16. Morehouse College, 830 Westview Drive S.W., Atlanta. 404-681-2800.

“Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness.” The Alliance Theatre presents two free readings of an original script by Atlanta author and playwright Pearl Cleage in collaboration with students in its high school Collision Project. Inspired by the Declaration of Independence, “Life, Liberty” uses the voices of teens to question issues of citizenship and diversity. Presented in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League. 1 and 3 p.m. Jan. 16. Free. Woodruff Arts Center’s Rich Auditorium, 1280 Peachtree St N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-4749.

DeKalb NAACP’s 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Peace Rally. Sponsored by the DeKalb NAACP. Parade takes place on Main Street in downtowen Stone Mountain beginning at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 16. Rally follows at Champion Theme Middle School gymnasium, 5265 Mimosa Drive, Stone Mountain. 404-241-8006.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Project. An opportunity for ordinary citizens to make a difference in the world, sponsored by Hands On Atlanta, with diverse community service projects throughout Atlanta. Jan. 16. For more information contact Hands On Atlanta at 404-979-2800.

This is just a selective list of MLK-related events. If you know of other events marking the King holiday, please feel free to share them in the comments, or send them to sharrison@ajc.com.

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Specific Pest Health Threats

January 13th, 2012

Specific Pest Health Threats

How Pests and Rodents Can Affect Your Health
The fact remains – pests and rodents, can have harmful effects upon your health and your family’s health. It is important to fully understand the dangers stemming from these types of infestations. Did you know that some of the most common pests in homes are cockroaches, rodents and ants? It is unsettling to think of us sharing our homes with these pests because of the serious threats they pose. Below is a more detailed overview of the health risks associated with particular pests.

Cockroaches
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) reports that one-in-five children in the United States have severe sensitivities to cockroach allergens, which increase the severity of asthma symptoms. These allergens are most commonly introduced in homes through cockroach saliva, droppings and the decomposing bodies of these pests. Cockroaches can also carry bacteria such as E coli and salmonella on their bodies, which can contaminate food, cooking equipment and food surfaces.

Rodents
Rodents can enter a building through almost any opening or crack. It is important to inspect for rodent droppings, especially in undisturbed areas such as pantries, under baseboards and along walls. Rodent droppings most often cause allergic reactions in human beings but can also cause disease, including the potentially deadly Hantavirus. More frequently, though, rodents serve as vectors, carrying bacteria, such as salmonella, on their bodies and contaminating food sources, kitchen surfaces and equipment. A pest control professional can offer the expertise and knowledge of rodent biology to best protect your health and rid your home of a rodent infestation.

Mosquitoes
With the increased prevalence of West Nile Virus in the summer months, mosquitoes continue to be, not only a summer nuisance pest but also, a major health threat. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), West Nile Virus infections have appeared across the United States in recent years, which makes avoiding mosquito nesting/breeding sites and eliminating standing water in or around the home even more important to the protection of public health. In addition, to the potential for West Nile Virus, mosquitoes can also cause itchy, unsightly marks as well as severe allergic reactions in human beings.

Ticks
Lyme disease has emerged, in recent years, as a major health risk to human beings. Transmitted by ticks, typically between May and October, lyme disease is largely found in the Northeastern, upper mid-western Western states of the U.S. However, there has been an increase in the diagnosed cases of lyme disease in the South. It is critical to be vigilant of ticks, especially if you are in wooded areas. Symptoms of Lyme disease include a “bull’s eye” rash around the bite, flu-like symptoms and extreme fatigue.

Summer Stingers (Bees, Yellow Jackets, Hornets, etc)
Stinging pests send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room each year. These pests are aggressive in nature and often sting as a way to protect their colonies or larvae from human beings who attempt to remedy an infestation on their own. This aggressiveness, combined with being disturbed, often means that these pests tend to sting repeatedly, which adds to the potential for greater skin irritation or a serious allergic reaction. A pest control professional can provide a level of expertise and knowledge of technology that can best rid these stinging insects and prevents future infestations.

Ants
Ants are social insects. Therefore, spotting one ant unfortunately signifies there are many more to follow. Ants are not simply unsightly – they can also be dangerous contaminates to food. Considering that you likely eat multiple meals a day in your home, the presence of ants and the potential for food contamination from their presence is an issue that must be addressed when considering your health and the health of your family. If you have an ant infestation, be sure to take action to treat the problem and contact a licensed pest control professional to aid you in preventing future infestations

Fleas
Fleas aren’t just a problem for man’s best friend. These pests, which commonly appear in warmer months, feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body. Typically biting human beings, fleas can cause itchy, unsightly marks as well as severe allergic reactions. Fleas tend to travel with mammals on the move, which can include not only you and your pet but also rodents. If you have a rodent problem in your home, fleas may be soon to follow. If you suspect a flea infestation, be proactive in treating the problem and contact a licensed pest control professional to rid your home of fleas and to prevent future infestations.

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