Houston Roach Commercial

Wondering what that funny and slightly disturbing roach commercial was that aired before your movie at a Houston Cinemark? We have it here!

Summer Movie Madness 

Last weekend was a huge box office weekend. “Iron Man 3” debuted with an astonishing $174.1 million in domestic sales, and squeaked out $680 million globally. Wow! It was the second largest debut of all time, behind last summer’s “The Avengers.” The debut of “Iron Man 3” also meant that the summer movie season has finally arrived much to our enjoyment.

I am personally looking forward to a few of these summer movies myself: “The Hangover 3,” “Man of Steel,” “Fast and Furious 6,” and “World War Z.”

Debut Of Houston Roach Commercial 

With all of these summer movies kicking into full gear, the pest professionals at Bulwark Exterminating launched a new commercial entitled “Roaches Eat Toothpaste.” The one minute ad, which will play before your movies in a few select Houston area theaters, hopes to inform Houston residents about the growing roach problem in the city.

The Houston roach commercial shows an adult cockroach slurping down gobs of white toothpaste. Yes, revolting as it sounds, roaches frequently dine on toothpaste; as well as hair, blood, toenails, and dog doo. Watch the roach commercial yourself:

Houston Roach Commercial: Roaches Eat Toothpaste

See The Houston Roach Video In These Select Theaters 

Roach Control 

While the “Roaches Eat Toothpaste” commercial was good for a laugh, having roaches infest your Houston home is no laughing matter. These cockroaches can spread diseases like polio, typhoid fever, leprosy, and bubonic plaque. Cockroaches also shed their body parts which can lead to asthma and other breathing problems. On top of all these problems cockroaches can cause, they also emit an unpleasant odor that will make your house stink. Yuck!

If you are seeing cockroaches in and around your Houston, TX home, get professional roach control.

Roach Control In Houston, TX 

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Published by Bulwark

Houston Roach Commercial

Wondering what that funny and slightly disturbing roach commercial was that aired before your movie at a Houston Cinemark? We have it here!

Summer Movie Madness 

Last weekend was a huge box office weekend. “Iron Man 3” debuted with an astonishing $174.1 million in domestic sales, and squeaked out $680 million globally. Wow! It was the second largest debut of all time, behind last summer’s “The Avengers.” The debut of “Iron Man 3” also meant that the summer movie season has finally arrived much to our enjoyment.

I am personally looking forward to a few of these summer movies myself: “The Hangover 3,” “Man of Steel,” “Fast and Furious 6,” and “World War Z.”

Debut Of Houston Roach Commercial 

With all of these summer movies kicking into full gear, the pest professionals at Bulwark Exterminating launched a new commercial entitled “Roaches Eat Toothpaste.” The one minute ad, which will play before your movies in a few select Houston area theaters, hopes to inform Houston residents about the growing roach problem in the city.

The Houston roach commercial shows an adult cockroach slurping down gobs of white toothpaste. Yes, revolting as it sounds, roaches frequently dine on toothpaste; as well as hair, blood, toenails, and dog doo. Watch the roach commercial yourself:

Houston Roach Commercial: Roaches Eat Toothpaste

See The Houston Roach Video In These Select Theaters 

Roach Control 

While the “Roaches Eat Toothpaste” commercial was good for a laugh, having roaches infest your Houston home is no laughing matter. These cockroaches can spread diseases like polio, typhoid fever, leprosy, and bubonic plaque. Cockroaches also shed their body parts which can lead to asthma and other breathing problems. On top of all these problems cockroaches can cause, they also emit an unpleasant odor that will make your house stink. Yuck!

If you are seeing cockroaches in and around your Houston, TX home, get professional roach control.

Roach Control In Houston, TX 

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• How Are You Attracting Roaches Into Your Home?
• Iron Man 3 Review

Published by Bulwark

Freakish Football Sized Snails Invade Houston

Freakish Football Sized Snails Invade Houston, TX

A giant African snail has been found right here in Houston, TX. Someone who lives on Twin Circle drive in the Briar Forrest area found on in their garden. After the snail that was spotted, it happened to get away and nobody knows where it went. Don’t ask me how it got away… it’s not like snails are fast. These snails have local residents, and scientists, worried. Where there is one snail, there will likely be many, many more.

The giant African land snail reproduces very rapidly. They can lay as many as 100 eggs a month, so it’s likely there are more like the one found on Twin Circle Drive came from. Parts of Florida are also currently under attack, with these freakish snails being found by the thousands.

These snails are about eight inches in length, and four inches in diameter. The biggest ones found are reported to be about the size of a football.

Giant African Land Snail Escapes (Photo credit: sarflondondunc)

Giant African Snails Are Destructive

These giant African snails are quite a site, but scientists warn about the damage they can inflict to both humans and to property. These massive snails will make hole in the stucco and plaster on your home. If you run over one of them with your car, its shell can blow out your tire. They also feed on 500 different types of Houston plants, destroying your beautiful landscaping.

Giant African Snails Carry Deadly Disease

In addition to being destructive to your property, these gigantic African snails also carry a deadly disease that causes life-threatening meningitis. This parasitic disease can cause a lot of harm to humans, and sometimes even cause death. People are being warned not to touch them. You can get very sick if you do handle them. Most kids would look at a big snail like this and want to touch it. Neighbors and Houston residents need to be warned to stay away from these massive snails.

Pest Control In Houston, TX

If you are a Houston, TX resident and are seeing giant African land snails on your property, keep your distance and get professional Houston pest control.

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Anthony Ball

Watch Out! Bed Bugs Are Not Just In Beds

You may think that you are safe from bed bugs, just because your home’s bedroom is not infested with them. Think again. Bed bugs are in a growing number of locations these days. Leaving your house may mean that you can brush up against bed bugs in taxi cabs, movie theaters, and even hospitals.

According to an annual survey of pest management professionals, bed bugs are in all sorts of places you may not have expected. In February, the National Pest Management Association and the University of Kentucky surveyed the in-the-field bed bug detection experts for the Bugs Without Borders report. ”In the third installment of the Bugs Without Borders survey, according to Pestworld.org, “bed bugs are found to be as much, if not more of a problem today than they were a few years ago.” Yikes!

Places bed bug detection professionals found bed bugs

The survey says that virtually all of the pest management professionals found bed bugs at some point in their work – 98 percent found them in apartments or condos, and 96 percent found them in single-family homes. But that is not the only place bed bugs were discovered. Here are some of the places the survey found bed bugs, and the percentage of pest management professionals who discovered bed bugs there:

• Hospitals: 33 percent
• Movie theaters: 10 percent
• Schools and day care centers: 41 percent
• Nursing homes: 46 percent
• Transportation (train/bus/taxi) : 21 percent
• College dorms: 47 percent
• Office buildings: 36 percent
• Hotels/motels: 75 percent
• Libraries: 12 percent
• Laundromats: 9 percent
• Retail stores: 15 percent
• Airplanes: 2 percent
• Restaurants: 7 percent.

That means that you could potentially be exposed to bed bugs at a variety of diverse locations whenever you leave your home. Needless to say, this is a scary prospect.

Bed bugs the toughest insects to control

If this doesn’t make you want to itch, here is some more information to make your skin crawl. According to the pest control professionals, bed bugs are the toughest pest to control. The Bugs Without Borders survey says that 76 percent of the experts find the bugs the worst, with 17 percent finding ants the worst, 6 percent say roaches are the toughest, and 1 percent find termites the most difficult.

What can you do to stay away from bed bugs?

Pestworld.org says that “bed bugs are as much, if not more of a problem today than they were a few years ago,” and that “these pests continue to plague people wherever they go.” The site says that raising awareness of the issue and being vigilant about bed bugs can help alleviate the problem.

If you travel, or have had to spend much time away from home, like in a hospital, you can keep bed bugs from being a problem in your home by putting your clothing in the dryer on high heat for 20 minutes before putting them in the washer. You should also put your luggage in a separate area of your home to make sure that any potential bed bugs don’t hitch a ride into your bedroom.

And if you think you might have bed bugs in your home, contact a bed bug professional like Bed Bug Finders LLC. Good luck.

Featured images:

•  License: Image author owned

Lisa Swan writes for a variety of home and office websites. She lives in New York City.

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The Rasberry Ant: A Houston Original

Rasberry Ant

The Crazy Rasberry ant (not to be confused with raspberry) was discovered in Houston, TX by exterminator Tom Rasberry. Since the ant’s discovery in 2002, the Rasberry ant has spread to 24 different counties in the state of Texas; and to other states across the South. The ants prefer the moisture, warmth, and humidity of the coast.

Characteristics Of Rasberry Ants

Rasberry ants, sometimes referred to as Tawny crazy ants, range in size from 1/16-1/8 inches long. They have slender bodies with long legs, and long antenna. They are reddish-brown in color, and are covered with fuzz. This fuzz makes the ant appear less glossy then other species of ant; and lead many to define the ant as “hairy.”

The Crazy Rasberry ant is a type of Crazy ant, that is well know for its rapid erratic movements. They do not move linearly like other ant species. If you were to watch the ant crawl, you might think it was lost or confused. This behavior is why the ant is labeled as “crazy.”

Why Rasberry Ants Are Harmful

Rasberry ants cause harm, both physical and economic, in several different ways. Large numbers of Rasberry ants cause short circuits, electrical equipment failure, and clog switching mechanisms. In some cases the ants have caused several thousand dollars in damage and remedial costs.

There’s another characteristic that makes Rasberry ants dangerous. The death of a Rasberry ant will cause it to release a chemical pheromone that summons other Rasberry ants to attack the threat. One exterminator said “… if a hundred-thousand are killed, millions more will attack.” Trying to exterminate these ants on your own can have hazardous consequences.

Rasberry Ant Control in Houston

In infested areas, large numbers of Rasberry ants have caused great aggravation to residents and homeowners. Infestations make it uncomfortable for residents to enjoy time in their yards. These pesky ants need to be dealt with.

Products that are effective in the treatment of Rasberry ants are not readily available to the public. If you believe your house or property is infested with these ants, call a professional pest control provider.

Pest Control Houston

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Published by Bulwark

The Tell Tale Signs Of Mice

Uninvited guests are a nightmare, especially when those guests are disease carrying, smelly rodents with a penchant for working their way through your food and rubbish and leaving a trail of destruction. Here are the tell tale signs that mice have been in your home.

Odor

A strong smell of ammonia, almost musky will follow the mice as they mark their pathways and territories with urine. Cats and dogs are likely to notice the odor before you do and will express this through excitement where the mice are most active. If you see them take interest in particular cupboards or skirting boards then take a closer look for the other signs of an infestation.  It could just be that there is a rogue toy or treat that had previously gone unnoticed, however if there are other signs then you have mice. Such is there habit of urinating you may notice yellow trails building up along their trails.

Droppings

Mice pellets are around 5 mm in length and dark in color  where you suspect the mice have been there will be a number of them.  Check under the sink, in the dark corners underneath and inside drawers and around food containers and rubbish bags.

Scratching & Squeaking

Mice are noisy creatures and due to their poor eyesight and danger from predators they will move around the crevices and pathways around your walls and cupboards. They are nocturnal creatures so you will be able to hear their high pitched squeaking and the scurrying and scratching noises of their paws in the silence of the night.

Gnawing

Bite marks, or more accurately little nibble marks where they have happily gnawed through food packaging, wood, plastic or even cables. Mice have teeth that are always growing so will chew through most hard surfaces to relieve this. If you fear you have mice ensure food packets that have been opened are re-sealed and kept in air-tight containers .Food debris such as bread crumbs or cereal, or food left out is what attracts them in the first place. Ensure that food waste is put in a rubbish bin that is routinely emptied or has a strong lid.

Finally you may see a mouse, in which case it is likely there will be more nearby. Mice are quite small in size and of a light brown or grey color with a thin tail. They also have soft skeletons that allow them to fit through spaces just quarter of an inch thick making gaps in floorboards and cupboards ideal.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Thanks to James from Terminex pest control in London for providing us with this post.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

The Tell Tale Signs Of Mice

Uninvited guests are a nightmare, especially when those guests are disease carrying, smelly rodents with a penchant for working their way through your food and rubbish and leaving a trail of destruction. Here are the tell tale signs that mice have been in your home.

Odor

A strong smell of ammonia, almost musky will follow the mice as they mark their pathways and territories with urine. Cats and dogs are likely to notice the odor before you do and will express this through excitement where the mice are most active. If you see them take interest in particular cupboards or skirting boards then take a closer look for the other signs of an infestation.  It could just be that there is a rogue toy or treat that had previously gone unnoticed, however if there are other signs then you have mice. Such is there habit of urinating you may notice yellow trails building up along their trails.

Droppings

Mice pellets are around 5 mm in length and dark in color  where you suspect the mice have been there will be a number of them.  Check under the sink, in the dark corners underneath and inside drawers and around food containers and rubbish bags.

Scratching & Squeaking

Mice are noisy creatures and due to their poor eyesight and danger from predators they will move around the crevices and pathways around your walls and cupboards. They are nocturnal creatures so you will be able to hear their high pitched squeaking and the scurrying and scratching noises of their paws in the silence of the night.

Gnawing

Bite marks, or more accurately little nibble marks where they have happily gnawed through food packaging, wood, plastic or even cables. Mice have teeth that are always growing so will chew through most hard surfaces to relieve this. If you fear you have mice ensure food packets that have been opened are re-sealed and kept in air-tight containers .Food debris such as bread crumbs or cereal, or food left out is what attracts them in the first place. Ensure that food waste is put in a rubbish bin that is routinely emptied or has a strong lid.

Finally you may see a mouse, in which case it is likely there will be more nearby. Mice are quite small in size and of a light brown or grey color with a thin tail. They also have soft skeletons that allow them to fit through spaces just quarter of an inch thick making gaps in floorboards and cupboards ideal.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Thanks to James from Terminex pest control in London for providing us with this post.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

Houston Residents Battling Fire Ants

fire_ant_worker1 (Photo credit: bart_drees)

If you live anywhere in the Houston, TX area you have likely had an unfortunate encounter with the Red Imported Fire ant. These ants have the reputation of being one of the worst pests in Texas, and rightfully so. In terms of human health, property damage, and environmental damage; no other pest can match the malevolence of these property pests… And Houston residents know it!

Houston Fire Ants

Residents of Houston, and surrounding areas, have been battling Red Imported Fire ants since their arrival in the late 1930’s. Their population has spread tremendously; so much in fact that certain areas in Texas have reported some 200 Fire Ant mounds per acre. That’s a scary thought considering one fire ant mount can house more than 250,000 ants a piece.

Another scary thought is that stings from these ants have been responsible for some 100+ deaths. Most of these deaths occur when someone who is stung has insect allergies. Painful fire ant stings can send a victim into anaphylactic shock. A sting victim will experience pain, swelling, itching, redness, dizziness, disorientation, and vomiting.

As you can imagine, these ants can create a major pest control problem for homeowners and local residents. Bulwark Pest Control technicians report that Fire Ants are one of the most frequently called about pests in the Houston, Texas area.

The Impact Of Fire Ants In Texas

Fire ant nest (Photo credit: Martin LaBar (going on hiatus))

If their stings weren’t serious enough, Fire Ants can also cause severe property and agricultural damage. Fire Ant mounds can measure several feet in diameter and reach eight feet deep into the soil. This building activity has damaged plant roots, lead to the loss of crops, and interfered with agricultural cultivation.

On top of it all, Red Imported Fire ants are also attracted to electrical wiring and equipment. They are known for creeping into the electrical wiring of stop lights and shorting them out. This activity is the leading cause of traffic light malfunctions in Texas.

In the state of Texas, Red Imported Fire ants cause more than $140 million in damage each year.

The FDA estimates more than $5 billion is spent annually on medical treatment, damage, and control in Fire Ant infested areas.

Ant Control For Fire Ants

Red Imported Fire ant infestations are very challenging to completely eliminate. A one time treatment from an exterminator, or a do-it-yourself pest control method, will only break up the ants into smaller colonies as they wait out the effects of the pesticide. Controlling Fire Ant populations takes consistent effort, and ant control strategies, from a professional who has experience in treating these malevolent insects.

Houston Ant Control

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Published by Bulwark

Watch Out! Harmful Bugs That Can Kill Plants Around Your Region

If you’ve been a frequent reader of our blog, then you already know how passionate we are about topic pertaining to gardening and landscaping – including ways of keeping plants healthy and beautiful. Yet, it’s not surprising that Northern hemisphere gardening has its own unique set of challenges, including plant-destroying bugs. While we are lucky enough to avoid many of the year-round pests that attack other regions of the nation, we are certainly not immune to them.

Here are some of the harmful bugs that may find their way into your gardening adventures this year. (The good news is you can prevent them!) Watch out for these plant munching pests.

Japanese Beetles - Still making their presence known in the United States and Canada, the common Japanese beetle can wreak havoc on your garden if you don’t knock them out fast. Easily distinguishable by their well-known iridescent greenish-gold appearance, you may start to notice these pests early in the growing season. They love to eat roses, raspberries, geraniums, and many other varieties of flowering plants. To treat for them without harming your plants, spritz a solution of 1 teaspoon dish detergent in water onto plants each day, and squash any bugs or larva you see hanging out. The good news is that Japanese Beetles have a relatively short lifespan of only about 6-8 weeks.

Emerald Ash Borer - The stately ash tree is something to treasure in the North, yet an insidious pest often comes to visit. The Emerald Ash Borer is one such pest you want to watch out for. Native to Asia, the larvae Emerald Ash Borer does one thing very well – boring holes into the bark of ash trees and destroying them from the inside out. Noted for its dark-metallic emerald green color, this bullet shaped beetle can grow to .33 inches long and has a flat head with black eyes. Annual soil treatments that include the components Imidicloprid or Dinotefuran can effective reduce their presence.

Cutworms - A devastating pest that you don’t want to get on your plants or trees is that of the cutworm. While there are many varieties, the one that is most prevalent is the variegated cutworm, identified by its brown and yellowish variegated coloration with diamond shaped spots on the top of its body. Cutworms chew on every piece of foliage they can find, cutting them down from the root upward. To get rid of them, keep soil well-cultivated and make it harder for larvae to get to your delicate plants by adding use coffee grounds around each planting.

Tent Caterpillars - A common pest found in the Northern territories, tent caterpillars are famous for their huge tent-like nests found in the branches of trees. The caterpillar itself has either a blue or black body with white or yellow stripes down the back. They are voracious, defoliating trees in a matter of days. To help prevent them, wrap the base of each tree with plastic sheeting (garbage bags work well) 12 inches from the ground and then layer a thick strip of petroleum jelly. Remove all nests as soon as you notice them on your trees or buildings.

Preventing pests are part of gardening and landscape management, but they do not have to get the best of you. Keeping a close eye on your plants, trees, and property can help you to maintain a healthy and beautiful garden in the North.

About  the Author: Stephanie writes about landscaping and exterior design. She reviews landscaping sites, click here for more information. When she’s not working she catches butterflies with her 2 daughters.

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How To Protect Your Home And Family From Bed Bugs

The frequency of domestic and international travel has greatly contributed to the resurgence of bed bug problems nationwide. A few years back, everyone thought that bed bugs were a thing of the past. Now, however, with homes, schools, hotels, and all kinds of accommodation facilities, including buses, airplanes and cruise ships all being infested by bed bugs, people have realized how easily a once contained pest problem can become a national issue once again.

Today, it’s pretty difficult to stop the spread of bed bugs because travel, as mentioned earlier, is more common, and the creatures themselves are pretty sneaky. They can easily hide in bags, clothes, linen, and other items. They are pervasive, and they suck blood. All of these characteristics make them scary even though they might only be as small as apple seeds. Bed bug infestations are frightening, and no homeowner would want to be saddled with this kind of problem. Hence, people should take measures to protect their home, especially their kids, from bed bugs.

Here are a few things that will help you protect yourself and your loved ones from the nasty bloodsuckers.

1. Know who their friends are. You have to be involved in your children’s lives so that you’re updated about the latest happenings. Your child might mention something about a classmate who has a bug problem at home. In case you discover this, be extra vigilant and check your kid’s things and his room. It will also help to alert the teacher about this.

2. Be informed before allowing your child to go on a sleepover. Determine if the friend hosting the event has a problem with bed bugs. Try to glean some information about the home life to determine if the family has had pest issues in the past. It would also be better to talk to the parents concerned. Tell them about your bed bug concerns. They will likely open up to you in case they have a pest problem.

3. Clean and vacuum regularly. This way, you’ll easily get rid of lost bed bugs that might have just migrated into your home. Bed bugs also prefer clutter. If you regularly clean, you’re removing hiding places. Don’t forget to caulk cracks or put weatherstripping in gaps so that small pests will not be able to enter your house.

4. Teach your child how to protect his things from bed bugs. Tell him to keep his school bag zipped closed so that the bugs won’t be able to hide in his things. Ask him to check his bag first before taking this inside your house and in his room so that he won’t unwittingly carry bugs in your abode.

5. Use your laundry machine to your advantage. Bed bugs can be killed by heat. In case you believe that your house is infested, regularly launder clothes, bedding, and other things. After washing stuff in hot water, put things in a dryer and opt for the highest heat setting. Expose infested items to very hot air for at least 30 minutes.

Citations:

• louento.pix. “Bed bug colony”. December 12, 2006. Online image. Flickr. February 14, 2013.

Claire Trent is a freelance writer who wants to help spread awareness about bed bug infestations. In her articles, she talks about Maryland bed bugs exterminator, how to identify the bugs, and what to do in case of a widespread invasion.

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