Monthly Archives

February 2020

Top 5 Mosquito Prevention Tips (aka the 5 Ds)

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Mosquito Prevention Tips

Mosquitoes bugging you?  Take back your yard by following the ‘5 Ds’.

Top 5 Mosquito Prevention Tips - Fun Facts

Top 5 Mosquito Prevention Tips

  1. DUMP – Mosquitoes require water to complete their life cycle.  Once a week, carefully inspect your property and dump out any water in containers such as tires, plant drainers, wheelbarrows, buckets, etc.  Remember that mosquitoes can develop in a bottle cap!  Remove or cover containers if possible.
  2. DRAIN – Things such as kiddy pools, clogged gutters and bird baths can produce hungry bloodsuckers in a week.  Drain them regularly.
  3. DRESS – When practical, wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible.  Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks.  Some kinds of mosquitoes just LOVE biting around the ankles!  Some stores sell clothing that is factory-impregnated with insect repellent.
  4. DEET – When needed, use insect repellent that has an EPA-registered active ingredient.  Read more here:  https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites.html
  5. DUSK/DAWN – Peak mosquito biting activity occurs around dusk and dawn.  Avoid being outside at these times if possible.  If you can’t, dress appropriately and use repellent.  Note, however, that some kinds of mosquitoes, especially those that transmit Zika, chikungunya and dengue prefer to bit during the DAYTIME hours.

Captain Stan Cope (aka the Mosquito Man) is our Vice President of Technical Services, learn more about him here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/stan-cope-phd/

Mosquito Prevention – Additional Resources

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

For help with mosquito season 2020 & beyond, discover Catchmaster® mosquito management tools:  https://catchmasterpro.com/collection/mosquito-management-tools/

Finally, learn more about mosquitoes from the NPMA here: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/mosquitoes/

Catchmaster Pestimonial – J&J Pest Control

By | Mosquitoes, Pestimonials | No Comments

Catchmaster Pestimonial – J&J Pest Control

Catchmaster Pestimonial - J & J

J&J Pest Control Takes a Bite Out of the Mosquito Market with Unique Sales Approach

In this edition of our Catchmaster Pestimonial series we talked with a partner in Texas.

Monica Malone, General Manager, for J&J Pest Control in Texas knows a good product when she sees it. So when her Catchmaster® rep introduced her to the Ovi-Catch™ Mosquito Trap she decided to test it around her own home. Malone believes testing a product on your own helps you to sell it. Having that personal experience with a product allows you to share your personal story with it and your enthusiasm shows through.

“It only took me two days to realize we were no longer being bitten by mosquitoes after installing the traps. It also helped us to uncover that our bass boat was what was attracting the mosquitoes to our yard. Everyone should try this in their own yard,” said Malone.

The testing phase

During the testing phase the benefits of the product really stood out. First, it was reassuring to not have to worry about the dog getting into the bucket, since it contains no pesticides and won’t harm him. Second, positioning of the containers and mosquito catch rates made her realize that her bass boat had accumulated water inside and was, therefore, the source of the mosquito breeding near her home.

Immediately after testing, Malone knew she had a winner. J&J Pest Control’s customer base is always inquiring about mosquito-borne diseases and has a strong interest in green offerings. Instead of simply selling the containers and relying on her customers to properly service them themselves each month she decided to give them an option.

Catchmaster Pestimonial - Fun Facts

Catchmaster Pestimonial – A unique service model

J& J Pest Control treat the containers like a bait station install. They rent and service the containers on a monthly basis.  During the service the team removes the old organic matter and refill. They’ve had a lot of luck using leaf litter fill but noted this needed to be changed out fairly frequently to ensure it didn’t create an odor.

Malone has found uses for the Ovi-Catch™ Mosquito Trap outside of just residential homes. Commercial buildings are a great target as are retention ponds where chemical treatments are not possible. She believes so strongly in their new mosquito offering that they will now include it in their on-hold music during mosquito season and are expecting a great response.

Catchmaster Pestimonial – Additional Resources

To learn more about J&J Pest Control here: http://www.jjpest.com/

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Check out the Catchmaster® Ovi-Catch™ Mosquito Trap here: https://catchmasterpro.com/product/ovi-catch-ago-mosquito-trap/

Read additional Catchmaster® Pestimonials here: https://catchmaster.com/category/pestimonials/

Finally, learn more about mosquitoes from the NPMA here: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/mosquitoes/

10 Mosquito Prevention Tips for Your Yard

By | Mosquitoes, Tips & Inspirations | No Comments

Spring is in the air and the mosquitoes are sure to follow – here are 10 mosquito prevention tips to get your yard ready for mosquito season.

In short, containing the little biters comes down to eliminating some of the conditions that make your property so attractive in the first place.

Mosquito Prevention Tips - Fun Facts

10 Mosquito Prevention Tips for Your Yard

  1. Search thoroughly for and remove or cover anything that can hold water.
  2. Remove, cover or drill holes in used tires.  Drill so that water completely drains.  Do the same if you have a tire swing.
  3. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers. Ensure that lids for garbage cans are in good repair.
  4. Beware of items such as buckets, wheelbarrows and recycling containers that have a ‘lip’ when flipped over. The lip will collect water and organic matter, enough to welcome a new generation of mosquitoes in just 5-7 days.
  5. Clean clogged gutters.
  6. Check that all windows, screens and doors are tight-fitting and in good repair.
  7. Scrub birdbaths thoroughly with a brush. This will remove mosquito eggs.
  8. Cover in-ground drains with hardware cloth to prevent mosquito breeding.
  9. Fill in low-lying areas where water regularly collects and remains.
  10. Inspect and remove water from tarps or plastic used to cover items.

Captain Stan Cope (aka the Mosquito Man) is the Vice President of Technical Services for the Catchmaster brand, learn more here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/stan-cope-phd/

Mosquito Prevention – Additional Resources

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

For help with mosquito season 2020 & beyond, discover Catchmaster® mosquito management tools:  https://catchmasterpro.com/collection/mosquito-management-tools/

Finally, learn more about mosquitoes from the NPMA here: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/mosquitoes/

Private Label Pest Products – Your Marketing Secret Weapon

By | Pest Business, Tips & Inspirations | No Comments

Did you know private label pest products are an effective way to gain a competitive advantage in your service area? Without a doubt, growing the awareness for your company and brand is a top priority for most pest professionals. One secret weapon to help you achieve that advantage is through private labeling. Undoubtedly, having your mechanical traps and glue boards labeled with your business name and contact information can have many advantages:

Private Label Pest Products - Multi-Catch

3 ways private label pest products help build your business

  1. Separate yourself from your competitors – differentiate yourself from your competitors from the start! Take your branded tools of the trade along with you on your sales pitch. Having your traps and glue boards carry your company name and contact information will set you apart from your competitors.  Undoubtedly, this may move your level of professionalism ahead of your competitors.
  2. Strong Marketing identity – private labeled traps and glue boards can build a powerful visual identity for your business. Imagine having mini billboards in every account you service.  Indeed, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.  When consumers see your logo in commercial accounts, it is a great testimony that the business believes in your services and trusts your business to protect theirs.
  3. High-quality products – every business owner wants his name to be synonymous with quality. Pest professionals have trusted the Catchmaster brand for over 65 years! Catchmaster products are field-tested under the harshest conditions to ensure maximum reliability for any level of pest control expert.

Contact us today and learn more about our private label opportunities.  Getting started is as easy as contacting your regional rep or sending us an e-mail info@catchmasterpro.com.

Additional resources from the Catchmaster brand:

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Finally, Learn more about our private label products. 

7 Kissing Bug Fun Facts

By | Insects | No Comments

Kissing Bugs: Romantic or a Big Misnomer?

Kissing bug sounds like a nice nickname for an insect but you may be feeling differently about these 7 fun facts from our Captain Stan.

It’s Valentines Day, and supposedly, love is in the air!  And guess what?  So are some nasty insects called ‘kissing’ bugs.  These creatures belong to the insect family Triatomidae, and they all feed exclusively on blood, including that of humans.

7 Kissing Bug Fun Facts

  1. They are found in Central and South America, as well as Mexico and the Southern   United States.  There are 11 different species in the U.S.
  2. They are responsible for transmitting a nasty disease known as Chagas disease, which is on the increase in the United States.
  3. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 8 million people have the infection in the Americas and Mexico, with up to 300,000 infections in the United States.
  4. Some of the larger kissing bugs can reach 2.5 inches in length and take as long as 20 minutes or so to ‘fill up’ on blood!
  5. Some people are highly allergic to the bite of these bugs, which can result in anaphylactic shock.
  6. Kissing bugs have the nasty habit of defecating on the host while they are feeding, and this is how the parasites that cause Chagas disease are transmitted.
  7. And finally, the name? Well, they are not called ‘kissing bugs’ because of amorous tendencies.  In fact, they generally bite people at night, when they are sleeping, and they prefer to bite on the face, around the lips.  There you have it!

Captain Stan Cope (aka the Kissing Bug Man) is our Vice President of Technical Services, learn more about him here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/stan-cope-phd/

Kissing Bugs – Additional Resources

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Learn more about kissing bugs from the NPMA here: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/other-pests/kissing-bugs/

 

Coronavirus and Mosquitoes

By | Mosquitoes | No Comments

Coronavirus and Mosquitoes – Do They Spread It?

The Novel Coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was first identified in Wuhan, China and has since spread rapidly, killing hundreds and sickening thousands.  This virus is newly identified and is not the same as the coronaviruses that circulate among humans and cause mild disease, such as the common cold.  Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which cause illness in humans while others circulate among animals such as cattle, cats, camels and bats.  SARS, a coronavirus that emerged to infect people, came from civet cats while another coronavirus, MERS, infected people from camels.

Although 2019-nCoV likely came from an animal, it now appears to be spreading person-to-person.  There is no evidence whatsoever that any coronavirus is spread by mosquito bite.  But what, exactly, is ‘person-to-person’ transmission?  This occurs mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and common colds are spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or may even be inhaled into the lungs.  Usually this happens within about 6 feet.  Also, note that some viruses are highly contagious (such as measles) while others are less so.  We still have much to learn about just how contagious 2019-nCoV is as well as many other aspects of its epidemiology.

Coronavirus and Mosquitoes - Fun Facts

Now, if a mosquito bites a person who has Zika virus in the bloodstream, that mosquito may then be able to transmit the virus to another person in about 10 days or so.  However, this is NOT considered ‘person-to-person’ transmission.  In this case, the virus is ‘vector borne’, meaning transmitted by a biting arthropod such as a mosquito or tick.

5 Facts from the CDC

  1. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses.
  2. Coronaviruses are poor survivors on exposed surfaces. Therefore, there is likely a very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures.
  3. There is no reason to think that any animals or pets in the United States might be a source of infection for 2019-nCoV.
  4. There is currently no vaccine for 2019-nCoV and no specific antiviral treatment.
  5. One of the most effective preventive measures is to wash your hands often, with soap, for at least 20 seconds especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

1Not only is Captain Stan The Mosquito Man, he also holds a PhD in Public Health, with emphasis in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases.  This makes him uniquely qualified to discuss Coronavirus and mosquitoes.  Learn more about Stan here: https://catchmaster.com/introducing-captain-stan-the-mosquito-man/

2This information was adapted primarily from www.cdc.gov, the official website of the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention.  The 2019-nCoV situation is changing daily so please consult this website for update.

Additional Resources

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

For help with mosquito season 2020 & beyond, discover Catchmaster® mosquito management tools:  https://catchmasterpro.com/collection/mosquito-management-tools/

Finally, learn more about mosquitoes from the NPMA here: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/mosquitoes/

3 Rodent Trapping Tips – More Traps & Less Bait

By | Rodents, Tips & Inspirations, Trapping Tips | No Comments

One of several key rodent trapping tips is the amount of traps you set and bait you use.  More traps may lead to more success, however, the same can not be said about the amount of bait to use.  But what is the right amount?  Here are 3 quick rodent trapping tips to help.

Know your rodent trapping tips – number of traps & bait

  1. First, when setting traps always remember the more the better.  Rodents are fickle creatures and setting more opportunities will increase your chance of success. Consider placing traps in sets of 2 or 3 as opposed to single sets.  This will maximize your results as rodents initially try to evade newly placed traps only to be captured in others placed nearby.  You can also allow rodents to become accustomed to feeding on your traps by placing a baited set trap between two baited, unset traps.  If you don’t have success in one area move your traps around.
  2. When it comes to the amount of bait to use remember that less is more.  Oftentimes, the tendency can be to put more bait than is necessary.  Placing too much bait can, in fact, backfire and often impede the functionality of the trap.  Regardless of the type of bait that you choose, a small amount goes a long way. You should use just enough to fill the bait containers incorporated into the triggers on wooden and plastic snap traps.  This usually amounts to about 1/2 a gram or the size of a single kidney bean.  Any bait that you use should be fixed to the trigger whenever possible for optimal results.
  3. If you aren’t having success with protein-based baits consider nesting materials such as cotton balls, shredded paper and fabric.  If the rodents don’t have an appetite for the food choices perhaps their interest will be peaked with home goods.

Do you a rodent trapping tip we missed, let us know in the comments!

3 Rodent Trapping Tips - 621P

3 Rodent Trapping Tips – Additional Resources

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Learn more about our full line of rodent management products here: https://catchmasterpro.com/collection/rodent-management-tools/

Finally, Learn more about your pest management professional options from the National Pest Management Association here: https://npmapestworld.org/

Learn more about our Easy Set Snap Traps here: https://catchmasterpro.com/product/easy-set-mouse-snap-traps/