NewsNews:2008-05-08T18:21:14ZCopyright (c) 2008, AlphaEco AdminExpressionEnginetag:alphaecological.com,2008:03:24Ribbit….and hello!tag:alphaecological.com,2008:news/5.1362008-03-24T22:00:00Z2008-04-09T21:43:24ZAlphaEco AdminKyria.McGill@alphaecological.comField Sup’s Dish Soup!tag:alphaecological.com,2008:news/5.1342008-03-14T18:21:00Z2008-03-24T22:07:50ZAlphaEco AdminKyria.McGill@alphaecological.comLearning about Black Widow Spiderstag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.972007-08-21T02:01:00Z2008-03-11T19:40:19ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comThe venom of a black widow is actually 15 times as poisonous as the venom of a rattlesnake!
Black Widow Spiders are usually found around wood piles, under eaves, in boxes, and other undisturbed places. They prefer to nest near the ground in dark places.
Indoors, the Black Widows like the same dark, undisturbed places like a basement, garage, crawl space and even behind furniture or under desks! Female Black Widows are about 1 ½ inches across and have a shiny black body with a distinctive red hourglass shape under their abdomens. The males are much smaller, with longer legs and red and yellow markings. Although just the mention of this spider's name makes you shudder, they are not aggressive spiders and rarely bite. The bites usually occur when someone brushes against the web or accidentally crushes it. The Black Widow Spider bites are painful and potentially dangerous because they contain poison that attacks the nervous system. Their venom is actually 15 times as poisonous as the venom of a rattlesnake! Because of the possible severity of these bites, immediate medical attention is important. {extended}
]]>They’re B-a-a-a-c-k!tag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.962007-08-21T01:58:01Z2008-03-11T19:39:23ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comHobo Spiderstag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.952007-08-21T01:55:00Z2008-03-11T19:38:41ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comHobo Spiders are found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. They prefer woodpiles, hollow stumps, trash piles, sheds and garages. They are sometimes found inside homes in cluttered areas such as basements and crawl spaces.
Hobo Spiders are brownish in color and measure about 1/2 to 2/3 inches long. Their legs have short hairs and their abdomens have several chevron-shaped markings. They are also known as the “aggressive house spider”. I don't know about you, but I don't want any spiders in my house, especially not aggressive ones! Actually, they will avoid contact with humans, but will bite when accidentally squeezed or crushed. Hobo Spider bites can be very serious. It isn't usually painful at first, but within 24-36 hours the bite turns into an oozing sore. The most common symptom is severe headaches, but nausea, weakness, fatigue, temporary memory loss and vision impairment have also been associated with the Hobo Spider bite. Immediate medical attention is advised…followed by a call to your local pest control company! {extended}
]]>Furthering Our Commitmenttag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.942007-06-09T00:41:01Z2008-03-12T21:54:34ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comPress Release: Alpha announces further commitment to the green approach
Contact: Teresa Sickels
Public Relations
Phone: (360)885-4182
Cell: (503)781-1025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEVANCOUVER, WA June 8, 2007:
On March 3rd, 2007 Alpha Ecological made the announcement that we are going to further our commitment to the health of our customer's homes by implementing 'The Green Approach' to all our services.
Today, June 8, 2007, we further that commitment to you and your family.
Alpha Ecological has endeavored to use cutting edge, scientifically sound products that protect the health of your family's home. Today we take the commitment we have made to a Green Approach to a higher level.
It has been our goal at Alpha Ecological to provide to our customer's a chemically free interior pest control service. With this objective in mind, over the last several months, our technical team at Alpha Ecological has been evaluating our current product line as well as researching new products.
We are please to announce that we have been able to move closer to this goal by using products that are virtually chemically free for the interior of the home. Over the next few days we will be unveiling to you an in-depth profile of these products. We make this commitment to you because we care about your home environment. The Green Approach offers the highest quality and leading technological pest control options that are free of odors, fumes or vapors. We Care about your children and pets. There is no need to vacate and Alpha uses only EPA registered and approved products. Because we care about your long term pest solutions, Alpha technicians are trained in all aspects of pest prevention, including Alternative pest solutions. We use The Green Approach in all of our guarantees including our 5 year Carpenter ant guarantee, 3 month all general pest guarantee, 6 month Rodent guarantee, and our lifetime protection plan for Soil Ants.
Getting results are the specialty of Alpha Ecological; protecting the health of your home is Alpha's priority. {extended}
]]>The Best Technicianstag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.932007-06-06T00:06:00Z2008-05-08T18:21:14ZAlphaEco AdminKyria.McGill@alphaecological.comkill carpenter ants or dispose of rats; Our technicians will answer your pest problem with the best combination of experience and technology.
Getting results is our specialty; Protecting the health of your home is our priority. Here are some reasons you should have an alpha tech treat your home.
- Professionally trained and educated
- State licensed and bonded
- Precise application and treatment for maximum safety
- Friendly and helpful
- Quick same day scheduling
- Equipped with the latest technology
Contact us today for more information about how an Alpha Technician can solve your pest control problem
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]]>Look for the Frogtag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.922007-06-05T23:47:00Z2008-02-01T19:15:03ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comSeen here hang'n with our logo {extended}
]]>Alpha and American Idoltag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.912007-05-23T21:01:00Z2008-02-01T19:15:23ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comReproductive carpenter antstag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.902007-05-16T18:32:00Z2008-02-01T19:17:00ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comReproductive carpenter ants
NOW SWARMING
Each spring flying reproductive Carpenter Ants are searching for new nests. Carpenter Ants to set up satellite nests. The winged ants can create up to 40 nests inside a home, doing just as much damage as termites!
Is your home in danger? Moisture issues on or around your home - Carpenter ants need warmth and moisture to survive.
The following conditions will draw Carpenter ants to your home:
Do you have a Hot Tub?
A hot tub near your home is a magnet for Carpenter Ants. The Warm water will continue to draw new Carpenter Ants to your home.
Do you have moisture damage in a wall or ceiling?
Condensation in voids around plumbing areas. Even the condensation that builds up in your walls around pipes and plumbing can draw Carpenter Ants
Do you have wood around your house?
Main nests are setup in damp or decaying wood. The reproductive ants are sent out from these places to set up satellite nests in your home like: Trees or stumps near your home, Railroad ties or Bark dust in your landscaping, or Wood piles near or next to your home.
Do you have Shrubs or plants near your home?
Carpenter ants feed on a substance produced by Aphids. Any plant around your home that has aphids will draw Carpenter Ants to your home. Plants up against your home are a gateway for Carpenter ants to forage for food.
Contact one of our helpful Home Protection Specialists for a $50 off Coupon along with your free estimate. They will be happy to answer your questions and lead you in the best direction for the health of your home. {extended}
]]>Alpha Goes Greentag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.892007-03-27T22:48:00Z2008-03-11T19:11:40ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comPress Release / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2:00 P.M. EDT, March 3rd, 2007
Contact: Teresa Sickels / Public Relations
Phone: (360)885-4182 Cell: (503)781-1025
Alpha Announces COMMITMENT TO THE GREEN APPROACH Vancouver, WA March 3rd, 2007: Alpha Ecological has been the leader in ecological pest control for over 20 years. As a leader in this industry Alpha is announcing that we are going to further our commitment to the health and safety of our consumers homes by implementing 'The Green Approach' to all our services. 'The Green Approach' is a pest control program that has the following benefits for our residential customers.
Peace of mind for your family's environment
- The Green Approach offers the highest quality and leading technological pest control options that are free of odors, fumes or vapors
- No need to vacate
- Children and pet friendly
- Alpha uses only EPA registered and approved products
Long Term SolutionsAlpha technicians are trained in all aspects of pest prevention, including Alternative pest solutions.The Green Approach valuable guarantees
- Up to 5 year guarantees for Carpenter ants
- 3 month guarantees for all general pests
- Up to 6 month guarantees for Rodents
- Lifetime Protection plan for Soil Ants
Getting results the specialty of Alpha Ecological; protecting the health of your home is Alpha's priority. {extended}
]]>Carpenter ants: Now Active!tag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.882007-03-27T22:25:00Z2008-02-01T19:17:46ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comGet A Free Estimate.
There's a danger to your home that you might not know about. The carpenter ant is the most comprehensively investigated type of ant in the United States, due to their rampant infestation and capability to cause much structural damage. They are among the largest ants found in the United States, generally 1/8 to 1/2 inch long, with the queen ant growing somewhat larger. In general, they are black in color, although some species are red and black, brown, or solid red. The adult winged queen loses her wings after mating and find an isolated nesting location where she raises her offspring. Her offspring are workers that are small in size but can take care of the queen and future larvae. Mature colonies are usually comprised of 10,000 to 20,000 workers, but they can be as large as 100,000. When they are able to grow at 90º F, they are able to spend most of their 60-day life cycle destroying all the wood around them. Swarming for carpenter ants occurs February through June or May through August, depending on the species.
Carpenter ants are social insects that nest in wood by excavating tunnels in whatever wood they can find, but prefer to nest in water-damaged wood, often firewood, fence posts, tree stumps, or structure-supporting beams. Water is most likely to damage wood around dishwashers, showers, bathtubs, sinks, poorly sealed windows and doors, and poorly flashed windows. Wood can also be affected by moisture from contact with the soil such as steps, porch supports, or siding. Carpenter ants readily infest wood, foam insulation, and hollow spaces, often preferring to dig through wood that's already been damaged by fungus or other moisture problems. There can be hidden problems, since oftentimes there is no external sign of damage to the infested wood. It's important also to note that they can establish several nests near each other, often of parent colonies and satellite colonies, which can be either inside or outside a structure.
Carpenter ants feed on sugars made by other insects, but also on sugary items found in people's kitchens. They feed actively at night, starting well after sunset and on into the early morning. Their foraging trails can be as far as 300 feet from their nest, often entering through gaps or cracks in a structure.
The carpenter ants do not eat wood, instead they remove quantities of it to expand the size of their nest, which is often surrounded by little piles of wood shavings and bits of foam insulation that the ants have pushed through small gaps in the surface of the wood. Their nesting material is comprised of wood pieces, foam insulation, and other insects; sometimes, the slight noise of the ants creeping around can be heard in the walls near their nest.
Contact one of our helpful Home Protection Specialists for a FREE Estimate. They will be happy to answer your questions and lead you in the best direction for the health of your home. {extended}
]]>Beware of Yellowjacketstag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.872007-03-05T21:42:00Z2008-01-24T18:21:54ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.com
They are attracted to sweets or syrups, such as those left in the bottoms of soda cans. These and other sweet things in and around garbage cans or bags can draw dozens or even hundreds of such pest wasps. Since they no longer have a colony to provide for, these yellowjacket workers tend to hang around garbage cans, soft drinks or any other source of sweets they may find.
The first step in preventing this problem is to clean up all spilled sweet materials thoroughly, placing all empty cans and bottles in tightly-closed heavy plastic bags. Wash and rinse all surfaces as well as dishes and serving utensils frequently. Keep all sweet foods, drinks and fruits covered until they are about to be eaten. Yellowjackets can be dangerous pests. According to the media, over 500,000 people go to the emergency room every year due to stinging insects. Control of yellowjackets should not be attempted by homeowners. These pests can sting repeatedly as they have an agressive disposition this time of year.
Call us if you see any yellowjackets where you live or work. We can survey the situation, provide immediate knockdown treatments if needed, and advise on sanitation improvements which might help reduce these pests.
used with permission from "Pest Gazette" - Fall 2005 {extended}
]]>Our New Looktag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.862007-03-05T21:25:00Z2008-01-24T18:21:12ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comDear Valued Customers,
We are excited to announce that Alpha Ecological is updating our logo. You are about to get the same great service you are accustomed to under a new look!
Alpha Ecological is a leader in the pest control industry by providing ecological pest control services since 1986. This change will better symbolize our expanding desire to "Go Green"!
This means you get the same-day or next day service, highly skilled technicians, and excellence customer service that you have come to rely on from Alpha.
Thank you again for your patronage. We look forward to servicing you in the near future.
Scott Sneer
CEO {extended}
]]>Bed Bug Questions Answeredtag:alphaecological.com,2007:news/5.852007-02-28T02:49:00Z2008-01-24T18:20:39ZAdmin AHangie@yourthreshold.comHow to identify bed bugs
Immature bed bugs are light yellow in color unless they have recently fed on blood and then they are darker in the middle. Adults are reddish brown and they also turn darker after a blood meal. Even though bed bugs are small, about 1/5 th of an inch, they can be readily seen with the naked eye. They are wingless, oval and flattened in appearance and crawl at a steady rate.
Bed bugs are active at night when they leave their daytime resting place deep inside cracks and crevices to seek out human blood. Adult male and female bed bugs, as well as nymphs (young), feed on blood. By checking the bed linen in the middle of the night you have the best opportunity to find bed bugs on the move. Bed bug bites are normally two or three in a row and often blood spots are deposited on the sheeting. Any nearby crack or crevice can serve as a daytime refuge for bed bugs. Look for bed bugs under folds in mattresses, along seams and in between bedposts and bed slats. When large numbers of bed bugs are present, they produce a distinctive pungent odor. Numerous dark fecal spots on linen or near cracks are another indication of a bed bug infestation.
Bed bug biology and behavior
After feeding, a female bed bug will lay eggs in their daytime refuge of cracks and crevices. An immature bed bug may take several months to mature to an adult and an adult bed bug can live for up to one year. During development, the young bed bug will feed frequently on the blood of humans and they can exist for many months between blood meals. Bed bugs inject saliva into the blood stream of their host to thin the blood and to prevent coagulation. It is this saliva that causes the intense itching and welts. The delay in the onset of itching gives the feeding bed bug time to escape into cracks and crevices. In some cases, the itchy bites can develop into painful welts that last several days.
Frequently asked questions Question:
Can I bring bed bugs home on my shoes?
Answer:
Unlikely, bed bugs are active at night, during the day they are hiding in cracks and crevices. Bed bugs are more likely to be spread via pillows, mattresses, bed linen and bedroom furniture.
Question:
Can cold kill bed bugs?
Answer:
Yes, although the temperature must drop fast, stay below freezing for several days and the bed bugs must not be too deep inside insulated objects.
Question:
How can I determine if my bites are caused by bed bugs?
Answer:
Itchy bites can be caused by mites, mosquitoes, fleas and lice. To be absolutely sure, you need to collect a bed bug specimen and have it identified by an expert.
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Bed bugs are active at night when they leave their daytime resting place deep inside cracks and crevices to seek out human blood. Adult male and female bed bugs, as well as nymphs (young), feed on blood. By checking the bed linen in the middle of the night you have the best opportunity to find bed bugs on the move. Bed bug bites are normally two or three in a row and often blood spots are deposited on the sheeting. Any nearby crack or crevice can serve as a daytime refuge for bed bugs. Look for bed bugs under folds in mattresses, along seams and in between bedposts and bed slats. When large numbers of bed bugs are present, they produce a distinctive pungent odor. Numerous dark fecal spots on linen or near cracks are another indication of a bed bug infestation.