http://www.alphaecological.com/news/ en Kyria.McGill@alphaecological.com Copyright 2008 2008-03-24T22:00:00-08:00 http://www.alphaecological.com/site/ribbitand-hello/ http://www.alphaecological.com/site/ribbitand-hello/#When:22:00:00Z Welcome to my blog...the Frog Blog! I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Seymour Green and I am a tree frog.Ribbit…and hello! Welcome to my blog…the Frog Blog! I’d like to introduce myself, my name is Seymour Green and I am a tree frog. I work for Alpha Ecological Pest Control and I hope this blog provides you with a great way to get to know me and all the exciting things I will be doing with Alpha Ecological…and even a few fun facts here and there. I wanted to start by telling you a bit about myself and how I came to work with Alpha Ecological. I was born in the Hoh Rainforest (pronounced ho•a) located in Washington State. I have twenty brothers and sisters and as tadpoles we spent our time swimming in the Hoh River. After growing into small frogs we jumped and dined on spiders, bugs, and ants throughout the forest floor. As a tadpole and then as a young frog I watched the world around the forest change, trees being cut down and many of my family and friends had to relocate to different parts of the forest. The Hoh rainforest is one of the few temperate rain forests in the world and it is the largest one! It was a very exciting place to call home and many of my family still live there. The rain forest gets from 12 to 14 feet of rain each year and has some of the most amazing plant life that blooms in thousands of shades of green (my favorite color!). The forest is home to many different species of animals as well. Growing up my neighbors included Northern Spotted Owls, Raccoons, and deer, elk and even bobcats or Black Bear from time to time. Thankfully parts of the Hoh rainforest are included in the Olympic National Park and safe from development. It is an amazing place to visit and a great way to learn about a rare ecosystem As I grew older protecting and preserving the environment became more important to me (come check out the Hoh Rainforest and you will understand why I would want to protect it!) I began to research ways to help save the forest and other parts of the environment. I have always wanted to find a way to share my green ideas and passion for the environment. One day I just jumped in and went for it. I moved to Vancouver, Washington, and found Alpha Ecological Pest Control, a “green” company. I saw one of their certified and trained technicians treating a home and really appreciated the care they took in protecting the family and the environment by choosing “green” solutions. And it just so happened they where looking for a spokes frog and I was looking for a way to promote my cause! It was a perfect fit. Alpha Ecological is a company after my own heart. Who could ask for more in a job? Especially for a frog? How many of us want to have a job that we love, where we help families, help the environment, and if all that wasn’t great enough…I get a fantastic meal at every stop? For over twenty years Alpha Ecological has been removing pests from homes (they are great in the wilderness but not in your house) while protecting many families, pets, homes and the environment from harsh chemicals. Well that’s a bit about me. I will keep you updated about the great things here at Alpha Ecological Pest Control and ways you can be green too! Be sure and check often to see what new adventures I am having! And stay Green! Ribbit Customer Care, Did you know? 2008-03-24T22:00:00-08:00 http://www.alphaecological.com/site/field-sups-dish-soup/ http://www.alphaecological.com/site/field-sups-dish-soup/#When:18:21:00Z Field Supervisor Technicians from Alpha Ecological Pest Control will volunteer their work time to serve lunch and provide other services to charitable organizations within their communities.**March 14, 2008** - You might normally be concerned to find a Pest Control Technician in the kitchen. However, today community-minded technicians from six states will be serving lunch - not chasing critters - at their local homeless shelters. Field Supervisor Technicians from Alpha Ecological Pest Control will volunteer their work time to serve lunch and provide other services to charitable organizations within their communities. They will serve lunch, distribute clothes and provide office assistance at Union Gospel Mission locations in Portland, OR; Spokane, WA; and Dallas, TX; as well as the Tucson Rescue Mission in Arizona and the Denver Rescue Mission, Colorado. In response to a company-wide initiative to inspire community service, these team leaders want to set the stage for philanthropy in the pest control industry. In addition, volunteer projects are an ingrained part of Alpha Ecological's leadership culture. "Strong team leaders can relate well to people," says David Mason, Cheif Operating Officer. "Not only do we encourage charitable work, it's also a great opportunity to develop compassion and fine-tune listening skills. By inspiring folks to become involved in their communities, we also invest in their personal and professional development." For more than twenty years, Alpha Ecological's "Green Approach" has led the industry by providing environmentally-preferred pest control services. Proven Air Duct Cleaning, a division of Alpha Ecological, promotes healthy, indoor environments and energy efficiency. News 2008-03-14T18:21:00-08:00 http://www.alphaecological.com/site/learning-about-black-widow-spiders/ http://www.alphaecological.com/site/learning-about-black-widow-spiders/#When:02:01:00Z The 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. The 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. Customer Care, Did you know? 2007-08-21T02:01:00-08:00 http://www.alphaecological.com/site/theyre-b-a-a-a-c-k/ http://www.alphaecological.com/site/theyre-b-a-a-a-c-k/#When:01:58:01Z According to a news segment on KPTV on August 14, 2007, cases of bedbugs are multiplying daily. One of the reasons is the increase in international travel.According to a news segment on KPTV on August 14, 2007, cases of bedbugs are multiplying daily. One of the reasons is the increase in international travel. Bedbugs don't fly or travel on their own, so they hitch a ride with us. These hitchhikers can ride in on your pillows, luggage, clothes, or even on used furniture. They are reddish-brown and oval shaped with flattened bodies. Bedbugs feed solely on the blood of warm-blooded animals--unfortunately that includes you and me. They are generally active at night… feeding on our blood while we sleep! The bites aren't usually noticed right when they happen, but later will resemble a mosquito or flea bite. If you have similar bites on you in the morning, you should try to find the bugs. Since they are flat, bedbugs can hide in tiny crevices. The most common place to find bedbugs is in, or around the bed. They often hide in seams, and crevices of the mattress, box springs, bed frame and headboard. These blood-suckers can be in any home--it has nothing to do with how clean your home is. Once you have them, it is difficult to get rid of them. So if you want to “sleep tight and not have the bedbugs bite” you should probably get some help from your local pest control company. Articles 2007-08-21T01:58:01-08:00 http://www.alphaecological.com/site/hobo-spiders/ http://www.alphaecological.com/site/hobo-spiders/#When:01:55:00Z Hobo 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 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! Pest Alerts 2007-08-21T01:55:00-08:00 http://www.alphaecological.com/site/furthering-our-commitment/ http://www.alphaecological.com/site/furthering-our-commitment/#When:00:41:01Z Press Release: Alpha announces further commitment to the green approachPress Release: Alpha announces further commitment to the green approach Contact: Teresa Sickels Public Relations Phone: (360)885-4182 Cell: (503)781-1025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VANCOUVER, 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. News, Press Release 2007-06-09T00:41:01-08:00 http://www.alphaecological.com/site/the-best-technicians/ http://www.alphaecological.com/site/the-best-technicians/#When:00:06:00Z Whether you need us to kill carpenter ants or dispose of rats; Our technicians will answer your pest problem with the best combination of experience and technology.Weather you need us to kill 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 In The Field 2007-06-06T00:06:00-08:00 http://www.alphaecological.com/site/look-for-the-frog/ http://www.alphaecological.com/site/look-for-the-frog/#When:23:47:00Z Alpha is happy to introduce our new spokes-frog. Look for him in our ads and where-ever you find excellent pest control solutions. Alpha is happy to introduce our new spokes-frog. Look for him in our ads and where-ever you find excellent pest control solutions. Seen here hang'n with our logo News 2007-06-05T23:47:00-08:00 http://www.alphaecological.com/site/alpha-and-american-idol/ http://www.alphaecological.com/site/alpha-and-american-idol/#When:21:01:00Z In connection with our TV Commercial airing tonight during the American Idol finale (Portland and Vancouver markets) and pre-show, we have some exciting news to share with you!In connection with our TV Commercial airing tonight during the American Idol finale (Portland and Vancouver markets) and pre-show, we have some exciting news to share with you! Our CEO, Scott Sneer and his wife Tiffany, will be on the red carpet and he will be blogging about his experiences during the American Idol finale. Check back for pictures and exciting stories. Who do you think will win tonight? Check in over the next few days for an inside scoop on what goes on behind the scenes (I wonder what happens during the commercial breaks?) If you see our commercial tonight, let us know what you think! Stay tuned! News 2007-05-23T21:01:00-08:00 http://www.alphaecological.com/site/reproductive-carpenter-ants/ http://www.alphaecological.com/site/reproductive-carpenter-ants/#When:18:32:00Z Reproductive 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? Reproductive 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. Pest Alerts 2007-05-16T18:32:00-08:00