More Bed Bug Coverage

November 10, 2009 by Pete

Here’s another fine example of a PMP leveraging the bed bug phenomena in the media to get publicity for itself.

NYU’s student newspaper ran an article warning students about the possibility of bed bugs in residence halls and Bell Environmental Services was right there to be quoted as an expert source.

I can be sure any nervous student who reads this article is going to demand NYU call upon Bell Environmental Services at the first inclination of bed bugs in his or her residence hall.

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Five Tips to Survive a Recession

November 9, 2009 by Pete

Maybe we’re finally starting to pull out of this recession. Maybe not. In either case, following some simple tips on how to survive in a recession can be quite useful right now.

I’ve blogged about this before, and included links to some excellent articles written by marketing guru Harvey Goldglantz. Today, however, I want to point you in the direction of a different article.

This article, How Your Company Can Survive the Recession, outlines five essential tips from author Tom DeCotiis. Check it out.

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Pesky Peacocks

November 8, 2009 by Pete

Enjoy!

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Back in the Swing of Things

November 7, 2009 by Pete

bootI posted a few months ago about how I was sidelined with a tendon injury in my ankle. I was doing so well exercising when all of a sudden — BAM! — I’m stuck in an air-cast boot for two months.

No more treadmill. No more much of anything. Try as I might to work on CORE exercises, I just couldn’t get into a regular routine. I needed that treadmill — I was doing so well, even having done a 5k in less than 40 minutes (not bad for me, believe me).

So, you can imagine my dismay at this setback.

On Sept. 30, after hurrying home from the University of Kentucky Pest Control Short Course, I saw my doctor (again) and was finally taken out of the boot … and immediately put into a custom-made orthosis

It’s not the most comfortable thing in the world, believe me, and it really only fits in my Nike shoes (sadly, I can’t pull off the tennis shoes with khakis look as well as Dr. Gregory House).

Since getting out of the boot, I’ve slowly started to get back to a regular workout routine. It’s been frustrating, since I’m basically starting all over again. Plus, I strayed from my doctor’s advice and did not wear my orthosis at NPMA’s PestWorld last week — a decision that may have set back my rehab a little.

Anyway, I’m enthusiastic about starting again. I’m ready to get to work and begin my journey to a healthier lifestyle — again. I just have to remember to take it slow at first and not get discouraged about not being able to go at the same pace I did before I stretched my tendon.

Yep, there I am, trying to stay positive. See, I haven’t lost sight of all my goals.

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Friday Link Roundup, 11/6

November 6, 2009 by Pete

Links of the WeekIt’s been a while since I’ve posted a Friday Link Roundup, but it’s not at all because I’ve had a lack of links to share. It’s quite the contrary, actually. There are plenty of interesting pest management related articles and blog posts on the web these days.

This has been a popular feature since I started it, so believe me when I say the Friday Link Roundup isn’t going away. In fact, if you notice, I’ve got a fancy new graphic to use and I’m including a date in the post header so it’s easier to sort.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some links I think are worth checking out this week. Enjoy!

What does the life of a fire ant look like? Why, head on over to the FireRANT — a blog about fire ants — and read this excellent post.

Did you know pest management professional ranks as the No. 2 most creepy-crawly job? I do, thanks to ProBest Pest’s blog, where you can read about it in this interesting post.

Where did all those bed bugs in your home come from? It could be from that used furniture you just acquired, says to Stern’s Chatter in this informative post.

What about rented furniture? Yep, that poses a bed bug thread too, according to BedBugger.com in this cautionary post.

What in the world is a wheel bug? You can find out all about it on Brasure’s Pest Control’s blog in this educational post.

Finally, what would you like to know about bees? Everything? Great, then head on over to Mike Merchant’s blog and read this enlightening post.

See, I told you there was a lot going on! This is only a small, small sampling. — you PMPs are quite active on the web. Keep it up, and I’ll keep posting links.

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Bed Bugs Take Manhattan

November 6, 2009 by Pete

Call it a coincidence if you want, but I prefer to think of it as excellent timing.

I mean, here we are on the eve of the registration deadline for the New York Pest Expo: Bed Bug Edition, and there couldn’t have been a better commercial for the city’s bed bug problem than there was last night on NBC. I’m talking, of course, about the television show 30 Rock.

Jack2On last night’s episode, Jack (Alec Baldwin) discovers he’s been victim to the rampant invasion of bed bugs. He can’t even sit in on corporate meetings because of his problem and his company car has been taken away. Instead, he’s forced to take the subway, where he admits to the fellow passengers that he’s in desperate need of medication for bed bugs, but everybody chooses to ignore him.

Throughout the episode, Jack experiences the stigma that comes with having bed bugs. Jack1Sure, it’s a humorous take on a serious — and realistic — situation. If you missed last night’s episode, you can view it here on NBC’s website.

Clearly, as this sitcom so pointedly illustrates, New York has a bed bug problem. If you’re a PMP who lives and works in and around New York, then you should be attending next week’s New York Pest Expo: Bed Bug Edition.

Sponsored by Bug Off Pest Control Center and Pest Management Professional magazine, the New York Pest Expo: Bed Bug Edition will feature bed bug experts Dr. Mike Potter from the University of Kentucky and Dr. Dini Miller from Virginia Tech.

I promise you, you don’t want to miss this event. As I said before, the registration deadline is tomorrow, so you’d better hurry to sign up if you haven’t already.

In fact, go here and register, then go here and watch 30 Rock.

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Congratulations, Yankees!

November 5, 2009 by Pete

Congratulations to the New York Yankees — 2009 World Series Champions.

Yankees

I’m probably the only Cleveland Indians fan (and non-New Yorker) who doesn’t loathe the Yankees. But, if you recall, I had the opportunity earlier this year to attend Opening Day at the new Yankee Stadium (a win, BTW, by the Indians). It’s a beautiful facility for an organization so rich in tradition — and the Yankee fans were a class act to me and my Tribe hat.

Plus, any team that hires George Costanza as the Assistant to the Traveling Secretary is OK in my book ;-)


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