Dogs and Bed Bug Detection

Magic Pest Management started using dogs in 1990 (the first in New York) to locate termites within structures. Magic continues this long history by now offering Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs.

Magic services homes, condominiums, apartments, cooperative living and business units, office buildings, colleges, hotels and motels, local, state and federal buildings, nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living centers, furniture and mattress companies, cruise liners, bus companies, etc.

Human Inspections
 Trained pest professional are only able to detect visible signs of bed bugs with an accuracy rate of about 30%.
 Bed Bugs like to hide inside walls, baseboards and under carpets. These areas are beyond the scope of a visual inspection

The Nose Knows! Bed Bug Canines are 96% accurate in the detection of bed bugs.

According to the Institute for Biological Detection Systems (IBDS) dogs have the following capabilities:

 Sensitivity: Can detect odors diluted to 500 parts per trillion.
 Discrimination: Dogs can differentiate a target vapor from non-target vapors even at relatively high concentrations of non-target odors.
 Odor Signatures: Dogs are trained to detect only one or two of the target odors most abundant vapor compounds.
 Multiple Odor Discriminations: Dogs easily learn to differentiate between ten distinct odors.

Why Use a Bed Bug Dog?
 Less Expensive
 Quicker and more accurate results
 Proven and Trusted. "Man's best friend" is used by the military and law enforcement
 Dogs are Honest
 Greater Peace of Mind. If the dog doesn't find bedbugs your probable safe from bedbugs.

The Truth about Bug Bites

Today because of the media publicity around Bed Bugs many people jump to the conclusion that the bites they discover are caused by bed bugs. Bug bites do not always form into a bump immediately after the bite and can go unnoticed until the next day. The truth may have a much simpler explanation.

Were you outside early morning or evenings?
Do you sleep with your windows open?
Do you have a pet that partially lives outside?
Were you sitting out on a lawn or at a park?
Have you been hiking through the woods?
Were you gardening?
Did you discover a bird’s nest by a window?
Do you have a lot of dust and lint in your home?

We are exposed to the insects listed below during these activities.

Bed bugs are wingless biting insects that feed at night. Often associated with bedrooms and motel/hotel rooms. Infested rooms often have a distinctive odor.

Bed Bugs Facts:
Bed bugs bite every 3-5 days
One bite is not indicative of a bed beg infestation
As the infestation grows biting will increase to daily
Bed Bugs cause no known health risk
They are not caused by dirt but clutter helps them hide

Mosquitoes are small, delicate flies. Female mosquitoes need a blood meal in order to successfully lay eggs. A number of important diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes.

Fleas are small, wingless insects that bite people and pets in order to draw a blood meal. New medications make flea control relatively easy.

Ticks are eight legged, wingless arthropods. Ticks are a type of mite that bite to get a blood meal. Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease .

Bird mites (rodent/nest mites) are tiny mites that live in the nests of their animal hosts. These mites occasionally invade homes and bite people as well.

Head lice or Pubic lice are small, wingless insects that bite in order to draw a blood meal. Bites result in itchy lesions. Seek medical attention.

Dust mites are tiny mites that inhabit the dust in our homes and may cause allergies.

Spiders are related to ticks and mites. While most spiders are harmless and even beneficial. Spiders only bite humans in defense.

Outdoor & Garden Pests

Yellowjacket wasps are medium-large stinging wasps. Most Yellowjackets are yellow with black markings; some are all black with white markings. Wasps are not clothed in fine hairs as are honey bees.

Africanized "killer" bees are a highly aggressive strain of honey bee that has moved into the southern states (US). Great care should be taken when these dangerous insects are encountered.

European paper wasp (Polistes dominulus) has become a pest in many parts of the US in recent years. Close in appearance to yellowjacket.

Chigger mites are tiny, extremely annoying biting mites. They produce an intensely itchy bite that can drive gardeners from their gardens. Found only in the southern states.

Fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) inflict extremely painful stings with any encounter. Currently, there is a highly invasive species (Solenopsis invicta) making inroads in the southern US and Australia.

Horse & deer flies are large, biting flies. These flies breed in moist areas around ponds, ditches, etc. and can be very persistent and annoying. Their large, dark or multi-color eyes make these flies easy to identify.

Biting midges are tiny, biting flies sometimes called "no-see-ums" or "punkies". These midges breed in salt marshes, mud flats, and shallow freshwater. Bites can be extremely irritating.

Black flies are biting flies whose larvae are aquatic, found in shallow, fast-flowing streams. These flies bite during daylight hours. Found mostly in Northern NY and New England.

Centipedes are medium to large arthropods with many pairs of legs, one pair per body segment. Like their spider relatives, centipedes are predators, whereas millipedes, with two legs per segment, are mainly scavengers. Centipedes may bite producing a painful but localized reaction. Centipedes are rarely a problem, however.

Mange is a condition in dogs, cats and other mammals caused by tiny mites. Sarcoptic mange is closely related to human scabies. Seek the help of a veterinarian.

Scabies mites are tiny mites that burrow into the skin causing a condition called scabies. Seek medical attention.

Unknown or mysterious bug bites can sometimes be traced to real insects or mites but often have another explanation.

Individual description credited to Jack DeAngelis, PhD OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.) edited by Ralph H. Maestre BCE

In letter grades, McDonald's trumps Jean Georges

August 09, 2010 3:25 PM By Lisa Fickenscher

Popeye's Chicken in Flushing, Queens, receives an A grade, as does a White Castle in Manhattan, while some high-profile restaurants are threatened with B's and C's.

Image by Buck Ennis

If New Yorkers assumed that fast-food eateries, chains or lesser known delis and cafés would rate poorly, they will be surprised to learn that many of the As given out so far went to such places as a Popeye's Chicken in Flushing, Queens, a McDonald's at 405 Sixth Ave. and a White Castle on East 103rd Street in Manhattan.

Since July 27, when the city's health department began issuing letter grades evaluating restaurants' cleanliness, 443 eateries have been visited by an inspector and just 16% of them received an A, the highest mark.

The rest are waiting for a second inspection before their final grade is posted, probably within the next few weeks. If they don't improve, 209 of them could get a B and 164 could be slapped with a C grade. A health department spokeswoman said that by early September the first Bs and Cs will start to be posted prominently in restaurant windows.

If New Yorkers assumed that fast-food eateries, chains or lesser known delis and cafés would rate poorly, they will be surprised to learn that many of the As given out so far went to such places as a Popeye's Chicken in Flushing, Queens, a McDonald's at 405 Sixth Ave. and a White Castle on East 103rd Street in Manhattan.

The T.G.I. Friday's at 1 Penn Plaza, which was inspected last Wednesday, was found to be spotless. It had zero violations.

More surprising are some of the celebrated restaurants and hotels that were inspected last week and received enough violations to earn a B or C, though they have an opportunity to improve their score when they are re-inspected.

Restaurants that receive 0 to 13 points qualify for an A; while 14 to 27 points equal a B; and 28 or more points equal a C.

Jean Georges restaurant received 15 violations and was faulted for holding cold food above 41 degrees and smoked fish above 38 degrees Fahrenheit, while The Palm at 837 Second Ave. received 20 violations. The Four Seasons Hotel earned 17 violations, and SoHo Grand Hotel racked up 25. Balthazar restaurant in SoHo received 18 points, Amy's Bread bakery on Ninth Avenue was hit with 29, and Tony's Di Napoli on Second Avenue and East 83rd Street received a whopping 39 points.

At least one celebrity chef who will likely come out of the new grading system looking like a hero is Thomas Keller, whose Per Se in the Time Warner Center has been inspected four times since 2008 with inspectors continually finding zero infractions. The restaurant was last inspected on April 13 this year.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100809/SMALLBIZ/100809841

New York City Bed Bug Advisory Report Published

The long awaited NYC Bed Bug Panel Report has been published (full report here). I remember attending the public hearing with Ralph Maestre BCE Magic's Board Certified Entomologist.

Like so many of us in the Pest Control industry the Bed Bug Epidemic came fast and furious. Mr. Maestre along with our field managers and advise from other leading Entomologists (Dr. Austin Frishman, Dr. Bobby Corrigan & Dr. Louis Sorkin etal.) began to develop a treatment plan for the eradication of Bed Bugs.

Magic's Treatment Plan has been deployed in the field for over three (3) years with a 97% Success Rate after only one (1) treatment:

• Inspection of the property (If an infestation is found Magic always advises to treat the entire premises and/or apartments.)
• Educational Material and Lectures as the situation requires.
• Do Not Throw Anything Out - Magic's Heat Chamber and Vault Fumigation options provide Green eradication of all pests.
• Steam Treatments.
• HEPA Vacuums.
• Strict Preparation Guidelines.
• Certified Bed Bug Covers.
• Alcohol based application.
• Non repellent pest control products.
• Dusting of electrical outlets, wall voids, cracks & crevices.
• a 60 Day re-treatment option.

Magic's Bed Bug Treatment Plan meets and exceeds the guidelines outlined in the Advisory Report (click here). For more information feel free to contact us.

Remember no matter the problem Bed Bugs, Rats, Mice, Roaches, bees Magic is ready to assist you.

NYC Health Dept.'s first Grade A bestowed

Congratulations to the Restaurant Owner.

As reported earlier this, New York City has joined Los Angeles in grading restaurants using a letter system of either an A, B or C. (Please see the Crain article below)

Magic Pest Management demands in using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols assist Restaurant Owners in complying.

First, Integrated Pest Management IPM address Sanitation and Structural Issue that are the cause of infestations. These methods help control Rats, Mice, Flies, German & American Cockroaches and other common pest.

Secondly, Integrated Pest Management relays heavily on monitoring and inspecting. This has a two fold effect. During the inspection process small problems like leaking plumbing is noted and can be correct before disaster strikes but even more importantly monitoring allows for the targeting of pest control reducing the application of pest control products.

Lastly, Magic services meet the follow protocols: Green Shield Certified Service, American Institute of Baking (AIB), HASSP & SQF.

Please feel free to contact us for a free estimate.

July 28, 2010 11:04 AM CrainsNewYorkBusiness.com

NYC Health Dept.'s first Grade A bestowed
A small deli in Long Island City, Queens, gets the distinction as the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene rolls out its controversial letter-grade system.

A small deli in Long Island City, Queens, will go down in local history as being the first business to earn a Grade A from the city's health department, which implemented its new restaurant inspection grading system on Tuesday.
The agency is holding a press conference Wednesday morning at Spark's Deli on 2831 Borden Ave., where health commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley will laud the small business's accomplishment.



Co-owner Jose Araujo was low-key about his new fame. “We serve a lot of hard-working people, construction crews and mechanics,” he said. “And now they'll know for sure that I provide good food.” On Tuesday an inspector visited his business, awarding him with a score of 10. According to the new letter grading system, in which restaurants receive either an A, B or C grade (or fail the inspection altogether), a score of 0 to 13 qualifies as an A.



Later that evening, an official from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene called Mr. Araujo to ask whether the agency could hold a press conference at his place of business Wednesday.



Other restaurants were inspected on Tuesday and earned A's, but Spark's was the first, according to health department officials.



The agency will post the results of yesterday's inspection on its website today. Any business that received a grade lower than an A has the opportunity to appeal the inspection findings and will not be subject to public scrutiny—at least initially.



Spark's Deli has been in business for 20 years, and Mr. Araujo has owned it for the past five with his cousin Tony Araujo. It's located in a commercial section of Long Island City.
“We've done well in past inspections,” said Jose Araujo. “There's always something to fix or be done better, but we've never failed an inspection.”



The deli serves hot platters such as chicken marsala and barbecued meats, as well as traditional deli fare like sandwiches and heroes. “We're most well known in this area for our grilled chicken,” Tony Araujo added.



Restaurants like Spark's that receive an A will be inspected once a year, while those receiving a lower grade will get more frequent visits from inspectors.

When do Bed Bug Bites Stop Itching? By Ralph H. Maestre BCE

I recently read an article by Stuart E. Mitchell, DO, PhD, MPH, CMI, BCE on the medical view of bed bug bites. I thought it would be important for all of us to understand what he was trying to say. “As a blood-feeding parasite, the bed bug has re-emerged as a medically significant issue”.

The bed bug is known in the entomological word as Cimex lectularis and the bites as Cimicosis. “These are lesions produced by the repetitive feeding of bed bugs. Reactions to insect bites and stings are common and a frequent cause for a visit to a physician. Bite reactions grouped or in a linear fashion experience after waking up in the morning are more recently suspected to be bed bug bites. Reactions itch intensively and persist over several days”.

We know this already, what we haven’t seen as often is the “bullous or blister or fluid-containing, elevated lesion of the skin”. This has an appearance similar to poison ivy reactions.

It appear the more study in this area is needed. The bed bug bite may indicate a “hypersensitivity reaction”. This indicates a reaction by repetitive bite and the body is over-reacting to the bite.

“It has been identified that a bullous allergic hypersensitivity results from bed bugs bite mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) against bed bug salivary nitrophrin”. OK so we now know that the reaction is from the saliva. What we need to learn is that the “reactions or skin inflammation occurs as an immediate as;

> An immediate reaction (minutes) or
> A late-phase reaction (6-12 hour)

Immediate reactions are from the activity of histamine, prostaglandins, and others that cause an increase in vascular permeability leading to inflammation”.

After the initial reaction a delayed reaction occurs by the release of “leukotrienes and chemokines. Such mediators recruit other leukocytes to the site of the inflammation, causing a late-phase reaction. In bed bugs bites, late-phase reactions are causal for illness due to the development of sustained edema (swelling), vesicles, blisters, and intense pruritus (itching)”

Besides this there is another delayed reaction, type-IV hypersensitivity reactions which take one to three days to manifest. This explains why in several cases, individuals think they are still getting bites days after the pest management treatment has been performed. I suffer from this type of hypersensitivity when I get bitten by mosquitoes. I will rip into my skin days and weeks after the bite. I am not getting new bites, just reacting to the original bite again. Poison ivy acts in a similar fashion by not appearing for days after the exposure making the infected individual think they are spreading the oils all over.

To review and clarify;
> When bed bugs bite the saliva causes an immediate reaction (minutes)
> A late-phase reactions (6-12 hours) and
> A type –IV reactions (one-three days)

This occurs because of our allergic hypersensitivity. A doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate the itching.

Reference: Stuart E. Mitchell. “Cimicosis? I thought these were Bed Bug Bites!” July/August 2010. Pest Word Magazine.

Magic Exterminating specializes in getting rid of bed bugs in New York City. Our pest control professionals can eliminate bed bugs from your NYC apartment or business.

New Trade Shows

Magic is upping the ante this year and will have booths at NY Association of Realty Managers at the Hotel Pennsylvania on 9/22/10 and The NY Business Expo at the Javits Center 10/20/2010. These two events boast a total of 20,000+ attendees.

These events are added to our fervent supporter of the local Chamber's of Commerce events in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and The Bronx supporting their Business and Green Trade Shows. Magic also does the Coop & Condo Expo at the NY Hilton which had approximately 5000 attendees this year.

Magic believes that our pest control services are superior to our competitors. Our Board Certified Entomologist Ralph Maestre and two Associate Certified Entomologist Anthony DeVito and Michael Morales bring over 50 years of education and experience to the tasks of eradicating Bed Bugs, Rodents, Roaches, Termites and all other common pests.

We offer our services to clientele from all segments of the market place including Homeowners, Renters, Property Managers, Coop & Condo Boards, Restaurants & Commercial Kitchens, Industrial Complexes, Schools, Government Projects & Construction Jobs.

We offer Green Shield Certified Services, meet AIB, HACCP & SQF standards. We are members of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and can help LEED Projects with 2-4 points for Interior & Exterior Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Innovation Credits by implementing solutions above standard practices.

Magic will be one of the most highly visible exterminating companies in the New York Metro area by adding these shows.

We hope to see you at our next event.