Magic Wins 2010 Angie's List User Award

For the second year Magic Exterminating has received the Angie's list Super Service Award which is presented to a company that maintains an "A" rating in all categories for an entire year. This award is very prestigious and out of the 100+ pest control companies in the New York area Magic was one of only two (2) that received the award.

Thank You Angie's List Users. Your reviews confirm Magic Exterminating is on of the Best.

Magic congratulates all our employees. Our success is a direct result of our employees applying the core value expressed in our mission statement "Total Customer Satisfaction is our Goal."

Magic services Manhattan (NYC), Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Long Island. Magic is a full service Pest Control Company servicing Residential, Commercial, Restaurants, Hotels, Schools, Hospitals, Construction and Industrial clients for Bed Bugs, Termites, Rats, Mice, Roaches and a myriad of other pests.

Entomology Society of America holds 58th Annual Meeting

Over 5000 Entomologists & Students converged on San Diego for five days earlier this month.

The ESA meet annual to give out awards and disperse new scientific information on all types of insects.

One of the hot topics this year was Bed Bugs of course.

Ralph H. Maestre BCE one of our three (3) Certified Entomologists attended.

He was impressed by the studies done on the Bed Bugs resistance to various pest control products.

Several studies discussed the use of Heat, Steam & Freezing techniques. The studies found Heat & Steam as the preferred method of eradication over freezing which was found to be less effective.

Magic has always believed that Steam & Heat were more effective than freezing. We been using industrial steamers and portable Heat Bags in the field since the beginning of the Bed Bug Epidemic.

Magic has also constructed a Heat Chamber at one of our facilities which is used to eradicated both Bed Bugs and Wood Destroying Insects.

The ESA also released there first journal in 39 years, The Journal of Integrated Pest Management which is free to view online.

To see photos of the event check out ESA on Face Book

Here is a video of the 2010 Linnaen Games Finals

How Do I Detect a Bed Bug Infestation

So many people ask me "HOW DO I PREVENT GETTING BED BUGS???"

There are some precautionary measures to take in attempting to prevent a Bed Bug infestation (Magic consults business' and offers educational seminars on the topic) but total prevention might be impossible.

Why you my ask? Bed bugs transport themselves from one place to another in our personal belongings like purses, brief cases, book bags, luggage & our coats.

People with Bed Bug infestations go through their daily routines going to work, the doctors office, the movies, taking a cab, bus or train, visit friends homes & go on vacation. Bed bugs can get off at anyone of those places.


This is the problem because we are going about our daily routines also. How can you with certainty check the seats of a movie theatre or bus, the conference room chairs at a business meeting or at your doctors office.
The precautions can be drastic and inconvenient. Fortunately, there is a simple product that can help detect a bed bug infestation in your home. A product called ClimbUp Insect Interceptor which can be easily placed under the legs of beds, sofas chairs and dressers. The concentric rings catch Bed Bugs as the attempt to climb up and feed.

If a Bed Bug infestation is detected a Professional Pest Control Company like Magic Exterminating should be contact immediately to eradicate the infestation.
Click here to learn more about ClimbUP

To Combat Bed Bugs, Sanitation Sets New Rules for Disposing of Mattresses and Box Springs

Beginning December 3rd, 2010, the New York City Department of Sanitation will require all City residents to fully encase within a sealed plastic bag all mattresses or box springs being discarded for DSNY collection. This new rule will help prevent an increase in bed bug activity, with bed bugs being found in homes and apartments. Bed bugs are generally nocturnal and tend to live in bedding, such as mattresses and box springs, hiding in their crevices until they are ready to feed.

Under the new rule, failure to place a mattress or box spring out in a proper bag can result in a $100 fine. The Department will delay enforcing the new set-out rule for 30 days, followed by full enforcement beginning January 3rd, 2011.

"There has been a rise in bed bug-related complaints within the City, and bedding is the prime nesting place for most bed bugs," said Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty. "With this new rule, and thanks to the support of Councilmember Gale Brewer, we will safeguard our workers and help to mitigate the spread of bed bugs throughout the City. We also suggest that the plastic mattress bags be placed around the bedding before it is removed from the room out to the curb to further limit bed bugs from infesting other parts of the home or apartment."

Councilmember Gale Brewer said: "I appreciate the efforts made by the Department of Sanitation to address the bed bug epidemic that our city has been grappling with, an issue I have been working on since 2006. In 2008, I introduced a bill, Intro 0872-2008, that would require all bedding and furniture set out for collection to be both completely contained inside a sealed plastic bag, and labeled with a sticker or decal indicating that it may contain bed bugs. I believe the rules promulgated by DSNY are a step in the right direction towards curtailing mattresses and box springs as a vehicle of spreading bed bugs. In our shared concern for the health and safety of city employees, I look forward to working with the Department to ensure that these rules are as effective as possible."

Plastic bags to contain the bedding are available at department stores, home improvement centers, at other home supply businesses, and online, at a modest cost. Bedding stores also provide removal options with purchases.

For further information, go to www.nyc.gov/sanitation, or call 311.

Batten Down the Hatches here comes Winter

Today my front lawn was covered with glistening frost. I realized daylight savings was this weekend and I have a lot of chores to prepare my home for winter.

These things will help your save money and keep your home pest free during the winter months.

1) Heating
•Have your Furnace Inspected and cleaned.
•Clean & Cap your Fireplace\Chimney to keep out birds and rodents.
•Change any filters in your forced air heating system.
•Consider a programmable thermostat.
•If you have Hot-water radiator bleed the valves.

2) Foundation - Mice can slip through space as thin as a dime.
•Use weatherstripping around doors and caulk windows.

•Inspect interior sill plates for dry rot or pest infestation.

•Check that Dryer Vent is properly installed and working.
•Secure crawlspace entrances.
•Inspect exterior for cracks and exposed entry points around pipes & seal them.
•Switch out summer screens with glass replacements from storage. If you have storm windows, install them.

3) Roof, Gutters & Downspouts
•Clean gutters and check the downspouts.
•Installing leaf guards on the gutters.

•Use downspouts extenders to direct water away from the home.
4) Weather-Specific Equipment•Drain gas from lawnmowers.
•Service or tune-up snow blowers.
•Replace worn rakes and snow shovels.
•Clean, dry and store summer gardening equipment.
•Sharpen ice choppers and buy bags of ice-melt / sand.
5) Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors•Install carbon monoxide detector near the furnace & water heater.
•Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.
•Buy a fire extinguisher.
6) Plumbing Freeze Overs•Drain all garden hoses.
•Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
•Drain air conditioner pipes and Sprinkler Systems.

7) Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces
•Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
•Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
8) Emergency Kit•Buy indoor candles and matches / lighter for use during a power shortage.
•Prepare a list of Emergency Phone Number and tape them by the phone.
•Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment. •Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.
•Prepare an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency.

Twister hits Queens by Noel Thoman

On September 17th 2010 for the first time since 1985 a tornado touched down and hit Queens. Those of us working until close that night got to experience this first hand and I am sure it is something we will never forget.

While others were aware of the tornado warnings, everyone in the office had no idea of what was going on other than the fact that it was raining. I was trying to get my work done because it was starting to rain and I did not want to get soaked walking home.

Right before I started packing my things a the end of the of the day a co-worker walked into the management office to discuss a customer with me. About one minute into our conversation I heard a lot of noise coming from outside, it sounded like a bunch of bowling pins falling and the rain drops sounded as if they were golf balls falling from the sky.

It was at this point that most of us decided to get up and walk over to entrance to see what was going on because all the gates were down already and we could not see out the other windows. As we walked over to the window someone walked in from outside to get away from the rain. The gates started knocking against the windows and the doors were swinging open and then the power went out.

All of us were standing in a circle when another co-worker came running into the front door soaked. It was so bad outside that she left her car in the middle of 59th ave and later on found out that her car had an electric pole going through the roof.

Power lines started to fall and spark, there was a flash of light and then it went pitch black. It looked like a huge cloud went down 59th ave and then light started to break. When we all stepped outside we could not believe what we were seeing, trees and power lines were down everywhere.

The Facilities Manager pulled up to our rescue, asked if everyone was ok and like always took charge of the situation. It was not until about a half hour later until everyone decided to leave, One of the Managers and Technician drove everyone home and I started on my way home. As I was walking home there were trees down everywhere and traffic

was almost stopped, it was like a scene out of a movie.

Magic went without power through Friday night. Fortunately for the great staff we have, we were able to pull through even without power. I am personally thankful that everyone here at Magic made it safely through the storm.

On a lighter note I would like to thank Mother Nature for the beautiful new window by my desk.

Magic receives New York State Employer Recognition Award

As Marketing Director for Magic I am out at seminars and events promoting my company and seeking out strategic alliances that would move forward our business. The last two years we have had to tighten our buckle while maintaining a high level of service to our customers and employees. We were out sourcing our cleaning services, their performance was poor and cost high.

I ran into Iris Allen of VESID at an event and the idea struck me that we could do the right thing by hiring a disabled person, maintain the office work space at a higher standard and have the opportunity to grow as individuals… in sourcing... what a concept.

I ran the idea by our Facilities Manager Jimmy Tallman who got on the band wagon and then we presented the idea to ownership. The idea got their attention and within a few months Evie Torres our Office Manager started interviewing candidates for the position.

Evie’s told me about her experience, Working with VESID has been such a rewarding experience. When we agreed to work with the program I was not sure what to expect. The interview process was interesting and I could not believe some of the responses from the members of VESID interviewing for the position. When I asked several of the interviewees why they had arrived thirty to forty minutes prior to their scheduled interview, the general response was that they did not want to arrive late by missing the bus or getting lost on the way here. I knew then that the candidates interviewing meant business.

After a few interviews I met with David, I asked him about his previous work experience and his reasons for leaving. One of the things he expressed was that sometimes he’d be close to a job site and they would call him to let him know there was no more work for him and that he should go home. I felt terrible that anyone would take advantage of an employee and their time by not giving them sufficient notice. David interviewed really well, he has performed well on every task given to him and continues to learn the industry. At this time my only hope is that in the future we can hire someone else through VESID since our experience with David has been such a positive one.

The experience I believe is all about David. He is intelligent, highly motivated, a fast learner and takes constructive criticism well. He mastered his job duties so well that I sought to expand his duties states Jimmy the Facilities Manager. In addition to his maintenance duties I put David in charge of the paper room (office storage) and our chemical storage facility. He maintains the stock and process chemical requests from our thirty technicians. I was able to rewarded David with a raise and expand his hours. I wish I could clone David, we really hit one out of the park by hiring him says a smiling Jimmy.