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.

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.

Queens Business Expo at Citi Field

Magic Exterminating is proud to once again be a part of the Queens Business Expo. We will be available to answer questions regarding Bed Bugs, Rodents, Roaches and other common pest problems. Magic can help at your restaurant, food processing plant, commercial property, multiple family residence or home.

Queens Business Expo

May 13, 2010 at Citi Field

from 9 am – 3 pm

• Free Admission!
• 100 + Exhibitors
• Meet New Contacts
• Cultivate New Business
• Attract New Customers

More info at Queens Chamber

City to cut pest control jobs by 70 percent

NEW YORK POST STAFF REPORT
Posted: 4:07 PM, March 31, 2010

Rats!

In the latest round of budget cuts, the New York City Health Department is slashing the number of pest control aides by nearly 70 percent.

The number of full-time workers who clean up trash on properties where rodents have been reported will drop from 84 to 27.

“It’s going to affect quality of life directly, giving more harbor to rodents, lowering property values,” Fritz Reid, head of the union that represents the workers, told amNewYork. “These people are cleaning up our neighborhoods.”

The city predicts the cuts will save $1.5 million next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Magic Exterminating can help with Rodent Control. We currently service all types of properties from Hi-Rise Commercial & Residential properties to Single Family homes.

Estimates are always free! Contact us Today

Magic Interviewed in The New York Enterprise Report

First a little about The New York Enterprise Report, I think this quote says it best:

NY Enterprise Report is more than an event, magazine or information source. It strives to tie together the interests of forward-moving business owners and creates a real sense of community. For this reason the connections made through NY Report and the events have proved to be invaluable in expanding my network of CEOs and building my CEO groups. – Phil Liebman, Vistage / Strat4: Strategies for Growing Companies

Anthony DeVito, Associate Certified Entomologist and General Manger of Magic, gives some insight into the obstacles and Benefits of Going Green. He explains how Magic is Green Shield Certified by The IPM Institute of NA which is independent organization not directly associated with the pest control industry. Anthony also describes the importance of the IPM process during all types of pest control treatments.

You can read the article online CLICK HERE

Brooklyn Business Expo

We are extremely excited about the upcoming expo.

The show is completely sold out and we are expecting a fantastic turnout.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Commissioner Walsh are both expected to make appearances at the expo.

For More Information Click Here

Spring is Here and so are those Troublesome Pests

As we enter spring and the weather grows warmer many of the most common pests become active. Magic believes in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and offers Green Shield Certified Services which are preventative in nature. Our technicians inspect the exterior and/or interior of your property looking for conducive conditions and report them to you. Let's take a look at some of the common pests of the season.

Subterranean Termites are the most destructive insect pests of wood in the United States. They cause more than $2 billion in damage each year, that is more damage than caused by fire and windstorm combined. They live underground and build tunnels, referred to as mud tubes, to reach food sources.

Subterranean termites swarm in the spring. The swarmers, hundreds of them, emerge from the ground or are forced into homes through cracks and crevices in the foundation. This is a sign that your home is under attack. Termite swarmers are easy to identify, they body is norrow with two (2) segments, about 3/8 of an inch in lenght, with four wings of equal lenght.

Magic utilizes the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System. Sentricon is the only termite system proven to eliminate termite colonies. It is also the winner of the Presidential Green Chemical Award do to the reduced amount and focused use of the control agent.

Carpenter Ants are another pest that attack your home. They excavate chambers inside the wood beams of your house were the colony nests.

They also swarm in the spring. Once again, if there are a large amount of swarmers within your home it is a bad sign and you may have a nest within the structure. Carpenter Ants range from 3/8 to 1/2 inch in size, they body has three (3) segments and the wings are of unequal lenght.

Carpenter Bees resemble bumblebees in both size and appearance, but are not social insects. They construct their nests in trees or in frame buildings. Most of the top of the abdomen of carpenter bees is without hairs and is shiny black in color. By contrast, the abdomen of bumblebees is fully clothed with hairs, many of them yellow in color. If you see a number of large bees hovering near the eaves of the house or drilling in wood, you have carpenter bees.

Carpenter bees begin their nest by drilling a nearly perfectly round entrance hole (about 1/2 inch diameter) into the wood and bore chambers were they deposit eggs. They hibernate in the tunnels during the winter, emerging in the spring to mate and enlarge the old tunnels creating more brood chambers for their young.

City will Required Restuarants to Post Cleanliness Grades

When I was living in California, Los Angeles implemented a similar rating system. I remember how seeing an "A" or "B" in a restaurant window I was try for the first time made taking the risk much easier. I also remember driving right on by restaurants with a "C" in the window.

Magic Pest Management has been servicing the New York Restaurant Industry since 1960. We have staff members trained by the American Institute of Baking that can help you.

Sanitation is pest control. When trying to control and prevent infestations of rodents, cockroaches, ants and flies it is imperative. During a typical service our technician inspects and reports on any sanitation problems allowing you to become proactive in your approach avoiding severe Heath Department inspections.

We also provide Green Shield Certified Services which show your concern for your patrons, workers and the environment.

Magic can only be a success if we keep your restaurant success. Call for a free inspection and estimate today and let us help you post an "A" grade

For more information see the NY Times article here

New York Department of Health Press Release

Dow Announces New Sentricon Termite Bait

Dow AgroSciences has announced their latest innovation to the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System — Recruit™ HD termite bait. This bait is a cartridge that allows for the removal of the wood insert and contains a much more durable bait that can last up to one year.

The product is scheduled to be available in New York in 2011.

For more information watch this video

Going Green in Queens 2010

Come see Magic at the Going Green in Queens 2010 Conference. We will have information about Green Pest Control and be able to answer questions about Bed Bugs, Rodents, Roaches, Termites and most other common pests.

Saturday March 27, 2010
9:30am to 3:30pm
Al Oerter Recreational Center
Flushing, NY 11355

Free Admission, Worshops, Giveaways, Food & Fun

More Info Contact Herr281761@aol.com

More Info at IOBY.COM

Magic joins NYPD Project Nexus

The New York City Police Department’s Operation Nexus is a nationwide network of businesses and enterprises joined in an effort to prevent another terrorist attack against our citizens. Our detectives have conducted over 25,000 visits to firms that have joined us in this mutual effort. Members of Operation Nexus are committed to reporting suspicious business encounters that they believe may have possible links to terrorism.

The NYPD believes terrorists may portray themselves as legitimate customers in order to purchase or lease certain materials or equipment, or to undergo certain formalized training to acquire important skills or licenses. There is also a concern that these individuals may simply steal certain types of vehicles, equipment or materials from the inventory of legitimate businesses. Whatever the method, once appropriated these items could then be used to facilitate a terrorist plot.

Through Operation Nexus, the NYPD actively encourages business owners, operators and their employees to apply their particular business and industry knowledge and experience against each customer transaction or encounter to discern anything unusual or suspicious and to report such instances to authorities.

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Magic Builds Heat Chamber to Combat Bed Bugs by Angel Avila

Well let me begin by saying, for those who do not know Peter and myself are the carpenters for the company as well as licensed exterminator with full knowledge and hands on experience in both professions. Magic realizes that carpentry and pest control work hand in hand and they are aware of the talent out there among there employees.

OK a few months ago me and Peter were approach by management (Anthony, Mike, Ralph and Jimmy) to build a heat chamber for green exterminating. Our first reaction was this is great! We have another opportunity to show our capabilities. It was a challenge set before us which was a opportunity to stimulate the mind. So we started off with the question to management what should the dimension be and its height as well as the size of the door opening (Jim T had a great idea as to what type of door should be built) and what would be place inside the chamber so we can determine the size.

These question and the answer to them were very important because we had to make shore that we had the space to build the Heat Chamber in the work space that was available, after careful inspection and a few measurements we told management that there idea was tangible.

  

The Purpose of the Heat Camber: Management believes the industry should work towards going green in every thing they do, as well as looking for a better way to kill Bed Bugs and wood destroying insects in furniture and other house hold items, the Heat Chamber made a lot of sense.

Why? First) it’s safe and it’s an all natural why to destroy these pest without the use of chemicals Second) air is able to penetrate cracks and craves a lot better then chemical or dust in a safe and no staining manner Third) the objective is to have the air heat up to the temperature of 120 degrees for several hours and circulate in the chamber to kill all types of insects and bugs by drying there bodies out. It has been proven this is the temperature needed to accomplishment this goal.

Managements Idea Brought Into Fruition Although the room was fairly square and had no real complicated angels or measurements there were still many questing that needed to be answer while we were building, like how do we protect it from water damage, from fire damage and the surrounding areas adjacent to it. Questing also arose were should the door be place to the right or left of the chamber, this would determine how long and large a piece of furniture could be place in the chamber to far to the right the objects would hit other structures to far to the left and you could not place a long piece of furniture into the chamber as we went back and forth with management ( Mr. DeVito and his team ) all the question were finally answer so me and Peter now had the clarity to proceeded forward .

One of the key factor of the project was to have the right insulation, insulation was put in the wall, ceiling and floor (type R-19/R-30 used) (left)

Water issue addressed before construction the walls and floor were seal with a special tar to prevent condensation on the inside of the wall and floor. (right)

With the understanding that heavy object would be place into the Chamber the floor was brace to the ground. (left)

Inside the chamber are 5/8 fire sheet rock walls and insulated heat absorbing wall panels with all corner sealed with a heat resistant tape. (right)

Materials: 72 # 2x4 22# piece of sheet rock 4# piece of ¾ plywood 9# rolls of insulation 2# box of 2 ½ crews 88” feet of track 15# piece of insulated heat panels 2# rolls of heat resident type 1# can of tar.