You may have read our previous article about the Salmonella outbreak in the United States. It initially was linked to Peanut Corporation of America’s plant in Blakely, Georgia. The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) said that the plant located in Plainview, Texas will be investigated for possible sources of Salmonella. Peanut Corp. release a press release regarding the closing. This plant was operating without a food manufacturing license and was never inspected by the FDA, since they have opened. On February 15th, Peanut Corp filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. All of their products they have ever produced have been recalled by the FDA.

Peanut Corp. has released a press release about the recall for all of their products and their bankruptcy.

Everyone has probably seen the commercials or infomercials on Digital Pest Repellents or similar items, such at “Riddex Plus.” Please be away of what these products are. These products are nothing more then a scam. Back in 2003, a investigation was done on electromagnetic (EM) and ultrasonic pest control products. A company named Global, was the Federal Trade Commissions main target.

Global marketed their products like such.

• their electromagnetic pest control products repel, drive away, or eliminate mice, rats, and cockroaches from homes and other buildings in two to four weeks, and drive them away by sending a pulsating signal throughout or altering the field around the electrical wiring inside homes and other buildings; and that they act as an effective alternative to, or eliminate the need for, chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, exterminators, and pest control services;
• their combination electromagnetic/ultrasonic pest control devices effectively repel, control, or eliminate mice, rats, cockroaches, rodents, insects, spiders, silverfish, and bats from homes and other buildings, and upset nesting sites of mice, rats, and cockroaches within walls, ceilings, and floors by using the products’ pulse or electromagnetic technology through the household wiring;
• their ultrasonic pest control devices effectively repel, drive away, or eliminate mice, rats, bats, crickets, spiders, and other insects from homes, and eliminate the need for toxic chemicals, poisons, or traps; and
• their pest control products are effective within an area ranging from up to 800 square feet or up to 2,000 feet, depending on the model.

Taken from FTC.gov

This is what the FTC investigated. After some time the investigation reveled that none of these products have been tested to any effect. No lab testing, or specefic evdience proves that these products work.

The FTC agreed that this company may still operate under certain conditions. No longer are they allowed t market their product as “extermianting” bugs. They say in their advertsiments that they “drive away” bugs.

The fact fo the matter is that these products are a gimmic, the FTC investigated them, and the out come is on the way they market it. So dont expect to use Riddex to take care of a bed bug, rodent or any other pest infestation.

If you would like more information on the FTC investigation please click here.

In  Deltona, Florida city officials approved the use of bat houses for controlling mosquitoes. This is one of the most environmentally-safe ways for control. Bat can eat approximately 1,000 small insects an hour. These bat houses are larger then bird houses and usually are kept on a pole 20 feet high.

So far only one has been installed, but city officals say they plan on putting more up.

The bat’s homes have been destroyed by the removal of trees in the area. Bats normally sit in trees as shown to the right.

Are you a pest control professional? Reality Wanted, is having a casting call for the most interesting pest control pros in America. This contest ends on Saturday so get you applications in.

Let us know how you do!

If you wish to apply please follow the link here.

“I never ate the peanut butter, and I wouldn’t allow my kids to eat it.”

- James Griffin, Cook, Georgia Plant

Recently, there has been a peanut butter salmonella scare with the peanut industry. There has been a federal criminal investigation against the Peanut Corporation of America. Sanitation at the plant was very poor. Three employees were interviewed and none of them had anything good to say.

“Whenever it rained back in the (peanut) butter part, it was like it was raining inside. It was coming in through the roof and the vents, but that didn’t stop them from making the paste.”

- Jones, Sanitation Department

This recently closed plant only makes up for 3% of the peanuts and peanut butter in the United States. Major brands were not affected by this. This salmonella scare has made over 500 people sick and took the lives of eight.

The FDA inspections showed multiple infractions over the years with easy entryways for pests and rodents. cockroaches and rodents.

The Peanut Corporation of America operated out of Georgia and Texas. The government found that the Texas plant was operating without a food manufacturing licenses, and has never been inspected by the FDA.

President Obama was dissapointed by the FDA because of how long it took them to find the problem.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… C: wait… SD: wait…

Premiering Wednesday February 4th, 2009 at 10:30/9:30C on A&E is a brand new television series called “The Exterminators.”

Here is what AETV.com had to say

In this funny family docusoap about the zaniest pest removal company on the planet, we join Billy Bretherton and his family members as they are called to take care of Louisiana’s worst pest problems. And it’s a big business in the swamp-like state of Louisiana. Although there are numerous other pest control companies in the state, Vexcon is the only team that handles all types of animal removal. From tiny ants to giant snakes, Billy and his team have seen everything.

Keeping it in the family, Billy runs Vexcon with the help of his brother Rick, who he describes as “just as crazy as me,” his droll father Bill Sr., his sassy Mom Donnie, who runs the offices, and his beloved wife Mary. A former US Air Force Sergeant, and a 15-year pest management industry veteran, Billy has taken a militaristic approach to pest control - and is emerging a victor.

We cant wait to watch the premier. We are looking forward to what A&E has in store for us!

Watch The Trailer

The Exterminators Website

Fast Company published an article with the top ten green jobs in the future (and present). We list all ten of them here.

• Farmer
• Forester
• Solar Power Installer
• Energy Efficient Builder
• Wind Turbine Fabricator
• Conservative Biologist
• Green MBA and Entrepreneur
• Recycler
• Sustainability Systems Developer
• Urban Planner

You can view the job descriptions and what they said about each job by visiting their post here.

Its been a tradition since the last 1800’s, Groundhog day! Today marked the 124th year of this famous day. “Phil” the groundhog’s name, in fact saw his shadow, which means winter will last an additional six weeks. This is a German tradition.

In New York, mayor Michael Bloomberg was bit by the groundhog. In New York, the groundhog did not see his shadow, but the outcome is followed in a small town in Pennsylvania.

It is told that most of the time Phil is correct, however meteorologists say he is only correct 39% of the time.