The World History of Pest Control

The early years of pest control can be traced back as far as 1500 B.C. to the Egyptians. They believed that sanitation was the essence to good health, longevity & preparation for the afterlife. Through the early years of mankind's history (Roman & Middle Ages) pest control was largely administered by Health Care Professionals who had access to recipes that would not only cure peoples ailments, they discovered it could also affect & kill "vermin".

With the arrival of the Renaissance Period (1400 A.D.) pest control started its development as a profession. We are all familiar with the tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin who for a fee lured the rats out of a village with his flute. It was during this period that saw a large Jewish influx to our profession. They largely came from a health care related field with access to potions for pest control because of their belief in the "Mosaic Code". The belief that prevention of disease is simpler and more far-reaching than after the fact treatment (insert pest for disease & we have the "Pest Control Code").

Pest control got its early start in North America with the arrival of the Santa Maria & the discovery of the new world by Christopher Columbus. It is widely believed that the first introduced pest to North America that arrived on the Santa Maria was the Bedbug (how ironic!). With the heavy immigration that followed from the Old World to the New World came what we know now as urban sprawl. The need for our services came hand in hand with this growth & in 1933 the first pest control association
was formed (NPCA) through the work of long time exterminator Bill Buettner. With the start of World War 2 & many advances in science we entered into the "Chemical Years". Bill lobbied the U.S. Government at the time & was successful in gaining access to DDT, which at the time was under the control of the U.S. Army. After the release of this "magic powder" many pest control business sold their companies as they feared that this wonder powder in the hands of Joe public would eliminate the need for professional exterminators (how wrong were they!).

Up until the mid to late 70's the answer to pest control was Chemicals, chemicals & more chemicals. We had Chlorinated Hydrocarbons, Organophosphates, Carbamates, Hard Rodenticides & Fumigants at our disposal to deal with all pest issues. As we started to learn the harmful effects to our environment that some of these pesticides posed, government agencies started taking an active role in regulating our industry. This was the start of our present era "The IPM Years". We all know this stands for Integrated Pest Management however I like to refer to it as Intelligent Pest
Management. So what will the new millennium bring? I wish I had a crystal ball! I do know that our industry has come full circle in gaining respect for its high level of professionalism demonstrated world wide; just like it once was with the Egyptians 3500 years ago.

Fun Facts

By FPCA

Cockroaches will nibble on just about anything, from book bindings to film to starched linen to leather.

German cockroaches can survive a whole month without food, but last less than two weeks without water.

Under optimum conditions, one female cockroach can produce two million offspring in one year. An average breeding session produces 35,000 offspring.

A tiny biting midge or "no-seeum" (Forcipomyia) beats its hairy wings 62,760 times per minute.

In some species of praying mantis, the female begins to eat the male while they are still mating. She starts at the head and by the time she reaches his abdomen, mating is completed. Unintentionally the father becomes the supply of food for the bugs that are his offspring.

Abell's Client Training Program

By Emma Murphy

Here at Abell, we offer a variety of services to our clients. Included in those services is the Client Training Agenda. Throughout our continued effort to improve our clients' service, we will accommodate your needs and help you achieve great results. Some of the training we offer includes:

• HACCP Development & Consultation
• ServSafe Training

Customized Training in:

• Sanitary Design
• Pest Prevention
• Sanitation and Exclusion practices

HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) programs are becoming more important for the food industry. This process is targeted towards the food industry, because it will ensure quality through the identification and monitoring of critical points throughout the manufacturing process. It can be applied to all levels of processing including manufacturing, distribution, retail and service. The adoption of a HACCP program will demonstrate to customers your commitment to quality and food safety. Abell Pest Control Inc. has the tools to effectively educate your employees about HACCP, and help you tailor a HACCP program that fits your businesses specific needs. Food safety is a very important aspect of our culture that incorporates trust and respect between a food handler and their customers. When you eat out, you not only expect a high quality dining experience, but you expect a safe dining experience as well. The ServSafe program is designed to educate food handlers about safe preparation, handling and serving of food, and related products. Members of the Abell team are certified trainers for the ServSafe program and therefore can educate your team thoroughly and successfully based on the guidelines given by the National Restaurant Association.

Abell also offers a variety of tailored programs that are more specific to the individuality of a business. Services such as Sanitation Training can be offered as part of a risk management program. It will consider the type of facility, equipment and product as well as evaluate the potential pests that may ensue. Upon pest identification it is possible to determine what will potentially cause these
pests, and how to prevent or remove the problem implementing cleaning techniques and tools. We will provide training on cleaning methods and cleaning tools that are appropriate and most effective for the job. We will also provide training on the type of equipment that will reduce accumulation and hence prevent pest activity, as part of the Sanitary Design training program.

Abell's Sanitary Design training will help you gain the knowledge needed to identify areas susceptible to product, debris and water accumulation that may cause pest problems. Sanitary Design will eliminate areas that facilitate pest-causing accumulation by removing horizontal surfaces, cracks and crevices, as well as materials that promote activity. Our Pest Prevention, and Pest Exclusion programs
utilize proactive, preventative practices to eliminate pest harbourages, nesting materials, food sources and entry points to ensure that pests are not an integral part of your facility.

If you would like additional information please contact your local branch, or call 1 888 949 4949.

Chocolate Chirpie Chip Cookies

By Unknown

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
12-ounce chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup dry roasted crickets

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. In large bowl, combine butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla; beat until creamy. Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mixture and insects, mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded measuring teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Boy Scouts

By Unknown

Some boy scouts from the city were sitting around their campfire. One scout said, "We'd better get to bed before the mosquitoes eat us up." Later that night, the boy woke up and looked out of his tent. He saw dozens and dozens of fireflies. Quickly, he woke up his friends and said, "We'd better hide! They're coming after us with flashlights!"