Although our company is based in Tucson, Arizona, Southwest Florida is where Mr. Truly Nolen resides and it’s a community that’s near and dear to his heart. As a result, I am excited to announce I will be appearing on the Morning Blend in a recurring monthly segment on WFTX Fox 4 Cape Coral/Fort Myers that will feature insects, chances to win prizes and much more. Wild Bill Wood and I go way back, and my first segment will air Monday, January 26 at 10 a.m. eastern. Among the insects I will have on hand are hissing cockroaches and a tarantula. To visit the Morning Blend online, go to www.fox4morningblend.com.

In addition, I will be discussing the topic of Thermal Warriors on Wednesday, January 28 on Fox 35 WOFL Orlando during the 7 a.m. hour eastern and Tuesday, February 3 on WOAI-NBC San Antonio during the 10 a.m. hour central. Their websites are www.myfoxorlando.com and www.woai.com respectively.

Although more information will follow about this next week, I am extremely excited to announce our company and our branch in North Las Vegas is partnering with the Clark County School District in Nevada on a contest to determine a state insect.

Did you know Nevada is presently one of nine states that does not have a state insect? We researched this, and after approaching their school system with an idea for a contest, Nevada State Senator Joyce Woodhouse and State Assemblyman Lynn Stewart decided to hold a spot in late-December’s Nevada legislative session for a bill to be drafted this March.

The contest is open to all fourth grade and Gifted and Talented Education classrooms in Nevada. Among the prizes the winning student will receive include a trip to and from school in our mousecar the day they are recognized as the winner and a trip to Carson City for the construction of the insect bill. More details will follow in my next entry.

Be safe, stay dry, and hope you all have a buzzing day! The Mousecar is riding around with his windows down, looking for more friends on Facebook and tweeps on Twitter – interested?

Barry The Bug Guy

Happy New Year, everyone. With the recent dip in temperature, I wanted to quickly give you my two cents on rodents and how to keep them away.

Rodents adore warmth, so as colder winter weather moves in (which led to snow in places like Las Vegas and Malibu, California recently!), these pesky creatures – one of mankind’s oldest and most reviled pests — are also on the move: into houses, apartments and other climate-controlled buildings searching for grease and fat, which are parts of any self-respecting rodent’s balanced winter diet.

These pests (and their furry cousins) can be extremely destructive, chewing through cables and wirings and building materials such as glass, cinder block, aluminum and lead. These varmints can enter a building through a crack as small as one-half-inch.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a disease caused directly from rodent droppings and urine and can mimic the flu. Symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, nausea, abdominal and back pain and gastro-intestinal issues.

Here are some simple steps you can take to prevent rodent infestation that should include the following:

• Seal all food tightly and never allow food to accumulate in open containers.
• If rodent droppings are found, they should be immediately cleaned.
• Check for torn screens and loose attic vents. Seemingly insignificant openings can give rodents access to your home or business.
• Be certain that garbage can lids fit securely.
• Do not allow piles of lumber or other debris to accumulate and eliminate overgrown, weedy patches of flora. They provide attractive shelter for rodents.

By doing these simple things, you can protect your home from becoming a winter wonderland for pests.

Be safe, stay dry, and hope you all have a buzzing day! The Mousecar is riding around with his windows down, looking for more friends on Facebook and tweeps on Twitter – interested?

Barry The Bug Guy