pest control training online

Bedbug ‘pandemic’ predicted
New York the latest city to step up eradication efforts

What’s covered by food hygiene online and should you get a food hygiene certificate?

If you are starting a new food business you must register with the local authority at least 28 days before setting up.  This means that most food business premises will have to be registered.  If you think you are exempt from being registered, for instance where you may already be registered for food law purposes or perhaps a tent or marquee, but not including stalls, then you should contact the local authority to make sure.

If you make or serve food then the absolute bare minimum that you need is a level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.

The necessary skills may also be obtained in other ways, such as through on-the-job training, self-study or
relevant prior experience. The operator of the food business is responsible for ensuring this happens.

This course is 100% online and can takes 2-3 hours on any PC with an internet connection.

Technically it is not an actual qualification; but you need to be able to prove that you meet the legal requirements for food handlers, and many people do this by getting a UK level 2 food hygiene certificate.

The modules covered are:

costs of poor hygiene

food poisoning and food-borne diseases

how germs grow in food

contamination of food

prevention of food poisoning

improving personal hygiene

storage and temperature control

preparation, cooking and cooling of food

construction and design of food premises

cleaning and disinfecting

pest control

food hygiene law requirements

control of food safety risks

hazard analysis

The Environmental Health Service will only deal with food complaints that pose a public health threat.

Environmental Health officers pursue a positive and proactive approach towards ensuring compliance through their enforcement policy, which in general terms is as follows:

Helping and encouraging regulated entities to understand and meet regulatory requirements more easily; responding proportionately to regulatory breaches; and protecting and improving public health and the environment.

Sanctions and penalties will be consistent, balanced, fairly implemented and relate to common standards that ensure individual, public safety or the environment is adequately protected.

The aim of sanctions and penalties are to:  Change the behaviour of the offender; eliminate any financial gain or benefit from non-compliance; be responsive and consider what is appropriate for the particular offender and regulatory issue, which can include punishment and the public stigma that should be associated with a criminal conviction; proportionate to the nature of the offence and the harm caused; and aim to deter future non-compliance.

Here is some important information, but bear in mind this is not a complete statement of the law.

Incoming search terms for the article:

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• chemical pest control
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Re-discover Some of the Underutilized and Neglected Crops of the World With a View to Broaden our Food Resource Base: Cat’s Whisker’s

Historical perspective and origins.

This vegetable plant has its origins in tropical Africa and Southeast Asia, and has spread to other tropical and subtropical countries in the Northern and Southern hemispheres (Kokwaro, 1976). Dispersal is by birds or wind when the capsules dehisce. Cat’s whiskers is widely distributed in the drier parts of the world like Asia, Africa, and the Americas (Iltis, 1960, 1967; Kuhn, 1988), where it grows and is regarded as a weed. There are, however, no known varieties or cultivars as yet.

The crop

The natural habitat of C. gynandra is wasteland and arable land with annual species as well as grasslands. The plant has a C4 photosynthetic pathway, which is an adaptation that enables the plant to survive in dry and hot environments. It does well in semi-arid, sub humid and humid climates about 1000 m above sea level (asl). The crop is adapted to many soil types, but does very well in soils fertilized with organic manure.

Cultivation

Cleome gynandra plants are propagated by seeds, which may be sown on seedbeds or broadcast at 30 cm spacing. Seedlings emerge after 6-8 days and do not require transplanting. Thinning can be done after three weeks and the thinnings may be consumed as food.

Cat’s whiskers respond positively to increased soil fertility. Use of farmyard manure, where available, is highly recommended, but inorganic fertilizers may also be used. Generous application of nitrogen fertilizers delays flowering of plants and hence extends leaf-harvesting time. A study on the effect of deflowering showed that it increased leaf yield and quality of C. gynandra plants (Maumba, 1993). Deflowering decreases plant height and increases number of branches per plant and hence leaf yield. Leaf yield of cat’s whiskers increases with increasing plant age, until about the 7th week, when yield begins to decline.

The plants do not have dense foliage and therefore are not able to compete effectively with weeds. It is thus necessary that weeding be done at all times. Weeding is by shallow cultivation or hand pulling and should not damage the plants as this may adversely reduce leaf yield and quality.

When the plants reach a height of about 15 cm, they can be harvested by topping, cutting back to ground level or picking individual leaves or leafy branches at frequent intervals. Harvesting starts 4-6 weeks after seedling emergence and may last 4-5 weeks (Maundu et al. unpublished). Biweekly removal of tender leaves allows regeneration of branches hence increasing yield.

Cumulative yields of up to 30 tons per hectare may be obtained, while seed yields may be about 500 kg per hectare.

Pests and diseases

C. gynandra is attacked by pests like pentatomids (Acrosternum gramineum and Agonoselis nubilis) and their parasitoids, locusts (Schistocera gregaria), nematodes (Meloidgyne species), flea beetles (Phyllotreta mashonana), green vegetable bugs (Nezara species), cabbage sawfly (Athalia species), cotton jassids (Empoasca species) and hurricane bugs (Bagrada species). Attack by these insects is more prevalent during dry periods, and can be effectively controlled by spraying with an appropriate insecticide.

Young seeds may be eaten by weaverbirds (Quelea quelea) and the plant is also host to mildew fungus (powdery mildews Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Oidiopsis taurica and Cercospora uramensis (Atheya and Mathur, 1966; Singh, 1983).

Uses

Several studies on the nutritional value of cat’s whiskers have been conducted and the results have revealed that leaves of this plant could be more nutritious than most exotic leafy vegetables. Results further indicate that the plant responds positively to increased soil fertility, although the harvest index is reduced. The plant’s nutritional value may vary with soil fertility, environment, plant type, plant age and the production techniques. Seeds of C. gynandra were analyzed for crude protein and fatty acid content (Chweya 1990). The crude protein composition ranged from 17.9% to 31.4%. Other nutrients that are contained in C. gynandra include carbohydrates (1.3 – 1.4%), lipids (25.1% – 29.6%) and several amino acids like palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, valine, glutamine among others. The leaves also contain a lot of nutritional mineral elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and copper. All of these are important for the various metabolic processes for normal functioning of the body.

Throughout Africa, the tender leaves or young shoots are eaten boiled as a potherb, relish or side dish. In East Africa, fresh leaves are used as ingredients in other mashed foods, and the dried leaves are ground and incorporated in weaning foods (Chigumira, 1995).

According to FAO (1990), C. gynandra is important as a leafy vegetable in African countries such as Malawi, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and South Africa. Leaves of this plant may be crushed to make a concoction that is drunk to cure diseases such as scurvy. In many cultures, boiled leaves are regarded as a medicinal meal. In other communities, leaves are boiled and marinated in sour milk for 2-3 days and eaten as a nutritious meal, which is believed to improve eyesight, provide energy and cure marasmus. It is a highly recommended meal for pregnant and lactating women. In some communities, consumption of the vegetable by pregnant women is almost mandatory as its intake eases childbirth and reduces the length of their labour.

Many medicinal uses of C. gynandra exist in different communities. The following are some of the reported uses of cat’s whiskers; a) sap from leaves may be used as an analgesic for headaches, b) sap from pounded young leaves is squeezed into ears, nostrils and eyes to treat epileptic fits and earache, c) a decoction or infusion of boiled leaves or roots is administered to facilitate childbirth in pregnant women, treat conjunctivitis, relieve chest pains and treat severe thread-worm infection.

Other than having medicinal use in human beings, C. gynandra has also been observed to have insecticidal, antifeedant and repellent characteristics (Chandel et al., 1987). Leaves have anti-tick properties that are repellent and acaricidal for larvae, nymphs and adults of ticks. Ticks have been observed to avoid C. gynandra and found to keep 2-5 m away from the plant. Ethanol extract from the plant is toxic to insect pests of cabbages and can thus be used as vegetable insecticide. C. gynandra also acts as forage for bovines and game animals that graze the leaves.

The many uses of C. gynandra make it a versatile species with characteristics that call for its conservation and utilization. In summary these characteristics are; a) it is highly nutritious, b) it can be easily and cheaply cultivated by rural farmers for sale and consumption, c) it can mitigate problems of malnutrition due to lack of vitamins, d) it has many medicinal characteristics which can be harnessed, e) it has insecticidal effects, f) it acts as forage for other animals and g) its seeds are oleaginous and have potential for use as edible oil and animal feed. The list is endless.

pest control websites
RiD Pest Control – Promotional Video

Job scams selling pest control – paying under the table, etc.?

I know two young people from Canada who have been convinced to go to Dallas to sell pest control with promises of huge profits. They are going to be paid under the table which is illegal to start with and I’m afraid for them. I need some websites or evidence to prove to them what a bad idea this is.

e-mail the Better Business Bureau in the Texas town and find out if there have been complaints already filed.

Cockroach Control | Pest Control Service |Pest Control

Delhipestcontrol.com now has been offering complete care and protection for your homes, dormitories, yards, wood material and kitchens etc from infestation of termites, rat/mice, wood boarers, cockroaches, lizards and other general pests. No doubt Delhi pest control service is the best service available online. This service has been made available in order to provide people with high quality care and odorless solutions for pests and germs.

Pest control service Delhi is the only company which provides matchless pest control in the whole India thats why this company is regarded as the best pest control base in the whole India. You can ask for suggestions while sitting before your computer at home. This company offers various controls which are necessary and important at cheap prices. Delhi pest control service offers reliable solutions. These solutions are odorless and affordable. This pest service company is open to be contacted round the clock at any time of the day. The most common controls which this pest control service Delhi offers are Cockroach control Delhi, General pest control Delhi, lizard control Delhi, Rat/Mice control Delhi, Termite control Delhi and wood boarer Control Delhi etc.

If your kitchen is infested with cockroaches; you are thinking to do some thing crucial to save food stuff and other material which is used for human consumption. You may contact Delhi pest control service from any where in India. Delhi pest control service offers Cockroach control to provide you with a sigh of relief. If you will not give serious thought to cockroach infestation your family may have several health problems. Therefore, to give your family better health and future contact this service and let Delhi pest control service serve you. This company provides the best service at cheap prices.

Besides lizard control Delhi is also one of the best solutions available to control them. This lizard control service Delhi is cheap control and easily affordable. Lizard control Delhi is qualitative measure with reliance.

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The ‘Twelve Principles Of Green Chemistry’

 

Though Green chemistry is also known as environmentally benign chemistry, or sustainable chemistry, perhaps the most widely accepted definition of green chemistry is the one offered by chemists Paul Anastas and John Warner, who defined green chemistry as the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.

Now the Pollution Prevention Acts set the stage for green chemistry wherein focus is on the prevention of pollution at the source rather than the treatment of pollutants after they are formed. This goal became a formal objective of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1991. Anastas coined the term “green chemistry” the same year. Two of the most prominent and early advocates of green chemistry were Kenneth Hancock of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Joe Breen, who after twenty years of service at the EPA became the first director of the Green Chemistry Institute (GCI) during the late 1990s.

Anastas and Warner formulated the twelve principles of green chemistry in 1998. These serve as guidelines for chemists seeking to lower the ecological footprint of the chemicals, they produce and the processes by which such chemicals are made. Starting in 1996, outstanding examples of green chemistry have been recognized in the United States each year by the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge (PGCC) awards that are the only awards in chemistry which are bestowed at the presidential level.

The EPA and the American Chemical Society (ACS) have played a major role in promoting research and development, as well as education, in green chemistry field. In 2000 the GCI became a partner of the ACS. Chemical societies around the globe have recognized the importance of green chemistry and promote it through journals, conferences, educational activities, and the formation of GCI chapters. There are GCI chapter affiliates all over the world.

During the 1990s many industries began to earnestly adopt green chemistry and other sustainable practices. Forward-looking companies realized that the practice of green chemistry not only leads to environmental benefits, but also economic and social benefits. The combination of these three benefits is known as the “triple bottom line” and provides strong encouragement for businesses to develop sustainable products and processes. The following real-world examples of green chemistry represent the accomplishments of several winners of the PGCC awards. They illustrate how green chemistry impacts a wide array of fields including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, polymers, and many others.

When chemists are considering a compound, they are concerned with the chemical, biological, and physical properties of this compound, and the method by which the compound is prepared or its synthesis. In order to focus greater attention on waste by-products that are formed during a synthesis, Barry Trost of Stanford University developed the concept of atom economy. This concept deals with the question: How many of the atoms of the reactants are incorporated into the final desired product and how many are wasted by incorporation into by-products? An example of the application of this concept may be discussed in the synthesis of ibuprofen. Concerns over the pollution of natural resources such as the valley in Zion National Park, Utah prompted the development of green chemistry in the 1990s.

Ibuprofen is the active ingredient in many analgesic and inflammatory drugs. Beginning in the 1960s, ibuprofen was produced by a six-step synthesis with an atom economy of only 40 percent. This meant that less than half (40 percent) of the weight of all the atoms of the reactants were incorporated in the ibuprofen, and 60 percent were wasted in the formation of unwanted by-products. The annual production of approximately 30 million pounds of ibuprofen by this method resulted in over 40 million pounds of waste. But during the 1990s, the BHC Company developed a new synthesis of ibuprofen with an atom economy of 77 to 99 percent. This synthesis not only produces much less waste, it is also only a three-step process. A pharmaceutical company can thus produce more ibuprofen in less time and with less energy, which results in increased profits.

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is one of the most well-known insecticides which during World War II saved thousands of Allied lives by killing disease-carrying insects, but during the 1960s the significant environmental damage caused by it was brought to the public’s attention by Rachel Carson in Silent Spring (1962). As a result of the controversy generated by this book and other media coverage, the substance’s use was banned in the United States in 1973. During the 1960s and 1970s organophosphates largely replaced organo-chlorine pesticides such as DDT. These pesticides rapidly degrade in the environment, but they are much more toxic to mammals. They are deadly to a wide array of insects and kill not only the target organism but also beneficial insects, such as bees and predatory beetles, and can also be harmful to humans.

One approach to producing less environmentally harmful pesticides is to use compounds that destroy only the target organisms. One manufacturer, Rohm & Haas, has developed insecticides that mimic a hormone used only by molting insects. Insects that do not molt are not affected, leaving many beneficial insects unharmed. A more recent strategy for protecting plants from pests and disease involves the use of genetically altered plants. This method is controversial. Concerns include cross-pollination with unaltered plants and the entry of altered plants into the food supply.

Another approach to protecting plants from pests and diseases is to activate their natural defense mechanism against pests or diseases. EDEN Bioscience Corporation has developed what is known as harpin technology. Harpin is a naturally occurring protein that is isolated from genetically altered bacteria. When applied to the leaves and stems of plants, this protein elicits their natural defense systems. The EPA has classified harpin as Category IV, which is reserved for materials with the lowest hazard potential. As an added benefit, harpin also stimulates plant growth.

As known to us synthetic polymers or plastics are everywhere. They are used in cars, computers, planes, houses, eyeglasses, paints, bags, appliances, medical devices, carpets, tools, clothing, boats, batteries, and pipes. More than 60 million pounds of polymers are produced in the United States alone each year. The feed stocks that are used to produce these polymers are virtually all made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource. Approximately 2.7 percent of all crude oil is used to generate chemical feeds tocks.

In order to decrease human consumption of petroleum, chemists have investigated methods for producing polymers from renewable resources such as biomass. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a polymer of naturally occurring lactic acid (LA), and LA can be produced from the fermentation of corn. The goal is to eventually manufacture this polymer from waste biomass. Another advantage of PLA is that, unlike most synthetic polymers which litter the landscape and pack landfills, it is biodegradable. PLA can also be easily recycled by conversion back into LA. It can replace many petroleum-based polymers in products such as carpets, bags, cups, and textile fibers.

The manufacture of computer chips requires excessive amounts of chemicals, water, and energy. Estimates indicate that the weight of chemicals and fossil fuels required to make a computer chip is 630 times the weight of the chip, as compared to the 2:1 ratio for the manufacture of an automobile. Scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a process that uses supercritical carbon dioxide in one of the steps in chip preparation, and it significantly reduces the quantities of chemicals, energy, and water needed to produce chips. Condensed phase carbon dioxide is also used as a solvent for the dry cleaning of clothes. Although carbon dioxide alone is not a good solvent for oils, waxes, and greases, the use of carbon dioxide in combination with a surfactant allows for the replacement of perchloroethylene (which is the solvent used most often to dry clean clothes, although it poses hazards to the environment and is a suspected human carcinogen).

Some other examples of green chemistry are: taking chromium and arsenic, which are toxic, out of pressure-treated wood; using new less toxic chemicals for bleaching paper, substituting yttrium for lead in auto paint, and using enzymes instead of a strong base for the treatment of cotton fibers. In totality we may say that green chemistry reduces toxicity, minimizes waste, saves energy, and cuts down on the depletion of natural resources. It allows for advances in chemistry to occur in a much more environmentally benign way. In the future, when green chemistry is practiced by all chemists and all chemical related companies, the term “green chemistry” will ideally disappear as all chemistry becomes green. 

The so called ‘the twelve Principles of Green Chemistry; may be summarized as under:

1. It is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waste after it is formed.
2. Synthetic methods should be designed to maximize the incorporation of all materials used in the process in the final product.
3. Wherever practical, synthetic methodologies should be designed to use and generate substances that possess little or no toxicity to human health and the environment.
4. Chemical products should be designed to preserve efficacy of function while reducing toxicity.
5. The use of auxiliary substances (e.g., solvents, separation agents, etc.) should be made unnecessary whenever possible and innocuous when used.
6. Energy requirements should be recognized for their environmental and economic impacts and should be minimized. Synthetic methods should be conducted at ambient temperature and pressure.
7. A raw material feedstock should be renewable rather than depleting whenever technically and economically practical.
8. Unnecessary derivatization (blocking group, protection/deprotection, and temporary modification of physical/chemical processes) should be avoided whenever possible.
9. Catalytic reagents (as selective as possible) are superior to stoichiometric reagents.

10. Chemical products should be designed so that at the end of their function they do not persist in the environment and break down into innocuous degradation products.

11. Analytical methodologies need to be further developed to allow for real-time in-process monitoring and control prior to the formation of hazardous substances.

12. Substances and the form of a substance used in a chemical process should be chosen so as to minimize the potential for chemical accidents, including releases, explosions, and fires. 

How much would I be looking to spend on liability insurance for a pest control business?

The business would be located in Utah. One employee other than myself. Gross profit of around $70,000.

It’s not BASED on gross profit, it’s based on gross sales, or payroll.

You’re probably looking at $3,000, if you both have herbicide/pesticide licenses. $1500 per license.

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Snowbirds! Fly North This Summer With Your Phoenix Winter Vacation Home Secure

It’s May in Phoenix, Arizona and it’s getting hot!  You and your retired Snowbird friends are heading for a cooler climate.  Here are 35 strategies to help you secure your home for your departure.
There are a number of general things to do in preparation for “flying north.”  Make sure to update your emergency contact information with your Home Owners or Community Association including giving them the name of your emergency key holder and who has a key.  If available, sign up for any Vacation Watch programs your community offers.  Some police departments have vacation check programs. Notify them, and generally they will do a routine check of the house. While some will only drive by and look for suspicious activity, some will get out of their vehicles and inspect the grounds looking for any break-ins. If contact information is left with the police, they can phone the homeowners if there has been a break-in or disturbance.  Check to see if you need to renew your driver’s licenses and/or vehicle plates before leaving.

Arrange for services such as landscaping, pest control and pool services if needed.  Contact your internet provider and cable company to stop service or start vacation hold.  Arrange for mail forwarding and newspaper stop.  Ask a neighbor to pick up stray newspapers, flyers, packages etc. and make sure that neighbor has your contact information and a key.  Ask the neighbor to park in your driveway occasionally to make the home looks occupied.  Consider using a professional home watch company to care for your home.

If you have never done so, take photographs or videos of all your expensive items.  If needed this would be helpful for both the police and the insurance agency to identify the stolen goods. Store valuables in a place that a burglar could not access.  (i.e., take jewelry to a safe-deposit box, lock computers in closets, hide keys to extra cars, etc.)  Be sure to remove all valuables from sight.

In the kitchen remove food from the house to discourage pests. Store staples such as sugar or flour in sealed metal, glass or thick plastic containers.  The best refrigerator solution is to turn it off, empty it and prop open the doors.  The next best solution is to empty out items which will spoil and add items like bottles of water, etc. to help retain the cold and help the unit use less energy.  Don’t forget to turn off the ice maker and place a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors.  If you have candles and plan to leave your refrigerator on, place the candles in the fridge so they don’t soften during the summer.

Regarding other appliances, put 2-3 tbsp. of vegetable oil in the dishwasher to keep the seals moist.  Do not latch the door.  Also put 2-3 tbsp. of vegetable oil in the garbage disposal to help keep it from locking up.  Remember to unplug other appliances throughout the house.  Open the door on the clothes washer.

With telephones turn off the ringers so thieves can’t hear if no one is answering the phone.  Don’t leave a message on the answering machine that tells callers you’re out-of-town.  Instead, say you’re away from the phone and you’ll get back to them.

To help add moisture for the furniture place several 5 gallon buckets of water around the house.  Close blinds.  If using timers, leave the blinds open slightly to let light shine out so the home looks occupied.  Open all doors to rooms and closets to allow for air flow.

Regarding water, in the bathrooms wrap toilet bowls with cling wrap to keep the water from evaporating.  Do not put bleach tablets in the tank. Turn off inside water valves at the washer, under sinks, and at toilets.  Valves like to be used.  Better yet, shut off the main water valve when leaving.

Change the furnace filter(s) especially if you are leaving the A/C on.  You could turn it off completely but if not, set it to a high temperature (95) in the summer.  Check / close fireplace damper.  Lock all doors and windows placing wood dowels in the tracks of sliders where possible.

Outside the home pick the remaining ripe fruit from trees to avoid falling fruit accumulating under the tree.  Trim trees and bushes away from the house so as not to obscure windows and doors.  Set the irrigation timer to the summer watering cycle.  Replace the 9v battery if not done so in a while.  Drain water features and treat with appropriate chemicals to avoid mosquito infestation.   Store the patio furniture and barbecue grill in the garage. 

Speaking of the garage, disconnect the car battery.  Leave golf cart batteries on trickle charge.  Fill the golf cart batteries and car battery.  Turn the water heater to vacation or pilot.  Disconnect hot water circulator or set it to the off position.

Just before leaving shut off the house main water valve but do not touch the landscaping water valves.  Unplug the garage door opener or lock garage door.  Turn on the security system if you have one.  Double check that all doors and windows are locked making sure the door between the garage and the house is locked.  Leave by the front door and lock it!

Now you’re set to enjoy your trip!