Earth Day: Bee Cause

Growing up on Long Island, insects and bees have always been a fascination to me. In fact, my family has a long history of providing businesses and residents with treatment advice for insects.We are experts on the life cycles of insects and their interaction with the environment. While looking for effective and sensitive approaches to the environment, I discovered that Honey Bees are now facing many problems. In fact, 30 percent of all domestic honey bee hives were lost during the winter of 2006–2007. Honey Bees are a farmer’s vital tool for pollination. 

I’m Craig, the family apiarist or bee keeper. I feel that it is my obligation to support these amazing creatures, to save and protect as many Honey Bee colonies in all the situations that I come across.   Many times, the educated consumer is my best advocate to help us protect Honey Bees from future losses.

Find out more on LongIslandHoneyBees.com

“If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart.”

Abe Lincoln

Go Green on Earth Day April 22nd

What does it mean to “Go Green”? For Suburban Exterminating, “Going Green” is all about managing pests with a minimum of pesticides. “Going Green” is about finding environmentally friendly ways to eliminate a Long Island homeowner’s pest problems. “Going Green” is also about educating a homeowner on how to prevent pests from becoming a problem. Insects and other pests are part of our environment. Each and every bug is part of our natural “Green” world. We are often beneficiaries of insect’s life. Who can deny the benefits of honey or lady bugs or even how beautiful a spider web can be? 

History of Green

Suburban Exterminating has earned Green Shield Certification after undergoing a rigorous evaluation conducted by the IPM Institute of North America (IPM Integrated Pest Management). Green Shield Certified aims to help identify companies that excel in managing pests with a minimum of pesticides. Suburban, founded by Martin and Hal Byer in 1961, has had a life-long focus on training and professionalism, making Green Shield Certified a good fit.

Experts Speak

Lynn Frank has served as technical director for Suburban Exterminating since 1985, responsible for staff training and trouble shooting. Frank is a Board Certified Entomologist, examined and certified by the Entomological Society of America. "As a company, our goals have always been to solve our customers' pest problems using less pesticide. If we do need to make a treatment, we train our technicians to treat smart - using low toxicity pesticides in a way that reduces the chance that people, kids and pets will be exposed."

"Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is the smart way to manage pests," according to Dr. Thomas Green, director of the IPM Institute. "Pests need food, water and shelter. Green Shield Certified providers focus on denying pests access to those - creating an effective, long-term solutions with pesticide use as a last resort."  For example, Suburban provides unique services such as installing seals on the bottom of exterior doors including garage doors. These "sweeps" not only deny pests access, they keep dirt outside and heat and air conditioning inside, saving energy and money. Other services include building and roof repairs, installing chimney caps, gutter repair and installation. Suburban has carpenters on staff to repair pest damage and "pest proof" buildings.

Integrated Pest Management is a greener approach to pest management.  As per US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):  “Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management”.  This green approach uses various strategies that address “Physical Mechanical Biological Cultural Educational”.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding our Green pest control programs, we offer free inspections and estimates.

Happenings on Long Island

Below are some of the emails which we received from Long Island homeowners last week. What’s happening in your home or backyard?


Patchogue homeowner emails:
Service needed: Pest Control
“ We keep having periods over the course of the year that we have a problem with little black ants in the house.”

Selden homeowner emails:
Service needed: Green Services
“ Main problem is outdoor carpenter ants coming in our home.”

Merrick homeowner emails:
“ I have ants in my house, but they do not seem to be carpenter ants. I have sprayed twice and put down traps, but they are still here.”

Smithtown homeowner emails:
Service needed: Pest Control
“ I have hundreds of ground bee mounds and while they are docile, i'm alergic to bees and can't take any chances.”

Suburban Exterminating can help you solve your Pest Control problems! Call today at (631) 864-6900

Are you afraid of spiders?

Arachnophobia is the overwhelming fear of spiders. More women are afraid of spiders than men. Anyone can be afraid.

A recent study in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking shows that exposure to animated spiders in a videogame can help people overcome their fear of spiders. Read more in A Videogame for Arachnophobes http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704530204576235230951525052.html

Does anyone know a good game? Post your games below.

Spring is Time for Termite Swarmers

This spring, Long Island homeowners may see large groups of termite swarmers in and around their homes. These termites are looking to reproduce and establish new colonies around your home. They are largely harmless but indicate the presence of larger termite colonies. 

Swarms usually occur in the morning after a warm rain. They might also appear near your hot water heater if conditions are right. 

The winged swarmers are dark brown to almost black and about 3/8-inch long.  The wings are brownish gray with a few hairs and two dark veins on the leading edge.  They have a very small pore on their heads. 

For more information about the types of termites and termite colonies, read Termite Extermination on Long Island

Call Suburban Exterminator’s team of termite experts for a free inspection.

A NYC Guideline on Bedbugs

NYC has a new guide on bedbugs. Some of this guide's key points include:

• Learn to identify the signs of bed bugs.

• Dirty living conditions do not cause bed bugs but cleaning and removing clutter will help in controlling them.

• Anyone can get bed bugs. Seek help immediately if you find them.

• Sealing cracks and small holes will help to reduce hiding places and prevent bed bugs from crawling between apartments.

• Cooperate with your neighbors, landlord and pest management provider. Getting rid of bed bugs needs to involve everyone.

• Do not use pesticide bombs or foggers to control pests. They can make conditions worse.

• It is hard, but not impossible to get rid of bed bugs.

This guide also outlines how to hire a professional pest control company. Suburban Exterminating exceeds all NYC guidelines for hiring a professional pest control company
Suburban Exterminating has many credentials. Just one of our credentials includes a registration with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation - Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials - Bureau of Pesticides Management. See page 426.
We would be happy to answer your questions about bedbugs! Give us a call 864-6900!

Employee Spotlight:: Brenda

Earliest bug memory: At age 8 while playing in neighbors Levittown backyard, Brenda ran through bushes and a large nest of yellow jackets. She can remember that a neighbor put mud everywhere she was stung. Her Mom put her in bath with Epson salt and covered the stings with iodine until it looked like she was diseased.  

What’s new? Brenda recently overcame fear of stinging insects. She no longer freaks out and runs!!

The secret bug Brenda really loves is a praying mantis. These little “aliens” are awesome in every way. Also caterpillars are so cool, Brenda loves the way they move and look.

Her most surprising recent bug / wildlife encounter: Last August at Eastern Campgrounds in Greenpoint, Brenda saw a bug that she had never seen before – a bug that was bright yellow with black stripes. She took a picture and Lynn Frank, Suburban Exterminating entomologist, identified the bug as a very rare Atteva punctilla.

Atteva punctilla

Another notable bug encounter: At Blydenburgh State Park, Brenda found over 20 earwigs crawling all over her 12 year old son – she thought that they would go in his ears.

Best tip Brenda ever received was to check for leaks and moisture buildup around her home. Brenda has eliminated a lot of problems around her home.

Never ate a bug intentionally but at age 10 while riding her bike in Levittown, a bug flew right into her open mouth. She swallowed it! The bug’s identity is still unknown.

Brenda's Favorite Movie: A Bugs Life is entertaining and educational.  You can see how insects are capable of working together.