SACRAMENTO, Calif. — While ants continue to be California’s most frequently reported pest problem, the state is experiencing a significant upward trend in reports of rodent and bed bug infestations, according to a survey released by the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC).
The findings are contained in “What’s Bugging California Survey, 2018,” the first annual industry survey of the state’s licensed pest control operators.
Just over half (51.25%) of the respondents said the most rapidly growing reason for commercial and residential customer calls were to eliminate infestations of rat and other rodents. The second fastest growing problem was for bed bugs (25.62%), according to the survey.
“The results confirmed what we have been hearing anecdotally for the past year – that rodents are thriving and becoming more difficult to control throughout the state,” said Chris Reardon, PCOC’s executive director. “Our customers are also reporting greater problems with bed bugs.”
The survey results were taken from responses of 160 representatives from major pest control companies located in every region of California, said Reardon.
According to the survey, the following represent California’s Top 6 Problematic Pests for consumers and businesses:
1.Ants
2.Rats & Rodents
3.Wasps & Hornets
4.Cockroaches
5.Bed Bugs
6.Spiders
Reardon noted that controlling these and other pests is essential to protecting public health because they can spread a wide range of diseases, including salmonella, West Nile and Zika viruses, bubonic plague and other fatal illnesses.
“The ability to effectively manage pests is a key advantage that differentiates our society from Third World countries,” he said. “Our industry believes access to pest control should be a fundamental right for Californians, who need to be able to protect their families, homes and businesses.”
“California’s pest control professionals are among the most heavily trained and regulated in the United States,” Reardon said. “Because of this, PCOC members employ a wide range of integrated pest management strategies that incorporate both chemical and non-chemical approaches. The industry goal is to minimize pesticides while still maximizing pest eradication.”
The findings are contained in “What’s Bugging California Survey, 2018,” the first annual industry survey of the state’s licensed pest control operators.
Just over half (51.25%) of the respondents said the most rapidly growing reason for commercial and residential customer calls were to eliminate infestations of rat and other rodents. The second fastest growing problem was for bed bugs (25.62%), according to the survey.
“The results confirmed what we have been hearing anecdotally for the past year – that rodents are thriving and becoming more difficult to control throughout the state,” said Chris Reardon, PCOC’s executive director. “Our customers are also reporting greater problems with bed bugs.”
The survey results were taken from responses of 160 representatives from major pest control companies located in every region of California, said Reardon.
According to the survey, the following represent California’s Top 6 Problematic Pests for consumers and businesses:
1.Ants
2.Rats & Rodents
3.Wasps & Hornets
4.Cockroaches
5.Bed Bugs
6.Spiders
Reardon noted that controlling these and other pests is essential to protecting public health because they can spread a wide range of diseases, including salmonella, West Nile and Zika viruses, bubonic plague and other fatal illnesses.
“The ability to effectively manage pests is a key advantage that differentiates our society from Third World countries,” he said. “Our industry believes access to pest control should be a fundamental right for Californians, who need to be able to protect their families, homes and businesses.”
“California’s pest control professionals are among the most heavily trained and regulated in the United States,” Reardon said. “Because of this, PCOC members employ a wide range of integrated pest management strategies that incorporate both chemical and non-chemical approaches. The industry goal is to minimize pesticides while still maximizing pest eradication.”
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