Think again. Bed bugs are no laughing matter… even though they played a role in NBC’s hit show “30 Rock” in November when Alec Baldwin’s character Jack had a bed bug infestation of his own. He was humorously ostracized at work, forced to take the subway instead of the company car and heckled by his coworkers for having “a bad case of the chew-daddies.”

While watching the Nightly News on NBC last night, another story ran on these little creatures. (Click here to view.) Turns out that the population of bed bugs has risen 500% in recent years and that one out of four hotel rooms has had an infestation.

From the National Pest Management Association’s site pestworld.org, below are some FAQ’s on bed bugs:

Why are bed bugs so hard to treat?
Bed bugs should not be equated with filth or sanitation problems – in hotels or in homes. Bed bugs are very elusive, transient and nocturnal pests. They can live for a year or more without eating and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. Bed bugs can be controlled with vigilance, constant inspection and treatment by a professional.

Why are bed bugs an issue for hotels, visitors and homeowners?
Bed bugs leave itchy, bloody welts on human skin. Once inside a hotel or home, bed bugs spread rapidly from room to room – through pipes, in vacuum cleaners, on clothing and luggage. In a hotel, bed bugs can even spread to neighboring rooms.

Are bed bugs just in beds?
Bed bugs are not just in beds. They can be in chair cushions, sofas, behind electrical outlets, cracks and crevices around baseboards, or even behind picture frames. In other words, they can live pretty much anywhere.

What can you do to protect yourself from bed bug infestations?
When staying at a hotel, inspect the mattress, bedding, headboard and nightstands thoroughly. And when returning from a trip, check your luggage and clothing.

My coworkers and I were swapping stories yesterday about kids and bugs and I was reminded of how fascinating these little creatures can be – not only to adults, but especially to children. Unlocking the door to a miniature universe of wonder can be as simple as just poking around under a rock or in the grass.

You and your little explorer can try these fun ideas, courtesy of Scholastic:

1. Plant a butterfly garden. In a sunny spot out of the wind, plant blooming varieties like geraniums and hydrangeas, plus plants that provide food for larvae such as Mexican milkweed. Find out what else the butterflies in your area need at butterflywebsite.com.
2. Listen! Catch a non-stinging insect that makes noise in a paper cup. Crickets and flies are good candidates. Cover the cup with waxed paper and hold it on with a rubber band. Now place your ear against the paper and listen.
3. Do the worker-bee waggle! Honeybees “dance” to communicate the location and distance of a nectar stash to the other bees. Talk with your kids about this fascinating communication, and then make up your own version.
4. Take an umbrella out on a sunny day. Place it open upside down under a leafy, low-hanging branch. Shake the branch like you mean it — then identify what lands in your umbrella with an insect book or online.

Tools for the Trade
These items will make your child feel like a real scientist:

• Butterfly net
• Tweezers (only for dead specimens)
• Observation jar (punch holes in the lid of a clean jar)
• Magnifying glass
• Notebook for recording thoughts and sketches
• Bug and spider identification book like Simon & Schuster Children’s Guide to Insects and Spiders (Simon & Schuster, $23; ages 9 to 12) or Don’t Squash That Bug: The Curious Kid’s Guide to Insects (Lobster Press, ages 4 to 8, $15)
• Click here to visit Massey’s bug database 

Massey provides pest prevention services for residential and commercial properties, but not all insects are harmful! Have fun exploring!

Yesterday, I received an email from our friends at the Irrigation Association reminding us that July is Smart Irrigation Month. What a great way to build awareness about watering wisely!

Living in the Southeast for most of my life, I am used to hearing about water shortages and watering restrictions – especially over the last few years where we’ve had major droughts. Here in Orlando, we’ve been getting tons of rain for the last month and our water supply has rebounded nicely (but my golf game is suffering!).

So what does this mean for watering lawns?

• Well for starters, you should adjust your irrigation schedule based on watering restrictions. Remember, just because it says you can water two days per week (in most areas), that doesn’t mean your landscape needs it.
• Install a rain sensor so that watering frequency is adjusted to account for rainfall.  Both too much and too little water can cause problems in your landscape.
• Check your sprinkler system often for proper coverage and to ensure all your sprinkler heads are working correctly (it will save you money and from having your neighbors mistake your landscape for the Geysers at Yosemite National Park).

To learn more about watering properly and Smart Irrigation Month, visit our Landscape FAQ section or check out the  resource page on the Irrigation Association Website.  And don’t forget to have your golf umbrellas handy over the next few months!

By encouraging team members to wear their favorite pair of jeans on two Fridays in May, Massey Services was successful in raising $600 for Kids House of Seminole! Kids House is a non-profit organization that provides all necessary services for children who are victims of abuse (from report and investigation through treatment and prosecution) in a kid-friendly, non-threatening environment.

Massey Services’ mission statement includes the phrase “Our People Make the Difference” – and do we ever! All team members are encouraged to volunteer with organizations that give back to the communities our company serves. Several team members are involved with Kids House in various volunteer capacities and Massey Services looks forward to continuing to support Kids House well into the future.

If you are interested in supporting Kids House of Seminole, click here for more information.

Happy first day of summer! It is odd saying that, considering how hot the temperatures have been recently…

With the onset of summer comes plenty of opportunities for celebrations with family and friends. Don’t let pesky flies invade your summer events! Here are a few tips to keep flies at bay while you are entertaining at home:

• Cut down on the amount of light that surrounds your home in the evenings, as flies are attracted to most white and ultraviolet lights. (Closing your blinds helps with this, too.)
• Use amber bug light bulbs outside of the home instead of white or clear bulbs. The amber bulbs attract 100 times fewer flies than other bulbs.
• Products labeled for use on flies can be used on hedges and barrier plants between the lake and the home where hundreds of flies rest before they head toward the home.
• Since flies are attracted to UV light, place UV light zapper traps at the far end of the property near the lake to draw the flies away from the yard back out to the lake. Do not place the traps near the home or the flies will be drawn up through the yard to the home.
• During outdoor parties, rent large fans to direct flies away from the event.  

Just Monday night a Formosan termite swarm was discovered in a Southeast Orlando neighborhood. Receiving a friendly call from one of our own customers yesterday, our team of professionals hit the pavement and responded immediately to the Belle Air neighborhood near Curry Ford Road and S. Ferncreek Ave.

And what did we find? Formosan termite activity in at least five large trees within the community, with each colony of termites potentially having millions of workers and swarmers. (Click on the photo to the left for a closer look at the Formosan workers we found – they are small and white.)

Watch the news story reported by WKMG in Orlando.

Some facts on Formosan Termites (a.k.a. Super Termites):

• Formosan termites are in the same family as subterranean termites, but they are more aggressive, have larger colonies and also attack live trees and plants (see damage to tree in photo at the right).
• Because of the size of Formosan termite colonies and their aggressive nature, this type of termite can cause significant damage in a very short period of time.
• The colonies of Formosan termites are often up to 10 times the typical size of native subterranean termites and they build nests above ground, which makes them one of the most difficult termites to control.

The Formosan termite is clearly the most destructive of all the termite species worldwide. It arrived in America from Taiwan during World War II when our warships returned to Louisiana, Texas and South Carolina. In 1995 it was discovered in a shipyard in Texas and soon after in Louisiana, where it is now particularly prevalent.

Formosan termites cause millions of dollars in damage to homes each year and continue to spread to new areas in the United States. Termite protection is very important for all structures in the Southeast – especially Florida. Need a free inspection? Just let us know!

After visiting the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey yesterday in Maitland, it’s easy to see why Massey Services is proud to support this amazing organization.

From caring for injured birds and continuing research and scientific programs to connecting people with nature, the Center soars as one of Central Florida’s hidden gems. Opened in 1979, the Center has treated over 12,000 injured or orphaned raptors and released more than 40% of these birds back into the wild. The Center handles the largest volume of eagles, owls, falcons, hawks and kites east of the Mississippi River, and remains a leader among all North American rehabilitation centers for specialized eagle care.

In addition, the Center provides environmental education programming to over 20,000 local students, teachers, and visitors annually, while promoting a culture of conservation toward birds of prey and their habitats. A nationally renowned research institute, the Center is a leading voice in the ongoing fight to save endangered and threatened birds of prey.

It has often been said that our future is intertwined with the fate of birds. If that is true, then it is crucial that we join forces with the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey to not only care for injured or displaced raptors, but also to shape our future.

If you would like to visit the Center or are wondering how you can help, please click here for more information or call 407-644-0190.

As Theodore Roosevelt, 26^th U.S. President and Honorary Audubon Vice President, said, “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources…the history…the romance, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”

Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Harvey L. Massey was recently presented with a very special award from Florida Citrus Sports – the Howard Palmer Award. This honor is given annually to a member of the community who, without regard for personal recognition, has maintained a long and active relationship with Florida Citrus Sports, continuously supporting and contributing to the success of the organization. This award is the organization’s highest service honor and recognizes a “lifetime” of service to Florida Citrus Sports. Congratulations Mr. Massey!

Mr. Massey has been involved with Florida Citrus Sports for nearly 25 years and has held various positions within the organization such as president (1998-99) and chairman (1999-2000). He currently serves as president of the Florida Citrus Sports Foundation, while his son Tony, President and Chief Operating Officer of Massey Services, presently serves on the Florida Citrus Sports Executive Committee.

For more information on Florida Citrus Sports, visit fcsports.com.

Massey Services has been committed to providing environmentally responsible services for over 20 years and constantly works to produce new initiatives to protect the environment. Being green is part of Massey’s past…and future.

Here are five simple things you can do at home to go green- while also saving money: 

1. Conserve Energy – turn off lights, televisions, radios, etc. when not in use or when leaving a room.
2. Conserve Water – turn off the water when brushing teeth and try to take shorter showers. Inspect your irrigation system frequently to ensure sprinkler heads are intact and not just gushing water.
3. Recycle – items that can be recycled include aluminum cans, glass jars and bottles, plastic soda bottles, plastic milk jugs, newspapers and magazines, junk mail, office/printer paper, plastic grocery bags and cardboard.
4. Think Before You Buy – make a conscious effort to purchase things that will last. This practice reduces the number of items that quickly break and end up in the trash.
5. Reduce – limit the amount of pre-packaged and disposable products you use. Try buying everyone in the family a reusable water bottle instead of using bottled water, soda and juice or buy snack items in bulk and package them in small reusable containers.  

We hope that your family will adopt these simple practices to help conserve our natural resources, save money and keep our planet clean.

It might seem odd that I’m posting about Mother’s Day on Cinco de Mayo but, let’s face it, if you aren’t ready for Cinco de Mayo today, a blog post from me isn’t going to help. Now on to Moms…

Mother’s Day is a special day when you celebrate your mom and everything she’s done for you over the years. If your mom is anything like mine then that includes driving to dance lessons, soccer practice, watching plays, baking cakes for every holiday and every birthday and just plain being the person who can always pick you up when you’re a little down. If that’s not something to celebrate – I don’t know what is!

Mother’s Day gives us the chance to treat our moms to something special- a gift, a meal, whatever you think your mom would enjoy and probably wouldn’t do for herself. The older you get ,the “better” you can celebrate the day. I remember when I was little and my teachers would have us cut out construction paper cards for our moms. I’m not saying she didn’t appreciate the construction paper cards and the hard work that it took my little fingers to make them, but I think she liked the comforter set I got her last year much better.

I hope my cake turns out as pretty as this one!

In addition to gifts, in my family we always have a special meal. Now, cooking is NOT my area of expertise – I leave that up to someone else. I do, however, LOVE baking. Meaning, I usually end up bringing the dessert! And you know, on special occasions, you NEED desert! I’ve been wanting to make a coconut cake for quite some time and it seems that Mother’s Day is the perfect time to buckle down and make it. I found this delicious recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart and I just had to share!

If you need some more ideas, you can go here and get some more recipes as well as ideas for some fun Mother’s Day crafts!

No matter what you do this Sunday, I hope that everyone has a safe, happy and healthy Mother’s Day – from our family, to yours.