This year’s warm winter has created ideal conditions for an explosion in the flea population. Effective flea control must be tailored to the flea´s life cycle, as well as the different environments where fleas live. This article summarizes the life cycle of the common flea and why just killing the adults is not sufficient for preventing reinfestation. It concludes with suggestions for working with a pest control professional to implement a holistic flea prevention strategy.

Integrated Pest Management(IPM)is a holistic approach to pest control that focuses on eliminating existing infestations, as well making the home less hospitable to pests. This article discusses five strategies employed in Integrated Pest Management, and offers suggestions for how to work with a pest professional to implement an Integrated Pest Management program.

A warmer than average winter means we can expect a very active pest season. Effective pest control requires close collaboration between the homeowner and the pest control professional to eliminate existing infestations, and to prevent re-infestation. This article describes how to select and work with a professional pest control service to address both control and prevention of pests in the home.

Bedbug infestations have reached epidemic proportions in recent years, hitting even the toniest of hotels, stores and tourist attractions. Frequent travelers are at higher risk of contact because bedbugs can hitchhike on luggage, bedding and clothing. If you are a frequent traveler, understanding the habits and life cycle of the bedbug can help you avoid getting bitten, or worse, bringing unwelcome guests home from your travels. This article discusses precautions to take while traveling to reduce the risk of exposure to bedbugs, and the importance of calling a professional pest service if you accidentally bring bedbugs home from your travels.

First-aid responders play a critical role in the larger system of emergency medical care within any community. From the first recognition of a problem, a well-trained responder can quickly assess the situation, initiate calls for help, and then focus on caring for the victim until medical care arrives. Becoming a skilled and confident first-aid responder requires training, but just what kind of training? How do you select from among the many first-aid training courses available? Whether you are shopping for yourself or for others,the first step in selecting the right first-aid training is to analyze your training needs. Here are four key questions to ask when choosing a first aid training course.

Rising healthcare insurance costs and philosophical questions about the U.S. health care system have prompted some Christian groups to form alternatives to traditional insurance plans known as Healthcare Sharing Plans (HSPs). HSPs are not insurance, but voluntary agreements made within groups of Christians to help reimburse eligible medical expenses through a system of voluntary but set monthly contributions. This article summarizes key features of HSPs and differences from traditional healthcare insurance plans. A detailed table provides a comparison of two leading HSPs: Medi-Share and Samaritan Ministries, Inc. (SMI).