MEMPHIS, Tenn. Just in time for late-summer vacations and students returning to college campuses, Terminix released a list of the top 20 bed bug-infested cities in America, based on service requests the company received during the first half of 2017

The list includes cities across the United States and features the following five top cities: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Denver. Four states scratched their way onto the list with more than one city: Ohio, Arizona, Pennsylvania and California.

The top 20 cities for bed bug infestations in the United States* are:

1. Cleveland, Ohio2. Cincinnati, Ohio3. Detroit, Mich.4. Las Vegas, Nev.5. Denver, Colo.6. Houston, Texas7. Phoenix, Ariz.8. Indianapolis, Ind.9. Oklahoma City, Okla.10. Philadelphia, Pa.11. Baltimore, Md.12. Pittsburgh, Pa.13. Washington, D.C.14. Tucson, Ariz.15. San Francisco, Calif.16. St. Louis, Mo.17. Atlanta, Ga.18. Tampa, Fla.19. Memphis, Tenn.20. San Diego, Calif.

The bed bug experts at Terminix say that bed bug infestations have significantly increased since the late 1990s, and while researchers are unsure of the exact causes, factors such as increased international travel and insecticide resistance likely bear some responsibility.

Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate, said Paul Curtis, director, technical services at Terminix, and they can travel to new locations very easilyhitching a ride on clothing, handbags, suitcases and taxis, which can create substantial infestations in no time.

Without the help of a professional, bed bugs can hide undetected for months. Signs of an infestation include reddish-brown blood spots on sheets or mattresses, a strong musty odor, or sightings of the pests themselves, which are the size, shape and color of an apple seed. Home or business owners who suspect a bed bug problem should contact a pest control company as soon as possible to schedule an inspection.

*This list was created by compiling actual services data from more than 300 Terminix branches across the country. The rankings represent Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) with the highest number of actual services between Jan. 1, 2017 and June 30, 2017.

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Cook's Pest Control Announces Key Leadership Changes - PCT Magazine

KINGMAN As part of its consent agenda, Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 Monday to approve a one-year contract with Baron Pest Control of Fort Mohave, with the option for up to four one-year renewals on behalf of Public Works.

Pest control services under this contract will be paid with budgeted maintenance funds approved by the board.

Supervisor Jean Bishop pulled the item from the consent agenda to question why the contract increased by $11,000, and why Mohave Pest Control, which had the previous contract, wasnt included in the bidding.

Rebecca OBrien, procurement director for the county, said every solicitation for services has a prebid conference with any bidder welcome to meet with county staff and answer any questions about amendments to the contract.

Four companies attended the prebid conference, she said. One did not qualify for the contract, and two chose not to submit a bid.

Certain services were specified in the scope of work that were not part of the previous contract, including skunk control, OBrien added.

A representative for Mohave Pest Control told the board she did not attend the prebid conference because she was told there was no way to change the bundling of services in the contract.

The contractor will provide pest control on a monthly basis. The control and eradication of pests shall include, but not be limited to, pests identified in insect and arachnid control and rodent control.

Treatment areas include lawns, trees, shrubs and other landscaped areas. Interior applications include working areas on each floor of the building, stairwells and equipment rooms.

Other action from Mondays board meeting:

Set a public hearing for Sept. 5 regarding a petition to establish a 1.75-mile section of Brooks Boulevard from Painted Rock Drive to Jemez Road in the Valle Vista area as a county highway. One resident said the road is atrocious, really bad, and hes got to pay out of pocket to get out of his own driveway. Another resident said garbage trucks and UPS trucks were getting stuck in the sand, so theyre using Moonscape Way, which was in good condition, but is now getting pounded by the trucks.

Approved funding the remaining portion of three school resource officers of $60,000 or 1 percent of the Sheriffs Department general fund salary budget. Sheriff Doug Schuster said the school district was unsuccessful with grant funding this year, so he worked with Finance Director Coral Loyd to fund the positions. Its important to have detectives in the schools, and theyll work on other cases in the community as well, the sheriff said.

Voted 4-0 to table moving forward with the public auction of property at 802 Beale St. Supervisor Bishop said there may be a problem with parking at the new courthouse, so she wants to work with the City of Kingman on potential uses for the building. County Administrator Mike Hendrix said he would like to explore the possibility of relocating Victim and Witness Services from current offices on Pine Street or CASA from the courthouse.

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Mohave County Supervisors work out bugs in pest control contract - Today's News-Herald

WASHINGTON Its not exactly the kind of thing that will fill D.C. residents with pride, but the District ranked 13th in the top-20 bedbug-infested cities in America.

The list was released by the pest control company, Terminix, and based on service requests from the first half of 2017.

Experts at Terminix said bedbug infestations have increased since the late 1990s, and while researchers arent sure of an exact cause, they do think things like more international travel and insecticide resistance could bear some responsibility.

Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate, Paul Curtis, director, technical services at Terminix, said in a news release. They can travel to new locations very easily hitching a ride on clothing, handbags, suitcases and taxis, which can create substantial infestations in no time.

Without the help of a professional, bedbugs can hide undetected for months, Terminix said.

Some signs you might have a bedbug problem include reddish-brown blood spots on sheets or mattresses, a strong musty odor, or signs of the bugs themselves (theyre the size, shape and color of an apple seed).

If you think you have a bedbug problem, you should contact a pest control company as soon as possible for an inspection.

D.C. wasnt alone in having a bedbug problem. Baltimore came in at number 11.

The good news for D.C. residents is 13th place is a big drop from a study that came out earlier in the year by the pest control company Orkin.

In that survey, D.C. came in at No. 2, trailing only Baltimore.

The Terminix survey found Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio, are the two itchiest cities in the country while San Diego came in at number 20 on the list.

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DC ranks 13th on pest control firm's list of top bedbug-infested cities - WTOP

MEMPHIS, Tenn. Just in time for late-summer vacations and students returning to college campuses, Terminix released a list of the top 20 bed bug-infested cities in America, based on service requests the company received during the first half of 2017

The list includes cities across the United States and features the following five top cities: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Denver. Four states scratched their way onto the list with more than one city: Ohio, Arizona, Pennsylvania and California.

The top 20 cities for bed bug infestations in the United States* are:

1. Cleveland, Ohio2. Cincinnati, Ohio3. Detroit, Mich.4. Las Vegas, Nev.5. Denver, Colo.6. Houston, Texas7. Phoenix, Ariz.8. Indianapolis, Ind.9. Oklahoma City, Okla.10. Philadelphia, Pa.11. Baltimore, Md.12. Pittsburgh, Pa.13. Washington, D.C.14. Tucson, Ariz.15. San Francisco, Calif.16. St. Louis, Mo.17. Atlanta, Ga.18. Tampa, Fla.19. Memphis, Tenn.20. San Diego, Calif.

The bed bug experts at Terminix say that bed bug infestations have significantly increased since the late 1990s, and while researchers are unsure of the exact causes, factors such as increased international travel and insecticide resistance likely bear some responsibility.

Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate, said Paul Curtis, director, technical services at Terminix, and they can travel to new locations very easilyhitching a ride on clothing, handbags, suitcases and taxis, which can create substantial infestations in no time.

Without the help of a professional, bed bugs can hide undetected for months. Signs of an infestation include reddish-brown blood spots on sheets or mattresses, a strong musty odor, or sightings of the pests themselves, which are the size, shape and color of an apple seed. Home or business owners who suspect a bed bug problem should contact a pest control company as soon as possible to schedule an inspection.

*This list was created by compiling actual services data from more than 300 Terminix branches across the country. The rankings represent Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) with the highest number of actual services between Jan. 1, 2017 and June 30, 2017.

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Law Requires California Landlords to Disclose Bed Bug Information - PCT Magazine

MOLINE, Illinois (KWQC) Many drivers may be getting used to construction on John Deere road, but you may have noticed a new addition to the plan, a retaining wall being built alongside the road.

The Illinois department of transportation says not only is this a retaining wall, it will also be used to block out noise from the road. Some neighbors in the area aren't sure if the wall will benefit their community.

For 14 year Moline resident Tammy Reynolds, the wall seemed like a good idea until it was placed in her backyard.

"This wall is definitely, it kind of makes you feel like you live in a prison," said Tammy Reynolds.

But that's not her only concern; she thinks the wall is a safety hazard.

"When you pull out of my driveway there is no visual to traffic, or pedestrians walking either direction coming from the corner," said Reynolds.

Illinois DOT plans to stretch the wall east bound along John Deere for nearly a mile. The 20 foot wall is designed to send sound decibels 200 feet up and around the wall. IDOT officials say this is the best option for the community once the 3 lane traffic this added.

"Keep noise from penetrating and keep it quieter there for both neighborhoods that are on both sides there, It will definitely keep the road noise from John Deere road, it'll be a lot quieter," said Residential Engineer, Brian Holiday.

IDOT officials say they expect the wall to be completed by Mid-October.

Meanwhile, construction continues on John Deere road. The massive, six lane projects is expected to be completed in 2018.

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Community reacts to new retaining wall on John Deere road - KWQC-TV6

Beginning on Monday, Park Street will be reduced to one travel lane to accommodate a $1 million retaining wall repair project expected to last around 12 weeks.

Vehicular traffic will be allowed to travel in the direction of downtown during the project, but access to Park Street will be from Center Street only and not from Exchange or State streets, the city of Bangors Engineering Department said Thursday in a news release.

The partial closure of Park Street is needed to allow for repairs to the 405-foot long Park Street hill retaining wall located directly behind City Hall.

The retaining wall was built about a century ago and hasnt been repaired since 1978, according to a 2015 evaluation of the wall done by the Bangor-based consultants FGS/CMT Inc., City Engineer John Theriault said in June.

While Theriault said at the time that the wall was not on the verge of collapse, it is showing breaking, cracking and tilting as well as extensive weather wear. Without repair, he said, the wall could become unstable and give way, putting part of the street at risk of collapse.

A team comprising Sargent Corporation, CES and Geostabilization International will be performing the repairs, which are likely to take about 12 weeks. Motorists are urged to drive safely within the work zone and observe all signage.

Businesses along Park Street will remain open throughout the project and on street parking will continue to be available along Park Street, city officials said.

Additionally, access to Bangor City Hall by the handicapped entrance will remain available throughout the project. Handicapped and mobility challenged parking will be available in the upper lot immediately adjacent to city hall.

City staff will provide updates throughout the project through the citys website, Facebook page and Twitter accounts and government access cable television channel.

The public can receive traffic alerts by subscribing to the Citys email notification services at http://www.bangormaine.gov/subscribe.

Any questions or concerns regarding this project should be directed to City Engineer John Theriault at 992-4249 or via email at john.theriault@bangormaine.gov.

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Park Street to be one-way travel during 12-week retaining wall ... - Bangor Daily News

Photo: istockphoto.com

Does your yard contain slopes, dips, and inclines? Then you likely have a retaining wall somewhere on your property. Used everywhere from highway construction to landscaping, retaining walls hold back earth that would otherwise erode or collapse. Homeowners often rely on retaining walls to keep soil steady in elevated yard features, but they can also use the manmade structures when planting tiered gardens on a sloped area of yard, controlling erosion on an incline, or creating an elevated sitting spot. If youre thinking about constructing a retaining wall, heres all you need to know about the supportive structures.

Retaining walls have a wide variety of uses around the yard, all of which involve keeping earth from spilling off a steep slope. Theyre indispensable in the creation of sunken patios, walkout basements, and any other hardscape with an abrupt separation of ground elevation. Youll also find retaining walls in parks and public gardens, where they act as retainers for plants, statues, and decorative landscaping elements.

Retaining walls are often constructed with concrete, stone,or bricks. But, if youre looking to undertake a do-it-yourself job, retaining wall blocks (available at most home improvement stores) are your best bet. These blocks cost between $1.25 and $4 per block, depending on their size and texture, and they feature locking flanges that attach each row of blocks together. A small retaining wall less than three feet in height will cost an average of $5 to $8 per square foot, if you build it yourself.Larger retaining walls, which are not DIY-friendly, are pricier due to the labor costs involved. A natural stone or brick retaining wall laid by a mason can cost upwards of $20 per square foot, and a poured concrete retaining wall will set you back $13 to $18 per square foot. The contractor may also charge more for labor and materials if he has to pour a deep frost footing (explained below) or remove tree roots that are in the way of the footing.

If youre planning to build a retaining wall, check with your local building authority beforehand. Retaining walls can alter water flow and affect your neighbors, so you may need to obtain either a zoning permit or a building permit. Local building codes and ordinances vary between communities, so dont skip this step. Youll also want to call DigSafe (811) to have representatives from local utility companies come out and check whether any buried electrical lines will be in the way.

Photo: istockphoto.com

If youre planning to construct a retaining wall, consider the following factors regarding support, foundation, backfill, and drainage.

SupportWhen building a retaining wall, landscapers often slope them slightly toward the earth theyre containing. This design, known as step-back construction, creates a sturdy wall structure that pushes back against the lateral pressure of the soil behind it. Step-back wallscan be built by anyone with a strong back and basic construction knowledge, as long as they have blocks designed for retaining wall assembly.

Some types of retaining walls require additional structural support to keep them from toppling over. This includes vertical walls that dont slope toward the contained earth, as well as walls higher than three feet. Depending on the height of the wall and the pressure of the earth behind it, the extra supports could be in the form of buried footings, steel reinforcement, cantilevered design, or tie-backs that extend deep into the earth behind the wall and connect to buried anchors called dead men. You could also add extra strength with a gravity wall, which is so wide that its weight serves as a buttress against the pressure of the soil behind it. This type of wall isnt common, however,because it requires an extensive amount of stone or concrete for construction.

FoundationA trench filled with gravel provides a suitable foundation base for a short, step-back retaining wall withthree-five courses (each layer of blocks is called a course). A buried structural footing is usually required for larger retaining walls. To create this, a landscaperpours concrete below frost level (the depth to which the ground will freeze during the winter). Footings poured too shallow are prone to shifting and moving if moisture in the soil freezes and heaves. Since frost levels vary from one region to the next, contact your local building authority to determine the details before building a large retaining wall.

Backfill The space directly behind a newly constructed retaining wall should be filled with gravel or sandnot dirt. Dirt absorbs water and swells when saturated, which will put unwanted pressure on the back of the wall. Meanwhile, gravel and sand dont swell or retain water, so the wall will be subjected to less pressure. This decreases the risk of cracks and damage.

Drainage DetailsStackable retaining block walls with gravel or sand backfills dont typically have drainage issues, since water seeps down through the backfill and drains out between the individual blocks. But if you have a solid retaining wall, such as a concrete basement wall, provisions must be made to drain away the water (or it might collect behind the wall and cause cracking). Many landscapers choose to install drainage tile, which carries groundwater to outlets where it can drain away harmlessly.

Photo: istockphoto.com

When building a retaining wall, follow this advice for betterconstruction and solid support.

Choose material you can work with easily. If you dont have experience in structural support, wall blocks are your best bet. Theyre also widely available at most home centers.To keep the bottom row of blocks from pushing outward, bury the lowest section of a retaining wall. The general rule of thumb is to bury about one-eighth of the height of the wall. For example, if your wall will be three feet (36 inches) tall, the first course of blocks should start five inches below soil level. The gravel base should start three inches below this.For best results, make sure the first course of blocks is perfectly level. If its unbalanced, your entire finished wall will also be off-kilter.

All of the Outdoor Design and DIY Tips from BobVila.comWith fair weather having arrived finally, its time to turn your home improvement efforts to the backyard and your deck, porch, or patiothe parts of the home built specifically to enjoy the extra hours of sunlight. Guided by these practical pointers and inspiring ideas, you can introduce beauty, comfort, and utility to your backyard and outdoor living areas, making them as inviting and enjoyable as your home interiors.

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All You Need to Know About Retaining Walls - BobVila.com

Water cascasdes off a retaining wall onto Freeway 59 in Texas in video captured on Facebook Live by Mikael Goteman. (Aug. 27)

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Virtual Waterfall on Texas Freeway - Olean Times Herald

Tyler Mendez and Josh Myers had never met each other until someone vandalized a retaining wall.

On Friday, a social media post showing a vandalized wall at Oakridge Apartments, 1205 Angelique St., circulated on Facebook. On two walls, a racial slur and KKK were spray-painted. Mendez, who was playing video games when he saw the post, sprung into action.

I dont like seeing that. I dont like my son seeing that, Mendez said. Hes only 4 and it just spreads hate.

School busses drove by as the two men scrubbed at the wall. They brought their own tools for the cleanup.

He had the same idea as me and we just started scrubbing away, Mendez said about Myers.

Mendez lives by Central High School, and Myers lives in the Bartlett Park area. Myers said if everyone did their part, it would make an impact on the community.

I think it sends a message to the community that were not going to tolerate it, Myers said. Its inexcusable.

Mendez and Myers said that the recent fiery election has little to do with crimes like this and that such hateful sentiment existed before 2016. They both blamed the mainstream media for helping spread hate but stressed the importance of people working together to better their community.

Obviously we live in times where its kind of heated, so I think its just as important for us to scrub it off as it is for whoever felt like they needed to put it on here, Myers said.

Everybodys got to do their part and work together, Mendez said.

While the two men were there scrubbing the message away, maintenance workers with Oakridge Apartments took over with a tray of paint and some rollers. The apartment complexs manager said police were notified but didnt comment further on the incident.

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Two strangers scrub hateful graffiti from wall - News-Press Now

Stickers have replaced what was once a series of controversial tile mosaics that looked similar to the Confederate flag in a Times Square subway station.

The tile work, which bordered the upper part of a wall at the 40th Street-Seventh Avenue entrance to the 1, 2 and 3 trains, originally depicted a mostly blue X bordered by white over a red background.

The MTA would not confirm it was behind the stickers that now cover the tiles or when they were modified, but PIX 11 reported it was done over the weekend by MTA workers.

Although the MTA insisted the tile mosaics were not Confederate flags and actually a nod to Times Squares nickname, the Crossroads of the World, the agency said last week that it would change the tiles in order to avoid any future misunderstandings.

These are not Confederate flags, it is a design based on geometric forms that represent the Crossroads of the World and to avoid absolutely any confusion we will modify them to make that absolutely crystal clear, MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said in an emailed statement on Aug. 18.

The decision to change the tiles was announced just days after violence broke out at the white supremacist rally held in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 12.

Backlash over the rally led to the removal of several Confederate memorials in New York City and around the country. Mayor Bill de Blasio also announced a 90-day review of all controversial statues and memorials on city property.

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Subway tiles that looked like Confederate flags in Times Square covered with stickers - amNY