Tucson, AZ – When it comes to pest control-related apps one of the earliest adaptors – and a company still at the forefront – is Tucson, Ariz.-based Arizona Pest Control.

In 2011, the company launched one of the first-ever pest identification apps called AZPest.com Pest ID Pro. The app helped consumers identify bugs and insects they came across in their home or business. Users simply uploaded a photo of the pest they wanted to identify to the app and an Arizona Pest Control-trained entomologist would ID the insect within a 24-48 hours. Updates in 2012 included an entire pest gallery for people to use to quickly identify pests, incorporation of the company’s blog, http://www.azpest.com/blog, and a version built specifically for iPad users.

Caleb Tennenbaum, Founder for Marketing For The Future, LLC, an Interactive marketing firm, recently announced that the app has been re-launched as the Pest Identifier, sponsored by Arizona Pest Control.

Users can download the app for free from iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pest-identifier/id675370471?ls=1&mt=8. From there, they will need to purchase bug ID credits (an in-app purchase) at a cost of $4.99 – good for one bug submission. (The service remains free of charge to Arizona Pest Control customers). Tennenbaum said the new app includes all of the features and functions as the old app; however, functionality has been improved to streamline the identification process for entomologists. One of the entomologists on staff assisting with identification is Carl Olson, former insect curator at the University of Arizona. “He is one of the best insect curators in the world. It’s hard to put a price tag on that kind of knowledge,” Tennenbaum said.

The app gets about 2-3 bug submissions per day and so far there have been a few rare submissions, such as this devil horned caterpillar pictured below.

Tennenbaum explained Some benefits of the APP for the Tucson based, Arizona Pest Control:

• Customers can easily access there account to pay bills and manage account history.

• Customers can easily send your company pictures of bugs and insects they may see around  their homes or business.

• Users can browse the pest gallery within the APP to see if they can identify their insect prior to sending in an image to be identified by a professional

• The app has also received a great response from local media outlets and news stations in Tucson which created exposure for this small pest control company that is hard to put a price tag on.

Tennenbaum said Arizona Pest Control is trying to expand the app’s user base and promote it not only to companies, homeowners and entomologists – but to insect enthusiasts, and PCO’s.

Since the app was launched in the Apple store in August it has received more than 1500 downloads worldwide from all over the world from the Philippines to Canada.

Pest Identifier is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 6.1 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.