Pest Control and Bug Exterminator Blog

The Culture of the Negotiated Pest Control Transactions

Here’s a great blog for us pest control operators that explores the art of negotiating prices among different cultures, and how American’s are catching on. There’s a great take home lesson at the end on setting prices while still being able to negotiate with potential and existing customers. Check out:

http://heartspm.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/culture-of-negotiated-pest-control-price/

Tips on Hiring Pest Control Services

This article provides an interesting consumer perspective on exactly what our customers want in a pest control service. As pest control operators, we can look to model ourselves, and our customer service, according to these guidelines.

http://www.linksparadise.com/?p=20782

August Means Hungry Yellow Jackets

Heritage Pest Control of New Jersey reminds us all that August is Yellow Jacket season. These aggressive wasps have been busy the previous summer months building their paper-like nests on the ground, and now they’re on the lookout for food. For a few tips on dealing with Yellow Jackets:

http://www.heritagepestcontrolnj.com/blog/2012/08/27/august-means-hungry-yellow-jackets/

Borax/Boric Acid for Pest Control

Many of our possible customers are still turning to the toxic Borax/Boric Acid to help eliminate unwanted pests. If someone comes in contact with the powder it can cause health problems like nausea, vomiting, and throat swelling. Many consumers turn to the Borax method because they are uneducated about many of our industry’s safe, all-natural, or organic pest control methods.

http://www.momprepares.com/2012/08/27/borax-vs-boric-acid-for-pest-control-safe-and-effective/

Africanized Bees on Attack in Arizona!

Our friends at Pest Control Mesa, AZ bring us a frightening incident about a grandmother being attacked by Africanized “Killer” Bees. The women’s 4-year-old granddaughter witnessed the attack, and likely saved her life.

http://pestcontrolmesaaz.com/africanized-bees-on-attack-in-arizona/

Fall Season Pest Control

As the weather starts to cool this fall, pests of all kinds will be making their way into our homes in search of food and the warmer air. For some helpful how-to’s on keeping these pests out of your home this fall:

http://aaapestcontrolmyrtlebeach.com/541/fall-season-pest-control/

Related articles

• Holistic Pest Management : The Mystery Revealed!
• Hotter Climate Means More Pests
• Organic Pest Control: Guest Post

Pest Control Held to New Standards

New legislation has been passed in Annapolis, MD banning toxic pesticides within 25 feet of schools, daycares, government buildings, and waterways. Starting July 1, 2013 pesticides will only be used in emergency infestations. This new legislation is following the same pest control approach of other cities like nearby Washington, DC.

http://annapolis.patch.com/articles/pest-control-held-to-new-standards-by-council

Parasites and Products

Here is a great blog on what the pest control industry is using to treat tick and fleas. Some Pyrethroids like Permethrin are working well for fleas as well as ticks. The article emphasizes customer preparation and education.

http://brownpestcontrol.com/aug-21-2012-parasites-and-products/

Tips For Cleaner, More Energy Efficient Living

McDonald Pest Control offers some great tips on how all of us pest control operators can live more energy-efficient, cleaner, greener lives.

http://www.mcdonaldpestcontrol.com/st-petersburg-pest/tips-for-cleaner-more-energy-efficient-living/

Don’t Let Bedbugs Ruin Your Vacation

Our Pest Control Atlanta friends give us some great pointers on the steps we need to take to prevent bringing those pesky bedbugs home with us while on vacation.

http://pestcontrolatlantaga.com/2012/08/dont-let-bedbugs-ruin-your-vacation/

Flea Prevention Tips For Families

Here is a good read on the life-cycle of fleas, and how they can be prevented.

http://www.modernpest.com/blog/flea-prevention-tips-for-new-england-families/

West Nile Cases Surge in Mississippi, Pest Control Companies Prepare For More

Great information on how Pest Control Operators can cope with the surge of business due to all theses outbreaks. 78 people have contracted West Nile in the state of Mississippi.

http://www.fieldaware.com/2012/08/21/west-nile-cases-surge-in-mississippi-pest-control-companies-prepare-for-more/

Brown Recluse Spiders In The News

The drought and heat are forcing spiders, like the poisonous Brown Recluse, into our homes. We don’t need to be afraid of this home invasion, but the article does offer some helpful preventative measures we all can take.

http://lennyspestcontrol.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/brown-recluse-spiders-in-the-news/

Related articles

• Watch: West Nile Virus Detected in 43 States
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Due to recent changes in pest control laws about “leaving a service ticket at the door” pest control services can now go digital.  Going digital is going green. Digital will save over 58,000 sheets of paper per month!

Bulwark Exterminating is testing new proprietary software in its Mesa, AZ branch office that uses smart phone technology to aid in service routing and customer satisfaction, and plans to implement its new software in all 11 branches nationwide within a month’s time.

Each morning, technicians receive an email on their smart phones, with which they are able to access their routes, customer contact information and custom service notes for those customers. This eliminates the need to receive their daily routes via fax or personally stop at the office before work to clock in.

“We wanted to make sure our technicians and staff are completely happy with the new system before we take all the offices live.” said Adam Seever, Owner and CEO of Bulwark. “Mesa is one of our larger markets, so it was a natural place to start.”

Each service truck will also be installed with a wireless printer, where the technicians will be able to print the customer’s invoice at the time of service. The nature of the software also minimizes any input errors which normally might occur by hand.

One invoice sheet is typically given to the customer and another is taken back to the office for filing. The new printers will print an invoice that measures about one-third the size of a regular sheet of paper. That sheet will be given to the customer and a digital copy will be uploaded to the company’s database. This will save 1 2/3 sheets of paper per service visit. During a month like October when Bulwark serviced 35,000 customers nationwide, this will save over 58,000 sheets. Customers will also be able to have their invoice emailed directly to them, saving paper all together.

“Our software will serve two very important purposes”, Seever said. “We will be able to streamline the service routes of our technicians as well as spare costly resources such as thousands of reams of paper.”

About Bulwark Exterminating

Bulwark Exterminating LLC has a location based in Mesa, AZ and is an industry leader in providing high quality pest control service. Bulwark is fully operational in 7 states, including 11 major cities. While Bulwark provides pest extermination for common insects such as ants, roaches, crickets and spiders, the company’s differentiating specialty is scorpion control. To do this, Bulwark uses the finest and most effective products in the world to solve common pest problems. Bulwark is privately and family owned, has approximately 250 employees and services over 50,000 customers nationwide.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/11/prweb4814444.htm

Do Electronic Pest Control Devices Work?

I just got this story from Grandpa Ballantyne which has much wisdom in it, so as a wise old man once said…

In a nutshell, it isn’t that the ideas of people are done with bad intentions (often, at least), it’s just that they don’t work. My grandson put a bunch of fruit in a cookie tin yesterday, explaining that it was “for Santa.” It was very thoughtful of him, but because I love him, I explained that while it was thoughtful of him, it would not work. Yes, like so much that is proposed by well-intentioned people, it was thoughtful, but, no, it will not work. We should all at least do as I did with my grandson, and point out what is obvious to us. Many will ignore us, but some will actually see the logic. Meanwhile, we will have done what we should do, and sometimes this all we can do.

Why wouldn’t a tin full of fruit for Santa work?

Perhaps because today is the 2nd of December and fruit left in a tin for Santa to eat on the 25th would only spoil and be wasted. Perhaps the grandson was wanting to hide the tin, which would only mean a stinky banana in the home for his poor single mother to clean up months later. Yuck.

What this story is about is being realistic with a child and taking a moment to teach the child despite his good intention.

How does this relate to Electronic Pest Control Devices?

Quite simply, electronic pest control DOES NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY. It doesn’t matter what you call it, ultrasonic pest control, electronic pest repeller, electronic spider control, electronic insect control, pest devices, or pink barking poodles, none of them provide effective lasting pest control. They are not effective at pest defense or offense. Now I know that you may be saying, “He’s just a pest control company trying to hold back technology that he sees as a threat to his livelihood.” But I am not the only one saying this. Try reading the Federal Trade Commission’s report warning consumers of fraudulent electronic pest control device claims.

“Staff of the Federal Trade Commission’s Division of Enforcement today announced that they have sent warning letters to more than 60 manufacturers and retailers of ultrasonic pest-control devices, stating that efficacy claims about those products must be supported by scientific evidence.

…that any reaction by rodents to ultrasound would be temporary at best because rodents become accustomed to ultrasound and will return to their nesting or feeding areas even in the presence of an ultrasonic device. Furthermore, previous FTC complaints alleged that ultrasound devices do not control insects.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices”

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2001/05/fyi0128.shtm

Further, Bulwark Exterminating supports advancing technology and society. If electronic devices worked we would happily embrace them and find a way to sell them, service them, and stay in business. Our customers want the safest most effective pest control service. We recognize that electronic devices would be cleaner and greener. And if they worked then they would be potentially less toxic then even tap water. But customers want both safe pest control and effective pest control. A fly-swatter is considered a safe pest control device, but it’s not an effective roach control device.The only semi-effective electronic pest control device that Bulwark will acknowledge are the blue glowing zappers that mesmerize bugs into their ultimate destruction… I love hearing mosquitoes get zapped.

If you think that pest control companies are afraid of electronic pest control devices then Bulwark and  pest control companies everywhere should also be afraid of the Do It Yourself pest control stores.  If you want to a Do-It-Yourself pest control solution then visit www.PestProJoe.com, see not afraid of them.  Bulwark caters to individuals that want a guaranteed hassle free pest control service. Yes, service is the keyword there. Consumers want the safest most effective pest control solution.  If a pest control company does not provide an effective service then they will struggle to stay alive.

Morale of the story…

Electronic Pest Control devices may be a good idea and have really good intentions, but its similar to a grandson putting fruit in a cookie tin for Santa,… its just fruitless.

P.S. If super sonic electronic pest control devices do become effective at some future date then Bulwark pest control will gladly support them.

For further reading and reviews on Electronic Pest Control devices can be found at EcoSmarts blog:
http://blog.ecosmart.com/index.php/2008/08/28/electronic-pest-control-reviews-and-ratings

Read what Universities are saying about whether electronic pest control devices work or not…

Considering Ultrasonic Pest Control Devices? Save Your Money -
http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/ultrasonicdevices.shtml

If you are considering electronic pest control devices for Christmas this year then perhaps you should consider a Charlotte pest control service instead.

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Yes it seems that the Wall Street Journal hit the nail on the head.  Even the big dogs in pest control are moving toward green pest control options.  In fact, the world’s largest pest control service now offers an All Natural pest control product.  Apparently they have been testing out different products and have found one they are happy with.  They even appear to have beat out the other large national competitors. Green is the thing.

All of this goes to show that Bulwark is still ahead of the curve.  As featured in the Wall Street Journal, Bulwark not only offers an All Natural Pest Control solution, but the customers on the service are happy with the service.  And the regular service that Bulwark offers is still the same low impact pest control solution that Bulwark has always promoted. As Bulwark’s executive put it:

When it comes to safety, Bulwark puts its technicians and employees first.  I know that may sound a little backwards since I said the technicians safety is my primary focus, but let me explain. I am most concerned about the technicians health as they are the individuals most exposed to the products.  I read the labels and MSDS for the pest products.  I have even gone beyond the MSDS of the product and into the MSDS records of the ingredients.  I have opted not use all natural products that contain silica due to research from other industries on this organic ingredient… Once I am satisfied that my technician’s health will be fine with products we use then in turn I know that the customers, their families, and their pets will be okay.

Bulwark’s leader puts it the best, if the technician is safe then customers will be as well, its the natural result of doing what’s best for everyone.

Ask for Bulwark’s All Natural Pest Control Service

The other day we were delighted to receive a phone call from the wall street journal asking about our green pest control solutions.  Adam spent some time on the phone with her explaining the pest control industry and how efficacy directly affects profit margins.

Mesa, Ariz.-based Bulwark Exterminating LLC, which operates 11 branches in eight states, uses only botanical sprays and boric-acid products (also derived from boron) whenever customers request all-natural solutions and often includes them as part of an overall treatment plan even when they don’t.

“About 35% of people who call now ask us, ‘Will this hurt my kid or dog?’ ” says Bulwark founder Adam Seever. One customer, Carol Kidd, lives in a rural suburb of Phoenix and recently rang Bulwark to cancel her service because she was experiencing hormone imbalances and had read pesticides might be a contributing factor. Bulwark instead switched her to an all-natural service, employing botanical oils and boric-acid bait around her foundation instead of a synthetic solution, and didn’t raise her $44-a-month price.

“I’ve seen no excess insects since switching,” 39-year-old Ms. Kidd says, “and I’ve got bugs in the yard around my chicken coop, but not on my patio or in my house.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204563304574318231044370704.html

Bulwark has always offered a green pest control service and for those that want even more bulwark offers an all natural pest control solution.  We deliver what the customer wants, a bug free home in the cleanest and most friendly way possible.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

ABOUT OUR GREEN PEST CONTROL

I am in a class yesterday some what bored by the simplicity of the course, when I hear the instructor mention something about a “Green Server”.  My ears perked up…

“… this server option is considered green. Versus your traditional server options, a shared hosting plan or shared server leaves less of a carbon footprint and for many of us that are in this industry the greener the better.”

Rewind… “A Shared server is considered green?”

So like a good student I did my research on Green Servers, Green Hosting and Green Websites.  Here is what I found:

Garner Research – http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=503867

According to Garner the IT industry is responsible for 2% of energy consumption worldwide.  Some have said this is nearly as much if not more then the aviation industry, but I could not confirm that rumor.  Further Garner is including much more then just PCs and servers in this equation.

Gartner’s estimate of the 2 percent of global CO2 emissions that ICT is responsible for includes the in-use phase of PCs, servers, cooling, fixed and mobile telephony, local area network (LAN), office telecommunications and printers. Gartner has also included an estimate of the embodied (that used in design, manufacture and distribution) energy in large-volume devices, namely PCs and cell phones. It also included all commercial and governmental IT and telecommunications infrastructure worldwide, but not consumer electronics other than cell phones and PCs.

This information sounds great if you want to point fingers and pass blame onto the IT industry for adding to the carbon footprint, but what about the benefits that IT is providing?  And streching this all the way out to telecommunications and government infrastructure???

I did find some useful information on how to be a little greener. Here are a few tips on a “Greener Server”:

1- Newer equipment is considered more energy efficient, and therefore green. FYI, Dell is coming out with servers that are designed to be energy conservative.

2- Cooling.  Servers require cooling measures.  Fans, A/C, ventilation, etc.  Perhaps your floor fans are overkill or just placed ineffectively to optimize the cooling capacity.

3- Hosting on your own separate server/ dedicated server may give you more features, options, and speed, but like the Dodge Viper that out performs your smart car, your Dodge Viper only gets 8 MPG.  (i.e. your performance comes at a cost that may not be worth the extra performance.)  Shouldn’t everyone be content with a GEO Metro? … Of course, I would be tempted to take a Dodge Viper if you gave it to me.

4-Websites.  Not only should you consider the servers you are hosting them on but the computers that are visiting your websites…??? Sorry this is according the the ECOfriendly approved site stamp.  Essentially the best ways to have an ecofriendly website is to control the number of visitors to your site and to limit the size of your website.  So just consider all the waste that one or two extra images could add up to on your site.

GOOD NEWS FOR BLOGPESTCONTROL.com !!!

Our servers are hosted and since we are running a blog the website is much more efficient and smaller!  We qualify for a green website and green hosting!… My life is now complete.

Bulwark’s Pest Control, Green and Getting Greener.

FYI, This article does not give enough credit to the thousands of trees that we are saving by going digital, which should offset the 2% of consumption as trees saved should equal more CO2 eaters. Unfortuntely I don’t have the time or energy to spend quantifying the total offset… sorry, just conserving some of my own energy and putting it to better use.

TIP# 5

In red, because its the most important… It’s estimated that 2/3 of PC use is waste, WHY? Because people don’t turn them off.  So if you really want to help and be green then TURN OFF YOUR PC.

Thanks.

Yes there is a pun in that.  Many farmers, and ranchers are turning to an ancient remedy for catching rats and mice, owls.  But it may not be such a bad idea.  A pair of nesting owls can catch and dine on nearly 3000 rodents in one year! Plus they add the benefit of recycling their prey into useful organic fertilizer, if you know what I mean.  Of course some people question the real effectiveness of the owls, but a professor from the University of California says “Why not try it? It seems a great alternative.”

I have nothing personal against organic pest control solutions or green pest control treatments.  I only have a problem with them when they claim to be effective and they turn out to be very ineffective.  Like the claims I have read on chalk used to control roaches and ants.  I have actually had a customer give me the chalk so that I could test it out.  So we went out and found some ants.  Picked them up with a stick.  Drew a circle on the sidewalk with the pest controlling chalk and then placed the stick in the circle.  Well the ant maybe paused for a split second when it came to the calk and then walked right on over it.  Good luck with that chalk trick. I am confident that some day soon we will have both a highly effective and organic pest control solution.  In the meantime, for those that want an organic solution they will have to live with the less effective control of bugs. For those that want a green rat control program, then try the owls, …or a cat.

Have you ever gone out and bought a new car thinking “this new car is awesome and I am the only one that’s driving it!” and then over the next few weeks it seems that your brand new unique car is popping up all over the place?  In fact, it seems that almost every other car is your same model!

Once we become aware of something or once its on our mind we start to notice it everywhere.  Well Green Week had its lasting impression and it seems now that everywhere I look Green is the thing!  Starbuck’s coffee cup holders has a tag about being made from recycled post consumer waste.  Residence Inn has a line at the end of the reservation about Green Your Hotel Stay. Learn More and Donate Now >> . Green is Everywhere and its GREAT!!!

Despite my little disappointment from the Green Pest Control Conference’s lack of definition on what it means to be green, I am generally optimistic about the direction the world is heading in.  Every little bit counts.  Every raindrop adds to the flood.  So the one extra piece of paper you put into the recycling bin is a good thing.  And Pest Control companies that have already being doing the right thing, the “Green Pest Control Service”, should pat themselves on the back and keep moving forward towards a greener world.

Bulwark is Green and Getting Greener!

A