Pest Control and Bug Exterminator Blog

Genma Holmes

I love being social… but I think I am pretty much beat with Genma Holmes. And if you can’t beat em, join em. From fashion model to pest control super star, Genma Holmes is CEO of Holmes Pest Control in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a very fun interview and very gracious.  Enjoy!

Thomas: Well you are such an interesting person that I don’t know where to begin an interview! I heard you speak at the Green Conference in Dallas last year, so you are obviously promoting green services, let’s start there. What percentage of your customers are on an all natural pest control service?

Genma: All. I got into the business before green became a marketing idea. Green living is my way of life…not a marketing campaign.

Thomas: All of your pest control is done with 100% All Natural Pest Control Products? That’s fantastic! I am actually relieved. I was a little disappointed in the guys at that conference that were promoting green pest control as an undefined “wrap me in a green blanket and call me a safe treatment plan.” In fact, your candid clear cut views are probably what make you sparkle. Bulwark offers this option for those that want it but few ask for the All Natural Solution.

So you are 100% all natural pest control, for how many years?

Genma: From the day I met David Murphy of EcoSmart. We had been experimenting with it but did not have a pesticide that did the job that EcoSmart. It did not pass the smell test or the lick test in EcoSmart place. When EcoSmart first started my youngest children were in kindergarten.

Thomas: Very nice plug for EcoSmart, and yes they do offer great products. So Why Nashville?

Genma: I love this place. LOVE IT. I moved here from Mississippi. I thought I stepped off the bus into Rhinestone heaven! Everywhere I went I bumped into a REAL Opry star. No to mention the number of folks like me that stepped off Greyhound (or Southwest) and were millionaires overnight. No state income taxes, homes looking like McMasion with McRibs prices. Great place to raise your children. Economic opportunities on every corner and the most philanthropic people hands down.

Thomas: Yep, I love Nashville too. I graduated from Franklin High School. It is so beautiful there and full of wonderful people, like yourself. But my wife rules the roost so I won’t be back in Tennessee anytime soon. I get that you travel a lot for speaking engagements. How many events do you speak at per year?

Genma: Hmm, colleges are the hot spots. As I type I have 15 engagements scheduled before November. I did a road trip once pushing women in the industry angle….46 stops in 42 days. I nearly died but it was a great year! I am rarely asked to do industry events but then again, I didn’t cut my teeth talking to bug people (meaning I am not a “pest control industry” person traveling to “industry” events). Majority of my audiences are consumer driven marketplaces. I do not sell to the pest control industry. My audience are non industry folks mainly who buy my services and want to hear me talk about any and everything including my fear of brown recluse spiders. When I share that in a Women’s publication or a professional women group it is ok, talk about that in a room full of pest control guys and I sound bat crap crazy.

Thomas: Not only do I admire you as a pest professional, a great speaker, and a business savvy lady,  but you strike me as a mother that cares for her family.

Genma: I respect motherhood deeply. Thomas: How many kids do you have? Genma: 3! Franz (sports medicine) Cornelius (sports journalism) Alexis (sports marketing)…all would be 2nd generation PCOs!

Thomas: What’s your favorite question to be asked? Genma: How the hell did you get into pest control?

Thomas: You know that is a great question! So let me ask you… About your politics. =)
I know that your are politically active, do you take sides? Democratic, Republican? Liberal, Conservative?

Politics... Let's break that down for you... "Poli" Many & "tics" blood sucking creatures.

Genma: I vote my conscious. That’s not a wiggle out, that is the truth. Always have and always will. My grandfather’s taught me to think for myself. I don’t put campaign signs on my trucks. My business can not vote. I personally do not endorse anyone, because of my role at several newspapers BUT I throw some of the best parties in town to support a cause or a candidate. In the last year, I formed a group called POI…pissed off independents! Never met a Margarita we did not like!

Thomas: How does your political activism help and maybe hurt your business?

Genma:It doesn’t hurt or help. From the time I came out the womb, I was given a campaign sign from my granddaddy. Knocking on doors to get people to exercise their right to vote was his life story. He spent his life being a civil rights activist. Not the kind on TV spouting nonsense about nonsense but a man of the people who loved all people. I learned from him to have that fire in your belly for something that you believe in that works for the greater good..not lining your pocket! Vote for whoever you like..just vote damn it! See there goes that fire in me.

Thomas: Do you link religion, politics, and pest control?

Genma:All the time! I love my God, I am a citizen that votes in EVERY election, and I kill bugs. I can not get around any of that! But there are times and places for everything. I try not to push my beliefs on others but I am firm in my faith. if you don’t like my politics that fine, we live in a country that allow us to have differing views. I kill bugs and I am not shame of the work I do.

Thomas: Well you are wonderful.  Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.  I look forward to following your tweets.

And I encourage other professionals to do the same.  Check her out here:

http://twitter.com/bugsact

http://genmaspeaks.blogspot.com/

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Today’s interview is between Thomas, Bulwark Exterminating, and Thomas, Pioneer Pest Management… So we will make it Thos003, Bulwark, and Tom, St. Louis Extraordinaire. So let’s chat about…

Mosquito Control in St. Louis

Pioneer Specializes in Mosquito Control

Thos003: Mosquito control is a challenge many pest control companies are not willing to face, so how long have you been working to target mosquitoes?

Tom:We have been specifically focused on mosquitoes for about three years.  This market was under served from a mosquito control standpoint, so we have helped boost awareness that there are effective solutions available. We started using a backpack mist and that led to getting into system installation.

Thos003: How long have you been using a misting system?

Tom: We did our first installation of the misting system about 3 years ago shortly after we began with the backpack fogging.  Our first installation was more of an experiment to see how it would work.  After visiting other operators in other markets and hearing some of the feedback from their customers, we were really convinced that this was a great offering. We have been installing more and more through our existing customers spreading the word, so we’re happy.

Thos003: Is this the same misting system with the tubes set up around the perimeter of the house that shoots out bursts every few minutes? How often do you have to mist?

Tom: Yes, we are a certified re-seller and installer of MistAway Mosquito Misting systems.  These systems include tubing installed around the perimeter of the affected area with misting nozzles every 8-10 feet.  The systems have a timing mechanism built in to mist at the intervals the user specifies.  Most often, the systems are set to mist at dusk and dawn, when mosquito activity peaks.  However, some customers prefer to have a third or fourth session in the middle of the afternoon or later in the evening if conditions dictate.

Thos003: About Pioneer Pest Management & Mosquito Misting, you are a family based company, privately owned, how many years in business?

Tom: We are a family business.  Our family members have a diverse background in business. We have been in this community a long time, which has really been helpful with word of mouth growth and that has been awesome.  We started in 2007.

Thos003: I noticed you like foursquare? Sorry, but being a nerdy internet guy I’ve got to ask about it. I mean it’s totally geek to the max cool <snort LOL snort>… What benefits do you get from it?

Local Hero

Tom: Funny you should ask. At this point, we have not seen any benefits.  However, we think it makes sense to be transparent.  If a customer comes to our site and sees we have been in their neighborhood recently, it might make them more comfortable to contact us. After all, how interesting can a pest control website really be to someone? Since there is no cost to using some of these available social media tools, it’s really just kind of interesting to try different things and see how they work. We can move away from it if we discover a downside.

Thos003: Sounds logical. You are a local service so why not show your local support. You know I visited St. Louis once, went up in the arch, fun experience.  Funny thing about AZ is that a lot of natives have never visited the Grand Canyon. So have been up in the arch?

Tom: Great question. I have, but most people you ask around town have not.  If you are ever in St. Louis again, you have to check out the City Museum.  It is a very cool, unique attraction.   And I have to ask, what local restaurant is a must visit, just in case I decide to drop in on you sometime.
You can find us at Llywellyn’s, it’s a great Celtic style pub. For Italian, Massa’s in Kirkwood. St. Louis has a ton of great spots though. Come visit us!

Thos003: Thanks for the invite! You will be one of the firsts to know if I do drop in. And thanks for interview.

Click here to learn more about their mosquito control service.

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Green pest control is on a lot of minds these days. We just happened to find a Seattle based based exterminator that promotes their Green name, GREEN CHOICE PEST CONTROL. They are also a family based service that has good reviews from their happy customers. So we decided to get to know them a little better.

Another family pest control service, Small enough to care, Big enough to do it right!

“How is pest control in Seattle and Portland different?”

Bill: The Pacific Northwest is a challenging place to conduct pest control services. Consistent rain water runoff and the constant proximity to waterways makes pest control more challenging than it might be in other dryer climates. Coupled with the diverse ecosystem is a diverse population demo graph that is sometimes at odds with its own values.

Thomas: “Yes it’s tough to please everyone. People want to feel safe in their homes and they often have fears of pesticides whether warranted or not. Then they are conflicted on what’s worse, pesticide or spider bite. I assume that is why Green Choice Pest Control goes with a low impact service?

Bill: The culture of the Northwest is extremely ecologically conscious. That being said, this same population often wants all pests killed at their residence, while minimizing or even eliminating any secondary effects on surrounding habitats. This places pest control companies, especially those with ecological sustainability in mind, in the awkward position of sometimes saying no; No to certain products, and no to certain procedures. “Yes, we can kill your rodents, no we will not use gas within your home to do so.”, for example. Pest Control in Portland and Seattle is also extremely seasonal in its apparent active pest months. Carpenter ants are readily seen during our short summers, and raise the alarm of any homeowner. During our cool, wet months, however, they are usually not seen, and therefore not considered an issue by most people. This is despite the fact that they may be just as active reducing your two by four studs into dust while you are comfortably watching television.

Thomas: “So what you can’t see and don’t know can hurt you, or in this case hurt your home. You talked about winter months, in most of Bulwark’s locations we see a lot of rat and mice activity in the cooler months… Can’t say cold, since Phoenix is rarely cold. Las Vegas, and Austin, maybe but not like Vancouver”

If you think the Fiat is different try their service!

Bill: Yes… Rodents, conversely, are heard in attics and under homes during winter months, as they seek shelter, but are rarely considered a problem when seen outside a home during the summer months. Since the majority of people wait until it’s on the fringes of too late before they hire a professional exterminator, this minimizes the amount of sustainable pest control that can be accomplished, and moves us into an aggressive, multi product approach that we would rather reserve for the rarest occasions. Preventive pest practices doing pest control Seattle and Portland operations are the ultimate solution. While this is not on the forefront of most homeowner’s minds, it needs to become as standard in our culture as recycling. This gives us the greatest opportunity to enjoy our beautiful slice of the world for generations to come.

Pest specific to the Northwest?

Thomas: Bulwark has made headway with scorpions because they are a more unique pest, are there any pests in Seattle or Portland that would be considered unique? … Or maybe just your biggest ugliest bug?

Bill: One pest that is more specific to the Northwest is the hobo spider. The hobo spider makes a cone shaped web and is extremely poisonous, similar to a brown recluse. An untreated bite will probably be fatal.

Thomas: Hobo Spiders sound as bad as scorpions.

Hobo Spider with Cone Web

Bill: They are not nice and are related to scorpions as they are both arachnids. Since there is no shortage of fear of these creatures, many other spiders are killed in process “just to be on the safe side”. This is unfortunate, as spiders are good for the ecosystem, and actually eat certain wood destroying pests such as carpenter ants. Green Choice technicians are specially trained to be able to identify if a spider is or is not a hobo. We offer free inspections to and are happy to stop by your home or business and take a look at any living or dead specimens you may have.

Thomas: “Yep, its much easier to prevent major problems with regular maintenance. Hence we chose the name Bulwark, as in a defensive barrier. Keep up the regular defense and you can avoid extremes. By the way, I have only made one trip out to Seattle. I actually met a really cool internet marketer, very coincidental that his twitter handle, @inflatemouse, was pest control related. Anyways, My favorite Seattle site was the Fountain by the Sky Needle. Beautiful city. Any places that you’d recommend I visit next time I’m in town? Any local Deli’s or hidden restaurants?”

Bill: Most any of the delis or restaurants in the Pikes Place Market are really good and a good value. You can watch the fish markets throw the fish back and forth there. Pikes Place Market is famous for throwing fish. Anyone can point you in the right direction once you’re there. Also the Mariner’s Ballpark is quite an attraction. Seeing any of  the Islands in the Puget Sound area via ferry is also something which is more unique to our area. Seattle is very tourist friendly with great restaurants and deli’s on just about every corner of the city.

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Atlanta, GA

770-904-4141

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704-391-9838

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702-255-6313

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919-481-0007

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P 435-627-8840
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480. 545.7378

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(480) 969-7474

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Bulwark Pest Control has hit 100 customer reviews for their pest control service in Las Vegas. Wayne is truly a magnificent manager and has gone above and beyond.  Hats off to a wonderful leader and to the whole Las Vegas team.

Most Reviewed Pest Control Service in Las Vegas

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They Can copy our Service but it will not be same.

The products, the equipment, and the techniques may all be the same, but they will never have OUR PEOPLE. Our people are really what makes our service.  They are the face of our company. They are the voice you hear on the phone.  Excellent people make an excellent company.  Our people make up the Bulwark Family.  They make up our culture.  They come to trust one another and work as a team.

Further, since other companies are the ones copying they will never have the edge.  For our people, Bulwark means change.  Bulwark is constantly listening to our customers, listening to our managers, listening to our team leaders, listening to anyone that has a good idea, and implementing those ideas to make a better system.  Welcome to the Bulwark 2009 Model!  Our business in 2009 is not the same as 2008.  And next year we will role out the 2010 Pest Control Model.

So how do know which companies are different? How do you choose a pest control company?

Well… Wouldn’t you rather have an original Picasso over a copy?

Bulwark, the orginal pest control service.

p.s… This post came about because an office staff of ours took a call the other day.  The gentleman seemed very interested in our service and was asking all kinds of questions.  What kind of products do you use? Is your product safe for dogs?  Where do you treat? What are your mixed rates? Do you use baits for ants?… In fact the call went on for 20 minutes.  The caller then abruptly ended the conversation and said he would call back later.  Our office staff called to follow up with the “customer” later that same day only to get an voice mail, “Hi this is Joe Loss from Unpresentive Pest Control….” (Names changed to fictitious names to not embarrass our competitors.)

So a competitor called and found out what we used… We’re not too worried about it.

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