Pest Control and Bug Exterminator Blog

@Thos003

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Thomas: Well it’s been a fun month, all kinds of fun things are happening. We’ve got Jerry the Bug Doctor set up for a Blog Pest Control interview today. Despite his title as the Bug Doctor, Jerry isn’t working to make the bugs feel better. No,  Jerry stays busy doing pest control in Ocala. There are a lot of bugs to keep you busy in Florida.

@pestcemetery

Jerry: Busy is an understatement but it beats the alternative…lol

Thomas:So let’s not waste anymore time here…How many years in the bug business?

Jerry: Started pest control in 1984 with Terminix in Baltimore. I worked my way up from residential to commercial tech and then into sales. I eventually made it to commercial sales and National accounts Rep. before changing companies. I’ve worked for 5 other companies as everything from tech to region mgr. before finally striking it out on my own in 1993–technically 91 as a franchisee but ugh what a waste.

Thomas: From 1984 to present… That’s a lot of years! I think in 84 I was probably just starting my first roach collection, my mom didn’t let that last very long. So over 25 years of experience now.  Impressive.  And after big company headaches you moved on to a family pest control operation? So… who wins your heart a family employee or a non-blood?

Jerry: My wife and I have built this business, The Bug Doctor Inc., from zero and although we’re not huge we are a strong force in the area.  She is a Registered nurse whose paycheck got us through the first few years but now she works Bug Doctor full time. She’s my favorite but Kevin is also special. He’s been with me 8 years and has yet to miss even one day. He’s not perfect but he is faithful and I admire him for that.

Thomas: Hard to beat the wife for your heart I guess, so good response. And having loyal employees makes all the difference.  It is wonderful to have employees you can trust your company and name with.  How do you find and keep good exterminators?

Jerry:

Family Owned Pest Control for 17 years

I guess I break  a lot of rules. They say don’t hire people you know because you can’t be their boss. Kevin for example was a customer and friend long before I asked him on board. We played on the same volleyball team for years. I’m not a micro mgr. at all and there are whole weeks that go by that I don’t even see him. Because he’s a friend I just know and trust that he gets the job done. Diane also was (and still is) a customer, she’s worked out real well. I tried two guys in the last year that I did not know and neither lasted very long and I didn’t feel comfortable leaving them to their jobs & firing them was an unpleasant experience.  I want my people to like me and be motivated by that, not out of fear as so many bosses operate.

Thomas: Good employees are important in setting yourself apart. What other areas set you apart?

Jerry: I’d like to think I am the best commercial pest specialist in town and we handle some larger accounts but WDO (as in wood destroying organisms) inspections is something even other pest companies call me for on a regular basis. We service 5 counties in North central Florida and my favorite bug is the termite WDO.

Thomas: Termites are your favorite bug? Very cool.  They are an interesting lot and the damage they cause each year is unbelievable. I like how active you are online.  Seems like it comes pretty easy for you as a social pest control guy.  How is the bug blog life?

Jerry: I’m building www.PestCemetery.com to be a ‘real go to’ resource for pros as well as DIY and also have an entertainment value–we’ll see.. blogging is a long hard road

Thomas: Yes. But a hard road don’t mean it can’t be a fun road…. And just for fun do you have a favorite author or book?

Jerry: My favorite book was ‘Escape to Witch Mountain’ –The movie stunk.

Thomas: Typical. Why ruin a good book? Thanks Jerry.  Glad to have you doing good things for our industry and the overall exterminator image.

Be sure to check out Jerry’s great blog: The Pest Cemetery

Leave Something On The Bone – Sick Pay, Benefits, Medical Coverage in the Pest Control Industry

Great write up by Gerry, I would have assumed that most pest control companies offered. Gerry suggests that the pest control industry should be inline with offering sick pay, benefits and medical coverage. I applaud him on that. Gerry is quite the visionary. He brings a different perspective to the pest control industry with his background. He seems to possess a superb business sense and it shows with how he treats his customers and his employees.

I agree with him. It would be ideal for pest control companies, and all companies, to offer more and take care of their employees. Even offer the most they possibly can. But I hesitate to allow an outside entity to mandate how a business must run. How a business should run and how a business must run are entirely different. I see huge negatives to the government interfering with business. A government agent may not take into consideration all of the other factors associated with that business. Just because it sounds good and looks good doesn’t mean that it is good. Shouldn’t the government leave more on the bone for the business owners to divide up? (read Animal Farm again before answering that question)

Besides, I hold to a belief that the “Good Guys” will always win. Yes, call me an optimist, but its survival of the fittest. A company that offers more, and rewards employees based on their performance will have better employees and in turn a better company. Evolution. The guy that does it better, faster, bigger, or whatev-er will win. What you aim for in those wins will determine longevity. The winner of a battle doesn’t always win the war.

I believe in free commerce. I believe that an open market is best for all. I believe in Capitalism. Capitalism often equal optimization. It turns the will of invention and forward thinking. Just as I have balked at the “Green Pest Control” green washing of many companies.  But in the end, a healthier safer pest control service will win… not simply because of a title, but because of a reality.

Back to leaving something on the bone….. In the end, maybe we should consider raising a bigger cow, a bigger Purple Cow, and then there will be more to spare for all on the farm.

Thanks Gerry for your thoughts.  Its always a pleasure reading your blog.

Google’s most recent update was that of adding their map results to searches. Now if you search for Pest Control Las Vegas NV, you will get a list of 10 local pest control companies… well supposed local companies. Unfortunately these maps are very easy to manipulate. Take for instance the search for North Las Vegas Pest Control. You will find a result for Nature’s First Pest Control Affiliate. Click on their page and there is no listing of any affiliates nor address. In fact, the address used belongs to Bulwark.

It is bothersome that google is allowing this to happen.

So the big question, HOW DO YOU GET YOUR PEST CONTROL SERVICE LISTED IN THE TOP OF GOOGLE MAPS?

Well, this is still unclear, but here are a few things we have noticed.

1- Your address. If your address is Austin, TX then you are more likely to get listed for Austin TX pest control results.  In fact, this is the main reason we believe as to why Bulwark Pest Control shows up in Austin TX.  Indeed, its almost essential for your address to be within the city to be listed at the top.

2- Get listed with other directories, like yellowbook.com, or SEOpestcontrol.com.  Unfortunately these sites cost you some money and the added benefit may not be worth the cost.

3- Verifying your account with google.  This process takes sometime and has no guarantee.  Essentially you must claim your listing with google.  Once you have done this then google will remove the -Unverified listing tag, and we believe this will help your listing.  However, there are plenty of unverified listings showing up still in google’s results.

4- Linking. Find other pest control sites that are willing to help you with links.  There are a lot of ways that the smaller pest control companies can join up and help each other, and one of those is linking pest control sites.  For most small pest control services, finding PCOs that are not in your area should be easy.  Searching SEOpestcontrol.com may help you find other like minded pest control companies.

Hopefully this helps you with your Google Maps Results.  Remember still that marketing and being found on Google will do little for your pest control company if you are lacking in your service.  Advertising can never make up for poor service.

Pest Control Locations

Bulwark Exterminating – Las Vegas – 2707 E Craig Rd # D, Las Vegas, NV‎ – (702) 255-6313‎ >directions
Bulwark Exterminating – Mesa AZ – 1228 E Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ‎ – (480) 497-3734‎ >directions
Bulwark Exterminating – Austin TX 209 E Ben White Blvd # 116, Austin, TX – (512) 351-7142 >directions
Bulwark Exterminating – Houston TX – 10900 Brittmoore Park Dr # D, Houston, TX‎ – (713) 849-8533‎ > directions
Bulwark Pest Control Tulsa – 2013 N Willow Ave # A, Broken Arrow, OK‎ – (918) 252-3548‎ > directions

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.

Gerry Weitz of Heart’s Pest Control in San Diego, CA, has become a frequent visitor to our blogs and has added some great commentary. Some visitors that want to leave comments do out of a selfish motive to promote their own sites or increase their search engine rankings. Perhaps that’s why Gary visits us? Well a little online investigation found the following:

A San Diego newspaper article on Gerry wrote, “Workers at pest control company sing boss’s praises” Having employees that like you is one thing, but to sing praises all the way to the San Diego newspaper… that’s impressive.

Plus, Hearts gets good reviews from customers on Angie’s List, a homeowner review site with subscribing members. Angie’s list is a solid place to find honest and real reviews. So if a company ranks well on Angie’s list then they rank well in my book.

In general we found that Hearts is a smaller more personable company. They don’t have a first page spot on Google for San Diego Pest Control. They don’t seem to be spending money on Pay Per Clicks. From his comments he doesn’t waste money on phone book ads. If a company can grow and survive on referrals then they are surely a good company. In fact, one of the better companies. It seems that Hearts man promotional piece is his work, and that speaks for him.

From what we have seen, Gerry Weitz comments are very thoughtful and insightful. A true leader is one that shares and leads anyone and anywhere that he can. That is very admirable especially when those that are listening could be your competitors.

Thanks Gerry for your comments and Thanks for giving pest professionals everywhere a better image.

And if Bulwark can, we would love to help you place for Pest Control San Diego on google.

Green Pest Control – Dallas TX Conference

Green is the thing especially during Green week. The yellow brick road is now green. Pest control is no different. Green Pest control is the new buzz. But what does it mean? What is green pest control?

Is the pest control company green or are they just “Green Washing” ?

This brings back memories of the 80’s “Light” craze. Everything was going “Lite”, “Light food”, “Lite Beer”, “Lite Cheese”, stick a light label on it and it was hot. It’s the “New and Improved” sells pitch. Or try “No Calories” for water that never had calories. “Fat Free” gelatins, no fat all sugar. “Reduced Fat Mayo” sure you’ve gone down in fat nano grams, but shouldn’t you just skip the mayo all together? We went through and are still suffering from the “Low-Carb” label. From craze, rave, wave, to the grave. The problem with the newest fad is that being new makes it unknown and the results unsure. Fortunately the rage that is worthwhile leaves its everlasting impression. And we believe that green means better, better for you and better for the earth.

“Greener is Cleaner”

The problem still remains, “What is Green Pest Control?”

Unfortunately after day 1 of The Green Pest Management Conference, there is still no concrete answer. Being green is still too new for most of the pest control industry. The best way to say it is that Green comes in shades. There is the “100% Organic group”, the “All Naturals”, and the much looser “Mix and Match”. More of a hybrid approach.

Bulwark’s stance, forget the label and the hype, we know and have always known that the customer wants the most effective and the safest pest control solution. If you label green as using the most effective solution with the least amount of exposure to families, children, pets, water, and the environment then you can label Bulwark Green. Bulwark began its service with an in-wall treatment plan, no baseboard spraying, and using products that had been used and proven in agriculture pest control. Bulwark was one of the first pest control companies to feature EcoSmart products. Bulwark has always been aware of a customers concern about the safety of their family. Bulwark has always tried to do what we feel is best for the environment. Call it what you want. If you ask me, yes were are green, always have been a shade of green,… and a very dark green if you look at the logo…

and getting greener.

Always moving, always improving. Or as our employees have so lovingly phrased it, “Bulwark means Change” … The world is evolving, shouldn’t your pest control?

It has been a while since my last blog entry.  These past few months have been extremely hectic for me.  My wife and I have had a new baby (#5), I am furthering my education, and I am fortunate to have a job which is continually offering interesting challenges.  At Bulwark Exterminating our culture is in a constant state of flux–operating tirelessly to achieve the big objective: The Most Productive Highest Quality Service Company In The World.

I have been reflecting upon 2008 and I can hardly believe that we are about to enter a new year.  It is amazing how time flys when you are having fun!  The current economic and foreign policy predicaments that the US are currently facing has negatively affected many Americans attitudes about the future; yet fortunately I have seen many who are willing to remain optimistic, while patiently anticipating an eventual economic upswing, and ultimately a more tolerant world.

It especially easy to be grateful for something during a time of its respective scarcity.  I have personally been extremely grateful for my employment, my spouse’s health, the health of my children, -their safety, and the stewardship of great leaders.  The United States of America is facing many critical challenges that are inherently deduced when the survival of American Values are to be pitted against stoic and mundane American economic policy.  To put things in perspective I will highlight the fact that although Americans have been facing a sluggish economy; Americans continue to find a way to give to charity.

Although at Bulwark Exterminating we have always appreciated our customers, there is, at least in my mind, a heightened awareness towards customer satisfaction.  No marketing is better than positive word of mouth.  There should be no greater advocate of a service; than he/she who is offering the service.  As one who was in need of employment–I am grateful for a small business with a big heart whose willingness to hire a “green” technician with a red fire desire to learn a trade has ultimately allowed me to provide for a young upstart family.

Then again, as a medium-sized business behind a philosophy of “promote on performance,” Bulwark extended a “stewardship” to me which encompassed managing those who would follow in my footsteps…to ensure excellent customer service while offering the latest pest control technologies within a proprietary service.  As a service manager I wanted our customer’s to be happy: With empathy each customer was given the best I have to offer; and I trained our technicians to offer the best.  I took a keen interest in pest control; I took it upon myself to try and master the pest control trade; while absorbing the wisdom offered from Bulwark’s great leaders.  My studies led me to this conclusion:  Before Bulwark Exterminating was in the Pest Control Business, it was in the “People Business.”

This is my blog and these are my thoughts.  I am personally grateful for “Bulwark.”  I am professionally grateful to all Bulwark Exterminating customers who have allowed us the privilege of attending to their pest control needs. To the greatest Pest Control Technicians in the business…Thank you…

Ed Sakugawa…”Thank you for your continuous efforts in the Las Vegas East Area.”

KT

From the monsoons of Arizona to Gustav in Louisiana there is rain a pouring in the southern portion of the United States.  Subterranean termites love moisture and often times become more active because of it.  You can either perform an investigation utilizing the tips I am going to give you about identifying termite infestations or you can contact Bulwark Exterminating for a free termite inspection. (1-800-445-9313)

How to identify Termites

• A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil around
  your home.  The opening in the mound is generally very large.  They will often times be crawling very fast along the grounds too.  The insects are preparing to mate.  Termites tend to swarm in the Spring.
• Any cracked or bubbling paint or termite droppings.
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
• Mud tubes on exterior walls.  These are utilized by subterranean termites to get from their underground abode to the softwood they are dining on.
• Discarded wings from swarmers.  Look at the wings they will be identical in opposed to carpenter ants who will have different sized wings.  Termite will have four wings that are generally twice their body size.
• Termites have straight bodies with no petiole. (waist)