Best Of 2012

The end of 2012 is almost upon us, and what a year it was. Despite the Mayan calendar coming to an end, signaling our population’s supposed demise, we are still here.

Between dancing to PSY’s Gangnam Style, and calling Carly Rae Jensen (maybe), the year seemed to fly by.

This year brought us the excitement of the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the sobering tragedy in Newtown, CN. Our Country was divided during the 2012 Presidential election, but came together during Hurricane Sandy. In addition to it all, 2012 was also the hottest year on record. What a busy year!

Top 10 Stories on Blog Pest Control For 2012

This year was also a busy year for the pest control industry. New species of insects were discovered, like the dive-bombing parasitic wasp and the headless ladybug. A world-record millipede was caught, that had 750 legs. The FTC took action against unproven bedbug treatments. On top of all of it, pest control operators were busy battling pest invaders. The year was full of many of these stories.

Here are the top ten stories on Blog Pest Control, determined by you the reader:

Over the years we have been privileged to watch several movies featuring bugs. Here is Blog Pest Control’s compiled list of top bug movies.

9. $12 Million Pest Control

When Elin Nordegren, former wife of golfer Tiger Woods, has a pest control problem, she demolishes her 17,000 square foot house. Nordegren’s beach front home in North Palm Beach, FL after it was infested with termites and carpenter ants.

Yes, Washington has scorpions. The Northern Scorpion rarely invades homes and is actually a very rare find. This article discusses scorpion stings, catching scorpions, getting rid of scorpions, and hunting them with a black light.

As a pest control owner or manager you must manage workflow, cash flow, sales, overhead, inventory, and your employee’s needs, all while not neglecting customer service. With every one of these responsibilities it can be easy to make mistakes in your businesses accounting and bookkeeping. Here are some of the most frequent accounting mistakes.

This article, with its infographic, gives us all a very clear picture of how serious the bedbug problem really is.

Finding a pest control software program for your small business can be challenging and often times overwhelming. There are a few things to keep in mind while navigating the pest control software maze.

The Arizona Bark Scorpion is one of the most feared, and misunderstood, pests out there. Here are five things you need to know about this stinging pest.

As labor costs, cost of pesticides, gas prices, and property taxes all increase; some pest control companies are left facing the inevitable… Raising prices to meet overhead, or closing the doors forever. Here’s an article on how raising prices can best be done.

A woman who was seeking medical attention went into China’s Changsha Central Hospital because she felt a burning and itching inside her ear. To her horror, and the horror of her doctors, a spider was found living in her ear canal. See the pictures here.

As our mouths loll open, passing arachnids find themselves strangely compelled to crawl in, where we cheerfully gulp them down without knowing. According to this exterminator, this is not true.

Stay Tuned For Many More Informative Pest Control Articles In 2013

Thanks for following Blog Pest Control this year. The above list was compiled based on several components including: number of views, number of comments, number of shares on social media sites, and the how compelling the news is/was. Keep checking back for all of your pest control news in 2013,

What Was Your Favorite Blog Pest Control Article?

Anthony Ball

10 Things Pest Control Operators Are Thankful For This Thanksgiving

1. Customers. First and foremost, pest control operators are grateful for our customers. They are the reason we get up in the morning. Whether we’ve been servicing their homes for years, or just happened to help out during a one time pest emergency, we are thankful for each and every one of our customers.

2. Hardworking Employees and Technicians. Whether our pest control company is large or small, our employees and technicians are it’s backbone. The best employees have a positive attitude, are organized, and are self motivators. They can make or break our business.

For the 10 qualities of outstanding pest control employees, click here.

3. Gas Prices Dropping. Depending on where you are operating your pest control business, gas prices have dropped significantly; as much as 50 cents a gallon since the end of summer. Gasoline is now averaging $3.41 a gallon nationwide. While filling our service trucks isn’t cheap, even small drops in gas prices are significant.

4. Pest Control Research and Investments. As pest control operators, we understand that the pests we treat on a daily basis are constantly evolving. They are becoming more and more resistant to our treatment plans and immune to our pesticides. Continued research in the field is needed so the world’s pest control operators can stay one step ahead of the pests.

PCO’s are thankful for this $1 million commitment to pest control.

5. Power Sprayers. Gone are the inefficient days (and sore arms) of using the pump can to service a property; and are we ever grateful!

For the top 5 steps to avoid sprayer hose problems, click here.

6. Break From The Long Hot Summer. The summer of 2012 brought us record heat. Not only were we out in the heat servicing properties, this long hot summer also allowed the bugs we treat to have multiple breeding styles. According to this article, these conditions hurt American farmers and have increased food prices. 

7. Technology Advancements. The innovation of smartphones and other technologies is enabling pest control operators to work more efficiently; making our lives easier and helping our industry go green. Read about Bulwark’s efforts here. 

8. Equipment Repair Kits. There is nothing more frustrating than being on a service call and have a piece of equipment breakdown. Equipment emergency repair kits allow us to make timely repairs while on the job, this saving our bacon!

For the top 10 pest control equipment productivity tips, click here.

9. Pest Control Software. Finding the pest control software that is right for you makes all the difference. When you find the right fit, it enables PCO’s to email customers, route, schedule, invoice, and manage accounts. What a blessing!

For tips on navigating the pest control software maze, complete with reviews, click here.

10. Customer’s Expression of Gratitude. When a customer leaves you a positive review and congratulates you on a job well done, it makes you feel good. After all, that’s why we’re in business… to serve our customers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

All of us here at Bulwark Pest Control would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving, make sure you take a moment and reflect on the many things you have been blessed with. Spend a lot of time with family and close friends, eat way too much food, and watch a lot of football.

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