Pest Control and Bug Exterminator Blog

Pest Control Company, Bulwark Exterminating LLC, Receives Military Award from Staff Sergeant A. J. Richards.

Recently Bulwark Exterminating was nominated for an ESGR award by Staff Sergeant A. J. Richards. The ESGR award is given to employers of Guard and Reserve soldiers where the servicemen feel that the employer goes above and beyond the basic responsibility’s an employer has to their Reserve employees. The law requires those that employ Military Reserve and similar to abide by additional requirements, such as holding a position for those that serve while they are gone on military leave.  Further, they must work with mandatory military training, requiring them to allow military employees un-scheduled days off. Because of these requirements there are good reasons for employers to not hire reservists. Bulwark on the other hand gladly  hires military personnel.  The owners feel a great respect for those that serve to protect our country and our freedoms.

For this reason Staff Sergeant Richards nominated Bulwark and Adam for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve award. Here is his statement:

I have been in the National Guard for the last nine years and have had many employers. I had heard that there was a way to nominate your employer for an award through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). But until recently I had never worked for a company more deserving. I started working for Bulwark Exterminating in 2007 as an door to door sales men and even though I struggled with that job they always had a supportive team to mentor me. After the summer they provided me with a job servicing homes in southern Utah while I finished school. After school despite my performance in the door sales field they offered me a job in their newly formed call center in Phoenix AZ. The offer was too good to turn down so I packed up the family and headed down. I have missed work many times to fulfill my commitment with the guard and Adam has always made sure that my family and I had all that we needed while I was gone. Beyond that the Bulwark family has taken my family in as their own so while I’m away I don’t have to worry about my wife and kids needing anything. This is something that is priceless if you have ever been in that kind of positions. Adam continues to support me and my service in the Guard and often encourages me to do all I can to advance in my military career even at the risk of loosing me “one of Bulwark’s top employees” (per my supervisor), for extended periods of time.

The ceremony was held at a Marie calendars in downtown Phoenix and was hosted by “The Military Order Of The World Wars” Phoenix Chapter. The chapter is made up of retired military members from Colonel down. Adam Seever was nominated by Abenadi Richards an employee that works in the Bulwark Exterminating Call center. If you contacted Bulwark anytime in the last three years for new service there’s a chance you spoke to him. Abenadi says that the influence of the people that he works for not only has helped him to become a better person but also a better soldier. He said that skills that he has learned as an employee for Bulwark has taught him to be a better leader in his military duties as well.

Bulwark even received an additional honor from the speaker when he complimented Adam and Bulwark’s pest control service with  “and they do good work too.  They service my home.” The owner was very touched by the award and the sincere compliment of the speaker.

View more Award Photos on Facebook

If you are a military family then please ask about Bulwark pest control Military Discount.

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Michael Gurevitz has been featured in a number of recent news reports for his research into practical and useful uses of scorpion venom. His research has found varying types of venom and varying effects based upon the chemical proprieties of the venom. Documenting and researching these properties has further proven that some toxins can target specific mammalian channels, and others will attack insect channels that are non existent in mammals, i.e. humans. But Michael hopes to take this information to a whole new level by identifying how these toxin interact with sodium channels, which make up mammal and insect nervous systems.  That information could lead to a pesticide based on scorpion venom and a morphine like medicine based on scorpion venom. But what are benefits of using scorpion venom and are there possible cons?

On the subject of venom toxins Raymond St. Leger, an entomologist at the University of Maryland, states that they are “a resource with almost limitless potential,…But you need a way of getting them into the insect.” Herein lies one problem. Genetically altering a plant to produce a similar compound to the scorpion venom will be useless as a pest control technique if ingesting the plant and its newly acquired compound does nothing to the pest because it is ingested rather than stung/injected into the blood stream. Exterminators that will hunt and manually inject the compound are going to hard to find. Clearly this is not the intent. The objective is to develop a pesticide that will be absorbed through an insect’s exoskeleton. The pest control products need to penetrate into the insects and attack their nervous systems, leading to paralysis and death. Determining the venom’s effective life span and how long it will take to be absorbed will determine the success of this natural alternative.  In order for a pesticide to be effective it must have a decent residual, something many natural products lack.

Individuals must further investigate the human health effects of occupational exposure. What dangers do these bio-pesticides and bio-insecticides poise with frequent and regular use to the applicators? What danger does this put on those that milk the scorpion’s venom? Adam Seever, put it this way, “I know it may seem backwards, but I don’t focus on how the products we use will effect my customers. I focus on whether they are safe for my technicians to use on a day in and day out bases. If my techs are safe then the customers will be safe as well.” On a pound per pound base is the scorpion venom more or less toxic then your average pest control product? Lastly, the most severe problems that occurs with products and even with scorpion toxins are caused by a mammals allergic reaction to the products. This varies on a case by case base, but one must wonder if this reaction would be higher in a pyrethrin based product or a scorpion based product.

The response that Michael Gurevite gave us on the potential allergy’s and dangers of the scorpion venom is as follows:

“In the venom of scorpions of the Buthidae family, to which the Israeli yellow scorpion belongs, one can find a large variety of peptide toxins that affect ion channels. We work on those that affect sodium channel. Among these toxins there are different classes divided according to their pharmacological effects (alpha and beta), and further divided to groups by their ability to compete for the same receptor site, and their activity toward mammals and insects. Some of the toxins would be active against practically all animals, some show preference for mammalian channels, and some are anti-insect selective. All these differences in activity and preference are those that interest us at the molecular/structural level.

The desert bark scorpions belong also to the family Buthidae, the most common is Centruroides sculpturatus in Southern US and Mexico. Their venom contains mostly toxins of the beta class that affect mammals and insects. We work on toxins of both the alpha and beta classes.”

Hopefully Michael’s research pays off. It is very fascinating that he is documenting these effects and classifying them on a molecular level to the point that he can determine a “alpha” or “beta” class. This will in no doubt be beneficial in developing more pest solutions that will only effect insects and not humans. Or taking that one step further, that can target specific insect species.

And yes there is a sinister side of this in that we could use the scorpion’s sting against itself. Imagine the novel title now, “Scorpion’s recruited for Scorpion Control.” And homeowners that deal with scorpions would welcome the opportunity to use an effective scorpion insecticide against scorpion infestations in Phoenix, Austin, and Las Vegas. Especially using their closely related Buthidae family members for Scottsdale scorpion extermination.

There is also a potential that the research could lead to a scorpion based “morphine”, or other scorpion related health care products. Scorpion venom has even been tested in fighting off cancer. Could it be possible that a pesticide and a cancer “fighting” agent could use the same chemical makeup? Perhaps some day sooner than you think.

What are your thoughts on scorpion venom being used in pest control products?

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I was in San Antonio Texas to do my Thursday termite route. I went to a customer’s house at 10 am to do his free termite inspection. I rang his doorbell and proceeded to ID myself as Randy with Bulwark Exterminating and that I was there to do his free termite inspection. He asked me where I was going to start and I told him I would do the outside then come back and do the Interior.  He asked me if I brought a ladder because the home didn’t have a pulldown and that’s where he was hearing a chewing sound coming from. I told him I did indeed have a ladder and I would bring it when I was coming inside. The home was a two year old two story, xx home. I drew a diagram of the outside as I inspected it. After I finished I knocked and then went inside. I inspected the inside and then went into the attic to see I what he was hearing.

I climbed into the attic with my flashlight and could see a lot of mouse droppings but no termites. I climbed down and went to find the customer. He asked me if I found anything and I told him I had good and bad news.  What’s the good news he asked. I told him, you have mice in your attic not termites. He said that’s great, what’s the bad news. I told him” You don’t have any Insulation in your attic.”

He said “You have to be kidding me.”

“I’m being 100 % honest,” was my reply.

He climbed up the ladder and looked around with my Flashlight.  “Someone stole my insulation out of my attic!” he exclaimed very loudly as he came dome. “How am I supposed to pay to fix this?”, he said to himself.

I informed him that since there wasn’t a trace of insulation in the attic that it most likely was never done. He said “But they have inspectors to check that.”

I agreed with him and told him “Sadly, it must have been missed.” I suggested that he call the xx office in the subdivision (they were still building in the neighborhood) and tell them about it. He called and they told him all homes were insulated when they were built and that if his was missed then they would insulate it and set up a time for their inspector to come look at it. The customer told me that his electric bill was always really high and he couldn’t understand why but now he knows why,… thanks to some mice.

He was a happy man when I Left.

Randy Schulle

San Antonio, TX

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In light of the recent FTC law that will attempt to cure the blog-o-sphere from the potential false and/or misleading reviews, one blogger makes an excellent point:

If you deliver enough value BEFORE asking for the sale, you should be able to sell plenty of stuff forever.

- Frank Kern http://masscontrolsite.com/blog/?p=59

What Frank is getting at is that if you provide a quality service or a quality product then you shouldn’t need to worry about using underhanded or sneaking marketing tactics.  Companies that build on solid foundations will be solid companies.  This applies to pest control just as much as any other industry.  Read J.D. Powers book on Satisfaction.

BUT… I do disagree with Frank a little on the customer testimonials.  I believe that customer testimonials are the blood line of successful marketing.  You do what’s best for the customer and then they talk about it.  Those are the testimonials that sell.  Our pest control marketing efforts ultimately pale in comparison to our referrals.  So again, it is…

Quality Service first – Marketing Second.

If you don’t have a quality service or product then marketing becomes a black hole, sucking your money up almost as fast as it brings it in.

But just to make sure we are compliant with the FTC here is our disclaimer… **Customer testimonials on google are reviews from the customers and happy customers is a typical result of quality service as evident in our company wide survey that reports; 94% of customers would recommend us to a friend or family member.  All other companies listed on this site have not paid us, to date, anything to be listed here.  We offer our praises of other pest control companies freely and of our own accord.  We do accept backlinks from some of these companies and would gladly accept more backlinks from more quality services.

P.S. I, Thomas (not Bulwark Exterminating) feel that this FTC law is going to be very ambiguous and unenforceable.  So those the FTC wishes to take a beating on will be subject to a whipping post that has no bounds.

kennetht Uncategorized bug control, exterminator, FTC, pest control, pest control marketing, Quality Pest Control

Scorpions are particularly active this time of year.  Why?  Because it is mating season and birthing season.  Luckily scorpions only give birth once a year.  Unlucky that they can give birth to over 100 baby scorpions!  And as interesting as it might be to see all of those baby scorpions hitching a ride on the mama scorpion’s back, you certainly don’t want that mother load entering your home and dropping off her little spawns all over your house!

Mother Scorpion with baby scorpions on back. Scorpions are unique among pests because scorpions give live birth. They do not lay eggs like most. Instead the mother births the live babies and then carries them on her back until they are mature enough to fend for themselves.

Scare tactic? Yes, but it the truth!

Just read the following email:

I’ve had a major issue with scorpions this past couple months. Been in my house for 5 years and this is the first time I’ve seen any scorpions. Am currently using ****Competitor****’s pest defense but haven’t seen any improvement. Maybe looking to change companies. I’ve been fighting them myself with a blacklight at night. I tend to kill about 1-2 a night and have also killed a mother with babies on its back. Needing some peace of mind since I have 2 small children.

Charles – Mesa, AZ

Charles has every right to be concerned.  Scorpions can be very dangerous, especially to small children as their bodies may not be able to metabolize the scorpion venom.

This cry for help was sent to us yesterday:

I am tired of dealing with these creepy crawlers.I live in a apartment and we have reported our several incidents to our front office they have sent their own pest control company but they have done a poor job even after their second visit in a three week span we still continue to kill scorpions around our house. I am in desperate need of some relief!

Arturo – Phoenix, AZ

And Niki from Las Vegas wrote the following:

Hello, We are finding very lively scorpions in our home almost on a daily basis. I believe them to be the bark scorpion. We have had a regular exterminator and I have advised him of the problem but what he is doing does not seem to work. Do you have a solution?? I am finding very small babies now which I don’t think is a good sign. thank you.

Niki – Las Vegas, NV

Is there a pest control solution to scorpion problems?

We believe that there is a pest control solution available for scorpion problems.  After many hours and treating over 20,000 scorpion infested homes across the US, we have developed scorpion control. That’s right, its not a pest control solution its a scorpion control solution.  When you’ve got scorpions search for scorpion control service.

Learn more about SCORPION CONTROL.

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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

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