Pest Control Operator Tips- 12 Ways to Build a Better Day

As pest control operators, our days are filled with ups and downs. We find joy in being able to help our customers eliminate serious pest problems, but we also find it challenging to juggle our day-to-day priorities. We must balance our sales, marketing, and managing efforts; with training our employees, scheduling and billing our customers, and making sure we meet overhead… All while balancing family, community, and even religious obligations.

While we are making our customer’s days better, sometimes our days suffer.

Here are a few tips pest control operators can do to ensure you have a great workday:

1.  Begin each day with positive visualization. Visualize your day. Close your eyes and visualize how well your day will go. Take 15 minutes every morning, before you even check your email or daily service routes, and give yourself a few positive affirmations. Focus in on all the positive attributes you have.

2.  Plaster a big smile across your face. Even if you don’t feel like smiling, just fake it. Experts say that the act of smiling, even if it’s not genuine, will naturally force you to be happy and will reduce stress. Positive, cheerful and appreciative states of being never made anyone perform less effectively.

3.  Make the most out of your commute. Whether you’re in your car, or taking the bus, make the most out of this time by listen to some positive upbeat music. Take a few minutes to read a motivating book, or listen to an inspiring book on tape. This will surely get you pumped for the day!

4.  Stay organized. This tip is self explanatory, but is often times neglected by pest control operators. Having your service routes, customers, emails, and computers neat and organized will go along way in reducing your stress levels and can eliminate a lot of frustration.

5.  Set daily goals. Before you get into the office, or hit the road on sales or service calls, write down one big goal for the day. Follow that goal up with a few smaller goals that will help you reach your big goal. Doing this will ensure your day is focused and driven on an objective.

6.  Do the day’s most challenging thing first. It’s human nature to procrastinate, and pest control operators are no different. If you knock out the day’s most difficult task first, you won’t have to worry or stress about it all day long. Taking this route will make the day feel easier and you’ll have less inner resistance to getting the rest of the tasks of the day done.

7.  Connect with customers and coworkers. While at work get to know your colleagues and your customers. Ask them about their lives. Build rapport. Doing so will not only make you a better pest control operator, but will help you feel connected to the world as a whole. You will be happier.

8.  Take breaks and lunches. Following up on the previous tip, take lunches and breaks with your pest control colleagues and employees. Not only will you feel more connected, you will also break up your day and feel less stressed. Many pest control operators just find the nearest drive thru between service calls, or skip lunch all together. Make an effort to avoid doing this. It also wouldn’t hurt to choose something healthy to eat either.

9.  Stay away from negative people. Almost every office has a few of these people. These people may dislike their job or are just cynical in nature. Do your best to keep your distance as they will bring down your positive attitude you’ve worked so hard on establishing all day. When these people become unavoidable, learn to shrug them off. Replacing their negative voices with more positive influences is very powerful. It can be like a whole new world opening up.

10.  Just have fun. Pest control and fun sound like a complete oxymoron, I know. Try to remember why you got into this business. Find joy in the little things like helping the little old lady with her spiders. Learn to laugh.

11.  Go home on time. Try to wrap up your day with 15 minutes to spare. Take those last few minutes to finish up, to organize the next day, and to clean up. Get home to have dinner with your family. Make sure your life has balance.

12.  Reflect on the day. Before you go to bed, take a few minutes and ponder the things you did well, and the things you’d like to improve on. Writing these things down in a journal is very helpful. Give thanks and show gratitude for everything you have, and everything you accomplished during the day.

A Challenge

I know these tips can be a challenge at times… Everything worth doing is. I personally challenge each and every pest control operator out there to try these twelve tips, everyday for a week. See how much better your day can be. Yes, they work!

Have any other tips? Let me know!

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Most people will agree that while its the skills of the NASCAR driver that wins the race, that if we take away that well oiled racing machine and replace it with a pest control truck it doesn’t matter who is behind the wheel, he/Danica Patrick would have no chance at winning. No matter how great of a technician you hire, crappy abused and broken equipment will cause your pest control company to fail. So let’s show a little more love for our pest control trucks and equipment.

Top 10 Pest Control Equipment Productivity Tips

By Andrew Greess

#10 – Good Filtration

Design good filtration to prevent debris from getting into your system.  Debris will clog or damage pump, plumbing, fittings, hose and spray guns.  It will cost you money and productivity by bringing your system to its knees and causing expensive repair bills.  Design your filtration based on your water source, type of application, sensitivity of your pump, technician skill.  For example, bad water in new housing developments may require more than one strainer.  Place filtration so it is easily accessible for technicians to check and clean.

#9 – Clean your filter

The biggest secret in spray equipment is “check your filter”.  There is nothing you can do with your spray equipment that will save you more money than this simple activity.  We repair and replace more pest control spray equipment (and weed control spray equipment) because of clogged filters than for any other reason.

#8 – Release the pressure

Take the pressure off.  When you are done spraying, release the pressure.  Squeeze the handle of your spray equipment so that the system is not under pressure.  If you don’t want to waste the material, spray it back into the tank.   Your equipment will have fewer breakdowns and will last longer if you remove the stress of constant pressure from the spray components.    Never store equipment overnight under pressure.

#7 – Don’t run it too fast

Don’t push your equipment to its limits.  Our experience is that techs run power spray rigs at high speeds to get done quickly, and tend to overpressurize B&Gs and backpacks.  All of these actions will reduce sprayer life.  Your power spray rig can run at extremes for short periods but it is not designed to be run full out all the time.  Running “in the red” for extended periods will shorten engine and pump life.  Make sure your techs know proper operating ranges.

#6 – Clean it out

Rinse your system with clean water periodically to remove old chemical buildup, debris, etc.   Chemical buildup & debris can clog your filter, starve your pump, damage spray tips, and play havoc with other components as well.  All of these items fall into the category of “not good”.  When in doubt, rinse it out.  Be sure to follow all labels and laws when cleaning out spray tanks.

#5 – Don’t wait for failure – do your Preventative Maintenance (PM)

PM will save you time, money, equipment breakdowns, unhappy customers, etc.   You are running your equipment hard and pumping strong chemicals through it.  It will need service.  This service will be much cheaper and less painful if you do it before you need it.  Read manufacturer’s recommendations then customize for your use and application.  A good preventative maintenance program is your best friend for reducing equipment down time and improving productivity.

#4 – Train Employees to Report Problems

We are constantly amazed at the equipment problems employees will tolerate.  They will continue to use leaking pumps, hose, backpacks, etc.  Ignoring these problems inevitably leads to higher repair expenses and increased down time.  Encourage your employees to report problems so that you can take the appropriate action.

#3 – Emergency repair kit

Many simple repairs can be performed in the field. Field repairs can allow the technician to finish their work before heading to the service site for more thorough repairs. You’ll want to assess technicians’ skill and training to determine which parts you are comfortable with technicians changing in the field. A little tracking can go a long way toward understanding the causes of your breakdowns. Track equipment failures by part to determine which items you should consider stocking on your trucks. Also track equipment failures for each technician to identify training opportunities, and track failures by truck to set time frames for preventative maintenance and replacement.

#2 – Pre-flight Checklist

Every pilot has a checklist and goes through a pre-flight routine BEFORE taking his or her plane into the air.   Spray techs should do the same thing.  Before getting into the truck and heading to the first stop, a few minutes spent checking equipment can save time and money, as well as preventing downtime that hinders your ability to provide timely service to Clients.  Here’s the key point.  If you are going to have an equipment problem, you are probably better off knowing about it at your office than in the field, when it will most likely take longer and cost more to fix.  Technicians should report any problems or exceptions to their supervisor.

#1 – Don’t Over-pressurize Manual Sprayers

If your backpack isn’t spraying, don’t pump it up more.  You will break it.  It is easy to turn a $3.00 o-ring replacement into a $50 repair.  I like the following analogy for this situation.  I went to France.  The waiter didn’t understand English, so I yelled louder.  Don’t overpressure your manual sprayers!

Andrew Greess is the President of Quality Equipment & Spray, which designs, builds and sells pest control equipment.  Follow Greess on Facebook & Twitter. For more information or to share comments, check out www.SprayEquipmentBlog.com

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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.

Pest Control Catches Deadly Snakes - Water Moccasins

Snakes are a real problem.  Most pest control companies can do nothing to prevent snakes from entering your home.  There are a few precautions a pest control company can take.  Pest Control Traps is one of those, although customers should understand that snake control and capture is not guaranteed. And remember, it is still best to call a wildlife company or rodent removal company if you have a serious snake problem.  Water Moccasins are deadly and they can be found frequently in Texas.    There are several other states that must deal with Water Moccasins and in the southern US, rattle snakes are a common concern among homeowners.

In general, stay away from snakes.  They typically only strike when they feel threatened.  If you are bitten by a poisonous snake then seek professional help immediately. Do not try to suck the poisons out. You can often make a snake bite worse by adding other germs and filth to the wound. It is also advised not to cinch the limb. This can result in the loss of a limb when not necessary. Most snake bites are treatable within the first 3 hours. However, each individual reacts differently so if signs of cardiac arrest or abnormal breathing occur then cinching or removing a limb may be the best option.

Again the first step is to call your local emergency help lines or Dial 911.

Yesterday evening I left work and drove East into the eye of the monsoon.  The gray clouds were thick and scary looking, to the west of me it was raining so hard there was no visibility.  I recently read a short article that stated that the Box Elder Beetle population is extremely bad this Arizona monsoon season.  The article was produced by a local Arizona ABC affiliate and I must say that it would be a complete waste of time if you were to read it.  Let me summarize the article for you in so many words:

Reporter: “Beware the Box Elder Beetle they are everywhere.“   Atomic Pest Control Expert: “Don’t worry…they don’t harm anything, just wait them out…and slap some silly putty on any cracks your home may have.”

I guess I may be expecting too much from an ABC affiliated story.  Here is a little background on the Box Elder Beetle and some tips on how to control them.

Quick Facts…

• Boxelder bugs are a nuisance in and around homes from fall through early spring.
• The bug overwinters as an adult in protected places such as houses or other buildings.
• Removing female boxelder trees is the most permanent solution to the problem, although this may not be practical or desirable.
• Laundry detergents offer safe, effective control when applied directly to the insects.

The boxelder bug overwinters as an adult in protected places such as houses and other buildings, in cracks or crevices in walls, doors, under windows and around foundations, particularly on south and west exposures. In the spring when tree buds open, females lay small, red eggs on leaves and stones and in cracks and crevices in the bark of female boxelder trees. The eggs later hatch into young nymphs that are wingless and bright red with some black markings. These young bugs usually are found on low vegetation near boxelder trees until seeds are formed on the tree, on which they start to feed.

Boxelder bugs are primarily a nuisance pest, annoying residents by crawling on exteriors and inside dwellings on warm fall and winter days. They also may stain draperies and other light-colored surfaces and produce an unpleasant odor when crushed, but these are not major problems. They do not reproduce during this period. They may attempt to feed on house plants but do not cause any damage. On rare occasions, they have been reported to bite humans.

The most permanent solution to the boxelder bug problem is the removal of female boxelder trees from a neighborhood, although this may not be practical or desirable. Because boxelder bugs usually overwinter near the trees that they feed on, the removal of one or two problem trees may help. Screening or sealing cracks or other entrances into the dwelling is important. Once boxelder bugs have entered the home, control becomes more difficult.

When the bugs begin to congregate on building exteriors, these areas (including all resting and hiding places) may be sprayed with residual insecticides. However, most insecticides registered for treatment of building exteriors are not that effective against boxelder bugs. Laundry detergent and water mixes are cheap, safe and effective when applied directly to boxelder bugs. Drawbacks of detergent sprays are that they will kill only if they contact the insect directly, and they may damage vegetation.

Use a vacuum cleaner to control bugs that have entered the house. Household insecticidal aerosols and many household spray cleaners also are effective when applied directly to individual Insects. These measures provide temporary relief only. Bugs may continue to enter the home as they move about on warmer days throughout the fall, winter and early spring. Nuisance infestations should be finished by late May, as the boxelder bugs have either died or moved back to the host trees.

Source:F.B. Peairs, Colorado State University Extension entomologist and professor, bioagricultural sciences and pest management.

For those working in the industry there could not exist a more important equation dealing with safety.
Risk = Toxicity x Exposure

Understanding this is imperative. The goal is always to minimize risk or ultimately eliminate risk if possible. As a service manager I would always try to hammer this into our technician’s mindset. Worrying about our customer’s and technician’s safety is cardinal when it comes to effective pest control maintenance. I would always advise our technicians to especially be cautious when handling pesticides. The reason is “Exposure.” Technicians are consistently exposed to pesticides if they are not wearing proper PPE. Although the chemical may be of low toxicity, because there is a high risk of exposure while applying pesticides; Risk increases:

(Low Toxicity) * (Daily Exposure) = High Risk

Always read the label, and apply pesticides with the recommended Personal Protective Equipment.

KT

Bulwark Exterminating