By: Ted Thorp Controlling scorpions can be a frustrating task, particularly if you rely on conventional liquid applications alone. I have had customers over the years tell me that other pest control providers guarantee elimination while only applying chemical controls. Their solution to additional sightings or customer complaints was to apply more of the same [...]
By: Andrew Taylor Small flies that can inhabit the underside of concrete slabs, such as phorid flies, moth flies and small dung flies, can be difficult pests to control. Such pests are often the result of a broken sewage pipe or cracks in the concrete slab, which allows organic materials to accumulate underneath. This past [...]
By: Cory Goeltzenleuchter Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is not a new topic for pest control operators. We have been stocking service vehicles with gloves, respirators, hard hats, etc., for decades. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that employers must perform a job-specific task hazard analysis. We are held accountable to not only [...]
By: David Moore The phrases and words you use when you speak to your client about their pest management program has large bearing on what they understand. Using proper terminology when explaining pest management methods and tools to your clients allows you to educate them in a more accurate, yet precise manner. Let’s review a [...]
By: Shane McCoy A discerning eye for signs of something out of place. The instincts to anticipate where a problem is likely to take place and when. The expertise to solve the problem and prevent it from happening again. What sounds like the description for a character in a spy thriller is actually a list [...]
By: Jay Everitt, A.C.E. There are few pests we deal with that are as annoying for our customers as spring pests. Two of the most common are ants and mosquitoes. While these problems do make the phones ring, we have to respond in a way that builds trust with our customers, or we risk losing [...]
By: Caroline Kirby Preparing a training program can be daunting. Luckily, there are countless resources out there to help you organize your thoughts. On my first day as training coordinator, I was handed two books to read and study. These books were “Telling Ain’t Training” by Harold D. Stolovitch and Erica J. Keeps, and “Preparing [...]
By: Mark VanderWerp, B.C.E. I recently put together a presentation about spiders for a training conference. Not being an arachnologist, I did a fair amount of research for this and realized I had a number of beliefs that weren’t quite accurate about spiders! Guess what? I know I’m not the only one! Spiders are a [...]
By: David Moore, B.C.E. Monitors can be an invaluable tool whether you are battling a current issue or proactively watching a location. These devices work 24/7 and will be your eyes when you are not present in your account. You can use insect monitors for multiple purposes. First, if they are installed properly, you can [...]
By: Jay Bruesch, B.C.E. After 50 years in the workforce and 37 years as a pest management professional, I retired in December. As such, there are a few things I’d like to share with you that I’ve learned during those many years. I’m tempted to reminisce about the good old days of stinky emulsifiable concentrates [...]
