Tools of the trade

The Dusting Cap Dilemma In Pest Control

I love it when I see pest techs dusting for pest control. I love it even more when I see a professional tech who’s doing the dusting. Dusting has so many positive aspects; Long term residuals, huge voids can be covered with a light puff, homeowners and non target beings are in no danger of [...]

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Great But Darn Near Useless Tools Of Pest Control

A while back I wrote a series of articles with videos about “High Priced & Useless Tools.” In retrospect, I’d change the title to the one I’m using for this article because the tools mentioned aren’t completely useless as it (the title) suggests. But, if you read those articles I think I make that point [...]

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High Priced & Useless Termite Tools- Listening & Sniffing Device

Continuing with our series on expensive termite tools that may not be worth all what you pay for, I want to share with you two more. As with the others in my tool box I don’t completely discount these nor am I trying to dissuade you from having them. It’s just an honest look at [...]

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Thumbnail image for High Priced Useless Termite Detection Tools-Moisture Meter

High Priced Useless Termite Detection Tools-Moisture Meter

In my little sleepy town there is a myth that is being perpetuated just about everyday. Now thankfully it isn’t catching on like wild fire and it seems to only have one source but it has been the reason for many needless termite jobs and worried nights for home owners. The way this tool is [...]

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High Priced Useless Termite Tools?

What would you say would be the perfect termite inspection tool? Of course it would have to be 100% right? No false positives, never a possibility of something else that triggered it- inexpensive is a given and it would have to be durable. Well that’s a pretty good start but I ask you. Is there [...]

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Pest Control Terminology

I think every industry has its own little subset of language and pest control is no different. Nurses say ‘Q’ to substitute the word ‘every’, salesman give ‘pitches’ and truckers are ‘dead heading’ when they don’t have a load but are still on the move. It’s usually not real difficult to figure out what people [...]

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Dealing With Tubes In The Wall ‘Blow Back’

A common problem in servicing pest tubes systems is blow back. Air and pressurized liquids are shot from specialty machines into the system and suppose to come out tiny little laser slits in the target area as a fine mist. Unfortunately this does not always happen and the liquid, still under pressure comes spewing back [...]

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What ever happened to insecticidal crayons?

It was just a few years ago I remember a new pest control invention coming across the TV with a ‘Ronco’ buy it NOW style ad. Much like the sonic pest chasing devices it claimed to work on all sorts of creatures. The ad claimed that it was a safe and effective way to put [...]

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Thumbnail image for The do’s and don’t of door knocking for pest control sales

The do’s and don’t of door knocking for pest control sales

My first experience with selling door to door was in Spokane Washington and I was a window washer at the time. I had my bucket, squeegee and bottle of ammonia and I was going to tackle the world. After a whole morning of resounding no’s and doors shut in my face I did manage to [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Miracle Of DE aka Diatomaceous Earth And Its One Giant Flaw

The Miracle Of DE aka Diatomaceous Earth And Its One Giant Flaw

What would you say if there was a pest control product that not only killed your pests efficiently but could also be applied directly to your dog or cat for fleas, given to them orally for parasitic worms, sprinkled on surfaces you will come in contact with and eat, could be handled with your bare [...]

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Tip and spill pesticides

For such a precision tool oriented industry I’m surprised that we have such sloppy dispensers and application equipment. Not all of it mind you but there are a few things that simply drive me nuts. I tend to be bit on the ‘clean freak’ side of service and besides things like a rodent station or [...]

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Thumbnail image for A Smart & FREE Termite Tool

A Smart & FREE Termite Tool

We’ve all gone out to jobs that just make us scratch our heads. We think it’s an enclosed carport or that room looks like an add on but who can tell? Sometimes even the owner is a little fuzzy on the history of the home or maybe it was done on the sly so they [...]

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Pest tubes service caught on tape

The ‘tubes in the wall’ pest service is still one of the most asked about topics on Ask The Bug Doctor so I thought I’d take a moment today and record just how it’s done. We treated about 15 homes this way today and most customers really don’t understand much about it. It’s just something [...]

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Thumbnail image for 5 must have pest control tools for under $6.00

5 must have pest control tools for under $6.00

Doing professional pest control can be very expensive. You might think that all you need is a hand held sprayer and a truck but there is so much more. Dusting equipment, baits guns, foggers and spray rigs are only a partial list of basic tools which can run into the thousands already. Now that you [...]

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Thumbnail image for If I were CEO of B&G Equipment for a day

If I were CEO of B&G Equipment for a day

I can see it now, little oh me pulling into the parking lot of the state of the art facility and instead of following the “deliveries around back” sign my spot would be right up front and maybe even have an awning. I would walk through the front door and immediately be greeted by Sally [...]

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