In One Ear And Out The Other Part Too

Posted on July 29, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

Part of the pest control business is dealing with complaints. You can be the best tech in the world, have a golden tongue and still you are going to have bellyaching on the route. Bar none. So like any good tech I’ve learned to deal with such grumblings. One reliable technique is to not get caught up in all the menushia, pick out the key points your customer is conveying and just solve the problem. You could call it in one ear and out the other– But just like every good tech out there- there are some calls you just DREAD to get and selective hearing just won’t help. .
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Hobo Spiders

Posted on July 25, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

The hobo house spider is actually a funnel web spider. This is because it builds webs that take on the appearance or shape of a funnel. It is thought to have been first introduced sometime before 1930 to North America via agriculture shipments to Seattle. Since then, the spider has thrived in American urban cities and is now spread over much of the Pacific Northwest including parts of Canada.

This spider is somewhat large and their bite is very painful. Much like the brown recluse, their venom causes lesions and for this reason bites are often misdiagnosed. The hobo spider was most notably called “the aggressive house spider” due probably to its bite and speed. This title was later dropped after much study proved this was not a suitable moniker to describe this arachnid. That said, the hobo spider is the leading cause of serious spider bites in the Northwest.
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The Dance Of Death & Fire Ants

Posted on July 22, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

The majority of fire ants found in the southwestern and southern U.S. are actually invaders, a non-native species that are the red imported fire ant (RIFA). They have several names that include the ginger ant or tropical fire ants and the fire ant belongs to a variety of stinging ants with over 280 species worldwide.

Unlike other ants, which bite and spray acid into the wound, fire ants will bite only to get a grip and then sting with their abdomen to inject a toxic alkaloid venom called solenopsin. It can be quite a painful, burning sting to a human, hence the name “fire ant”. If you are sensitive to the fire ant sting, it can be deadly. The really neat thing about the venom is that it is both insecticidal and an antibiotic. Researchers are convinced that ant nurse workers will spray their young to protect them from microorganisms.
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Get Your Autographed Tales Of The Route Book Today

Posted on July 19, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

I’ve never been accused of being a very good salesman. In fact, its almost been 30 years since I started my career and I think I’ve only amassed 5 total sales awards. Two plaques that were an after thought, a certificate with a fancy seal and two jackets that I guess were in lieu of commission because I was never paid what I was fully owed. (embezzlement sucks) But over-all I don’t think I faired too badly and although I squeaked by for many more years than I care to remember- my pest control job has been very good to me.

So here I am 3 decades later and what I still lack in sales skills I guess I make up in dogged determination. Nothing fancy and no real secret to success except that I get up everyday and go out to either get beat up again or to have some modicum of triumph. It’s been much the same with my little blog here. For years I typed away and literally got excited when my stats showed I got 17 clicks. In one day! Woo hoo! The great thing about this site is that as people began to tag along I would get a comment here or there that someone ‘liked’ my work and that a story or tip I shared was something they could relate to and use. Believe me, those quick remarks kept me going & I Thank You. This was especially true of the stories I wrote about some of the most fantastic/horrific/unbelievable things that have happened to me in my years of route work. So, somewhere down the line….
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In One Ear & Out The Other: Part I

Posted on July 15, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

The legend of bugs (earwigs mainly) crawling in your ear and laying eggs in your brain is just that, a legend. But insects, including earwigs, finding their way into ones auditory orifice, or any opening of the body is something that does happen and can be quite traumatic.

Perhaps not as rare is when a bug man hears a traumatic story of a personal nature from a client. So & so cheating on such and such or family tales of dysfunction etc. Much like the legend of the hair dresser who gets all the gossip from the lady clients under the hair drying machines, we tend to get the nitty gritty as well. It makes sense since we are in clients homes and build relationships of trust. By the mere nature of our service it just seems we get all the family gossip. What is rare however, is when both of these scenarios happened to one client and it is the husband who has pinned the ‘bugman’ as the culprit for each. That bugman was me.
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10 Ideas to Consider Before Leaving Your Cage Trap

Posted on July 7, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

The following article is presented by Mr.Stephen M. Vantassel an expert in wildlife control, consulting and training. He’s also an excellent writer which you can see for yourself in his blog and in his many books he has written. I am pleased to have an example of his work in this guest post and I think you will be too. Please feel free to comment below should you have any questions for Stephen or better yet, visit his website and see the massive amount of information he has available. Enjoy:
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Pest Control Distributors- Shine Or The Shining?

Posted on July 4, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

A day late and a dollar short once again as I write this article on the heels of a major publications. This article of mine has been half written for a few months now and I wanted to see if there were other small companies who have had or are having similar experiences like mine. Oh well, as the old sales axiom goes-’If you can’t be first, be different.’ Actually it’s a good thing because I had no way in researching the fine details that the latest PCT Special Report- A Constant Partner by Kristen Hampshire so completely supplied.

Kristen’s article is very good and complete with PCO testimonials of what a great Distributor brings to the table. Friendly service, quick and accurate answers to questions and just an overall ‘silent partner’ and a great resource whose value is very important.

Also in her article was the take from the perspective of the distributor themselves. It is their contention that they “hear us” and have made great strides to become that ‘most trusted partner.’ New innovations on the web and in customer service are a top priority as they vie for the coveted title of “My Primary Distribution Partner.” But I wonder, is this true across the board as the article seems to suggest?
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Pest Techs Afflicted With Mild Cognitive Impairment – Unite!

Posted on July 1, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

A 50th anything doesn’t come around very often so it’s not a surprise when your your closest friends and relatives gather to help you celebrate the achievement. This year was my half century mark and to celebrate we all sat around a huge table in a Japanese steak house. The cook had flames shooting up from the grill top while he twirled his knives, flipped eggs into the air and juggled the vegetables. It was a lot of fun but the roar of the restaurant crowd and the constant sizzle of the grill made conversation a challenge. To get anyones attention you had to practically yell out there names and so all night heads turned back and forth straining to hear.

For me, that night, there was no sign of my affliction, no straining to concentrate or fumbling with age old techniques I’ve learned that help hide my impairment. That is, until she walked up. With helium balloons tied to my chair and torn wrapping paper all about I felt two hands on my shoulder and a kind voice saying “Happy Birthday Bug Doctor.” As I whirled about I saw a familiar smiling face that I recognized and that I was genuinely glad to see. It was a customer whom I’ve served for many years. But that gladness disappeared almost as instantly as it came when my long time ailment reared its ugly head & I realized I couldn’t conceal its detrimental effects.

I am a pest control technician, and I have mild cognitive impairment.
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The Show Must Go On

Posted on June 25, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

For some reason early on in my career I was tagged as the guy new technicians rode with for training. For better or for worse I’ve had a hand in seeing 100’s of techs through their first few hours, days or weeks of hands on service. (it always depended on the companies I worked for & their requirements-or lack there of) Now certain things like how to dust, when to fog and all the insect biology I can squeeze into their brain in our short time together is always a top priority but one thing reigns supreme.

What is this enlightenment I speak of? It’s very simply…
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Great But Darn Near Useless Tools Of Pest Control

Posted on June 21, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

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 pretty clear- you be the judge.

So along those lines here are a few more “tools” that every distributor will tout the virtue of and the magazines and gurus all say we need. Now for clarification, “tools”, for the purpose of this article is a little more than a mechanical thing. I also include the actual product but as I hope to make clear, it’s not the product, (ingredients) idea or chemical that is the problem, just the way in which we have to use it, store it, carry it or the set backs that come along in almost every case that make the entire “tool” darn near useless.
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Posted in In my opinion, Tools of the trade | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

How To Get Rid Of A Hornets Nest

Posted on June 17, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

At the end of every summer & begining of fall, pest control firms across North America get the frantic call of giant hornets nests that seem to have appeared out of nowhere. The lucky homeowners, spot the nest as perhaps leaves begin to fall and foliage starts to thin. Others stumble upon this football shaped behemoth while trimming and have a painful reminder forever etched in their minds as to how aggresive and powerful this stinging pest can be. It’s always amazing how for months we walked right by this growing menace never knowing the danger that lurked.
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Posted in Bees and wasps | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Homemade Carpenter Bee Traps

Posted on June 15, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

If there’s one thing about carpenter bees that doesn’t seem like it’ll change anytime soon, it’s that it is nearly impossible to preventably treat your home to keep them away.
Unless your siding is bare wood, there is very little that will stick or penetrate and even if it did, it doesn’t seem to bother these beasts as they just drill right through your thin barrier. Too many times this leaves the homeowner with very few options; call in an exterminator who can only kill the existing wood bees or, take aim on their own with a shot of wasp freeze and a tennis racket, not a good option.
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5 Universal Truths About Your Pest Control Route

Posted on June 12, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

Do you use less equipment now then you did when you started? After all a dead bug is still a dead bug regardless if you killed it with a $1000 dollar actisol machine or with a 40 cent shot of HPX.

Although your equipment is important, a successful route is built on more than just tools. I’ve seen companies with fantastic equipment fail and others who simply use a B&G flourish. So while your implements are valuable and have their place, what is it exactly that makes for a successful route? A steady business?

Over time I have learned a few truths about my service that have stood the test of time and helped me weather many a storm. I have written on these truths before & I invite you to follow the blue links for further explanation. For me, learning these lessons came the hard way but I’ve seen them come to pass so many times that they now guide most of what I do. I hope they will be an asset to you as well.
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How To Know If You’re A Pest Control Redneck

Posted on June 6, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

Jeff Foxworthy is a true example of the greatness of America. Although he did not complete his college education, Foxworthy has become an huge success and a household name. He started his working life at IBM but at the urging of friends entered and won a laugh off contest and the rest is as they say, history. His wit and comedic style resinated with the everyday folk and it’s been upward ever since. His antics have also helped launch the careers of Larry The Cable Guy, Ron White and Bill Engvall. Truly an inspiration for anyone who has a desire and is willing to work hard to achieve their goals. After 30 years in comedy he is still going strong. Radio, books, comedy tours and since 2007 he’s been the star of the hit show “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader.” His business savvy is also on display on the TV show “Shark Tank.”

Most notable of his routines were his “You might be a redneck” one liners. At one time it seemed the the whole country was reciting these quips and proudly declaring themselves, full blooded rednecks.

So I figure if he set the bar so high and since he helped blaze the trail for others, then why not me? So without further ado, here is my attempt to launch my comedic career.
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Pest Control Not Found In Any Manual

Posted on June 4, 2012 by The Bug Doctor

To get a professional pest control applicators license you’ve got to go through quite a bit of training. Books books and more books, on the job training, ride alongs, training classes, videos, in house testing and more. All of this and all it gets you is the chance to take a whopper of a test, which if you pass, you finally receive certification and can legally apply pesticides on your own. This cert however comes with restrictions and penalties if you don’t live up to its standards. Your certification is usually not recognized in other states,(some are reciprocal) if you don’t attend continuing education you won’t be able to renew it, if you break the rules or laws that go along with the license you may be fined, in order to perform pest control using your certification you must carry insurance, if you mis-apply a product or do other certain egregious things- it could be revoked completely.
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Posted in In my opinion | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments