Fired By An Absent Mad Man

Posted on August 6, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

I left Baltimore and the drama of the big corporate world behind for grande promises and a tropical paradise. When that went to hell in less than a year I needed to move on. I did about 2 years as a Branch Mgr./franchisee/District Director/ Any Title I Wanted That Made Me Feel Good but forget about the low pay. Again, pure Hades. Then in 1993 I launched my company and although it’s been a very long road, I am blessed to be where I am. Still, tucked neatly away in all this history is a 3 month period of time that I wish could forget and I wish never happened. 3 of the oddest months of my career in which I truly felt that I was dealing with a mad man.
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Pest Pop Quiz

Posted on August 3, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

I know I know- Nobody likes a pop quiz. But as any pest control professional will tell you-to be great in this job, you’ve got to be ready for anything. So no excuses and don’t click away to go study. Just give it your best shot and let us know how well, or uh– how ya did! (hint you can lie or comment anonymously–we won’t know-shhhhh 😉

Now if you happen to be the smart guy or gal who gets all 15 of these questions right the first time. YOU ARE PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM MY SITE! I’m suppose to be the only smart one around here.

Oh and for those who get done quickly, we’re having milk and cookies in the cafeteria before recess. So go ahead and click the little blue link and take the quiz!

Take The Test!

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The Reticular Activating System Guarantees Pest Control Sales

Posted on August 1, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

What would you pay for a system that automatically brought your companies name up first in the mind of a potential customer? Imagine, if every time the need arises or a chance for a referral comes about– Sha-zam- (your name here) is the first thought or words and before you know it the phone rings and you’ve got yourself a brand new customer. Wait- There’s more! What if I told you it works every time? That it can cost as little as a cup of coffee and that it only requires a small bit of maintenance to give you years and years of 100% guaranteed results? How much would you be willing to pay for this centuries old tried and true selling system?

Would you be shocked if I told you that the largest companies in the world use this system spending millions of dollars annually? Of course not and they’re constantly looking to spend even more because no other system works so well. But would you be interested to know that even the single operator and Mom & Pops can use this same exact system as the big boys for next to nothing with just as impressive results?
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Posted in In my opinion, The Business Of Pest Control | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Is Pesticidal Chalk A Good Idea?

Posted on July 27, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

I remember seeing a commercial quite some time ago about a great new product that killed bugs using crayons. Of course seeing it in action with the pretty blonde housewife smiling as she draws a protective barrier across her counter top is pretty convincing. The kids and the dog go running by and she flashes her pearly white teeth at the camera as the announcer tells you how to get TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE if you call right now. I don’t see those much anymore do you? I’m thinking they had issues.
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Hey Mega International Pest Control Company- Have You Considered Your Exit Strategy?

Posted on July 21, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

Been a long day today–let’s see, what’s in the mail? Bill, bill, ‘Get the new Mallis handbook’, bill, bill, ooh a check, that’s a switch and–what’s this? A hand written envelope from who? Hmmmm, he must know me let’s see…….ripppp. Oh man, another letter asking me to sell my business. That’s the 5th one this month! Just what’s up with these mega corp’s around the globe that are in this all insistent push to buy me out? Are they sure they have the right company? Have they seen the trucks I drive? Don’t they know I’m just a little guy?– Have you gotten any of these lately or is it just me?
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Posted in In my opinion, The Business Of Pest Control | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Ode To Termidor And Proprietary Days Gone By

Posted on July 20, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

The old codger dawns his suit, rookie in tow.
He says “we got termites under this house but-
there’s not much to know.”

Gone are the days of the hunt and the skill
Gone are the tools like the long rod and drill

Expansion joints hidden but no fears for me
A simple perimeter trench cures what I cannot see
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Bed Bug Insurance & The Law Of Attraction

Posted on July 18, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

My Dad has a saying that “Insurance is something you’re always glad you have but hope you never have the need for.” That makes a lot of sense because having the need usually means something unfortunate has taken place. It seems that this advice may have taken a new twist however when it comes to bed bugs. It seems that the worlds largest pest control company (Terminix) has partnered with a very large insurance group (Aon) and come up with a new ‘product’ that could open a Pandora’s box that the industry has avoided for years. Insuring any home or structure against bugs can be a risky deal with so many elements involved. Throw in the fact that the insect insured is bed bugs, the worlds fastest spreading, one of the most difficult to eliminate and now growing immune to some treatments and I think you might have a few losses on your hands. So I’m wondering; is this a wise and prudent move?
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Both Sides Of The Mouth Of An Eco Warrior

Posted on July 12, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

I sometimes get grief from readers for my views on organic pest control and the ‘safety’ they so loudly claim. All the while I and others like me are told that we are ruining the earth with our toxic man made liquids of death. It’s not so much the difference of opinion that most frustrates me but the lack of willingness to accept facts and have an honest debate. That’s why when I find some research, claims or information that’s at least honestly viewed and given- well then I have to share it no matter who it’s from.
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Has The Show Billy The Exterminator Been Swamped?

Posted on July 10, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

There’s been an eery quiet across the TV that hasn’t been sitting well with the die hard Billy The Exterminator fans. The show or any of its re-runs haven’t been on the air for what seems to them like an eternity and there is a nervous question being bandied about. Is Billy The Exterminator cancelled? Will we ever get to see our organic spewing, animal loving bug sprayer ever again? These are some hard questions and up till now A&E, the network who airs Billy’s and many other hit shows has been pretty tight lipped.
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Pest Control Professionals Afflicted By PPW Seek Help Behind The Wheel

Posted on July 7, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

There’s an automatic camaraderie in life that just seems to be there if for no other reason that two or more people simply do the same thing whether it is work related or some other common interest. Just seeing someone in the same uniform perhaps that you wear or using the same tools often times ‘connects’ those two people that might take much more time in any other way. It isn’t always an earned respect but people with like minds or jobs will very often readily acknowledge one another and maybe even extend a courteous hand to help or ear to hear just because of this common vocation where as for someone else they just might not. In this busy life however, the most that this type of encounter really ever triggers is a nod of the head or the wave of the hand. It is just a quick affirmation that there are others out there doing what you do and know some of the trials and tribulations you go through at your job because that guy that just passed you goes through them too – this can at times, be very reassuring.
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The Odorous House Ant

Posted on June 30, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

The Odorous House ant despite its name is most often found outside. Odorous house also known as coconut ants do however invade structures when conditions such as too much or not enough rain exists. This specie of ant is found throughout the United States but less likely in areas where heavy populations of Argentine ants exist. Its named because of the coconut smell that’s emitted when it is crushed, injured or alarmed. The colony can range from 10,000 to 100,000 individuals and has multiple queens. (up to 200) This ant can be difficult to control and is tougher than it might appear.
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Posted in Ants | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Pavement Ants

Posted on June 28, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

As the name suggests pavement ants are so called because of their tendency to construct their nest under sidewalks, driveways and patios. Also known as stadium, piss, sugar, house or picnic ants they dot our pathways and landscapes with their somewhat circular mounds and one central entry hole. These small crater like entrances are similar in appearance but smaller than those of the pyramid ant. The colony can consist of thousands of workers and contains multiple queens. This ant feeds on just about anything and is very territorial. Large scale ‘sidewalk battles’ can often be viewed as rivals try to dominate the area and drive other colonies out. While day time activity is normal, this ant is even more active at night.
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Spray Your Own Yard

Posted on June 20, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

There are a few oddities in life I don’t think I’ll ever figure out like; Just how do you get freezer burn? why isn’t there a channel #1 on your TV? and why are the chances greater that you’ll die on your way to pick up your lottery winnings than actually winning? I may never know these answers but that’s Ok, I won’t lose too much sleep pondering such insignificant things. There is one oddity however that has plagued me for over 25 years and no matter how much I’ve tried to embrace it, it gets under my skin like a rash and when ever I have to confront it, I just want to scream!
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Posted in In my opinion | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Has Climate Change Saved Us From Giant Insects?

Posted on June 18, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

Who remembers what Fred Flintstone used for a ball when he played ping pong? That’s right- a pillbug. Pillbugs are harmless little crustacean bugs whose only defense is to roll up into a ball when disturbed. Its hard shelled armor protects it from other insect predators and apparently its balled shape was good for doubling as a ping pong ball for our prehistoric friend. Most pillbugs are about the size of a pencil eraser but not so in the animated cartoon, the pillbug Fred used was much larger (the size of a ‘ping pong ball’) and although this was just a make believe cartoon it was for all intensive purposes most likely correct.

Insects from millions of years ago in the carboniferous period (long before Fred) were actually much larger than they are today. Our cute little pillbug for instance was about 5 feet long and nobody messed with him. Dragon flies were as big as birds and roaches were like small dogs. Can you imagine what life would be like today if insects were still this big? I know I’d need a bigger sprayer. Why then have insects gotten so much smaller? Was this caused by evolution, selective extinction or was it caused by man himself?
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Hoarders & Pest Control; What Can You Do?

Posted on June 16, 2011 by The Bug Doctor

There are several jobs in pest control that come extremely close to the category of impossible. Flies coming from under the slab, spring tails, paranoid clients and roach control in Chinese restaurants. (can I get an amen?) These are just a few of course and like you, I’ve done all of these successfully but I’ve had more failures than I can count. Things only start to turn my way in accounts like these when I can get some major cooperation and sometimes even a bit of luck. This is especially true of doing pest control service in a home occupied by a hoarder.

I would say of any pest tech that’s been around for a few years, they’ve had a hoarder on their route. Hoarding is such a conducive factor to so many problems and high on that list is pest infestation. On the many that I have serviced over the years it has also been common to have broken windows, ill fitting doors and any number of maintenance problems besides the clutter so pests almost always had free access. Mice, rats, roaches, fleas and even things like raccoons or opossums take advantage of the cluttered environment and protection it offers to make their homes. Food and water is generally not to far away and so with all the necessities of life, pest populations flourish.To treat a home with a hoarder as the occupant is not such an easy thing. Not only do you have the challenge of physical barriers but most hoarding people will also pose just as great a problem. Best to be prepared with a good tool box and the proper frame of mind.
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