Pulling into the brick driveway so beautifully outlined with mature green hedges and flowers at their feet it’s hard to imagine that just seconds ago I was on one of the busiest streets in Baltimore. I’m sure the builder didn’t envision this stately structure would have much more traffic than the occasional chauffeur driven Rolls Royce or even a fine horse drawn carriage but fast forward 60 or more years and the passing roar of cars and trucks was now all day and night. While many cities and towns have defined lines where neighborhoods change and homes take on the look of their surroundings, this street was caught in the middle of what use to be and what couldn’t be stopped from coming. These homes are still so beautiful with old growth trees, grand architecture and hidden gardens tucked away on their 1/2 acre plots while just a mere 2 blocks away is a all night ‘cash and dash’ and one of the busiest places of the city.
Such was one street on my first route and I serviced several of these old glorious homes and always came away with a sense of sadness each time they came up for service. The people were for the most part the original families and no doubt helplessly watched as their beautiful homes were swallowed up in progress. This is the story of one of those customers who lived on this street and although somewhat unique, it was much the same for all of my clients who lived on this once elegant and prestigious thoroughfare. With only memories of days gone bye when they were once the envy of the surrounding world- they quietly watched the busy world swallow them up from the lonely but beautiful windows in their hollow mansions on 39th.
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Another installment of the Pest Detective; See if you can crack the case and 
The 
A favorite show of mine is Law and Order. I’m amazed how they figure stuff out and are pit-bulls for the truth as the drama builds. The cops aren’t fooled by lying witnesses and the attorneys almost always get them to crack even though they try so hard to wriggle out of their cross examination. A golden rule I’ve noticed the lawyers use is one any pest pro should know and one I wish I would’ve used early in my career. Never make a statement or ask a question that you don’t already know the answer to and can back up. I learned this lesson years ago on a call to a lawyers house who had termites but all I saw- was a sale.
