Every squirrel infestation is annoying, but one that went on for three-and-a-half decades was particularly unpleasant. In 2004, I encountered the ultimate squirrel nightmare. It seemed like something straight from the old TV series “The Twilight Zone.” Imagine the plotline pitch: “First off, let’s pick a spot and build a house in the woods where […]
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How to recruit employees in a connected world
Authors’ Note: The world of recruiting employees continues to drastically change and evolve. It used to be that you just...
How to sweep away cellar spiders for good
Cellar spiders (family Pholcidae) are common pests in basements and crawlspaces. They build abundant cobwebs and are often found hanging...
2016 NPMA Academy wrap up
Still focusing on motivation, collaboration and innovation, this year’s National Pest Management Association (NPMA) Academy took place July 20-22 in...
Stinging insects: A bee, or not a bee?
My fear of stinging insects is fed by a few things. Chief among them are my sister’s allergies, which require...
Wildlife management merits a closer look
Wildlife management is a “one to watch” pest segment, we proclaimed in our 2016 State of the Industry report. Nearly...
Top 10 nuisance wildlife for Critter Control franchise
Climate and location can determine which wildlife is the biggest nuisance for Critter Control throughout the year. The following list...
Quick updates on fireflies, mice and mosquitoes
Did you know? Fireflies (lampyridae) are on the decline, magnets make mice happy and a new lotion that smells good...
Stinging insects: Summer’s top Instagram photos
Mosquitoes and bed bugs may dominate the public’s pest discussions, but at this time of year, stinging insects like bees,...
Top 4 cockroach management strategies
An effective cockroach management strategy requires more than one approach. I have three favorite cockroach-related expressions: 1. Cockroaches come from...
Q&A: Pest Management Inc.’s environmental disinfection certification
This month, we feature a question-and-answer session with Sarah McElwee, director of business development for Pest Management Inc. in Austin,...
Lack of insect photos on websites appeals to customers
As a pest management professional, you know people don’t want to see pests in their homes or businesses. If they...
Environmental firm’s president takes up greenhouse hobby
A few years before Hurricane Katrina forever changed the lives of Louisiana residents, Bob Kunst, president of Fischer Environmental Services...
Carpenter bees: A game of hide-and-seek
Carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) can nest where you least expect it. To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled to be going...
Q&A: E-newsletter, outdoor and Facebook advertising
Q: Is an e-newsletter important to my online marketing strategy? A: Yes. Using this medium is both cost-effective and profitable, growing...
The evolution of German cockroach treatments
German cockroach control used to mean cleanouts, follow-up treatments and regular preventive services. The old techniques are still necessary to...