Monthly Archives

March 2020

Mar 20
0

Top Target Markets for Your Mosquito Service

By | Mosquitoes, Pest Business, Tips & Inspirations | No Comments

If you are a pest control organization that would like to get in the game of mosquito management it can be tough to know where to start – that is why we compiled this list of top target markets for your mosquito service.  The key is to remember look beyond your usual current customer base.  There are some unique niches that are in need of mosquito control. Consider the following targets:

7 Top Target Markets for Your Mosquito Service

Residential Targets

  1. Residential, single family homes – upsell mosquito control to your current pest management contracts. A good target is a single-family home, with higher income and those with children or pets. Homes with a water feature like a small pond or lake nearby, pool or a hot tub. Be sure to also target those who use their outdoor spaces often.  In addition, consider customers that have a deck or patio.  They will be particularly vulnerable to mosquitoes.
  2. Communities with retention basins and ponds – apartment complexes, condo associations and homeowner associations often times have shared ponds or retention basins.  Communities with these features need mosquito control services. Contact the property manager or homeowner association to be considered for a proposal.
  3. Landscapers, pool companies and other outdoor service companies – consider targeting other service companies who do work on lawns and landscapes. Oftentimes they are asked to do mosquito work but will look to sub work out or recommend another local mosquito company. Consider targeting those types of companies and build a partnership.

Business Targets

  1. Businesses who offer outdoor venues – any business with an outdoor space for their clients to enjoy is in need of mosquito protection. Some businesses like local event halls and restaurants may want to protect their clients from the annoyance of mosquitoes.  In addition, schools, daycares, nursing homes and health-care facilities have medical reasons to protect their clients.
  2. Wedding and event planners – consider forming relationships with event planners. Attending wedding shows and networking with planners will help to keep your service top of mind when clients are considering mosquito control for their events.
  3. Municipal mosquito control – while mosquito control districts often do mosquito control work using licensed employees there may be times they will not be able to keep up with the need for treatment and may need support. Consider forming a relationship with the decision maker within the municipalities to be on-call for overflow work as needed.
  4. Tire retailers and auto shop – tires make for a perfect breeding spot for mosquitoes as they capture and hold rain and other water. These businesses are in need of your service.  In fact, they may even be mandated by law to control mosquitoes if nearby homes or businesses are experiencing a mosquito problem.

Top Target Markets for Your Mosquito Service - Fun Facts

As you can see the top target markets for your mosquito service can vary from your usual targets.  Remember to adapt your pitch to each market to make your offerings more personable and better address the needs of each target.

Bobby Kossowicz is a content creator for the Catchmaster® brand, learn more here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/bobby-kossowicz/

Additional Resources

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Learn more about mosquitoes from the National Pest Management Association here: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/mosquitoes/

Finally, discover more about the Catchmaster® brand’s mosquito management tools here: https://catchmasterpro.com/collection/mosquito-management-tools/

Mar 17
0

Get in the Game of Mosquito Control with a Dynamic Mosquito Reduction Program

By | Insects, Mosquitoes, Pest Business, Tips & Inspirations | No Comments

Mosquito Reduction Program - Mosquito

Mosquito Reduction Program – Get in the game of mosquito control

A mosquito reduction program can be a key service for your pest control business.  Driven in part by fears over Zika, West Nile and other vector-borne diseases, mosquito control services are in increasingly high demand.  In fact, the rise in demand has corresponded with an increased presence from pest control organizations focused solely on mosquito control.  Yet, despite the opportunity, mosquito control is one of the most under-utilized revenue streams for established pest management companies.

Why is that?

There are several possible reasons for the hesitancy to add mosquito services:

  • Inability to fully eliminate mosquitoes on a property
  • Difficulty managing customer expectations
  • Available products on the market are limited
  • Products on the market may produce unpredictable results
  • Frustration with previous mosquito service protocols

Whatever the reason for staying on the mosquito control sideline, now is the time to get in the game!  For example, in the latest year available, PCT Magazine reported 78% of PMPs expected their mosquito revenue to grow in 2018.  PMPs can take advantage of this opportunity with an integrated mosquito management program from the Catchmaster® brand.  Our products are effective, eco-friendly and safe to use around people, pets and animals.  Most importantly, our products are backed by peer-reviewed, published science.

Mosquito Reduction Program – What products can help?

The Catchmaster® brand’s new mosquito bait, Final Feed™, attracts and kills. It is the first mosquito bait on the market and is classified as a 25B exempt minimum risk pesticide by the EPA.  In fact, the dual-action formula is made up of natural sugars that attract mosquitoes to the bait.  Once ingested, the micro-encapsulated active ingredient (garlic oil, 0.4%) reduces mosquitoes’ appetite for blood and then kills them. In fact, it’s a key component in a true integrated mosquito management program.  In fact, Final Feed™ mosquito bait stops the breeding cycle and reduces mosquito populations by over 90% within 2-3 weeks.

Final Feed™ mosquito bait joins the Catchmaster® brand’s expanding mosquito line which currently includes the Ovi-Catch™ mosquito trap.  Used together, both products offer the ability to “kill & catch” on a single property in an eco-friendly manner.

About Ovi-Catch

The Ovi-Catch™ mosquito trap uses mosquitoes’ breeding habits against them.  Research has shown that some of the most invasive mosquito species seek out containers to lay their eggs.  The Catchmaster® R&D team utilized this knowledge along with technology that was developed and tested at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory in Puerto Rico, to develop an economical, environmentally-safe and effective tool that works to catch female mosquitoes during their breeding cycle.

The Catchmaster® Ovi-Catch™ uses only organic matter, a container and a glueboard to attract and capture mosquitoes. The tool uses no pesticides, making it safe for use in everyday environments.  This includes areas like backyards and businesses where children and pets may be present.  For each female mosquito caught, up to 1,000 future mosquitoes may be prevented.

Bobby Kossowicz is a content creator for the Catchmaster® brand, learn more here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/bobby-kossowicz/

Mosquito Reduction Program – Additional Resources

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Learn more about mosquitoes from the National Pest Management Association here: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/mosquitoes/

Finally, discover more about the Catchmaster® brand’s mosquito management tools here: https://catchmasterpro.com/collection/mosquito-management-tools/

Mar 17
0

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly

By | spotted lanternfly, Tips & Inspirations | No Comments

The Spotted Lanternfly

The spotted lanterfly (SLF) is an invasive pest and a threat to crops and trees and inspecting a vehicle for the pest is an important management technique.  Currently, the pest is infesting areas in the Northeastern United States.  However, it is a threat to spread to other areas.  Despite the name, the spotted lanternfly is not a strong flyer.   It most often hitchhikes to new areas. Therefore, when visiting an area infested with the spotted lanternfly, it is important to inspect your vehicle and stop the spread.  The following information will help to conduct a thorough inspection.

Life Cycle

Before leaving an SLF-infected area thoroughly inspect the vehicle and its contents for SLF.  It is important to become familiar with identifying the spotted lanternfly at the different stages of its life cycle. Depending upon the time of the year, look for SLF in egg masses, nymphs and adults.

  • Spring and Summer: nymphs and adult SLF
  • Fall: Adult SLF
  • Fall, Winter and Spring: Adult SLF and egg masses

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly - Life Cycle

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly – 5 tips for vehicle inspections

  1. Inspect the interior of the vehicle – thoroughly inspect the vehicle’s interior including any contents from the infested area.  In addition, look on the vehicle floor, seats and areas near doors and windows.
  2. Inspect the exterior of the vehicle – truck beds/caps – walk around the vehicle thoroughly checking hiding places along the vehicle.  Focus on truck beds/caps where SLF are prone to land.
  3. Check exterior hiding places – wheels wells & more – use a flashlight to check inside of the wheel wells, as this is a common hiding spot. If possible, consider looking on top of the vehicle for SLF that may have landed on the vehicle roof.
  4. Investigate dollies – don’t overlook equipment that may have been used to move pallets or other items. Inspect all sides of dollies or other moving equipment.
  5. Inspect pallets – pallets are particularly susceptible for infestation, use a flashlight and inspect all sides for SLF.

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly - How to Spot

If the spotted lanternfly is found at any point in the life cycle, it is critical to kill live insects.  In short, if you see it, squash it.  In addition, it is recommended SLF egg masses are thoroughly smashed and scraped into a plastic bag.  Finally, the bag is sealed tight and disposed.

Bobby Kossowicz is a content creator for the Catchmaster® brand, learn more here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/bobby-kossowicz/

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly – Additional Resources

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Looking for help with the spotted lanternfly?  Consider tree-banding with our TB series glue: https://catchmasterpro.com/product/tree-banding-glue/

Are you a PMP looking to get into the spotted lanternfly business?  Here are some helpful hints on getting started: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/spotted-lanternfly-control-services-101/

Finally, learn more from Penn State University here: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-homeowners

Mar 10
0

Catchmaster Pestimonial – Sentry Pest Solutions

By | Mosquitoes, Pestimonials | No Comments

Catchmaster Pestimonial – Sentry Pest Solutions

In this edition of our Catchmaster Pestimonial series, an Illinois PMP provides environmentally sensitive mosquito control service to a   client base devoted to “green” principles.

A More Natural Approach to Pest Control

Daniel Genty, owner of Sentry Pest Solutions, a one-man pest control operation serving the upscale communities of Homer Glen and New Lenox, Ill., a pastoral region 40 miles west of Chicago, had a specific vision for his business when he opened the doors in 2019.

“I wanted to bring a safer, more natural approach to pest control,” he said. “A lot of customers out here are affluent and they’re concerned about the environment. They don’t mind spending a few extra dollars for an IPM program or all-natural products that will protect the environment.”

The Village of Homer Glen is so committed to preserving its unique rural character and pursuing a “green vision” that its official website features the tagline, “Community and Nature … in Harmony.” The 23-square-mile village, which 25,000 people proudly call home, features ample green space, along with numerous wetlands and floodplains, attractive habitats for mosquito breeding, which can be a major problem for residents throughout the spring and summer.

Solutions for Accounts that Require Special Attention

Catchmaster Pestimonial - Dan Genty

“Last year I had a number of problem properties requiring special attention since they backed up to wetlands or forested areas with heavy mosquito pressure,” Genty observed. “These were absolute nightmare jobs,” he added, with residents and pets being eaten alive by mosquitoes when they ventured outside in the early evening.

Despite the detrimental impact on the quality of life of community members, residents still demanded an environmentally sensitive approach to their mosquito problems. “These were dream customers you don’t want to lose, so I was honest with them,” Genty said. “I told them I have this new product (Final FeedTM from Catchmaster®) and I don’t know how well it will work, but if you’re willing to give it a try I’ll do the best I can to solve your problem.”

Genty, 39, learned about Final Feed Mosquito Bait from his Catchmaster sales representative, but he had never tried the product until last summer. Final Feed features a proprietary, dual-action formula that includes natural fruit juices that attract hungry mosquitoes, combined with a lethal dose of microencapsulated garlic (0.4%).

Genty was intrigued by the product because it is classified as a 25b minimum-risk pesticide by the EPA, an important attribute for his environmentally conscious customer base. Backed by peer-reviewed published science, Final Feed is applied to non-flowering plants and mosquito resting sites as a residual spray, using their feeding behavior against them.

Captain Stan (aka the Mosquito Man) & Final Feed

“Both male and female mosquitoes require multiple sugar meals each day for energy and survival,” observes Dr. Stan Cope, vice president of technical products and services for AP&G, manufacturer of the Catchmaster line of products. “They acquire these sugar meals from plants.”

The unique, non-toxic formulation suppresses blood feeding and collapses mosquito populations by more than 90% in two to three weeks. “The exact mode of action is unknown, but after ingestion, the majority of the mosquitoes die within one or two days,” Cope said. “Further, after ingesting the garlic, female mosquitoes lose their appetite for blood,” resulting in a dramatic decline in biting activity, critical to the success of any mosquito management program.

Catchmaster Pestimonial - Final Feed

Mosquito Problems

In Genty’s first “problem account,” a single-family home in close proximity to a landscape business with two large ponds, mosquito pressure was high, making it difficult for the homeowners to venture outside after dusk. Genty treated the property with Final Feed, spraying non-flowering plants with the bait. Upon calling the homeowner three days later, “She said her family was in the backyard the day after the treatment and they didn’t get bitten once,” according to Genty, and the treatment lasted 60 days.

A second property, which bordered a nearby tree line, proved equally as problematic. “There were some woods and a pretty decent-sized creek that went through the property,” Genty recalls, “but Final Feed performed the same. The customer was thrilled with the results.”

Genty acknowledges the product has a slight garlic odor, “but it’s not a bad smell and I haven’t received any complaints from customers.” It comes packaged in four pouches per case and has a shelf life of two years. No special storage requirements are necessary.

“I’ve been very pleased with the product and am looking forward to using it again this coming mosquito season,” Genty said.

Captain Stan Cope (aka the Mosquito Man) is our Vice President of Technical Services.  He is proud to be a part of this Catchmaster Pestimonial.  Learn more about him here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/stan-cope-phd/

From Technician to Owner

Daniel Genty, owner of Sentry Pest Solutions, didn’t intend to pursue a career in the pest control industry. He started working in the industrial engineering field, before an unexpected layoff prompted him to consider other career options.

“A gentleman who provided pest control services to my mom’s work said his company was hiring technicians,” Genty recalls. “I applied for a job, was hired, and absolutely fell in love with the industry. What I liked about the industry is my customers were happy to see the bug guy because I was actually solving peoples’ problems.”

After being called back to his engineering job, Genty began to miss his daily interactions with customers in the field, finding himself increasingly bored sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day. “I realized I missed it,” he said, so Genty did the necessary research and secured the required certifications to launch Sentry Pest Solutions in 2019.

“I’ve been working on my own a year now and absolutely love it!”

Catchmaster Pestimonial – Additional Resources

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

For help with mosquito season 2020 & beyond, discover Catchmaster® mosquito management tools:  https://catchmasterpro.com/collection/mosquito-management-tools/

Check out additional Catchmaster Pestimonials here: https://catchmasterpro.com/?s=pestimonial

Finally, learn more about mosquitoes from the NPMA here: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/mosquitoes/