Category

blog

Maximize Your Catch and Boost Sales This Season

By | blog, Pest Business, Rodents | No Comments

Glue boards are arguably one of the most important tools in the pest professional’s toolbox. Glue boards continue working around the clock to monitor for pests when you and your team cannot.  When properly placed, glueboards help pest professionals to uncover pest activity taking place and properly identify the pest prior to any control methods being employed. Glue boards are the key to Integrated Pest Management. Proper identification of pests allows the pest professional to use targeted treatments thereby limiting unnecessary pesticide treatments when possible.

Beyond the above mentioned benefits, glueboards give you many opportunities within your customer accounts.  Consider the following ways in which glueboards can enhance your service and uncover opportunities in your residential accounts.

  • Improve your retention rate.  If your Home Protection Plan customers are cancelling their contracts could it be because they are still seeing pests inside of their home?  Glue boards can help you understand what is happening inside of your residential accounts and provide proof of a problem so you may start the conversation with your client.
  • Increase your upsells.  Placing glueboards inside of your account gives you a reason to go inside your client’s home and inspect.  Not only will this provide you with face time with your customer but it offers plenty of opportunities to upsell your customers on your other ancillary services.  For example, while you are inside a client’s basement checking your ‘monitoring devices’ you may notice evidence of termites, camel crickets or wildlife problems.
  • Provide proof of a pest infestation.  Glue boards offer a visual to show your customers of what types of pests they may have should they cancel your service.  Uncovering a pest problem before a customer is suffering the effects of a full blown pest infestation can make a big difference.  Having proof to show your customer will help to prove your value to them.
  • Tip you off to a re-infestation.  Glue boards not only help to monitor for new infestations but help to serve as a tool that alerts you to a re-infestation.  Offer your customer peace of mind that if mice or other pests that you treated for were to return you have a system in place to monitor for it.
  • An important part of your Integrated Pest Management Approach.  Customers will love the idea that before you treat their home for any pest problem you understand and have proof of the target pest at hand.  Glue boards play an important role in residential pest management today.  Gone are the days of spraying pesticides or treating a home without first finding good cause.  Having glueboards strategically placed throughout a home allows you to identify the pest problem and use your knowledge of that pest’s habits to eliminate it from the home using a targeted treatment approach.
  • Take your marketing to the next level with private labels.  Imagine handing over to your prospect a glue board or snap trap with your company name and contact information on it. Unlike most promotional items that get tossed in the trash, the very utilitarian nature of a glue board or snap trap almost assures you that the item will be put to good use. What better scenario could you ask for than to have a prospect discover a possible mouse or pest invasion, pull out a glue board or trap to confirm their suspicions and be reminded of your company?

Whether you are currently using glueboards in your residential Home Protection Plan accounts, or plan to in the future, be sure you communicate the importance of their use to your customers.  Glue boards are a non-toxic, green approach to monitoring pest and rodent infestations in a home.  For more information on adding glueboards to your service protocols visit us online today at www.catchmasterpro.com.

Overwintering Pests: What Are They And What Can You Do About Them?

By | blog, Captain Stan | No Comments

Captain Stan The ‘Fall Invaders’ Man

VP, Technical Products and Services, AP&G (Catchmaster)

Captain (Retired), United States Navy

November 2022

Note:  With mosquito season winding down in most of the country, CAPT Stan branches out to take a look at a group of insects that can be troublesome this time of year.

A group of various insects are collectively referred to as ‘Fall Invaders’ or ‘Overwintering Pests.’  They survive cold weather by hibernating in the void spaces of structures, including customers’ homes, factories, distribution centers, etc.  They are attracted to these structures in search of an ideal warm resting site to pass the winter.  You will usually see them on the west and south walls of the buildings, which are heated by the sun.

This annoying migration is triggered primarily by shortening daylight hours and cooler temperatures.  Normally, it is only the adult stage that is found indoors.  Once inside, they slow down their metabolism, minimize other bodily functions, and hunker down to wait for the arrival of spring and warmer days.  

A few fall invaders may constitute just a nuisance but in larger numbers, they can exceed nuisance status, especially in sensitive accounts ( e.g. food production facilities, health care facilities, day care centers).  Some can stain surfaces and create odors in addition to being a contamination threat.

It may help with any customer ‘angst’ to stress that once inside the structure, fall invaders:

  • Do not breed,
  • Do not feed,
  • Do not develop further.

Four of the most common fall invaders are:

  • Box Elder Bug – likely the most common of fall invading insects, adults are about ½ inch long, mostly black in color, with red lines marking the wings and thorax (area behind the head).
  • Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) – the BMSB is one of our newer invasive pests, which has moved from its introduction point in eastern Pennsylvania to the west.  It is both an agricultural and structural pest.  BMSBs have a mottled brown color and are shield-like in shape.  They measure about 5/8 of an inch and have lighter bands or stripes on the antennae.
  • Multi-colored Asian Lady Beetle – they get their name because they come in a variety of colors and markings.  Wings can be tan to reddish orange with a varied number of black spots.  This invader is especially noticeable around and just after Halloween.
  • Cluster Fly – as the name implies, these often appear in structures in clusters.  The adult cluster fly is slightly larger than the house fly.  Wings are held overlapping each other over the abdomen.  Interestingly, the immature stages are parasitic on earthworms and cause no structural damage.  

How Do We Control Fall Invaders?

The first line of defense against fall invaders is exclusion, which is obviously best done BEFORE they enter a structure, such as in the summertime.  The primary tools are sealants, door sweeps, and screens, making sure that the latter two are in good repair.  These invaders don’t require a gaping opening to enter; the multicolored Asian lady beetle can fit through a hole 1/8 inch!  

Special attention should be given to the south and west exposures of structures, as these are the sunnier sides where fall invaders tend to congregate and attempt to enter.

Perimeter applications of insecticides can be used to supplement exclusion.  Focus on the areas where pests could enter the structure and be sure to read the label prior to any treatment.  There may be some restrictions.  Treatments done after pests have entered the structure are of minimal value.

Once insects make their way in, insect light traps can be used in open or occupied spaces of the structure/home.  Insects may be fooled into emerging from voids or other protected places if outdoor temperatures warm.  

Many times, it is easiest and most effective to simply vacuum the pests but be sure to discard the contents immediately, as some invaders can cause nasty odors!  

Captain Stan’s ‘Creature Features’ – Volume 2 – Scorpions May 2022

By | blog, Creature Feature, scorpions | No Comments

Welcome to the second edition of ‘Captain Stan’s Creature Features,’ where we are looking at some of the more interesting animals in the pest management universe.  This month, the star of the show is the scorpion, an arthropod that strikes fear into many who encounter one of them.  Some interesting facts follow:

  • Scorpions are arachnids, not insects, so they are close cousins to spiders, ticks, daddy longlegs, and others.
  • Scorpions have a very impressive method for hunting their food. They will quickly grab their potential meal with their pincers, and then whip their telson (the poisonous tip of their tale) forward, sting their prey, and well, soon begin snacking!
  • There are about 2,000 species worldwide, and they are found on six of the 7 continents.
  • Some species give birth to over 100 live offspring, which then quickly climb on mommy’s back where they hitch a ride and are fed for several weeks.
  • A scorpion’s venom takes lots of energy to produce. It is used for subduing prey, self-defense, and, in some species, mating. Even newborn scorpions have potent venom so don’t underestimate them!
  • Under a UV or ‘black light’, scorpions will noticeably glow They are active primarily at night.
  • The scorpion is one of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, appearing as Scorpio The Scorpion. Under the right conditions and time of year, the constellation is easily seen.  It is very impressive.

Do Mosquitoes See Colors and Does It Matter If They Do?

By | blog, Mosquitoes | No Comments

By: Captain Stan The Mosquito Man | May 2022

Scientists have long tried to figure out if mosquitoes actually see (and react) to colors and if so, what does it really mean?  Does it influence their behavior?  Results of many studies have been mixed.  We know that the #1 attractant to a hungry, blood-seeking female mosquito is carbon dioxide.  It is also believed that warmth and colors may be influential in host selection.

A recent study again took a look at the impact of colors.  Briefly, the behavior of three different species were studied, using a small wind tunnel, multiple cameras, and other equipment.  Two colored spots, one being a white control, were placed on the floor of the wind tunnel.  Different colors were tested.  Then, 50 mated, unfed females of each species (the species were tested separately) were released in the tunnel.  What happened?  The mosquitoes ignored the colored spots. After one hour, however, carbon dioxide was introduced into the tunnel and the mosquitoes then started exploring the spots!  The colors found to be most attractive were red and black; those least attractive were blue, green. and violet.

A second set of experiments, similar to the first were then done.  This time, instead of colored spots, spots of different human skin tones were used.  Results showed that mosquitoes were somewhat attracted to the different skin tones but showed no preference.  The authors concluded, among other things, that contrast (light vs. dark) was more important for mosquito attraction than actual colors.  Interpretation of results such as these, acquired in a laboratory setting with controlled conditions, are difficult to extrapolate to what is actually happening in nature.  The general consensus, at least for now, is that mosquitoes SEE colors, at least some, but how this impacts their behaviors is still to be determined.

Top 5 Areas for Exclusion Around the Home

By | blog, Rodents, Tips & Inspirations | No Comments

Catching and trapping rodents are ways to resolve an existing rodent problem, but getting to the root of the problem is essential – here are the top 5 areas to consider for exclusion around the home.  Excluding rodents from your environment is an important part of any intelligent pest management solution.

Top Five Areas for Exclusion Around the Home

Exclusion is the process of eliminating areas in the home that a pest may enter. It is a long-term solution to a pest or rodent problem and an important part of Intelligent Pest Management.

Top 5 Areas for Exclusion Around the Home - IPM

Does exclusion sound like a great idea but you’re not sure where to start? When looking for areas to perform exclusion keep in mind that rodents enter a home in search of food, water or shelter. Experts say a mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime which is about ¼” in diameter. Rats can fit through an entry the size of a ½”. As a result, copper mesh is an excellent tool to fill in gaps and prevent rodents from entering.

Here are the top five areas to consider when performing exclusion work:

  1. The roofline of the home. Mice are excellent acrobats and can follow utility lines or even climb horizontally to enter via gaps in the roofline or damaged eaves. Consider going into your attic during daylight hours in search of areas where light may enter and secure them.
  2. Areas where plumbing and utilities enter the home. Plumbing, gas lines, damaged ducts and drainage pipes area all very common entryways into a home for rodents. Without a doubt, it is important to inspect these areas from both the inside and outside of the structure to ensure they are sealed tight with no gap larger than ¼”.
  3. Doorways and garage doors. Inspect the rubber sweep and weather strips on exterior doors and garage doors. Over time the rubber may wear down allowing mice an easy entrance right into your home.
  4. Gaps in the foundation, cement or brick. Some holes may accumulate over time as brick or cement break down. Those types of entries can be completely sealed. However, weep holes in brick walls serve a purpose from drainage to allowing a house to breathe. Weep holes should not be sealed tight, but you may use copper mesh to keep rodents and insects out.
  5. Trees, hedges and shrubbery. It is important to keep tree and shrubbery trimmed and away from the home. Branches and other greenery that meet the house offer a highway for rodents and other pests to enter.

Top 5 Areas for Exclusion Around the Home - Trouble Spots

Bonus Professional Tips

  • Don’t forget to check and seal up any cracks or damage around chimneys, dryer vents or attic vent caps.  Also, replace any damaged screens (Thank you to Ryan Ridgley from Hunstman Wildlife)
  • Under the eve where the soffit meets the roof the junction will have a 1/8 to 2 inch gap allowing mice, insects and pests to enter. (Props to Gary Andrews from Prudential Pest Management)
  • HVAC lines in particular can be a trouble spot and should be checked (Shout out to Cody Sandhoff from Sandhoff Services Pest & Termite)
  • Ridge and gable vents can cause problems and so can any  landscaping, particularly if it is against your home (Great tip from Josh McCloud with Hold Fast Enviro Pest  Solutions)

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

Top 5 Areas for Exclusion around the Home – additional resources

Get more great content like this in your inbox – sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Learn more about our full line of rodent management products here: https://catchmasterpro.com/collection/rodent-management-tools/

Finally, Learn more about your pest management professional options from the National Pest Management Association here: https://npmapestworld.org/

 

Catchmaster Pestimonial – Horizon Pest Control

By | blog, Pestimonials, Tips & Inspirations | No Comments

Catchmaster Pestimonial – Horizon Pest Control

There are great things on the Horizon for this NJ firm who reaps the benefits of Catchmaster® Private Label Products

In this Catchmaster Pestimonial we discuss our line of private label products.  Private label products from Catchmaster feature your brand in its best light.

Bernie Holst III is a second-generation pest management professional and now CEO of Horizon Pest Control located in Midland, NJ. Young Bernie began working for the family business before he even had a driver’s license and will take Horizon Pest Control into its 50th Anniversary in business in 2020.

“We’ve been using Atlantic Paste & Glue products for as long as I can remember,” said Bernie Holst III. “Throughout the years we moved into using Catchmaster® traps in addition to the glue products. We just seem to use more and more Catchmaster® products over the years because they work well for us and they’re cost effective.”

This family owned business is always looking for unique ways to brand their company and market their services. Private label glue boards have become a staple product for them for about five years now.

Catchmaster Pestimonial - Horizon

Private label benefits

Bernie recalled a recent example of how private label products have worked for Horizon. Bernie received a sales call to a building in Manhattan that had concerns over some roach activity. He himself visited the account and did a one-time service for roaches after detecting just some low-level activity. He finished up the service by placing some private label insect monitors in the account and the client was relieved to be left with a way to track any further roach activity on her own.

Bernie felt confident he’d get a callback if there was indeed a need down the road, “Having our company name and number on the monitors has really benefited us. This client appreciated our one-time treatment but when she later experienced more roach activity she had our name and number handy. It’s really a great marketing tool for us to leave behind in an account.”

Private label products are helping this well-respected NJ firm stay on top of their customers minds. And, it can work for your business too. Learn more about how you can private label our glue products or traps by contacting your regional sales representative.   https://catchmasterpro.com/sales-representatives/

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

Catchmaster Pestimonial – additional resources

Get more great content like this in your inbox – sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Learn more about our full line of rodent management products here: https://catchmasterpro.com/collection/rodent-management-tools/

Finally, Learn more about your pest management professional options from the National Pest Management Association here: https://npmapestworld.org/

 

Cankerworm Control Services 101

By | blog, Insects, Tips & Inspirations | No Comments

Cankerworm control 101

Looking to expand your business offerings? Consider cankerworm control. Cankerworms, also known as inch worms, are a common pest that occurs throughout much of the United States. The pest can be quite destructive. It feeds on the leaves of trees of many types of trees, including:

  • Oak
  • Maple
  • Ash
  • Beech
  • Basswood and more

The pest may cause trees to defoliate. As a result, it places great stress on the tree leading to significant damage. Cankerworms are a nuisance for both home and business owners. Areas with cankerworms infestations are often unpleasant.  In particular they can take over backyards, make an unsightly nuisance and even fall into outdoor eating areas.

Your role as a pest professional can help conserve the beauty and necessity of trees in your service region. At this time let’s take a closer look at getting started in cankerworm control.

Cankerworm control 101 - lifecycle

4 easy tips for getting started in cankerworm control

  1. Tree-banding is the solution!The good news is you do not need to obtain any special licenses to offer tree-banding services for the cankerworm. And adding this service to your repertoire will also help you to get into the Cankerworm business as well.  Not sure how to tree-band?  Fortunately, we have you covered with detailed instructions in our Tree-Banding 101 one-pager. The process is very straightforward and simple.
  2. Cross-market to your current customer base.Simply make your current audience aware of your new business offering. Use your usual marketing channels to notify customers of the threat and your additional service offering. We recommend both monitoring and control service options. Fortunately, tree-banding will allow you to do both.
  3. Protect tree health and preserve the beauty of your community.Get the word out in your service area.  Utilize social media posts, e-mail blasts and dedicated portions of your website to educate the public about the importance of treating for and monitoring for cankerworms. Pictures of the insect as well as the damage they cause can be very effective in your marketing. Our Social Media Resource Library has lots of educational content free for your use.  As a result, you can help educate the public on cankerworms and their control. For example, you could offer your expertise to your community through local newspapers and radio stations.  These organizations are often looking for local experts.
  4. Consider donating your services.Have you noticed cankerworm damage in your service region? Consider treating a small area of trees in a busy part of your community for free in exchange for placement of lawn signs advertising your business.  Lawn signs are a great way to get the word out about your brand and new service offering.

Additional Resources

Learn more about tree-banding with our Catchmaster® TB-1 glue here: https://catchmasterpro.com/product/tree-banding-glue/

Learn more about cankerworms from the University of Maryland here: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/cankerworm

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

 

Rodent Exclusion Tips

By | blog, Rodents, Tips & Inspirations, Trapping Tips | No Comments

Get Proactive Protection with these Rodent Exclusion Tips for the Fall

The temperatures are getting colder, the leaves are out of the trees and the rodents are heading indoors, but, don’t fret, use these rodent exclusion tips to get ready for the season.

According to PestWorld, mice and other rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes in the United States each winter! Don’t be a part of that staggering statistic. Ensure a pest-free living environment via exclusion work.  Exclusion work can prevent insects and rodents from gaining access to your home.

The importance of rodent exclusion work

Did you know that an adult mouse is able to squeeze through a hole the size of a dime? An afternoon of uncovering and sealing entry points into your home can help you to ensure a pest-free living environment all winter long.

Exclusion work simply means sealing and securing all possible points of entry into a building.  Taking this proactive step can easily reduce and even eliminate pest and rodent activity in the home. Exclusion is cost effective and more efficient in the long run. It reduces the need for chemical pesticides or rodenticides.  The result is a safe alternative for both humans and the environment.

Rodent Exclusion Tips - Home Graphic

In order to be through, begin with an inspection of your home from the inside out.

7 areas to check for rodent exclusion work

  1. Cracks and crevices in the foundation
  2. Improperly sealed vents
  3. Attics
  4. Drain pipes
  5. Door sweeps
  6. Window screens
  7. Garage doors

Caulk works well for tiny gaps, however, for openings two inches or more us copper mesh in order to fill-in holes and entry points.  Because of the mesh, Rodents cannot chew through and gain entry.

Once exclusion is performed remember to monitor indoor areas that cannot be fully sealed with glue boards and trays. Being alerted to a pest or rodent problem early can make the infestation much easier to solve.

Take some time to be pro-active this fall by performing exclusion around your home and enjoy a pest and rodent-free winter.

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

Additional resources

Get more rodent tips in your in-box by signing up for our newsletter here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Learn more about rodents from the NPMA here: https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/rodents-101/

CDC Mosquito Control Statistics

By | blog, Mosquitoes | No Comments

In this update from Captain Stan (aka the Mosquito Man) learn more about some eye-opening CDC mosquito control statistics.

Diseases On The Doorstep:  An Eye-Catching Report From CDC

In May of 2018, our federal Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report I like to call ‘3X-9-8/10’.  That is NOT a code from a James Bond movie.  What is it then?

3 Startling CDC Mosquito Control Statistics from Vital Signs:

  1. 3X – From 2004-2016, there were an estimated 640,000 cases of disease in humans transmitted by mosquito, tick and flea bites.  This represents a 3X increase!
  2. 9 – Since 2004, 9 new “germs” spread by mosquitoes and ticks have been discovered in or introduced into the United States. An example of the former is Heartland virus; the latter, Zika virus.
  3. 8/10 – About 84% of local vector control agencies in the United States are lacking in at least 1/5 core competencies, and many are lacking in more than 1.

CDC Mosquito Control Statistics - Fun Facts

CDC Mosquito Control Statistics – Central Message

The central message here?  Diseases spread by biting arthropods are clearly on the increase, while our organized ability to detect and control them is sadly lacking.  This points toward a public health calamity.

Captain Stan Cope (aka the Mosquito Man) is our Vice President of Technical Services.  Learn more about Stan here:  https://catchmaster.com/introducing-captain-stan-the-mosquito-man/

Additional Resources

For help with mosquito season 2019 & beyond, discover Catchmaster® mosquito management tools:  https://catchmasterpro.com/product/final-feed-mosquito-bait/

Click here for the CDC May 2018 Vital Signs referenced above: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/vector-borne/index.html

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

Keeping Your Home & Pumpkins Safe from Pests this Halloween

By | blog, Insects, Rodents, Tips & Inspirations, Trapping Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments

Halloween pest control can help keep your holiday festive.

Halloween Pest Control - Cota

It’s October, a chill is in the air and homeowners are busy decking their halls with spiders, rats and other creepy crawlers in preparation for Halloween.  It is about the only time of the year that pests are an acceptable décor choice around the home.  Holiday displays aside, here are some tips for keeping the real pests at bay this year.

Spiders – better out than in

Did you know that spiders can actually be a beneficial pest, particularly in your garden? Perhaps not the best news if you suffer from arachnophobia. It’s true though, spiders in your garden play a pivotal role in keeping down the number of plant-killing bugs and may also prevent you from being stung while working in your garden. However, very few of us want to share our homes with these creatures.

Spider pest control tips

  1. To keep spiders out of your home, consider performing some exclusion work, filling cracks and crevices, sealing gaps and openings around the home and replacing door sweeps that may no longer provide a strong seal.
  2. Another great line of defense against indoor spiders is your vacuum cleaner. Suck up any visible spiders and be sure to remove cobwebs around your home as well.
  3. Finally, consider monitoring your home for spiders with our glue traps and boards. Place our glue trays or boards in out of the way areas to find what’s really creeping around your home this fall.

Halloween Pest Control - Rat Facts

Halloween Pest Control – Keeping the Rats at Bay

Much like spiders, rats can enter your home through relatively small cracks and holes. Did you know that a rat can squeeze its body through a hole the size of a quarter? There are a couple of actions you can take to keep rats away. First, fill any holes or gaps you find around the perimeter of your home. Second, keep your plumbing in tip top shape. Like many other pests, rats are drawn to moisture and a leaky pipe can be the water source needed.

Beware the Pumpkin Eaters

Lastly, be careful where you place that seasonal pumpkin. Pumpkins are a huge component of Halloween Pest Control.  Pumpkins left outdoors are a great food source for rats, mice and other rodents and will also draw pests to your home particularly as the pumpkin begins to rot.

Pumpkin pest prevention

  1. Display pumpkins in a cool, dry place to prevent mold and rot from setting in early and attract insects.
  2. You can protect your pumpkins with a simple mixture of bleach and water. Simply spray this mixture on a carved pumpkin each day before Halloween for an easy, effective pest management practice to keep fruit flies and other insects at bay.
  3. To avoid your pumpkin serving as a food source for rodents and squirrels in the area, try coating the pumpkin inside and out with hot pepper sauce.

We hope these tips help you to enjoy the Halloween season where the only pests you see are a part of your seasonal décor.

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

Additional Halloween Pest Control Resources

Looking for more Halloween pest tips?  Gest some mosquito tips from our own Captain Stan (aka the Mosquito Man) here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/halloween-mosquito-prevention/

Learn more about pests at Pest World, the official site of the National Pest Management Association here: http://pestworld.org/