Ants in the Lighthouse
The following is one, in a series, of funny/unique events in my day as a pest control technician for LIND PEST CONTROL
Ants in the Lighthouse
I went out to Tanglewood island once (off of Fox Island). We had a call come in that there were carpenter ants in the “Great Hall” structure of the Tanglewood Island’s lighthouse. I met a guy at the boat launch by the fox Island bridge. He picked me up in a small aluminum boat to take me out to the island. I wasn’t really sure what I was up against, but I brought some gear and some products with me that I thought would do the job. This was quite a long while back, and I wasn’t even sure what this structure was. There was no such thing as the internet, google, cell phones, or anything else to do research on this place back then. I could see the structure from afar and thought that this was going to be a pretty big project for the relatively small amount of products and limited amount of equipment I was able to take with me in this small boat.
When we got to the property, I was pretty much in awe of this huge, and unique structure. I was also apprehensive of being able to do what I needed to do within some semblance of time management in comparison to the price that was quoted. Let alone the probability that I was going to be unable to nail down the exact location of a carpenter ant nest that had inhabited this monstrous structure. We also did not have the type of “non-repellent” products that we have today which technically puts the ants to work for us by transferring residuals throughout the colony.
After a brief tour of this beautiful structure, I set about my inspection process. I had a been shown an area , of the “Great Hall”, where most of the Carpenter Ant activity had been seen. This, at least, narrowed the area down for me to concentrate on. I used a stethoscope to detect sounds in the ceiling of the downstairs level. Much to my surprise, and delight, I could hear the distinctive “clicking’ noise and a faint rustling of newspaper sound in the ceiling void. I had found the main colony!!! I proceeded to drill a few small holes in the ceiling sheetrock and injected product into the void area. Carpenter ants of every stage and size came POURING OUT. There were major, minor, and intermediate workers as well as male and female reproductives. It was instant success!!!!
I have to say this was one of my most memorable experiences in the 35 plus years I’ve been doing pest control. From the experience of riding out on the boat-to being able to explore this beautiful, and historical structure. Being able to put my professional experience into “saving”, and helping to protect this structure is one of the many, many proud and memorable moments I have experienced in my career. I have also had the pleasure of providing service to, and inspecting, old historical churches, famous houses in Tacoma (where celebrities were born and raised), houses where movies were filmed, a local prison (on an island), as well as many, many older historical north end homes and business structures.
Squirrels in the Attic
The following is one, in a series, of funny/unique events in my day as a pest control technician for LIND PEST CONTROL
Squirrels in the Attic
I once had a friend call me with a problem he was having with squirrels in his attic. I went over to his house and as we stood and watched the corner of his roof/gutter area, we saw a squirrel pop out and return with some nesting material a short time later. I climbed into his attic and, sure enough, down in the baffled corner of the attic I saw a squirrel’s nest. When I got close, the squirrel chattered at me a little and ran out of the small hole in the soffit. As I approached the nest, I saw she had 3 baby squirrels in her nest. Well, I couldn’t just leave the squirrels in his attic. I have seen them do some pretty serious damage by chewing on wires and PVC pipes )let alone the mess they cause and “superficial damage” they do to sheetrock, etc. The problem was, every time I got close to the nest, Momma squirrel would come running in, and she was very aggressive, (rightfully so). We devised a plan for my friend to get on a ladder, outside, and protect the corner armed with a 2×4. I’m not sure who had the worst job, me crouched into a corner of an attic, while balancing on rafters, or him outside on a ladder fending off an angry momma squirrel.
I got a small box and filled it with old shredded newspaper and other nesting material. I went up into the attic and proceeded to gently remove the baby squirrels, from their nest, one by one, and place them into the new cardboard box nest we created. I was wearing gloves to protect myself and to also make sure I did not leave my scent on them so that the mother squirrel might reject them. While I was doing this, I heard commotion outside that told me that my friend was having quite a time with “momma squirrel”. I was laughing to myself, in this dark cramped space, picturing this big rugged guy out there on a ladder with his 2×4 while this little squirrel was giving him all he could take!!!
We managed to rescue the squirrels, close up the access hole, and place the nest in as safe of place (near the corner of his house) as we could. We let nature take it from there knowing we did the best we could to remove the situation from his home, while giving all of the squirrels a fighting chance
RIP my good friend FRED!!! Love you brother.
A Pain in the Rear
The following is one, in a series, of funny/unique events in my day as a pest control technician for LIND PEST CONTROL
A Pain in the Rear
This one is not so funny to me, but y’all will probably get a kick out of it. I was called out to extinguish a possible yellow jacket nest. When I arrived at the property, the homeowner informed me that their dog was stung while playing in an outer area of the back yard. They had taken the dog to the vet and had verified that it was indeed a bee sting. Right away I was sure we were either dealing with bald-faced hornets or yellow jackets. I went to the area that the homeowner pointed out, advising the homeowners to have their kids, and the dog, stay a safe distance away (preferably inside the house). I carefully approached the area to locate any nesting sites. I was looking, simultaneously, at (and in) the bushes for signs of a bald-faced hornet nest and in the ground for yellow jacket activity with my head on a swivel. The ground was covered with ivy, so it was difficult to see anything in the ground. After a few minutes, and further investigation, I caught sight of a yellow jacket “making a bee line”. I stood and watched as another-after-another-after-another followed. They were flying in a descending pattern which informed me that I was dealing with a yellow jacket nest in the ground.
As I studied the situation, and crept closer, I could see a small clearing in the ivy. A slight, slight, mound of dirt, surrounding a small hole in the ground, caught my eye. This is where I saw yellow jackets flying in and out of the ground like crazy!!! It was the middle of a summer day and it was hot (about 82 degrees). I went back and put on all my gear which consisted of a respirator, coveralls, bee veil, extra coat, and heavy duty neoprene gloves. I fired up the pump motor and drug my hose out to the hole in the back yard. As soon as I placed the rod down into the hole, yellow jackets came swarming out!!! I squeezed the trigger and locked the lever down allowing the pesticide to run through the hose and rod and into the subterranean yellow jacket nest below. I was used to this activity so I was not thinking anything of the dozens of extremely agitated yellow jackets around, and on, me. As I was almost finished, and ready to cut off the flow, I felt 2 sharp pains in my rear end!! They STUNG and were hurting like you know what. I held on for a few more seconds and disengaged the lever to the rod and made my escape. The nest, along with the queen had been extinguished. The agitated workers, which were away from the nest at the time of treatment, were all coming back and swarming around the hole. As they try to rescue the queen, and larvae, they will come in contact with the residuals and succumb.
Meanwhile, I’m sweating to death, trying to get all my equipment off, while my butt’s on fire!! Apparently a couple of the yellow jackets made their way underneath my coveralls. Luckily, this was my last job of the day. I took a Benadryl, which helped a little, but there wasn’t a whole lot I could do but wait out the pain.
Needless to say I had a pain in the rear for a couple days!!!
Rat in the Trash
The following is one, in a series, of funny/unique events in my day as a pest control technician for LIND PEST CONTROL
Rat in the Trash
This story is about a funny thing that happened on a rodent call. The homeowners had reported noises and had been seeing droppings in their basement. When I arrived, at the home, the homeowners gave me a brief rundown and I began my inspection. I found numerous openings that would allow rodent entry into their home. Some were high, towards the roof, and some were basement/ground level. I inspected the attic and the basement. My findings were that they had rat droppings in the attic and in the basement. I set up my equipment, in those areas, and proceeded to draw up a diagram showing these entry points, as well as indicating where my equipment was. Once my inspection and diagram were completed and my equipment had been installed, all we had to do now is wait.
Rats can be pretty smart sometimes……..but we always get our rat- because we are smarter than them. Upon my first follow up, to check my equipment, I found nothing had been touched. Sometimes it takes a while when something new has been introduced to their environment. That’s okay we (technicians) know that. That is why we have multiple follow ups. However, more often than not, we catch something on the first follow up.
Well, just as I was finished checking the last trap, I heard a noise in the corner of the basement. A rat came scurrying across the basement floor and jumped up on a ledge. It spotted me and panicked and slipped, and fell, into a garbage can directly below it. I ran over and grabbed the bag out of the can and promptly, and permanently, removed it from the house.
Not exactly how it works usually, but whatever works!! We are currently working, with the homeowners, to repair the areas of rodent intrusion, and are scheduled for more follow ups to check all of our equipment.
Bird in a Chimney
The following is one, in a series, of funny/unique events in my day as a pest control technician for LIND PEST CONTROL
Bird in a Chimney
I went out to a house that was hearing some sounds in their chimney. When I arrived, I assessed the situation and heard the noise. I saw they had an enclosed wood burning stove in the fireplace opening. I opened the glass doors to get to the damper. I opened the damper and looked up the chimney to discover a bird was in the flue area. It had flown in and fallen down and could not get out. I closed the glass doors and it eventually crawled down, towards the light, in the fireplace, once the damper was open. After a while of careful thought and playing through different scenarios in my mind, I instructed the homeowners to open up all the doors and close all the window curtains and each of us grabbed a broom, mop, or whatever else was handy. I proposed a plan that we were going to open the glass doors and coax it out towards the door. We all agreed that this was the best plan of action. On the count of three I opened the doors and the bird flew straight towards the front door and flew out!!! We couldn’t have asked for it to turn out any better.
The funny thing is that the homeowners had pondered and worried about this situation for hours and hours, they waited for LIND PEST CONTROL to come out to their home (same day service), and I had spent about an hour assessing the situation and coming up with a plan. Once the plan was in place, it only took about 15 seconds and the whole thing was over!!!
We all had a good laugh and I advised them to contact a chimney contractor to install a chimney cap so it didn’t happen again.
In this case, a bird in the chimney was definitely not worth 2 in the bush!!!
Beware of the Door to Door Scare!
BEWARE OF THE DOOR TO DOOR SCARE!!
This is the time of year where some of the “out of town” pest control companies come out of the wood work and knock on doors.
They promise all kinds of things that they cannot deliver, but some unfortunate homeowners fall for their shpiel.
PROMISES OF GRANDEUR
1-“We’ll charge you less than your current provider”
These are professional sales folks. They have been trained (in Salt Lake City where they’re based out of) exclusively on techniques to “undercut” your current provider. Our prices here at LIND PEST CONTROL are based upon factual formulas. We must figure the cost of materials, equipment, insurances, gasoline, and salary (among other things). Then reach a price point of a little profit to keep our business running to it’s fullest and continue the outstanding service our customers have come to know for 23 + years. Anything less and there would need to be some corners cut. So where do these folks cut them?
Quality of pest control technicians?
Absence of office support staff?
Use of inadequate products and equipment?
Lack of follow up?
You name it-One or all of these (as well as other factors) would need to occur for the prices to be “to good to be true”.
2-“We use organic products so it’s better for the environment”.
ALL pest control companies have the capacity to use “NATURAL” or “SYNTHETIC” products. A “Natural” product can be just as harmful as a synthetic product when used incorrectly. This is where the reputation of the company, the quality of the technicians, and the support of a full office team come into play. There are times when a natural product can be used and times where a synthetic product should be used.
3-“We’ll come out how ever many times you need us to at no extra charge”.
I can see this if they have roped you into a monthly service. They’re out there more often than they’re not. They’re “claim” to be better for the environment is completely out the window if they are applying unnecessary pesticides when they’re not needed. No matter if it’s “natural” or not (which it probably isn’t). We’ve had experiences where our customers have fallen for this spiel. Only to call us back to resume their previous program, because this company did not fulfill their promises of showing up when needed, let alone showing up at all.
We, at LIND PEST CONTROL, recommend programs that are geared towards a quarterly basis. This pretty much covers your home throughout the year, and seasons, without overapplying. If a rare problem, in between, arises then there is a smaller service fee to treat as needed. Folks with a little tougher, reoccurring, pest issue are pointed more towards a service of every other month. A monthly is recommended ONLY when the pest issue and “environment” warrant it.
ARE THEY LOCAL? LICENSED?
As stated. Most of these folks are sales people. They know how to sell, they are based on a commission salary. They are trained out of state (most of the time). They are not licensed applicators and have never been a part of treatment processes. They have knocked on my door, as well as my mother-in law’s door. I’ve listened to their spiel and it is full of ignorance and untruths.
QUESTIONS TO ASK AND THINGS TO CONSIDER
1-May I see your credentials?
Anyone approaching your home and knocking on your door should have identification
2-Are you a licensed applicator? Can I see your license?
This will tell you if they have studied, and are well versed and licensed, on pesticide use, mixing, application, etc.
3-Are you local? Where are you based out of?
LIND PEST CONTROL INC. is a locally based family business. We have no other interests other than keeping you, your home, your family (which includes pets) healthy, safe, and free of harmful pests. We have a full time, fully staffed, office support team, in our NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE, who are there to take your calls every day during business hours. We have been your pest control provider for 23 + years. We have licensed/certified/bonded technicians that have been fully trained, and have completed all of their courses and tests in order to know their position to the fullest. All of our employees are local, family oriented, responsible and mature adults who know how to work and fulfill their positions with the pride of a job well done!!!
4-What is the name of the product(s) you would be using?
They should be able to provide paperwork of whatever products they use. All of our technicians carry a binder of product labels and safety data sheets. It is the law and we abide by ALL of them. There is no secret formula that any one company has over another!
5-Do you belong to the Washington State Pest Management Association? (WSPMA)
Any and all local pest control companies belong to this organization. It is an outlet to help and support the businesses within, as well as the consumers who may have questions and or comments.
CALL US BEFORE YOU SIGN UP FOR THIS SCAM
Luckily, most of our current clients, who are with us, have not fallen for this. They usually call us to let us know that they were approached and they told the people “we’re already on a program with LIND PEST CONTROL and are very happy so no thank you”. But, unfortunately, every year we lose a few folks to this “approach”. A lot of times we have received calls back from the folks who were talked/pressured into this program. They have relayed stories of the company not showing up, not taking care of their pest issues, rude or “scary” technicians showing up at their door, services only taking 10 minutes, etc. Obviously they are calling to “re-join” with LIND PEST CONTROL. Their “savings” actually have now cost them more money and headaches, but we’re always happy to have them back.
WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND HEALTHY SUMMER!!! THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING A LOCAL PROFESSIONAL PEST CONTROL COMPANY
Randy Lind
Beware of the Fly-by-Nighter Pest Control “Companies”
It’s that time of year when the fly-by-nighter pest control “companies” come out of the woodwork to canvass neighborhoods (door-to-door)! We recently had 2 of our regular preventive maintenance clients call us and warn us.
THE FLY-BY-NIGHTER
THE FIRST OCCASION
Our client informed us that the salesperson tried to pressure her into signing up with them. They even went so far as to tell her that “LIND wasn’t going to be in business very much longer”. This, of course, was a bold faced LIE. Thanks to our dedicated client, we were tipped off to this “company”.
I immediately got on the phone to our local Pest management company Washington State Pest Management Association (WSPMA) as well as the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). I was informed by the WSPMA that this company was not a member of the WSPMA and that their headquarters were out of Salt Lake City Utah!! I was also informed, by the WSDA that they had other complaints about this company.
THE SECOND OCCASION
Another client was approached by the same company at their door. The “salesperson” was calling into our office and made it sound like he was a relative of our (elderly) client and was calling in to cancel his services. The “salesperson” made an attempt to pronounce our client’s last name but did not do a convincing job of it. Recognizing this as a red flag, our account representative asked for him to hold. As she was putting him on hold, he heard him say to our client “I’ve got them on hold, now you just need to find out how much your services are so I can see how much of a discount I can give you”. Again very questionable business practice to put it nicely.
When our account rep got back on the phone, she spoke with our client (the salesperson handed him his cellphone…uhhhh…Covid!) and advised him that maybe he, and his spouse, should review all of their paperwork before jumping to a rash decision. They called the next day and let us know they were staying on service with our company.
THE THIRD OCCASION
A “salesperson” knocked on our door at our personal residence. It was the same company!!! I asked him if he had any credentials stating he was with the WSPMA or a license showing that he was certified with the WSDA. Of course he didn’t. I told him who I was and the unethical sales practices we got wind of, and the fact that I had been speaking to the WSPMA and the WSDA regarding his company’s questionable ethics. He got real nervous after that and made some derogatory remarks and started to walk off (quickly).
I had one more question for him as he was leaving. I wondered why he wasn’t wearing any protective equipment (no mask, gloves, etc.) during this time of Covid-19. He had a laminated sheet that I’m sure a hundred homeowners (or more) had all touched and held. Of course he had no response to this either.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Even though canvassing, door to door, isn’t illegal it is a pretty shoddy way of trying to build a business (in my opinion). However, IF one is going to do it, they should be properly certified in their business they are representing. Pest control is serious business. We are mixing pesticides and applying them in and around your homes and businesses. We should ABSOLUTELY be licensed, certified, trained, and experienced to do this!! It is companies, such as this one, that give our entire industry a bad name. As you can see, I’m pretty worked up about this! I don’t like it when some “kid” comes around representing a company who:
- is not local
- is not licensed nor bonded
- does not belong to the local association that every other legitimate pest control belongs to
- practices pressure sales that are both unethical and deceitful (often preying upon elderly folks)
PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH AND ASK
- Are you licensed with the WSDA? I want to see your credentials.
- Are you a local company? Where are you based out of?
- Do you belong to the local Association? (WSPMA) Washington State Pest Management Association supports, reprimands (when necessary), oversees, etc. all of our local pest companies that belong to the association. Any company, worth their salt, belongs to this organization.
- What product(s) do you use?
- How and where are they applied?
- Will you give me a cost? (before they ask what your current cost is so they can’t undercut it. If they are cutting the cost they’re most likely going to need to cut a couple corners)
- Can I think about it and give you a call?
- Do you have a card?
- Will you leave me a written quote?
- Why are you coming to my door without proper safety precautions (a mask) during this time of pandemic? Do you not care about my health?
- Why don’t I see a work truck? (Most of these guys are either dropped off or they are in their own personal car)
Thank you for all of you that are using professional pest control services.
There is a great need for it and there is plenty of business to go around. I am on friendly terms with many folks throughout our industry. It is beneficial, for everyone, to have professional folks to keep us in check, to bounce questions off of, to discuss and problem solve the occasional head scratcher pest issue, and for general friendship and camaraderie with folks that share a common interest and passion. There is no place for companies that practice poor ethics and are downright deceitful. Unfortunately every industry has these “fly-by-nighter” folks who try to take advantage of people and take commerce away from the people in the field whom have worked for many, many years to hone their skills and provide the utmost service that people deserve.
