Monthly Archives: June 2012

5 Mistakes Hiring a Residential Pest Control Exterminating Company Suffolk, Nassau, Long Island NY

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Residence

Residence

 

Buyer beware are words most consumers should heed when shopping for pest control services! Below are some good advice tips for selecting a pest control company and in fact any service or contractor for your home. It pays to do your homework when hiring a pest management company and a few minutes spent on the phone or on the internet can make all the difference and avoid costly mistakes.
5 Tips for choosing a termite control company
1. Get Estimates: If you have a pest problem do not panic. Panic buying opens the consumer up to high pressure sales that could be very costly in the end. Even if your house is swarming with termites, do not panic, as these swarming termites will die quickly indoors which will allow you enough time to get estimates. Be an educated consumer and get multiple estimates. Do not assume that all companies charge about the same price and be wary of low and high ball bids. Understand what the company is offering in their estimate and get it in writing to make sure you are comparing “apples” to “apples”.
2. Check Reliability:
Make sure that the company you choose has a history of professional and reliable service so that you are assured you are getting what you were promised. There are many ways to check reliability: contact the Better Business Bureau, your local Consumer Affairs Department, do an internet search for complaints and ask for referrals and testimonials. A quick check of the department of consumer affairs in your county and the Better Business Bureau can save you countless problems and dollars.
3. Examine GUARANTEES:
Read and understand each companies guarantee policy. Be sure to read the fine gray print on the back of contracts for hidden clauses and exclusions that may lead you to believe you have total coverage when in reality the guarantee is difficult to understand or impossible to claim. Try to use a company that has a strong history of reliable service. A guarantee is worthless if the company you choose is no longer in business
4. Check Certifications and Insurance Certificates:
Always make sure that the service is being performed by a qualified technician who is New York State Certified and experienced with the type of pest in question. Check to see if the company belongs to industry associations such as the Long Island Pest Control Association, the New York State Pest Management association and the National Pest Control Association. Don’t be afraid to ask for copies of the Liability and Workman’s Compensation insurance certificates. If the company hesitates than look elsewhere.
5. Ask About Price Protection:
Many pest control services require follow up visits and renewable contracts especially when dealing with termites and carpenter ants. Ask if the company has a price protection guarantee to avoid being stuck in an agreement that can increase in price substantially over subsequent years. It is inevitable that costs will increase over time but these increases should not be yearly double digit increases. High annual price increases is the number one complaint we hear from consumers that are calling to switch from their current pest control companies.
For more information on residential pest control please email us on our website.

www.eliminexpestcontrol.com
Kevin O’Connor
Entomologist- Eliminex Pest Control Inc.

Commercial Pest Control in Food Processing, Hospitality & Health Related Industries Long Island NY

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Commercial Building

Commercial Building

Performing pest control services for commercial food processing facilities, pharmaceutical plants, the hospitality industry and commercial buildings requires extensive experience and a high level of training to ensure pest free environments are achieved. Warehouses, food plants, food processing areas and office environments can be diverse and only the best training will suffice for these environments.

Commercial food plants and food processing environments require the most comprehensive pest management programs. In addition to pest management companies inspecting and servicing these facilities, there are usually governmental and third party audits to ensure food wholesomeness. Inspection agencies such as AIB - the American Institute of Baking, NSF International, FDA, USDA, the Department of Agriculture and local Health Departments, to name a few, are often involved in the inspection process.

Homeland security has also implemented food security procedures to ensure the protection of our food from terrorist organizations. Many of these establishments have to follow strict FDA HACCP requirements (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) to ensure product viability and safety.

Below are some commonly asked questions one might consider when inquiring about a suitable commercial pest control company:

Question #1- What should I be looking for when choosing a pest control company for my food plant or commercial business?

Experience is a key element in choosing a pest management company. In New York, it is best to consider pest control companies with a NYS certification in “Food Processing”. This certification assures that there is an in depth training focus on food environments. It is paramount for commercial businesses to choose a qualified pest control company for their food and non food related business.

Another factor in considering a pest control company should be choosing a pest management company with a staff Entomologist to insure the highest level of training and education. Membership in pest control associations such as the NPMA- National Pest Management Association, NYPMA - New York State Pest Management Association and LIPCA- Long Island Pest Control Association are also important factors.

Question #2- What is the most common mistake in choosing an exterminator for my business?

Price! Usually, when you choose a pest control company purely on price you typically get what you pay for. Do your homework. Is the company you are choosing a member of the better business bureau or, consumer affairs? If so, are there any unresolved issues with the company. As mentioned above, a proven track record should be a primary factor in choosing the best pest control company for your business.

Question #3- Should I insist on references for the pest control company I am choosing?

References are a good way to gauge value when looking for a pest control company for your business. Customers would not agree to be a reference if they were not satisfied with the service that was being rendered.

Question #4- How do you kill ants, cockroaches, mice and rats, in a commercial food plant?

Food plants, commercial food processing facilities and food storage warehouses must be handled differently from non food warehouses obviously because of food protection requirements. Pest management programs must be well documented and comprehensive to insure food protection. Also food environments require a greater frequency of service than non-food related environments.

In addition, there are often 3rd party audits made by vendors of the facility to also insure they are not purchasing products that are contaminated by pests or pesticides.

An effective monitoring program is essential for all businesses whether the business is food related or not. Most pests are nocturnal by nature which means they crawl in undetected and unannounced. Monitoring devices strategically deployed in the structure can capture a pest and alert us to their presence. These devices are an invaluable tool for managing pests in any facility.

Question #5- What are the requirements for pest control in health related or pharmaceutical accounts?

Pharmaceutical or health related facilities require a pest management program that is even more restrictive and sensitive to the environment. These are highly sterile environments and all actions could have a direct effect on people with compromised health concerns. Prevention and close monitoring is essential to stopping problems before they occur. When infestations are detected then a comprehensive IPM Integrated pest management program is deployed. Integrated Pest Management combines all aspects of pest control including sanitation, exclusion, mechanical control, harborage elimination and chemical control solutions as a last resort.

Kevin O’Connor

Entomologist- Eliminex Pest Control Inc.

For more information on pest control for commercial food and non-food environments, please email us on our website. http://eliminexpestcontrol.com/

Termite Control Inspection & Identification Helps Prevent Termite Damage on Long Island New York

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Termite Vs Ant

Termite Vs Ant

Termite-Swarmers

Termite-Swarmers

Subterranean termites cause over a billion dollars a year in damage to homes. It is estimated that subterranean termites affect over 500,000 homes annually. Controlling subterranean termites requires knowledge of construction, subterranean termite biology, and the latest in state of the art termite control technologies. Termite colonies may take up an area as large as two acres. Only a small percentage of workers forage for food and feed the entire colony.

Termite detection is sometimes difficult as termites do not always swarm in visible areas. In fact over the last decade we have seen fewer termite swarms than in previous decades. There is some evidence that termite may now be mating underground as opposed to the typical springtime above ground swarms

On Long island, termite baiting systems are the primary choice in controlling termites and are considered the most eco friendly termite treatment available. Termite Baiting Systems are composed of bait stations that are placed at intervals around the home. These stations contain an attractive cellulose material that termites begin to feed on. Termites continuously and randomly forage for food in about a quarter acre radius from their main colony. Once they find their way into a termite bait station and begin to feed, they leave behind pheromones that alert other foragers that food has been found.

When these stations are checked by the pest management professional, the cellulose or wood monitor is replaced with the active ingredient to eliminate the colony. Unlike liquid termiticides that poison termites and leave a termite barrier in place, the bait used to eliminate termites are insect growth regulators that prevent termites from molting. This kills off the workers and causes the queen to die of starvation as the workers are no longer able to feed and service the termite queen.

It is a good idea for homeowners to do a self inspection of their home at least once a year. You may want to familiarize yourself in what to look for by searching the internet for pictures of termites, termite tunnels and photos of termite damage.

Once you have a good idea of what to look for start by examining the foundation between the soil and the bottom of the siding. You are looking for termite tunnels made of sand and when broken will contain small, white colored termites. Also pay close attention to the base of wood trim close to the ground such as garage door jams, kick plates below doorways and the base of fences near the house. Finally do an inspection of the interior focusing on the wood sill plates of the basement and crawl spaces especially behind the stoop areas. On cement slab homes check the sheet rock with a flashlight from a side angle to identify any irregularities on the wall board.

Most professional termite control companies will provide a free termite inspection if you are not inclined to perform your own termite inspection. Either way, check your property annually for termites it could save you thousands of dollars in future termite damage repairs.

For more information on termite inspection and control, please contact or email us on our website.

www.eliminexpestcontrol.com

Kevin O’Connor, Entomologist- Eliminex Pest Control Inc.