[Problems & Solutions]

‘Other’ Services
Q I saw your presentation at the PCT Residential Summit on perimeter pest control. Do you really feel we have an opportunity to expand in the areas you discussed?

A I listened intently to the speakers at PCT’s Chicago seminar about residential services. Many PCOs discussed a variety of add-on services, e.g., gutter cleaning, weatherizing, insulation, moisture control and Christmas lighting.
We should offer our “core” programs to our customers. I call it “Total Residential Solutions.” Essentially the “core” are the services we already offer, reorganized and categorized so the customer will understand what we do. The core includes moisture control, weatherizing, insulation, gutter cleaning and even thermography; they all fit into a pest management plan.
Gutter cleaning eliminates mosquito breeding areas. Other services that are applicable to pest management include weatherizing the seals, and cracks and crevices that insects can enter; installing insulation (some include boric acid), which will be a deterrent for particular insects; and moisture control (mainly encapsulating or sealing crawlspaces), which has a great effect on the populations in that crawlspace.
The “far-out” idea that was discussed in Chicago was thermography, which utilizes infrared technology in cameras. This is an interesting service that can detect moisture problems, possibly leading to termite or carpenter ant infestations. It also could be the main instrument used for many of the previously mentioned services. If there are energy leaks, that means air is moving out of the structure. Using these cameras we can “see” these leaks, take pictures to document for the homeowner and evaluate their structure for possible insect or rodent entry. I am not saying we need to seal the structure; we did this before during an energy crisis and tighter structures were built to keep costs down. But we sealed in moisture problems and the ensuing insects that come with them. We need to understand what is involved when we enter these areas like thermal imaging and moisture control.
In general, yes, I believe we can offer such programs. But we need more information in some areas and more training and proper identification of the problem. We also need to step up our reporting programs so the customer can see what is going on a regular basis since we will have control of their ecological niche in the neighborhood.

The author is president of George Rambo Consulting Services, Seneca, S.C. Fax questions to him at 864/654-2447 or via e-mail at grambo@giemedia.com.