Orkin Helps Homeowners Get the '411' on Pests

ATLANTA – April 15, 2009 – Ever wondered what the crazy bug is that makes surprise appearances in your bathtub or kitchen sink? Now you can identify troublesome pests and summon the help of a licensed professional from your mobile phone, all with the touch of a button. Atlanta-based pest control leader Orkin, Inc. has launched Orkin Pest 411™ to provide consumers with a user-friendly, interactive, mobile website to easily identify pests found in and around their homes.

“Orkin Pest 411 allows homeowners to identify pest activity early and to work with us to control a potential infestation before it gets out of hand,” said Rob Crigler, assistant vice president of digital strategy and acquisition for Orkin.

According to Crigler, Orkin Pest 411 empowers homeowners to identify pests, learn about pest behavior, understand the threats pests can pose to home and health, and contact an Orkin pest specialist to discuss treatment options. Specifically, the site enables users to:

• Browse Orkin’s up-to-date pest library for images and educational information on 28 common household pests, including termites, insects, and rodents
• View critical pest-related health information about specific pests
• Share pest-related information with others through social networks, including Del.icio.us, Digg, Stumbleupon and Facebook
• Request a consultation from an Orkin pest specialist

“This resource provides convenience and immediate information, but it also helps homeowners protect their health and property when they understand why it’s so important to keep pests in their place – out of our homes and businesses,” said Glen Rollins, president and chief operating officer of Orkin, Inc.

Orkin Pest 411 offers critical information on health risks posed by common household pests such as cockroaches, which can carry allergens that may cause allergic reactions and even asthma. It also identifies warning signs for structural pests like termites, which can cause serious damage to homes.

Orkin Pest 411 is available on the Web at http://411.orkin.com. The free application can be accessed directly on any iPhone, iPod Touch, or Android-based device such as the T-Mobile G1 by entering http://411.orkin.com/ in the mobile browser.

Orkin partnered with Atlanta-based interactive marketing agency THINK Interactive, Inc. to develop Orkin Pest 411. THINK is also partnering with Orkin on its 2009 banner campaign and overall enhancements to Orkin’s site – www.orkin.com.