In just a few weeks, warmer spring weather will signal the start of high pest pressure on your customers' properties. Because business is usually slow during the colder months, now can be a good time to prepare for when the phone will begin ringing with service requests.
Consider the integrated approach you plan to take for your service offerings this coming season and adjust your service protocols accordingly. A good starting point is to decide what Integrated Pest Management (IPM) really means to your business. I like this definition of IPM for structural pest control:
“The use of strategies that combine biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that meets the pest management objectives, is economically feasible and minimizes risks to human health, safety and the environment.”1
Start by looking at the tools you use in your service protocols — in particular, the products you use on a regular basis. Take time to make critical calculations on what the products you use really cost your business in the long run. A few things to consider are the following:
- Does the use of a less expensive, generic product save money that may end up being lost on callbacks and dissatisfied customers?
- Are you using products that are rotational partners to help minimize the chance of resistance development in pests, such as cockroaches and flies?
Additionally, take this time to review the pests that were most problematic during last year’s busy season. Make sure technicians are trained in identification, biology and control strategies for these pests, as well as for spiders, ants, cockroaches and fleas.
Along with West Nile virus, the introduction of the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus will likely make mosquitoes a hot topic for your residential customers as the weather warms up. Syngenta Professional Pest Management (PPM) is offering the new SecureChoice™ Mosquito Assurance Program for residential mosquito management. This program features Demand® CS insecticide and Archer® insect growth regulator, which can be applied together to mosquito resting places around a residence. Studies have demonstrated that using the combination of Demand CS and Archer can help achieve up to 60 days of mosquito suppression.2, 3
By planning ahead and making preparations for the busy months now, you can help maximize your pest management offerings later. We at Syngenta PPM wish you a successful 2015 pest management season. For more information about how to keep pests under control this year, please contact your local Syngenta sales representative
1 Recommendations of the Pest Management in the 21st Century Working Group [PMAC 2007].
2 Connelly. Barrier treatments for reduction of mosquitoes. University of Florida, 2014.
3 Brown, G. Archer and Demand CS for improved backyard mosquito suppression. University of Kentucky, 2014.
* A reduced risk pesticide use is defined as one which may reasonably be expected to accomplish one or more of the following; (1) reduces pesticide risks to human health; (2) reduces pesticide risks to non-target organisms; (3) reduces the potential for contamination of valued, environmental resources, or (4) broadens adoption of IPM or makes it more effective. Altriset and Zyrox qualify under one or more of the above criteria.
Altriset is for use by individuals/firms licensed or registered by the state to apply termiticide products.
©2015 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your state or local Extension Service to ensure registration status. Altriset®, Archer®, Demand®, For Life Uninterrupted™, SecureChoice™, Zyrox® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368). |