All posts in “Green”

GREEN organic pest management

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GREEN organic pest management

What’s all the talk and what does it really mean in green organic pest management? There are lots of pest companies that taut that their products are Green or Organic and simply speaking they are not. The terms Green or Organic implies that the treatment is based upon non-chemical measures and the use of naturally occurring pesticides. ProBest has always believed in IPM and that pesticide use should only come after investigation and exclusion if possible.

Based on this perspective, to deliver a truly “green” pest control service, only products that come from “earth-based materials such as borates, desiccant dusts such as diatomaceous earth or DE and silica, or botanical pesticides classified in category 25b by the EPA (EPA exempt materials) can be used. While EPA exempt products may effectively kill pests on contact, they do have their limitations. They may not resolve persistent pest problems since they have little to no residual effect on pests, especially here in Arizona with the extreme heat.

So what does that mean 4 you?

Scorpions are difficult to control under most conditions and with that being said we have experimented with a product that we believe will work as GREEN. ProBest also believes that any treatment within the home is unnecessary and could cause potential harm to pets especially cats. So this NEW service will continue to be outside only, if you have an interior issue please speak with office. We will use a product that is cedar based in spraying and continue using the webber to knock down webs and DE in the block voids and outside cracks and crevice’s. All in line with a true GREEN service.

Pricing

In line with our commitment to keep cost down we will offer our monthly, every other month and quarterly GREEN services at $65 anytime you call. We will also offer a free callback on monthly only. Every other month and quarterly are to far apart in time to offer that guarantee. Also as a side note – ProBest guarantees a true GREEN product.

QualityPro since 2005 – “The mark of excellence in pest management” GreenPro and Public Health certified. Two staff that are trained Associate Certified Entomologists (ACE).

QualityPro Green

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GreenPro Green – QualityPro Accredited companies may offer GreenPro Certified service. GreenPro, a program developed by QualityPro, recognizes services offered by companies within our industry that are committed to providing commercial and residential customers with reduced risk, comprehensive, and effective pest control services. The GreenPro certification program standards were enhanced in 2015 to better meet the current and future needs of both commercial and residential customers. Now, QualityPro has a team of experts ready to determine whether services designed by QualityPro companies have met the GreenPro standard. The result? Certified service that is proven effective for your business, for your clients, and for the earth.

GreenPro Principles

GreenPro certified services minimize pesticide exposure to humans, nontarget animals, and the environment by:

Focusing on integrated pest management strategies such as habitat modification, exclusion, removal of food and water sources, sanitation, and making repairs.
Providing and documenting thorough pest inspection and monitoring services, as well as follow-up to ensure efficacy.
Regularly communicating with clients about pest infestations, conducive conditions, and ways to prevent pests.
Requiring GreenPro training for all company employees who sell or perform GreenPro service.

Services that include any of the following will not be certified as GreenPro:

Preventive pesticide applications that are based solely on the calendar.*
Routine, high-volume pesticide applications without justification.
Indoor pesticide applications without justification.
Rodenticides placed in a manner in which they are accessible to children and nontarget animals.

*Preventive applications linked to seasonality or times of year are permissible if they are clearly linked to the biology of the pest, and regional- or site-specific data on pest pressure and patterns of infestation.

Reprinted from GreenPro National Pest Management Association

Trust & Reliability

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Trust & Reliability

Trust & Reliability is what it is all about! Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you. We get more work from referrals than anything else we do. Many customers have been loyal fans of ProBest since 1981. They continue to promote by word of mouth daily to their friends. In this day and age, phone books are gone. More and more people on social media platforms utilize them to check on companies. Lots of companies also use social media to get their word out to the general public. ProBest on Facebook, ProBest on Twitter, and ProBest on YouTube. Photo attached from a survey with PCT Magazine.

Just like the Scout Law – Trustworthy is at the Top of the list.

a : assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.
b : one in which confidence is placed.

So what is QualityPro – National Accreditation, Consumer Confidence and Training & Certification? Recognizing the best in pest management through accreditation and certification. QualityPro Company Certification and 3 service certifications: GreenPro, QualityPro Schools, QualityPro Food Safety

How is GreenPro adding value to our Pest Control Industry and consumers?

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GREENPRO PRINCIPLES

GreenPro certified services minimize pesticide exposure to humans, non-target animals, and the environment by:

Focusing on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies such as habitat modification, exclusion, removal of food and water sources, sanitation, and making repairs.
Providing and documenting thorough pest inspection and monitoring services, as well as follow-up to ensure efficacy.
Regularly communicating with clients about pests infestations, conducive conditions, and ways to prevent pests.
Requiring specialized training for all company employees who sell or perform these services.

Services that include any of the following will not be certified as GreenPro:

Preventive pesticide applications that are based solely on the calendar.
Routine, high volume pesticide applications without justification.
Indoor pesticide applications without justification.
Rodenticides placed in a manner in which they are accessible to children and nontarget animals.

All information taken directly from the Guide to certification.

I’ve been pushing this for years, my regular service is an outside only, inside only on request and based on the problem or issue. We only use power spraying for weeds and ticks. In Arizona we have scorpions, so we recommend home sealing but it also requires monthly spraying, we do use a lot of DE.

DIY yourself and the many GREEN products, do they work?

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DIY or Do It Yourself products and your ability to attack the unknown enemy – bugs. The article “Essential Oils fail at killing BedBugs” puts the light on those “natural products.

I have said it numerous times, those “GREEN” products might work at the moment they are sprayed but generally they don’t have a residual which is essential to the long-term effect of something like BedBugs. If you can see the bug it may work fine if you spray them directly but there is NO long term effect.

Bedbug nymphs by PPMA

Green Pest & Termite Solutions

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GreenPro, is a stringent yet practical, sustainable, and eco-effective solution that has been tailored for today’s environmentally conscious consumer. GreenPro’s integrated pest management (IPM) program will continue to emphasize a systems approach that focuses on long-term pest prevention/suppression coupled with minimal impact on human health, property, the environment, and non-target organisms.

Green Pest Management or Organic Pest Management – or IPM, how do you tell the difference? More details as these programs continue to roll out.

In the old days spraying homes was the norm, today people understand that continued use of poisons or pesticides in homes isn’t necessary. To be honest that isn’t what ProBest Pest Management is all about, we are not a spray and soak your home with chemicals company. We will identify and help you solve your pest problems. We truly believe in IPM and we practice what we preach. That is why we are members of PESP and GreenPro.

The trend of GREEN, what do I mean?

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As Kermit the Frog has said numerous times “It ain’t easy being Green”. The trend over the last 10 years or more is to lean against the use of pesticides unless it is absolutely needed and I agree. Now with that said, I do believe that pesticides are needed. Numerous people die every year from diseases brought on by vectors like mosquitoes or fleas. Along with that number are the people that are stung or biten by things like scorpions, bees and spiders.

“Green Buildings” Have potential to improve health of low-income housing residents.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the protocol of using tools to stop the pests from gaining entry before using pesticides. It still allows the use of pesticides but after using those tools to keep them out. Examples of this include home-sealing, eliminating hiding spaces and rocks on your property and installing or updating garage or door thresholds/door sweeps.

I want you to spray inside my home… is it necessary?

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Not always!

“Rodents winning New York City rat race, but humans are fighting back.” I have to tell you I get a bit frustrated when I hear these remarks. If you have been ready this home seal you know I’m a advocate for Integrated Pest Management or IPM but sometimes that takes into account the use of pesticides.

I’m constantly talking with people about inside and/or outside service, I switched many years ago to an outside service program. I spend just as much time on the outside as I did doing both inside/outside. There isn’t the need with a few exceptions of performing inside service. So here is my approach:

On calling the customer, they have an opportunity to tell me about any interior issues.
Upon arrival for their service, I ask if they have any issues.
I always walk around with a webber broom, gives me a chance to look the home over before I begin the service.
I’m a technology minded service provider, I investigate and try the new products. This is often done in cooperation with the Pest Control Industry Manufacturers.
Example: I went to a home a month ago, another company had been treating this home for German Roaches for 2 years and they still had them (they were spraying only). I used Avert dry bait as a crack & crevice product – this month the owner advised me that he had seen one about a week and a half ago but none lately. NOTE: this is what you pay me for – I know bugs and how to get rid of them…… Its about knowledge.
There are a few occasions when you must use products inside homes, yes I know there are people out there that think there are do it yourself products or GREEN products that will rid your home of everything. In my opinion some work but many just won’t last long enough.
Many schools are getting on the IPM program and if it good enough for our children and our schools why wouldn’t it be good enough for your home. Just think about this, every time you use a compressed sprayer within your home you are releasing a pesticide within your airspace – is that good? Just face the facts IPM is the way of the future.

We never talk about the “Good Bugs, why is that?

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Most people don’t really care for bugs, but there are some good ones. What are they: Praying Mantis, Butterflies, Lady Bugs well you get the drift. On that note did you know there is a Butterfly Wonderland right here in Scottsdale just off the Hwy 101 in the east valley.

They also have exhibits on “Live Ant Colony and Honey Bee Extravaganza. Check them out and let’s be nice to the unsung hero’s of our gardens and flowers. Here is an interesting article “Learn to recognize the “good guys“.

Photo by PPMA

Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program – Featured Member – ProBest

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The Spring 2014 PESPWire is here!

PESPWire is a quarterly electronic newsletter featuring news and information of interest to PestWise members, partners and pesticide community stakeholders. This PESPWire issue covers a variety of topics, from IPM for Pigeons to EPA Supports IPM in Arizona.

I would personally like to thank two of our clients – Precious Treasures Childcare and Liberty Wildlife for their contribution to this informative article concerning Integrated Pest Management or IPM. I would also like to thank the EPA for this article and their work with IPM.