Scouting Archives - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

Boys will eat anything, even bugs!

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One of the employee’s here at ProBest Pest Management (Andon) was called to be a Scoutmaster at his ward. First off let me say I’m extremely proud of Andon and his commitment to Scouting. Andon never made it to Eagle Scout – he got to Life but he has three boys so I’m crossing my fingers. Scout Troop 835 Gladiators

So they decided to watch Bear Gryll’s and try eating some crickets and larvets (meal-worms). They come in some tasty little treats and flavors like Bacon & Cheddar, Salt & Vinegar, Sour Cream & Onion and Mexican Spice & BBQ. We do sell them at our office or you can check them out at http://www.hotlix.com

Eagle Scout Court of Honor

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Congratulations to Christy Davie’s (Univar USA, Inc) son Kyle on his achievement of Eagle Scout. I have worked with Kyle on numerous fundraisers and took a part in his Eagle Scout project. I attended his Court of Honor and was reminded of mine many years ago.

A few things stand out about the ceremony, it was done by the Scouts with some interaction of the Leaders and it was well thought out. One part of it that I had never seen before was a short back and forth by 2 Scouts on what he did in his years with Troop 77. Freeze Dried food was mentioned more than once and I can certainly understand from my days (that stuff was terrible back then, maybe it still is).

Sanitation in Restaurants, is it really that important?

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YES, YES and YES again!

I would say that without a doubt the biggest challenge to restaurants is sanitation and if they did one thing and only one it would be to instruct their employee’s that it is IMPORTANT. I never had a chance to work in a restaurant but I did work at a Boy Scout Camp (Camp Berry) in the dining hall and I know we did a lot of cleaning everyday.

So let’s talk about procedures:

Someone must be in charge, The General Manager or Manager at open and close are responsible – from them all procedures must flow.
Each shift, a person must be in charge of cleaning.
At closing someone must be in charge and instructed on cleaning procedures.

Those people must be held accountable, just missing one day can cause repercussions. I think I would make a great health inspector but I also think heads would roll. Some of the stuff that I see daily would just turn your stomach. Just last week a restaurant was closed for outbreak of bloody diarrhea outbreak serious (laboratory results indicate the bacteria causing the illness is E. coli O157) (ABC15). It’s not just the bugs you can see, but sanitation is very important to the health and safety of patrons and staff.

What was my favorite Scout Merit Badge?

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I’ll bet you are going to answer Insect Study? Well it actually wasn’t that one but First Aid to Animals.

The main reason is that it wasn’t created until 1985 and I received my Eagle Scout award in 1971. I especially enjoyed hanging out with the Veterinarian, we went on rural farm calls and he gave me a chance to check out a pregnant cow. I learned a great deal and had an awesome time for several months one summer.

So what Merit Badge was your favorite?

I do teach a few Merit Badges at our office in Gilbert, AZ. They include Insect Study and Reptile Study. So if you are interested please feel free to contact my office 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176.

Bug Juice

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Bug Juice

I remember growing up as a Scout and we always had bug juice or Kool Aid available. The items above are not Kool Aid but Hot Sauce and they are some of the hottest available.

We carry some of these Hot Sauces in our little store at ProBest Pest Management 425 W. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert, AZ 85233 1/2 between Gilbert and Cooper Roads. Stop by ad see if you can stand the heat………

Black Widow, Rattler’s Sting and Scorpion Hot Sauce..

Ethics are Excellent Standards for Life…

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I was talking talking recently to a Mother of a soon to be Eagle Scout and we got into the discussion just how much parents play a part in this achievement. I can assure you that I don’t think I ever would have made it without my Mom’s helping, (THANKS MOM) whether driving me to a meeting or camping trips. Parents often play a major role in sports, school and other events so it’s no wonder that they also play a vital role in Scouting.

So Thanks to all the volunteers, Mom’s and Dad’s, Uncles and Aunts and to all those you get involved in the daily lives of young men and women. Through your support Scouting works!

By the way ProBest Pest Management has two Eagle Scouts – Lead Technician Seth Dodge and the Owner – Keith V. Birkemeyer.

Effective Leadership – What Scouting Taught Me!

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Effective Leadership – What Scouting Taught Me!

I think leadership is something you are born with and is also something that you can cultivate and make better. As an Eagle Scout, former Woodbadge Scouter’s Key trained 15 year Scoutmaster I spent many a day planning, organizing and setting into motion events and training programs. Each and every day at ProBest Pest Management those same thoughts help me to plan and organize my day, month and year. I carry everyday my “Marketing and Planning book” because as the saying goes “He who fails to plan, plans to fail“. So what is my plan:

I have a 1 year plan and 5 year plan!
Marketing, advertising and planning are a day to day process.
Try something and if it works continue, if it doesn’t try something else. With that being said you must track the marketing.
To succeed everyone must understand the plan and be on-board to make it happen.
Training is essential, there are 2 things that I never care about; #1 taking my employees to events with other pest industry technicians – some leaders worry that their technicians will be stolen by other companies. If they leave they weren’t that loyal to you anyway. weren’t that loyal to you anyway. #2 I require certain amounts of continuing education and encourage my employees to learn and yes even to the point of getting them certified as Qualifying Operators which means that they could leave and start their own business. Anything is a risk but if you treat your employees well, hopefully that will come back around (Karma).
I encourage my employees to speak their minds but ultimately it still is my ship to steer.
No one is perfect and the way you learn is by making mistakes.

Scouting builds character!

The Scout Motto “Be Prepared”

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The Scout Motto “Be Prepared”

As we go through life we all strive to set our sights on what is ahead! I was reminded of all this because of that new TV show – “”Doomsday Preppers” but the Boy Scout movement has known this for a long time. The time to know about a chemical spill is before it happens, that is why we always promote and encourage our technicians to know that Label and MSDS backwards and forward, page for page!

We all understand the importance of “Be Prepared”, we all have auto insurance or liability insurance – which helps us when something unforeseen happens. So having a plan before a catastrophe happens is prudent and advisable.

ProBest Pest Management offers refrigerator magnets with the Emergency Numbers, all children should be instructed in the use of emergencies etc and these magnets make it easy to have them available in a convenient place. Drop by our office in Gilbert for your magnet.

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