How did you get into the pest control business?
Pest control wasn’t initially on my radar as a career, and prior to joining Truly Nolen Pest & Termite Control, I was working in retail and food service. One day, a technician came to my home for a pest control service, and we began talking about the industry and the company he worked for. He let me know they were looking for a salesperson to work out of the Santa Fe, New Mexico area, and I decided to give it a shot. I developed that area into its own branch within a year, and three years later, the company asked if I would like to move to Keller, Texas, to take over the branch there. Since I am originally from Texas, it seemed like a great move for my family, and we’ve been here ever since.
What are signs of infestation that people miss, and are there any pests people tend to overreact to?
People often misinterpret piles of sawdust on the windowsill as termites, but it is usually carpenter or acrobat ants. Carpenter ants excavate the wood and discard the debris, while termites actually consume the wood; you wouldn’t actually see any sawdust left from termites. One pest everyone tends to overreact about is wasps. If you don’t bother them, they typically will not bother you. However, on the other hand, many people underestimate termites and the damage they can cause to your home.
How does landscaping, moisture, or structural issues contribute to pest problems?
The most common landscaping mistake homeowners make is piling mulch in the front flowerbeds directly against the foundation of the home. Mulch is a cellulose material which is what termites eat, so by doing this, you will be directly drawing termites to your home. Combine this with frequently watering the area or bad drainage, and you have excessive moisture, which creates ideal conditions for many types of insects in addition to termites.
Are DIY pest control methods effective, and when should someone call in a professional?
No, these DIY methods are not effective. Most people will spray bugs they see and expect the issue to be resolved, but almost always, it is not. For instance, ants live in massive colonies numbering from a few hundred to tens of thousands, so spraying the 10-20 ants you see in your house won’t stop the thousands of others from continuing to come inside and search for food and water. If you are currently facing issues and have tried treating them without relief, you should reach out to a professional before the issue becomes more difficult to get control of.
How much pest control is about prevention vs. treatment?
It is always best to maintain preventive services rather than reacting only when you have a problem. Whether it's bugs, termites, or rodents, preventative services can help save homeowners from bigger expenses down the road. In regard to rodents, covering possible entry points leading into the home and attic could prevent them from chewing on water or electrical lines that could cost thousands of dollars to repair.
What makes your company's approach different from other pest control services?
We use what is called the IPM approach, which stands for Integrated Pest Management. What this means is that we start with the least toxic and invasive treatment first, and escalate as deemed necessary to address the issue at hand. Our protocol is also more thorough than most, and we incorporate multiple steps to address typical household pests at every visit.
What would you say to homeowners who may be embarrassed to call about a pest problem?
You should not be embarrassed about having a pest issue at your home. It is typically not a cleanliness issue, but rather an environmental issue. You live in North Texas, and that means you have to deal with bugs and rodents. So do your neighbors, as well as everyone else in the area, whether they admit it or not.
With that being said, if you are tired of dealing with your pest issues yourself, consider giving Truly Nolen Pest Control a call at 817-337-9839.
It is always best to maintain preventive services rather than reacting only when you have a problem. Whether it's bugs, termites, or rodents, preventative services can help save homeowners from bigger expenses down the road.