Author: Kurt Treftz, Cascade Pest Control
Why are Recurring, Ongoing Services the Standard Approach in the Pest Control Industry?
By and large, the householder today, understands that ongoing, regular pest control maintenance services is the best way to solve both current pest problems and prevent future infestations. Being on service also means you have a quick response from your established pest control operator when pests do attempt a new assault on your home or business.
But occasionally some folks get the idea that they just need a quick fix for their pest problem, and that anyone “selling them” a service is somehow exploiting the situation. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and here’s why…
The “good old days”—How Pest Control Used To Be
Some decades ago pest problems were addressed with harsh products containing lead, arsenic or compounds such as DDT that persisted for a long time in the environment AND in your home! The attitude was simply to obliterate the pests. It took many years, but ultimately, the consequences caught up to us.
Eventually, scientists discovered both environmental damage and human health consequences of many products. In 1972 the Environmental Protection Agency was formed. And for the first time ever, significant data had to be obtained, at the cost of millions of dollars, before a product could be registered for use.
All that mattered was “blitzing” and “destroying” pests. The ad said, “Lasts For Months!”—in fact it lasted much longer, sometimes with dire consequences.
Major Changes in the Pest Control Industry
A consequence of leaving the old, harsh pesticides behind was that we could no longer place a highly toxic substance and warrant the service for a year. Products and methods found safe—both for home (or even medical facility use) and the natural environment that surrounds us—require more frequent visits per year.
This was often misunderstood years ago when things were changing rapidly, as people remembered the simplistic solutions of the ‘good old days’. Soon the public caught on…and no longer wanted to tolerate the cycle of waiting until an infestation has established and then employing huge pest control efforts. They want it prevented from happening in the first place, and for good reason.
Cascade Pest Control Lead the Way
Thankfully, the pest control industry moved onward, dramatically increasing in professionalism. In the 1980s, Cascade Pest Control lead the way with safer, least toxic approaches to pest control. And by the 1990s, Cascade was recognized with several environmental awards.
Further changes demanded by the public—Seattle and Puget Sound Region’s growing rat problem.
Rats spread as an invasive species, throughout Seattle—and then to other cities in our region. Several factors were at work that allowed them to thrive here. The public became aware of the amount of damage rats were doing to valuable home insulation in the attic and/ or crawlspace. And they became aware of the high cost of replacing it. Starting around the year 2000, home inspectors started to halt the sale of homes that were either contaminated with rodent filth left behind by rat (or mice) infestations, or if the insulation was compromised in any way (usually compressed or shredded).
3 factors quickly emerged:
- Costly damage to insulation in hard to reach spaces
- Intolerance to live in a home with potential health risks
- Inability to sell your home (consequence to home value)
…all of which justify ongoing protection from rodents—a maintenance rodent control service.
Special note: Deer mice, very prolific in outlying residential and rural areas, can carry hantavirus. The mouse-carried hantavirus disease has caused several deaths in the Puget Sound Region in recent years calling for more urgency around rodent prevention.
Today’s Pest Control
Current integrated pest control management practices include a regularly scheduled survey/monitoring of the premises, as well as maintaining various barriers against pests. Currently, most services are on a monthly or bi-monthly (60 day) frequency. Resulting in safer and more comprehensive prevention of pest infestation.
Cascade’s Inspect and Protect service is designed to protect you and your property. Start your service today.
Call or Request a Quote Online:
Puget Sound Region: 1-888-989-8979
