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Borite Termite & Pest Treatments Corporation's 2006 Strategy

Strategic Approach

Borite Termite & Pest Treatments is committed to providing clients with effective pest management solutions. When pesticides are required we always use least toxic products at the lowest quantities to control pest populations.

We continually look for both improved application methods and improved products offering the lowest toxicity for our clients.

Progress on 2005 Activity 1

Treatment protocol initial service - Prior to the service all accounts will be inspected for pest activity, identification and harborage both inside and out..

Our objective on this activity was to inspect for pest activity, identification and harborage on the interior and exterior of a structure prior to any treatment. Protocols were also set in place for both interior and exterior treatments for the initial service. One of the most beneficial requirements was vacuuming prior to all interior treatments, which we believe helped reduce the initial pest problems substantially.

Our target rate for interior Crack & Crevice concentrated product application amounts was 1.75 ounces; we were well below that amount at an average of .75 ounces per interior application.
Boron dust application goals were 4-6 ounces per structure; we averaged 5 ounces per structure.
Exterior applications were targeted at 1 ounce per 1000 sq. ft. of first floor living area. Our results were an average of .8 ounces per 1000 sq. ft.

Progress on 2005 Activity 2

Treatment protocol quarterly services.

The goal of this activity was to establish quarterly treatment protocols for the exterior service. Exterior inspections of the structure prior to treatment and spider web removal allowed technicians to determine necessary treatments and to note any deficiencies. Deficiencies noted were items such as leaking hose bib, excessive watering of landscape, needed pruning of plants next to the structure and material stored near the structure.
Treatment with a backpack sprayer versus a truck mounted spray rig was a complete success.
Where granular applications or baits were substituted for liquid applications in areas of dense foliage or mulch when pest pressure required treatment results were equally as effective as liquid treatments.

Progress on 2005 Activity 3

Monitoring boards “stick traps.”

Monitoring boards placed on the interior and garages proved helpful in identifying pest activity and providing information on what pests were active and where. Exterior monitoring boards even in weather proof containers did not normally last the 90 days between service intervals. Most of the failure was due to gardeners using leaf blowers covering the boards with dirt, dust and other debris. Sprinklers constantly hitting some of the containers was also a factor.
Overall we would say this activity was worthwhile. In 2006 we will not use outdoor monitoring boards.

Progress on 2005 Activity 4

Home Inspection Report.

This activity involved submitting a Home Inspection Report to the client when conducive conditions were found in or around the structure. With clients that did not take any action after the first written report was left at the property, we found that sending digital photos along with a follow up letter prompted action in more cases than just a letter alone.

One consistent structural problem we found was gaps around doors that were large enough to allow insect pests and in many cases rodent entry into structures. At the urging of clients that could not find anyone to install weather stripping around doors we started offering a commercial grade door seal system.

Progress on 2005 Activity 5

Quarterly customer newsletter.

This activity involved providing a newsletter with pertinent information of upcoming pest activity, correcting conducive conditions, yard maintenance, landscape tips and pest facts. Our plan was to post it to our web site and mail copies to those that did not have internet access. The web site development proved to be a greater challenge than the newsletter. To that end, we mailed newsletters each quarter to all of our clients. Several clients called regarding topics in the publications while others had questions for us at the time of their service.

Progress on 2005 Activity 6

Conversion of accounts to quarterly service

This activity was to have 98% of our clients on a quarterly service rather that monthly or every other month frequency. Our goal was achieved; in addition our clients seem too prefer the flexibility of quarterly service, the reduced amounts of pesticides needed and helping our environment. Call backs due to reoccurring pest problems were well below the prior year at less than .25%.
Although the amount of time to perform a service was the same or more, the amount of pesticide required was reduced an average of 30% over the prior year on a per client average.

Progress on 2005 Activity 7

Conversion of all Lawn & Ornamental (L&O) accounts from topical (foliar) applications to deep root systemic treatments.

The objective of this activity was to convert all Lawn & Ornamental (L&O) accounts from topical (foliar) applications to deep root systemic treatments.

This plan required some modification after being put into action. Treatment of shrubs and bushes had to be broken into four parts: pest insect infestation; fungus; disease or nutritional deficiencies. The degree and extent of the particular problem had to be taken into account. For some pests the initial treatment required both topical and systemic treatment as an example, whiteflies. In some cases simply trimming of affected foliage to allow new healthy growth was all that was required.

After pest populations are controlled, subsequent pesticide applications on allowable plants will be done by annual systemic deep root feeding.

By preventing over watering, thinning out plants to allow air circulation and not watering foliage late in the day all help reduce pest infestations, fungus and disease from taking hold on many plants.

Activities for the Coming Year

Activity 1

Carried forward from 2005 strategy with adjustments based on prior results. Interior initial service crawling insects as needed for control:
1. Vacuum all room perimeters and ceiling corners in accessible areas.
2. Treat all room exterior wall perimeters by crack and crevice application.
3. Apply boron dust to outlets and switch plate cavities.
4. Apply boron dust under the corners of carpeted rooms.
5. Apply boron dust to cavities under kitchen and bath base cabinets.
6. Place monitoring boards “sticky traps” in cabinets and garage

Exterior initial service:
1. All webs will be removed from the structure up to 18 feet.
2. Holes or gaps around exterior plumbing or wiring will be sealed.
3. Needed structural modifications; repairs or harborage area removal will be noted on the service ticket.
4. Treatment application will be limited to 2½-gallon backpack sprayers.
5. Granule applications of pesticide or baits (depending on the pest) will be substituted for liquid applications in areas with dense foliage or cellulose mulch.

How does this activity reduce pesticide risk?

Vacuuming will eliminate a substantial amount of existing pests without the use of any chemical. Crack and crevice applications will maintain the amount of pesticide concentrate inside structures to an expected rate of .75 ounces or less of (caution) category III toxicity products. Boron applications in these targeted areas at an expected rate of 4 ounces per structure will allow lasting protection against the most common household crawling pests while maintaining a very low mammalian toxicity. Exterior chemical applications will be based on the occupant’s threshold of acceptable levels of pest activity. Guidelines for exterior applications of product concentrate will be at an anticipated amount of 1 ounce per 1000 sq. feet of first floor area or minimum label rates. Chemical used will be caution label category III or IV. This service should achieve lasting protection against unwelcome pests while limiting: any potential of pesticide exposure to occupants; the total amount pesticides and the toxicity of the products used.

How will you measure the risk reduction gained from this activity?

Chemical use for each account is tracked with a total for all accounts and average per account.

Activity 2

Carried forward from 2005 strategy with adjustments based on prior results.
Treatment protocol for exterior quarterly services as needed for control:

1. Inspection of the exterior perimeter of the structure for pest activity and conducive conditions.
2. Removal of webs from the exterior of the structure.
3. Exterior treatment with 2 ½ gallon backpack sprayers to bottom portion of the structure, eaves and adjacent soil when necessary.
4. Granule applications or baits will be substituted for liquid applications in areas with dense foliage or cellulose mulch when pest pressure requires control.

Quarterly treatments do not include the interior of the structure unless there is reported pest activity.

How does this activity reduce pesticide risk?

Simple visual inspections of a structure can identify a variety of conducive conditions such as water from the sprinklers hitting the structure or over watering of the grass or flowerbeds. Trees and shrubbery in contact with the structure provide easy access by rodents and ants. Gaps around doors; plumbing, conduits and wiring allow pest and rodent entry.

How will you measure the risk reduction gained from this activity?

Measurement will be based on a comparison of the chemical used on individual client accounts during the same month last year versus this year. Explanations must be given on any account that required pesticide amounts greater than the prior year. Example: excessive watering; lack of watering; excessive vegetation; landscape modifications; plumbing or sewer leaks and structural gaps that can allow pest or rodent entry.

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