Back Talk

Make Sure You’re Covered
I very much enjoy reading the articles in PCT lately surrounding bed bugs. It is amazing how much bed bug information is in the trade magazine and at about every forum I have attended. But one item that I do not see discussed or written about is how the pest management professional needs to protect him/herself when servicing this target insect. The pest management professional should have a specific contract for bed bug treatments as well as getting a hold harmless/indemnification agreement whenever possible. There are too many instances where the customer prevents the pest management professional from treating and servicing the location properly.

We have handled many bed bug exposures and almost every situation involves situations where our insured did not treat and was prevented by the customer from doing so. PCOs who service bed bugs need to have a specific contract and a release before any work is performed. Get with an attorney or your insurance professional to get these documents before the fact.

Andy McGinty
EVP/COO
LIPCA
Baton Rouge, La.

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Two Companies Create Their Own Stimulus Plan
Even in these uncertain times, you can depend on the pest control industry to find a way to make their companies survive and, in many cases, grow. Many firms I talk to in the New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware areas are growing despite the media’s gloomy tales. And two companies on either side of the Delaware River have found talking and getting to know your competitor can be more than a marketing strategy, it can be your future growth plan.

John Dowdell, owner, Zap Pest Control, Media, Pa., and Bill Hoffman and Bob Schwenker, owners, Hoffman’s Exterminating, Mantua, N.J., have been friends and competitors for years and have shared knowledge, a Super Bowl appearance by our Philadelphia Eagles and even a World Series game together. Now they share the same office, technicians, database and vision.

It wasn’t a merger or acquisition, but merely an agreement that they would help each other out during these trying times. Zap had the energy and some big-name clients but needed support staff. Hoffman’s had dedicated staff members but needed that extra push to keep up with rising costs and salaries. So the shared resource partnership began.

With the help of PestPac (Marathon Data Systems), Zap and Hoffman’s databases were merged together in one central place. Then we started the task of re-routing, printing invoices, statements and other correspondence with the new address, hooking up each others’ phone lines, assigning a team dedicated to the Zap team, and started re-training and re-routing.

Remember these are two separate companies — complete with three owners, three brothers, one sister, one niece, one brother-in-law, four long-time friends, 21 different personalities, two different bank accounts and 18 vehicles that cover three states. Although it sounds difficult to pull off, it’s not been tough at all with the great teams we have in place. Of course, such a situation has its challenges and setbacks, but the good has far outweighed the bad. Zap got a team that his company needed, and Hoffman’s received John’s energy, salesmanship and his three technicians.

There are many opportunities around us every day, however, we usually get in the way of ourselves when it comes to such opportunities. We need to be creative, and get this country back to work again, one bug at a time.

William T. Hoffman
President
Hoffman’s Exterminating
Mantua, N.J.