Looking toward efficiency and effectiveness
The 21st century is approaching with new technologies affecting every business. The pest control industry is no exception. Over the past three generations, Ace Pest
Control has built its success around an excellent nucleus. The nucleus consists of a
modern office facility, a fleet of 27 trucks, 10 certified technicians, two office associates,
and a customer base of 3,500 covering 12 counties in northern Indiana and southern Michigan and a communication system using Cellular Phones, Fax Machines and Modems.
Greg Long, president and third generation son of the business, says safety and less pesticide use is what Ace is stiving to achieve. "We implement Integrated Pest Management in our services, which is the control of pests with limited use of pesticides," says Mark Swihard, route supervisor and partner in Ace Pest Control. "This is environmentally favorable because mechanical alterations, sanitation and exclusion are used in place of pesticides. These alternatives are much more acceptable to our customers because you get a longer control period."
Swihart has implemented the IPM approach in his division, as well as the rest of the service divisions offered by Ace. "It's been a lot easier for us to prevent a roach infestation in an account by keeping up with the sanitation, having the customer repair
minor maintenance, caulking cracks and simple maintenance," Swihart says. "We've
spent a lot of time and resources in training our technicians and customers. It's
rewarding when we can solve a customer's infestation that a competitor has had problems
with. We have made use of monitors and pheromone trays to let us know before a
problem exists." The pheromone pulls the insects to the bait by using a sex attractant.
Along the same concept, Ace uses growth regulators instead of pesticides to affect the
immature stages of insects.
The Ace Summertime Division is headed by Scott Galloway. The mission of this specialized division is to rid customer's homes of Spiders and webs. The newly implemented IPM approach, with use of the "Webster Brush" (a name appropriate for North Webster) removes existing webs.
Ace is still looking for seasonal technicians who are traditionally hired in March. The position is well-suited for women and semi-retired men. Ace's Summertime Division has a customer base of 2,500 and a support staff of 12 to 14 seasonal employees.
Ace pest Control has expanded its service to include a tree and shrub division, which has experienced 100 percent growth in each of the last three years. Staffed with an expert in plant pathology (Dr. Jerry Riffle) and a registered technician (Ken Damer), Ace
can diagnose an insect blight or fungus problem. An in-depth fertilization program that
can include deep-root feeding is growing rapidly.
New to this division is the pre-emergence weed control for flower beds. The Mauget and tree injection system, which places material directly into the living tissue of
the tree, is also used. This method allows treatment for trees in sensitive locations, such
as along seawalls, residences or adjacent property lines.
The termite disision is manned by Larry Manhardt and John Freel. "Get them where the live!" a new method of termite control, is being used by Ace's five authorized
installers. Sentricon is a low-impact colony elimination system. The Sentricon system
eliminates every termite in a colony, right down to the nest where the termites live.
With an ongoing monitoring program, your home can be protected forever. The way in which Sentricon works is simple: monitor bait - spread - eliminate colony.
IPM in termite control work is essential. Why use pesticides to treat termites in wood debris in a crawl space when it can simply be removed? Conditions conducive to infestations, such as wood and soil in contact, moisture problems, and wood piles along foundation venelation, are always addressed to prevent infestation.
With three generations, Ace Pest Control has been in business 59 years and emphasizes the fact that IPM methods are used throughout all divisions of the company.
Not a franchise, Ace Pest Control is afforded the latitude to make conscientious decisions in the realm of education. Perfect attendance for the past 24 years has been maintained at both the National Pest Control Convention and the Purdue Pest Control Conference. The staff at Ace Pest Control has not only attended many seminars, but has also been invited to provide training programs for various meetings, such as the Oceanic Asian Pest Control Conference, Purdue Certification Training Program, Indiana Pest Control Association and local community organizations.
Always striving to provide the best in pest control service for its customers, Ace Pest Control is sure to achieve its mission, which is to be the most effective and efficient pest control company in the business.
SR 13 North - P.O. Box 383, North Webster, Indiana 46555
Telephone 1-800-552-2787 1-574-834-2834
acepest@kconline.com
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Webmaster - Carl Gilland - Perry Iowa