Springer Professional Home Services Fall Newsletter 2009

The heat may be gone... but the wasps certainly are not!

The end of summer may mean the end of flip flops and lazy days by the pool, but it certainly does not signal the end of wasp season. In fact, at this point in the season, wasp populations are reaching their largest numbers, having had the entire summer to reproduce. More than half a million people are sent to the emergency room every year due to wasp and other insect stings.

“Wasps are known for their unprovoked aggression,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for National Pest Management Association (NPMA). “In the late summer months, these pests are busy scavenging for food to prepare for the colder months ahead, and are often attracted to backyard barbecues and picnics, which increases your chances of being stung. Proper pest control is crucial to protect against their painful stings.”

Springer Professional Home Services recommends that homeowners inspect their properties frequently for signs of a wasp infestation. Common nesting sites include under eaves, on ceiling beams in attics, garages and sheds, and under porches. If homeowners find a nest or suspect an infestation, it is critical that they hire a pest professional. Attempting to remove a nest can be extremely dangerous, as wasp colonies can have upwards of 15,000 members.

Here are a few tips to help protect you from wasp encounters:

• Do not swat at wasps. It might agitate them and could increase the likelihood of an aggressive reaction.
  
• Do not leave opened food or drinks in easily accessible areas. It could attract wasps to the area.
• Place screens over opened doors and windows.
• Place garbage in closed or sealed rubbish bins.
• While in grassy areas outdoors remember to wear protective footwear..
• If a wasp stink is to occur and the person is unsure of their personal physical reaction, seek immediate medical attention as reactions can occasionally be severe.

Wasp are one of many pest problems that Springer Pest Solutions has been helping customers with for over twenty-five years. If you have a wasp problem that you need solved - Put Springer on it!

Call today for a complete Home Protection Estimate. Estimates are free, quick, and easy to complete.

Bed Bug Prevention!

Imagine this…A guest checks in at a motel. The next morning the guest comes down to the front desk complaining they have been bitten by something in the night. At first the motel thinks it may just be a reaction or they are allergic to something. After further investigation, the motel discovers the room has bed bugs! The staff strips down the infested room and all rooms around it for a thorough inspection. A very expensive treatment must be done on any infested rooms by a licensed pest control company. The worst part of this story is this has been the easy part. When the guest gets home a week or so later they start getting bit in their own bed. They brought the bed bugs home in their suitcase. Their entire home must be treated. They can’t sleep because they feel like there are bugs on them all the time. They talk to an attorney about litigation against the motel….

We hope you never have to deal with an issue like this. However, the fact of the matter is, bed bugs are becoming a lot bigger issue than most of us would like to admit. Bed bug infestations are up tremendously in the last ten years. Consumers are even starting websites of places to avoid because of bed bug infestation. Currently, they have posted eight different locations in Iowa. Bed bugs are becoming more resistant to treatment and can become a major problem with how quickly they can spread throughout a facility.

Springer Professional Home Services, formerly Springer Pest Solutions, would like to ensure this never happens to you. Springer has been a locally owned company for over twenty years and the leader in innovative pest management. We would like to announce we are one of the first companies to offer a Bed Bug Prevention Program. Springer has treated almost 100 bed bug cases in the Des Moines area just this year. We have had numerous hotels/motels in the area contact us with questions and concerns about bed bugs. We would like to partner with you in becoming proactive not reactive to this nationwide problem.

Springer’s Bed Bug Prevention Program will help to educate you and any employees you may have on early detection signs of bed bugs. It will monitor rooms in your facility on a monthly basis and treat any rooms that become infested free of charge. Best of all, it will protect you by being proactive not reactive.

________________________________________________________________________

Did You Know???

• Cockroaches spend 75% of their time resting
• Honeybees have 2 compound eyes and 3 simple eyes, for a total of 5 eyes.
• Bed bugs draw blood for about 5 minutes before retreating to digest.
• Termites cause as much as $5 billion in damage each year. Formosan termites alone cause over $1 billion in damage every year.
• In the U.S., rodents try to come inside from October through February for warmth and food.
• Flies taste what they walk on.
• Although the plague is often believed to be a historical disease, about 10-15 people in the U.S. contract this flea-borne illness each year.

________________________________________________________________________

The greenest way to do a preventative treatment on your new home!

Springer Professional Home Services is helping builders and homeowners with another innovative way of treating homes. Typical new construction pre treatments require the use of over 50 gallons of chemicals be applied directly to the soil prior to the slab being poured. These treatments are effective, but only for Subterranean Termites. With a Tim-bor professional treatment you are not only protected from Termites, but also carpenter ants, wood decay fungi, and wood boring beetles. Tim-bor is applied directly to the framing of the home and penetrates into the wood to create a protective barrier from termites, carpenter ants, wood decay fungi, and wood boring beetles.

Tim-Bor is applied directly to the wall studs two feet off of foundation, prior to sheet rock. Less than two gallons of chemicals are used on the average size home.

Tim-Bor is the greenest of treatments available because no chemicals are injected into the ground. Tim-Bor uses less than 10% the chemicals used on a standard treatment. All the homes Springer treats with Tim-Bor come with a five year termite warranty. If active termites are found in your home, during the first five years, Springer will not only treat the home at no charge, but repair any damage caused by termites.

Many builders are choosing Tim-Bor to ensure that the biggest investment of your life won’t be harmed by termites!

_______________________________________________________________________

Save up to 95% on Insulation for your Home!
Springer Professional Home Services would like to help you save money on your energy cost all year long. Did you know: Having the proper insulation rating in your home can save you as much as 35% annually on your heating and cooling bills? If you do not know what the R-Value of your attic is give us a call. We will check it at no cost to you. If your home or property is in need of additional insulation or a rating upgrade, their might be good news in store for you... there are options available to help you save up to 95% on the total cost of new insulation! Springer's Insulation Professionals can quickly measure your attic insulation, do a thermal energy scan of your home, and provide you with a free estimate on the cost insulating your home.

Thru the end of 2009 big rebates and tax credits are being offered to help the consumer. Mid American Energy will pay 70% of the cost of the installed insulation (up to $750.00). Ask your tax advisor but you may also qualify for a tax credit of 10% of the total cost of installed insulation (up to $500.00). Lastly, Springer Professional Home Services is offering 15% OFF on all insulation jobs thru the end of 2009. Our average consumer only paid $150.00 to have their entire attic insulated.

Here’s an example:

Average Home Attic Insulation Cost Approximately: $1,200.00

Mid American Energy Rebate - $750.00 (up to 70% of the total bill)

Homeowner Tax Credit - $120.00 (up to 10% of the total bill)

Springer discount thru 12/31/09- $180.00 (15% off insulation installation)

FINAL INVESTMENT $150.00 to insulate your entire attic

Springer is here to help with all your home projects. Call Springer Professional Home Services for the name you know and the Quality you demand. Springer’s handyman service is here to help with deck power washing, staining, sheetrock repair, trim work, siding repair, plumbing, gutter cleaning, shingle replacement, and many other home repairs. Call Springer today to set up your free estimate.

________________________________________________________________________

A Message from the Owner/President Jeff Springer

At Springer Professional Home Services we strive to bring you the quality of service you have come to know and expect. You will experience our commitment to service as soon we arrive at your door. All of our technicians work in full uniform and drive clearly-labeled Springer Professional Home Services vehicles.

Our adherence to strict professional standards has earned our company the coveted "QualityPro" designation. This certification offers you peace-of-mind needed in today's fast paced world. All of our technicians are fully licensed, bonded, and insured. We require our service technicians to enroll and actively participate in on-going Pest Management Training. We believe by performing these extra steps, you will receive a higher level of performance inside your home or business.

You can trust our service professionals to treat your home with the same level of dedication and professionalism as they would their own. Now, more than ever, our job is to protect your investments. Whether it is your home or your business, it is particularly important to practice a more pro-active attitude in respects to your largest investment- your home.

My staff and I look forward to assisting you with all of your home solution needs. If any of our services could be of benefit to you or someone you know, we welcome you to contact us at (800) 793-1833. We will have one of our dedicated staff promptly assist you with your request.

________________________________________________________________________

Employee Spotlight: Art Knapp

Art Knapp is a termite, insulation, and pest technician for Springer Professional Home Services. Art has been with Springer almost two years. Art started out working with our handyman department, and has been a great addition to numerous different departments of the company. Art is responsible for doing most of the quarterly termite inspections for homes under warranty with Springer. Art also helps out with attic and side wall insulation jobs. He is a great team player, and always puts the company first. We would like to recognize Art for all of his hard work and dedication.

Thank you for your interest in our bi-monthly Newsletter. We hope you find the information both educational and beneficial. If there is something you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please feel free to contact me at ewolvers@springerpestsolutions.com

Sincerely,

Eric Wolvers

Springer Pest Solutions

Bed Bugs

GOOD NIGHT. DON’T LET THE BED BUGS BITE…
As a young child, I remember visiting my grandparent’s farm each summer. The days were long and warm, the nights quiet and dark. So quiet in fact, I still recall falling asleep to the melodic chirping of field crickets interrupted only the occasional slamming sound of the hog feeding bin lid. I recall fondly my grandmother tucking me in at night, each time uttering that same similar phrase taught to her in her youth…. Although I was never bitter by a bed bug, (you see back in the 70’s to see a bed bug was very rare) this phrase did conjure up some very interesting ‘dreams’ in my youth.

HISTORY OF THE BED BUG
Bed bugs were introduced to the Americas by European explorers in the 17th century. In fact, bed bugs were such an issue in Europe that French explorers “kept” cockroaches on their ships as castaways (Professor? Have you seen Gilligan?) They believed that the cockroaches would fed on the eggs and nymphs of bed bugs.

Well, as might be expected, bed bugs prospered in the new world during the 18th and 19th centuries to the point that well-to-do-men who travelled in these post-colonial times would either carry a pig with them (or rent one for the evening). When these travelers were ready to bed down for the evening, they would place the ‘pig-in-a-blanket’, put the pig in the bed and the bed bugs would come ut and bite the pig, get their fill, and be gone for the night.

Bed bug prosperity reached new heights following the industrial revolutions of the late 1800’s which saw people—en masse-flocking to urban centers in search of the “American Dream”. Here we began to see overcrowding of people which lead to an upswing in unsanitary conditions—conditions perfect for bed bug growth. During these times (up through the 1930’s) bed bug control was largely ineffective. People would commonly place the legs of their beds in containers of kerosene and treat the bed frames with benzene (both of which as extremely flammable. Ever heard the story of Mrs. O’Leary, her cow, and the great fires of Chicago? Coincidence?
Hmmmm….) however, it was not until the 1940’s, with the advent of DDT that bed bugs had finally met their match. DDT would be sprayed on and around the bed with its residual control lasting upwards of a year which eventually forced the bed bug to become regulated to the lowly status of ‘occasional pest’ mainly seen arbitrarily in low income housing units. However, DDT was banned in 1972 due to environmental concerns.

And now bed bugs are beginning to rear their ugly heads again. Why now?


















THE RESURGENCE
There are several theories as to why bed bugs are making a comeback.
1. Today, the pest control industry is mainly bait-oriented. Pest control technicians no longer automatically spray baseboards or apply insecticide barriers around bedrooms and sleeping areas.
2. Increased worldwide travel, immigration, and relocation of populations from one city to another.
3. Increased exchange of second hand merchandise. Shabby-Chic is in. Therefore, we see an increased occurrence of antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales.

Whichever theories are correct, one thing is clear; bed bugs are once again becoming a noteworthy problem. The critical question is how bad will it be tomorrow or next year? Could it get as bad as it was in the 1920’s and 1930’s when up to 33% of residential dwellings were exposed to bed bugs which led these not-so-microscopic monsters to a lofty rank of “top three pests” in all around structures (trailing behind mice and cockroaches). Fortunately, we as pest control technicians are far better equipped today then were our counterparts from half a century ago to deal with this re-emerging threat.

PEST TECHNICIANS TODAY HAVE BETTER TOOLS
This coupled with a far greater understanding of the bed bugs biology and habits will once again make us more than a worthy opponent. Welcome back old friend. We have a little gift for you. 

A WORKING DEFINITION OF AN ‘INSECT’

1. A small invertebrate animal with a three (3) segmented body (head, thorax, and abdomen).
2. Two antennae
3. Three pairs of legs
4. Usually 1 or 2 pairs of wings
5. Exterior skeleton referred to as an exoskeleton
6. The scientific naming convention of an insect is as follows:

· Kingdom: Animal

· Phylum: Arthropoda

· Class: Insecta

· Order:

· Family:

· Genus/Species:

SCIENTIFIC NAME OF THE COMMON BED BUG
• Kingdom: Animal
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Hemiptera
• Family: Cimicidae
• Genus/Species: Cimex Lectularius (Linnaeus)



For more information about Bed Bugs or how to protect your home and family against this invader, please contact your local Springer Professional Home Services branch location.

Springer Professional Home Services Summer Newsletter

Springer Professional Home Services Newsletter

Summer 2009

Long Winter + Rainy Spring + High Humidity = Big Bug Season

In the past many homeowners were able to take care of pest problems themselves with just over the counter products. This year homeowners are finding it harder and harder with the high levels of pest activity. Although there are maintenance issues that homeowners can take to prevent pests from entering their homes, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reminds homeowners that there are several types of pest infestations that cannot be eradicated through Do-It-Yourself efforts.

“In economic downturns, many homeowners attempt to take on a variety of projects that are often better left to professionals, notably pest prevention and treatment,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Many pest infestations pose far too serious health and property risks to be effectively dealt with through Do-It-Yourself efforts. Termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage each year. Bed bugs can spread rapidly through a home if not identified and treated in an efficient manner. Rodents can reproduce quickly and chew through electrical wires in walls, raising the risk of home fire.”

The Midwest has seen perfect conditions for high pest activity this year. We just finished a record month in June for calls and new pest control customers. We would like to credit it all to our prompt & courteous service, but know we must give some credit to Mother Nature. The long winter we had this year, followed by a very wet Spring, and a high humidity Summer has created the increased threat for pest activity.

Bugs need a lot of moisture in the ground to help give them an abundance of decaying material for perfect shelter and food. The most prevalent pest problems that Springer has been helping customers with are Carpenter Ants, Termites, Millipedes, Odorous House Ants, Silverfish, Crickets, and Spiders. If you have a pest problem that you need solved - Put Springer on it! Call today for you free estimate for total home protection.

________________________________________________________________________














Did you know???

• Insects have been present for about 350 million years, while humans have only walked the earth for 130,000 years.
• Ants are the #1 nuisance pest in the United States.
• Bed bugs grow up to ¼ inch while feeding
• If crushed, the odorous house ant worker gives off a rotten coconut odor, hence it’s name
• Crickets are omnivores and eat both plants and animals.
• Termites eat non-stop – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• The largest spider in the world is a species of tarantula found in South America where one specimen had a leg span of over 11 inches.
• Mice feed 15-20 times a day
________________________________________________________________________

Ceiling fans can help bring big savings on utility bills

Springer Professional Home Services Handyman department has helped numerous clients lower their utility bills this summer by installing ceiling fans throughout their homes. Ceiling fans can not only help you reduce the amount of air conditioner run time, but can also help to circulate the air better. Our trained technicians will come to your home, install a mounting plate to hold the weight of the fan (if needed), install a new light switch (if needed), put your fan together, and install it for you. All that for one low price.



Springer is here to help with all your home projects. Call Springer for the name you know and the Quality you demand. Springer’s handyman service is here to help with deck power washing, staining, sheet-rock repair, trim work, siding repair, plumbing, gutter cleaning, shingle replacement, and many other home repairs. Call Springer today to set up your free estimate.

________________________________________________________________________

Want your home SOLD? PUT SPRINGER ON IT!

Are you looking at listing your home? Are you wanting to get top dollar for your listing? Do you want your home sold fast? Put Springer on it! With the help of Springer Professional Home Services Handyman we can get your home in the best shape it’s been in years. Springer’s professional handyman service can help bring a fresh look to an older home. You will be amazed the results you get from putting a fresh coat of paint in a bedroom, or power washing and staining a deck, new carpet in bedroom, painting your kitchen cabinets, or getting new cabinet knobs installed.

With the help of Springer you can get the most money for you listing, and get it sold in the lowest possible amount of time. Springer can help make your listing the best bargain for the money. Our trained technicians provide prompt, clean, and courteous service with a one year warranty. Most jobs can be completed in just a few days.

Springer can also help after you have an offer on your home. Most buyers are requesting a home inspection to help identify current maintenance issues. If the inspector finds problems with your home, that you’re not sure how to fix, put Springer on it! Springer professional home services will provide you with a free estimate of all the repairs required. Springer can get the work done promptly to ensure closing is not delayed. Call Springer for you free estimate today!

________________________________________________________________________

A Message from the President

At Springer Professional Home Services we strive to bring you the service you have come to know and expect. Springer Professional Home Services has been in business in the Des Moines area for over 20 years, and will be here to serve you in the future. From the beginning, our company has been built around quality. All of our employees are licensed, insured, drive marked company vehicles, and are Quality Pro certified. We provide a one year warranty on any termite free wood destroying insect inspection we do, and will treat the property for FREE if termites are found while under warranty.

Now, more than ever, our job is to protect your investments. Whether it is your home, or your business, it’s even more important now to prevent pest infestations, and the added expense they can cause.

My staff and I look forward to assisting you with all of your home solution needs. If any of our services could be of benefit to you or someone you know, don’t hesitate to call one of my dedicated staff at (515) 262-9229.

________________________________________________________________________

Employee Spotlight: Aaron Chambers

Aaron Chambers is a termite and insulation technician for Springer Professional Home Services. Aaron joined our team earlier this year, and has been a great addition to our staff. Aaron has really helped with preventative treatments for new construction homes, along with taking care of an increase in termite treatments in homes all over the metro area. Customers that have had Aaron as their technician can’t say enough about his professionalism. Aaron takes his job very seriously. This is evident from the customer comments and manager’s evaluations.

Thank you for your interest in our Newsletter. We hope you find the information useful. If there is something you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please feel free to contact me at ewolvers@springerpestsolutions.com

Sincerely,

Eric Wolvers
Springer Pest Solutions

Springer Professional Home Services

Spring 2009

SPRING IS HERE & SO ARE THE BUGS!

Finally! The nice weather is here, and hopefully here to stay. The golf clubs are getting cleaned, the mower blades are getting sharpened, the green thumbs are anxious, the ants are swarming, the spiders are busy. Wait! That can't be right. Spring is supposed to be nothing but good things happening. Well, I guess that's just life. You must take the bad with the good. That's right. The bugs are back in business, and strong as ever. The early rains on frozen soil was perfect for pests, and bad for you. I do have some good news for you, though. We at Springer Pest Solutions have the most advanced technology we have ever had for the most accurate and effective pest control. We have four certified entomologists, and over 25 licensed thechicians on staff to ensure you the best service available. We have already received numerous calls on ants, termites, spiders, roaches, etc. If you are having any issue with pests in your home, give us a call. The best thing we can do is stop them before a major infestation happens. We want to fight the pests in their habitat, not yours! Need help on this year's spring projects??? Give Springer Handyman a try. We are here to help with all your around-the-house projects. Do you need your gutters cleaned out? Do you want a gutter guard so you don't have to clean them 3-4 times a year? Do you have some little projects you've been wanting to get done, but just never seem to have the time? If you answered yes to any of these questions, call Springer Handyman for a free estimate on any around-the-house project. We can help you hang that door you've been meaning to all winter, repaint the living room, hang that new ceiling fan, or just change out the smoke detectors that you just can't seem to reach. We are here to help with all your around the house projects. If we can be of any assistance, please give us a call. “The name you know, The quality you demand” Technical Tips: Termite Swarmers After a long winter, warmer weather is being eagerly anticipated. However, there is an important reason to be cautious this spring, especially with the increased moisture experienced across the nation during the winter months - termites. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) warns that as the temperature begins to increase so does the potential for termite swarms and infestations. Swarming is the termite's method of dispersal and establishing new colonies. The eastern subterranean termite usually swarms in the spring (March-May) during the daylight hours on warm days following a rain. Subterranean termite swarmers are attracted to light so if they emerge indoors they will be seen flying to windowsills and open doors. Usually, termite swarming either indoors or outside is the first indication to homeowners that they have a subterranean termite infestation. Once termites infest a home, these aggressive pests can quickly chew through floors, walls, carpeting and even wallpaper. With a termite colony's ability to chew 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and to number in the hundreds of thousands, the damage caused by termites can threaten the structural safety of a home. In fact, NPMA research has found that termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage every year. Here is a list of proactive tips to help prevent termite infestations within homes this spring: Carefully inspect perimeter of home for rotting wood, mud tubes or a visible termite presence. Eliminate any sources of moisture, as water attracts termites. Divert water away from your property through properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Do not stack firewood or lumber near home, and inspect it carefully before bringing indoors. If your home is newly constructed, remove old form boards and grade stakes, which may have been left behind. If you see signs of a termite infestation, contact a Springer Pest Solutions promptly. Did you know??? Fleas can survive for months without feeding. No one knows exactly how long termite queens live, but many are known to live at least ten years and records of some long lived mounds suggest longevity of over 40 years. The world's largest roach (which lives in South America) is six inches long with a one-foot wingspan The deer tick is smaller than a pinhead Mice can jump a foot high. Bed bugs are now found in all 50 states An estimated 15% of all new homes have serious structural defects and damages, which may include termite damage. A Message from the President – Jeff Springer We at Springer Pest Solutions are more prepared than ever for the Spring rush. Our goal for 2009 is to far exceed all of your expectations for quality & service. I have been around this business for more than 20 years, and have seen many companies succeed & fail. The main difference between success and failure is service. We will not be out serviced! I have over 25 of the best employee's I've ever had working for me to ensure your transaction with us is a pleasant one. Now, more than ever, our job is to protect your investments. Whether it is your home, or your business, it's even more important now to prevent pest infestations, and the added expenses they can cause. I look forward to assisting you with all of your home solution needs. If any of our services could be of use to you or your clients, don't hesitate to call one of my dedicated staff at (515) 262-9229. Employee Spotlight: Bill Henderson Bill Henderson is a sales technician for Springer Pest Solutions. Bill has been in the pest control industry for 22 years and with Springer Pest Solutions for the last 2 1/2 years. Bill is part of our sales team, and also does wood destroying insect inspections. If you have any questions on any service Springer provides, or have a current pest problem, give Bill a call at (515) 975-1030. Thank you for your interest in our Monthly Newsletter. We hope you find the information useful. If there is something you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please feel free to contact me at ewolvers@springerpestsolutions.com Sincerely, Eric Wolvers Springer Pest Solutions