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St. Louis based Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions has provided the greater St. Louis area with quality solutions in pest management, lawn care and termite protection since 1956.  With their “family-like” approach to customer service, Rottler has grown to be the largest, independent pest management firm in Missouri and was ranked #67 on PCT (Pest Control Technology) Magazine’s Top 100 List of pest management operators in the U.S. in 2007.  

A proud advocate of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Rottler continues to adapt to the ever-changing marketplace in order to provide their customers with the latest, most technologically advanced and environmentally sound pest management practices available in the world. 

IPM is an environmentally responsible system embraced by many pest professionals today, which involves managing pests by eliminating their sources of food, water and shelter prior to applying any pesticides.  Effective IPM requires a thorough understanding of pest biology and habits, and incorporates three steps: inspection, identification and treatment.

Tips for finding a qualified pest professional include:

·        Always deal with a qualified and licensed pest management company that is a member of national, state or local pest management association.

·        Ask friends and neighbors to recommend companies they have used successfully and how satisfied they were with the service.

·        Most reputable companies will provide a free inspection and estimate for treatment-find out if the company you are considering doing business with offers this before scheduling an appointment.

·        If a sizable amount of money is involved, feel free to solicit bids from several pest management firms.

·        Before signing a contract, be sure to fully understand the nature of the pest to be exterminated, the extent of the infestation, and the work necessary to solve the problem.

·        If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing control, prevention and management are necessary.

·        Buy value, not price.

Of course, the first step to pest management is prevention.  Below are some measures you can take to help prevent pests before they become a problem:

·        Emptying trash containers frequently

·        Keeping trash containers clean both inside and out

·        Keeping full trash bags tied securely and placed in outdoor garbage storage areas 

·        Emptying sink strainers and running the garbage disposal frequently to prevent food build up in the drain area

·        Washing dishes immediately after meals to prevent pests from consuming food residue on dishes

·        Cleaning food particles and grease from kitchen appliances (toasters, ovens, microwaves, ovens, stoves and refrigerators)

·        Storing pet food in re-sealable containers

·        Limiting the amount of time that pet food and water dishes are left out

·        Storing food products in plastic snap-lid containers or kept in the refrigerator

·        Vacuuming and sweeping floors and furniture regularly, especially around eating areas such as kitchens and living rooms

·        Cleaning food storage areas and shelves regularly, where pests may be harboring

·        Sealing gaps around plumbing, wall outlets and switch plates to prevent pests from migrating from infested units to others

·        Caulking cracks and gaps in and around the property to keep pests from invading from outdoors

·        Inspecting children’s book bags and lunch pails on a regular basis to prevent transporting pests from school to home

·        Keeping branches and shrubbery well trimmed and away from the property

·        Removing old tires or other open containers around the property that can fill up with water and provide a breeding ground for pests

·        Stacking firewood and lumber away from the house to eliminate harborage for rodents, spiders and centipedes

·        Pulling soil or mulch back from the foundation of the property to prevent termites

·        Channeling water from downspouts away from the property’s foundation

·        Using trapping/baiting devices

·        Contacting a professional pest management provider

Got a tough pest problem?  Visit www.rottler.com for more information or to schedule a free home inspection with one of our state-licensed pest & termite inspectors.  Be sure to visit Rottler’s nationally renowned online pest library and identify your unwanted houseguests-even submit a question to our staff entomologist!

Kelly Steinbach is Director of Marketing & Communications for Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions.

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