In this series of interviews, called Industry Insiders, we talk with business owners from various industries to get some insight into their respective fields. Chase Massey is the owner of Knockout Pest Control & Termite in Temecula, California.
What is one thing you wish people knew about the pest control industry?
I wish people would understand that the practices, procedures, and chemicals used by most pest control companies are designed to keep our clients and their pets safe and protected. We care about our customers and would never do anything that we believe would put them in harm’s way.
Why don’t all pest control companies also do termite control like Knockout?
First, in order to practice termite control, it requires additional licensing and qualifications. Not all pest control companies are willing to take these extra steps, but at Knockout, we wanted to be a true full-service pest control company.
Second, in order to have a successful termite control company, you should also have a background in construction. This is essential to treat and repair homes seamlessly and effectively. Our customers appreciate that they can come to us for both termite control and to repair the damage caused by termites. It saves them time, and they only have to deal with one company from beginning to end.
What are the benefits of having a pest control company do regular service, rather than just calling them when you have a problem?
Our Regular Maintenance Program provides our customers with year-round control. If there is a problem in between their regular scheduled services, we return and provide an additional service free of charge, which can be critical in the spring and summer months. In addition, a one-time service is not a guaranteed service. Some pest problems require multiple services to take care of the issue, which can end up costing more than it would have if they had just gone with the Regular Maintenance Program.
What would you say is the biggest challenge in running a pest control company?
Laws related to pest control are constantly changing. In addition, new practices and treatment options are always being introduced. Staying informed and educated on the latest laws and the current best practices and treatments is challenging, but necessary to remain competitive and provide superior service for our customers.
What would you say to someone who is concerned about having pest control products used on their property because of the toxicity? Are there any true “green” alternatives?
A majority of all the chemicals we use at Knockout contain the signal word “Caution,” which is the lowest toxicity category of the three categories into which chemicals are classified (the other two categories are “Warning” and “Danger”).
It should also be noted that any chemical can become dangerous if not applied correctly, including “green” alternatives. One way we prevent mistakes is by applying chemicals through backpack sprayers and hand-held canister sprayers. This allows us to precisely apply the chemicals at the problematic areas and achieve better results while using a minimal amount of chemicals. Traditional Power Sprayer methods can lead to an over-application of chemicals and drift.
We do offer natural and “green” products as well, but only those that have proven to be effective in pest control.
