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SERVICE TECHNICIANS - CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS - OUTSIDE SALES - CALL CENTER REPS Do you know someone that is looking for a great CAREER? We are looking for energized, great people to grow with us! We currently have open positions throughout NEW JERSEY! We offer excellent pay and great benefits! Many offices are now hiring! Come check us out at our BRIDGEWATER, NJ office on Friday, June 2nd or Saturday, June 3rd for an OPEN HOUSE! We'll be hosting from 9A - 3P on Friday and 9A - 1P on Saturday. Located at 711 East Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 We're letting you meet us, see Viking up close, fill out an application and interview on the spot! So come out and meet us, we look forward to meeting you!

Save the Bees! Why Bees are Necessary and Important

You may have heard about how the diminishing populations of honeybees are alarming scientists around the world. But do you know why bees are so important, and why researchers are determined to save the bees?
    1. You would have very little to eat if it weren’t for bees
According to the BBC, bees are the “perfect pollinator,” and of course, a large portion of the food we eat could not be grown without pollination. It’s not just vegetables and fruits that depend on pollination either—ruminant farm animals also depend on bees to pollinate their food sources.
    1. Bees are Not Pests
Unlike pests, bees are actually essential for the survival of both plant and animal life because of their role in pollination. Bees also rarely sting people, reserving their defenses to protect their hive. When people inadvertently or deliberately interfere with bees or the hive, bees might sting. When left alone, bees go about doing their business—which also happens to be the business of feeding you. If you are concerned about bees, it might be helpful to ask a professional about what your options are—in many cases people mistake bees for other hive insects like wasps or hornets.
    1. Bees Need Us
Unfortunately, the primary threats to honeybees are, of course, human beings. Agriculture is ironically one of the biggest problems for bees because of the use of pesticides. However, habitat loss is also a major factor in dwindling bee populations, which is why it is critical to take action to save the bees. Some of the things people can do to save the bees include cultivating bee-friendly garden plants, purchasing honey from small producers, and reducing over development. The importance of bees in our world cannot be underestimated, and there is a lot you can do to ensure the health of the planet by understanding more about the role of bees.

Reasons You Should Consider Commercial Pest Control

New Jersey has a lot of different endemic and invasive pests, and all businesses in New Jersey are vulnerable. Some business owners might feel they can get by without commercial pest control services, and even rely on DIY methods. In most cases, DIY methods do not work in the commercial context and can even be dangerous and damaging to your brand. Therefore it is usually worth looking into the commercial pest control services available in New Jersey.
  1. Some industries require commercial pest control.
  2. Restaurants and other hospitality and service industries have regular health inspections and the presence of any pests can do serious damage to your business—leading to fines, loss of business and reputations, and even loss of license. Commercial pest control services like Viking can detect the presence of pests before you do. Many early warning signs are practically invisible, including the laying of eggs in unseen or hidden places. Bed bugs are often not detectable without specialized pest control services. If you are in the hospitality or food service industries, you can’t afford not to consider commercial pest control.

  3. Biotech and pharmaceutical industries need commercial pest control.
  4. Commercial pest control services offer solutions for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and other industries that are vulnerable to pests—some of which are unique and difficult to detect. Moreover, these industries require highly sensitive and targeted treatment interventions and an ongoing program of prevention. Only commercial pest control services like Viking can offer exactly the types of pest control services these businesses need.

  5. Hospitals and Schools.
  6. Both hospitals and schools need commercial pest control services. Many pests spread diseases, and therefore keeping pests away from these sensitive public spaces is important. Also, effective commercial pest control is achieved in the least invasive way possible, keeping patients and children safe.

How To Prevent Mice In My House?

Even when you keep your home meticulously clean, you can still end up with a mouse in your house—or worse—a whole colony of mice. Mice are as opportunistic as any other rodent and may find their way into your Maryland home via small cracks that you did not even know were there. If you suspect that you might have a problem with mice, or have in the past, here are some tips for effective mice control.rat_6
  1. Landscaping.

Sometimes preventing mice from coming back to your house starts with changing your landscaping choices. Overgrown bushes and grasses next to your home can create an environment that is welcoming for mice and other rodents too.

  1. Debris removal.

Many people living in Maryland may be tempted to leave piles of wood outside their home, or do not even realize that their junk has piled up. Junk and debris piles attract mice. Consider getting rid of all the junk you no longer need.

  1. Change your bird feeders.

Birds often drop the food from the feeders onto the ground, thereby attracting rodents. You might want to consider doing away with your bird feeder altogether in order to prevent mice from being attracted to your house.

  1. Seal the gaps.
  2. Mice enter homes through small gaps. Those gaps could be anywhere—in your basement window, under a loose-fitting door jamb, in insulation. You can get your home inspected for potential mouse doorways when you see mice control specialists in Maryland like Viking.

    1. Ditch the gadgets and DIY pest control.
    2. Some over the counter products like ultrasound devices are sold under the premise that they keep mice away. However, these products are ineffective and so are methods that rely on traps and poison. You are better off calling a professional to come and help you with mice control.

How Much Does a Pest Control Service Cost?

Cost is one of the main concerns people have when they realize they have a pest problem and need to call a professional pest control service. Often, homeowners or even business owners will initially try an over the counter pesticide. When they realize they just wasted their money on a product that never actually solved the problem, they face the proposition of calling a professional and fear that even the initial consultation is going to set them back a lot of money. That actually isn’t the case in New Jersey, where you can get a free pest control assessment or consultation from companies like Viking.

Factors That decides the Cost Of Pest Control

After the initial consultation, the pest control company can inform you about your options and give you a more accurate idea of how much it would cost to address your pest problem once and for all. The cost will depend on a number of factors including the type of pest or pests you have, how many treatments are needed based on the extent of the problem, and whether you opt for long term preventative solutions. Ultimately you can keep down the overall costs of your pest control services by calling a professional as early as possible, opting for preventative rather than remedial pest control services for your home or business, and making changes to your environment or lifestyle to prevent pests from recurring. The cost of pest control is relatively small compared to the peace of mind it can give you and your family, the reduced costs of problems associated with pests ranging from damaged wires to allergy medications, and the elimination of fines for businesses that have health inspections. Pests cause numerous problems besides just inconvenience and anxiety. Some like ticks and rats spread diseases, some like termites and mice compromise the integrity of your house by eating through building materials or wires, and others can cause your food service business to be shut down. Don’t take any chances. Call a professional pest control service today.

When Do I Need Professional Pest Control Vs. a DIY Spray like Raid?

Over the counter pest control products like roach motels and Raid are tempting solutions to an immediate pest control issue. Sometimes these products work, too. If you have a single roach or ant, you can spray the creature away from food or eating surfaces and get rid of the problem for the time being. However, these products generally offer little long-term help for most people with pest problems. For one, sprays like Raid are highly toxic and need to be used with the utmost care. If you are at all concerned about your health, the health of your children, and the safety of your pets, it is probably best to call a professional pest control service who uses just the right amount of just the right type of least invasive material to control the specific problems you are having. Second, sprays like Raid will not get to the root cause of the problem and will certainly be ineffective at targeting massive infestations. Roaches and ants breed by the thousands. You cannot possibly hope to exterminate all the roach eggs with a can of Raid; doing so would be impossible for the sheer reason that the eggs will almost never be laid within eyesight or easy reach. There could also be more than one colony, or even more than one species or type of pest in your home. When you call a professional pest control, an assessment will reveal the root causes of the problem and whether you just have one pest or actually several.

Why Choose Professional Pest Control

Finally, over the counter products like Raid are not formulated to deal with every kind of pest. Their labels might promise targeting certain species of roach, lice, or tick, but ultimately, the best products on the market are developed and sold to pest control companies who are trained in how to use those products. Professional pest control services have access to the latest pesticides.

How Many Treatments Are Needed?

spring cleaning advice basement treatmentsBefore you call a professional pest control service, there are a few things you might need to consider. One of the questions you are bound to have is how long the process will take and whether the pest control can be done in one treatment or not. Really, it depends on the type of pest or pests that you are experiencing, the pervasiveness or extent of the problem, and also other factors like the condition of your house, the geographic area, and your knowledge of preventative pest control practices.

Type of Pests

The number of pest control treatments will depend first on the type of pest. Some pests can be controlled with one treatment but other types of pests might require regular servicing. Ask your pest control professional for a consultation—many places in New Jersey like Viking actually offer free consultations—and they might be able to tell you right away how many treatments are needed. Otherwise, you might be interested in registering for a long-term preventative solution that ensures that your home or business remains pest-free. The best part about preventative pest control treatments is that there could be pests that you don’t even know about yet—eggs that were laid long ago or the early signs of pests that you did not know how to recognize. Professional pest control specialists know how to detect these early warning signs and can intervene when possible.

Geographic Area

Pest control treatments also depend on the geographic area you are in and the age or condition of your home. Some older homes might have holes and gaps in walls, around pipes, or in foundations that make it easier for many different types of pest to enter the home and establish breeds or colonies. Likewise, if you live near standing water or have a garden, you might be an inadvertent breeding ground for some pests. Minimize the number of treatments by calling a professional today.

What if the Pests Come Back?

Pests are called pests for a reason. They are pernicious, persistent, and pervasive. Some types of pests breed rapidly, laying thousands of eggs at a time. There is really no way of knowing if a pest will return, either because other members of its species find their way into your home from the outside or because they had laid eggs or bred prior to your starting pest control services. The reason why many people opt for regular preventative pest control treatments is that preventative treatments prevent pests from coming back, and preventing pests is far more effective than waiting until a small problem becomes an infestation. Also, regular pest control helps you identify the early warning signs of additional types of pests that might be present on your property. When a professional conducts your pest control services for a targeted problem like bed bugs, he or she may recognize signs of other pests such as rat or mice droppings.

Call Pest Control Professionals

If you have a pest problem that had already been taken care of and the pests come back, don't worry. It doesn't mean that the pest control service did not work or "take" the first time. Pests are a fact of life; human beings share the planet with many species that compete for space and resources. Several of these species have been around longer than human beings have and are likely to be around long after we are gone, too. Therefore, recurring pest problems are common. When pests do come back, simply call your pest control professionals and inform them of the problem as soon as you detect it so that they can provide immediate intervention. Also remember, it's not your fault. You can do some preventative maintenance but in the end, the pest control industry is constantly working on new solutions to solve a variety of pest control problems and are ready to help you when necessary.

Will Pest Control Be Harmful to My Pet or Child?

If you are concerned about the safety of pest control, first remember that pests themselves can cause harm to your pet, child, and you. Pests like ticks and rats spread diseases. Even pests that are relatively harmless can create problems for your pet or child in the form of allergies or anxiety. When it is done professionally, pest control can be safe and harmless even for pets and children. In fact, professional pest control services will be safer than DIY versions because of the safeguards and industry standards. Pest control often does use potentially harmful chemicals and you will want to reduce your exposure to those chemicals, and especially eliminate any possible contact between your children and your pets. All you need to do is keep your pets and children safe during pest control services. You can keep them in a room away from the primary treatment area, and pets living in aquariums and terrariums can be kept safe via protective coverings. Once the pest control service is complete, the pest control professional will let you know when it is safe to reintroduce your pets and children into their regular surroundings. The benefit of using a professional is that they can inform you about safety standards and are well familiarized with the least invasive treatments for each pest control procedure.

Preventative Pest Control

The best form of pest control is preventative pest control. You can learn more about how to prevent pests, such as keeping food and food waste in air tight containers and sealing all holes and gaps so that rodents cannot enter your home. Additionally, pest control services can be done on a preventative basis and therefore become less invasive. Preventative pest control meals less quantity of pesticide and possibly less toxic materials. And what could be safer than a pest-free house?

How Long Does a Pest Control Appointment Take?

The length of a pest control appointment depends on several factors. When you have a pest problem, or suspect you have one, the best thing to do is call a pest control professional immediately. The sooner you address the problem the better. In fact, if you have just moved into a home or apartment, you could call for a preliminary pest control assessment to establish a schedule for preventative services. Preventative pest control can be important for a small business, even crucial for businesses with regular health inspection such as food and beverage production and service industries. Also, preventative pest control services mean shorter appointment times.

spring keeping advice backyard pest control appointmentMany pest control companies offer free initial consultations, so you know exactly how long the pest control appointment will take. If you wait until you notice a problem with rodents or bugs, the pest control company will also assess the situation first before determining how long the treatment procedure will take. In some situations, the pest control appointment won’t take long at all—less than an hour. In other cases, the pest control process could take days, as when your residence needs to be tented for fumigation. Some of the procedures involve using dogs to sniff out bed bugs that would otherwise go undetected. If you are having a problem with unwanted birds nesting in one of your properties, the pest control appointment might include a cost assessment of netting or wiring.

Occasionally, pest problems are pernicious and chronic, depending on where you live and the condition of your home. In these situations, the pest control appointments need to be regularly scheduled until the pest control professionals understand, locate, and eliminate the root cause of the problem. A qualified pest control expert always knows how to identify the root causes of the problem so that you and your family can enjoy life pest-free.