Terminix Off-Site Blog

Tone/Voice:

• Download and refer to the brand voice guidelines.
• The Terminix voice is relentless and rugged, yet approachable.
• DO NOT write in first person. These are off-site blogs, but the quality needs to be higher than assignments on the Premium sheet.

Special Considerations

• Use the word “professionals” instead of “experts”
• “Pest control” is a specific category of TMX service. It is different from “wildlife control,” mosquito control,” or “bed bug control.” Do not use these interchangeably.
• We want to avoid safety claims. Also, re: disease: Remember, the potential for disease is just a threat from mosquitoes, but at Terminix, we control mosquitoes – we don’t control disease.
• We don’t want to go into too much detail about disease. In general, try not to focus on health hazards.
• Also don’t provide medical advice beyond seeing a doctor (e.g. don’t recommend over-the-counter ointments for insect bites).
• For medical facts such as bed bug allergies they wanted citations.
• Rather than “can carry diseases”, use the wording “can carry pathogens that may cause disease”
• Terminix doesn’t do free inspections (except for wildlife — and maybe bed bugs?) but does give free estimates.
• They don’t cover all pests, but a variety.
• We can’t call ourselves “the best.” We can say “one of the top” Also cannot guarantee that they can make a property pest-free — do not use the “pest-free” construction.
• Prefers “protected” rather than “safe.”
• Doesn’t like “exterminate,” prefers “pest control.”
• We can’t talk about insulation in regards to pest control. Our insulation service has no pest control benefits.Termites can damage (not destroy) a building’s structure, not its foundation.
• If you want to mention the guarantee, you’ll have to say “if the bugs return, your Terminix professional will come back at no additional cost” and use an asterisk with this disclaimer at the bottom:
  • “If within 30 days after an inspection or treatment you aren’t totally satisfied, we will refund the applicable treatment or coverage charges, reimburse any prepaid services and cancel your plan.“
• Avoid the word tenacious

Keywords:

• If applicable, use each keyword at least once.
• If applicable, include cross links with anchor text listed in the special instructions (Column F).
  • DO NOT include any links other than what is provided in Column F.
• Keywords and links should be used as evenly as possible throughout the content.
  • Ideal placement is one in first paragraph, one in body, one in conclusion, etc.
  • DO NOT put them all in the same paragraph.

Format:

• Use the title EXACTLY as it appears in Column D on the spreadsheet.
• ALWAYS include headers, lists and/or bullet points within the article.
• End with a generic call to action.
  • Ex. – “Contact a pest specialist for more information.”
  • DO NOT specifically mention Terminix by name.

• Save as “Terminix – title.”
  • DO NOT include special characters in the file name.
• Put Terminix Off-Site Blog in the email subject line and send to [email protected].
• Enter the file name on the spreadsheet in Column M, exactly as it was saved.

Don’t Let Pests Get in the Way of Your Summer Plans

 Now that summer is almost here, it’s time to take care of a few things around the home so pests don’t make themselves comfortable in your space. The rising temperatures of spring and summer can be the perfect environment for some of the most annoying pests of the year. Here are some tips to help you keep the pests from ruining your summer.

 Remove Any Standing Water

First, make sure you survey your property for any pools of standing water. Standing water is the perfect breeding ground for summer’s most obnoxious pests: mosquitoes. A mosquito treatment in your yard is also a great way to keep them from biting your friends and family members during those summer cookouts.

Wear Tick and Mosquito Spray

 Another way you can help protect yourself and your family members is by wearing mosquito and tick spray when you venture outdoors. The threat of mosquitoes and ticks can go beyond your own property, and unless you wear long sleeves and pants, you may not be protected. An effective bug spray can keep you comfortable and safe from tick and mosquito bites and related illnesses.

Use Caulk to Seal Windows and Cracks

 Next, go through your home and check out the windows and foundation. If you see cracks in the foundation or feel spaces of air coming from your windows, you need to seal them. Bugs can fit through these small spaces and infiltrate your home. A simple tube of caulk can help secure these spaces and keep them from opening the door to pests.

Clean Out Cupboards and Pantries

 You should also pay attention to your kitchen to avoid pests such as ants or fruit flies. Spring is a great time to go through your pantry and kitchen cupboards and do a deep clean. Clear out all dishes and food items and clean out any surfaces. You’ll get rid of crumbs and food particles and keep pests from using them as a food source. A pest company can help you develop an even more comprehensive pest control plan for the kitchen.

Maintain Landscaping Outside

Spring and summer are also a good time of year to trim back on your trees, bushes and other landscaping to prevent pests from taking up residence. Clear away any dead leaves and debris from the fall and winter so spiders and other pests don’t hide out.

If you need help with your pest control for this summer, contact a specialist. Don’t let your summer be impacted by irritating pests this year.

5 Tricks Professionals Use to Get Pests Out of Your Home

Dealing with pest problems is nobody’s idea of a good time. Insects and rodents often seem to pop up from nowhere, and getting rid of them can be a real head-scratcher. Pest control in Austin is often best left to the professionals, but before making that call, you may want to get an idea of what to expect. The pros certainly have plenty of tricks up their sleeves to rid your residence of unwanted intruders; here are five of the most commonly used.

1. Inspection and Monitoring

The first step in resolving a pest problem is evaluating the situation. One must determine what type of pest is present, where they are in the home and how they got in. Numerous tools can come into play, including:

• Ultraviolet (UV) lights, which can help detect traces of rodent urine, presence of scorpions, etc.;
• Infrared thermography, a non-intrusive means of identifying heat sources behind walls and other solid surfaces;
• Glue boards, used to entrap pests in specific parts of a home and identify the specific types that must be dealt with.

2. Fumigation

If you’ve ever seen a house enrobed in what looked like a circus tent, then you’ve seen fumigation at work. In this process, poisonous fumigant is administered into an enclosed home, where it remains for a prescribed amount of time to kill off known pests. Afterward, a thorough ventilation process returns the building to a safely inhabitable state.

3. Advanced Trapping

Many professionals rely on tools similar to those that can be found on typical store shelves, including rodent traps. The difference is that experienced technicians will have a much better feel for how mice and rats tend to gain entry, what they’re attracted to and how they move about the home, making trap placement much more productive and fruitful.

4. Environment Control

Many insects are drawn to moisture, including cockroaches. That’s why many experts utilize commercial-grade dehumidifiers as part of pest control, placing them in strategic spots such as damp basements. Drying out the atmosphere makes it tough for these types of insects to thrive, making it a common step in cockroach control. 

5. Powerful Poisons

Several pesticides and rodenticides are commonly available, but as with traps, they are often better suited to professional use. Technicians are also qualified to employ much stronger poisons than those sold commercially, potentially producing better results while sparing you unnecessary exposure to harmful solutions.

Contact a professional to determine which method will be the most effective to rid your home of unwanted pests.

The Correct Way to Get Wildlife Out of Your Home

Since humans interact with homes every day, they can quickly find the exits when necessary. Wildlife, on the other hand, can be confused by the sounds and smells indoors to the point where some don’t recognize an open door when you give it to them. There are also situations where wildlife removal is difficult because the creatures simply want to stay in this warm place with plenty of food. Here are some things to avoid and some to do when you have an unwanted guest.

Do Open Doors and Windows

Even though some wildlife will not recognize the exits you’re offering, it is often better to have them than not. Certain rodents, once they feel trapped, may lash out at anything that moves. Once you’ve called an exterminator in Houston, TX, ask for other recommendations until arrival.

Don’t Trust Old Folk Remedies

It can seem tempting to use plants, candles or other remedies to “urge” wildlife to leave your home, but most of these are better at preventing them from getting inside in the first place. You are better off trusting a professional to advise you than “old wives.”

Do Check Local Laws

In some states a permit is required to remove wildlife from a home or the surrounding areas. There are also laws against releasing wildlife on government property. Snakes, in particular, sometimes have laws against even releasing them in your neighborhood as they are legally classified as a nuisance. Another note is bees usually require relocation instead of destruction.

Don’t Go In Blind

Just because you have a cat does not mean you are ready to tackle a raccoon and toss it outside. Wildlife extraction should never be attempted by a novice. Even if you have experience with wild critters, it is a good idea to do some research before attempting anything risky.

Do Move Your Pets to a Safe Space

Wildlife that gets indoors might try to attack a domestic cat, dog, bird or other pet. It’s a good idea to move your pet somewhere safe with a door you can close. Large pets or ones that feel a need to be involved in everything might balk at this imprisonment, but it prevents possible injury.

Handling wildlife removal is something best left to professionals. These tips can help protect you, your family and pets while you wait for someone more qualified for the job. A qualified exterminator can also tell you about any laws regarding your particular pest.