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Heron is recognized in pest control industry magazines

Florida Pest Management Association and Pest Management Professional highlights Heron’s annual employee appreciation day in their online magazines. 

View Pest Management Professional article below:

http://www.mypmp.net/2013/05/08/heron-hosts-employee-appreciation-day/

Termites are swarming! Is your home protected?

Homes with termites often show no visible signs of damage for years!  Termites could be eating away at the trusses in your attic or beams in your walls and you wouldn’t know until it was too late.  No matter how new or old your home is, or the type of construction, your home is at risk for termite damage.  Some termites can even get into your house through cracks only as thick as a penny.  Termites actually cause more damage each year than hurricanes, fires and floods combined!  For all of these reasons it is extremely important to have your home inspected for termites at least once per year by a trained termite professional.  At Heron Lawn and Pest control we offer a $1 Million repair agreement against termite damage.  Not only will our annual renewal inspections ensure that your home stays protected and termite free but it also will protect your home for 10 years!

How does our termite service work?  We believe that using Termidor is the best defense against termite infestation.  By using Termidor our technicians are able to build an invisible, solid barrier which surrounds a home and is non-detectable to termites.  Unlike traditional bait stations, Termidor barriers leave no gaps for termites to enter.

Why choose Termidor?  Termidor is the most effective termiticide on the market yet is a low dose treatment and has no odor.  It begins working immediately and completely rids homes of termites faster than any other liquid or bait product, killing termites in 90 days or less.

What makes Termidor so effective?  Termites are social by nature; they touch and groom each other regularly.  Termidor takes advantage of termites’ social nature and works through what is called the “transfer effect”.  Whenever a termite ingests or even touches Termidor, they become a carrier transferring the product to every termite that they come in contact with.  This Termidor “transfer effect” continues and very effectively wipes out the entire colony of termites.

Prevention is protection! Schedule your annual termite inspection today.

Did you know that cockroaches can trigger allergy and asthma attacks?

May is National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month.  According to the National Pest Management Association, cockroaches can be a direct trigger of allergies and asthma attacks.   Some roach related allergy symptoms to look out for are stuffy nose, watery eyes, a tickle in the throat, wheezing, congestion, rashes, clogged ears and clogged sinuses. Cockroaches decomposing bodies, saliva and droppings contain proteins that can increase the severity of asthma symptoms, especially in children.  German roaches are the most common roaches found in homes and apartments and are also the number one cause of upper respiratory disease among infants.  They can be easily transported in grocery bags, food packages and even handbags and can also live up to a month without food as long as water is present, which is why they can normally be found in kitchens and bathrooms.  In addition to triggering allergies and asthma, cockroaches are known to spread 33 different kinds of bacteria, six parasitic worms and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. As cockroaches crawl through decaying matter or sewage, they turn into disease-carrying pests by picking up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies. These germs can then be transferred to humans on hard surfaces and through food contamination. 

In addition to hiring a pest control professional, here are some further steps you can take to prevent a roach infestation in your home:

• Seal cracks around the outside of the home to prevent pest entryways.
• Vacuum frequently and dispose of garbage regularly.
• Keep counters and floors clean and free of crumbs that attract pests. Pay extra attention to kitchens and bathrooms — especially under appliances and sinks — as these areas are particularly vulnerable to cockroach infestations due to the presence of food products and moisture in plumbing fixtures.
• If you suspect you have an infestation, contact a licensed pest professional to identify the species and recommend a course of treatment.

To find out more about cockroach related asthma and allergy symptoms please visit http://www.npmapestworld.org/news/releases/pr051810.cfm. 

Please click here for more information on pest prevention and treatment.

Do you know which spiders are poisonous?

Spiders are extremely helpful to our ecosystem and play a vital role in the food chain. They help keep their habitats insect and bug free while rarely making themselves known.  It is important, however, to be able to identify which spiders are harmful to you and which are beneficial. This diagram will help you determine which spider bites are non-harmful and which are dangerous.

Interesting Fact: Spiders can only consume liquids, as they lack chewing mouthparts. They use pointed appendages at the front of their bodies, to grasp prey and inject venom. Digestive juices break the food down into liquid, which can then be ingested by the spider.

If you see a spider that you are unable to identify, it is always best to check with a pest control professional.

Heron celebrates its Annual Employee Appreciation Day

On April 19th, 2013 Heron celebrated its Annual Employee Appreciation Day at Bear Lake Park in Apopka, FL. This is a day that we look forward to each year to honor our dedicated employees who go above and beyond every day to provide our customers with exceptional service!

 “Thank you to all of our hard working employees for all that you do. We appreciate each and every one of you!”

-Rodney Lackey, Joe Patti, Steve Okros

Heron wins the Angie’s List Super Service Award again!

Great news!!!  Heron has won the 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award for the 3^rd time. The Super Service Award is given based on feedback from customer reviews and maintaining a high rating on Angie’s List.  Less than 5% of companies on Angie’s List win this award, so it is a huge achievement! This is a direct reflection of the superior level of service Heron provides. From the Administrative team providing excellent customer service over the phone, to the knowledgeable Service Consultants helping customers out in the field, and the Lawn, Irrigation and Pest Control Technicians treating properties with the utmost care, this is a total team effort that Heron is very proud of!

 “We are once again honored to be chosen for the prestigious Angie’s List Super Service Award.  It is because of all the hard work, care and excellent customer service given by our employees that time and time again proves us to be the company that customers’ trust.  I am proud of our team here at Heron and look forward to another successful year ahead.”   – Rodney Lackey, President

The Baby DJ Toy Drive was a HUGE Success!!!

Thanks to the kind hearts of Heron’s employees, we were able to make Christmas brighter for many children in Central Florida this year. We had an overwhelming response to our Baby DJ toy drive and were able to deliver over 160 toys to the radio station XL 106.7’s toy warehouse. We were able to meet radio DJ and creator of the Baby DJ Toy Drive, Johnny Magic! He was extremely appreciative and even helped us carry boxes and boxes of toys to the warehouse.

Heron contributes to the 2012 Operation Christmas Child Project!

Heron was happy to contribute this year to the Operation Christmas Child Project. We were able to send 15 gift filled boxes with everything from school supplies, toys, necessities and personal notes with a photo to children in need. Each gift-filled box is delivered to children in more than 100 countries. Samaritan’s Purse, who spearheads Operation Christmas Child, is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease and famine. Since 1993, more than 94 million boys and girls have received these simple gifts of love. Thank you to those who contributed to this great cause.

Deadly Mosquito Transmitted Virus prompts warning from Orange County Health Department

After a large flock of chickens that are used to monitor the illness tested positive for St. Louis encephalitis, the Orange County Health Department warns residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites. “There is a high risk for human exposure,” says Dain Weister, a spokesman for the Orange County Health Department.

What is St. Louis encephalitis? It is a virus that is transmitted to mosquitoes when they feed on birds that are infected with the virus. St. Louis encephalitis can be transmitted to humans and animals through mosquito bites. Elderly people are more at risk for transmitting the disease. There can be a wide range of symptoms or no symptoms at all. Symptoms typically occur 5-15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Some of the symptoms include: fever, headache, neck stiffness, tremors, convulsions, coma and paralysis. The disease is fatal in 3 to 30% of people who transmit the disease and there is no known treatment.

Although, no one has contracted the illness yet, residents are urged to take precautions. Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Wear mosquito repellent, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outside. Some other precautions include draining standing water around the home from bird baths, gutters and any areas where rainwater collects. These are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Also, repair screens on windows and doors to detract mosquitoes from entering patios, screen rooms and your home. The chicken flocks that are spread out in six different areas of Orange County will continue to be monitored.

Our mosquito reduction treatment will drastically reduce the population of adult biting mosquitoes. If you have any additional questions or would like a mosquito reduction treatment at your property, please call 1-800-814-3766.

Heron Celebrates Employee Appreciation Day

Friday, May 13, Heron celebrated Employee Appreciation Day at Westmonte Park at Altamonte Springs. Employees from all five branches came together for a great day filled with games, great food, a raffle and an awards ceremony to honor employees who achieved Bronze Level in Heron’s Employee Rewards Program. 

“Our employees are the heart of the business. We are blessed to have such a great team and we look forward to this day to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication”.
-Rodney Lackey, Joe Patti, Steve Okros.