| How to Start a Pest Control Business Posted: 06 Dec 2021 08:00 AM PST If you're looking to start your own pest control business, navigating the info on startup costs and permits might seem tricky–but we've got you covered. Pest control is a lucrative, exciting industry to hop into right now, since employment of pest control workers alone is predicted to grow 10% from 2020 to 2030.[1] To help you launch your own pest control company, we'll walk you through the key info on potential costs and profits, licensing, branding, and more. [Edit]Planning Your Business - Start a structural pest control business to work with residential or commercial clients. You'll help exterminate common pests like termites, ticks, cockroaches, rodents, and stinging insects.[2] You can even pursue one of these specialty fields to corner a niche market:[3]
- Wildlife management (removal of vertebrate animals like raccoons, opossums, gophers, etc.)
- Pest control for wood-destroying pests[4]
- Fumigation with restricted-use chemicals (a specialty within both structural and agricultural pest control)
- Choose an agricultural pest control business to work on large-scale pest control. As an agricultural pest control specialist, you'll combine pest management knowledge with a strong understanding of biology and agriculture. You'll manage weeds, plant pathogens, and more as you work on parks, farms, golf courses, forests, cemeteries, and/or waterways.[5]
- In some states, you'll likely need a college degree to get certified to operate an agricultural pest management business.
- You might also need to register your business with the Department of Agriculture if you plan to transport biological material or plants across state lines for large-scale agricultural work.[6]
- Visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/permits to view regulations and permits for importing, exporting, and transporting organic material.
- Plan to spend between $10,000-$50,000 to start your pest control business.[7] Before you write a business plan, keep the startup costs in mind, and create a 5-year financial plan that describes how much funding you'll need. Forecast how much money you plan to bring in–successful pest control businesses bring in more than $75,000 in profit each year![8]
- Pest control franchises require an initial investment between $25,000-$55,000 but provide training and name-brand recognition.
- Expect to charge between $250-400 for your services, though fumigation can cost significantly more (starting at $1000).[9]
- Write a business plan. Your business plan outlines your company's goals, financial objectives, and plan for success in your market. Presenting a strong business plan to potential investors or a major pest control company (if you're starting a franchise) is key to getting funding. Determine your management structure and figure out your value proposition by asking, "What sets my pest control company apart from others?"[10]
- Your business plan will also include funding requests and financial objectives.
- Register your business as an LLC or corporation. These two business entities protect you from personal liability.[11] Choose an LLC over a corporation for a lower starting cost—corporations are typically more expensive to start, and their tax rate is higher. Pick a corporation if you plan to grow your business into a larger chain and sell stocks. You can register your business through the Secretary of State website for your state.[12]
- Unless you plan to work in large-scale agricultural pest control across state lines, you won't need to register on the federal level.
- In most states, you'll pay less than $300 total to register your business.
- Even if you're buying a franchise, consider registering a business entity to reduce your liability. Most franchisees require you to be personally liable for your business.[13]
- Once you've registered your business, get your federal and state tax ID numbers and open a bank account separate from your personal finances.
[Edit]Obtaining Permits and Covering Liability - Create a services contract. Pest control contracts usually cover an initial treatment and create a plan for any future services. For example, if you run a termite company, you'll want to create a contract that provides free treatment if the homeowners find pests within a certain number of years after treatment. That type of "contract and bond" is industry-standard in the pest control business.[14]
- In your contract, state whether you'll pay for additional damage to the building if pests continue to create issues after your treatment. Many businesses will offer to pay $500-$1000 worth of damages (this is called a "repair bond").
- To be really competitive in the structural pest control market, you can even draw up a contract and bond that's transferable to the next owner if your original client sells their house.
- Get at least $500,000 worth of insurance coverage. You have to insure your pest control business before you can get licensed by your local pest control authority. At the very least, you'll need general liability insurance, which protects you from financial loss due to bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, defending lawsuits, and more.[15]
- For example, California requires that you have at least $500,000 of general liability insurance to operate a pest control business.[16]
- Florida also requires that you have at least $500,000 of aggregated coverage.[17]
- You might also want professional liability insurance to protect your pest control business from financial loss due to errors, negligence, or malpractice.
- You can also obtain commercial property insurance to protect your equipment.
- Insurance costs small businesses an average of $1,200 per year.[18]
- Complete approximately 3 months of training before getting certified with your local pest control board. If you've never worked in pest control before, you can either take classes at a local technical school/community college, or you can obtain on-the-job training from a pest control expert. Once you've received training on chemical use and safety procedures, you can sit for your local pest control authority's applicator certification exam.[19]
- Obtain an applicator certification from your local pest control authority. Federal law requires you to get certified as an "applicator" to utilize restricted-use chemicals in your pest control business. Search your state's name plus "pest control license" to make sure your training fits the exact requirements, since pest control licensing is governed at the state level and requirements vary.[20]
- Your state might run the certification program through the Department of Agriculture, Structural Pest Control Board, or Environmental Bureau.
- You may also need a high school diploma to get certified, depending on your state.
- Certify your business with the state pest control board. After you've received your applicator certification, you can become a certified pest control business operator. The requirements will vary by state, but you should expect to provide proof of insurance and financial responsibility. You'll also provide documentation that you've registered your business name, and you may need to provide a "Certificate of Good Standing" from your Secretary of State's Office.[21]
- A "Certificate of Good Standing" proves that you've registered your business with the state, and you've paid all necessary fees and taxes.[22]
- Choose a business location and check zoning laws. Local ordinances created by your county or city might restrict how and where you can store pesticides and operate your business. Check with your individual city and county to determine where you can store your chemicals and whether or not you need special permitting.[23]
- The EPA regulates pest control storage for 55-gallon containers via instructions on the label for the chemicals. However, your county may have additional fire prevention measures.[24]
[Edit]Building Your Pest Control Business - Purchase business and pest control equipment. You might choose to purchase accounting software, client management software, and website hosting to keep your business organized and running efficiently. You'll likely spend between $10,000-$125,000 on equipment.[25] For pest control itself, you'll need to have:
- A company vehicle
- Pesticides and pest removal tools (such as sprayers or traps)
- Protective gear, including respirators, gloves, and goggles[26]
- Hire pest control employees. Spring is both the peak season for pest control and the peak hiring season in the pest management industry. Create a thorough application that asks about potential employees' job history, education, and relevant experience. Interview your employees face-to-face, check their motor vehicle history and criminal record, and require them to pass a drug test.[27]
- Build your brand. Now that you've got the legal and financial side of your business squared away, you get to really shape your pest control company's image! Design a logo and come up with a tagline that describes who you are and the services you offer. To come up with branding materials, ask yourself, "What qualities do we want people to associate with our brand?"[30]
- Pick an easy-to-remember name that describes the services you offer, like "Ridgewood Rodent Removal."
- Come up with a tagline that shows your brand values and voice, like "No pest is too big or too small" or "Take the stress out of pest control."
- Market your business. You've got your business off the ground, and now it's time to start providing top-quality pest control services in your community! Get the word out about your new pest control company through social media marketing, customer referrals, and special promotions.[31]
- Set up a company website to advertise your services online.
- For instance, you could reward customers with a 20% off discount on future pest control if they refer someone to your company.
[Edit]References |
| How to Create a Virtual Recipe Box Posted: 06 Dec 2021 12:00 AM PST Much to the dismay of the cookbook industry, digital recipe storage has exploded in popularity, making paper recipes a relic of the past. This has led to the creation of many recipe management apps and websites, such as Paprika and Recipe Keeper. While many apps likely outshine your old recipe index cards, they (and most other) all require payment to take advantage of their coolest features. This wikiHow article will show you how to make a completely-free virtual recipe box that you can access from any computer, phone, or tablet, no matter where you are. [Edit]Using Whisk - Sign up for Whisk. Whisk is free recipe management app that makes it incredibly easy to save and organize recipes on any computer, phone, or tablet. Not only can you add recipes from the web, you can also enter your own recipes by hand. Whisk also plans to offer a recipe scanning tool you can use to scan your favorite recipes from cookbooks, recipe cards, and printouts (if available on your phone or tablets).[1] Whisk even calculates nutritional information based on what you enter!
- To sign up on the web, visit https://www.whisk.com.
- On an Android, open the Play Store, search for , and then tap Install.
- On an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, search for , and then tap Get.
- Install the Whisk recipe saver Chrome extension (computer only). Whisk's browser extension lets you clip recipes you find on the web and save them right to Whisk.
- Clip a web recipe to Whisk. Once you have the Chrome extension installed (or you're using the mobile app), use your web browser to find any online recipe you like. Once you've opened the recipe, you can share it directly to Whisk and assign it to a category (e.g., Dinners, Vegetarian, etc.). Here's how to share:
- Chrome or Edge on a computer: Click the green-and-white "W" icon in the upper-right corner of Chrome to access the browser extension. Click Save recipe to save it to Whisk .
- Android: Tap the sharing icon in your browser—if you're using Chrome, it's the three dots at the top-right corner. Tap Share, choose Whisk, and then tap Save recipe.
- iPhone/iPad: Tap the sharing icon (the square with an up-pointing arrow) at the top or bottom of your browser, and then select Whisk. Tap Save recipe to save it to Whisk.
- Add your own recipe. Although not available on all phones and tablets (yet), Whisk offers a recipe scanner that lets you scan recipes from paper. And no matter what device you're using, you can always enter a recipe manually. Here's how:
- Mobile: Tap the Saved tab at the bottom of Whisk (it's the icon of a bookmark), and then tap + to open the menu. You can choose to save a recipe by link (just paste the URL of any recipe you find), create a new recipe by hand, or scan the recipe.
- Computer: Click Saved at the top of Whisk, and then click + Add. You can choose the option to save a link to a recipe (this pulls the details into a new entry in your recipe box), or select Create new recipe to type your recipe by hand.
- Organize your recipes into collections. Collections are like folders for your recipes—you can create collections based on any criteria you want, such as cuisine type or diet. On the Saved tab, click or tap the Collections option at the top, and then select the Add option to create a new collection.
- When adding a new recipe by sharing, using the Chrome extension, or entering manually, you'll be able to choose a collection during the adding process.
- To organize existing recipes in your collection, go to the Saved tab, click or tap Recipes at the top, select the three dots on the recipe, and then choose Add to > Collection.
- Share recipes with others. One of the best parts of having a recipe box is being able to share your favorite recipes with others. Whisk makes it really easy to do so. Just go to Saved > Recipes in Whisk, select the recipe you want to share, and then click or tap the Sharing icon at the top—it looks like an open bracket with an arrow. You can share it on social media sites, via text message, in an email, or in a variety of other apps.
[Edit]Using Organized Web Browser Bookmarks - Create a Recipes folder in your bookmarks or favorites. These days, all major web browsers sync across devices on the cloud, making it possible to view your same bookmarks (or favorites, as they are called in some browsers) on your computer, phone, or tablet. Your bookmarks are actually the perfect place to store and organize your favorite recipes! This method is best if the recipes you use are all on the web.
- Safari for Mac: Click the Sidebar tab in the upper-left corner to open the sidebar, and then click the open book tab to view your bookmarks.[3] Press Control as you click a blank area in the left sidebar, and select New Folder, and call it .
- Chrome: Click the three dots at the top-right corner of Chrome, select Bookmarks, and then choose Bookmark Manager. Click the three dots at the top-right corner of the open page, select Add new folder, and call it .
- Edge: Click the three dots at the top-right and select Favorites. Then, click the folder with a plus to create a new folder and call it .
- Add sub-folders for different categories (optional). You can add subfolders to organize your recipes however you'd like, such as by meal type, world region, or diet.
- To add a subfolder, select the new folder you just created, and then repeat the process for creating your Recipes folder—this time, name the folder the desired category, such as or .
- Bookmark recipes as you discover them. When you find a recipe you like on the web, add it to your bookmarks or favorites, and choose the appropriate category to keep everything in order.
- Safari for Mac: Click the share button on the toolbar (the square with an arrow), select Add Bookmark, and select the desired folder from the "Add this page to" menu. You can also type a different name for the bookmark and add notes to the "Add a description" section if you'd like.
- Chrome: Click the star icon on the right side of the address bar and select Add bookmark. Click the drop-down menu and select the folder you want to save the link to. If you don't see the folder, click Choose another folder…, select a folder, and then click Save.
- Edge: Click the star icon on the right side of the address bar, click the More button, and choose the folder you want to save the recipe to. Click Save to save it.
- Sync your web browser across all of your devices. As long you use the same web browser on your phone or tablet as you do on your computer (and use the same login information in both places), you'll be able to view your recipes on your phone or tablet—no need to lug your laptop into the kitchen when it's time to cook!
- If you're using Chrome, your browser is already set up to sync to any device you sign in to. Click the profile icon at the top-right corner—if you're signed in, great! If not, click the "Turn on sync…" button to sign in and enable syncing now.
- If you're using Safari, your browser content will always sync to the Apple ID you're signed in with.
- If you're using Edge, you should be set up to sync by default. Click the profile icon at the top-right corner, select Manage profile settings, choose Sync. If you see the option to Turn on sync, click it to sign in and enable syncing. If not, you're all set.[4]
[Edit]Using Pinterest - Create a Pinterest account at https://www.pinterest.com. Pinning recipes to Pinterest boards is today's equivalent to cutting recipes out of magazines. You can use Pinterest on your computer, and/or install the mobile app from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone/iPad). The best part? Pinterest is totally free.
- Create boards for different recipe types. If you want to keep your recipe box organized, you'll want to create pin boards for certain categories. To create a pin board, just click your profile photo or initial at the top to go to your profile, click +, and select Board. Type a category name, such as or , and then click Create.
- Search for recipes on Pinterest. Recipes on Pinterest are actually links to recipes that other people find on recipe blogs. You can search for a recipe using the Search bar at the top of the screen.
- To search for recipe pins, just select All Pins from the menu next to the search bar.
- To search for pin boards containing recipes, select Boards instead.
- To view a recipe, click the link at the top to open it in a new browser tab.
- Save recipes to your pin boards. If you find a recipe you want to make, just click the down-arrow next to the "Save" button to choose the pin board you want to save it to, and then click Save.
- Browse and manage your pinned recipes. You can see all of the recipes you've pinned on your profile page, which you can find by clicking your profile icon or initial at the top-right corer of Pinterest.
- Click a pin board to view all of the recipes inside.
- To manage recipes on a board, click the ORGANIZE link at the top.
- To change the order of pins on a board, just drag your pins to the desired positions.
- To delete one or more pins from a board, click the pin(s) you want to delete, and then click the trash icon at the bottom.
- To create a subsection of a board (such as for a cuisine type), click the pins you want to add to the new section, and then click the folder icon with a plus sign inside. Type and name for the section and click Add.
- To move one or more pinned recipes to a different board, click each recipe you want to move to select them, click the arrow icon at the bottom, and then click Save next to the desired board.
- Create a pin from an online recipe. Is there a recipe you found online that you can't find on Pinterest? All you'll need to do is create a pin for that recipe so you (and other Pinterest users) can add it to a pin board. Here's how:
- Click Home at the top-left corner of Pinterest.
- Click the + at the bottom-right corner.
- Select + Create a Pin.
- Click Save from website at the top.
- Type or paste the URL of the recipe into the field and press Enter or Return.
- Select an image from the source to use as the pin image and click Next.
- Choose a board to post the pin to.
[Edit]Using BigOven - Create an account at https://www.bigoven.com. BigOven is one of the most popular recipe managers and offers many cool features, including over one million recipes built into the app.[5] You can also use the Leftovers feature, which lets you enter the ingredients you already have to find out what you can make. While many feature are available in the free version, the paid version gives you even more. To sign up, just click Join Free at the top-right corner.
- You can use the free version of BigOven to save up to 200 recipes and scan one of your own. You can use Leftovers, create a grocery list, and use basic search features. The free version is ad-supported.
- Upgrading to BigOven Pro gives you an ad-free experience on top of the basic features included in the free version (such as grocery list and Leftovers). It also lets you save an unlimited number of recipes, access detailed nutrition information, copy and customize recipes, organize recipes into custom folders, and search using dietary filters.
- Both options automatically sync all of your recipes to your account, which means you can access your virtual recipe box on any computer, as well as in the official mobile apps.
- Search BigOven's massive database. After creating an account, you can enter the type of recipe you're looking for into the search box and click the magnifying glass to search. Many of the recipes are created by people like you, while several are added by BigOven's curation team.
- Click any recipe to view its information, including the cooking time, steps, ingredients, and photos. If you have a BigOven Pro subscription, you can also view nutritional information.
- You can also comment on and leave reviews on recipes you've tried.
- Add a recipe to your grocery list. To do so, click a recipe to view its details, and then click the shopping cart icon at the top of the recipe card. This displays a list of ingredients you'll need to prepare the item. Click the X next to each item you already have on hand, and then click Add to add the rest to your list.
- You can easily access your list while shopping—just pull out your phone, open the BigOven app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android, and tap GROCERY LIST.
- Save a recipe to My Recipes. If you want to save a recipe you've found while searching BigOven, just click the orange SAVE RECIPE button at the recipe card's top-left corner, and then choose a folder.
- If you have the free version, you can add it to WANT TO TRY, FAVORITE, OR MADE.
- If you have the Pro version, you can add the recipe to a custom folder.
- Use up your leftovers. One of the coolest features of BigOven is its ability to transform a list of your leftovers into a recipe you can make right now. Click the Use Up Leftovers link at the top of the page, enter three ingredients, and then click BigOven, what can I make? This returns a list of recipes you can browse.
- Add your own recipe. Want to add your favorite recipe to your virtual recipe box? Just click My Recipes at the top, click the three horizontal dots at the top-right, and then choose Add Recipe.[6] Then, you can add a recipe in one of 4 different ways:
- Click Type it in to type in your favorite recipe by hand.
- Click Copy/Paste to copy a recipe from text and paste it into a recipe field.
- Click Upload a photo or scan for instructions on scanning a recipe from a physical cookbook. If you have a free account, you'll be prompted to send an email to support@bigoven.com to claim a free recipe scanning credit. If you have a Pro account, you'll be able to scan right away.
- Click Clip it from any recipe site to paste the URL of your favorite recipe into BigOven and have it imported with ease.
- No matter how you add a recipe, it will be available on BigOven for all users to try!
- Plan meals in advance (Pro membership required). If you decide to spring for a Pro membership, you can click the Planner link at the top of BigOven to view and manage your meal calendar. This lets you plan days, weeks, and even months in advance.[7]
- You can click the calendar icon on any recipe card to add it to your calendar.
- Share a recipe with others. Find a recipe you love? Click the sharing icon (it looks like three dots connected by two lines) near the top of the recipe card to share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or via email. You can also choose the Word document icon to export it as a Word document so you can store it on your computer.
- Whisk also includes tons of other features, including social interactions and the ability to create shopping lists.
- If you have an Amazon Echo or other Alexa-enabled device, you can add the Whisk skill to Alexa so you can add items to your recipe list using your voice. Just open the Alexa app on your phone or tablet, go to More > Skills & Games, search for , and add it to Alexa.[8]
- You can move recipes bookmarks/favorites to other folders by dragging them.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Keep Mice Out of a Camper Posted: 05 Dec 2021 04:00 PM PST Campers are great for exploring the open road and making memories with your family, but nothing ruins a trip faster than spotting a mouse (or the damage done by one). Whether you're currently on the road or have put your camper in storage for the season, there are lots of ways to keep mice out of a camper or RV. What if they've already gotten inside? Don't worry, we've got strategies for getting rid of them and making sure they don't come back, too.
This article is based off an interview with our MMPC-certified pest control specialist, Kevin Carrillo. Check out the full interview here. [Edit]Keep mice away with peppermint or eucalyptus oil. - Mice apparently hate the smell of mint! [1] Eucalyptus oil is a tried-and-true repellent as well.[2] Soak cotton balls in pure peppermint (or eucalyptus) oil and place them around the inside and outside of your camper, especially around entry points.[3]
- Wear gloves and avoid getting pure essential oil on your skin—it's strong stuff and could cause irritation.
- Refresh the cotton balls as the smell fades for best results.
[Edit]Try soap or dryer sheets for a natural solution. - Set out Irish Spring soap or dryer sheets inside your motorhome. Although there isn't any research proving that these strategies work, some people find that they're effective. The theory here is that mice dislike these strong smells and will stay away.[4]
[Edit]Use commercial mouse repellents. - There are a ton of products on the market you can try. From rodent-deterrent tape to sprays and pouches, you're sure to find tons of options at a nearby hardware store. Pick a few different types and try them out to keep mice out of your motorhome, but keep in mind that they're not proven to be effective.
- You might use mothballs under the hood or in the wheel wells. Don't put it inside your camper, though, as you'll have a hard time getting rid of the smell.[5]
[Edit]Set up snap traps to get rid of mice. - Snap traps kill rodents on contact.[6] Set up traps in places where you've seen mice or evidence of mice. Place them perpendicular to the wall so the mouse will travel right across the trap. Use fresh bait, such as peanut butter, fruit, or nuts, and replace it each day.[7]
- Although you might think live traps are more humane, mice that are caught and released are proven to return.[8]
[Edit]Get rid of nesting material. - Mice are attracted to paper, towels, and other linens. Either remove your bedding and towels or store them in sealed plastic containers. The same goes for any paper material, including cardboard, newspaper, paper towels, and toilet paper.[9]
- Piles of lumber, trash, and boxes or cartons often lure mice, so get rid of this kind of stuff or keep it away from your camper.[10]
[Edit]Park your camper on concrete or pavement. - Solid, man-made surfaces are less hospitable to mice than natural ones. If you have the space or can afford to rent it, keep your camper in a garage. At the very least, park it on pavement. If it's left sitting in grassy or wooded areas, you are far more likely to have mouse problems.[11]
- Mice are often responsible for chewing through wires and belts, leading to serious repair costs.
[Edit]Set up outdoor lights around your camper. - Mice are nocturnal, so they tend to stay away from well-lit areas.[12] Some RV owners find that putting lights around the perimeter or on the underside of their vehicle helps to keep the mice away.[13]
[Edit]Clean your camper after each use. - Removing sources of food and water can keep mice out. When you return from a trip, take all food (including dry goods) out of your camper. Thoroughly clean the entire camper and make sure to wipe down your countertops, fridge, and stove. Vacuum or sweep and mop the floors to get rid of any crumbs that might attract mice. This is especially important before storing your camper long-term.[14]
- Fix any leaks so there aren't any puddles or drips.[15]
- If you can't remove all food from your camper, store it in airtight glass containers. Mice can easily eat through cardboard boxes, but won't be able to get through the glass or metal.[16]
[Edit]Seal up any holes or gaps in your camper. - This is the best way to keep mice out of your recreational vehicle. Find all of the structural openings in your camper in which a mouse could get through, then seal them up with a permanent material.[17] Do a thorough inspection here, and open all of your drawers and cupboards. Be sure to look underneath your camper and check pipe and wire entry points as well.[18]
- Both silicone caulk and expanding foam are good options for sealing up any openings.
- A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a pencil, so it's crucial that you seal up even the smallest holes.[19]
- Make sure any vents are covered with metal screens, as well.[20]
[Edit]Use slow-acting poison as a last resort. - Slow-acting poison gives the mice time to get back to their home. You don't want to find a dead mouse in your camper, or worse, not be able to find a dead mouse that's rotting away somewhere. Plus, if the mouse dies right away, the rest of the mice in the colony will be smart enough not to eat the poison bait. Opt for a low-dose, slow-acting poison for the best results.[21]
- Make sure to read the label and follow all of the instructions. In general, you need to wear gloves and a mask when handling poison to keep it from coming in contact with your skin and to avoid breathing it in, especially if it's a granular poison.[22]
[Edit]Disinfect your camper once you've gotten rid of the mice. - Mice carry diseases, so you've got to clean everything thoroughly. Use traps for at least a week to make sure you don't have any more mice lurking about. Then, you can tackle the cleanup. Start by opening all windows to ventilate the area. Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from mouse droppings and the diseases they carry. Spray all the urine and droppings you can see with a disinfectant. After 5 minutes, pick up the droppings and wipe up the urine using a paper towel, and toss it all into a bag. Seal it up and place it in an outdoor trash can.[23]
- The next step is to disinfect your entire camper. Clean all surfaces, including the countertops and floors, with a disinfect. Wash all of your bedding and linens, and steam clean your upholstery.
- Don't waste your money on ultrasonic mouse repellents—they're not proven to work.[24]
- It's unlikely that your pets will be effective enough to keep mice out of your camper.
[Edit]References |
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