Lawson Benjamin – Donerite Garage Doors

Bed bugs can be found in upholstered furniture other than beds; in closets; in dressers; behind wallpaper or loose wall hangings; and in rooms adjoining host sleeping areas. A heavy infestation may emit a foul odor.

To prevent or reduce an infestation, keep clutter to a minimum and regularly vacuum and launder bedding, pillows, sheets and clothing. Apply diatomaceous earth (DE) to new harborages during follow-up inspections. Connect with Bed Bug Control Boise for reliable help.

85% of bed bug infestations are found in beds, so thorough inspections and treatment of these areas should be the first step. Bed bugs are very small and can easily hide in crevices, cracks, and folds, so a careful inspection should include examining the seams of mattresses and box springs, under baseboards, in carpets, and behind wallpaper. Bed bugs also live in upholstered furniture other than beds, especially chairs and sofas. It’s important to regularly vacuum these pieces as well as inspect the seams and corners and to wash or heat-treat them when they are infested.

Other prevention measures include avoiding second-hand items, washing bedding and clothing at high temperatures, encasing mattresses and box springs, treating upholstered furniture with steam or chemical pesticides, and using interceptors. These nonchemical strategies must be combined with a rigorous cleaning and sanitation program, a continuous monitoring/detection program, and ongoing treatment of infested areas.

Professional pest control services are necessary to address serious infestations and to ensure that the problem has been eradicated. Trained pest management professionals have access to effective insecticides that aren’t available over the counter and have the experience to apply them correctly. For example, over-the-counter total-release aerosol foggers aren’t suitable for use against bed bugs because they can spread the insects and their eggs around the home, not kill them.

A bed bug infestation can be extremely difficult to eradicate once it has taken hold. Infestations of this severity often require several professional pest control treatments and the cooperation of a client. Infestations in hotels, furnished apartments, dormitories, homeless shelters, and other institutions must be managed aggressively to prevent the spread of the pests to other rooms or to off-site locations.

Regular inspections and treatment of bed bug harborage sites will help to reduce the size of an infestation, but the nocturnal nature of these insects means they can quickly repopulate after treatment. The key to long-term success is combining pesticide applications with a comprehensive program of infestation prevention, including regular cleaning and decluttering, and sealing up hiding places. In some cases, a heat chamber is an option for furniture that can’t be treated with steam or chemicals because of its design and construction.

Detecting Infestations

Bed bugs are defenseless insects and do not fly or jump, but they can crawl a long way to get from room to room. They prefer to live close to their feeding area, which is why they tend to be found around mattresses and beds. They can also hide in dressers and nightstands, under rugs and carpeting, in cracks and crevices in baseboards and walls, and under couches and reclining chairs.

The best way to find these insects is to regularly check areas where they tend to spend their time. This will give you the best chance of detecting an infestation early, before it becomes widespread. Look for shed skins and dark red stains on bedding, pillows, mattress covers, and sheets. These are all signs of a bed bug infestation.

While you’re inspecting, take note of any suspicious odors in the area. In some cases, bed bugs can produce a foul smell that’s similar to rotting flesh. If you notice this odor, it may be time to call your pest control company.

Once you’ve detected an infestation, you need to make your home inhospitable for the bugs. You should purchase protective covers that completely seal your mattresses and box springs. This will prevent the bugs from escaping and it will also keep new ones from entering. You should also place interceptor traps under the legs of infested furniture. These traps will catch the bugs as they try to escape and kill them.

You should also make sure to vacuum thoroughly, starting in areas around the beds and then moving on to other parts of the house. Use a nozzle attachment and carefully search along seams, creases, folds, and tufts of the mattress. Then, carefully vacuum all other areas, such as the nooks and crannies of your bed frame, headboard, and baseboards. You should also carefully vacuum upholstered furniture, especially the cushions and seams of couches and reclining chairs.

Don’t resort to “bug bombs” or other total release foggers for pest control. These chemicals can be toxic and pose serious health risks. For best results, always consult your professional pest control company for advice on how to treat an infestation and what items can and can’t be treated.

Treating Infestations

If bed bugs are found, the best approach to dealing with them is to engage a professional pest control company for treatment. These companies are the best-equipped to thoroughly check, treat and follow up after a treatment.

Before the treatment, remove as much of the clutter from the rooms where bed bug infestations are suspected. This includes books, magazines, clothing and other items that are often found in these places.

Vacuum the area thoroughly, paying special attention to mattress seams and cracks. Make sure to remove the vacuum bag and dispose of it in a garbage receptacle outside. Also, make sure to vacuum any furniture that is close to the bed, especially if it has a crack.

Wash all bedding, clothing and other fabrics that can be washed in hot water or dried in a high heat setting (such as a household dryer at the highest setting for 30 minutes). Be sure to dry any sheets, pillowcases, comforters, etc. immediately after washing in order to kill any surviving bed bugs and eggs.

Place a bed bug interceptor under each leg of the bed (available in home stores and online). These are small plastic traps designed to capture any bed bugs that try to crawl up the legs of the bed. Inspect and clean the interceptors daily, replacing them as necessary.

Use a spray, powder or insecticide that is registered for use on bed bugs and labeled accordingly. The EPA provides a search tool to help locate a registered product. In general, the least toxic methods are preferred to avoid exposing family members to harmful chemicals.

Infestations that cannot be treated with the above measures may need to be removed and disposed of. Heavily infested mattresses, for instance, are typically not salvageable and must be discarded. Similarly, heavily infested furniture should be wrapped in trash bags and marked so that other people are not likely to pick it up and bring the bugs into their homes. This is particularly important since bed bugs are skilled at hitchhiking from one home to another. To avoid this, do not take used furniture from a store or from someone else’s house.

Post-Treatment Maintenance

Identifying bed bugs and arranging for treatment are just the beginning of managing these tenacious pests. Proper post-treatment maintenance is vital to long-term control and prevention of recurrence.

The first step in post-treatment maintenance is to carefully examine the treatment area. The inspection should be conducted using a hand-magnifying lens to better detect bugs and their eggs. Look for dark spots of dried bug excrement, light-colored shed skins (which can be easily mistaken for dust) and aggregations of hatched bed bug eggs. Also, note the presence of a foul, rotting or bloody odor that can be indicative of a serious infestation.

Once an infestation has been identified, the suspected area should be quarantined in order to prevent unintended spread. This should include blocking off access to the infested room, bedroom or home. It should also include limiting access to other rooms or areas of the property, as well as limiting the number of people allowed to visit the affected areas. This will help to prevent the unintentional movement of infested furniture, bedding or clothing to other locations.

Prior to the day of treatment, declutter and organize the living areas to make them less attractive hiding places for the pests. Remove items from closets, under beds, in drawers and other hidden areas and double bag them (remembering to keep the bags closed until the contents can be carefully treated, cleaned or inspected). Clear surfaces will allow the pest control technicians to reach all areas of the home during treatment and will reduce the amount of time needed for the treatment to be completed.

Be sure to carefully read and follow all pesticide label safety directions. It is important that everyone in the home understands and follows these directions to minimize exposure to chemicals. It is also crucial to not attempt DIY treatments, as these can have the opposite effect and actually exacerbate the problem.

Vacate the premises during treatment and stay away for 4 hours or more, depending on the type of pesticide being used. If you need to take children or pets out of the treatment area, plan for them to stay at a friend’s house during this time. Finally, be sure to properly dispose of any infested furniture or second-hand goods that are being removed from your home. These should be placed in a dumpster or clearly marked as infested so that others will not unknowingly bring them into their homes.

Tree Services

Tree Trimming Safety Precautions

October 11, 2024 Lawson Benjamin

Tree Trimming involves selective removal of plant parts for purposes such as improving structure, health and appearance, reducing risks, or providing clearance. It includes pruning away branches and limbs that interfere with buildings, power lines or pedestrian traffic.

Proper pruning can promote a healthy, strong tree and reduce the risk of damage during severe weather events. It also promotes flower and fruit production and reduces disease risk. Learn more about Tree Trimming as you continue reading.

Whether working with a chainsaw or a pair of pruning shears, tree trimming is a physically demanding job. This is especially true when dealing with large trees or those that are high off the ground. As such, safety is paramount, especially for workers who are climbing, cutting, or falling. Fortunately, there are several precautions that can be taken to mitigate the risk of injuries.

First and foremost, be sure to wear a hard hat. This will protect your head from any falling limbs that may strike you while you work. In addition, conduct a pre-start inspection of the site and the equipment you will be using to ensure that there are no hazards present. Ideally, you should also avoid working in wet or icy weather or in strong winds.

Before starting any trimming, it’s important to assess the purpose of your work and decide what you want to accomplish. For example, you might need to reshape the tree to make it more appealing, or perhaps to remove dead branches that pose a threat to other people or property. In addition, you should consider the overall health of the tree, as well as its growth patterns.

A professional can help you determine the appropriate level of trimming. In general, a heavy trim can have adverse effects on a healthy tree, so it’s important to follow the recommendations of an expert. It’s also important to avoid “flush cuts,” which are made very close to the trunk and main branches, as they can weaken the structure, reduce air circulation, and lead to disease or decay. Likewise, you should avoid topping, which involves the removal of the leader and upper main branches of a tree, as this can cause structural problems and encourage overcrowding.

Before beginning any work, make sure to check the surrounding area for energized power lines. If you suspect that a line is energized, call the utility company immediately and stay back at least 10 feet from any lines until they are confirmed to be de-energized. Also, be sure to use only insulated tools when working near power lines.

Equipment

Whether you’re a homeowner or professional arborist, having the right equipment is essential for trimming trees and shrubs. This includes climbing and rigging equipment, as well as the proper tree trimming tools.

Generally speaking, there are two kinds of cutting tools that can be used when trimming a tree. Hand shears cut branches up to 2 inches thick and are great for smaller trim jobs. Lopping shears are much more powerful, and they come in either an anvil or bypass design, which can help you make cleaner cuts without damaging the tissues of your plants. These shears also have handles of different lengths to help you get into hard-to-reach areas.

When dealing with larger branches, a chainsaw may be required. These are typically electric, although they can be gas-powered as well. A good quality chainsaw will have adjustable blade guides to help you make precise cuts. It should also have a comfortable handle and be easy to operate.

If you’re removing a larger branch or entire tree, a wood chipper can be an important piece of equipment to have on hand. These machines break down a tree into small chips that can be easily disposed of or mulched. They’re often mounted on a truck or van and can be run either by electric or gas power.

You’ll also need a few other pieces of equipment for certain types of trims. For example, wedges are sometimes inserted into cuts made in a tree when conducting crown reduction. This helps control the direction in which a large tree will fall when it’s being removed, so it doesn’t hit any structures or people in the area.

Both tree trimming and pruning can have a positive impact on your landscaping, but it’s important to know the difference between these two techniques. Pruning is the process of selectively removing specific parts of a tree to promote healthy growth and reduce hazards, while trimming focuses on enhancing the overall appearance of your landscape. Be sure to consult with a professional arborist if you have any questions about these processes and when they’re best conducted.

Marking the Work Area

Tree trimming is a great way to keep your plants healthy, and it’s an excellent way to enhance the beauty of your landscape. However, it’s important to know that there are some things to avoid when doing this task. The main thing is not to over-prune a plant, as it can cause damage. It’s also important to know what the difference is between pruning and trimming.

Before you begin working, it’s important to mark the area where your work will take place so that bystanders aren’t harmed by falling debris. You should also make sure to use a pair of safety goggles so that you can protect your eyes from flying debris and sawdust. In addition, you should wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands from blisters. A pair of leather gloves is ideal, as they can prevent cuts and scratches. You should also apply talcum powder to areas prone to blistering, and adhere a soft bandage over the affected area.

It’s important to understand the differences between thinning and heading cuts when you’re trimming a tree. A thinning cut removes an entire branch or a large section of a branch and promotes growth elsewhere on the tree. It also helps reduce wind resistance and improve light penetration to the interior of a canopy, and it can be used to shape trees and shrubs into a desired shape. A heading cut, on the other hand, removes a larger area of a branch and is usually done to control the size of a tree or shrub.

Another thing to remember is that you should not trim a tree to the point where it becomes stubby or misshapen. This can lead to disease and insect infestations. It’s also not good for the health of the plant, as it disrupts natural structure and forces weak new growth that is prone to breakage.

Finally, you should always have a qualified tree worker (QTW) present when doing any type of tree work. A QTW has completed a formal training program and on-the-job experience, and they can provide you with the knowledge and expertise to perform your job safely. They’ll be able to inspect the site for hazards and provide you with the appropriate equipment to safely complete the project.

Clearing Obstacles

When working with tools like chainsaws or axs, even a split-second distraction could result in a severe injury. It’s important that workers survey the area to identify any obstacles and plan how they will be removed. This includes determining the safest way to work around the tree, including power lines or nearby buildings and vehicles. It also involves making sure that no one is standing too close to the cutting zone.

During tree trimming, there are several types of cuts that can be made, depending on the desired outcome. Thinning cuts promote good air circulation and light penetration throughout the canopy, while raising and reducing cuts provide clearance for pedestrians or structures. However, some pruning techniques can harm the health of a tree or cause structural problems.

For example, stub cuts leave too much of the branch exposed to decay and are often weak spots that invite pests and diseases. Heading cuts remove too much of the branch at a random point, which can encourage the tree to put out many weak branches near the cut. Both of these types of cuts can lead to premature aging, reduced plant health, and structural instability.

Proper care and maintenance of trees are essential for promoting beauty, enhancing safety, and boosting property values. But when it comes to DIY tree trimming, homeowners should understand the dangers and hire a professional to avoid costly damages or injuries.

Professionals are skilled at identifying and addressing pest infestations or disease problems in their early stages before they spread to other parts of the tree, other plants on your property, or your neighbors’ properties. This allows them to reduce the risk of unstable or dying trees that can fall and injure people or damage property.

Additionally, professionals carefully monitor weather conditions and postpone tree trimming when adverse weather is predicted. This minimizes the risk of injury to workers, property damage, and utility line interference while also ensuring that pruning can be completed under favorable conditions.

Freight Services

Tips for Negotiating Small Parcel Contracts

October 1, 2024 Lawson Benjamin

Shipping costs are a critical business expense, but they can feel out of control and inevitable. With high rates, fuel costs, and a proliferation of surcharges and accessorials, reducing shipping rates through parcel contract negotiations is crucial.

While carrier representatives often tell businesses that certain terms are non-negotiable, virtually all aspects of a parcel contract can be negotiated. Click Here for some tips for navigating the negotiation process:

1. Know Your Shipping Needs

Even e-commerce industry experts can struggle with understanding the complex terms and pricing structures of small parcel contracts. This is why it’s critical to perform a thorough shipping audit prior to undergoing contract negotiations. Having hard data at hand — such as the impact of service levels, zones and package characteristics – gives you valuable leverage during negotiations with your carrier.

Don’t forget to take the time to analyze your peak surcharges, too. These flat fees can add up and significantly impact your total shipping costs, especially during busy times.

A successful FedEx or UPS contract negotiation can save e-commerce businesses money and boost overall shipping efficiency. However, the right approach is crucial in maximizing your savings. Focus on the items that are most important to your business and prioritize lowering costs in areas where you can make an impact. It may not be possible to achieve everything on your wish list, but identifying low-hanging fruit can still help you secure significant savings.

2. Focus on Rates and Discounts

When negotiating with shipping companies, it’s important to focus on rates and discounts. These are the elements of your contract that directly affect your bottom line. You want to make sure you’re getting a fair rate and not being overcharged. Before heading to a meeting, do your research and find out how competitors are charging for the same services.

Leverage data insights to help you uncover cost-saving opportunities during negotiations and optimize your carrier contracts. This includes identifying and focusing on the key areas of your agreement that have the most impact on your parcel budget, such as service levels, zones and package characteristics.

You can also negotiate terms beyond the base rate, such as residential delivery surcharge discounts, caps on accessorial fees and priority handling during peak periods. These types of performance-based incentives can significantly reduce your overall shipping costs. Also, remember to negotiate the calculation threshold for dimensional factors, which is one of the biggest drivers of your overall shipping costs.

3. Leverage Data Insights

One of the most crucial elements of a successful e-commerce business is optimizing shipping costs. This means not only negotiating rates and discounts but also exploring other critical factors like service conditions, like guaranteed delivery times and special services. To do so, leveraging shipping data reports is key. By understanding your own shipping patterns, the effect of your zone structure and package weights, negotiated rate structures, and tier thresholds for revenue-based incentives, you’ll have the insight needed to negotiate a fair contract.

A well-planned and executed renegotiation of your parcel contracts can unlock significant shipping cost savings, improved carrier service quality, and greater flexibility for your supply chain. By mapping out your shipping needs, conducting a full shipping audit, seeking third-party expertise, and leveraging technology for ongoing analysis/optimization, you’ll be well-equipped to secure favorable terms during negotiations. This, in turn, will boost your bottom line and enhance your customer experience. Click here to learn more about our renowned parcel audit and shipping management solutions.

4. Seek Third-Party Help

A third-party solution provider that specializes in parcel contract negotiations can help you identify cost-saving opportunities and streamline logistics operations. By analyzing shipping data, providing recommendations for better contract terms, and conducting negotiation services with carrier representatives, they can maximize your savings.

Effective negotiations unlock significant cost savings and improve service quality for your e-commerce business. Whether you’re seeking a lower rate structure, securing tier discounts, or negotiating peak/demand surcharge discounts, you can achieve optimal contract terms that save money and support your business goals.

However, misconceptions around the process can hold you back from achieving the best results. Using a third party to provide accurate pricing benchmarking offers transparency and levels the playing field in negotiations. These experts can help you negotiate reduced residential delivery surcharges, caps on accessorial fees, and other critical features that improve service quality while reducing your shipping costs. They also have the specialized knowledge to navigate legal considerations in contract formation, liability allocation, and insurance requirements.

5. Take Your Time

Efficiently managing shipping costs has become a top priority for ecommerce businesses. This requires a holistic approach to parcel contract negotiation that includes ongoing monitoring and optimization of rates, fees, and terms.

Carrier pricing changes a few times a year, and ecommerce companies can – and should – review their contracts to ensure they are getting competitive rates. This is where third-party experts can make all the difference.

Effective parcel contract negotiations take time, but they can save companies money and improve their service quality at the same time. By focusing on their unique shipping needs, running data reports, and seeking out third-party expertise, ecommerce businesses can find the best balance between cost savings and service quality and secure parcel contracts that work for them. Then they can focus on what matters most – ensuring their customers receive their products in good condition.

6. Be Flexible

Many business owners believe that their carrier contracts are non-negotiable, but this isn’t always the case. Effective contract negotiations can result in significant cost savings and improved service quality for ecommerce businesses.

During the negotiation process, you will need to run data reports, shop around to multiple carriers, and wait on approvals for special rates. These steps can take weeks, if not longer, so it is important to have flexibility.

For example, you can negotiate minimum charge reductions, negotiated base rate caps, and peak surcharges to help reduce your shipping costs. You can also request specific services such as on-time delivery guarantees and clear remedies for service failures. In addition, a third-party can help you uncover more cost-saving opportunities by leveraging shipping data analytics during negotiations. This can help you streamline logistics operations and maximize your return on investment. Ultimately, the more flexible you are during small parcel contract negotiations, the more successful your results will be.

7. Be Honest

It’s important to be honest when negotiating a parcel contract. Providing a false picture of your shipping volume and forecasted growth could lead to higher rates than you need or service levels you can’t deliver on. In addition, being upfront with your carrier about the needs and expectations of your customers will help foster positive relationships that make it easier to secure a contract that benefits both parties.

Before you dive into a negotiation, thoroughly analyze your shipping data, including current shipping volumes, parcel spend, rate and service level comparisons, and weight distributions. This insight will empower you to present decisive reasoning during negotiations and uncover optimization opportunities. For example, many shippers are unaware they are charged for dimensions (also known as DIM weight), which often pushes them into more expensive tiers. By auditing invoices and analyzing this data, you can save yourself more than just a few percentage points off your base shipping fees.

8. Ask for Refunds

Ensure you get the most out of your parcel contracts by asking for refunds on overcharges during contract negotiations. This is especially important during peak shipping periods, when carriers are notorious for increasing rates and suspending their money-back guarantee due to the high volume of shipments.

In addition, negotiating caps on accessorial charges can mitigate additional costs and keep shipping expenses in check. For example, reducing residential delivery surcharges and demanding discounts on surcharges during holiday seasons can save your business thousands or even millions.

Effectively negotiating small parcel contracts can lead to significant cost savings and improved service quality for your e-commerce business. However, navigating these complicated carrier agreements requires heavy preparation and deep market insight. For best results, consider working with a third-party solution provider that combines negotiation expertise with data analytics and optimization tools to uncover hidden opportunities for better service terms, waivers of accessorial fees, and discounted rates.

9. Be Flexible with Terms

The unforeseen fees of ecommerce shipping often appear non-negotiable, but a little bit of effort in negotiation can reduce these costs for businesses. Negotiating terms like earned discount tiers, service level guarantees, dimensional factor calculation thresholds, specialized handling requirements, bundling options, insurance coverage and other service-based incentives can all lead to cost savings that can improve customer satisfaction and business success.

Becoming better at parcel contract negotiations can also help businesses offset unexpected carrier rate increases, recoup overcharges and save on additional accessorial fees like fuel surcharges, dimensional factors, base rate surcharges, minimum spend thresholds and peak/demand surge fees. Working with a third-party partner to provide accurate pricing benchmarking can offer transparency and level the playing field in negotiations, as well.

Author: Lawson Benjamin

Bed Bug Control – Identifying and Treating Bed Bugs