Getting the Most Out of Your Home Remodel

Believe it or not, now may be the best time to remodel your home. A slow housing market means builders and remodelers are searching for work, and you may be able to negotiate lower labor and material prices. Consider this though: if you’re planning on selling in a couple years focus on small projects such as upgrades, otherwise you won’t recoup the cost of a major remodel.Usually some of the best areas to remodel are kitchens and bathrooms. But according to Remodeling magazine’s 2007 annual Cost Vs Value report, the outside may be the place to start. Adding a wood deck addition usually results in 85.6 percent of the cost being recouped. Next on the list is replacing the siding - 85.1 percent of cost recouped.Other best remodeling values include minor kitchen remodels – replacing cabinet fronts and hardware, installing new matching appliances, replacing laminate countertops with more upscale materials, installing new flooring, replacing the sink and faucet and repainting the walls.If you have an unfinished basement, also consider having it finished. You’ll recoup 80 percent of costs by adding a full bathroom, wet bar, and all electrical, lighting, drywall, doors, insulation and trim.Thinking about an upscale remodel? Then plan to stay in your home long-term in order to recover costs when you do decide to sell. Having said that, more homebuyers are looking for luxury touches such as spa-like baths and professional kitchens. On a major bathroom remodel you’ll usually recoup 78.8 percent of the cost, while gutting your kitchen results in 79.3 percent of costs regained.Whatever you decide to do, make sure you’ve done your research, studied the market and have the cash to finance your project. A little bit of preparation beforehand will ensure a better remodeling experience all the way around.

Don’t Let Your Fireplace Go Up in Smoke

For many of us at Allgood, enjoying the warmth of a fire is a welcome winter ritual. But without proper maintenance beforehand, those glowing flames can turn into a devastating chimney fire. The best course is prevention – having a certified chimney sweep perform an annual inspection ensures your fireplace and chimney are in working order. They’ll also clean and repair it when needed. Following some simple do-it-yourself steps can also prevent a catastrophe. If you’re cutting your own wood, make sure it has time to season (dry out); moist wood promotes creosote build up. Don’t build huge fires; instead burn smaller, hotter fires that produce less smoke and a more complete burn. When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace. Also, never burn trash in your fireplace and keep the area around the hearth clear of potential fire hazards as well.If you have a screen, whether mesh or tempered glass, always use it to prevent sparks or debris from escaping. Don’t have some kind of shield on your fireplace? Then install one today. Also inspect the outside and make sure the chimney is free of branches or other debris. Stack wood at least 30 feet away from your home. Storing wood in your garage will invite unwanted insects that live under bark and between the grain of the wood. Stacked wood can also provide harborage or living space for rats and mice. Storing wood up against your home can invite termites closer to your biggest investment.As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take action today so that you can enjoy a roaring fire all winter long.

Pick the Perfect Tree

Whether it’s the frosty winter air, the rich fragrance of freshly cut evergreens or the excitement of finding the “right one”, picking out a live Christmas tree is a memorable event and one that most of us at Allgood look forward to every year. Your family may have already perfected the art of choosing a tree but even if that’s true, here are some helpful reminders.Before you leave on your tree-finding mission, measure the space it will go in. There’s nothing more frustrating than coming home with a tree that’s three feet too tall or wide (or three feet too small) for the area.Once you get there, ask the retailer if they receive one shipment of trees or several throughout the season. If the trees come at different times, try to find one recently delivered as it will be the freshest. Trees that are shedding needles, have discoloration or smell musty aren’t fresh. Usually, Georgia tree lots offer three different types: Scotch pines, Douglas firs and Fraser firs. Which one you choose really depends on which one you like the best. With proper watering all of them should last throughout the Christmas season.To help pro-long a tree’s life, have someone cut about ½ inch off the base before you take it home, then place it in water as soon as possible. Keep it away from direct heat – fireplaces, dryer vents, direct sunlight, etc. Check the water level every day to ensure the base is still submerged.And lastly, after Christmas, properly dispose of your tree at a local recycling station. Many home improvement stores as well as fire stations offer tree drop-offs.

Light the Night Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Allgood Pest Solutions employees, friends and families will come together on Saturday October 11th to participate in the annual “Light The Night Walk” for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It will take place at 6:00 at Centennial Park. The night is a time for celebration, reflection, and hope for those who have and continue to battle blood cancers.

Because of our employees, customers, vendors and friends, along with a company matching gift, Allgood Pest Solutions has surpassed all previous years’ totals with over $42,000 in donations this year. Allgood Pest Solutions has continued to partner up with a number of other Georgia Pest Control companies to donate over $500,000 in the past 6 years.
Allgood Pest Solutions invites you to come out and join our team members and families to support all those fighting this disease. Thank you all for being a part of such a worthy cause.

Before winter sets in and the most you do outside is make a mad dash from the car to house, set aside an afternoon for some auto maintenance.

• Routine checkups will help keep your car in tip-top shape and avoid any future problems. Inspect the tires. Check the air pressure and add more if needed. Also inspect the tread by placing a penny, head down, into a tire groove. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered, you have more than 1/16” of tread left (tires need replacing when worn down to 1/16” or less).


• Check fluids monthly, including the engine, transmission, radiator/cooling system, brakes, battery, air condition, window washer.


• Wax your car. It preserves paint by slowing oxidation and provides a barrier against bird droppings, tree sap and more.


• Change the oil. In the past, auto manufactures suggested changing the oil every 3,000 miles. But with today’s improved oil, you can usually go longer between changes, especially with synthetic oil. – check the auto manual to be sure.


• Check and replace windshield wipers if needed. They should be replaced at least once a year, more often if kept outside in a hot, sunny climate.


• Clean the battery. You’ll extend its life and prevent a dead battery by occasionally wiping it down with damp rag, cleaning the terminals with a paste of baking soda and water and coating the terminals and clamps with a thin layer of grease to prevent corrosion.


• Check brakes. Anti-lock brake systems are sensitive to moisture so have the brake fluid “bled” every three years, or according to the owner’s manual.


• Change the filters. These include the oil filter, air filter (replace when dirty), fuel filter (once a year) and the transmission filter (every 25,000 miles).


• Change spark plugs. Sometimes poor vehicle performance is due to faulty spark plugs. If part of routine maintenance, change them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.


• Inspect 4-wheel drive components. Be sure the system engages and disengages easily.

Simple Steps to a Greener Home

Did you know that if every home in the country replaced one light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb, it would be like ditching 800,000 cars and would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year, according to Energy Star, a joint program between the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy? When it comes to conserving our resources and “going green” there are many simple things a normal household can do.For starters, you can save the most money and energy by replacing high-use lights with compact fluorescent bulbs. The five highest-use fixtures in a home are typically the kitchen ceiling lights, the living or family room table and floor lamps and outdoor porch or post lamp. CFL’s use 75 percent less energy than normal bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.If you’re not recycling, now’s the time to start. You can recycle everything from cell phones to paper easily. For example, Waste Management (www.wm.com) has a new mail-in program for recycling batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs and electronics. Also, most of us have a recycling bin provided by our trash service. Use the bin for aluminum cans, glass bottles, paper, plastic bottles and steel cans.You can also stop the never-ending flow of junk mail and help reduce waste. Out of the 17.8 tons of bulk mail the U.S. Postal Service delivers, only 22 percent is recycled each year. Stop junk mail by visiting the Direct Marketing Association’s Web site at dmaconsumers.org. For just $1 you can be put on the “do not mail” list. You can also eliminate the slew of credit card and insurance offers for free at optoutprescreen.com. Lastly, forgo bottled water and buy a reusable bottle. More than 28 billion single-use water bottles are bought every year and 80 percent of those end up in landfills, according to the Container Recycling Institute.For even more ways to help make the world a greener place, visit www.energystar.gov, www.epa.gov or www.earth911.org.

Preparing Your Lawn & Garden for Fall

For many of us, the advent of fall means a welcome break from mowing lawns, weeding gardens and other outside chores. But before you hang up your weed eater and rake, take time for some maintenance and get a jump start on next spring. Allgood Pest Solutions can tackle any pests invading your garden or lawn but the rest of fall preparations are up to you.If you planted a garden this year, make notes of what vegetables performed well and what didn’t. You may also want to draw a garden map and mark areas with problem weeds, wet/dry spots or non-producing plants. Make sure you remove any plant trellises or tomato cages, clean them and store for next year. If you installed an irrigation system, remove and store hoses, sprinklers and other accessories as well. Instead of just piling garden tools in a shed, clean, sharpen and oil them. Before you clean your tiller though, use it one last time to till the garden and chop up any remaining plant matter. You can also plant a cover crop like clover to prevent erosion and build up the soil for next season. Lastly, plan to do a soil test in the next month or two so you’ll be able to apply any needed nutrients well before it’s time to plant again.Other fall chores include prepping your lawn, bushes and perennials. Now is the perfect time to prune flowering annuals and perennials (but don’t prune woody shrubs as it makes them more susceptible to cold damage). If you’re planning on adding new plants, do it now and also replenish your mulch. The mulch will help insulate the roots and retain moisture.If you’ve noticed problems with ants or other outside pests invading your garden or lawn and then migrating inside your home, it’s probably time to give Allgood a call.For lawns, keeping leaves cleaned up allows sunlight, water and nutrients to reach the grass’s roots more easily. Also, if you haven’t had a soil test done on the lawn in the last three years, have one prepared now. Lastly, mow the lawn one setting higher than normal – the extra height will help insulate the grass during the winter.

Get Ready to Tailgate

It’s about as all-American as you can get – football, fans and food.

If you’ve never tailgated before you are missing out on a time-honored tradition. For the uninitiated (or those who just need a refresher) here’s a short tailgating 101 course from your friends at Allgood Pest Solutions.

Any tailgating party needs three basic things: food, friends and a parking space. Beyond that, the sky’s the limit (a double-decker bus with a roof-top patio might be a bit much but, hey, if you’ve got the spirit, go for it!).

For food, bring already cooked items or pack up the grill or smoker. Popular menu choices include sausages, hamburgers, chicken wings and even lobster and shrimp. Whatever the cuisine, practice food safety – keep hot foods hot and cold food cold and don’t let food sit out for more than two hours.

Pack a cooler with plenty of ice or icepacks and store it in the air conditioning – not in your trunk. Bring two other coolers: one for drinks and one for ice. Don’t forget paper goods, aluminum foil, lots of water (for washing hands as well as drinking), toilet paper, garbage bags, wet wipes and anything else you might need.

For seating, bring a tailgating tent or canopy, chairs, table and, depending on the weather, a heater or fan.

Pick a spot with a view of the scoreboard or at least a good view of the stadium, if possible. If you have a generator or some external power, bring along a small TV or radio for play-by-play updates.

Don’t forget to decorate your space. Some outdoor carpet, team pennants, balloons and streamers will give your tailgating party a festive spirit. You also may want to fly a team flag so friends can easily find you in the sea of tailgaters.No matter what, tailgating is all about having a great time with friends and family. So bring out the armchair quarterbacks and enjoy the game!

Allgood Pest Solutions Sponsors "Thunder Ride" for Light The Night

Allgood Pest Solutions & Stone Mountain Harley Davidson are sponsoring the 1st Annual Light the Night "Thunder Ride" to raise funds and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

On Saturday September 20th at 8:30am co-sponsor Stone Mountain Harley Davidson will be the site for the begining of the "Thunder Ride".

To take place in this event call Karin or Keith @ 770-339-4500 to register. All proceeds raised will be donated to "The Light the Night" Society.

Allgood Pest Solutions & Boy Scouts of America

Allgood Pest Solutions continues to be a supporter of the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America and shares in their values of developing character in young men.

Atlanta's other Hidden Treasures

Well you found one of the best kept secrets in Atlanta with pest control services by Allgood Pest Solutions, but have you found these?

From Treasure Hunting to Kangaroo Watching: Fun Activities for the Whole Family With only a little more than a month left before school starts, now’s the time to make the most of summer. If you’re tired of trips to the pool, mall or endless rounds of Guitar Hero, then head outside for some summer fun.

Geocaching

Ready for a treasure hunt, 21st century style? Then check out geocaching. All you need is a GPS, time and an adventurous spirit. People all over the world have set up caches and posted the location on the internet. GPS users plug in the cache’s coordinates and the hunt is on.

The rules are simple:
Take something from the cache
Leave something in the cache
Write about it in the logbook You can hide a cache anywhere you want to. For more information, visit http://www.geocaching.com/

Down Under Fun

If you thought the best thing about Dawsonville is the outlets, then think again. It’s also home to the Kangaroo Conservation Center. More than 300 kangaroos live here and you can see them all on an Aussie Adventure tour. The center also houses other native Australian animals, including sugar gliders and bearded dragons. Visit http://www.kangaroocenter.com/for more information.

See Atlanta on a Segway!

Here’s your chance to ride a Segway! City Segway Tours offers guided Segway day tours of downtown as well as a ghost tour. You’ll learn interesting historical as well as current facts about our city and garner lots of attention from passersby!

Check out www.citysegwaytours.com/atlanta to get the scoop.

Staying Safe While Staying Cool

Ahh, summer.

Time for cannonballs in the swimming pool, trips to the lake, tubing down the river and anything else to help keep cool. While having fun is the main goal, safety should also be a top priority. Did you know that in 2005, there were 3,582 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States? And an additional 710 people died from drowning and other causes in boating-related incidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention. To help you and your family stay safe this summer, here are some important water safety guidelines: Learn to swim. Children as young as six months can be enrolled in swim lessons. Any child over age three should take lessons. Fence in your pool (fences should be at least four feet high) and include a self-locking gate. Learn CPR. Your local Red Cross chapter offers certification courses.Supervise, supervise, supervise. Keep younger children within arm’s reach. If you’re boating, ensure everyone on board has a properly fitted lifejacket. Teach your kids to “buddy up” and always have a partner any time they’re swimming, whether in a pool, lake or ocean. Never combine alcohol and water. One third of boating deaths are alcohol related, and alcohol can be a factor in teen drownings as well. Remove pool toys when not in use so children are not tempted to go in or near the pool. Keep rescue equipment, such as a life preserver or hook, by the pool as well as a phone. If you’re at the beach and get caught in a rip tide, do not fight it. Swim parallel to shore until you’re out of danger or tread water until help arrives. Finally, always swim where there’s a lifeguard. The chances of drowning with a lifeguard present are one in 18 million.

Allgood's Light the Night 2008 Goal

When it comes to charitable causes there are plenty of reasons not to get involved. You hear it all the time or may even be thinking of some now.

“It’s hard enough to keep up with my needs or to keep up with my business”

“I don’t have time for it.”

“I’m involved already with something. I just cut them a check every year.”

“If I start giving to one charity, then I have to give to others.”

“I am the CHARITY!”

I can’t answer for you personally, but I’ve come to see and understand that charitable giving and volunteer work does have an impact on the ultimate intention of changing and helping lives. Whether it’s giving money to charity that one day helps find a new treatment for a disease or it’s someone showing up with meals for families that have spent countless number of days taking care of a friend or family member in a hospital or at home.

While our family’s circumstances are unfortunate and difficult, it has given me the opportunity to experience seeing kids leaving the hospital that may not been so fortunate in the past. Every visit at the hospital is been an opportunity to see someone that has made another person’s life better just because they volunteered to do so.

I’m proud of the company and the employees of Allgood Pest Solutions for supporting charitable organizations. Whether it’s supplying families with food, clothes or toys at Christmas, helping to fund and build a playground and ball field for handicap children or supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; they all impact people and making there lives better.

Having a shared purpose between employer and employees such as a charitable cause can be an important ingredient in supporting and communicating our company’s core beliefs and values:
Allgood’s Philosphy

“We believe that providing a workplace where employees have the opportunity to professionally and personally grow and be part of a TEAM is the key for achieving our mission and realizing growth and economic success.”
“To be the good guys of Pest Control”

Personally, I’m grateful Allgood Pest Solutions has given me the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally and be a part of such a reputable TEAM simply by being involved in charitable causes! - Mike Tindol

Celebrating our Independence

Fun facts about America

We all know that Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, that Betsy Ross probably sewed the first American Flag and that the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. But how well do we really know our country?

For example, did you know that Virginia is called the Mother of Presidents because eight U.S. Presidents were born there?

Or that any time the United States used mules in wartime, it never lost a war?

To help celebrate the month of July, here are some more fascinating facts about America.

From 1777 until 1818 every time a new state joined the Union, a new star AND stripe was added to the flag. Once the flag became unwieldy, a new policy was adapted. The flag would have 13 stripes and a blue canton where a star would be added for each state. When a state joined, the star was added on the July 4th following the admission.

The District of Columbia is divided into four quadrants. The U.S. Capital Building is the place where the four sections meet.

In 1925, Nellie Tayloe Ross was elected governor of Wyoming and became the first female governor in the United States.

When he was inaugurated, President George Washington only had one tooth left. Because of that he wore dentures made of human, cow or hippopotamus teeth, ivory and lead. Maybe that’s why he had his six white horses’ teeth brushed every morning!

Former president Thomas Jefferson also was an inventor. He invented the swivel chair, a pedometer, a machine to make fiber from hemp, a letter-copying machine and the lazy susan.

Only the President or state governors can order the flag flown at half mast.

Everyone here at Allgood Pest Solutions wishes everyone a happy and safe Independance Day.

D-I-Y Weekend Project - Stripping and Painting Furniture

Do you have a piece of furniture that's been languishing in the garage or basement because you just can't bear to look at five layers of peeling paint that date back to who knows when? Well, now is the perfect time to turn that eyesore into a work of art. Even if you don't know a hacksaw from a jigsaw, you can still become a weekend do-it-yourself warrior and enjoy the results of your labor. Not everything around the house has to turn into an episode of Home Improvement, complete with demolition crews! Here's a look at a D-I-Y task that requires a weekend (or less) to finish.

Here's what you'll need to refinish painted furniture:

* Chemical stripper

* Mineral spirits

* Natural-bristle paint brushes

* Scraping and scrubbing tools

* Sandpaper or circular sander

* Protective gloves, apron and maskMost home improvement stores stock several different kinds of stripper.

The fastest-acting ones are also the most dangerous. They contain methylene chloride, which is great for eating through layers of paint, but can be hazardous to your health. Make sure you read the labels carefully. The safest stripper is also the slowest (may take up to 24 hours to work) but it can be used without gloves or special ventilation and doesn't have the harmful side effects associated with fast strippers.Once you've assembled your tools, it's time to prep the furniture. Make sure it doesn't need repairs and remove any hardware. If desired, you can replace the hardware to give the piece a fresh look.Now it's time to apply the stripping agent. It usually comes in a paste or liquid, depending on type and brand. Even if you're using a slow-acting stripper that doesn't require special ventilation, make sure you're working in an area with adequate ventilation, such as the garage. Line the floor with newspaper or something similar for protection. Apply the stripper using a cut-down paint brush, following the instructions on the label.If you're using a methylene chloride-based stripper, the paint should begin to bubble and blister. The slower-acting stripper may have to work overnight. If the paint is extremely stubborn, you can carefully scratch the surface to help the stripper reach the wood. Make sure you keep applying stripper though, or you'll damage the wood underneath.Once the stripper does its job, you can use a putty knife to scrape the paint off as well as coarse steel wool. You may have to apply a second coating of stripper. For wood pieces with carvings, a scrub brush works well to get paint out of crevices.After all traces of paint have been removed, use mineral spirits to rinse off the remaining stripper. If this isn't done, the chemicals in the stripper can react with the new paint finish. Once you're finished rinsing, properly dispose of any remaining stripper or sludge. Follow the manufacturer's recommend instructions - do not pour down a drain or dump outside.Then it's time to sand. Depending on the piece, 100-grit sandpaper may be all you need. Otherwise, an orbital sander will do the job. Make sure you wipe the piece down to remove all particles before you paint.Now comes the fun part - painting. Paint from the top down, starting with primer first, and then paint. A satin or semi-gloss in either an oil or latex-based paint works best (use oil-based primer with oil-based paint). Let it dry, then apply another coat if needed. Once you've finished painting, brush on a polyurethane coating to seal and protect the piece, and voila! You have a brand-new piece of furniture thanks to a little bit of work and time.

Keep Your Green Thumb Going Despite the Drought

Are you itching to start gardening but worried about drought restrictions? Well, don't let it stop you from putting your green thumb to use. Despite the continuing drought, with a little creativity you can still enjoy beautiful flowers and plants. There are many plants that thrive with little watering and various ways to maximize your gardening space while minimizing water usage. Before you buy out the nearest landscaping center's inventory though, find out what your local watering restrictions are. According to Conserve Water Georgia, newly installed landscaping (planted less than 30 days) may be watered by any homeowner or landscaper who has registered with the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council. Watering can only be done between midnight and 10 a.m., and odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, while even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Otherwise, you may use one garden hose (with a nozzle) for 25 minutes, during those designated hours and days.Now comes the fun part, planning your garden. Most people turn to common perennials and annuals, but during a drought, what's common may not be ideal. Stay away from standard petunias, impatiens, marigolds, begonias, non-native asters and other flowers that are more delicate and require extra water. But before you think your dreams of a flower-filled garden will evaporate with the sun, think again. There are many blooming plants that tolerate heat and less water and still provide beauty. Here are just a few, courtesy of Paul Thomas, a horticulturist with the University of Georgia's College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences:* Perennials for Sun: Lantana 'Miss Huff' (Miss Huff Lantana), Helianthus angustifolia (Swamp Sunflower), Salvia guaranitica (Hummingbird Sage), Salvia leucantha (Mexican Sage), Ruellia brittoniana (Mexican Sunflower), Rudbeckia triloba (Black Eyed Susan), Stachys byzantina (Lambs ears), Artemesia 'Silver King' (Silver King) and Kniphofia uvaria (Red Hot Poker).* Perennials for Shade: Helebor hybrids (Lenten Rose), Japanese autumn ferns, Aspidistra eliator (Parlor Plant), Monarda didyma (Bee Balm: wilts but comes back), Iris tectorum (Roof Iris), Iris barbata (Bearded Iris), Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Autumn Joy), Iris siberica (Siberia Iris) and Hosta hybrids.* Annuals: Lantana camara hybrids (Lantana), Catharanthus roseus (Vinca), Amaranthus caudatus (Amaranths), Celosia cristata (Cocks Comb), Portulaca hybrids (Moss Rose), Melampodium paludosum (Golg Button Plant), Petunias (especially old-timey and "Wave" petunias), Passiflora 'Byron's Beauty' (Passiflora), Cosmos bipinnatus (Cosmos), Cosmos sulfureus (Cosmos), Tithonia rotundifolia (Mexican Sunflower), Verbena tenuisecta (Moss Verbena), Salvia farinaceae hybrids (Blue Salvia) and Zinnia elegans (Zinnias).* Perennial Natives: Lilium hybrids (Lilies), Amsonia tabernaemontana (Blue Stars), Daucus carota (Queen Ann's Lace), Physostegia virginiana (Obedient Plant), Lonicera sempervirens (Red Honeysuckle), Achillea millifolium (Yellow Yarrow), Clematis paniculata (Clematis), Oenothera speciosa (Pink Sundrops), Bellamcanda chinensis (Blackberry Lily), Boltonia asteroides (White Boltonia), asters (native species), Echinaceae purpurea (Purple Cone Flower), Tradescantia virginiana (Spiderwort), Eupatorium coelestinum (Woodland Ageratum), Eupatorium fistulosum (Joe Pye Weed), Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed) and Bignonia capreolata (Cross Vine).Once you've made your selections and planted them, apply mulch, which will help retain water in the surrounding soil. You can even layer newspapers underneath the mulch for better water retention. Then, during dry spells, cut back annuals and perennials. The next time it rains, they'll perk up. If water is extremely scarce, only water valuable or irreplaceable plants - you can always buy more annuals. For even more ways to save water, visit www.conservewatergeorgia.net With some planning and water conservation, you can have a beautiful garden all summer long!

Pest Problems? Blame it on the Drought or the Rain.

Have you ever noticed that when it's dry outside, there seems to be more insects inside? Or that rainy conditions automatically make you bring out the bug spray? Before you start thinking it's just a figment of your imagination, there really is a correlation between climate changes and the resident insect population."Insects respond to various [weather-related] situations in a largely automatic manner," said Chuck Tindol, co-owner of Allgood Pest Solutions. "There's no particular thinking or intelligence involved in their reactions. Whether it's rainy or it's dry, any conditions that are not the norm will drive insects to move into a more favorable environment."A drought will reduce outside insect populations but increase the likelihood that they venture inside a house for food, water and harborage. Heavy rain forces those same insects to seek higher ground - your home."Basic logic is that extreme climatic conditions for humans also create stress on native insect populations. Just like we do, they look for ways to adapt to these extreme conditions, which could mean they move into your house," Tindol said.Just how do they get in so quickly though? Through cracks and crevices in your home that you may not have even realized were there. Windows that have gaps, doors without adequate weather stripping, large openings around outside pipes, exterior water faucets - these are all prime entry points for insects. Trees and shrubs that grow against the house and up into the eaves and soffits also make it easy for insects and rodents to get in.Trimming back trees and shrubs and making sure all doors and windows are tightly sealed will help keep the insects out. Putting foam around pipe entrances into walls is also highly recommended.Pay attention to flower and garden beds as well. Insects love moist mulch, but when a lack of rain dries the mulch out, they will swarm inside the nearest structure - your house - to find water. Minimize moisture and hiding places, especially near a home's foundation."A lot of people have a sprinkler system around their house and, when they can water, it's going off every morning or three days a week so that pine straw and mulch stays wet," Tindol said. "Millipedes especially will just go crazy in that kind of environment. When it dries out, they make a mass exodus into the house."Regular pest control applications every three months will greatly help control insects, even during extreme weather conditions. Some "over-the-counter" pesticides may help as well but it's important to properly apply them. For example, fire ant bait is useless at certain times of the day."The problem is if you put [a product like] Amdro out in the morning when there's dew on the ground, or if it rains within an hour of when you put it out, it won't work," Tindol said. "Fire ants are most active from about 3:30 to 4 p.m. to just before dark so the best thing to do is put Amdro out around 2 to 3 p.m."The main thing to remember, whether Georgia remains in a drought or not, is that any kind of extreme weather will force insects to move somewhere they can find food, water and shelter. So if you're not fond of uninvited house guests, be sure to seal up your house and schedule pest control services on a regular basis!Here's a list of insects to watch for, depending on the weather:Rainy weather home invaders: Ants, outdoor Cockroaches, Spiders, Crickets, ladybugs, Bees, Hornets, Wasps, Rodents - Rats and Mice.Dry weather home invaders: Ants, earwigs, Millipedes, Sowbugs and Pillbugs, Crickets, Spiders and scorpions.

Light The Night

Making a difference in the fight against Leukemia and Lymphoma.
For the past five years, Allgood employees, family and friends have joined in the fight against blood cancer as part of our "Light the Night" program. As you've probably noticed, in the summer and fall of each year a flyer is attached to our service ticket that lets you know about the program. Since starting the program five years ago, we have raised more than $325,000 for the Georgia Pest Control Association's "Partnership for a Cure" program and continue to bring in more donations each year.In 2007, through the generosity of all involved, Allgood raised $41,000 for the leukemia and lymphoma society. More than 100 employees raised money individually, and 1,000 customers donated as well. For the fourth year in a row the top collector for all GPCA companies was an Allgood employee, Doug Schuck. When all was said and done, Allgood had raised 32 percent of the total donations for the entire GPCA! This past year's program was the biggest and best so far, thanks to our employees and customers. We take great pride in supporting this program and are thankful for the relationships we share with our customers that once again made this program a big success. The 2008 campaign will be starting soon so be on the lookout!

Survey Says....

Calling All Customers...

Allgood Pest Solutions has one goal in mind, to become the best service provider in the Southeast and you can help. We have opened up the lines of communication for you to tell us exactly what you think about Allgood, from top to bottom, we want to hear what you have to say about the way we provide you our services. We have made available a new survey that will allow you at your leisure to let us know how we are doing, the things you like and the things you would like to see changed.
Remember........We are only as good as YOU say we are!

Tindol Services

From the beginning Tindol Services built a foundation of exceptional service, strong communtity ties, and loyalty to customers and employees. Those core principles have continued in Allgood Pest Solutions today and changed the way people look at the pest control industry. With all of the growth that has happened over the years there have been many changes, but the one thing that hasn't changed is the TRUST.

Allgood Pest Solutions provides pest control solutions you can TRUST. You can TRUST that the services we provide will be effective, TRUST that we will be responsible around your family, and TRUST that the technicians we send to your home will be good people.