Allgood Pest Solutions Recognized in Gwinnett's Top 25 Small Business Awards

Mike Tindol, Bubba Tindol, Perry Tindol, and Chuck Tindol

For the second straight year, Allgood Pest Solutions was honored as one of Gwinnett's Top 25 Pinnacle Small Business Award winners at a luncheon last Friday, April 24^th and was selected from more than 400 nominations, based on steady and above-average growth and profitability, growth in number of employees, contributions to the community, overcoming adversity, original entrepreneurship and more, as defined by the Small Business Administration for their statewide and national awards. These 25 companies alone accounted for approximately 2,020 jobs and $895 million in revenue last year.

Formerly known as the Small Business Person of the Year Awards, the Pinnacle Small Business Awards are among the Gwinnett Chamber's most prestigious awards. The celebration recognizes both emerging companies as well as companies that have exhibited a substantial history as an established business.

Gwinnett Braves Baseball

AAA baseball arrived in Gwinnett County last Friday night with a sellout crowd of over 10,000 people on hand. Why is this blog worthy for Allgood Pest Solutions?  With marketing & community opportunities in hand, Allgood Pest Solutions has capitalized on the chance to embrace a partnership with the Gwinnett Braves, the AAA baseball affiliation for the Atlanta Braves. The road to the Major Leagues now goes through Gwinnett County.

This season, as many families enjoy America's pastime, Allgood will be engaged with them at the ballpark. From the services being provided behind the scenes to the bold dugout signs, Allgood's presence will be felt. We also have a full page ad in the program and a fun in game feature called Termites in Your Pants. Where "Chopper" the Braves mascot shoots 5 stuffed animal termites in the air and a young kid picked from the stands runs around trying to catch them with some over sized pants he has on. This takes place during one of the half innings, as the teams change sides. Here are some photos.

The Visitor's Dugout

 

The Gwinnett Braves Dugout

Chopper the Gwinnett Braves Mascot

Termite 101

By now you probably know that if you don’t have a termite problem, you most likely will at some point. After all, this is the South. Two of the best ways to avoid a problem are knowledge and prevention. Here’s a quick lesson on termites and termite control.

Pests - Ants or termites? 

Wondering if that mass of pests is a swarm of ants or termites? Here’s how to tell:

Termites have two pair of wings; all wings are the same size. Ants also have two pair of wings, but the front pair are longer than the back pair.

Ants have a narrow waist and three distinct body parts. Termites are thicker and look more like one long shape

Ants’ antennas are shaped like an “L” (elbowed), while termite antennas are straight. 

Prevention 

Allgood Pest Solutions provides you with trained professionals who inspect your home to insure there are no developing termite problems. They treat preventively with a traditional-style liquid barrier, Termidor, or a termite monitoring and baiting system, Sentricon. These products are also used if there’s an existing termite problem. 

Products 

Termidor is a revolutionary new chemical technology that allows for treatment that is undetectable to termites. Termidor begins working immediately to eliminate termites inside and outside your home. It is a low-dose, low-odor product that meets the stringent standards for registration by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Like Termidor, Sentricon also eliminates the entire termite colony and is gentler on your home, yard and environment than the harsh liquid chemicals once used. Sentricon stations are placed in the ground around your home, intercepting foraging termites from the soil. An Allgood professional monitors the stations, and when termites actively begin consuming the device, they replace it with bait that is then carried to the colony, eventually destroying it.

Grow Your Own Herb Garden

Instead of shelling out money for pricey, off-the-rack dried herbs, try growing your own. Most are easy to grow, and fresh herbs add an extra kick to your meals. You can also dry them yourself, making a few plants last all year round.

Wondering whether to grow them inside or outside? It’s really depends on your preference. Either way, you’ll need to purchase some plants or seeds, which you can find at stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wal-mart or neighborhood nurseries. For inside gardens, choose a spot that receives a lot of sun but is protected from heat and dryness. Keep them well watered but make sure they have excellent drainage and choose a soil mix formulated for potted plants. Some of the best herbs to grow inside include basil, chives, oregano, parsley, sage and rosemary. Ultimately, your food preference tastes should dictate what you grow. 

For outside gardens, plant as close to the house as possible so they’re within easy reach, even in the rain. If possible, grow each herb in a separate space and find a spot that drains well and receives at least six hours of sun a day. Also keep in mind that some herbs, like mint, will reseed and run rampant, popping up all over a garden, if not properly maintained. Keeping plants harvest also ensures thick, healthy growth. Most of the herbs that grow well inside will also flourish outside.

The best time of day to pick herbs is after the dew has evaporated but before the sun becomes too hot. You can start picking as soon as the plant has enough leaves to maintain growth. For dried herbs, pick the flower bud before it opens and seed heads as they change to brown or gray. Wash them in cold water, drain completely and then dry. Hang upside down in a dark, warm, well-ventilated, dust-free area. When they become dry and crumbly they are ready to use or store.

Uncommon Uses for Common Items

Bet you didn’t know spaghetti could be used as more than a carbohydrate, or that newspaper should be a staple in every kitchen. There are many common household items that can be used in uncommon ways, saving you time and money! Curious about what’s lurking in your kitchen that has more than one use? Here are some ideas.

Lemons – Run a few wedges through the garbage disposal to eliminate smells, stuck food and fight bacteria. Or, after handling raw fish and washing with soap and water, pour one tablespoon lemon juice into palms, rub together and rinse. Voila! The smell is gone. Lemons will also remove food stains from plastic or wooden cutting boards.

Vinegar – To keep cats off furniture or certain household areas, spray white distilled vinegar on the spot. Full strength white distilled vinegar also kills weeds, especially in crevices and cracks. In addition, it can be used to soothe sunburn.

Lint roller – Instead of creating a dusty mess trying to wipe down a lamp shade, use a lint roller. It effortlessly picks up all the particles, leaving a clean shade.

Spaghetti – Easily light a candle that’s burned down to the bottom of a container by lighting a dried spaghetti noodle. It also works well for lighting multiple candles, like those on a birthday cake – no more burnt fingers!

Newspaper – Wrap it around unripened fruits and vegetables, leave overnight and wake up to ripe tomatoes, peaches and more. Don't forget them though, otherwise Allgood Pest Solutions will have to come out and take care of some fruit flies.

Non-skid rug pad – Install one in your trunk to keep grocery bags upright and in place.

Eight Web Sites You’ll Want to Bookmark

From a blogging baker featured on Martha Stewart to a company that animates your child’s drawing, we’ve surfed the Web to find some unique and creative sites for moms and kids. So take a minute (or longer) and check these out – but be warned, they may be habit forming.

For Moms

For all things handmade, visit www.etsy.com. You’ll find invitations, clothing, art work, jewelry, toys, vintage items and so much more. Interested in selling your own wares? Then join the more than 100,000 sellers from across the globe.

Tie-dye eggs kits. Fun and functional changing pads. Eco-friendly food storage containers. At www.coolmompicks.com, each day a new list of cool mom stuff is featured. Some of it will make you go “Why didn’t they invent that when I was a kid” or “I need a baby just so I can buy that”!

Even if you’re not a foodie, it’s hard to resist this gal’s baking banter (and she’s from Georgia!). At bakerella.blogspot.com, she shares how to bake everything from Easter Bunny Cake Pops to butterscotch pie. Her blogging has even landed her on the Martha Stewart Show.

Looking for the perfect gift for the relatives who have everything? Then send them a custom video created from your child’s drawing! Littledirector.com animates drawings, adds voiceovers and can even add extra characters, making it a gift they’ll never forget.

For Kids

If there’s a little girl in your house, she’s sure to love americangirl.com. The site allows girls to learn more about the historical characters portrayed by the American Girl dolls, play games, send e-cards and see behind-the-scenes videos from AG magazine shoots.

Have a budding scientist in the family? Then Bill Nye’s the Guy. A scientist, engineer, comedian, author and inventor, Nye has dedicated his life to making science fun and accessible. Billnye.com features scientific experiences kids can try at home, cool science facts and much more.

Take a break from the TV and let your kids experience some fun from yesteryear. At kiddierecords.com, you can download to your computer or iPod vintage children’s records. You’ll find gems like Mister Ed, Cinderella, the Lone Ranger, Tom and Jerry, Robin Hood and much more.

Our wide, wonderful earth awaits kids of all ages at kids.nationalgeographic.com. The site teems with cool videos, games, stories, activities and more. Get the facts on Clown Anemonefish, Atlantic Puffins or any of the hundreds of animals featured on the site.

Keller Williams Blood Drive

Today, Allgood Pest Solutions grilled hot dogs for participants at Keller Williams blood drive. We fed and mingled with 50 agents coming and going throughout the day, and also all the rest of the folks in the office park located in Snellville. "My real estate contacts across the state are seeing a lot of buyer movement, which is good for us," said Ben Satterfield, Allgood's real estate liason. When all was said and done, they collected 22 pints of blood.