CAI-NJ June 2017

Community Property Managers — Time to Get Ready for The... “Code Red”

Summer Pest Control Issues By Randy Vogel, VP Operations, Cowleys Pest Services, Neptune City, NJ

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B enjamin Franklin famously noted that “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Franklin’s expertise spanned many areas in politics and science. But he never had to deal with the headaches of being a community property manager! If he were, pests would have certainly been added to his list of life’s certainties, especially during the summer. Summer is a special time, for sure. But we are not the only ones excited about summer. Summer is that time of year when insects are most active and their populations are at their peak. During the summer months, it feels as though these bugs have a vindictive streak and are lying in wait just to annoy us. The reality, however, is that after a wet winter and spring, the increased food sources and higher temperatures

of summer result in peak insect activity. And the more insects there are, the more they are going to bother us. Many insects that we deal with during the summer have emerged to begin their winged adult life stages. Why do insects seem to be on a surge of adrenaline during the summer? Think about it this way. These insects are highly mobile, hungry, sex-obsessed young adults. Summer is their “spring break” to go crazy, but it instead of a couple of weeks, it lasts for a few months. Also, because of their short life span, it’s “now or never” for mating. During the summer, pests will make your residents and your property their top priority. Pest control should be any property manager’s top priority as well. Out-of-control pest problems can do a serious number on your bottom line: CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 34

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