Performing a Bid – Velvety Tree Ants

Review paperwork, both in your phone and on your service route log at the beginning of your day
and before you travel to the bid location. Pay attention to COW notifications, client concerns, or any other special remarks.

1. Park with the flow of traffic on the street. Do not block driveways when possible.
2. Review the Order Instructions and Location Instructions. Review your route log for hand-written notes.
3. Confirm the street address to make sure you are at the correct building(s).
4. Time into this account via mobile or on the paperwork.
5. Bring your paperwork and inspection gear to the door. Do not cross over grass or landscape if avoidable.
6. Ring the doorbell or knock; step back to give personal space.
7. Greet them, introduce yourself, and identify that you are with Good Earth Pest Company.
8. Ask them what pest problems they have been experiencing and what their history of pest problems has been. Also, collect any samples they may have.
9. Inspect the problem areas and any samples the customer may have to get a positive ID for VTA.
10. Note all the information you gather inside on your field sheet.
11. Inspect the exterior of the house.
    1. With your measuring wheel, measure the perimeter of the home.
    2. Create a map of the footprint of the structure, including details like decks, doors, and fences. Make sure to include treatment obstacles such as ponds, edible plants, and beehives, and other livestock.
    3. Inspect the eves, walls, foundations, and perimeter for pest activity. Look for ants trafficking on wires, posts, limbs, and fence lines.
    4. Inspect the exterior for conducive conditions and any prep and maintenance that the client may need to take care of before treatment can be done. This can include storage, trimming, firewood, food sources, possible entry points, moisture damage, etc.
    5. Log all the information you have gathered on the exterior in your notes on the field sheet.
12. VTA are commonly misidentified by the layperson as Carpenter Ants (CA) because of their association with timber and the frass piles that they generate, or Odorous House Ants because of their large numbers and similar smell when crushed. Although their behavior is similar to CA it is important to get a positive id on any pest you are dealing with to create a plan for control best fitted to the situation.
13. There may be instances where you are called out for a bid because of specific damage or apparent activity with the structure. This damage could include rot, holes in beams or timbers, piles of wood shavings (frass/excavation material), etc. In these situations, you must get a positive pest ID before providing a bid. If the customer is sold a treatment for VTA or CA and the damage was done by another pest, it won't solve their problem and the service will be a failure.
14. Sometimes you will have trouble getting a positive pest ID or can’t come up with a solution to a pest issue. There is a wealth of resources available to you including many reference books back at the office, identification keys, as well as the NPMA field guide on your phone. Also, always remember that you can call field management or a seasoned technician for guidance as well. Gather as much information as you can and we can always email a bid to the client after you have done adequate research.
15. Using your knowledge of the account construct a bid for VTA treatment with AGP service. For the current pricing guide, you can consult the Pricing and warranty guide in the documents section of the Bamboo HR app. If the client expresses interest, there is also a one-time VTA service that can be offered with a 60-day warranty. See PS. 196 Initial or 1x service – Velvety Tree ants
16. Reconvene with the client and present them the bid. Thoroughly explain the service and what it covers, how much it costs, and the warranty. Detail your findings outside and tell them what they need to do to prepare for the service and reduce pest pressure in general. Always set realistic expectations with the client. We don’t want to make any promises we can’t deliver on.
17. If the client decides to sign on right away, collect the proper signatures and leave them the pink copy of the service agreement. If the weather permits and there isn’t any crucial prep to be done, you can perform the initial on the spot. Like CA, never perform an initial VTA service on a structure that needs trimming or during the months of November - March.
18. If the client doesn’t want to start right away, leave them the pink and yellow copies of the service agreement so they can return the yellow copy when they decide to sign on.
19. Return to your vehicle when done and secure all equipment and make sure it is safe to travel.
20. Enter all required information on the material applied into PestPac Mobile. Also, enter notes on the service provided today as well as any client concerns, observations you made, or necessary environmental changes (see PS.102 Entering material information and notes into PestPac Mobile). You are the first tech to be servicing this account, be sure that you update the location instructions with any pertinent information that other techs should know. Remember: Clients have access to your notes so they should always be professional and appropriate.
21. If it was a particularly pleasant interaction be sure to send a review invite via the Podium app (see PS.150 Sending a review invite using Podium Mobile).
22. Check off the account on your service route log.