If you just moved down from “Up North” you might not be familiar with fire ants. But just about everyone else “down here” is. First, be careful where you stand. What appears to be a nice, fluffy mound of dirt can, in fact, be a nest of fire ants.

Prevent Fire Ants on your Property.

Secondly, what’s with the name? They’re named “Fire Ants” because the pain from hundreds of cumulative stings feels like your skin is being set on fire. Ouch! The stings from fire ants are quite annoying, each one usually developing into a tight pustule that itches and burns. Unlike a bee that loses its stinger, each fire ant worker can sting again and again until it is brushed away. Sometimes, the sting site can get infected, so treat each wound carefully with appropriate medications. Persons allergic to bee and wasp stings should carry doctor-prescribed medication in advance of being stung to prevent anaphylactic shock.

Winged female fire ants can fly into a yard and land anywhere on the ground to begin another nest. Within a month or two, colonies rapidly build to up to a quarter million ants or more per mound. That’s because each mound can harbor multiple queens that are all prolific egg layers. A well-known fire ant researcher estimates that there may be approximately 2.5 million tons of living fire ants in the Southeast! Areas of the yard where kids and pets roam should be regularly scouted and treated for fire ants.

Fire ants will often try and enter your home through tiny cracks and gaps in the foundation or under door plates to gain access behind baseboards and walls, eventually locating food items inside the home.

If you think you have an ant problem, or want to learn about Massey’s Pest Prevention, schedule a Free Inspection, or call us at 1-888-2MASSEY (262-7739).

New TV commercials from pest prevention leader provide fresh and funny perspective for consumers

Massey Films new "My Guy" TV Spots

Massey Services, an industry leader in the pest prevention, termite protection and lawn care industry with locations throughout Florida, Georgia and Louisiana, has launched a new television advertising campaign known as “My Guy Doesn’t Do That!” featuring the first television debut of Massey Services’ GreenUP landscape services. This new advertising direction for Massey Services utilizes humor and “slice of life” story telling that sets Massey Services apart from the rest.
Each commercial reflects a similar storyline which involves two neighbors: one as a Massey Services customer and the other who uses a competitor. Envy ensues when the less fortunate neighbor realizes, through some humorously conspicuous spying, that she is not receiving the same great benefits from her service company that the Massey Services customer enjoys. In the end, she exclaims to her neighbor, “My guy doesn’t do any of that!” The Massey customer responds back with, “Well, maybe you’ve got the wrong guy!”

In partnership with David Nixon Productions (DNP Studios) and Massey Communications, Massey Services’ marketing department strategically developed the new ad campaign theme. DNP Studios, an industry leader in full-service film, high-definition video production and new media innovations, provided state-of-the-art production and post-production services for the commercials, as well as scriptwriting, assistance with concept development and casting talented actors.
“We are excited to launch this new ad campaign which reinforces our commitment to total customer satisfaction,” said Lynne Frederick, Vice President of Marketing at Massey Services. “We are confident this ad campaign will educate viewers on the benefits they receive from being a Massey Services customer and hope they enjoy the fresh and funny perspective of our new spots.”
The new ad campaign will continue to air now through October 2009. The commercials incorporate cable and network television advertising in 12 markets including, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Atlanta, Georgia, and the following cities in Florida: Orlando, Jacksonville, Naples, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Sarasota and The Villages.

About Massey Services

Massey Services is one of the nation’s largest and most respected service companies. Massey Services and its subsidiary organizations provide residential and commercial pest prevention, termite protection and lawn, tree and shrub care services to more than 185,000 customers from 61 service centers throughout Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. For more information about Massey Services, please visit masseyservices.com.

You already know how great Massey’s Guaranteed Pest, Termite and Landscape services are – so why not Pass It On to your friends, family and neighbors and earn a little something extra for all of you?!

Refer Friends to Massey and Earn

Massey’s New Customer Referral Program that started Friday, May 1st allows you to do just that! As a current Massey customer, you can earn a $25 Publix gift cards* for everyone you refer to Massey who signs up for service! The new customer receives a $10 Publix gift card*.

Just have your contacts call 1-866-302-7950 to schedule a free, no obligation inspection. There’s no limit to the number of people you can refer!

So Pass It On and Earn with Massey Services!

*Louisiana customers earn Cabela’s gift cards.

Tips to prevent pests

Pest entry into homes increases during rainy months, especially when heavy rains flood a colony of pests outside causing them to seek shelter indoors. Some of the main avenues that ants, roaches and small insects take to get into your home are through small cracks, holes and tiny gaps around doors and windows. If left unsealed, pests can enter through these gaps at any time and attempt to locate a breeding place inside your home.

As a homeowner you can seal gaps through use of caulk or small patches of screen, steel wool or copper.  You should also look for large gaps in the eaves or around the siding and tiny gaps around weather stripping. Massey’s Pest Prevention Program is based upon sound integrated pest management principles of identifying the conditions, avenues and sources of pest infestations in order to successfully deal with any pest problem in or around your home.

In addition to keeping pests out, sealing your home can also reduce your energy bill considerably. The hot and humid, or cold air, can no longer get inside your home, making indoor temperatures more easily regulated.

To find out more about our Pest Prevention Program, get a Free Pest Inspection or call us at 1-888-2MASSEY (262-7739).

Cockroaches

originated from equatorial regions and have since spread world wide. When they have a choice, they prefer warmer climates, like the inside of your home. They will find small gaps around your doors and windows to get inside. All they need is a gap that your credit card can fit through to get in! If light can be seen around or under a door, then insects can gain access inside your home.

Massey’s Pest Prevention Program is based upon sound integrated pest management principles of identifying the conditions, avenues and sources of pest infestations in order to successfully deal with any pest problem in or around your home.

To find out more about our Pest Prevention Program, get a Free Pest Inspection or call us at 1-888-2MASSEY (262-7739).

When thinking about Pest Prevention for businesses, first think about the complexities of providing Pest Prevention Services at your home. Think about the wooden structures inside the walls and roof in the skeleton of your home. Voids, cracks, crevices; these are pest hiding spots that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Now add in your thick lawn and plant bed areas where pests find food and shelter outside. Keeping pests out of your home is a challenge worthy of a professional.

Now take the same pest challenges found in the home setting and add in 300 guest rooms, a large banquet kitchen, 27 floors, surgical suites and industrial or food processing capacity. The challenge of keeping pests out of businesses is very complex and requires dedicated Pest Management Practices. Consider the impact of pest activity on the businesses described. Will a guest or customer be satisfied with your business if they encounter pests during their visit or stay? Even worse: what if a pest is found inside or on a product that your business produces.

An effective Pest Prevention Program will not only protect your business from unwanted pest activity, but will protect your business’ image and reputation.

Massey’s PrevenTech Commercial Division specializes in Pest Prevention for businesses. Call us today or sign up for a Free Inspection to find out how our Pest Prevention Program works for your business.