Spring 2008
What's New: Website, Newsletter
 My name is Kendra, and I am the new Marketing Manager at Killroy. We are keeping business all in the family, as I am Dennis’ daughter! I am very excited to join the Killroy team and have been working hard improving our website and marketing materials.
On Killroy.com you will find lots of great information about our effective and affordable residential and commercial pest control, termite control, and Sensitive Solutions services—for ALL your pest problems! There is also pest identification info, FAQs, seasonal info, and a service request form. Please bookmark our website and check back frequently as we are constantly adding new content.
Would you like to receive these newsletters and special offers by email? If so, please email me at Kendra@Killroy.com. Please include your name, phone number, and home address. That way we can send you future updates and special offers by email. Or, you can also fill-out the online service request form to be added to our mailing list. Feel free to include any additional comments—we love getting feedback. Thank you!
Kendra Lundgaard—Kendra@Killroy.com
Big Sur Marathon - Killroy Relay Team!
In other exciting news, recently Killroy Pest Control had a relay team run in the Big Sur International Marathon. Our team was led by our Co-Owner and Office Manager Lynn, and other runners included Weed Control expert Ken, Saratoga Pest Control Technician Ron, Office Administrator Clarissa, her 9-year-old son Matthew, and Kendra's husband/Dennis' son-in-law Jason. Here at Killroy we are so proud of them for finishing this difficult marathon. Check-out a few pictures below and Go Team Killroy!
  
President's Message: Service vs. Insurance
 There is a lot of hoopla on TV and Radio regarding “Termite Protection Programs.”
For an annual fee, you can buy what amounts to a “Termite Insurance policy,” making you feel assured that your largest investment, your home, is covered for any future damage from termites. Be aware that the initial “free” inspection will be offset by the preventative treatment you will be sold in order to receive the guarantee. Also be sure to inquire if existing hidden damage will be covered, say damage you discover in a future remodeling project.
Let me explain why I feel that our customers are better served without a required lifetime commitment to “Pest Insurance.”
Termite infestations in our area, while common, only result in significant structural damage if ignored for several to many years. I believe in selling our customers the services that they need and providing the best value to meet their needs. Treating customers honestly has kept us in business for 52 years. Hopefully we will be able to compete with the mass marketers now and in the future. If a customer wants to feel protected, our service guarantees are more than adequate, with re-inspections at intervals appropriate to the pest pressure in our area. Of course we will inspect your home as often as you wish, annually if you prefer. We feel that most homes can be adequately protected with a complete inspection every 3 to 5 years. Certain termiticide manufactures’ require annual inspections in order to back their extended (up to 10 years) guarantee. Since our subterranean termite treatments have been 100% effective up to now, we feel comfortable guaranteeing our treatments for 5 years, and feel that most treatments will hold for 10 years or more. Visit our website for lots more information on termite treatments.
Drywood termites most often require fumigation (Tenting) with sulfuryl fluoride gas (Vikane®) to kill all the exposed and hidden termite colonies. We use Premise Foam® for local treatments to control termites in exposed structural members, but only in those areas. With virtually no odor and a unique domino effect, it has proven highly effective for local treatment. Other chemistry (orange oil and others) we find less efficient and frequently oversold, and despite marketing claims will not kill hidden, inaccessible colonies of termites.
You can trust Killroy to keep up on proven techniques and chemistry to best serve our customer’s needs. Don’t be tricked into buying insurance in place of the service that you really need.
Dennis Merrill, President
Sensitive Solutions News: Greenfair! 
Sensitive Solutions is looking forward to participating in the Greenfair Silicon Valley. This is an exciting event taking place June 7 & 8, 2008 at the San Jose Convention Center. This two day expo will be the biggest Green event in Silicon Valley. There will be experts from around the world informing you on ways you can green your home, business, community, and life. It will be a great opportunity for you to ask questions and gain information regarding alternative power, green cleaning products and technologies, water conservation, organic foods, commuting alternatives, native plant gardening and composting, and alternative approaches to pest control.
KILLROY PEST CONTROL’S SENSITIVE SOLUTIONS has been on the cutting edge of alternative methods for achieving effective results in professional pest management for the past 12 years. We will have our technicians on hand to answer any questions you may have, as well as many of the professional tools we use to control your pest problems in and around your homes and businesses. Please come by our booth and let us know you heard about this event in the Killroy Kourier, and receive a free gift. You can also find more information on our website as well as @ GreenfairSiliconValley.com. Also check the Sunday, June 1, 2008 edition of the San Jose Mercury News. We look forward to seeing you there!
Termite Talk With Mike Ledesma
Now that spring is here, we are seeing the end of Subterranean termite swarms. If we have a good rain we still could see some additional swarmers coming out.
Going into the summer, it is time for the annual drywood termite swarming season. Usually, this time of year helps us to identify the difference between subterranean and dry woods.
Subterranean swarmers are black and smaller is size than the dry wood termites. They can often be confused with ants, or flying ants. Drywood termites are brown to caramel in color, with red heads. They both have workers in their colonies that are white in color. They are often misidentified as maggots.
With Drywood termites, their droppings or pellets are the most common identifying factor for an infestation. These can indicate a current infestation, or in some cases a past one. An inspection can clarify the difference. Tenting and fumigation are not always necessary for control of drywood termites, as we may be able to perform a “local” treatment if we can pin point their exact location. Again an inspection every 3 years or so is your best protection, and will provide ease of mind.
If you are experiencing any problems, give us a call. We will be happy to take a look for you.
Mike Ledesma, Termite Manager
Spring Is In the Air
 Hurray, it’s springtime. The time has come for all of those things we enjoy doing - gardening, golfing, biking, spring cleaning…SPRING CLEANING?!?
That’s right! In addition to your services with Killroy Pest Control and Sensitive Solutions, keeping your house clean is one of the best and most environmentally effective ways of keeping pests out of your house. Like unwanted house guests, household pests will be more likely to go elsewhere if you deprive them of easy access to food and a warm place to live.
Eliminating potential pest problems might mean a more extensive cleaning than you would probably do when you are expecting company. Thorough vacuuming is especially important. You need to vacuum not only the places that can be seen, but also the places that cannot be seen, such as cracks and crevices, the backs and undersides of furniture, and draperies or window treatments. When vacuuming for pests, it is necessary to empty the bag often.
Depriving insects and pests of entry points around your home can also go a long way in preventing pest invasions. This may require removing tree and shrubbery limbs that are touching your home or structure, replacing damaged window and door screens, repairing broken foundation vents, and not letting wood siding come in contact with the soil.
Additionally, caulking cracks and crevices where pests can enter, live, and multiply, works very effectively to prevent pest invasions inside your home, and is a sound environmental “green” pest control option. (For more green info, read the Sensitive Solutions article on the back page.) Be sure to seal around door jambs, windows, and any pipes that lead indoors. Although time consuming, sealing your home has the added benefit of conserving energy as well!
Wiping jars and bottles of food residues and emptying the garbage daily will reduce the food supply available to invading pests. In general, try to store all food in air tight metal, glass, or thick plastic containers. This also applies to storing pet food.
These additional efforts on your part as a supplement to Killroy Pest Control and Sensitive Solutions inspections and services will help ensure that your home is as pest free as possible. If you find that you do not have to time or expertise to perform some of these tasks, give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.
So go ahead, practice your backswing with a pass of the Hoover or the Dyson, and leave the driving to us.
Thank You!
We can never say it enough—“Thank You” to all of our loyal customers!
Killroy Pest Control has provided over 50 years of service, and 50 years of caring. We pride ourselves on being a family owned and operated business, providing our customers the highest level of pest control and termite control services possible.
We hope that you continue to be satisfied with our pest control services. We also value your referrals, and hope that we can continue to serve you, as well as your friends, family, and neighbors.
If you ever have any pest control or termite control problems please give us a call at 1-888-KILLROY (545-5769) or 408-378-0441. Or, fill out an online service request form and we will contact you ASAP to discuss your pest problems and schedule service. Thank you again!
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