Much of my family was already on the North Shore. Silver Bay, Schroeder and Grand Marais so it was like coming home in a way. I moved here with my wife Katie after selling my share of a pest control business in the Twin Cities, with the intention of starting a new company in Grand Marais. 16 years later we are still in love with the area. 

I have been in the pest control business for 40 years and cut my teeth as a service manager for Orkin in St. Paul before starting a new company in 1986 called Bug Busters.  My wife Katie has been in the business for almost as long, serving with a company in California as a termite inspector. We are really a very family oriented company and try to treat our customers in that same vein. Cook County is where we do most of our work and getting to know the people in the area has been one of the best parts of the job. Pest control is very much like CSI.. Every job is different and it's about solving puzzles and finding sources.

We are very excited about this new service. Mosquitoes are a very real and daunting problem at times. Treating them effectively in a forest environment has always meant fogging with products that kill off a lot of non target insects. Many of which are totally beneficial and many that pollinate. its the reason we have not done this service in the past. 

The new system called In2Care is a real breakthrough in control. It uses egg laying stations and the mosquitoes themselves to spread the material that prevents the pupa from successfully turning into adult, biting mosquitoes. We combine this with a barrier treatment using essential oils that are encapsulated and the combination of these 2 parts makes a tremendous difference. One of the best parts is that it is totally focused on the mosquito and does not impact non target species.

This service will be launched this Spring.  

There are interesting things about all of them but I think Carpenter Ants are my favorite. A queen Carpenter Ant will live for up to 25 years and the workers can live for up to 7 years !!  That is incredible for an insect. They have an internal antifreeze called glycerol that allows them to go dormant at minus 30 degrees. They are true survivors and it's one of the reasons they can survive here. The "majors" or larger ants have powerful jaws and are very capable of defending their nest.. You don't want to stick your arm into a nest of agitated ants.. Don't ask me how i know that.. LOL

This job can be hard work and it can at times take your breath away with the spectacular views and surroundings. There are always moments of pure wonder but I think my favorite place to relax when I am not working is with my grandchildren and family right here at home.

I think early Spring between ice out and the Black Flies, when the trees are just budding out . The air smells so amazing and everyone has a huge smile. Its like "We survived winter once more". .. Second is early Fall when the leaves start to change.. Its all beautiful though. There are things to enjoy all year.

 

To learn more about North Shore Superior Pest Management, follow this link.