This article was written by Thomas Shields in 2012 for Albuquerque Magazine:
PESTech Pest and Weed Control is a family run company with a unique approach to solving your pest control needs. Founded by Dave Friedlander in 2003, Pestech doesn’t believe in “selling” customers service contracts; but only does that which is necessary, and with the
same care he’d use with his own family.
I recently caught up with Dave - actually, he was at my house removing carpenter ants which had weakened a soffit - while I’m thinking they’re no big deal. - and sat down for the following interview.
TS So, Dave, tell me about your Background. Where are you
from?
DF I’m originally from Maine but have been a proud New Mexican since 1995; I’ve been licensed in Pest Control in New Mexico since that time. My wife Ana and I recently celebrated our twenty-fifth anniversary, and she handles the office. We have three sons all of whom work in the company; Daniel 24, Matthew 22, and David 19.
TS How would you describe the Pest Control Industries’ role in society?
DF Protectors of Public health. It’s our responsibility to protect the food supply, control pest borne diseases, preserve trees and improve landscapes, And, yah, sometimes we’re just asked to kill scary bugs…albeit some venomous ones. We deliver on piece of mind. But the most important thing is to operate as a steward of the environment; It’s our responsibility to do things right.
TS Why should a homeowner use a professional instead of trying a retail product?
DF Retail products by and large are ineffective. I believe people try them because the
cost of hiring a professional is too high, especially if a contract is
required.
TS Speaking of that, how does Pestech handle that matter?
DF I don’t believe a contract should dictate how often we treat. Customers always ask me when I should treat again and I jokingly say “the
bugs will tell you when.” But I’m serious, as safe as the products are in our industry it’s never appropriate to place chemicals of any kind if it’s not necessary. Really it comes down to individual thresholds.
TS Thresholds? Can you explain?
DF Threshold refers to people’s individual tolerance of bugs. On the residential side the spectrum runs from people who want scheduled preventive service to those who’ll call sporadically when the bug pressure reaches their threshold. Of course certain insect infestations may require a few successive treatments for a time, until they’re eradicated, for example, “Sugar” ants, roaches and Bed Bugs. But most
people just want relief from seasonal insects when their threshold is reached.
Commercial businesses have a responsibility to keep their buildings and grounds safe for patrons and employees. Food establishments
must keep consumables free from insect or rodent contamination. Hospitals, manufacturing, food processing and others must have a zero
tolerance (low threshold). Insect situations may vary but so do people and settings. This is where the expertise of the Pest Management Professional will determine the outcome.
TS How safe are the products you use?
DF All pesticides go through a lengthy and rigorous testing process by the EPA, and have amazing safety profiles. In fact, what’s in my truck is safer than most household products under the average homeowner’s kitchen sink. Most of today’s products work on insect’s unique biology and so have nomammalian toxicity when diluted and used according to the label. It can be confusing for consumers cause there’s a lot of misinformation out there both for and against the use of synthetic pesticides. I believe the area is well studied and understood; the products we use have amazing chemistry behind them that place safety above all.
TS I see PESTech has tree and weed services, can you tell me about them?
DF Trees and shrubs are a precious resource; we depend on them. For homeowners landscaping also increases comfort and property value.
Seasonal spraying –with pesticides or horticultural oils can help marginal trees to survive and give healthy plants a longer healthier growing
season. This results in improved thermal benefits (shade, windbreak, etc.) and lower energy costs, also less maintance cost for pruning,
watering, raking, and such. Treatments aren’t expensive and more than pay for themselves in the aforementioned ways, but most property owners don’t know when their own trees are under attack.
As for weeds, Wow! Sometimes in the desert it seems that nothing in your yard you care about grows but weeds just take off. Weeds wind up as a fire hazard and can get you fined in some municipalities, and of course they look terrible. But the real harm of weeds is they’re hungry and opportunistic and will steal water and nutrients from the soil ahead of your desirable plants. If you’re trying to get anything to grow in your yard you must manage the weeds. For rock and dirt landscapes we recommend a pre-emergent app in early spring and a pre/ post-emerge treatment in the summer. After a few years you’ll deplete the weed seed that’s accumulated in your yard. Folks are blown away at not having weeds anymore.
TS Are there any misconceptions that some people may have of the Pest Control Industry?
DF Some folks don’t know this is a regulated industry that requires licensing, ongoing training and recertification. We are regulated by the Department of Agriculture and must adhere to strict guidelines in all facets of our work. Every company is inspected annually and may be given random inspections in the field.
I think some people misunderstand the dangers of today’s pesticides, and think we brazenly kill all insects. The reality is good Pest Professionals are fascinated by the natural world and enjoy the challenge of finding solutions to pest problems with the least environmental impact.
TS Tell me what you do with your free time.
DF My son and I train in jiu-jitsu. As with pest control the whole family works together to organize four annual Jiu-Jitsu tournaments here in New Mexico. We also like following Lobos and professional sports.
PESTech Pest and Weed Control is a family run company with a unique approach to solving your pest control needs. Founded by Dave Friedlander in 2003, Pestech doesn’t believe in “selling” customers service contracts; but only does that which is necessary, and with the
same care he’d use with his own family.
I recently caught up with Dave - actually, he was at my house removing carpenter ants which had weakened a soffit - while I’m thinking they’re no big deal. - and sat down for the following interview.
TS So, Dave, tell me about your Background. Where are you
from?
DF I’m originally from Maine but have been a proud New Mexican since 1995; I’ve been licensed in Pest Control in New Mexico since that time. My wife Ana and I recently celebrated our twenty-fifth anniversary, and she handles the office. We have three sons all of whom work in the company; Daniel 24, Matthew 22, and David 19.
TS How would you describe the Pest Control Industries’ role in society?
DF Protectors of Public health. It’s our responsibility to protect the food supply, control pest borne diseases, preserve trees and improve landscapes, And, yah, sometimes we’re just asked to kill scary bugs…albeit some venomous ones. We deliver on piece of mind. But the most important thing is to operate as a steward of the environment; It’s our responsibility to do things right.
TS Why should a homeowner use a professional instead of trying a retail product?
DF Retail products by and large are ineffective. I believe people try them because the
cost of hiring a professional is too high, especially if a contract is
required.
TS Speaking of that, how does Pestech handle that matter?
DF I don’t believe a contract should dictate how often we treat. Customers always ask me when I should treat again and I jokingly say “the
bugs will tell you when.” But I’m serious, as safe as the products are in our industry it’s never appropriate to place chemicals of any kind if it’s not necessary. Really it comes down to individual thresholds.
TS Thresholds? Can you explain?
DF Threshold refers to people’s individual tolerance of bugs. On the residential side the spectrum runs from people who want scheduled preventive service to those who’ll call sporadically when the bug pressure reaches their threshold. Of course certain insect infestations may require a few successive treatments for a time, until they’re eradicated, for example, “Sugar” ants, roaches and Bed Bugs. But most
people just want relief from seasonal insects when their threshold is reached.
Commercial businesses have a responsibility to keep their buildings and grounds safe for patrons and employees. Food establishments
must keep consumables free from insect or rodent contamination. Hospitals, manufacturing, food processing and others must have a zero
tolerance (low threshold). Insect situations may vary but so do people and settings. This is where the expertise of the Pest Management Professional will determine the outcome.
TS How safe are the products you use?
DF All pesticides go through a lengthy and rigorous testing process by the EPA, and have amazing safety profiles. In fact, what’s in my truck is safer than most household products under the average homeowner’s kitchen sink. Most of today’s products work on insect’s unique biology and so have nomammalian toxicity when diluted and used according to the label. It can be confusing for consumers cause there’s a lot of misinformation out there both for and against the use of synthetic pesticides. I believe the area is well studied and understood; the products we use have amazing chemistry behind them that place safety above all.
TS I see PESTech has tree and weed services, can you tell me about them?
DF Trees and shrubs are a precious resource; we depend on them. For homeowners landscaping also increases comfort and property value.
Seasonal spraying –with pesticides or horticultural oils can help marginal trees to survive and give healthy plants a longer healthier growing
season. This results in improved thermal benefits (shade, windbreak, etc.) and lower energy costs, also less maintance cost for pruning,
watering, raking, and such. Treatments aren’t expensive and more than pay for themselves in the aforementioned ways, but most property owners don’t know when their own trees are under attack.
As for weeds, Wow! Sometimes in the desert it seems that nothing in your yard you care about grows but weeds just take off. Weeds wind up as a fire hazard and can get you fined in some municipalities, and of course they look terrible. But the real harm of weeds is they’re hungry and opportunistic and will steal water and nutrients from the soil ahead of your desirable plants. If you’re trying to get anything to grow in your yard you must manage the weeds. For rock and dirt landscapes we recommend a pre-emergent app in early spring and a pre/ post-emerge treatment in the summer. After a few years you’ll deplete the weed seed that’s accumulated in your yard. Folks are blown away at not having weeds anymore.
TS Are there any misconceptions that some people may have of the Pest Control Industry?
DF Some folks don’t know this is a regulated industry that requires licensing, ongoing training and recertification. We are regulated by the Department of Agriculture and must adhere to strict guidelines in all facets of our work. Every company is inspected annually and may be given random inspections in the field.
I think some people misunderstand the dangers of today’s pesticides, and think we brazenly kill all insects. The reality is good Pest Professionals are fascinated by the natural world and enjoy the challenge of finding solutions to pest problems with the least environmental impact.
TS Tell me what you do with your free time.
DF My son and I train in jiu-jitsu. As with pest control the whole family works together to organize four annual Jiu-Jitsu tournaments here in New Mexico. We also like following Lobos and professional sports.
