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Ultimate Pest Protection! Meet Terminix BVI

- Local company responding to pest control needs of the VI
A Terminix BVI worker in action! Terminix BVI is a young company that has responding to the pest control needs of the Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided.
Illustration: One of the techniques used by Terminix BVI is RapidFreeze, which uses carbon dioxide to freeze insects (including bed bugs), their eggs and nymphs on contact. This makes it the perfect treatment for homes since it's free of harmful chemicals. Photo: Provided
Illustration: One of the techniques used by Terminix BVI is RapidFreeze, which uses carbon dioxide to freeze insects (including bed bugs), their eggs and nymphs on contact. This makes it the perfect treatment for homes since it's free of harmful chemicals. Photo: Provided
Terminix BVI says, in order to guarantee customer satisfaction, it will go where no one else will dare to. Photo: Provided
Terminix BVI says, in order to guarantee customer satisfaction, it will go where no one else will dare to. Photo: Provided
Terminix BVI uses advanced technology to ensure quick, lasting termite extermination. It says all of its materials are among the safest available for use in homes. Photo: Provided
Terminix BVI uses advanced technology to ensure quick, lasting termite extermination. It says all of its materials are among the safest available for use in homes. Photo: Provided
A Terminix BVI worker responding to a call from one of its customers. Photo: Provided
A Terminix BVI worker responding to a call from one of its customers. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Rodents, ants, termites, roaches and any other pest undoubtedly pose a number of health risks, some curable while others can be deadly. Some on the other hand are just what their name says- “PESTS”- and they have what it takes to make your life most uncomfortable.

There is nothing more disgusting that having to deal with these at home, place of business or surroundings, but pests do not have to be a part of your life, so who are you going to call? Not Ghostbusters but definitely the people who have power over pests- Terminix BVI.

Long has been the cry of many persons, including in the corporate entities and domestic sector, for a service that can play a pivotal role in ensuring that pests and rodents are non-existent. That call was answered just about a year and a half ago when a group of seasoned and well accomplished businessmen decided to take on the challenge.

Sitting at the helm of this company is Ms Priya Mohamed, with whom Virgin Islands News Online recently sat with to discuss the topic of pests and pest control. “We recognized that there was a need for quality service at a sensible price and that was the driving force in essence,” said the Managing Director of Terminix BVI. “People were contracting pest control services and were not getting the required satisfaction and were not necessarily sure what they were getting back in return,” she added.

The group of confident businessmen bought the franchise approximately eighteen months ago from Terminix USA, which according to several surveys conducted over the years internationally, has been credited with the largest clientele and the most effective solutions to pest control.

Mohamed said visits to a number of eating places had confirmed the need for a sure and reliable pest control service. There were visible signs of rodents, ants and other pests at public facilities and it was obvious that whoever were doing the services were not doing a good enough job. A careful, subtle and objective assessment of the root of the problems experienced by most discovered that previous pest control providers were offering a service on a schedule convenient to them and not basically on the timely need of the customers, she said.

“You want to have our service at four o’clock in the morning, we are there, you want us on the weekend, we are there, because we are all about demand and customer service needs,” said Ms Mohamed.

The company has a staff compliment of not more than five persons and one would wonder how could they effectively meet the demands of customers in Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and the other sister islands. This is mastered because of the networking system with their parent company in the USA, who are always ready and on time when called upon.

“We have access to Terminix staff internationally. On a couple of occasions when we would have had strange pests that we ourselves couldn’t identify, we had the Terminix experts from overseas that came in and dealt with it,” said Ms Mohamed.

In reflection, she recalled one occasion when they came across a very strange pest in a roof. “We passed it on to Terminix head quarters and they passed it on to one of the universities in the US and they identified them as the acrobat ants, which were very rare in the Caribbean. They then gave us the solution for it and we were able to effectively deal with it. Terminix has only discovered the acrobat ant in two other locations in the Caribbean,” Mohamed said while adding, “Even though we may appear to be small …. We have a wealth of experience and power behind us.“

Terminix BVI only use chemicals that are approved by Terminix USA, which is EPA approved. “A lot of our customers want to know what we are using and we have to tell them and they are made comfortable, I am not sure that that kind of service existed before, I am not saying it didn’t but I am not confident that it did.”

In the Virgin Islands, the role of Government in pest control is minimal and basically leaves the door open for that kind of market to be maximized by the private sector. They are, however, very strict on standard especially with it comes to importing chemicals and other materials that are being used by these private enterprises.

Government also places a lot of emphasis on education on vector and other controls of insects and pests and to a larger extent in the agriculture sector.

The health of its customers is also a key factor of concern for Terminix BVI. “There are known diseases, dengue outbreak, infections caused by rodents, roaches that are the most common pests found in the Territory and that is why educating our customers is such a key component of our operations.”

The issue of waste disposal came up as a key area of concern that needs to be addressed in the Virgin Islands as it was said that there needs to be an improved system as a solution process and not just incineration process as currently exists.

It was also recommend that government entities conduct more indebt inspections and make known infractions that may come to the fore. “Terminix is sure that our company can deal with infractions, from our eagle eyes we do see infractions and we want to get to a stage where we deal with those infractions and the way to deal with that is by being pro-active,” the Managing Director said.

Ironic as it may sound, Terminix BVI is looking at becoming advisors to some businesses. “This may sound like a cliché but essentially we would like to see businesses focus on their core activities and not to have to worry about pests.”

Terminix BVI is a locally owned franchise that views its customers, along with their employees, as part of an ever-expanding family. Their goal is to keep pests out of the lives of persons, while not becoming pests themselves.

“We offer the best guarantees and service, as well as the most flexible scheduling options in the business. Our people live and raise their families in the communities they service. We are truly a local business in that sense,” Ms. Mohamed said confidently.

The pest and termite industry has changed dramatically in the last decade and Terminix Services have been utilizing the most advanced and effective techniques and products the industry has to offer. For example, the Terminix Termite Baiting System featuring Sentricon and the Liquid Defend System featuring Termidor are of the most advanced solutions for pest problems. Both use knowledge of a termite colony's natural instincts to eliminate the colony, not just suppress or chemically repel them.

 “Our protection service is the best way to keep 27 of the worst pests out of your home. It acts like a shield around your property, protecting your family from pests that thrive in your neighbourhood. This includes a quarterly Pest Control Plan for your home, re-service when you need it at no charge, Terminix’s  promise of ultimate protection. No other termite control company can offer you a stronger guarantee than Terminix. We call it ultimate protection; you'll come to call it ultimate peace of mind.”

Terminix can be contacted via their website, www.terminixbvi.com or by telephone (284)494-9400.

12 Responses to “Ultimate Pest Protection! Meet Terminix BVI”

  • We need you around here (22/01/2013, 09:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please publish your contact information. Some of us need your service urgently.
  • melody (22/01/2013, 09:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks heaven, VINO you are rating just took a massive leap up in my records of excellent writing
  • tom (22/01/2013, 10:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice
  • open wide (22/01/2013, 11:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea these pest are a serious issue that can cause sickness in the bvi. Happy to know we have a company ready to deal with it!!!
  • Sigh (22/01/2013, 12:15) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    I like this :) However, can someone please clarify the issue on Franchises in the BVI. I thought this was not allowed (perhaps I've been mistaken)
  • soon call (22/01/2013, 16:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    very informative piece VINO...I will be calling them soon
  • Bout Time (22/01/2013, 23:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why did it take so long for someone to address this serious issue. Kudos to Terminix for taking this entrepreneurial step. Perhaps now I can entertain my overseas guests without embarrassment and weak excuses for the pests that seem to roam at will.
  • Excited (22/01/2013, 23:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Need info on this innovative company. Their web-site? Rates sheet ? Service guarantees?
  • Sparry (22/01/2013, 23:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hey, this is encouraging news....showcasing our small businesses. VI should run a weekly...bimonthly features on "small businesses" that offer real quality servie to our communities...similar to their features on "Young Professionals".
  • Yeah Man (22/01/2013, 23:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big up VI news. Nice article and I hope we people see what can be done without waiting on de government to do everything for we.
  • nthk4u (30/01/2013, 08:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am amazed that it took so long for someone to take this much-needed initiative. Good job!


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