Employee Spotlight - Ted Travelute

What is your current role?

Regional Manager for central Florida

How long have you worked with Clements?

I started with East West Pest Control in 2001 as a pest control technician. I stayed with Clements when they purchased East West in 2019 and have helped build the company’s presence throughout central Florida while advancing into a management role.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I enjoy solving problems and customer service.

What advice would you give someone for keeping their home pests free? 

Clean and disinfect your home. Pull your stove and refrigerator out and clean behind them for cutting down on pest populations.

Name something you’re most proud of?

I’ve been married to the love of my life for 30 years with two children who graduated from my alma mater, Southeastern University.

 What do you like to do outside of work?

Camping, kayaking, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Name the one place you’d love to visit, and why?

I’d love to visit the Grand Canyon to see it's natural beauty.

5 Tips to Stay Pest Free When Working from Home

We’ve all had to make adjustments with the way we work over the last year, but you probably haven’t thought about how it affects the pests lurking around your house. As more people use their home as a primary workspace, often sharing space with their children for remote learning, their is bound to me more clutter, messes, and garbage; inevitably leading to pest related issues. Here are several key tips for keeping your home pest free when you’re spending more time inside.

1. Wipe down countertops - Any time you are preparing food or finish eating, make sure to wipe down countertops and clean off any dirty surfaces around your kitchen. Surgery residues and crumbs left behind attract unwanted ants.

2. Keep dishes out of the sink - Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink for extended periods of time. Leaving out used dishes out with food particles provides food sources for roaches, ants, and flies.

3. Move trash away from the house - Many people place trash bags on their porch or patio overnight. Refrain from doing this as much as possible. Leaving plastic bags outside attracts everything from roaches to rats. If you use a rollaway waste container or recycling bins, make sure to wash them down with soap and water every few weeks.

4. Clean out your pantry - It’s understandable that you may have stocked up on extra food supplies this past year. But it’s important to throw away expired packages, unused fruits and vegetables, and grains that can harbor weevils, beetles, and other pantry pests.

5. Check your packages - We all seem to get daily deliveries from online retailers and food delivery services, but sometimes that convenience comes with unwanted stowaways. Shipping containers, warehouses, and fulfillment centers are notorious for roaches, ants, and other pests, and sometimes those bugs make their way into your packages. Make sure to wipe down boxes and inspect all packages before opening them inside your home. Also, once opened, breakdown cardboard and place it outside in your recycling bin as quickly as possible.

For more useful insights, schedule a free consultation with one of our pest control experts by going to www.clementspestcontrol.com/freeconsultation

Employee Spotlight - Chad Koehler

Chad Koehler - GHP Technician, Vero Beach

How long have you worked with Clements?  I've been working for Clements pest control for 14 years. Time really flies by…

What is you current role? I’m a General Household Pest Control (“GHP”) Technician and I service roughly 300 customers in and around the Vero Beach area.

What is your favorite part of your job? One of my favorite things about my job is when I leave a client's house and I see the smile on their face. It lets me know that they're confident and happy with the service that I’ve provided.

 What do you like to do outside of work? Outside of work I love to fish and hunt, as well as spending time with friends and family.

Lawn Tip of the Month: Summer Fertilizer Restrictions

Fertilizer is excellent for providing nutrients to your lawn and plants. Yet, when it ends up in the water supply, it’s not so great for water quality. As a result, many Florida counties implement varying fertilizer restrictions, which prohibit the application of any fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus between June 1 and September 30 - when heavy rainfall is common. Check local municipal websites to find out what type of restrictions might apply to your property or contact Clements at (772) 562-6450 to speak with one of our fertilizer specialists.

Pest Tip of the Week: Rinse Out Your Empty Bottles

Seeing ants forge near your recycling bins? If so, it’s probably because they’ve found sugary residue inside your empty bottles. Make sure to rinse out empty bottles and reseal the lid before discarding into your recycle bin. If you store your recycling bin in or near your home, it’s always best practice to wash it out every six to eight weeks.

If you would like to learn more about how Clements can help you prevent pests in your home, please call (772) 562-6450 to set up a free consultation.

Lawn Tip of the Month: Use Proper Insecticides to Limit Pest Damage

If you’re looking to stay on top of your lawn this Spring and Summer, it’s important to use insecticides to limit damage from pests that can destroy your turf and plants.

Common pests found in your lawn, especially during the warmer months, include Chinch Bugs, Sod Webworms and Armyworms. Insecticides used properly by our trained technicians can help keep these pests away.

Call us today at (772) 562-6450 to learn more about our tailored lawn care programs that will keep your lawn healthy and green year round.

Employee Spotlight - Mike Mace

Mike Mace - Senior Lawn & Ornamental Technician, Vero Beach

How long have you worked with Clements:  24 years 

What is your current role: Senior Lawn & Ornamental Technician at Clements’ Vero Beach branch.  

What is your favorite part of your job: I get a great sense of satisfaction when I pull up to my customers’ home and see how nice and green their lawn and shrubs look. I also enjoy getting to communicate directly with customers and educate them on how to improve the quality of their lawn. 

What do you like to do outside of work:  When we have the opportunity to vacation, my family and I love taking cruises to the Caribbean islands.

Give one piece of advice for homeowners looking to have a healthier lawn: Most important thing a homeowner can do, is to make sure there irrigation works properly and their timer is set to the appropriate watering cycles. These cycles need to be adjusted seasonally, so it is really important that they continue to monitor it year round.