Over the decades, we've been lucky enough to develop many long-term, lasting relationships with our partners in the pest-control industry. Our relationships with professionals in the field help us ensure that our product continues to meet their needs and those of their clients.
We are so grateful for the family of professionals we work with and wanted to take the time to get to know one of our clients even better. Mike Cavanaugh, owner of Pest ID and long-term user of Sterifab, was kind enough to share details about why he chooses Sterifab and how he uses our product. We hope you'll enjoy!
Mike. Tell us a little bit about your operation?
I’m the CEO and owner of Pest iD, a full-service pest-control company located in Plumsted Township, New Jersey. We service the entire state, from Sussex County in the North, through Monmouth and Ocean Counties in the center, all the way down to Cape May, which borders Delaware in the South.
We’re a modest company, although we do cover a lot of territory. Like so many professional pesticide companies, we tend to be seasonal operation. However, we do have clients that we service 12 months a year, including hospitals, schools, retail, hotels, movie theaters and restaurants, just to name a few.
As far as the kinds of services we provide, Pest iD covers just about every kind of situation you can imagine. In addition to handling the usual pest control problems ̶ ants, bees, wasps, fleas, roaches, stink bugs and so on ̶ we also provide wildlife removal, rodent control, mosquito suppression, and getting rid of termites. I could go on, but you get the picture. We cover it all.
How long have you been in the pest control business?
Well, I’ve been doing this for some 40 years now. I started when I was 13-years-old, working part-time in the family business. After college I dedicated myself to the work full time. Then, about 13 years ago I struck out on my own. I started Pest iD, and the rest is history.
But I don’t just run the business, even though it does take up a lot of me time. I also contribute my time and professional experience to organizations such as the New Jersey Pest Management Association, where I’m a former president. I’m also on the Board of the New Jersey Green Industry Council, which promotes the interests of the green industry at the state and local level. It’s a very worth-while organization.
How did you hear about Sterifab?
I’ve known about Sterifab for a long time. Everyone in the pest management business knows about it. It’s very good at killing mold, mildew and fungus. And it’s also very good at killing germs and microorganisms, which is particularly important for our health care clients: hospitals, clinics, ERs and so forth. Not only can it be used on fabrics, but it also eradicates pathogenic odors and inhibits bacterial growth; it functions as a bacteriostatic to stop bacteria from reproducing.
I also like the fact that Sterifab is completely non-residual and biodegradable. Plus, it dries in 15- 20 minutes, which is a real advantage.
How and when do you use Sterifab?
Well, I use it a lot when we’re dealing with bed bug infestation. Bed bugs don’t make nests, of course, but they do live in groups ̶ primarily mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards. Sterifab eliminates them in short order. And it also has the advantage of dissipating quickly, which is very important.
But Sterifab has many other uses. It’s not just for bed bugs. You can use it to eradicate ticks, fleas, mites, mosquitoes, even head lice that have gotten into upholstery. And it’s the only U.S. EPA-approved product that works as a viricide, bactericide, sanitizer, insecticide, deodorant, germicide-disinfectant, mildewcide, fungicide, bacteriostatic and a fungistatic. All of them.
Is there any time you wouldn’t use Sterifab?
We would never use Sterifab to deal with an infestation that requires long-term control. As I said, Sterifab is perfect for short-term control because it disperses so rapidly. That’s why it’s ideal for use in hospitals and clinics because they can’t employ long-term chemicals in their facilities.
So, yes, Sterifab is an insecticide, but the fact that it has no residual effects makes it safer than other chemicals.
Is Sterifab more or less dangerous than other insecticides?
By their very nature chemicals are dangerous ̶ especially if they’re handled improperly or used in ways the manufacturer did not intend. In fact, professionals and members of the public alike should always be extremely careful when using any kind of pesticide.
Obviously, different situations, different pest problems, call for different approaches. What works well in one set of circumstances won’t work in another. Which is why we use a variety of products in our work.
What would you tell people who are interested in using Sterifab themselves?
Read the instructions carefully and follow them to the letter. Don’t improvise and absolutely do not mix it with other chemicals ̶ ever! Sterifab should be used for applications that other products cannot effectively or safely handle.
For instance, it can be sprayed directly on furniture, lockers, cabinets, drawers, carpets, car interiors, animal bedding/cages, beds, bus seats/interiors, hospital waiting room areas, doctors' offices, police cars, prisons/holding cells, garbage bins, etc.
Finally, Sterifab works as a disinfectant, but it is not a cleaning product. Never use it that way.
From all of us at Sterifab, thank you again, Mike, for your time and hard work!