Holt joined Chem-free in 2021 as the Electrical & Appliance Operations Manager before transitioning to Division Manager for Pest Control. Before Chem-free, Holt worked as a Project Manager and Superintendent in Construction.
Holt also served in the US Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007. Holt is a member of NPMA’s PestVets, Stewards of the Wild and Texas Wildlife Association. Holt is an avid outdoorsman, who loves to travel and spend time with his wife and daughter.
When you get a red, itchy bite, you may wonder about mosquito versus spider bites. It’s important to know what bit you, so you’ll know what to expect and how to treat the bite. But how can you tell the difference between the two?
Most Central Texans have at least heard of termites, even if they’ve never had to have an infestation treated. These small, winged, ant-like pests can cause major damage by feeding on the wood that makes up our homes and other structures. How do termites eat wood? It seems unlikely that such tiny insects could cause much trouble. But they do: Termites cause about five billion dollars in damage to American homes every single year!
Say you spot a small rodent scurrying along a beam in your garage. Is it a roof rat or a mouse? Even more likely, you haven’t seen the rodent itself, but you suspect it’s nearby. Maybe all you have to go on is evidence of rodent activity: gnaw marks, scratching sounds inside the walls or little brown pellets that look like rodent poop. Either way, you’re wondering about signs of a roof rat versus mouse, as these two rodents are common across Central Texas. How can you tell which pest you’re dealing with?
You might have heard that mothballs can keep mice and other pests away, but is it true? The simple answer is no, this is not an effective form of rodent control. What is worse is that instead of being a useful tool, mothballs might even create even bigger problems for you and your family.
For most people, seeing a cockroach is unpleasant or even scary. But, when there’s a huge one flying through the air at you, it can take the feeling of panic and disgust to a whole new level. Are you wondering what to do about cockroaches with wings? Maybe you didn’t even realize cockroaches had wings, or that they could fly!
Do mosquitoes come out in the rain? It’s a question people often ask because mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid regions that get plenty of rainfall. In many regions, springtime brings both rain storms and new mosquito activity. And whether it’s spring, summer or fall, sometimes the mosquitoes are so bad, it can seem like there’s no safe time to be outdoors without getting eaten alive. But do mosquitoes go away when it rains, or do they keep biting?
Finding roaches in the microwave is alarming, and it’s also plain gross. How did they get in there, and why did they stay? Most importantly, how can you get rid of them? Discovering roaches in your microwave merits immediate action to eliminate them. Not only are roaches unsanitary, spreading harmful bacteria over any food or surface they touch, they can actually cause damage to your microwave’s inner workings.
If you’ve ever had bed bugs, you know how incredibly itchy their bites can be. The misery that these tiny pests can cause is just one reason that why having a bed bug problem can upend your entire household. Another is that what you might assume is a few bed bugs is very likely already a full-blown infestation. So, what is the best way to get rid of these unwelcome invaders? Will freezing bed bugs control an infestation?
Hearing squeaking or scratching sounds coming from your ceiling can be puzzling. What could be making that noise? The unpleasant truth is there are a variety of creatures that could be up there. It could be anything ranging from rats or mice to squirrels or even raccoons. When it’s cold outside and regular food supplies are scarce, animals might seek shelter wherever they can find it. Often, this means moving in with humans.
