Is PHC in your buisness

[ccrider2240]

How many of you guys run PHC in your business? And what % income does this attribute to your gross sales?

 

[Canyonbc]

Thank you in advance...

What does PHC stand for???

Thanks

Canyon

 

[Canyonbc]

I do have to say...this post will prolly do better in the business section.

Thanks
Canyon

 

[clearance]

THC? Yes the best bud is from B.C., its well known.

 

[Canyonbc]

Oh, didnt make the connection...thought it was some acronym for some business or safety or something term...

No but really what does is it stand for....???

Canyon

 

[BC WetCoast]

Oh, didnt make the connection...thought it was some acronym for some business or safety or something term...

No but really what does is it stand for....???

Canyon

Plant health care

Insect and disease diagnosis and treatments, fertilization etc.

It can be an extremely profitable business line if you have it staffed right. A single spray tech can generate the same revenues as a 2 man climbing crew with less overhead (ie less equipment required) and no damage risk. Also, PHC services are generally required yearly, so repeat sales are easier. As I said, though it needs to be staffed correctly with someone who has the expertise for insect and disease diagnosis.

 

[mckeetree]

Plant health care

Insect and disease diagnosis and treatments, fertilization etc.

It can be an extremely profitable business line if you have it staffed right. A single spray tech can generate the same revenues as a 2 man climbing crew with less overhead (ie less equipment required) and no damage risk. Also, PHC services are generally required yearly, so repeat sales are easier. As I said, though it needs to be staffed correctly with someone who has the expertise for insect and disease diagnosis.

A single spray tech can generate the same revenues as a 3 man climbing crew. If we did not not do PHC this deal would not be worth it. It's the only way a small company like us can make any real money in this business.

 

[treeman82]

I'm trying to start the PHC end of my company. Got the sprayer last summer. I've been licensed for almost 8 years now, but never had a desire to spray. Got the sprayer and started doing it... found I actually enjoy the work... not to mention the money. I mean really... how often can you take your saws out and bill $300+ per hour for just 1 person with low risk, and low costs?

 

[Canyonbc]

Wow...didnt no there was that much money in spraying...makes a lot of sense...a lo of study i would imagine behind it all...the licensing, and the initial equipment.

Where do or did you guys aquire the information for PHC and to do spraying?

Working for larger companies, like Bartlett (i think they have it)...or are there actual class's one can take?

Thanks

Canyon

 

[treeseer]

PHC is a very broad subject; see the attached. I practice PHC most of the time I'm on a job, but I sub out most of my spraying and other chem work.

 

[Canyonbc]

PHC is a very broad subject; see the attached. I practice PHC most of the time I'm on a job, but I sub out most of my spraying and other chem work.

That makes sense...by giving your expert advice as a Certifed Arborist you evaulate the situation and when spraying is needed you sub it out got it...

Is spraying a state to state thing..and if so any one know where to find more information about it for California.

 

[BRCCArborist]

Spraying is state to state. Not sure about California specifically, but here in Virginia pesticide application licenses are granted by the State Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services, so I would check your states ag dept first.

 

[Canyonbc]

Spraying is state to state. Not sure about California specifically, but here in Virginia pesticide application licenses are granted by the State Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services, so I would check your states ag dept first.

Thanks,

I will start looking into it.

Canyon

 

[lxt]

The only bad thing about it is, #1 the insurance, #2 just because you are licensed doesnt mean you can spray/chemically treat!! I am licensed...however I had to put my license in escrow with the Pa Dept of Agriculture why? for me to get the BU#, insurance & all the proper paper work was going to be expensive!!

In PA you have to register your biz, provide proof of financial responsibility,keep MSDS sheets, reportable quantity & spill control, RCRA basically transport, storage, treatment & disposal ACT. Not to mention other paper work along with a sensitivity list(knowing the people to not treat around)..........there are audits & all kinds of BS that go along with this, depending on how much chemical you carry you may need a hazmat license & placard!! better to treat for a company than try it on your own....IMO

LXT.............

 

[BRCCArborist]

The only bad thing about it is, #1 the insurance, #2 just because you are licensed doesnt mean you can spray/chemically treat!! I am licensed...however I had to put my license in escrow with the Pa Dept of Agriculture why? for me to get the BU#, insurance & all the proper paper work was going to be expensive!!

In PA you have to register your biz, provide proof of financial responsibility,keep MSDS sheets, reportable quantity & spill control, RCRA basically transport, storage, treatment & disposal ACT. Not to mention other paper work along with a sensitivity list(knowing the people to not treat around)..........there are audits & all kinds of BS that go along with this, depending on how much chemical you carry you may need a hazmat license & placard!! better to treat for a company than try it on your own....IMO

LXT.............

Good point. I forgot to mention that here in Virginia, if spraying commercially, you also have to own/work for a business with a pesticide business license. Im sure its the same most other states too.

 

[ATH]

Yeah...I have to pay for 2 licenses every year. One for myself and one business license. I have to show proof of insurance every year--and many insurance companies are not interested in covering your for pesticide use. I have not pushed applications too hard, and am sure I have lost money if I account directly for all of the expenses. On the other hand, I have kept some clients because I was able to offer treatment.

I would also say that while the conversation here has lead towards the regulated pesticides, it should be noted that true plant health care goes much much further than this. Fertilization, soil care (vertical mulching, I consider the AirKnife work part of PHC; pH balancing; micrhozzial treatments; etc...), mulching, watering, and proper pruning are all a part of caring for the health of a plant. Heck, even proper planting needs to be included. We can do a lot of PHC before we even start up the spray rig... In fact I'd go so far as to say that you could avoid a lot of spraying if everything else is done right. The other buzz word to go along with this is "IPM" (integrated pest management). The idea being if the plant is otherwise healthy, less chemical will be used to correct problems that could have been prevented.

To answer the original question...I would basically lump most of my business into "PHC" except for removals-of which I don't do many (and even some of those could be considered the final step for the dying trees). Pesticide and fertilizer business is slow for me (because I don't push it hard) - probably less than 10%. Air Knife work: closer to 15-20% of gross -- there is a lot of room for growth there...

 

[ccrider2240]

Heres what im thinkining

Not really broadcast spraying, more like systemic approaches (micro injection), dormant oil sprays, deep root fert, mycor injection, vertimulching. Can a PHC tech go more this rout than broadcast spraying and still cover all my insect and disease problems? Can micro injection cover all my bases rather than spraying? How would you market this if you were 9 years in business? Ive tried ArborJet and it was a hassle and expensive, HOw bout Mauget? Certified Arborist here, with 3 man crew trying to generate more income. 90% Residential, 40% high end customer base, Who would do my PHC work, Bump my foreman to PHC Tech and gradually make the move, or go all out and hire someone Im probably going to a have to train??? I ve got a spare truck and a 200 gal spray rig that we are fert. now,,,, Any help would help Thanks

 

[BC WetCoast]

Not really broadcast spraying, more like systemic approaches (micro injection), dormant oil sprays, deep root fert, mycor injection, vertimulching. Can a PHC tech go more this rout than broadcast spraying and still cover all my insect and disease problems? Can micro injection cover all my bases rather than spraying? How would you market this if you were 9 years in business? Ive tried ArborJet and it was a hassle and expensive, HOw bout Mauget? Certified Arborist here, with 3 man crew trying to generate more income. 90% Residential, 40% high end customer base, Who would do my PHC work, Bump my foreman to PHC Tech and gradually make the move, or go all out and hire someone Im probably going to a have to train??? I ve got a spare truck and a 200 gal spray rig that we are fert. now,,,, Any help would help Thanks

Either you or one of your employees is going to have to do some research. You should determine what are the major insects and diseases that are treated in your area, what are the treatments and timing. There are many insects/diseases that you will be asked about that have no available treatment.

Next you need to determine what pesticides are available for use in your area. In our area, which covers 10 different municipalities, there are 3 which prohibit the use of certain chemical pesticides. So, you have to determine which treatments and products are allowed in what area.

I'm not sure what you mean by broadcast spraying. I do a lot of our spraying and it is usually single (or small numbers) tree treatments. But I do a lot of residences in a day.

We only use about a dozen different products. We are pretty restricted to which products we can on different pests. Many of the products talked about on this site, are not registered for use in BC.

In your case, I would start the first year developing a customer base with a dormant oil spray and fertilization program. You can then build on this as your expertise and demand requires. But as I said, you need someone who can spend the time getting up to speed to be able to do the diagnosis and prescribe treatments.

 

[ATH]

Like BC said, figure out what the major problems are in the area. Figure out the most effecient/effective for treating those. You can treat many pests without broadcast sprays. Notable exceptions in this area would by bagworm and gypsy moth...but your area will have its own problems.

Sometimes those problems will be pests you need to kill, sometimes they will not be--for example: soil compaction (not a good idea to kill the construction guys causing the compaction ), soil chemistry (we have high pH around here) including fertilization, drought, etc...

If you get into fertilization, find a good lab to do your soil tests. Especially since you say you are dealing with higher end customers. Most folks will understand the need to pay a little more when you explain that you want to make sure you are putting the right fertilizer down rather than just using whatever you have in the tank that day (which is the same thing you have every day). Match the fertilizer to the needs. Check with Texas A&M extension offices...they may do the soil test for a low price. Otherwise, they'll have a list of labs for you.