World Bee Day: Celebrating Our Bee-utiful-dutiful Creatures

Today, May 20th, marks World Bee Day, a global observance that resonates with urgency and celebration. This significant day honors the birth of Anton Janša, a Slovenian pioneer of modern beekeeping, and serves as a crucial reminder of the indispensable role bees and other pollinators play in sustaining life on Earth. Established by the United Nations in 2017, World Bee Day emerged from a growing awareness among beekeepers and activists regarding the alarming decline in bee populations worldwide. What began as a heartfelt recognition of a silent crisis has blossomed into a global movement, emphasizing the profound importance of these remarkable insects.

Bees are far more than just buzzing insects flitting from flower to flower; they are foundational to the health of our planet and the bounty of our dinner tables. An astonishing one-third of all the food we consume relies directly on pollination by bees. This includes a vast array of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even beloved staples like chocolate and coffee. Without the diligent work of bees, our dietary options would be drastically limited and incredibly bland.

The world of bees is incredibly diverse, boasting over 20,000 known species. While the iconic honeybee often captures the spotlight, it’s important to remember that not all bees live in communal hives or produce honey. Many bee species are solitary, building their own nests in the ground or within tree cavities. Each species, whether social or solitary, contributes uniquely to the intricate web of pollination.

Honeybees, in particular, showcase a remarkable level of intelligence and sophistication. Their abilities extend to recognizing human faces, a testament to their cognitive prowess. Perhaps one of the most captivating aspects of their behavior is their elaborate communication system: the “waggle dance.” When a worker bee discovers a rich source of nectar, it returns to the hive and performs this intricate dance to convey precise information about the distance and direction of the food source to its hive mates—a miniature, living GPS system.

Beyond their communication skills, bees are also extraordinary engineers. The hexagonal structure of their honeycombs is a marvel of natural design. This geometric perfection is incredibly efficient, allowing them to store the maximum amount of honey using the least amount of wax. It’s no wonder that mathematicians and architects alike study bee design for inspiration, recognizing the inherent genius in nature’s blueprint.

Despite their vital contributions and fascinating attributes, bees are facing unprecedented challenges. Pesticides, habitat loss due to urbanization and monoculture farming, climate change, and various diseases have all contributed to a serious decline in bee populations globally. This decline poses a significant threat not only to our food security but also to the delicate balance of ecosystems worldwide.

However, there is good news amidst these concerns. We all have a role to play in protecting these essential pollinators. Simple actions, such as planting wildflowers and native plants in our gardens, avoiding the use of harmful chemical pesticides, and supporting local beekeepers who practice sustainable methods, can collectively make a significant difference.

Companies like WellTech are also stepping up to turn the tide and support bee conservation efforts. Recognizing the critical need to protect local bee populations, WellTech has implemented a proactive and bee-friendly approach. When bees establish colonies in multifamily properties, a situation that can often lead to extermination, WellTech intervenes with a compassionate solution.

Our teams undergo specialized training to become certified beekeepers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and humanely remove bee colonies. Rather than harming these valuable insects, WellTech works diligently with local farmers or beekeepers to rehome these wayward bees, providing them with a safe and suitable environment where they can thrive and continue their essential work. This commitment to safe removal and rehoming exemplifies a growing trend of corporate responsibility in environmental stewardship, demonstrating that businesses can be powerful allies in the fight to protect our planet’s vital pollinators.

Today, on World Bee Day, let us not only celebrate the incredible contributions of bees but also renew our commitment to their protection. By understanding their importance, appreciating their remarkable abilities, and taking concrete steps to support their survival, we can ensure that future generations continue to benefit from the tireless work of these tiny, yet bee-utiful-dutiful, creatures.

#worldbeeday; #beelove; #beefriendly; #savethebees; #beeteam; #multifamilyresidential; #multifamilymanagement

May 15, 2025August 29, 2025

We Discovered Dookie

Further Encounters of our Multifamily Residential Wildlife Team

Wildlife converges with multifamily living in the most unusual ways. WellTech Pest Solutions Wildlife Team has had its share of unique experiences so far this year. We have reported to you about our experiences from a sunbathing chicken, a wall ferret, and a baby bat, but this next one made us do a double take…

Location: Largo

Object: “Wait, is that a…..???”

Our wildlife team upon entering the apartment observed a small, brownish-black, and disturbingly cylindrical. It looked, to put it delicately, like a discarded…well, you get the picture. In other words, it seemed the family pet or a small child had an accident.

The “object” twitched. Then, it extended a tiny, menacing-looking claw. The brown, cylindrical creature began to move, scuttling sideways with surprising speed. It was, undeniably, a crawfish. A crawfish that looked, for all the world, like a…a very convincing imitation of something else entirely.

By the way, our team removes “biotoxins” from apartments in a process called “biotoxin mitigation”. However, this wasn’t the case, during this outing. The team ended up removing this crawdaddy, which we are now dubbing “mud nugget” or “sewer shrimp”, based upon its likeness.

In this encounter, no animals were harmed. Additionally, no dogs were scolded by their owners and no children were shamed. Our confused crustacean wasn’t flushed down the crapper, either. The Wildlife Team released the “little stinker” we have named “Dookie” back into the Florida wild.

We hope this silliness brought you joy, especially if you have had a sh*tty day. LOL. Please like and share this story to your friends and family. Or feel free to share the photo on your social media.

If you are a property manager or a leasing manager and have an emergency wildlife removal, please call us at the number at the top of your webpage or use the call button on your mobile phone. You may also fill out the following form for service…

Got a Wildlife Problem?

Click below for help.

#LOL; #Wildlife; #Crawfish; #Crayfish; #Crawdaddy; #turd; #multifamily; #crittercontrol

May 13, 2025August 25, 2025

Termites Surge to an 87% Increase in Activity

2025 is Predicted to Be an Aggressive Year for Termites (Story Follow Up)

In February, our Associate Certified Entomologists (ACE) issued a warning that 2025 would be an aggressive year for termites in Tampa, and now their predictions are becoming a reality. WellTech Pest Solutions, LLC are witnessing a significant surge in termite activity, with an alarming 87% increase in Subterranean Termite infestations across the board. This is a serious issue, but there’s another layer to this concerning situation: the arrival of the Formosan Termite, Coptotermes formosanus, also known as the “Super Termite.”

The Threat of Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites, while not as aggressive as Formosan termites, still cause billions of dollars in damage each year in the US. They live in underground colonies and build mud tubes to reach their food sources. These termites feed on cellulose, the main component of wood, and can damage a building’s structure over time. A mature subterranean termite colony can consist of hundreds of thousands to millions of workers. They can enter structures through cracks as small as 1/16th of an inch.

The Destructive Power of Formosan Termites

Formosan termites, often called “super termites,” are among the most destructive termite species globally. Their aggressive nature and the sheer size of their colonies make them particularly dangerous. A single Formosan colony can house millions of termites, allowing them to consume wood at an alarming rate. They chew through wood from the inside out, often leaving behind hollowed-out sections. They can also create nests above ground if they find enough moisture. Formosan termites were introduced to the US in the 1940s and have spread across the southern states. They are known to infest not only structures but also living trees, shrubs, utility poles, and even boats.

The consequences of this termite surge between both Subterraneans and Formosans are already being felt. We’ve observed a more than doubled rise in reported termite activity across our all of our Florida territories. This includes Greater Tampa, Orlando, Southwest Florida and approximately a 61% increase! Unfortunately, in most instances, this activity is only discovered after substantial damage has already taken place.

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) extension has provided an interactive map to show the historical paths of where each species have been recorded. While these may not have the data from this season, play close attention to the proximity of your multi-family residential dwellings.

Termite distribution in Florida (updated 10-1-2023) – Google My Maps

Protecting Your Multi-Family Property

Given the increasing termite threat, it’s crucial to take proactive measures to protect your property.

May 8, 2025May 8, 2025

Welltech Approaches 10-Year Anniversary

Welltech Pest specializing in multi-family living business model; salutes National Small Business Week

WellTech Pest Solutions, LLC, a leading provider of pest and wildlife management services exclusively for the multi-family sector, is proud to announce its upcoming ten-year anniversary in the state of Florida. Established in August 2015, WellTech Pest Solutions has become a trusted partner for property owners and managers across the state.

WellTech Pest Solutions’ origins trace back to Atlanta Pest Control, a company with over sixty years of history, acquired by Jay Wells and John Thomas “Nick” Nichols in 1988. Drawing upon their business and sales expertise, a multi-family property management supply company, and John Wells’ expertise in pest control, they united to fill the gap in the pest control industry’s ability to effectively serve multi-family properties.

“Multi-family residential pest control presents unique challenges,” states Jay Wells, President and Founder of WellTech Pest Solutions. “Properties have diverse resident lifestyles, and pest issues in one unit can easily impact neighboring units. Standard pest control approaches often fall short. Our programs are customized to address the unique lifestyles of the residences.”

This insight led John Wells to develop specialized programs and treatment techniques tailored to the budget constraints and operational needs of the multi-family industry. These programs emphasize communication and cooperation in identifying problem units, enabling WellTech to implement targeted solutions, including baiting, trapping, and precise pesticide application, to contain and eliminate infestations before they spread.

“We understand the specific pest pressures in Florida,” adds John Wells, Vice President of WellTech Pest Solutions. “Environmental factors significantly influence pest activity, and these variations differ across the state. Our approach is tailored to those regional differences.”

Both Jay and John Wells are Associate Certified Entomologists (ACE), demonstrating their commitment to scientific expertise. John Thomas “Nick” Nichols, who held an MBA, passed away in 2001, leaving full operating control of the former Atlanta Pest Control to Jay Wells. The initial acquisition of Atlanta Pest Control was partially funded through a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan*.

“We are grateful for SBA, and we celebrate with the many small business owners and entrepreneurs during National Small Business Week”, said Jay Wells.

WellTech Pest Solutions addresses the specific challenges of high-density living, offering comprehensive services for a wide range of pests, including household pests, bed bugs, fleas, termites, flies, mosquitoes, rodents, honey bees, bats, and birds. The company’s mission is to assist property owners and managers in maintaining and enhancing property value and reputation, while ensuring residents enjoy a comfortable, pest-free living environment. WellTech also offers advanced termite prevention and elimination techniques and humane wildlife management.

WellTech Pest Solutions serves a broad region of Florida, including the counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Sarasota, Manatee, Lee, Charlotte, Sumter, Lake, Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Marion, Flagler, Desoto, Hardee, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Highlands, Indian River, Brevard, Osceola, and Polk. Key cities in their service area include Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Wesley Chapel, Brandon, Lakeland, Bradenton, Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Jacksonville.

WellTech are members of the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA), the Florida Apartment Association (FAA), Bay Area Apartment Association (BAAA), Apartment Association of Greater Orlando (AAGO), Southwest Florida Apartment Association (SWFAA), and the First Coast Apartment Association (FCAA).

For more information, please visit https://welltechpestsolutions.com or contact WellTech Pest Solutions at service@welltechpest.com or (727) 734-7726.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

*The SBA established National Small Business Week more than sixty years ago, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. National Small Business Week 2025 is May 4th-May 10th. National Small Business Day is held Saturday May 10th.

welltechanniversary; #multifamily; #florida; #pestcontrol; #wildlifecontrol; #sba; #nationalsmallbusinessweek; #tampabusiness

May 1, 2025May 1, 2025

Will Critter Mothers Get Free Rent at your Community?

This Mother’s Day, Let’s Protect All Mothers – Even the Furry, Uninvited Kind!

Just like the cherished mothers in your multifamily residential community, wildlife families are also seeking safe havens to nurture their young. Unfortunately, your buildings can sometimes look like the perfect, rent-free nursery to a variety of pests.

Why the Appeal? Your Building Through a Raccoon Mom’s Eyes

Imagine the world through the eyes of a mother raccoon. It’s a landscape filled with potential dangers for her vulnerable kits. Your quiet attics offer an irresistible sanctuary – a secure, elevated space far from the reach of most predators. Their incredible agility allows them to squeeze through surprisingly small openings and navigate heights that deter other animals.

Inside, your attic provides the ideal nesting environment. The soft insulation becomes a cozy cradle for her babies. One of the first telltale signs of a new family moving in? Piles of insulation mysteriously appearing around attic entrances or scattered on the ground like fluffy white clouds.

And let’s not forget the neighborhood amenities! Your property likely boasts an excellent “walkability score” for foraging mothers. Easy access to food sources, whether it’s fallen fruit, unsecured trash, or other tempting morsels, allows her to provide for her growing family without venturing too far from their safe haven.

A Proactive Approach: Ensuring a Pest-Free Mother’s Day for Your Residents

Prevention is the most thoughtful and cost-effective way to ensure unwanted guests don’t crash the Mother’s Day celebrations. Taking proactive steps like sealing potential entry points around your roofing, trimming back tree branches that act as bridges, and repairing any soffit damage can significantly reduce the chances of a raccoon family setting up residence.

Already Have a Tenant Who Isn’t Paying Rent? We Can Help!

If a mother raccoon has already chosen your building to raise her young, don’t worry! WellTech Pest Services offers a compassionate and effective range of removal, eviction, and exclusion services tailored to your specific situation. We understand the sensitivity of dealing with wildlife, especially mothers and their young, and our methods prioritize humane solutions.

This Mother’s Day, give your residents the gift of a pest-free environment. Let wildlife mothers raise their families in the wild, not in your buildings!

Call WellTech Pest Services today for a consultation and ensure a peaceful season for everyone.

REQUEST A CRITTER EVICTION

#mothersday, #wildlifeexclusion, #multifamily, #crittercontrol, #multifamilyresidential, #apartmentmanagement, #leasingmanagement

April 29, 2025June 4, 2025

Bat Rescue

After Hours Emergency and Bat Removal

Last Thursday evening in Tampa, close to Brandon, Florida, a resident of a multifamily building returned to her apartment and found a small bat clinging to a wall in her living space. Upon discovering the animal, the resident contacted the building’s emergency after-hours service, which routed the call to WellTech. Thomas Tellez, the account manager for the Tampa region and an individual with prior experience in wildlife management, was available and took the call.

Arriving at the apartment, Thomas located the bat on an interior wall. He observed that it was a juvenile, characterized by its smaller size and proportionally larger ears. Thomas carefully detached the baby bat from the wall and placed into a green towel. Immediately after stepping outside the apartment unit, he released the bat into the evening air.

Following the bat’s removal, Thomas conducted an inspection of the apartment to identify how the animal might have entered. He located a few small openings. Thomas temporarily sealed these areas to prevent immediate reentry and informed the building’s maintenance department of these potential access points, recommending that they be properly sealed to avoid future incidents.

#apartmentmanagement, #multifamilyresidential, #wildliferemoval, #babybat, #tampaflorida

April 24, 2025April 24, 2025

WellTech Pest at AAGO was more fun than a Wookiee party!

Once Upon a Trade Show Held in a Galaxy Far, Far Away at the Orange County Convention Center

Being in touch with your midichlorians would have led you to Central Florida a few days ago. If you happened to be traversing the galaxy (or, more specifically, the Apartment Association of Greater Orlando’s “Once Upon a Tradeshow” on Tuesday, April 22nd), and felt a disturbance in the Force… it was probably just the sheer awesomeness radiating from the WellTech Pest Solutions booth. We brought a little bit of a galaxy far, far away to Orlando, transforming our space into the WellTech Cantina, and judging by the crowds, it was more popular than a Wookiee with a fresh Bantha Burger.

Forget your podracers and hyperspace jumps, the real action was happening right here. We had a stellar crew on deck, including President John Wells, VP Jay Wells, VP Austin Matteson, the ever-charming Account Managers Brian Morris and Corey Dixon, and the mastermind behind the galactic invasion, Director of Marketing James Scheffel. They were all there, ready to talk pest control with the enthusiasm of a Jawa haggling over a droid.

But let’s be honest, even the most pressing pest concerns can take a backseat when there are free lightsaber pens involved! Yes, you heard that right. We were handing out these elegant weapons (for a more civilized age of note-taking) that doubled as handy flashlights. Perfect for navigating those dark corners where pests might be lurking… or just for finding your keys in a dimly lit speeder. We saw quite a few attendees ignite their pens with glee, perhaps practicing their best Jedi moves. May the write be with you!

And for those who appreciate a bit more… earthly indulgence, we also had a supply of free cigars. Because even in a galaxy filled with exotic flora and fauna, sometimes a good old-fashioned cigar is the perfect way to unwind after a long day of… well, tradeshow-ing. We’re pretty sure Han Solo would have approved.

But the fun didn’t stop there! We were also offering a promotional deal on our annual pest control agreement – a deal so good, it could probably tempt even Darth Vader to switch sides (imagine the Emperor trying to deal with a cockroach infestation on the Death Star!). Securing your property with WellTech is like having your own personal squadron of pest-fighting X-wings, ready to intercept any unwanted invaders.

For the truly adventurous, we had opportunities to collect blue tokens that could be exchanged for fantastic prizes. Think of it as your chance to earn some galactic credits without having to smuggle spice through a blockade. Every interaction, every question answered, was another step closer to claiming your reward.

And then there was the WellTech Cantina itself. Forget the shady characters and alien bands. We brought the excitement of chance to the tradeshow floor with fully operational blackjack, roulette, and slot machines. It was a fantastic way for attendees to test their luck and maybe even walk away feeling like they just hit the jackpot on the Kessel Run. We hope no one lost their Millennium Falcon in a high-stakes hand!

All in all, our Star Wars-themed booth was a massive success. We had a blast connecting with everyone at #AAGO, sharing our pest control expertise with a touch of intergalactic flair. We hope you enjoyed the freebies, the games, and the chance to escape to a galaxy far, far away for a little while.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the WellTech Cantina. May your homes be pest-free, and may the Force be with you… always! We’re already looking forward to our next mission!

Special thanks to Google Gemini for Artificial Intelligence inside this article (AI) and the rest of our staff for Actual Intelligence (also AI). We all used our Jedi mind tricks to recommend many multifamily management companies to turn from the dark side of their current multifamily residential pest control company. Search your feelings and you know it to be true… for multi-family residential pest control, Welltech Pest Solutions, LLC is YOUR NEW HOPE.

Special note: If you played any games at our booth, and received a blue token, click the button below for your show-exclusive offer. Offer expires May the 4th at 11:59pm.

click OR click NOT. THERE IS NO TRy.

#WeAreAAGO, #AAGO, #OnceUponATradeshow, #multifamilyresidential, #pestcontrol, #starwarsfan, #yournewhope

April 18, 2025April 24, 2025

Once Upon a Time AAGO Offers

General Pest Control or Wildlife Exclusion Offer

All new contracts in possession of a WT Blue Chip from the WellTech Apartment Association of Greater Orlando (AAGO) trade show booth may be eligible for the following discounts:

$.10 (10 cents) off per unit price for a general pest contract (GPC). This offer is good for an initial annual contract.

-OR-

10% a wildlife exclusion.

Offer expires at end of day (EOD) “May the Fourth”, May 4, 2025. May the Fourth Be With You! You must fill out the form prior to May 4th, 2025 @ 11:59pm.

Please fill out the form below completely to get this offer. Type promo code AAGO in the following form where its says Please describe your situation in detail.

By filling out this form, you acknowledge that one of our Account Managers or Marketing Staff will contact you in regard to our WellTech Pest Solutions, multifamily residential pest control services.

PROCEED TO CONTACT FORM

April 11, 2025August 27, 2025

The Men in Black at BAAA were “Out of this World”

2025 BAAA Trade Show Summary

WellTech Pest Solutions, LLC wrapped up another Bay Area Apartment Association trade show on Wednesday with a presentation that had visitors swarming to check out the special agents. The theme this year for BAAA was “Out of this World” and was held on Wednesday April 9th at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Center. WellTech was located at booth 625, and served as a Photo Sponsor in 2025.

The marketing planners of the WellTech trade show display event and who were all in attendance included VP of Operations John Wells, VP of Sales and Marketing Austin Matteson, Director of Marketing James Scheffel, Southwest Florida Account Manager Corey Dixon and Tampa Account Manager Thomas Tellez. They jumped on the opportunity to do the “Men in Black” parody, because of the nature of WellTech is pest management. The theme from the first Men in Black motion picture features an alien that turns out to be a giant roach (spoilers if you have never seen the film).

The marketing materials were planned to resemble “Men in Black” movie posters from the original Men in Black (1997) featuring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. Both Austin Matteson and Eric Enoch are wearing shades, black suits and black ties as popularized by the motion picture. Austin and Eric are often are displayed holding tools of the trade by B&G (instead of space guns).

The WellTech trade show itself featured a laser tag game where visitors could “shoot the alien”. Visitors would aim their game weapon toward plush alien creatures hanging from the ceiling. The concept was inspired from the movie when Will Smith’s character is tested by Zed (Rip Torn) and Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) prior to becoming Agent Jay. This game was constructed using wood, black plastic and vinyl panels of cityscapes. The game was managed by both Director of Operations Doug Bacon and John Wells. Check out the video below featuring a few of our attendees who played our interactive challenge.

WellTech’s Founder and President Jay Wells was also on hand providing complimentary cigars. A number of guests also picked up flashlight pens with the WellTech logo, prop roaches and flyers with QR codes leading back to the new WellTech website (where you are reading this story). Scheduling Coordinator Sarah Smart and Technician Eric Enoch were also present.

James Scheffel was responsible for designing the banners, posters and flyers to resemble the Men in Black. He also provided photography, videography, and assisted with handing out marketing materials. Below are a few candid shots from the event found on WellTech social media pages.

Did you attend the event, and want to reach out to WellTech Pest Solutions? Click the button below.

April 3, 2025April 3, 2025

Clearwater location buzzing with honey

As the warm weather finally arrived, so did the uptick of honey bees. WellTech Pest Solutions’ wildlife team responded to a call in east Clearwater for a significant bee swarm. Upon arrival, thermal scanning revealed a massive hive, prompting the need for backup to handle this formidable task.

After hours of intense work, the team successfully removed approximately 65 pounds of hive material. For educational purposes, they strained off a portion of the honey, yielding close to 3 gallons of raw honey. It’s important to note that this represents only a fraction of the hive’s total contents; much of the honey remained within the hive structure.

To estimate the colony’s size, the team considered that an average worker bee (all of which are female) produces about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime. Based on the 3 gallons of honey collected, a simplified calculation suggests the colony may have contained around 27,648 honey-producing worker bees. However, this is just an estimate. It’s crucial to remember that this calculation only accounts for honey production and doesn’t represent the entire bee population.

WellTech Wildlife “Bee Team” (L to R):
Angelo, Danny, and Jose, Photo by James Scheffel

A hive contains far more than just honey-producing workers. There are also drones, the queen, nurse bees, and other bees that don’t produce honey. The 65lbs of hive material also adds a significant volume of hive and non honey materials. Therefore, the actual total population of this impressive hive was likely significantly larger than the number calculated from the honey yield alone.

This Clearwater hive was truly a “Buzz Winner,” highlighting the remarkable productivity of these busy bees!