I named it Lucifer because it couldn’t help being evil. I’m talking about the rat I could hear scrabbling around beneath the heater vent in my kitchen every morning. It didn’t mean any harm, but the rustles and occasional squeaks were too much for me—it had to go.

As it turned out, my first move didn’t involve a pest control company. Before I could set traps, I had to deal with the brand-new front door dug directly beneath my front door.

Before the rains came, these holes were caked with tufts of fur, eliminating any doubt that they were at least one major point of entry. Read more

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude. So, we put the question to some of our Diamond Certified Experts: What are you thankful for? Here’s what they said:

Sergiu Deac, president of Best Construction: “I’m thankful for this country adopting me. I’m thankful for every day that I’m an American citizen. I can do what I like and I’m thankful for being healthy. I thank God for my family.” Read more

Mediation is a self-directed process that’s designed to co-craft solutions. In matters related to contract performance, it can reduce the cost and time required to reach a mutually agreeable solution. The mediator uses shuttle diplomacy to de-escalate tension and remove obstacles to agreement. We have found it to be a very effective way to get parties through a rough patch in a way that preserves each side’s autonomy.

Here are a few questions to help decide if mediation is right for you:

• Is the dispute about performance of work on contract?
• Have you attempted to resolve the dispute through direct communication with the service provider?
• Do you need to take a break from direct communication?

Read more

“Don’t make assumptions.” This piece of wisdom is perhaps the most powerful guiding principle in conflict prevention. I picked it up from a book called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz long before I was a mediator. Over the past 10 years, I’ve witnessed that nearly every conflict can be traced back to an assumption.

Assumptions are normal. Our brains are wired for efficiency. So, we naturally, don’t stop to question and analyze the same sequence of events over our entire lifetimes. Eventually, we stop requiring evidence that A leads to C. However, when you use mental shortcuts to interpret other people’s actions, there’s a big risk of being wrong. Because conflict costs time and money, Read more

Be willing to be satisfied. It’s strange but true. Small-business owners and their staff really like making their customers happy for its own reward. They’ll go the extra mile for customers who will be satisfied with a job well done. Yes, it’s a monetary transaction, but sincere appreciation is an intrinsic reward and can grease the gears of good will. And, because reasonable people tend to have reasonable friends, company owners will make a reasonable effort to earn your trust and referrals. It’s an investment and a reward in itself. Read more

Many consumers find that it helps to know the scope of their jobs and their overarching goals before talking to a local service company. By knowing what you want to accomplish and having a clear vision of the end result, you’re more likely to be happy with the results and create a true “win-win” situation. Before contacting a local company, ask yourself:

• Do I want a local company that has been independently rated for quality and is backed by a performance guarantee?
• What is the problem or challenge I want to address with this project?
• What specific requirements do I have for the project?
• What is my budget?

Read more

The Aedes mosquito transmits the Zika virus as well as dengue fever, chikungunya and yellow fever. Photo: CDC/James Gathany, 2016

Return to Pests! A Resource Guide for Bay Area Homeowners

With mosquito season approaching, you may have questions about Zika, the mosquito-borne illness that’s linked to an increase in microcephalyand other birth defects. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhas created a comprehensive website dedicated to Zika. We’ve combed their website for quick answers to your most frequently asked questions.

What is Zika?

“Zika” refers to an illness caused by the Zika virus. Read more