NPMA LAUNCH program strengthens the workforce pipeline

This year, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is tackling the industry’s most persistent challenge head-on: the workforce. The U.S. pest management industry is valued at more than $13 billion and continues to grow, but the talent pipeline hasn’t kept pace. 

To close that gap, the NPMA is introducing LAUNCH: Pest Management Career Summit, the industry’s first dedicated collegiate career summit. It will take place March 8–10, 2027, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Seek out talent

LAUNCH is built around a simple idea: Pest management needs talent from far more than one discipline. The industry’s workforce needs span business, technology, science and service — the four pillars that anchor LAUNCH’s brand identity. From sales and marketing to operations, fleet management and customer technology, today’s pest management companies are hiring across fields and levels of experience.

Over three days, LAUNCH brings together college students and other aspiring talent for an Employer Engagement Zone career fair, team-based projects that let students apply their skills to real industry problems, professional development sessions, networking receptions and the NPMA Pest Management Foundation Award Celebration. 

For NPMA member companies, the summit offers direct access to motivated students who may never have considered pest management as a career path. For industry suppliers, it’s a chance to build brand awareness with the next generation of the workforce.

Contribute to the conversation

Faculty, department heads and career services staff play an essential role in making LAUNCH possible. These academic partners serve as key intermediaries in reaching students, and the NPMA is equipping them with the tools and messaging to help connect their students with opportunity. The NPMA also encourages members to start conversations now with local colleges and universities — particularly those with business, technology, science and service-related programs — about getting involved.

Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for LAUNCH are now available, giving companies and suppliers a chance to shape the event from the ground up. More details on sponsorship tiers and the Employer Engagement Zone are now available at NPMAlaunch.org. 

From building the workforce of tomorrow through LAUNCH to celebrating the industry today at PestWorld, the NPMA remains focused on strengthening pest management for the long term — one connection, one career and one conversation at a time.

PestWorld 2026 is right around the corner

Image: NPMA

Before LAUNCH takes the stage in 2027, the industry’s flagship event returns this fall. PestWorld 2026 will take place Oct. 20-23 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. It will bring together thousands of pest management professionals, suppliers and innovators for four days of education, networking and inspiration.

This year’s program includes keynote presentations from Riaz Meghji, author of Every Conversation Counts: The 5 Habits of Human Connection That Build Extraordinary Relationships, and Kyle Scheele, a speaker known as the “patron saint of crazy ideas.”

There also will be dozens of concurrent education sessions across seven tracks, the industry’s largest exhibit hall, and signature events like the opening Ceremony, In the Mix and Pest Fest closing party. The NPMA also will recognize the best of the best in the industry through its annual awards program, including the Pinnacle Award, Excellence in Sustainability Award and Emerging Leaders Award, among others. Learn more at PestWorld2026.org.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/npma-launch-program-strengthens-the-workforce-pipeline/
Sacramento CA

Green All-stars: Veganix Pest Management blends science, empathy in green pest control

In 1979, Tony Glen founded Elmford, N.Y.-based Veganix Pest Management on a simple premise: A low-risk, green approach to pest management always is worth the effort. 

Today, Veganix operates as a close-knit team that holds licenses in both Connecticut and New York. Anthony serves as CEO, alongside his son John, who manages operations, and his daughter, Jennifer, who serves as the company’s senior biologist. His wife manages the office team, while another son previously worked in the family business before moving to Europe.

The company maintains a diverse clientele, ranging from high-profile professional athletes and affluent homeowners to local non-profit housing programs for mental health and addiction recovery. It is one of 12 pest control companies nationally to sign the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) Sustainability Pledge, launched in late 2025.

Science meets empathy

For Jennifer Glen, rejoining the family business full-time in 2020 meant bringing a scientific background directly to the field. Holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology and biochemistry, along with formal research training from a medical research program at Columbia University, she approaches every account through both a human and technical lens. At press time, this winner of a 2025 NPMA Impact Award for Women in Pest Management is working on earning her Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) credential.

Glen says the Veganix team views pest management as first responders performing an essential public health service.

“When we enter a home, it’s almost like a doctor doing a physical,” she explains. “We’re not only evaluating the interior and exterior, but also the family dynamic. People call us when they are frantic or fearful. Having a background in science allows me to explain the exact active ingredients we are using, why we choose them, and why they are OK to use around children, pets and plants. But my background in psychology helps me deliver that information with patience and empathy.”

That personal-yet-professional touch is central to the Veganix philosophy. Glen frequently invites clients to inspect product labels and safety data sheets (SDS) straight from the truck.

“We believe in complete transparency, no false advertising or jargon,” she says. “Even when clients ask if low-toxicity products actually work, I can explain the efficacy rates and research behind them. It takes extra time to educate clients and set expectations, but that clarity builds long-term trust.”

A personal, hands-on approach

While green materials and lower-impact protocols can carry higher price tags and demand more labor, the Glens view the investment as non-negotiable. Veganix remains intentionally grounded in classic service values: clear communication, local community involvement and the Golden Rule.

“We view ourselves as first responders for public health,” Jennifer Glen concludes. “At the end of the day, our approach comes down to integrity, respect and serving people with humility. When you prioritize safety and treat every account like it’s your own family’s home, the business naturally grows.”

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/green-all-stars-veganix-pest-management-blends-science-empathy-in-green-pest-control/
Sacramento CA

Green All-stars: How The Eco Man Pest Solutions built a green pest control brand

Kevin Damon launched The Eco Man Pest Solutions in 2015, after spending more than 20 years in the industry applying traditional products. The Durham, N.C.-based firm has aimed to be environmentally friendly from the start, proving that lower-impact, non-chemical and biological approaches can be profitable and sustainable.

Today, the successful Black-owned company maintains a predominantly residential customer base. Damon relies on a team of cross-trained universal technicians for everything from ants and bed bugs to mosquitoes and snakes, alongside a licensed termite control crew.

Meeting public wants

Damon, who is known around town as “Kevin the Eco Man,” stands by his motto: “It’s not about the bugs, it’s about the people.”

Damon says local public interest in sustainable living and urban agriculture, such as community gardens run by the city or other organizations, has been on the rise in recent years. 

“There’s been a focus lately by community groups to educate residents on how to plant native species in their own gardens to attract beneficial insects,” he adds. “Educational efforts not only help Durham’s ecological health as far as soil, air and water go, but it’s also a nod to the area’s agricultural heritage. Our urban planners are realizing we can be a cosmopolitan city while still having a clean environment where we can live, work and raise our families.”

The added benefit, of course, is that The Eco Man Pest Solutions is offering the exact type of green solutions residents are being made aware of. The company responds to that by supporting local programs and educational outreach whenever possible.

Damon sees it as a win-win. “Because it’s being supported by local organizations and government, there’s an increasing sense of community responsibility and awareness of ecological health,” he adds. “We are playing a role in that as well.”

To that end, Damon currently is laying the groundwork to launch a nonprofit, tuition-free training institute to prepare young people for a career in the trades. Through the Eco Man Works Foundation, begun in 2024, he envisions the institute as having offerings for not only pest control, but plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC). 

“The ultimate goal for the Eco Man brand is to be a facilitator of job creation for young people,” he says. “I didn’t have a lot of encouragement or support coming out of high school or someone who was a mentor or who said, ‘Hey, have you tried this?’ We don’t encourage our young people to find their place in the world early enough.”

Damon’s dream is to have Eco Man Technical Institutes in major cities nationwide. He also is working with local technical and trade schools to find ways to cover expenses for students in need. 

Looking ahead

Because The Eco Man Pest Solutions basically states its approach in its name, Damon admits it’s easier to attract customers who are willing to pay for the extra time and labor green-focused treatments often require. It hasn’t always been the easiest path to take, especially in economic times where customers are looking at direct cost over value. But Damon notes it’s important to stay true to one’s convictions. 

It’s also important, he says, to be open to trying new things. New products come to market every year with the promise of green pest management. They’re always worth a try, he says, but be realistic about whether they’re working for your team regarding efficacy and extra time or labor vs. revenue. Do your best to analyze your results from a pilot program objectively and, if it’s not working, “make the decision to move on.”

Looking ahead, Damon predicts a major surge in consumer demand for low-impact pest management and prevention. As a result, he says, “We’re going to see more eco-friendly companies with more market share. I believe that share will reach up to 10 percent within the next seven to
10 years, nationwide.”

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/green-all-stars-how-the-eco-man-pest-solutions-built-a-green-pest-control-brand/
Sacramento CA

Liphatech: Flatline Soft Bait

As the first and only chlorophacinone soft bait rodenticide for the professional market, the company says, Flatline Soft Bait offers an ideal solution to help pest management professionals (PMPs) solve their toughest pest challenges.

Flatline is a multiple-feed anticoagulant solution labeled for several rodent species, including house mice, Norway rats and roof rats. It is a good choice for everyday use to help stop damage caused by rodents, and it can be used during light to heavy rodent activity.

Like all soft baits manufactured by “The Soft Bait Innovators,” Liphatech, Flatline maintains its integrity in hot environments and offers a palatable formulation and bait matrix that rodents will eat.
 
PMPs can purchase the 28-gram pouches of Flatline in 4-pound bags, cases of eight 4-pound bags and 16-pound pails.

In addition to the effective control provided by Flatline and Liphatech’s full portfolio of intelligent pest management solutions, customers can also take advantage of its team of industry professionals. With more than 150 years of combined experience, all members of the Liphatech team work together to ensure PMPs are equipped with the products, strategies and recommendations they need to combat infestations and work toward achieving control.

About Liphatech

Known for its rodent control solutions, the Milwaukee, Wis.-based Liphatech is considered to be the developer of three of the industry’s active ingredients: chlorophacinone, bromadiolone and difethialone. The company was founded in France in 1946 io develop anticoagulants for the treatment of heart patients. It developed chlorophacinone in the 1960s and branded it as Rozol, a family of products that includes grain and pelleted products for field and structural use, and a tracking powder for use in and around structures. In the 1970s, Liphatech developed bromadiolone, its original second-generation rodenticide active ingredient.

The innovations continued with the opening of its U.S. facility in 1987. Research there and in Europe resulted in the discovery of difethialone during the late 1980s, with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration as an active ingredient in 1995.

Liphatech.com/flatline

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Sacramento CA

Smarter Launch adds industry veteran as account executive

Lee Thompson has joined Smarter Launch, a Mesa, Ariz.-based provider of proposal software for pest control companies. As an account executive, Thompson will work directly with pest control owners and operators to show how Smarter Launch can strengthen their sales process and increase the long-term value of their businesses.

Thompson brings more than 20 years of executive leadership across Fortune 50 companies and private equity. He entered the pest control industry with Terminix, where a move closer to family turned into a long-term career. He went on to co-found and grow his own pest control company, then joined Certus as director of sales before being named VP of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). In 2025, Thompson founded Trivie Business Brokers, where he works with home services owners on valuation, growth and exit strategies. Outside of work, Thompson lives in Auburn, Ala., with his wife, Jasmin, and their two children, Evie and Tripp.

Across hundreds of M&A deals and evaluations, Thompson says he has seen two issues repeatedly erode business value: weak accounting and poor sales tracking. Buyers want to see clear revenue and a documented sales process, and owners who can’t produce either face a harder, longer road when it matters most.

“I met the founders of Smarter Launch because I was frustrated the product didn’t exist yet,” he said in the news release. “When I met Darren (Hunsaker, company founder), the team was building it, and I saw the vision immediately. I’ve been on the Smarter Launch train from the beginning. I meet with owners and operators constantly, and 97 percent of them aren’t looking to sell. They’re looking to improve their business and grow sales. This is a tool every company needs in their arsenal.”

In his first year, Thompson will focus on helping owners recognize how much value sits in a process most companies overlook.

“I don’t think people value the proposal process enough,” he said in the news release. “It’s an essential tool to help owners take their business, and their sales, to the next level.”

About Smarter Launch

Smarter Launch is a proposal software platform built specifically for the pest control industry. Designed by industry professionals, the platform helps companies create clear, professional service proposals that homeowners can easily understand. With features like visual diagrams, customizable branding, automated follow-ups and interactive proposal tools, Smarter Launch focuses on helping pest control businesses communicate value, close more sales and streamline their sales process.

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Sacramento CA

Bug Off Pest Control Center: 2026 New York Pest Expo

The theme for this year’s New York Pest Expo, taking place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 12 at the George Washington Bridge Doubletree Hotel in Fort Lee, N.J. is “The Art of Pest Management.”

At its finest, pest management is a craft blending technology, science and innovation. Never stop growing. Never stop improving. Aim to be a master. Come sharpen your cognitive skills with key insights from some of the industry’s most outstanding talents. Harness the power of the New York Pest Expo – a great pest management event.

The 2026 Edition promises to be bigger and better than ever with more exhibitors and attendees than in years past. Stay tech-savvy and sharp as you visit with dozens of manufacturers and business support providers. Take advantage of great promotions and blowout pricing on supplies and equipment. Come refine your skills and don’t miss out.

Total New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Credits for the event are as follows: 7A: 6.00, 7F: 4.00, 8: 5.00

The scheduled agenda includes:

• Dr. Tim Husen, BCE, PHE, PCQI, Syngenta: “Harmonizing Product Selection – How and Why What We Use Works”
• Lou Sorkin, BCE, Ensult Associates: “Amazing Invertebrate Works of Art”
• Tommy Powell, MGK: “Making Outdoor Pest Control a Virtuosic Performance”
• Isabelle Lucero, J.T. Eaton: “The Hymenopterans – Nature’s Example of Form Meeting Function”
• Ed Dolshun, Catchmaster Pro: “Master the Catch – Proactive Protection against Rodents”
• Sylvia Kenmuir, BCE, BASF: “Make Roach Control a Masterpiece”

Learn more and register online at the URL below.

BugOffPCCenter.com

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/bug-off-pest-control-center-expo-2025/
Sacramento CA

Catchmaster Pro: Private Label by Catchmaster

Smarter Marketing, Better Leads! 

Every pest control visit is a chance to grow your business. With Private Label by Catchmaster, your logo goes on professional-grade glue traps and monitoring stations, so every product you place becomes a marketing touchpoint that keeps working long after the job is done. Every Catchmaster Private Label partner is paired with a dedicated Catchmaster Pro sales representative who guides you from design through production.

If you’re attending PestWorld 2026, stop by Booth No. 231 to try Catchmaster’s new interactive private-label tool. Drop in your logo and company name right on the spot and watch your own branded products come to life on screen. It’s the fastest way to picture what’s possible, and it’s just the start. Every private label partner gets a dedicated Catchmaster representative to guide design and production from concept to shelf. 

Don’t miss what’s new from AP&G’s Catchmaster Pro at PestWorld 2026. 

About Catchmaster Pro 

Catchmaster Pro is the professional brand of AP&G Co., a leading manufacturer of pest management solutions. Using a science-based approach, the company creates high-quality products for rodent, insect and mosquito management. Founded in 1952 in Brooklyn, N.Y., by Moses Frisch, an immigrant chemist from Hungary, AP&G Co. started with the production of specialty adhesives. Now based in Bayonne, N.J., with third-generation Frisch family members at the helm, AP&G has helped to support PMPs in their control, monitoring and prevention work of pests worldwide. 

CatchmasterPro.com/collections/private-label

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/catchmaster-pro-private-label-by-catchmaster/
Sacramento CA