Friday, December 5, 2025

Fox Pest Control announces 2025 scholarship winner

Shreyan Singa
Shreyan Singha

Fox Pest Control has announced that Shreyan Singha is the recipient of the 2025 Fox Pest Control Future Leaders Scholarship. Shreyan was recognized and stood out for his exceptional commitment to mental health advocacy, community healing and youth empowerment.

Shreyan Singha, raised in Coral Springs, Fla., is currently a freshman at Duke University, where he plans to major in statistics and biology, with aspirations to work in healthcare consulting and investment banking. His academic drive is matched by his passion for service, community leadership and improving access to mental healthcare.

The selection process

Shreyan’s essay demonstrated emotional maturity, courage and leadership rooted in lived experience. His journey of advocacy began in 2018, when the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting forever altered the safety and spirit of his community. The trauma that followed — both visible and invisible — became a defining catalyst for his mission.

After the passing of a friend, Shreyan recognized the urgent need for better education, stigma reduction and support systems. Despite personal struggles with anxiety, self-doubt and self-harm, he decided to publicly share his story in a local newspaper. His vulnerability helped others — including a struggling middle school student who told him his words made him feel less alone.

Determined to contribute in a more formal capacity, Shreyan dove deeper into the subject by taking AP Psychology and collaborating with Dr. Sonali Rajan of Columbia University on a systematic research review of school mental health systems. Their work identified major gaps — such as understaffing and insufficient trauma-response strategies — which Shreyan then brought directly to policymakers.

Shreyan has served alongside Florida Representative Christine Hunschofsky, contributed to U.S. Representative Jared Moskowitz’s Youth Congressional Cabinet, organized youth mental health roundtables and helped mobilize youth advocates who sent more than 400 emails to state and local leaders supporting increased school mental health funding.

His service extends beyond policy. Recognizing the need for a space where youth could connect and be heard, Shreyan founded MEWE, a youth-led mental health organization dedicated to awareness and stigma reduction. Through MEWE’s blog, young people from 23 states and Aruba have shared personal stories, reaching more than 3,000 readers. Shreyan also launched a podcast featuring conversations with mental health professionals, policy leaders and child welfare experts, helping amplify the conversation nationally.

MEWE’s work earned a $2,000 award from the National Society of High School Scholars. Still, Shreyan says the most meaningful work remains the community healing discussions held on the anniversaries of the 2018 tragedy—spaces where vulnerability, empathy and unity help transform grief into resilience.

Charity of choice: Kids of Love

As part of his scholarship award, Shreyan selected Kids of Love, a nonprofit close to his heart, to receive a charitable donation from Fox Pest Control. Since middle school, he has volunteered with the organization, witnessing firsthand the joy and hope they bring to families. Kids of Love supports children with debilitating illnesses both emotionally and financially — hosting events at hospitals, helping fund Make-A-Wish experiences and providing relief to families facing unimaginable challenges.

Quote from Shreyan

“This scholarship helps me further reach my goal of making healthcare more accessible in two ways. It allows me to further my studies in learning the business behind healthcare so I can understand more as to how to make healthcare more affordable. The scholarship also allows me to support a charity close to my heart: Kids of Love. This local non-profit works hard to support children with debilitating illnesses and their families both financially and emotionally.”

Fox Pest Control scholarship offering

Fox Pest Control believes in investing in future leaders who dedicate themselves to making a difference. The Fox Pest Control Future Leaders Scholarship was created with supporting this mission in mind and to support students who demonstrate leadership, compassion and a deep commitment to improving the world around them.

2026 scholarship information

The Fox Pest Control Future Leaders Scholarship will reopen for applications in 2026. Additional details — including deadlines, eligibility requirements and updates — will be shared soon.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/fox-pest-control-announces-2025-scholarship-winner/
Sacramento CA

LabelSDS.com: Two New Features

IMAGE: LABELSDS.COM
IMAGE: LABELSDS.COM

LabelSDS.com, an innovator and leader in digital label and safety data sheet (SDS) books, introduces both the Lock N Load Download Button and the Label and SDS Revision Indicator.

Lock N Load gives you access to your company’s labels and SDS when in remote areas with no cell service or Wi-Fi by letting you download your company’s labels and SDS onto your device with one click of a button.

The Label & SDS Revision Flashing Indicator visually notifies you of any updated labels and/or SDS in your list.  The Current Label and Current SDS Buttons will flash if there has been an update in the last 30 days. 

Visit LabelSDS.com or call 904-609-0123 for more information.

About LabelSDS.com

LabelSDS.com is a web-based program with more than 6,800 product labels and safety data sheets (SDS) specific to the pest and turf industries. You can create your own company digital label and SDS “book” with the products your company uses. All your employees can access, download, print, email and text your company’s labels and SDS from their computer, tablet or smartphone. Best of all, your company’s labels and SDSs update automatically whenever there is a revision. LabelSDS.com is designed to be an easy and affordable way to access and manage your company’s labels and SDS.

LabelSDS.com

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/labelsds-com-2-new-features/
Sacramento CA

Thursday, December 4, 2025

NPMA: Ticks hit 5-year high in ER visits

Photo: Ladislav Kubeš/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
Deer tick Photo: Ladislav Kubeš/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has named ticks as the 2025 Pest of the Year, known for having some of the biggest impacts on Americans’ lives and news feeds this year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tick bite emergency room visits reached a five-year high, marking ticks as a serious public health threat.

“Ticks may be small, but their impact on public health is massive,” said Dr. Jim Fredericks, BCE, senior vice president of public affairs for NPMA, in a news release. “From alpha-gal syndrome to Lyme disease to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, these pests carry serious diseases that can affect anyone spending time outdoors. That’s why we’re shining a spotlight on ticks this year and reminding everyone to take prevention seriously.”

Bed bugs recognized as ‘Buzziest Pest’

The NPMA also revealed bed bugs as the “Buzziest Pest.” After analyzing social media trends and CDC data, the NPMA discovered bed bugs to be the pest causing the most concern in places like hotels, homes and public spaces.

Pestworld.org’s most frequent visitors

The official consumer education website of the NPMA, Pestworld.org, analyzed its visitor statistics to find out which cities were seeking out pest information in the highest volume. Chicago, Ill., New York City and Atlanta, Ga., were among the Top 3 cities driving traffic to the site this year, signaling that these cities are consistently in need of information about pest prevention as well as professional assistance.

About the NPMA

The National Pest Management Association is a non-profit organization with more than 4,000 members. It was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food, and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. The association has had many notable leaders over the years, including Pest Management Professional Hall of Famers Bill Buettner (Class of 1998), Dr. Ralph Heal (Class of 2003), Dr. Phil Spear (Class of 2004), and Bob Rosenberg (Class of 2013), to name just a few.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/npma-ticks-hit-5-year-high-in-er-visits/
Sacramento CA

Purdue University: Salmonella is replicating in German cockroaches

Dr. Jose Pietri, the O. Wayne Rollins/Orkin Endowed Chair in Urban Entomology at Purdue University, is leading new research that challenges established beliefs about how German cockroaches transmit disease.

With funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Pietri’s lab is examining the biological mechanisms of Salmonella transmission, uncovering findings that suggest these pests are more than just passive carriers.

Key takeaways

  • Active replication: Salmonella bacteria are not just carried on the cockroach’s exterior; they replicate within the gut and establish long-lived populations.
  • Transmission vectors: German cockroaches typically transmit the bacteria through feces in kitchens and food preparation zones.
  • Resistance risk: There is a potential for Salmonella to acquire antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from other bacteria within the cockroach gut, complicating treatment for humans.

Beyond passive transmission

Traditionally, the scientific consensus held that cockroaches acted as mechanical vectors — picking up a specific amount of Salmonella from a contaminated source and dispersing it at random as they moved through an environment.

However, Dr. Pietri’s findings indicate a more complex biological relationship. The lab has discovered that the bacteria actually replicate within the cockroach gut, establishing a long-lived population. The current phase of research focuses on determining the implications of this replication for human disease.

The threat of antimicrobial resistance

The study highlights a significant public health concern regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR). German cockroaches, which typically transmit Salmonella through their feces in kitchen and food prep areas, host a variety of bacteria in their guts. Some of these naturally occurring bacteria possess AMR traits.

Dr. Pietri noted in a news release that because bacteria can exchange genetic material when sharing an environment, Salmonella could potentially acquire these AMR traits inside the cockroach.

Credit: NIAID https://www.flickr.com/photos/niaid/51316924335/
3-D render of Salmonella (IMAGE: NIAID)

If this genetic exchange occurs, the AMR could be passed to humans who contract Salmonella from cockroach-infested areas. This would make the resulting infection significantly more difficult to treat, presenting an elevated threat to public health.

More online

To read the full study details from Purdue University, visit: ag.purdue.edu/news/2025/07/studying-howsalmonella-hitches-a-rideon-cockroaches.html

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/purdue-university-salmonella-is-replicating-in-german-cockroaches/
Sacramento CA

WCS: Vanguard Heavy Station

PelGar Vanguard Heavy for WCS
IMAGE: WCS

Now available from Wildlife Control Supplies (WCS), Vanguard Heavy (WCSPELRAT53) is the result of decades of practical field experience with pest management professionals and the latest in design technology and materials. Both the base and station are made from 100 percent recycled materials. The exclusive dense rubber base is made from recycled tire material for weight, stability and grip on multiple surfaces. Designed by PelGar for use with snap traps, baits and monitoring blocks, the Vanguard is packed 100 stations per pallet. Additional features include:

  1. Easy to open with secure lock
  2. Base held to station securely with wing nuts and hex bolts
  3. Complete with rod for blocks and soft bait sachets
  4. Removable tunneled entrances for rapid rodent acceptance
  5. Sits flush to the wall and opens from the side for easy access
  6. A weight of more than 8 pounds make the station more tamper-resistant
  7. Holds the PelTrap break neck rat trap, and most other plastic snap traps

About Wildlife Control Supplies

WCS was founded in 1998 by the late Alan Huot and his wife, Carol — both experienced wildlife trappers and experts. The company has been helping wildlife and pest control professionals capture, control and prevent wildlife in the field, in commercial buildings and in residential environments ever since. The Suffield, Conn.-based company not only offers a variety of brands and products, but also has developed its own WCS Premium Grade Bait products and breakthrough inventions in response to customer needs.

Other products that WCS offers include:

ShopWCS.com

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/pelgar-usa-vanguard-heavy-rat-bait-station/
Sacramento CA

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Three client tips for a pest-free holiday season

The holiday season is upon us, which means homes will be buzzing with activity as families and friends come together, gifts are opened and meals are enjoyed. While holiday traditions like these create memorable moments, they also may create unforgettable encounters with pests.

As a pest management professional, you can help give your clients the best gift of all this winter: a pest-free home. The following three client-focused tips can be easily communicated to homeowners to help them prepare for the increased pest pressure that comes with the holidays.

Key takeaways for clients

Combat “cleanup fatigue”: Advise clients to maintain a strict nightly routine of wiping down counters and properly putting away leftovers to cut off the food supply for rodents and other pests.

Prioritize trash removal: Remind clients that a surplus of boxes and food waste creates both harborage and a food source. They should break down cardboard and keep trash stored as far away from the home as possible.

Inspect post-guests: Suggest a thorough inspection of guest rooms after overnight visitors depart, as they may unintentionally transport hitchhiking pests like bed bugs from hotels or public transit.

1. Address the Kitchen Buffet Created by “Cleanup Fatigue”

The kitchen often becomes the most used room over the holidays, as endless snacks, entrees and desserts are prepared to feed the masses. This constant baking and feasting inevitably leads to a surplus of food spills, crumbs and leftovers.

These remnants can sustain rodents and other pests for months. While clients may struggle to find the motivation to clean up after a day of cooking and celebrating, following a nighttime routine of wiping down counters and putting away leftovers is a great way to avoid attracting hungry pests.

2. Emphasize timely recycling and trash pickup

The holiday rush often includes exchanging gifts, which can lead to a surplus of empty boxes and packaging that accumulates quickly. If cardboard and other goods are not broken down and removed promptly, they can create an ideal harborage site for a wide range of pests looking for a cozy place to hide before making their way into the home.

It is important to advise clients not to miss recycling and trash pickup days. A bonus tip is to remind clients that trash should be stored as far away from the home as possible. While trash cans kept right outside the back door may be convenient, pests that find the trash won’t have far to travel to gain easy access into the home.

PHOTO: Unsplash / Sigmund
PHOTO: Unsplash / Sigmund

3. Prepare for pests that overnight guests may bring

Travelers are expected to be out in high numbers over the holidays. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), about 119 million Americans are expected to travel by car or plane over the holidays.

Some of these travelers may unintentionally pick up hitchhiking pests on public transit or in hotels as they complete their journey. To mitigate the risk of an unfortunate infestation after the holiday season is over, scheduling a thorough inspection of any guest rooms immediately after an overnight visitor departs is a critical step.

In Summary

The increased activity and corresponding debris of the holiday season present unique challenges for maintaining a pest-free environment. By communicating these three targeted, client-focused tips — proper food and crumb cleanup, efficient trash and cardboard removal and post-guest inspection — PMPs can ensure their clients’ focus remains on celebrating, not controlling pests.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/client-tips-pest-free-holidays/
Sacramento CA

Neogen: SureKill Gel Bait 30-Pack Packaging

1225 PMP Neogen SureKill PS entry
IMAGE: NEOGEN

For dependable, long-lasting cockroach control in demanding environments, SureKill Roach Gel Bait remains a trusted solution for pest management professionals (PMPs). With the convenient 30-pack configuration, you get the same trusted gel formulation you rely on — now available in a volume that supports busy routes, multiple accounts and large-scale applications.

SureKill Roach Gel Bait uses imidacloprid as its active ingredient and delivers rapid knockdown paired with sustained control. Each cartridge contains 40 grams of bait and will provide approximately 1,000 bait applications at the recommended rate. Its exclusive dual mode of action — ingestion and food exchange — ensures both immediate results and ongoing population reduction. The gel features supreme adhesion and can be applied to vertical surfaces and deep crevices, making it effective across residential, commercial and industrial settings.

The 30-pack option is ideal for PMPs looking to streamline inventory, reduce restocking frequency and stay prepared for high-demand service periods. It provides value, efficiency and the confidence of having a reliable supply on hand for any account.

About Neogen

Neogen Corp. provides a comprehensive range of solutions and services for the food processing, animal protein and agriculture industries. The company has a presence in more than 140 countries with a dedicated network of scientists and technical experts focused on delivering optimized products and technology for its customers.

Neogen is proud to be an industry leader in the reduction of carbon footprint while providing great products: “We keep sustainability in mind at every step of our packaging design, ensuring that our products not only meet the needs of our PMPs but also contribute positively to the environment.” 

Neogen.com/surekill 

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/neogen-surekill-gel-bait-30-pack-packaging/
Sacramento CA