Arrow Exterminators’ region VP to retire

From left: Emily Thomas Kendrick, Joe Thomas, Kevin VanHook and Tim Pollard.
IMAGE: ARROW EXTERMINATORS

Arrow Exterminators celebrates the upcoming retirement of Kevin VanHook, region vice president for Arrow’s North Georgia, North Alabama and Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast home services division, effective Dec. 31, 2025. Kevin’s career spanned decades of dedicated service, leaving a lasting impact on Arrow’s people, culture and growth.

Kevin joined Arrow on May 12, 2008, recruited personally by company legend Charlie Jones. He began as service center manager for the Roswell Service Center, later managed the Alpharetta Home Service Center and eventually became region vice president of the Home Services Division in several states, which includes Wildlife Control, Handyman and Insulation Services. Known for his hands-on leadership and passion for developing others, Kevin built a reputation for connecting personally with team members.

Before joining Arrow, Kevin earned a B.S. in Political Science with a Minor in History from West Georgia College. His early career included 22 years with Diageo, a global beverage company, followed by roles with Hometec Exterminators and Allgood Pest Solutions. Those experiences laid the foundation for the strong leadership and service mindset he brought to Arrow.

During his tenure, Kevin earned multiple honors, including Service Center Manager of the Year, Senior Service Center Manager and the Joe Thomas Pioneer Award. Most recently, he became the inaugural recipient of Arrow’s Legacy Award, which recognizes team members whose integrity, leadership and influence have shaped the company and inspired others to carry its legacy forward.

Emily Thomas Kendrick, CEO of Arrow Exterminators, said in a release, “Kevin represents everything that makes Arrow special. From the moment he joined Arrow, Kevin has led with heart, humility and purpose. His dedication to mentoring others and strengthening our culture has inspired countless team members.” Tim Pollard, President and COO, added, “Kevin’s example of servant leadership will continue to guide us long after his well-earned retirement.”

Reflecting on his time at Arrow, Kevin shared, “Arrow is family, and I have loved every minute of working with this team. The relationships I’ve built here will always mean the world to me.” Kevin and his wife Donna look forward to spending more time with their three grown children (Megan, Erica and Blake) and three grandchildren (Ian, Dylan and Payton). His leadership and friendship will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to live on in the people and culture he helped shape.

About Arrow Exterminators

Family owned and operated since 1964, Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators is the largest family-owned pest and termite control company in the United States ranked by revenue. Arrow boasts a modern fleet of more than 3,400 vehicles, 192 service centers, over 3,500 team members, with revenues exceeding $450 million and has been named a Top USA Workplace for four years in a row. Featuring QualityPro accreditation by the National Pest Management Association, the company offers innovative and environmentally responsible services to protect homes and businesses of customers in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

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Sacramento CA

Target Specialty Products to host Pro-shield Nsulation webinar Nov. 20

Pro-shield Nsulation: A new frontier in pest control

Join Target Specialty Products and Jamel S. Sandidge, BCE, Ph.D., MA, National Director, Technical Services for Nisus Corporation, for a FREE webinar, “Pro-shield Nsulation: A New Frontier in Pest Control” on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 1:30 P.M. Eastern. This in-depth session, discover how Pro-Shield Nsulation goes beyond traditional insulation to deliver sustainable pest protection and energy efficiency in one innovative solution, expanding your service offerings, boosting profitability, and giving homeowners lasting comfort and confidence.

You’ll learn:

• How Pro-Shield Nsulation provides built-in pest defense and long-term protection

• The benefits of its eco-friendly, recycled cellulose composition

• Ways to add new revenue streams with minimal training and overhead • How professional installation ensures safety, compliance, and customer trust

Click here to register.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/target-specialty-products-to-host-webinar-nov-20/
Sacramento CA

Wildlife experts provide tips for control and management

National Wildlife Control Operators Association

Charles Holt, CWCP, CNI, MNI

• When it comes to wildlife, being a “poopologist” helps in inspection and determining the species causing issues for clients. 
• Bat guano is easy to misdiagnose as mouse droppings. Remember that guano crumbles easily, unlike mouse or rat droppings. Also, if you shine a flashlight on the crushed guano, it will “sparkle” because of the insect parts.
• When discussing a wildlife issue with a client, at all costs avoid the words “always” or “never” when describing behavior, what’s going to happen or what the animal is going to do. It’s why actors hate to work with animals or children: They’re unpredictable. Using “never” in discussions almost guarantees that the animal will do exactly what you said it wouldn’t do.

Wildlife Control Supplies

Gregg Schumaker

Fall and winter are peak seasons for complaints about flying squirrels (Pteromyini) in buildings. During colder months, these squirrels often form large colonies, sometimes with more than 50 individuals in a single structure. 

Fortunately, trapping flying squirrels is relatively straightforward. They are naturally curious and respond well to bait and lures. Using colony traps in the right locations can significantly speed up the removal process. If lethal traps are permitted in your area, place multiple rat-sized snap traps along known runways and near latrine sites. In addition:

Check traps frequently. Flying squirrels are sensitive and can die quickly from stress or exposure.

Use strong-smelling baits. Commercial baits with a “nutty” scent are effective. Adding a piece of pecan or walnut can increase trap interest.

Identify and monitor flying squirrel latrines. These areas
emit a strong odor and may cause tar-like staining on soffits, walls and ceilings. (See photo at left.)

Seal entry points carefully. Just like with bat exclusion work, sealing must be meticulous. Improper sealing will likely result in a callback. Note that flyers can squeeze through a 1-inch hole or crack. In short, proper trapping and exclusion are the keys to
long-term success in dealing with flying squirrels.

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Sacramento CA

CSI’s new leadership looks to invest in production and portfolio

Control Solutions Inc. (CSI) is undergoing a strategic and significant transformation, balancing respect for its long-standing history with a focused drive toward future expansion and aligning more closely with its global parent company, ADAMA.

In late September, both CSI co-founder and president Mark Boyd and executive vice president Curtis Clark announced their respective retirements. Boyd, whose family founded Ford’s Pest Control in 1958 and Ford’s Chemical in 1960, officially launched CSI in 1998. Clark, a veteran of the crop protection industry, joined CSI in 2005, serving as VP of sales and marketing before being promoted to EVP in 2013.

Industry veterans at the helm

Sam Pass

Trey Kendrick

Sam Pass, CSI’s newly appointed head of sales, acknowledges the scale of the changes and the enduring presence of the former leaders. “It has definitely taken some getting used to,” Pass says. “Obviously, Mark had led the company since its founding, and Curtis had managed the sales organization for more than 20 years. Mark is still around the office regularly, though, and is still with the company as a consultant. Curtis has fully retired from CSI, but he still joined our team on a recent customer visit.”

The task of leading this Pasadena, Texas-based company into 2026 and beyond falls to Trey Kendrick, who serves as CSI president and CEO. Interestingly enough, Kendrick and Boyd have known each other for most of their lives. Kendrick worked at Ford’s Pest Control while in high school and has served in leadership positions with ADAMA since 2020 — first as the director of CSI’s consumer products and then as president of Alligare, an ADAMA sibling company that focuses on four sectors of industrial vegetation management.

Kendrick’s appointment coincided with CSI and Alligare aligning to form the newly created ADAMA Professional Solutions Commercial Unit (APS CU). Kendrick also is head of APS CU, reporting directly to ADAMA COO Eric Dereudre. This alignment is designed to leverage global resources, broaden access to active ingredients and streamline the process of bringing innovative, post-patent and specialty products to market.

Investing in production and portfolio

The commitment to growth at CSI is not limited to executive appointments; it extends directly to the production floor and the product portfolio. CSI recently launched two notable new products and continues to invest heavily in its core facility in Pasadena.

At the National Pest Management Association’s PestWorld 2025 event last month, Pass highlighted the excitement surrounding the new launches: “We’ve had a great response to our two newest product introductions, Vector Kleer and Fuse Cockroach Gel Bait.

“With Vector Kleer, our customers tell us they like its light, pleasant scent, since sometimes essential oil products can have harsh odors,” he continues. “With Fuse Cockroach Gel Bait, customers tell us the bait holds up well and does not run or drip when applied to vertical surfaces.”

To support the growing demand for its specialty formulations, CSI is leveraging its ADAMA connection to access a wide range of active ingredients and it is aggressively bolstering its capacity for in-house formulation.

“We have continued to invest in our Texas production facility this year,” Pass reports. “We also have installed an additional suspension concentrate production line to help support our growth in insecticide and fungicide suspension concentrates.”

This expansion of the suspension concentrate capabilities ensures CSI can meet the increasing demand for high-quality, highly stable liquid formulations used across its four main divisions: CSI Pest, Quali-Pro (turf and ornamental), CSI Production Animal and Martin’s (consumer products).

A look ahead

In 2026, CSI will celebrate 15 years since the establishment of its dedicated microcaps plant and the launch of its successful Encapsulated Solutions product line. The technology has been a cornerstone of CSI’s insecticide offerings, providing pest management professionals with long residual control and low-odor, versatile applications. Pass says to “stay tuned,” as the company plans to ramp up investments to continue to meet the needs of PMPs.“We have a lot to look forward to at CSI,” he concludes.

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Sacramento CA

Pro tip: How to conduct a thorough black widow inspection

Black widow spiders (Latrodectus spp.) are a genus every pest management professional (PMP) should keep on their radar. Their venom is a potent neurotoxin that can cause intense pain, muscle cramps and in rare cases, more severe reactions.

Proper identification and a thorough inspection are the first steps to safely managing black widows.

Key Takeaways:

• Identification is key: Easily identify female black widows by their shiny black bodies and the distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen.
• Webs are irregular: Their webs are typically irregular, messy and tangled, unlike the symmetrical webs of many other common spiders.
• Inspect dark, quiet areas: Focus inspections on undisturbed areas where they hide, paying close attention to garages, crawlspaces, woodpiles and utility boxes.

Identification

Female black widows are relatively easy to identify by their shiny black bodies and distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. Their webs are irregular and messy, unlike the symmetrical webs of other common spiders, but don’t rely on web shape alone to identify the species.

Inspection hotspots

During routine inspections, you must be thorough in checking the dark, quiet and undisturbed areas where black widows often hide. Always wear your gloves and use a flashlight.

Focus your inspection on these common harborage areas:

Photo: Max Pixel

• Corners of garages, crawlspaces and sheds
• Under porches and decks
• Inside cluttered storage areas
• Under rocks and in woodpiles
• Around foundations
• Inside exterior rodent bait stations or utility/electrical boxes

Being aware of these common harborage areas and performing a meticulous, safe inspection is the first step to effectively managing this medically significant pest.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/pro-tip-black-widow-inspection/
Sacramento CA

Ensystex: Zythor FumiCalc Update

IMAGE: ENSYSTEX

Ensystex announces a major update to the Zythor FumiCalc phone app. Rolling out as iOS Version 3.0.1 and Android Version 3.0.2, this update delivers two major enhancements focused on improving convenience and compliance for licensed Zythor fumigators: frictionless access and enhanced compliance. This is just in time for the company to celebrate Zythor’s 20th anniversary in the U.S.

The most significant update is the elimination of the mandatory Activation Code requirement. Zythor operators can now download the app and begin making precise fumigation calculations instantly, removing administrative steps and delays in the field. 

Additionally, Version 3.0 introduces expanded features for monitored job sites. This robust functionality allows users to more efficiently log, track and manage specific data points crucial for compliance and quality assurance, ensuring comprehensive digital records for every operation. 

The updated Zythor FumiCalc app is available immediately for download and update on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

About Ensystex

Ensystex was founded in 1994 by pest control operators intent on changing the landscape of the professional pest control industry. Ensystex has the expertise to synthesize, source, formulate, manufacture, promote and distribute a wide range of products to pest management professionals. With products for termite and general pest control — as well as turf and ornamental — the company sells to thousands of pest and turf and ornamental management professionals around the world. Products include:

• Abathor
• Adjuthor
• Bithor
• Borathor
• Cane Catcher
• CleanRest Encasements
• Exterra
• Isophthor
• Maxxthor
• Prothor
• Vectothor
• Zythor

Ensystex is also an authorized distributor of the Nature-Cide line of products, which include:

• Nature-Cide All Purpose Concentrate
• Nature-Cide Pest Management X2
• Nature-Cide Insecticidal Dust

Free samples of Nature-Cide products are available upon request.

Ensystex.com/zythor.php

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/ensystex-zythor-fumicalc-update/
Sacramento CA

PestInsight launches global apprenticeship program and PestInsight Academy

The PestInsight Initiative, a global youth-focused project founded by Shofu Babalola, officially launched the PestInsight Apprenticeship Program and PestInsight Academy — two transformative platforms designed to train, certify and empower young professionals in pest management and environmental hygiene.

Supported in part by industry fraternity, Pi Chi Omega, the inaugural PestInsight Apprenticeship will be hosted in Nigeria, marking a significant step toward developing skilled talent and promoting the professionalization of the pest management industry across Africa.

Apprenticeship overview

The PestInsight Public Health & Environmental Management Apprenticeship Program (PPHEMAP) is a hands-on, three-month training designed to equip participants with the technical, environmental and entrepreneurial skills needed for success in pest management and public health.

This blended international program combines online learning, local field experience and community-based environmental projects. Participants from Nigeria and beyond will gain practical expertise in pest control, vector management, environmental sanitation and agricultural hygiene — contributing to global goals for youth empowerment and sustainable public health.

The 2026 apprenticeship (June–August) will include:

• Month 1: Online sessions (2–3 per week) led by international experts in pest management, safety and environmental health.
• Month 2: Field training through approved partners and institutions in Nigeria and other participating countries.
• Month 3: Community projects, impact assignments and a global graduation and certification ceremony.

Through this initiative, PestInsight aims to train over 1,000 young professionals across Africa and globally by 2030, preparing them for careers in pest management, environmental services, agricultural health and sanitation entrepreneurship.

For more info about the apprenticeship visit: https://pestinsight.org/apprenticeship-program/

PestInsight Academy

Alongside the apprenticeship, PestInsight has launched the PestInsight Academy, a global e-learning platform offering self-paced and instructor-led courses on:

• Urban and Agricultural Pest Management
• Vector Control and Environmental Health
• Safety and Chemical Handling
• The Business of Pest Control

Learners can take interactive courses, complete assessments and earn internationally recognized certificates through their online portals. The Academy welcomes certified educators and pest control experts worldwide to publish and monetize their own courses, helping to expand access to professional pest management education.

To register for PestInsight Academy visit: https://pestinsight.org/dashboard

Envisioning global impact

Shofu Babalola, convener of the PestInsight Initiative and managing director of SB Super Pest Solutions, said in a release, “Public health is global, and pest management plays a vital role in it. Through PestInsight, we’re not just training technicians — we’re nurturing innovators, educators and entrepreneurs who will lead the next phase of sustainable pest control across the world.”

PestInsight invites corporate organizations, NGOs, professional associations and government agencies to partner on training cohorts, sponsor scholarships, or collaborate on research and education programs that strengthen the industry’s future.

About PestInsight

The PestInsight Initiative, powered by SB Super Pest Solutions, is dedicated to advancing public health education, pest management awareness, and environmental improvement through training, innovation, and advocacy. PestInsight is Africa’s foremost global pest education and awareness platform, leveraging media, schools, and digital tools to educate individuals and communities on the importance of pest control, public health, and environmental safety.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/pestinsight-launches-global-apprenticeship-program-and-pestinsight-academy/
Sacramento CA