Not all ant species “disappear” during winter months

Dr. Ryan Neff, West Coast Technical Field Specialist, MGk

MGK

It is wintertime, and ant activity is declining in much of the U.S. But for some regions, winter brings an unexpected increase in ant calls. While many ant species are hunkered down waiting out the winter, some species, like pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) can pop up inside structures.

In warmer months, ant treatment typically involves locating any exterior satellite colonies and some combination of liquid residual treatments and baiting. In the winter, however, these satellite colonies often contract into single colonies inside wall voids, attics, subfloors and other areas inside structures to escape the cold weather.

Controlling pharaoh ants and similar species in these situations can be difficult, especially when customers only see a few ants here and there. Worse, customers often self-treat or wipe up foraging ants and their pheromone trails. Pre-baiting with syrup or honey can aid in finding the colony, although it’s a tough sell to get customers to do this.

After locating colonies, you can use various treatment methods to eliminate them. Dusting, liquid residuals applied with compressed air sprayers or aerosol-generating machines, aerosols or baits can also be effective, depending on the situation.

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Sacramento CA

J.T. Eaton: Bait Blocks for Rodents and Ticks

IMAGE: J.T. EATON

Who doesn’t love a two-for-one? The JT Eaton Bait Block For Rodents & Ticks (No. 777-9) is the best of both worlds: a dual-purpose rodenticide and insecticide that eliminate rodents and the black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) found on them that can transmit Lyme disease.

The first active ingredient in these blocks is 0.025 percent warfarin, an effective first-generation solution to rats, mice and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). The second active ingredient is 0.005 percent fipronil, which is effective against disease-transmitting ticks. Both of these pest control actives are present in each 1-ounce block, which fit in all bait stations and are sold in our tamper-evident pail to prevent accidental use. Why buy double the product when you can have double the protection in a single block? The product is available in 4-, 9- and 18-pound containers.

About J.T. Eaton

Founded in 1932 by Jasper T. Eaton as a mail-order house for pest control products for professional use, J.T. Eaton was brought to prominence when Pest Management Professional (PMP) Hall of Famer Stanley Baker (Class of 1999) purchased it in 1949. Before his death in 2005 at the age of 87, he built it up to a multi-million-dollar company. Baker was a lifelong innovator, and is credited for creating the paraffin rodent bait block in 1962. He is also credited with developing the modern glue board design, in 1980. In 1999, he helped patent an ant and cockroach product that uses just 1 percent boric acid. Still family-owned and -operated by the Baker family, J.T. Eaton’s product line includes products for rodents, wildlife, bed bugs, mosquitoes and other flying insects and more.

JTEatonPMP.com

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Sacramento CA

PMP Gallery: 89th annual Purdue Pest Management Conference

The 89th Purdue Pest Management Conference took place Jan. 13-15 and was titled “Moving at the Speed of Technology.” The event brought together pest management professionals to exchange ideas, grow networks and engage in the future of pest management. Pete Schopen, owner of RV There Yet Pest Consulting and a columnist for Pest Management Professional (PMP) magazine, was this year’s planning committee chair.

Editor’s Note: Check back with this post as it will be updated with additional photos from the event.

Photos from this year’s event:

Pete Schopen, this year’s planning committee chair, welcomed attendees to this year’s event. PHOTO: DOUG FOSTER

Dr. Barry Pittendrigh, director of The Center for Urban & Industrial Pest Management and the Purdue Conference, gave a brief overview of the agenda at Purdue. He also spoke on some of the grants received, research projects and future projects at Purdue. PHOTO: DOUG FOSTER

Mark VanderWerp, BCE, of Rose Pest Solutions in Michigan, gave his annual, humorous “Year In Review,” which included the anticipated cicada brood hatch that never happened. PHOTO: DOUG FOSTER

Dr. Dini Miller, PMP Hall of Famer Class of 2019, educated attendees on “Pest Cockroach Appreciation! Be The Expert!” and showed them the different types of cockroaches they are likely to encounter, including German, smokey brown, brown-banded, Oriental and woods cockroaches. PHOTO: DOUG FOSTER

Ben Chanon of Xcluder gave his presentation on “Exclusion Practices: How To Prevent A Rodent Infestation” to show ways that PMPs can keep rodents out of buildings. PHOTO: DOUG FOSTER

Dr. Stanton “Cap’n Stan” Cope, technical director at Rose Pest Solutions in Illinois, publicly recognized the military veterans in the audience, reminding attendees that of the Pest Vets Program is a worthy cause to support. His presentation was on the mosquito’s role in transmitting yellow fever, and how important PMPs are as protectors of public health. PHOTO: DOUG FOSTER

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Sacramento CA

University of Central Florida appoints Massey Services president and CEO to board of trustees

Tony Massey

Tony Massey, president and CEO of Massey Services, was appointed to the board of trustees for the University of Central Florida (UCF).

The UCF board of trustees consists of 13 members dedicated to the purposes of the State University System of Florida. They are responsible for ensuring that all decisions follow the overall university mission. These include cost-effective policy decisions, the implementation and maintenance of high-quality education programs and oversight of university performance, financial management and compliance with laws, rules, regulations and requirements.

“I am incredibly honored to serve on the Board of Trustees for UCF,” said Massey. “The school has grown significantly since I have lived in Orlando and is now the largest university in Florida. UCF offers world-renowned faculty and top-ranked programs to encourage students to reach their highest potential. I am looking forward to being a part of the university’s future as we prepare for the emerging industries of tomorrow.”

In addition to now serving on the UCF Board of Trustees, Massey is also a founding member of the President’s Advisory Council at Seminole State College, serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College and sits on the President’s Cabinet for the University of Alabama.

About Massey Services

Based in Orlando, Fla., Massey Services was purchased and rebranded in 1985 by the late Harvey Massey, a Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer (Class of 2008). Celebrating 40 consecutive years of profitable growth, Massey Services and its subsidiary organizations employ more than 2,800 team members who provide residential and commercial pest prevention, termite protection, landscape and irrigation services to nearly 1 million customers from 190 Service Centers throughout Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia and Tennessee.

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Sacramento CA

ConidioTec: Aprehend Bed Bug Heroes

IMAGE: CONIDIOTEC

Through its Bed Bug Heroes program, ConidioTec teams up with pest management professionals (PMPs) to offer bed bug treatment services for those individuals or families needing donated assistance. ConidioTec will provide a bottle of Aprehend at no charge, and the PMP supplies the local labor. To participate, PMPs need only ill out a short application form that highlights the circumstances, treatment and result. Request the form via the online page below, or contact your ConidioTec representative: “Thank you for your willingness to share your time and expertise with those in need. Together, we can make a difference in the war against bed bugs.”

About Aprehend

Aprehend is manufactured by ConidioTec, a privately held company based in Centre Hall, Pa. Its initial product, Aprehend, was launched in 2017 based on technology licensed from Pennsylvania State University. Aprehend is now sold throughout the U.S. and Canada and is increasingly relied upon for challenging infestations in residences, multi-unit housing, rental properties, long-term care facilities and commercial properties.

Aprehend.com/contact

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Sacramento CA

Knox Pest Control acquires Mike Weed’s Termite and Pest Control

“Merging with Knox Pest Control gives me the opportunity to offer more services, with a team of trained pest professionals. I’m excited about the new opportunities this merger presents and look forward to continuing to serve customers with the highest level of expertise and care,” said Mike Weed. PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOX PEST CONTROL

Columbus, Ga.-based Knox Pest Control acquired Mike Weed’s Termite and Pest Control, based in Pensacola, Fla.

Mike Weed’s Termite and Pest Control has offered commercial, residential and industrial pest control services in the Panhandle of Florida for over 30 years.

In a news release, Knox owners Justin and Sean Knox said, “We are very happy and honored to welcome the Mike Weed Termite and Pest Control customers to our ever-growing family. We continue to evaluate every opportunity to enhance our presence as a significant service provider throughout the pest control industry.”

The addition enhances Knox’s commitment to growth through current customer retention and the selective purchase of quality companies that closely align with Knox’s growth and service goals.

“We are very proud to continue Mr. Weed’s commitment to customer service,“ said Blake Grimsley, Knox senior vice president of operations. “This is one more step in our aggressive acquisition plan that looks to expand by finding quality business partnerships.”

About Knox Pest Control

Knox Pest Control is a fourth-generation family-owned pest control company that serves customers in Georgia, Alabama and North Florida, South Carolina and Mississippi. Knox Pest Control offers services in pest control, wildlife control, termite control and lawn care.

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Sacramento CA

For ant prevention, a two-step perimeter pest treatment is ideal

Dr. Cisse Spragins

Rockwell Labs

Setting up a proactive perimeter pest treatment program in early spring can help prevent ant problems by eliminating colonies before they can get established. If you can get your customers to assist by sealing potential entry points, correcting any moisture problems in and around the house and eliminating possible food sources, that would be even better.

For ant prevention, a two-step perimeter pest treatment is ideal:

1. Create a repellent barrier by spraying the perimeter along the exterior foundation or ground junction, expansion joints, eaves and overhangs, and window and door frames with a conventional or botanical pesticide.
2. After spraying, apply a granular bait around the structure’s perimeter and outside the repellent barrier. The application does not have to be uniform because it is not a repellent barrier. Ants will find it as they are foraging for food.

A 10 percent boric acid granule is an excellent treatment option for long-lasting protection. To complement outdoor treatments and for extended protection, treat weep holes, any cracks around penetrations on the structure and exterior wall voids with an amorphous silica dust that will last up to
10 years when undisturbed.

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Sacramento CA