Control Solutions Inc.’s DuraFlex ZC is a groundbreaking solution in professional pest control. As the first product to feature microencapsulated bifenthrin, the company says, DuraFlex ZC also combines two powerful insect growth regulators (IGRs), novaluron and pyriproxyfen, for a truly advanced formulation.
This exclusive combination delivers three distinct modes of action, offering fast knockdown and long-lasting control against even the toughest pests, including mosquitoes, cockroaches, fleas and ticks. The microencapsulation technology enhances stability and residual performance, ensuring consistent results for a wide range of use sites.
With DuraFlex ZC, pest management professionals gain a versatile, reliable tool designed to disrupt pest lifecycles and provide sustained protection in a single, efficient application.
DuraFlex ZC: When performance matters, trust the innovation that delivers. Watch the video at the link below to get Pro Tips for Mixing & Applying DURAFLEX ZC.
Now through May 16, 2025 (while supplies last), get $40 off of a Santa Fe Compact70 Dehumidifer and $150 off a Santa Fe Oasis105 Dehumidifier from Crawlspace Depot.
Call 888-331-9991 to take advantage of this limited-time offer. If you are a professional installer, ask for your account to be set up with contractor pricing for all of Crawlspace Depot’s products.
Black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), the primary carriers of Lyme disease, are small and easily overlooked. An adult female is pictured; nymphs, which also can transmit pathogens, are the size of a poppy seed. PHOTO: MARK VANDERWERP, BCE
Flea infestations can be brought under control by eliminating them from pets, homes and yards. Advise the pet owner to contact their veterinarian for help treating the infested pet. Simultaneously treat the pet’s environment. Provide follow-up treatments. Clean areas where the pet spends most of its time, such as bedding, furniture cushions and carpeting. Treat outdoor areas that do not get direct sunlight, such as dog houses, shaded areas of the lawn, and under decks and porches.
In today’s fast-paced pest control environment, efficiency isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. While we often focus on routing software and field technology for technicians, it’s just as important to equip your office staff with the right tools to streamline communication, manage workflow and ultimately, improve customer service.
Here are a few game-changing tools to help pest control offices run more smoothly and efficiently.
1. Streamline internal communication with collaborative platform apps.
Phone calls among customer service representatives (CSRs), technicians and managers can bog down your office and create unnecessary interruptions. Platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams create dedicated channels so groups can communicate without overwhelming one another. You might have one channel for each technician and their assigned CSR, for example, and separate channels for billing, pest identification, field tech support and cancellations.
This setup allows office staff to drop a quick message or photo, technicians to ask questions without needing to call in, and managers to monitor conversations to ensure issues are resolved quickly and accurately. It keeps your team in sync while significantly reducing call volume and interruptions.
Most importantly, it allows CSRs to stay focused on handling customer calls without being tied up by constant employee requests or unnecessary chitchat. When internal communication is streamlined, CSRs can prioritize what matters most: delivering great customer service.
2. Manage customer requests with help desk software.
If your office struggles with overflowing inboxes or voicemail messages that go unanswered, helpdesk software programs like Zendesk allow you to manage all incoming customer emails, calls and website inquiries in a centralized dashboard.
Each inquiry can be assigned to specific team members, tracked from open to resolution, and escalated if needed. There will be no more guessing who’s handling what or worrying if a message slipped through the cracks. These programs can bring accountability, transparency and peace of mind to customer communication.
3. Document processes with video recording tools.
Video recording tools like Loom are a lifesaver when training new office staff — or even ensuring coverage during vacations and sick days. They help you create short screen recordings to walk through office tasks such as billing, scheduling, report pulling or software use.
In most cases, these videos can be organized into training libraries and shared with new hires for self-guided onboarding or used to cross-train team members so they can step in when needed. It’s a scalable, repeatable way to ensure consistency and accuracy in office operations.
4. Outsource recurring tasks to virtual assistants.
For pest control businesses looking to reduce overhead while increasing efficiency, outsourcing daily recurring tasks to virtual assistants can be a smart strategy. Tasks such as data entry, billing follow-up, customer satisfaction surveys, or report compiling all can be handled by trained virtual assistants — freeing up your in-house staff to focus on high-touch customer interactions.
Not only does this approach offer cost savings, but it also creates a buffer for your team to handle more volume without burning out.
Kness’ Ants-No-More Ant Bait Station is designed to stop infestations before they become a visible problem. Its patented green dome blends into outdoor environments and helps keep bait protected from sun and moisture. Ants enter through side openings, feed and carry the bait back to the colony, helping eliminate it at the source. The station is compatible with liquid, gel or granular bait, giving pest maangement professionals (PMPs) options based on their preferred approach. Its durable, tamper-resistant construction makes it a strong choice for both residential and commercial use. For simple, effective ant control, PMPs can count on Ants-No-More Ant Bait Station to deliver consistent results.
About Kness Pest Defense
Per company history, the Ketch-All was invented by a young, widowed father of six, Austin Enos “Brick” Kness, in 1924. Mice were prevalent at the high school in which Kness was a custodian, and led him to the idea of the “box” trap. Kness, a Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer (Class of 2024), built the first trap from a square oilcan, a Tuxedo Tobacco can, a spring from a curtain rod, and the wood base of a crate. The first night he set his trap, he captured five mice.
He was elated and showed the teachers and his friends. He was encouraged to build others for his friends and to seek a patent. By 1927, Kness Mfg. Co. was formed to produce the KetchAll Automatic Mousetrap and another of Kness’ inventions, the RotoBow tree saw.
Schaumburg, Ill.-based manufacturer Central Life Sciences (CLS) recently expanded its professional pest control team. Jenna DePaull has been hired as the new business manager for the structural pest control side of Zoëcon Professional Products, a division of CLS. DePaull will report to Mel Whitson, who was promoted to director of sales and marketing for Zoëcon.
More on DePaull
In her new position, DePaull will:
Lead strategic marketing initiatives.
Drive product development efforts.
Focus on driving sales.
Work to increase market growth.
Grow brand awareness.
“Jenna’s industry knowledge and strategic mindset make her a valuable asset to our team. We’re excited to see the impact she’ll have in this new role,” said Whitson. “Her strong industry relationships, active involvement and creative approach to branding will continue to elevate Zoëcon’s presence in the market.”
More on Whitson
Mel Whitson
“Mel’s expanded role will help further align our strategic messaging and enhance our market positioning,” said Tony Schultz, senior director of Zoëcon Professional Products. “The addition of Jenna and the promotion of Mel reinforce our commitment to investing in top-tier talent to better serve the professional pest control industry.”
Whitson has been with Central Life Sciences for more than 20 years, holding various roles in technical services, sales and leadership. He earned his bachelor’s degree in entomology and nematology, with a specialization in urban pest management, from the University of Florida.
About Central Life Sciences
Central Life Sciences products are a part of Central Garden & Pet Co. Central Life Sciences is dedicated to creating healthier environments and making life better for people, plants and companion animals around the world. As inventors of insect growth regulator technology more than 50 years ago, the founders of Central Life Sciences pioneered biorational pest control: using the insect’s chemistry as a means to reduce pest populations.
J.D. Darr, NPMA’s senior director of legislative and regulatory affairs, briefed attendees on the issues to be discussed during Capitol Hill visits. PHOTO: PMP STAFF
This year, they focused on four issues:
1. Pesticide preemption
PMPs asked legislators to support the inclusion of pesticide preemption in the 2025 Farm Bill — a package of legislation primarily related to agriculture, food and farming — to ensure pesticides continue to be regulated by scientific experts. If included, each state would give one state agency the authority to regulate pesticide sales, distribution and use. It would not allow local pesticide regulation.
“Our members have consistently advocated for regulatory certainty over the past decade,” says J.D. Darr, NPMA’s senior director of legislative and regulatory affairs. “We’ve seen strong support from Congress, with our language included in the House version of the 2018 Farm Bill and again in last year’s House Bill, which passed through Committee with bipartisan support. Through our members’ advocacy during Legislative Day, we reinforced that message with congressional members.”
2. Rodenticides
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently is reviewing rodenticides, a process it is required to undertake every 15 years. As PMPs wait for the EPA’s amended proposed interim decision, the concern is that rodenticides may be reclassified as restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) to reduce their impact on endangered species. PMPs asked for support in maintaining access to reliable, effective rodent control solutions.
“NPMA members are committed to protecting human health, and pest management professionals work diligently to be good stewards of EPA-approved products while effectively controlling rodent populations,” adds Darr. “Engaging congressional offices on the role of rodenticides helps ensure the final registration decisions support both environmental protection and the ability to keep rats and mice from spreading disease.”
3. Global malaria control
The President’s Malaria Initiative has been key in the fight against malaria since its launch by President George W. Bush in 2005. This program, which each successive president has continued, aims to control and eliminate malaria worldwide.
As protectors of public health, PMPs know it is critical to help eliminate mosquito-borne diseases that may affect Americans who travel, work and serve in countries where malaria is prevalent. They asked legislators to support the President’s Malaria Initiative in the 2026 fiscal year appropriations process.
“To effectively manage pest-related health threats here at home, we must also support efforts to eliminate harmful diseases abroad,” Darr explains. “The U.S. has long played a leading role in malaria control and research. Through supporting funding for the President’s Malaria Initiative, the NPMA is proud to partner with the United Nations Foundation on its ‘United to Beat Malaria’ campaign.”
4. 25C tax credit
The Efficient Energy Home Improvement Tax Credit (25C) allows homeowners to receive tax credits for insulation treated with pesticide or insulation that must be replaced following a pest infestation. PMPs asked legislators to maintain the tax credit.
The NPMA’s stance is that the tax credit encourages homeowners to properly treat pest infestations, pursue energy-efficient upgrades and prioritize their health. Under the expansion of the program in the Inflation Reduction Act, homeowners can receive up to $1,200 in tax credits for insulation.
“NPMA members highlighted the connection between tax credits and homeowners’ ability to address pest damage while pursuing energy-efficient home improvements,” Darr notes. “Upgrades such as installing or replacing insulation with new pesticide-treated insulation are both attainable and affordable under the 25C Tax Credit program.”
The next Legislative Day event will take place March 15-17, 2026.
