IN MEMORIAM: Joe Barlok

Joe Barlok

Joe Barlok, ACE, VP of service for RJM Pest Services in New York City and husband, father and grandfather, passed away in late November. Per his wishes, there will be no funeral. Those who would like to reach out to his family with their condolences are invited to post on his Facebook page.

Barlok outlined how his career came to be in his LinkedIn biography:

I was a 20 year old new father and needed a steady job with an opportunity at a career. My hiring wage of $11/hr was the blessing and new opportunity my new family needed. The rest of the work experience is all about relentless hard work, overcoming challenges and dedication to providing only the best service possible. Looking back now on the past 22+ years in the pest control industry I wouldn’t change one day or challenge. I am thankful for all of it and the people I have met and had the pleasure to work with along the way. Starting on the west coast at Lloyd Pest Control in San Diego County they shaped my love and passion for the industry. Moved to the east coast and have been working in NYC since 2009 with Western Pest Services (Rollins), RJS, and JP McHale (Anticimex). Now having the honor and responsibility to lead the service department at RJM Pest Services, I have the opportunity to share the same excitement for high level of quality service that originally inspired me.

Timson Green, a friend and former co-worker, shares his remembrances of Barlok as follows:

In the pest management industry, there are what I call the “Fantastic Few.” They are people committed to providing their clients with the best possible experiences, and they work hard to ensure that every detail is perfect. They understand that exceptional customer service is a powerful tool for motivation and reward, and they are dedicated to helping their clients create lasting memories.

Rodents, cockroaches, bed bugs and flies are some of the pests we constantly deal with in many markets around the country. These pests are normally found in dark, creepy areas of sub-basements, crawlspaces, near sewer injector pits and in voids of pipe chases.

Joe often said, “If you can’t find it, you can’t fix it. Dark and creepy areas are where most of our development happens.”

Joe had always been a hands-on team player and team leader, an expert who believes in developing the next wave of problem solvers. Leadership is about making everyone else better.

There are three key areas to running an organization: the financials, the development of others, and the standardization of service expectations. Joe checked all the boxes when it comes to these capabilities and set the tone for pest management professionals to emulate. His vision was rooted in building an experienced team, providing exceptional service, and guaranteeing proven results.

It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life’s next peak. There is no growth on the top of a mountain. Leadership is not about being the best; rather, it’s about making everyone else better.

Joe Barlok will forever be remembered as a face of the Fantastic Few.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/in-memoriam-joe-barlok/
Sacramento CA

Georgia Pest Control Association gives back to Atlanta community

The Georgia Pest Control Association (GPCA) partnered in a service project at the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) on Dec. 4, 2025. 

Over 40 people representing 10 member companies, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and the GPCA staff sorted and packed food as a giving back opportunity.  The team prepared over 16,500 pounds of food to be delivered to food banks and other outreach stations throughout the state, providing support for those dealing with food insecurity. 

The service project is one of many recent initiatives from the GPCA. Previous projects have included:

• GPCA PestVets coat drive: run in collaboration with the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program, the GPCA has collected thousands of coats for Veterans across the yearslong partnership.
• Partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which thus far has raised over $1 million for cancer research efforts.
• Hosting meetings for Pi Chi Omega, the professional fraternity for the structural pest control industry.

About the Georgia Pest control association:

Founded in 1950 with only 16 members, the GPCA has grown to include over 85 percent of all pest control operators in Georgia. With a focus on all facets of the pest control industry that promote economic growth, the GPCA seeks to encourage professionalism, school operations, commercial establishments, home management, education and community involvement.

About the Atlanta Community Food Bank

As a member of Feeding America, its mission is to fight hunger by engaging, educating, and empowering our community. The ACFB works with nearly 700 community-based nonprofit partners to distribute 9 million+ meals across metro Atlanta and north Georgia each month.

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Sacramento CA

Skyhawk Trapmate and Insects Limited: Trapmate InsectaDetector

IMAGE: SKYHAWK TRAPMATE

The new Trapmate InsectaDetector, developed in partnership with Insects Limited, is a precision sensor–based device designed to automate crawling insect monitoring and deliver early-warning intelligence. Pheromone lures attract target insects into the device, guiding them onto a glue board while high-precision sensors record each pass-through. These time-stamped counts are transmitted through the Trapmate Hub using the same proven, self-powered technology found across the Trapmate ecosystem. Integrated seamlessly into the Trapmate software platform, InsectaDetector eliminates manual glue-board checks, provides customizable notifications and helps technicians detect activity trends early — reducing labor, improving accuracy and strengthening proactive pest management.

About Skyhawk Trapmate

Skyhawk Trapmate is a division of Skyhawk, a U.S.-based company specializing in remote monitoring technology for pest and wildlife professionals. Trapmate’s wireless, battery-powered sensors provide real-time trap activity and data to enhance technician efficiency, reduce service visits, and increase client retention.

About Insects Limited

Insects Limited has been an industry leader in pheromone-based monitoring and control solutions for over 40 years. With a strong foundation in research and development, Insects Limited provides sustainable, science-based tools for the pest control and food protection industries. Based in Westfield, Ind., the company was founded in 1982 by David Mueller, BCE, a member of the Pest Management Professional Hall of Fame (Class of 2019).

Trapmate.ai

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/skyhawk-trapmate-and-insects-limited-trapmate-insectadetector/
Sacramento CA

Podcast explores how being a BCE boosts professional possibilities

Podcast explores how being a BCE boosts professional possibilities

Tune in to “The BCE Podcast” and you’ll instantly grasp what the next 45 minutes will cover, thanks to its catchy theme song: “They’re buggy, they’re nerdy, they’re talkin’ six legs / Buzzin’ on the airwaves with their field note pegs / From beetles to bees, they just can’t get enough / Geeking out on bugs — yeah, the nerdy stuff! / Not for fame, not for clout, just because they care / It’s the bugcast, boys and girls — science in the air!

Adam Holt, BCE, and Chelle Hartzer, BCE, PCQI, teamed up in July to create and host the show. While the podcast is not affiliated with the Entomological Society of America (ESA), which runs the board-certified entomologist (BCE) program, it is dedicated to exploring the opportunities available to those who have earned or are thinking of sitting for the BCE exam.

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Key takeaways

• The BCE designation is a key credential that demonstrates commitment to a career path and is essential for roles like consulting.
• “The BCE Podcast” provides an unfiltered look at the exam process, with guests sharing their study experiences, challenges and whether they passed on the first attempt.
• Professionalism is mandatory for the designation, as the ESA requires BCEs to adhere to a strict code of ethical standards to maintain certification.

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The path for the future entomologist

The podcast’s mission is clear: “We envisioned a platform for nerdy future entomologists to potentially discover their path forward in becoming a BCE and what direction they want to take their career,” says Holt. Both Holt and Hartzer struck out on their own after years of working for various companies in the pest control industry, making them ideal mentors for those considering the professional leap.

Hartzer owns 360 Pest Consulting, where she helps small- to mid-size pest control companies reduce callbacks, boost customer satisfaction, empower staff with expert training and solve complex issues using proven strategies and scientific solutions. Holt owns NameDatBug Consulting Services, delivering practical, expert guidance to companies in the commercial, residential, agricultural, hospitality and pest control sectors.

The value of the credential

Holt knows firsthand the career opportunities the designation presents. “I wouldn’t be able to be a consultant without my BCE,” he notes. He strongly encourages the pursuit of the certification because “it adds that credential to what they already have and shows commitment to that next level of their career.”

The BCE is more than just a title; it signifies professionalism. The ESA requires those who earn the certification to adhere to a strict code of ethical standards to maintain their status.

IMAGE: “THE BCE PODCAST” is hosted by Adam Holt, BCE and Chelle Hartzer, BCE, PCQI

Unfiltered assessments of the exam

Each episode features a current BCE who talks candidly about themselves and their jobs, sharing their wisdom with the audience. The hosts always ask their guests the same four questions:

1. When did you earn your BCE and how has it impacted your life?
2. What was preparing for the BCE like for you?
3. What advice do you offer to others who are currently studying for the BCE?
4. What’s your favorite bug?

Guests run the gamut from those who earned their BCE decades ago to “baby BCEs” who have had the designation for only a couple of years. The podcast also provides an unfiltered look at the inherent challenges of sitting for the exam. Guests have openly shared whether they passed the first time, the types of questions that tripped them up and how their education — whether in school or in the field — provided assistance.

Knowledge, networking and the ESA family

Holt and Hartzer believe strongly that knowledge is power. They and their guests take an honest look at how advanced credentials build credibility, advance careers and propel sustainable pest management technologies in the entomology field.

“We hope listeners want to be part of a bigger picture: the ESA family,” Holt says. The hosts also hope listeners take away the message that networking and fostering professional relationships are important, noting the power of tools like LinkedIn in advancing a career. The overarching message is that advanced knowledge and community are the engines that propel the professional entomologist forward.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/bce-podcast-career-boost-professionalism/
Sacramento CA

Douglas Products: ProFume

IMAGE: DOUGLAS PRODUCTS

Douglas Products helps food manufacturers and their distribution partners control rodent and stored product pests that present health and safety risks throughout warehouses, logistics and shipping centers, food processing and packaging facilities, and other food storage sites around the globe. Douglas Products also provides the expertise, training and resources pest management professionals need to deliver some of the most effective and reliable fumigation solutions on the market, including ProFume gas fumigant.

ProFume is labeled to control rodents and all life stages of stored product pests in structures and containers used to store, process and transport most raw or processed commodities. By mitigating the spread of infestations that can compromise food safety, work environments, public health and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance, ProFume applications help food companies to confidently deliver high-quality products to their customers — all while protecting their facilities and hard-earned reputation.

Rodents, in particular, present a growing challenge as they commonly gain access to food manufacturing and distribution centers through breached wall cavities, foundational cracks, worn-out exclusion devices and pallets of incoming goods. Effectively controlling these vectors of disease can help to prevent the spread of E. coli, salmonella, listeria, leptospirosis and other foodborne illnesses.

Whether you need to control a current infestation or prevent one from developing, ProFume gas fumigant provides an ideal complement to your service offerings.

About Douglas Products

Douglas Products is a specialty products provider of brands and services for global agriculture and structural pest management. Douglas Products is a Brightstar Capital Partners portfolio company, based in Liberty, Mo.

Profume.com/warehouse

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Sacramento CA

Allergy Technologies expands pest prevention program in Philadelphia, Pa.

Allergy Technologies Affordable Housing Control

Allergy Technologies, the manufacturer of ActiveGuard mattress liners and creator of the ATAHC Program, has entered into a new agreement with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) that will expand ATAHC’s implementation from 3,500 homes to more than 8,400 residences across Philadelphia’s affordable housing communities.

This expansion marks the largest deployment of ATAHC to date and positions Philadelphia as a national leader in proactive, sustainable pest-prevention for vulnerable residents.

The agreement includes a continuation of PHA’s 2024 upgrade to ATAHC Complete, the most comprehensive version of the platform. ATAHC Complete combines the original ATAHC Bed Bug Program with the structural-pest program called ATAHC Plus into one unified solution.

ATAHC Bed Bug, ATAHC Plus and ATAHC Complete replace reactive models with a proactive system that combines initial screening and remediation with long-term monitoring and prevention. Using long-acting solutions such as ActiveGuard Mattress Liners, ATAHC creates a protective barrier against bed bug re-infestation. But the Program’s true strength lies in its holistic design — one that engages residents, property managers, pest-control professionals and community stakeholders in shared accountability. This approach not only ensures consistent access for treatment and inspection but also builds trust between residents and property staff. Most importantly, ATAHC employs residents to act as Program liaisons, facilitating a more seamless experience and offering a career development pathway.

“Early detection and sustained prevention are essential, but the heart of ATAHC’s success is partnership,” said Joseph Latino, president of Allergy Technologies, in a news release. “ATAHC Complete is designed to deepen those partnerships. By working hand-in-hand with residents and housing staff, we not only reduce reintroductions and infestations but also dramatically reduce day-to-day disruptions and the operational strain caused by recurring pest issues.”

Program results

As the first site in the nation to implement the ATAHC Bed Bug, the Philadelphia Housing Authority experienced a reduction of bed bug reintroductions by greater than 97 percent over the first 4 years of Program inception, a 35 percent reduction in projected bed-bug-related operating expenses and a 40 percent reduction in resident and staff contact time with pest-management professionals.

“With this new agreement, nearly 5,000 more Philadelphia households will gain access to a Program that has consistently and measurably changed the quality of life for residents and property staff,” said Gus Carey, founder and managing director of Allergy Technologies, in a news release. “Affordable-housing residents deserve solutions that work and ATAHC Complete brings an even higher level of reliability, control and support to communities that need it most.”

Allergy Technologies expects the expanded ATAHC footprint in Philadelphia, now enhanced with ATAHC Complete, to serve as the “gold medal” blueprint for affordable-housing communities nationwide seeking long-term, cost-effective and resident-centered pest prevention.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/allergy-technologies-expands-pest-prevention-program-in-philadelphia-pa/
Sacramento CA

Unified Purchasing Group: Exclusive Discounts

IMAGE: UNIFIED PURCHASING GROUP

UPG members enjoy exclusive discounts on leading brands, including Verizon Wireless, Staples, ADP, UniFirst and more. Simply join the 55,000-plus other smart businesses already saving money with the power of group purchasing. Becoming a UPG member is free and easy, and there are no purchasing minimums or obligations.

About UPG

Unified Purchasing Group (UPG) is a group purchasing organization, otherwise known as a “GPO.” UPG combines the purchasing power of collective businesses to leverage better pricing, improved service levels, and dedicated account representation from suppliers. Leveraging a GPO increases your buying power and can simplify your procurement processes. The wide-reaching network and negotiating power of a GPO is challenging for an individual procurement professional to match on their own.

A GPO enables the spend from various industries to combine and increase buying power for individual private entities and it works for businesses of all size, from small businesses to large enterprise operations. When you partner with a GPO like UPG and utilize our exclusive contracts, you can grow market share in your industry quickly with no up front costs. It’s free to become a member and there are no long term contracts or purchasing minimums, so you have nothing to lose.

UPG has been a proud supporter of the pest management industry for nearly two decades, and as a long-time sponsor of PestWorld, we are pleased to help pest management professionals across the country save money. We partner with brands you know and trust to bring you savings on the products and services you need to run your business. UPG has more than 50,000 companies who are using their free membership to secure exclusive discounts to lower their spend and increase their competitive edge in today’s market.

Visit online today to increase your organization’s purchasing power and save.

UPG.org

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Sacramento CA