Bird-X: Battery-Powered Hog Ring Tool

IMAGE: BIRD-X

Bird-X, a leading provider of professional bird control solutions, introduces its Battery-Powered Hog Ring Tool, purpose-built for commercial bird netting installation crews. Featuring a 20-volt cordless platform, a 100-ring magazine and a lightweight, 7-pound design, the tool is engineered to help professional bird netting installers work faster, reach farther and operate with greater freedom.

Designed for demanding installations

Bird netting installation is a labor-intensive process that traditionally relies on pneumatic tools requiring air compressors, long hoses, and a constant power source — equipment that is cumbersome on rooftops, in confined spaces, and at height. Bird-X’s new Battery-Powered Hog Ring Tool changes the equation entirely. Leveraging the industry-trusted 20-volt cordless platform, the tool fires 0.75-inch stainless steel or galvanized rings with instant, zero-delay deployment, allowing crews to set rings quickly and continuously without pausing to manage equipment logistics.

With a 100-ring magazine capacity and more than 1,000 rings per battery charge, the tool minimizes reloads and downtime throughout even the largest installations. Two 20-volt battery packs and a charger are included in every kit, along with a belt attachment system, handle, lubricant and operator manual — everything a professional crew needs to hit the ground running.

“This tool is a genuine game-changer for professional installation crews,” says Fonda Moyers, head of products for Bird-X. “When you eliminate the compressor and the hoses, you eliminate a massive source of cost and complexity from every job. Crews can move faster, cover more ground and finish projects in a fraction of the time — which means fewer days renting expensive lifts, less labor overhead and dramatically better margins on every installation. This tool is built specifically to help our customers reduce job costs by getting the work done faster with less labor time. No more hoses. No more compressors. Just results.”

About Bird-X

Bird-X started as a small idea in 1964, starting with a Bird Lite (today known as the Bird Strobe Light) that was being sold to deter birds from commercial areas.

In the beginning, Bird-X was a single-employee business that was entirely operated by Richard Seid. The company spent the first 28 years selling innovative bird control products via trade publications. Readers responded to the ads in these publications and Bird-X sold bird control products directly to the end user.

In 1992, Seid’s son Joe oined the family business as the company’s 10th employee and strategically expanded sales channels. This was the start of a major growth period for the company. Throughout years of a dedicated online presence, combined with a knowledgeable team of bird control sales specialists, Bird-X has become a time-tested leader in the bird control industry.

Now, Bird-X supplies a growing product line of more than 400 humane bird control solutions used in more than 60 countries around the world. The company employs a seasoned staff — 20 percent of whom have been a part of the company for more than 25 years and have directly contributed to the tremendous growth and success.

Bird-x.com

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Sacramento CA

FTC initiates enforcement of non-compete agreements

LOGO: FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking steps to stop pest control companies from using non-compete agreements, which restrict where and when an employee can work after employment with the company ends, typically to preserve customer contact lists or protect proprietary information.

The agency issued a press release on April 15, stating it ordered Rollins Inc. to stop enforcement of non-compete agreements, and said it sent warning letters to 13 other pest control companies advising them to make sure their employment agreements lack “unfair or anticompetitive non-compete provisions.” At press time, the FTC did not respond to Pest Management Professional‘s request for the names of the other companies it contacted. 

Rollins is required to send letters, via mail or email, to employees who signed non-compete agreements to inform them the company “would no longer enforce the non-compete provisions,” the FTC’s press release stated.

When reached for comment by Pest Management Professional, Rollins Inc. responded with this statement: “The order issued by the FTC is consistent with our current practices. Last year, we eliminated the use and enforcement of non-compete agreements for nearly all employees, and we are committed to continuing this practice in the future. We want to maintain our teammates’ ability to seek employment elsewhere if they choose to leave Rollins, while also protecting our company’s proprietary information and confidential customer data. Our primary goal, and that of our brands, continues to be to empower our employees to deliver the best solutions to help our customers manage pest-related issues.”

“Several states, including Washington, California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, North Dakota and Minnesota, prohibit the use of non-compete agreements. Three years ago, the FTC proposed a nationwide ban on non-compete agreements, calling them “an unfair method of competition.” In response, pro-business groups filed lawsuits contesting the decision and the ban was put on hold.

The ban would have taken effect nationwide and allowed any worker who signed a non-compete agreement to work for a competitor or start a competing business immediately after their employment ended. Exceptions applied to senior-level executives as well as the seller and the buyer of a business.

The proposed rule to ban non-compete agreements the FTC issued on Jan. 19, 2023, received more than 26,000 comments during the 90-day public comment period, and the FTC said nearly all voiced support for the proposed ban. After carefully reviewing each comment, the FTC said it based changes to the proposed rule on the input it received. On April 23, 2024, it issued its final rule and on May 7, 2024, published the rule in the Federal Register. The ban was supposed to go into effect on Sept. 4, 2024, 120 days after it was published in the Federal Register.

Alternatives to non-compete agreements include confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreements that meet local, state and federal laws. Pest control companies should review their exiting employee agreements to ensure they remain in compliance.

The FTC’s press release stated it is on a mission to “protect American workers.” It also said it has “prioritized investigating and prosecuting deceptive, unfair, and anticompetitive labor-market practices” and created a Joint Labor Task Force to focus on these efforts.

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Sacramento CA

Skyhawk: Trapmate

IMAGE: SKYHAWK TRAPMATE

Today’s pest management professionals (PMPs) need solutions that are efficient, scalable and built for long-term use. Skyhawk Trapmate delivers with a full suite of reusable electronic remote monitoring (ERM) devices designed to modernize pest control operations.

Every Trapmate device is battery-powered with replaceable batteries, eliminating the need for hardwiring or external power. This allows for flexible deployment in virtually any environment, while ensuring devices can be reused across accounts — reducing costs and maximizing return on investment.\

A complete monitoring ecosystem

Trapmate offers a comprehensive platform that supports:

• Rodent and wildlife monitoring across virtually any trap type
• Insect monitoring solutions, including vision-based systems like Trapmate InsectaVision
• Environmental sensors for temperature, humidity, water, entry and power
• A cellular-connected hub and software platform for real-time alerts and reporting

All devices communicate wirelessly, enabling remote visibility without relying on Wi-Fi or on-site infrastructure.

Built for the real world

Designed for durability and repeat use, Trapmate devices can be easily deployed, repositioned and redeployed as needs change. The battery-powered system ensures reliable performance across food facilities, warehouses, commercial properties and wildlife applications — especially in areas where power access is limited.

Smarter, more efficient operations

With continuous monitoring and real-time alerts, Trapmate shifts pest control from routine checks to exception-based servicing. Technicians can focus only where activity is confirmed — reducing unnecessary visits, improving documentation and optimizing service efficiency.

About Skyhawk

Based in Derry, N.H., 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.

Trapmate.ai

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

Truly Nolen promotes pair of managers

Batista promoted to Southeast Florida area manager

Truly Nolen Pest Control recently announced the promotion of David Batista to area manager for Southeast Florida, covering Monroe County through Indian River County.

Batista joined Truly Nolen in 2015 and was most recently the company’s area manager covering Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. Prior to joining the company, he spent 10 years working as a service manager and branch manager for another company in the pest control industry. In addition, he has an A.S. degree in cardiovascular science from Ward Stone College and a degree in management and supervision from Miami-Dade College.

Some of Batista’s new responsibilities will include district authority overseeing the company’s service offices in Port St. Lucie, Greenacres, Pompano Beach and Davie in addition to continuing to oversee service offices in Key Largo, South Miami, Central Miami and North Miami. 

“I am most excited about coaching and supporting our team members to help elevate their operational knowledge so that they can be more strategic, proactive and successful,” said Batista. “My favorite thing about working for Truly Nolen is the opportunity to make a positive impact every day – not only for our external customers, but also for our internal team members. Supporting both groups is incredibly rewarding.”

“David’s passion for success, operational excellence, previous success in Miami and the Keys and enthusiasm for developing teams made him the ideal leader to oversee both areas within our South Florida market”, said Lee Blair, Florida regional manager, in a news release. “We are excited about his expanded leadership role and we are glad he is a member of our team.”

Abel promoted to Cape Coral service office manager

Abel joined Truly Nolen as a swing technician in 2019. Before joining the company, he was a Crew Supervisor at the Charlotte Sun newspaper for nearly 10 years, where he worked nights in the packaging department. His team took the newspapers off the printing press, ran them through the inserting machine and bundled them for the paper carriers.

Some of Abel’s new responsibilities will include helping the new service office gain visibility within the local Cape Coral community as well as instilling the company’s core values throughout his team. He also said an architectural drafting course he completed at a technical college has come in handy during inspections. 

 “I look forward to supporting my team any way I can and watching how everyone succeeds in their own ways,” said Abel, in a news release. “My favorite thing about working for Truly Nolen is that our company is a family-owned company that appreciates its team members; however, I also like how we are a serious, smart and strong company but also likes to have fun.”

“Greg’s demonstrated ability as a technician combined with his previous managerial and supervisory experience made him the perfect person for his new position,” said Dave Scott, Senior District Manager, Southwest Florida. “I am proud he is a member of our team and I look forward to his continued success.”

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Sacramento CA

‘Today’s PMP’ feature’s overview of PMP‘s April 2026 edition

In the latest episode of Today’s PMP, presented in partnership with Pest Posse TV and PMP Magazine, PMP columnist Foster Brusca and PMP Senior Editor Diane Sofranec take a deep dive into the April 2026 issue.

Today’s PMP, April 2026. Video courtesy of The Pest Posse.

Watch the full episode

The full episode can be found here: https://pestpossetv.com/programs/episode-2607-todays-pmp

The April 2026 edition of PMP magazine can be found here: https://editions.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=862582&p=1&view=issueViewer

4 things to look out for in the April 2026 edition

– Our “Question of the Month” respondents offer a host of solid reasons to raise prices this year. We particularly appreciate the straight talk from Pest Control Business Coach Owner and Pest Management Professional (PMP) columnist Sheri Spencer Bachman, ACE: “Increase prices 5 percent to 10 percent annually. Your costs rise every year, and your pricing should, too.”

– You’ll notice that this issue is packed with information about mosquitoes, but PMP Hall of Famer (Class of 2002) and columnist Dr. Austin Frishman, BCE-Emeritus, started his advice for this pest in our March issue, writing about gearing up for high season. For April, Doc takes a look at why mosquitoes are sometimes so difficult to control.

– Per usual, Dennis Jenkins offers a lot of great advice in this month’s “ABC’s of Growth” column. Here’s one more safety tip of his that we’d bet often is overlooked: “Slips, trips and falls can happen in your office’s kitchen, restrooms, warehouse and even parking lot. Do you have good floor mats that regularly are cleaned so employees are not walking around with wet or muddy shoes? What happens when it’s raining, and your warehouse floors are wet? Place large, clean floor mats in every area where employees walk in from the outside.”

– The Pest Posse, which is co-owned by Culley Christensen and PMP columnist Foster Brusca, just completed its ninth annual Women in Pest Control Month in March. By the way, the celebration dovetails nicely with the news of the new headquarters and Hall of Fame for Women in Pest and Wildlife Control. To learn about the event, visit: https://pestpossetv.com/programs/the-pest-posse-9th-annual-women-in-pest-control-kickoff?category_id=152192

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Sacramento CA

J.F. Oakes: Xlure-RTU Multi-Species Beetle Floor Trap

IMAGE: J.F. OAKES

JF Oakes’ Xlure-RTU Multi-Species Beetle Floor Trap contains multiple pheromones and powerful food attractants to lure in:

• American black flour beetle
• American spider beetle
• Black flour beetle
• Cigarette beetle
• Confused flour beetle
• Dark flour beetle
• Depressed flour beetle
• Destructive flour beetle
• Drugstore (or biscuit) beetle
• Dusty sap beetle
• False slack flour beetle
• Flat grain beetle
• Flour mite
• Picnic beetle (beer bug)
• Golden spider beetle
• Granary (or grain) weevil
• Hairy fungus beetle
• Kashmir flour beetle
• Khapra beetle
• Larder beetle
• LeConte’s seedcorn beetle
• Lesser mealworm beetle
• Longheaded flour beetle
• Maize weevil
• Merchant grain beetle
• Red flour (or red rust) beetle
• Red-legged ham beetle
• Rice weevil
• Sawtoothed grain beetle
• Warehouse beetle

The Xlure-RTU Multi-Species Beetle Floor Trap is “food industry blue” and is an effective trapping tool designed for accurate monitoring. The reusable device keeps dust and debris out, and insects in. Captured pests can easily be extracted from the cartridge for identification. Insect recording labels are included for detailed record-keeping.  Each cartridge is sealed to ensure peak attractiveness, easy to install and easy to replace as needed.

Contact your local distributor for pricing and availability, or contact J. F. Oakes at 800-844-9296 or sales@jfoakes.com.

About J.F. Oakes Sales & Marketing

As a salesman of termite and rodent control products for a major chemical manufacturer for 26 years, Jim Oakes worked closely with both industry distributors and pest control companies all over the southeastern U.S. Recognizing a need for product lines specifically designed for the pest control industry, Oakes founded J.F. Oakes Sales & Marketing in May 1989.

With his experience and knowledge of termites and treatments, the first lines Oakes introduced were drill bits and spray hoses. Sheffield Masonry Drill Bits were designed with an emphasis on using quality European steel for durability and a full selection of shanks, diameters and lengths commonly used by pest control companies. Chemtrol, now known as Chemoak, was designed with consideration to chemical resistance, safety factors, working pressures, flexibility and ease of use.

Nearly four decades later, the product lines of J.F.Oakes Sales & Marketing include not only equipment, but encompass a wide range of products, including:

• Advantage Flying Insect and Yellow Jacket Traps
• Pro-Pest Professional Lures for Rodents and Nuisance Wildlife
• XLure Pheromone Monitoring Traps
• Pro-Pest and Safestore brands
• Pro-Pest Pantry & Clothes Moth Traps
• Pro-Pest Crawling Insect Traps

J.F. Oakes Sales & Marketing sells its products through distributors in the U.S., Canada and internationally.

JFOakes.com

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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