QOTM: Best ant management practices our experts have learned

What’s the best ant management lesson you’ve learned?

Dan Baldwin

Dan Baldwin, MPH, BCE, REHS/RS, FRSPH, Hawx Pest Control

“Most of the ants we deal with have subterranean nests and can travel long distances from their nests. Because they also are influenced by temperature and other environmental factors, never assume that just because you don’t find ants during the inspection, they’re not there. Targeted baiting in likely nesting areas or in areas where ants may have been observed in the past, for example, is a prudent practice.”

Foster Brusca

Foster Brusca, The Pest Posse

“Return to the absolute basics of pest control: You must seek out the source. When I deal with an ant infestation, I know success relies on looking beyond the inside of the structure. You must inspect the outside to locate the actual colony or trailing paths. I always ask myself, ‘Why are the ants trailing to this area?’ and ‘Where are the entry points?’ Managing ants effectively isn’t about quick treatment; it’s about finding the root cause both inside and out.”

Doug Foster

Doug Foster, Burt’s Termite & Pest Control

“Meticulous attention to detail is the best lesson I have learned to help curb retreatments and profit-killing return visits. Did you inspect and treat both the interior and exterior? Did you get into the crawlspace? Did you use multiple baits? Of course, a checklist and standard operating procedures (SOPs) serve as a great guide for both new and seasoned technicians.”

Dr. Hamilton Allen

Dr. Hamilton Allen, BCE, Fox Pest Control

“Ants can have discerning palates. A bait product working today may not work tomorrow. Many service professionals have their go-to ant bait. However, ant feeding preferences may change with the season, so it’s best to carry a few different products with you just in case the ‘preferred flavor of the month’ has changed.”

Michael Broder

Michael Broder, BHB Pest Elimination

“Get a positive ID on the exact species you are treating. While many ants look alike, treatment protocols can vary greatly depending on the specific species.”

Dr. Mohammed El Damir

Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE, Adam’s Pest Control

“Success depends on colony elimination and correcting underlying conditions, rather than immediate kill counts. For example, seeing dead carpenter ants can provide a false sense of control if the queen remains or if moisture issues and satellite colonies aren’t addressed. I also remind clients that baiting may temporarily increase visible activity. Ultimately, effective control requires understanding biology, performing thorough inspections, and setting realistic expectations.”

Eric Scherzinger

Eric Scherzinger, Scherzinger Pest Control

“Make sure you identify what type of ant you are dealing with correctly, or you can turn an ant problem into a really bad ant problem.”

<p>The post QOTM: Best ant management practices our experts have learned first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/qotm-best-ant-management-practices-our-experts-have-learned/
Sacramento CA

NPMA debuts workforce initiative for college campuses

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has announced a new initiative designed to build a stronger talent pipeline for the $13+ billion U.S. pest management industry. The first LAUNCH: Pest Management Career Summit will take place March 8–10, 2027, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

“Pest management is a dynamic, growing industry, but too few students and other emerging talent know it’s even an option,” NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf, CAE, noted in a news release. “LAUNCH is our opportunity to change that — to show talent from technical schools, two-year programs and four-year universities alike, across every discipline from business to the skilled trades, that this industry offers real careers with real growth potential. We’re proud to bring this event to life in Knoxville and to partner with faculty and career services professionals who are on the front lines of guiding students toward their next opportunity.”

The event brings together four key audiences:

1. college students and other emerging talent
2. faculty and career services professionals who influence student career decisions
3. NPMA member pest control companies
4. pest management industry suppliers

Over the three-day event, students will engage in the “Employer Engagement Zone,” a career fair connecting them directly with hiring companies. There will also be team-based challenges, professional development sessions and networking receptions built around the summit’s core theme: Business. Technology. Science. Service.

For NPMA member companies and industry suppliers, LAUNCH offers a direct line to emerging talent through career fair participation and a range of sponsorship opportunities. Details on sponsorship tiers are now available.

More information for students and faculty is available at LaunchYourPestCareer.org. Companies and suppliers interested in participating or sponsoring can learn more at NPMAlaunch.org.

About the National Pest Management Association

The National Pest Management Association is a non-profit organization with more than 4,000 members. It was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. The association has had many notable leaders over the years, including Pest Management Professional Hall of Famers Bill Buettner (Class of 1998), Dr. Ralph Heal (Class of 2003), Dr. Phil Spear (Class of 2004) and Bob Rosenberg (Class of 2013), to name just a few.

<p>The post NPMA debuts workforce initiative for college campuses first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/npma-debuts-workforce-initiative-for-college-campuses/
Sacramento CA

FPMA bestows inaugural award on McCall technician

The Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) has awarded its inaugural Pest/Termite Technician of the Year to David Biddle, a universal service professional with Jacksonville, Fla.-based McCall Pest & Wildlife.

Biddle received the honor, designed to recognize top performance in technical expertise, customer service and leadership, at the FPMA Summer Conference Awards Dinner in Orlando, Fla., in June. He was selected based on his experience, certifications, training achievements, and strong customer and company testimonials. Per a news release from the Northwest Family of Brands, Biddle is “known for his dedication to customers and his commitment to making a meaningful impact in the community.”

“This is a proud and surreal moment for Dave and the entire McCall team,” Jeff Dunn, co-president of Northwest Family of Brands, said in the release. “We are grateful to have a teammate like Dave, who genuinely cares about his customers and the communities he serves, and for the McCall service center leaders and team who cultivate an environment where excellence thrives. Dave is truly deserving of this FPMA recognition, and we appreciate the example he sets for us all.”

About FPMA

Founded in 1945 and based in Tarpon Springs, Fla., the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) is a nonprofit trade organization representing more than 1,000 pest management professionals, business owners and suppliers across Florida. It advocates for the industry, provides continuing education and hosts events like the annual Business & Operations EXPO.

About McCall Pest & Wildlife

Family-operated since 1928 and a certified QualityPro provider, McCall Pest & Wildlife is part of the Northwest Family of Brands. Service areas include Gainesville, Jacksonville, Ocala, Tallahassee, Tampa and Orlando, Fla. Northwest Exterminating was founded in 1951 and joined the Rollins Inc. family of leading brands in 2017. Northwest has grown across the Southeast to include over 60 service centers, with plans to continue that growth alongside Rollins in partnership with leading pest control brands. 

Rollins Inc. is an Atlanta, Ga.-based consumer and commercial services company. Through its family of leading brands, Rollins and its franchises provide essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects to more than 2.8 million customers in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, with approximately 22,000 employees from more than 850 locations. Rollins is parent to Aardwolf Pestkare, Clark Pest Control, Crane Pest Control, Critter Control, Fox Pest Control, HomeTeam Pest Defense, Industrial Fumigant Company, McCall Service, MissQuito, Northwest Exterminating, OPC Pest Services, Orkin, Orkin Australia, Orkin Canada, PermaTreat, Safeguard, Saela Pest Control, Trutech, Waltham Services, Western Pest Services and more.

Gary Rollins, Rollins’ Executive Chairman Emeritus of the Board, is a member of the Pest Management Professional Hall of Fame (Class of 2012).

<p>The post FPMA bestows inaugural award on McCall technician first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/fpma-bestows-inaugural-award-on-mccall-technician/
Sacramento CA

Kness Pest Defense: Ants-No-More Ant Bait Station

The pro’s edge comes from control that lasts. 

Kness Ants-No-More Bait Stations are designed to target ant colonies at the source, helping prevent repeat activity instead of chasing trails. The controlled-access, tamper-resistant design supports consistent performance across residential and commercial accounts. 

When control is precise and predictable, routes stay efficient and results stay professional. That’s the pro’s edge. 

Discover how Ants-No-More helps you work smarter in the field.

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.

Kness.com

<p>The post Kness Pest Defense: Ants-No-More Ant Bait Station first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/kness-ants-no-more-ant-bait-station/
Sacramento CA

Aruza Pest Control appoints Human Resources VP

Aruza Pest Control named Caroline Fanucchi VP of Human Resources (HR).

The company said she will lead its HR strategy, talent development, employee engagement, recruiting infrastructure and organizational planning initiatives. In addition, she will work closely with company leadership to strengthen Aruza Pest Control’s people-first culture while supporting its continued growth and operational scalability.

“Caroline brings a dynamic presence and a wealth of experience to Aruza,” said Aruza Pest Control’s CEO Josh Langdon. “She is a strong people-first cultural leader who focuses on kindness as a primary core value. She has led teams for high-velocity businesses across multiple industries, and she will draw on those accomplishments to continue Aruza’s march to becoming the employer of choice in the pest management industry.”

Fanucchi has more than 15 years of global HR leadership experience gained across multi-state and international organizations. She has expertise in workforce strategy, talent acquisition, organizational development, compliance and culture integration, the company said. Her background includes leadership roles supporting operations across the United States, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

She previously served as VP of Human Resources for Combined Caterers Inc., where she led HR operations for four brands and more than 1,500 seasonal and full-time employees across the Southeast. In that role, she developed scalable HR infrastructure, led workforce planning initiatives, improved retention, and standardized onboarding and compliance systems across multiple operating brands. Earlier in her career, Fanucchi held HR leadership roles with Integra Realty Resources, Decathlon, and Fremantle Media, gaining extensive experience in international workforce management, compliance, leadership development and organizational transformation. She is fluent in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Arabic.

“From my first conversations with the Aruza leadership team, I knew this was a company where people truly matter,” Fanucchi said. “The company’s core values really spoke to me; especially kindness, which is something I deeply value in leadership and culture. I immediately connected with the leadership team, not only professionally but personally, and recognized how aligned we are in the way we lead, support people, and build strong teams. I’m incredibly excited to join Aruza at such an exciting time and help continue building a culture where employees feel supported, valued and empowered to grow.”

About Aruza Pest Control

Aruza Pest Control was founded in Charlotte, N.C., in 2016, and provides comprehensive pest management services across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Texas. The company is committed to exceptional customer service, innovative solutions, and a values-driven culture built on Accountability, Integrity, Humility, Kindness, and Gratitude.

<p>The post Aruza Pest Control appoints Human Resources VP first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/aruza-pest-control-appoints-human-resources-vp/
Sacramento CA

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

<p>The post Skyhawk: Trapmate first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

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

Wildlife Control Supplies: WCS iChase Autonomic Laser

The trademarked Wildlife Control Supplies (WCS) iChase Autonomic Laser (ICH-AIBR) is an advanced bird deterrent powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and designed to protect sensitive environments from bird activity without harm. Using proven laser technology, the system projects a controlled moving laser pattern that birds perceive as a physical threat, encouraging them to leave the area without injury.

Fully automated, humane and chemical-free, the iChase operates 24/7 to reduce contamination, structural damage and biosecurity risks in farms, warehouses, roofs, and open structures. Other features include:

• Class 3B laser designed to startle birds without causing harm
• Programmable movement patterns
• Durable, commercial-grade construction for indoor and outdoor use
• IP66-rated for reliable performance in outdoor environments
• Operates in temperatures from -4 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees Fahrenheit
• Wide coverage range of approximately 320 to 650 feet
• Compatible with 100- to-240-volt alternating current (VAC) power supply (50 to 60 Hertz)
• Supports professional integrated pest management (IPM) programs
• Discreet, quiet operation suitable for sensitive environments

About Wildlife Control Supplies

WCS was founded in 1998 by the late Alan Huot and his wife, Carol — both experienced wildlife trappers and experts. The company has been helping wildlife and pest control professionals capture, control and prevent wildlife in the field, in commercial buildings and in residential environments ever since. The Suffield, Conn.-based company not only offers a variety of brands and products, but also has developed its own WCS Premium Grade Bait products and breakthrough inventions in response to customer needs.

ShopWCS.com

<p>The post Wildlife Control Supplies: WCS iChase Autonomic Laser first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/wildlife-control-supplies-wcs-ichase-autonomic-laser/
Sacramento CA