Photo Finish: FAMU to celebrate 50th Field Day

For more than 50 years, Florida A&M University (FAMU), through the Entomology Program in the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences in cooperation with the Division of Continuing Education, has hosted the annual W.L. Peters Annual Field Day and Workshop in Entomology. As the longest-running continuing education program at FAMU, the event has become a trusted resource for pest management professionals (PMPs) across the southeastern United States.

Each year, the program provides practical, research-based training on current pest management issues while helping participants earn the continuing education units (CEUs) required to maintain their pesticide applicator licenses. Today, participants can earn CEUs for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

FIELD DAY PIONEERS: This photo from 1968 shows, from left, entomologists Drs. Tomáš Soldán, Biology Centre CAS Czech Republic; Bill Peters; Vladimir Landa, Czech Academy of Sciences; and Manuel Pescador, FAMU. (PHOTO: JANICE PETERS)

TODAY’S LEADERS: John Dukes III, left, is chair of the 2026 Field Day Advisory Committee. Dr. Lambert Kanga is an entomology professor and chair of FAMU’s entomology program. This photo was taken during the 2024 event. (PHOTO: DR. ANAMIKA SHARMA)

The workshop traces its origins to the mid-1970s, when the vision of creating an educational program for the pest management industry first took shape. According to Dr. Bill Peters’ widow, Janice Peters, the late Dr. Vladimir Landa of the Czech Academy of Sciences inspired the idea of developing an event that would bring universities and the pest management industry together while delivering practical, science-based information to professionals.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: At the 2025 Field Day, the wood-destroying organism (WDO) class was one of many that were well attended by PMPs from around the region. Field Day usually attracts between 250 and 300 attendees. (PHOTO: DR. ANAMIKA SHARMA)

DOWN MEMORY LANE: Students with the FAMU Entomology and Center for Biological Control team during the 2016 Field Day. (PHOTO: JOHN DUKES III)

From the beginning, the workshop served as a gathering place for students, pest management professionals (PMPs), researchers, industry leaders, vendors and representatives from government agencies. Much like a professional conference, the event combines educational presentations, networking opportunities and exhibits showcasing the latest products and technologies. With strong support from sponsors, vendors and organizations such as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the workshop has steadily grown into one of the Southeast’s premier educational events for the pest management industry.

The program owes much of its development to Ruben Capelouto, a Tallahassee PMP who began teaching urban entomology and structural pest control courses at FAMU in 1970 as an adjunct instructor and later as a professor. Dr. Peters was instrumental in bringing Capelouto to the university, where he introduced students to both the scientific and entrepreneurial aspects of entomology.

Recognizing the need for professional education and diversity within the pest management industry, Capelouto organized meetings of industry representatives in 1978 and 1979 that ultimately led to the establishment of the Annual Field Day and Workshop in Entomology in 1980.

2014 SCHOLARSHIPS: This group of students were awarded the Capelouto Scholarship during 2014 Field Day. (PHOTO: JOHN DUKES III)

TEAMWORK: FAMU team during 2024 Field Day. From left are Dr. Lambert Kanga, Janice Peters, and Drs. Anamika Sharma, Susie Legaspi and Sabrina Hayes. (PHOTO: JOHN DUKES III)

The first full Field Day event was held in 1980. Presentations by Robert Clements and Dr. John Mulrennan Jr. emphasized community service and insect collections while helping establish the foundation for what later became Florida’s recertification program for PMPs. Before statewide recertification requirements were fully implemented, individual programs focused on specific topics.

The fourth Field Day highlighted wood-destroying insects (WDI), the fifth focused on rodent management, and the sixth program in 1983 addressed turf pests. In that same year, the workshop moved to the Donald L Tucker Civic Center, in Tallahassee, Fla., where it continued to be held until 2016, moving to Tallahassee State College (TSC) (then known as Tallahassee Community College) the next year. Since then, the meeting has been organized at TSC. Before 1991, the meetings were held in February. In 1991, the meeting date shifted from February to November, resulting in two workshops being conducted that year. 

FLORIDA COLLEGE RIVALRY IS ON THE AGENDA: Dr. Rebecca Baldwin, director of the University of Florida (UF) Entomology and Nematology Education and Outreach Program, and UF Professor Emeritus Dr. Phil Koehler — also a PMP Hall of Famer (Class of 2015) — were among the speakers for the 2025 Field Day. (PHOTO: ANAMIKA SHARMA)

NETWORKING AND LEARNING: FAMU administrators and Dr. Buggs Exterminators Inc. team during the 2024 Field Day, from left are Dr. Lambert Kanga, Kirphton Fray, Dr. Robert Taylor, Dr. Steven Leong, John Dukes III, Dr. Dale Wesson and Dr. Muhammed Haseeb. (PHOTO: JOHN DUKES III)

Following Capelouto’s passing in 1980, the Ruben Capelouto Scholarship Fund was established in his honor. The scholarship continues to support undergraduate and graduate entomology students at Florida A&M University, reflecting his lasting commitment to education and the future of the pest management profession. 

“Field Day has impacted lives,” says John Dukes III, founder of Dr. Buggs Exterminators Inc. in Gainesville, Fla. Not only was he one of the first award winners in the program, but since 1987 has been chair of the event’s advisory committee. “People meet each other and build relationships. It’s become much more than a venue to obtain CEUs. It has developed organically into an organization that provides unique opportunities for networking, personal growth and intentional learning.” 

RENEWING FRIENDSHIPS: Event co-founder Janice Peters chats with longtime attendee Bob Kunst, president of Fischer Environmental Consulting, Mandeville, La. Kunst is also a Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer (Class of 2010). (PHOTO: JANICE PETERS)

The program has regularly attracted between 250 and 300 PMPs annually. Although attendance declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, participation has steadily rebounded. Since its inception, multiple individuals have received education or continuing education credits through the program. The majority of attendees have come from small businesses, while the remaining participants represent commercial and public facilities. 

“I have had the privilege of attending over 40 Annual Entomology Field Days since the first event,” says Dennis Justice, founder of Assured Audit Pest Prevention in Tucson, Ariz. “The courses provide valuable practical information that can easily be implemented in one’s business. My fondest memories include seeing Dr. Peters in his Hawaiian print shirts and admiring the spectacular insect artwork created by Jan Peters.”

LONGTIME LEADER: Ruben Capelouto in 1979. (PHOTO: JANICE PETERS)

Charles Dixon, a long-time attendee and industry leader, first attended the workshop in 2001, shortly after earning his Florida operator’s license. Encouraged by another PMP from his town of Thomasville, Ga., Dixon soon realized that FAMU Field Day provided one of the most economical ways to earn CEUs for multiple states. 

“The classes and labs have always had engaging and knowledgeable instructors,” Dixon adds. “Every year, I returned to my business with new knowledge and ideas to implement. Over the years, I developed friendships with many attendees, and those conversations were just as valuable as the classroom learning. Every year, I look forward to seeing old friends and continuing to learn.” 

Special recognition is due to Janice Peters, who co-founded the event, and FAMU Entomology Program Chair Dr. Lambert Kanga, whose leadership has become closely intertwined with the workshop’s history.

When asked how she managed so many successful Field Days, Peters replies simply, “I don’t know — it just happened.” 

Dr. Kanga adds, “This workshop is more than CEUs; it is a tradition of collaboration, innovation and professional growth that continues to benefit our industry.” 

The 50th annual W.L. Peters Field Day and Workshop in Entomology will take place on Nov. 4-5, 2026. To register, visit TinyURL.com/39fm4zd2.

FAMU Assistant Entomology Professor Dr. Sharma is the director of the W.L. Peters Annual Field Day and Workshop in Entomology. She can be reached at anamika.sharma@famu.edu.

If you have programs or events you think could inspire fellow PMPs, please send a writeup and photos to pmpeditor@northcoastmedia.net.

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Building a community of pest management knowledge

Earlier this year, longtime Rentokil Terminix entomologists Dr. Nancy Troyano, BCE, and Jen Fox, ACE, teamed up to invite pest control experts to share their practical insights, real-world experiences and forward-thinking ideas in an effort to help businesses stay ahead of emerging challenges.

Dr. Troyano is director of operations education and training, while Fox was most recently director of service delivery for the Memphis, Tenn.-based company, which serves approximately 4.9 million customers and has 57,700 employees globally. Founded in 1927, Terminix became part of UK-based Rentokil Initial in 2022 following the acquisition of Terminix Global Holdings Inc.

“The Pest Collective” officially launched in April and is geared to business leaders who are responsible for protecting their people, products, operations and brand reputation.

Educational resource

Ultimately, “The Pest Collective” is about creating a community of learning.

“We recognized there was an opportunity to create a resource focused on educating and informing consumers,” says Dr. Troyano. “Commercial pest management is becoming increasingly complex due to evolving regulations, technology, food safety requirements and changing customer expectations.”

Helping businesses make informed decisions, instead of reacting to pest issues after they occur, is the goal of the conversations featured on “The Pest Collective.” Scientists, operations leaders, food safety experts, pest control industry partners and other experts share their unique expertise and real-world experience.

“Having guests allows us to present multiple perspectives and gives listeners practical advice from professionals who solve these challenges every day,” Dr. Troyano says. “We’re proud to bring together industry experts who are passionate about sharing knowledge and helping businesses succeed.”

Topics are driven by customer needs and include emerging trends, seasonal risks, regulatory changes, customer questions and common operational challenges.

Consistent content

Dr. Troyano and Fox began recording early in the year to build a library of episodes featuring consistently valuable content that they then release on schedule. Titles describe what listeners can expect, such as “Reactive vs. Proactive: Why Timing Matters in Pest Control” and “How Pest Issues Put Food Safety and Inspections at Risk.”

With compelling topics like those, listeners cannot help but take away practical knowledge they can apply in their businesses immediately. But that’s not all Dr. Troyano and Fox hope listeners learn from “The Pest Collective.”

“More importantly, we want businesses to view pest management as a proactive business strategy — not simply a reactive service,” says Dr. Troyano. “Effective pest management protects operations, supports compliance, safeguards reputations and ultimately contributes to business success.”

The episode titled “Groundhog Day: Why Rodent Problems Recur” is one of Dr. Troyano’s favorites. “I appreciate how it takes a common frustration — dealing with the same rodent issues over and over — and explores the root causes behind why they keep coming back,” she says. “Rather than focusing solely on treatment, the episode emphasizes the importance of identifying underlying conditions, strengthening exclusion efforts, improving sanitation and adopting a long-term prevention strategy. It’s a great example of the proactive mindset we hope to inspire through ‘The Pest Collective.’”

Sofranec can be reached at dsofranec@northcoastmedia.net or 216-706-3793.

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Rockwell Labs: EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Control Concentrate

EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Control is an advanced, specially formulated botanical concentrate for mosquito and tick control. It is exempt under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 25(b) provision. EcoVia MT delivers quick kill control and residual repellency for optimal mosquito and tick management. Its concentrated formula results in low use rates (0.33 ounces per gallon for mosquitoes and deer ticks), and it mixes easily and stays in solution. Like other FIFRA 25(b) products, there are no notification requirements (recommend verification with your state regulations), and no water set-back or pyrethroid application restrictions. It also offers minimal risk to pollinators. EcoVia MT can be applied in compressed air sprayers, mist blowers and foggers. Its water-based formula will not leave behind an oily residue. Available in a 16-ounce and a 64-ounce tip-n-measure bottle, as well as in 30-gallon and 55-gallon drums, this Green Zone product is suitable for green service programs.

About Rockwell Labs

Founded in 1998 by Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer Dr. Cisse Spragins (Class of 2018), North Kansas City, Mo.-based Rockwell Labs offers products that are conceptualized, developed and formulated in-house. New products undergo extensive testing in-house, in the field and at major universities before they are produced and launched in the professional market.

RockwellLabs.com

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7 factors that drive the value of a pest management business

Pest management has become a darling for private equity (PE) and strategic buyers because it offers what they want: recurring revenue from large numbers of profitable customers of a similar type in the buyer’s targeted geography that stick around for years. By understanding and packaging each of seven specific aspects in detail, pest management professionals (PMPs) can guide their businesses to maximize value in a sale.

1. Focus

Clendenin

Buyers tend to seek “pure-play” assets, which are firms that are largely focused on either a commercial or residential customer base and that provide predominantly one type of service. Bear in mind, however, that a buyer’s focus often changes over time as they grow and seek more firms to acquire, leading them to add services or customer bases they might not have considered a year earlier.

The key to a higher sale price is to know who is buying what and when, and to put your well-tailored offering in front of them at just the right time.

2. Size

Bigger businesses are valued more highly simply because the buyer can acquire more revenue in one go. Currently, businesses face valuation inflection points at different sizes:

Businesses under $1 million in revenue are more challenging to sell and tend to trade at lower multiples. Unless a buyer is set up to do small, tuck-in acquisitions, it is just too much work for too little revenue for most buyers to buy this size business.

Businesses between $2 million and $5 million in revenue see their valuation driven by how close a match their base is to the buyer’s desired customer mix (see No. 1), how much profit each job delivers (see No. 5), and profit per truck route (see No. 6).

Anthony

Businesses between $5 million and $15 million in revenue trade on similar value drivers as above but garner strong multiples, as they can either be highly accretive add-ons to a business in a given market or a foothold in a new market for the buyer.

Businesses with more than $15 million in revenue are rare and can act as a platform for a buyer looking to enter the industry. Value is driven also by the quality of the management team, systems and reputation in their markets.

3. Recurring revenue

Simply put, buyers place a much lower multiple (if any) on one-time work. Preferences for types of recurring revenue change over time. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, for example, termite renewals were valued far more highly than general pest control (GPC). Today, they can be valued above or below GPC based on retention rates.

4. Revenue retention

Firms with high retention rates and low customer churn are viewed as better-managed and worth more money than those with significant churn. Even a few percentage points of churn make a material difference in valuation.

5. Gross margin

This margin is derived from customer revenue minus the hard costs of providing the service. A smaller firm’s customers being tucked into existing routes are, to a large extent, valued on the gross margin that those customer accounts provide the new owners once layered onto their existing routes.

6. Route economics

Consider the amount of revenue per truck, less the cost of the technician, materials, gasoline and other vehicle expenses. How much contribution margin, or profit toward overhead, does a given route provide?

Different buyers track different metrics, but in general, clearly presented, profitable route economics will drive the price. The higher the contribution margin from the route is, the more highly the buyers will value the business. For larger businesses, this also holds true for the profitability of each branch office.

7. EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is the base number on which most buyers apply an acquisition multiple to value a business. Actually, that amount is EBITDA plus the owner’s personal expenses that are not necessarily business-related, as well as non-recurring business expenses, such as remodeling the office or installing a new air-conditioning system.

In truth, most buyers are looking at free cash flow once they own the business. Depending on the size, smaller firms are more likely to be valued on route economics, or even gross margin on the service itself if the acquired customers are likely to be aggregated onto the buyer’s existing routes. They then add in route density and increase the profitability of each route.

The bottom line: Packaging the business correctly and presenting it to the right universe of buyers in the right way will maximize value.

FACT: A multiple is a financial shortcut used to quickly estimate a company’s valuation. It compares the total value of a business to a specific financial metric, such as earnings or revenue. By multiplying this figure by a chosen metric, buyers and sellers can arrive at a purchase price.

Anthony and Clendenin are principals of the Clendenin Anthony Partnership. Visit Clendenin-Anthony.com for more information.

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Sacramento CA

WCS: SealMesh Pro

Wildlife Control Supplies (WCS) SealMesh Pro is a professional-grade rodent and pest exclusion material designed to seal cracks, gaps and entry points quickly and effectively. Each 4-inch x 10-foot roll combines reinforced stainless steel fiber mesh with an exclusive, non-curing sealant enhanced with synthetic diamond particles. This creates a flexible yet extremely tough barrier that helps deter rats, mice and other pests from chewing through.

Unlike standard caulks, fillers, or loose steel wool, the flexible, spongy texture of WCS SealMesh Pro compresses into openings for a tight fit while holding its shape for long-term exclusion. Built for residential and commercial use, it offers a durable, rust-resistant solution for sealing vulnerable areas where rodents and smaller wildlife may try to enter.

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.

Other products that WCS offers include:

• WCS Tube Trap Kit
• WCS Squirrel Standard Trapping Kit
• WCS No-See’Um Chimney Raccoon Trap
• REVEAL X Gen 2.0 Cellular Camera
• SpinAway Rotary Cleaning Kit
• BD-135 Bird Repellent
• Quicklock Duobait Twin Trap Mouse Station
• Soap in Seconds
• Carpenter Bee Cottage Trap
• XL Foundation Vent Covers
• GutterGate
• OwlEye Wi-Fi Inspection Camera

ShopWCS.com

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Sacramento CA

Pest Management Foundation, Abell Pest Control establish scholarship

The Pest Management Foundation unveiled the Abell Pest Control Legacy Scholarship Award, established by Abell Pest Control.

“The Abell Pest Control Legacy Scholarship reflects our commitment to supporting the people who make our company strong and investing in the next generation,” said Abell Pest Control CEO Liz Abell. “We are proud to help students pursue their education, especially those who share our core values. By supporting their growth, we hope to help them build meaningful careers and continue the legacy of care and service that has shaped Abell for more than a century.”

The company is based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and was founded in 1942.

The Abell Pest Control Legacy Scholarship Award was established to support students who demonstrate a strong commitment to Abell Pest Control’s core values of integrity, empathy, reliability, innovation and giving back to their community. Preference will be given to students pursuing studies in fields aligned with and supportive of the pest management industry.

The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a high school senior, or university student currently enrolled at an accredited institution in the United States or Canada.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Full-time student in good academic standing with an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled as high school seniors or college/trade school students at an accredited institution within the United States or Canada.
• Students must demonstrate a strong commitment to Abell Pest Control’s core values of integrity, empathy, reliability, innovation, and giving back to their community.
• Preference will be given to students pursuing studies in fields aligned with and supportive of the pest management industry, including but not limited to pest management, environmental science, urban entomology, rodentology, biological sciences, agriculture, food safety, public health, hospitality, property and facilities management, business operations, sustainability, and technology-related programs.
• Preference will be given to applicants located in Canada or one of the following U.S. states in which Abell conducts business: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida.
• Preference will be given to applicants whose families serve in the pest management industry, or those who demonstrate a meaningful connection to the pest management industry through academic research, professional experience, or other relevant exposure.

Applications for all Foundation scholarships open Oct. 1. Visit the Foundation’s website for scholarship application requirements and how to apply. Or contact Foundation Executive Director (and Pest Management Professional “Callback Cures” columnist) Dr. Michael Bentley, BCE, at mbentley@pestworld.org.

About the Pest Management Foundation

The Pest Management Foundation’s mission and purpose is to advance the pest management industry through education, research, and training. The Pest Management Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with the National Pest Management Association, the industry’s only national trade group. The Foundation has been in existence for more than 30 years and was originally named the Buettner Pest Control Foundation in honor of William O. Buettner, the NPMA’s first president and executive vice president and Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer (Class of 1998).

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Sacramento CA

PCI: Krendl GV400 Insulation Vacuum

The GV400 insulation removal vacuum is a powerful, commercial-grade machine designed for high-volume insulation removal projects. Built to efficiently remove loose-fill fiberglass and cellulose insulation, the GV400 is designed to deliver dependable performance for attic restoration, insulation replacement and preparing homes for the installation of PCI’s TAP Pest Control Insulation.

Made in the USA, The GV400 Gas Vacuum is designed with a steel fan and chamber, powered by a 40-horsepower Briggs & Stratton V-Twin electronic fuel-injection (EFI) or a Kohler 38-horsepower V-Twin EFI gas engine. Other features include:

• Engineered and designed to eliminate engine vibration and fan blade stress
• Electronic Ignition system
• Input/Output safety switches
• Ergonomic mounting frame with 6-inch swivel wheels and 10.5-inch flat free tires
• New rotated chamber for additional safety
• Durable powdercoat finish
• Eight-inch input and output for batt insulation removal
• Able to remove all types of loose fill insulation
• Abrasion-resistant fan blade and chamber

About Pest Control Insulation

Pest Control Insulation (PCI) is a Lula, Ga.-based distribution company focused on blended, customized insulation products, accessories and equipment for sale to the pest control industry. As the manufacturer of TAP insulation, PCI’s national customer base includes some of the largest pest control services companies in the country. It is a brand of TopBuild Corp.

TAPInsulation.com

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Sacramento CA