Greg Baumann, Nisus Corp. VP of technical services & regulatory affairs, speaks to attendees at the 2018 New York Pest Expo about better understanding the special needs and challenges of retail food accounts. “Smart Pest Management in Retail Food Accounts” reviews rules and the sensitivity of PMP’s need when dealing with these accounts.
James Rodriguez, ACE, Technical Director, J.T. Eaton & Co.
The Sacramento, Calif.-based Pesticide Applicators Professional Association (PAPA) has nominated James Rodriguez, ACE, technical director of industry manufacturer J.T. Eaton, to president for a two-year term beginning January 2019.
Rodriguez, a former pest management professional (PMP), has been on the board of directors for more than 5 years and has experience with several of the organization’s committees, including Regulatory and Membership.
“James has always valued education for the pest control professional and teaches regularly on stewardship and safe and effective use of rodenticides and pesticides,” says Dale Baker, vice president of J.T. Eaton and president of industry fraternity Pi Chi Omega. “His new role in PAPA will be of tremendous benefit to PAPA’s membership. James always looks for ways to put his 33 years of experience in the Industry to work, and this will be a welcome challenge for him.”
PAPA is a non-profit 501c(3), and was established in 1985 to further the well-being of applicators in California, as well as assist in upgrading their performance and qualifications. PAPA strives to educate its members by providing more than 50 seminars annually to its more than 5,800 members and 9,500 event attendees.
PHOTO: CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE
The ActiveSense system enables remote monitoring 24/7 to provide insights into pest activity, device tampering, temperature and system health. Its streamlined, highly accurate infrared sensor features an internalized antenna, so it can be used in virtually any multi-catch trap, station or other device without special tools or modifications. The sensor can also be used outside of traps to monitor pest runways. The ActiveSense system is quick and easy to install, the company says, thanks to smart hardware design and an intuitive native mobile app. Service technicians can activate sensors with just the tap of their smartphones. Technicians can access the data on any platform and from any device.
Pete Schopen hangs with AzPPO folks. PHOTO: PETE SCHOPEN
My wife still puts together the daily deposits for our company. Recently, she was filling out the deposit slips for Nov. 5, and it took her four hours. Four hours for one day’s worth of worked clients! I couldn’t believe it.
I was happy, but Tami was giving me dirty looks for not ordering the remote banking check scanner from the bank. I still view our company as a “mom-and-pop,” but a four-hour deposit ($16Gs, for those of you keeping track at home) boggles my mind. I really feel blessed.
2018 has been amazing at Schopen Pest Solutions [spoiler alert]:
Here is a breakdown, month by month:
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
I hope everyone reaches their 2019 goals. If you have questions on how to hit your goals or how to come up with a game plan that will net you 25 percent growth each month, feel free to reach me via phone, email or Twitter.
Happy New Year!
Noel McCarthy, VP Advertising, Noble Pine Products Co.
September is the time of year that is abuzz with call after call from customers contending with yellowjackets, fire ants, hornets and all the other seasonal insects that bite, sting and generally make a nuisance of themselves.
Because most stinging and biting insects attack when they are guarding what they consider to be “their” territory, as an invader in their turf you need to be calm and careful when approaching a nest.
Here are a few tips:
A spattering of particularly concerning news reports has hit good old Google recently, concerning the discovery of mold in children’s lunchboxes. There is so much wrong about this we don’t know where to start, but start we must, so here goes.
A 2016 study conducted by e-cloth found that 73% of fabric lunch boxes contain shocking amounts of bacteria, with the researchers warning that, if left uncleaned, could cause mold-associated health problems that we have come to know and, er, hate – namely things like respiratory issues, migraines and itchy eyes. Equally alarming, however, was the presence of Staphylococci and Enterococci – particularly dangerous bacteria, usually found on toilet flushes, that the NHS warns could lead to serious cases of food poisoning.
“The high volumes of non-food-borne bacteria suggests that we aren’t washing our hands before we pack or eat from our lunch boxes,’ e-cloth’s Commercial Director, Laurence Smith, is reported to have said.
“It also shows that we aren’t cleaning them properly either, which is allowing mold to spore and bacteria to grow.
“They might look clean, with their shiny interior, and often, all we’ll do is shake out the crumbs, but there is an underworld of invisible germs growing that we all need to be aware of.”
The aforementioned lunchbox mold that most recently set the parenting world alight, however – and came all the way from New Zealand – was, in fact, a plastic one. Meaning, therefore, that no lunchbox is immune. So, without further ado, here are our top tips to keep mold away from your child’s lunchbox – no matter what it’s made of.
DO NOT USE
No matter what the lunchbox is made of, allow it to air dry for a few hours before putting it away, to prevent mold and mildew from reappearing.
Bon appetite!
Click to read the 1997 article. PHOTO: PMP ARCHIVES 1997
Dr. Gerry Wegner, BCE, has been a longtime friend of the magazine. In 1997, as co-owner of Varment Guard Environmental Services in Columbus, Ohio, he pitched us an idea for a story about what pest control might be like in 2007. To look back on it 21 years later is a treat.
Doc wrote the article for our December issue under the guise of “your” journal, using military timestamps and his typical gentle humor. You can read the article in its entirety — including the futuristic photos Doc shot to accompany the piece by clicking on the image to the right, or downloading the PDF here.
What follows are some highlights:
First, you meet with a “PCTronics” sales rep named Dave (a nice nod to the protagonist in “2001: A Space Odyssey”). Among his many wares is a helmet that isn’t far off from today’s virtual reality gaming devices. But for industry purposes, the “PestScan” helmet lets technicians detect moisture, methane and thermal levels. Wouldn’t 2007 Dave be surprised at what moisture meters, infrared monitors and even our smartphones can detect these days?
At noon, you’re having lunch with your “ProFleet” representative, Lisa. She’s recommending you switch “from methane- and propane-fueled internal combustion engines to hydrogen/carbide fuel-cell electric motors.” She also notes that the “latest ComSat satellite communications system should give us an improved phone link between our mobile and stationary units. In addition, they are updating map grids of this area for the ComSat vehicle guidance and tracking function.”
Even in 2007, remember, we were mostly tethered to GPS devices that you mounted on your dashboard, and/or printouts from MapQuest (if you were cutting-edge). Today’s multifaceted GPS systems, integrating with a firm’s invoicing and accounting software, telling you how fast a tech is driving, etc., were by and large in their infancy in 1997. While impressive in 2007, such systems were nowhere near their levels of sophistication (or use) today.
What, no Facebook?
By 2:30 p.m., you check your email and messages. The thought of doing that 24/7 from your phone is not in the realm of imagination at this point, when a flip phone is considered the height of technology. The iPhone made its debut in June 2007, changing forever the way we check email, so this prediction was eerily prescient.
At 6 p.m., you’re placing an order (he doesn’t indicate how, but in 1997 the industry was just starting to get comfortable with e-commerce). The materials include “MyrmaPel ant repllent,” “Camponotex multiple-choice carpenter ant baits,” “EradArach spider repellent,” “Eclose flea pupa/adult emergence stimulator,” “Megacells, or other available brand of multistep, catalyzed electrochemical cells,” and most interesting, “one product bar code field scanner.”
Your day ends at 7 p.m. with a short prayer in your journal — shortly after being grateful for Dr. Austin’s Frishman’s 40 years of attendance at Purdue University. I can personally confirm that Doc Frishman was indeed feted for his contributions at the 70th annual Purdue Pest Management Conference in January 2007, just as Doc Wegner had hoped for 10 years before.
So while we don’t yet have hovering vehicles, holographic insects to train with or, sadly, neither “Rent-A-Tech” nor “Rentomologist Consultants,” we do have more tools than we could have conceived of two decades ago. Who knows — maybe 10 years from now, we’ll find that all of Doc Wegner’s fun, but logical predictions have come true.
PHOTO: ISTOCK.COM/ERIKKARITS
I can remember hunting for insects at age 4. Turning over rocks and debris allowed me to peek into their hidden world. Over time, I could predict which logs and debris would yield the greatest discoveries.
The excitement of that little boy never left me. When I enter an account to hunt for cockroaches, my mind takes me back to my childhood and how exciting this is. With more than 60 years of hunting Blattella germanica under my belt, my knees may bend a little less and I bounce back up a little slower, but the thrill of the hunt thrives within me. Let me share with you how to be a better cockroach hunter. Here are my lucky dozen best techniques.
1. Out of reach … out of mind … out of control. The places hardest to reach harbor cockroaches, and for good reason. It is a safe haven for them. This means you have to work at reaching these areas and move boxes; climb ladders; and open wall voids, electrical plates and cardboard boxes. It is like turning the log to see what is under or in it.
2. Wave your hands, put your nose closer to suspect areas. Cockroach fecal material and their secretions have a distinct odor. Seeking it out is similar to a deer or bear smelling to alert for predators.
3. Look for lines and edges. Cockroaches use them to walk along. See where the lines reach a corner, particularly on ceilings. It could be the corner of a room or where center columns reach a suspended ceiling in a restaurant.
4. Lift suspect tables and drop them with a bang. Some cockroaches pocketed underneath tables may drop out.
5. Look for wooden items over stainless steel and smooth plastic. Cockroaches do better smearing their fecal material on these locations because they offer a better environment in which to harbor. Check soda cartons, a knife-holding wood block and wooden shelves.
6. Ask the persons living or working in the facility, “Where do you see cockroaches?” When they answer “all over,” ask them where they saw most of them and where the last ones they saw were. It helps pinpoint what you need to know. In a restaurant, ask the first person who arrives in the morning and turns on the lights. If cockroaches are present, he or she will know it.
7. Leave the light off when you enter a darkened basement or room. Scan the area with a flashlight. If you see any cockroaches, remember where. Now, turn the lights on and let the cockroaches scatter. They will retreat to their hidden harborages. They just let you know where to look; this is called working smarter, not harder.
8. Search for warmer areas. Heat from motors, ovens and stoves attract cockroaches to harbor nearby, especially if rooms are air-conditioned.
9. In suspect areas, use a small tack bar. Slightly lift or pull items away from walls. Cockroaches may be behind loose baseboards, for example.
10. In dry areas, look into floor drains, near dripping pipes and faucets. The more difficult it is to reach these areas, the greater the chance you will hit pay dirt.
11. Keep a record of where you first see any cockroaches. History can repeat itself, even years later.
12. Use sticky traps. Hide them in different vulnerable zones. When you do find cockroaches — even one — let the adrenaline flow and start an intensive search in that area. They are somewhere close by.
Final thoughts
A very successful baseball player bats .333. That means he fails more times than he succeeds. A great cockroach hunter bats .100. Why? Because he keeps looking. Cockroaches are not in every single harborage, but you need to inspect them all regardless.
Remember to look for the unconventional. Cockroaches may harbor behind the loose gasket of a refrigerator door, in a telephone or inside a coffee maker. That is what makes them so successful. They adapt very rapidly to new items, but you can outthink them if you think like a cockroach. For a much more detailed and practical approach to cockroach biology and control, obtain a copy of the Cockroach Combat Manual II that I co-wrote with Paul Bello. You can purchase it at mypmp.net/shop.
So long, for now
After almost six decades of writing a column, I wish to end this chapter of my career by thanking all my readers for allowing me to share my knowledge in hopes of improving the professional approach to pest management.
Thanks also go to the staff at Pest Management Professional (PMP) for carrying my columns and technical articles. My biggest thanks goes to my wife, Barbara, who struggled through my handwriting, and typed, corrected and informed me if I needed to change something. I still plan to contribute to PMP from time to time, so I’ll see you again soon. Happy hunting.
PHOTO: B&G EQUIPMENT CO.
Dr. Claude Thomas, who for decades has worked for Jackson, Ga.-based B&G Equipment Co., announced his retirement in late December. He started with the company in 1980 as a sales representative, and over the years has served as its technical director, marketing director, new product developer, and most recently, the senior technical sales representative for the Southeastern United States.
“Early in my career I came to B&G and Bill Brehm, the company founder, became my mentor,” he said in his announcement. “My passion for our industry and knowledge of application technology made it easy to carry the B&G brand around the world. In addition to the lifelong friendships that I have made, one of the highlights of my career with B&G was being honored as a member of the PMP Hall of Fame, a distinction I share with Bill Brehm; with B&G being the only manufacturer with two people with this honor.
“Although my role in the pest control industry will change with my retirement, I intend to continue to use my knowledge and passion for pest control to serve our industry into the future,” Dr. Thomas continued. “I look forward to continuing to be a student of the industry, teacher, and maintain the friendships that I have developed throughout my career.”
The author poses on the PestWorld 2018 show floor with fellow PMP columnist and industry mentor, Doc Frishman. PHOTO: RAY JOHNSON
Some 30 years ago, I decided to drive to Chattanooga, Tenn., to attend a daylong training seminar and learn more about pest management. As I remember it, this was before we had to get everyone certified and earn continuing education points. I just wanted to learn how to control pests better and raise the bar for myself, as I was still a rookie and had lots to learn. The main speaker for this event was none other than Dr. Austin Frishman, BCE-Emeritus. I had read his column in this very magazine religiously, and I was looking forward to hearing what he had to say.
I sat up front to be able to see and hear, and I’m glad I did. If you have been to one of Dr. Frishman’s presentations, you know he has at least two tables full of pest management-related items spread all over the place. He then uses these props to explain how and why each particular tool is important for controlling a certain pest.
Special teaching style
I am a visual learner, and I love this approach to teaching. If he ever starts a YouTube channel to demonstrate pest management (hint, hint, Doc, if you’re reading this!), I just know tons of people would subscribe to learn valuable information.
What I really love about Doc’s teaching style is that he challenges us to think outside the box when confronted with a specific pest problem. You might say that going the extra mile to search out every nook, crack and crevice is just the start; you have to also learn the why and how that pest is located in that spot. That’s what I have learned from Dr. Frishman.
An amazing career
From the old days of running a huge fogging bomb truck through the neighborhood, to inspecting some of the largest food manufacturing plants in the nation to advise them on existing conducive conditions, Doc has done it all. Over the years, I have had him come to my office and provide training. We also have had him speak many times at our local Smoky Mountain conference. He loves to come to the Smokies, as he is an avid fly fisherman.
My personal signed copy of his book, The Cockroach Combat Manual, is a treasure and is not for sale. Everyone in the business should do a deep dive into the pages of this classic if they want to really understand how to kill those suckers.
Our friendship over the years has grown closer, and my wife Tammy and I look forward to seeing Doc and his wife, Barbara, at PestWorld every year. He told me a few years ago he was thinking of retiring, but luckily for our industry, he continued on for a while longer. But at this year’s Pest Management Professional Hall of Fame, it was announced he is officially retiring. I hope he has a worldwide farewell tour that lasts a while.
I will always feel like I won the lottery with the wealth of knowledge I learned from this good doctor. Happy fly fishing and enjoying your grandchildren, family and friends, Doc. Thank you for your service to our industry.
PHOTO: MATTRESS SAFE INC.
Mattress Safe’s line of FurnitureSafe Bed Bug Certified Furniture Encasements brings peace of mind throughout the duration of a bed bug treatment program. Our luxurious fabric is soft to the touch and provides a bite-proof and waterproof barrier to protect your customers during a bed bug infestation. FurnitureSafe features Mattress Safe’s patented “Zipper with the Hook,” with sewn-in loop and zip-tie included, to ensure tamperproof encasements that are certified to protect against bed bugs. The line is available in a variety of colors and sizes.
MattressSafe.com/FurnitureSafe
Accurate’s scheduling site focuses on customer convenience. PHOTO: TNK PHOTO
Homeowners, business owners and real estate agents seeking termite inspectors typically want immediate results. That’s why one family-owned pest management company created and launched TermitePro.us, a website that lets customers schedule termite inspections online.
“We saw this as a basic next step for our industry,” says Isaac Camacho, marketing and sales director for Irvine, Calif.-based Accurate Termite and Pest Control. “We live in a world where we can buy something online and have it on our doorstep in a matter of hours, in some areas.”
The platform allows customers to schedule an appointment with the termite inspector of their choice, as well as directly interact with the inspector and customer service representatives. It provides an overview of each inspector available. Each pest management professional’s (PMP’s) photo, license number, background information about experience and expertise, and additional information is included so customers can get to know the PMPs better.
Isaac Camacho
The website’s differentiation point, notes Camacho, is that it offers complete transparency — customers don’t need to provide personal information to get started, and instead can dig into the process right away from the comfort of their couch.
“We feel ours is a professional industry that owes consumers up-to-date professionalism in every way consumers interact with us,” Camacho says. “We did not see it being offered anywhere with the level of convenience and transparency we felt today’s consumer demands, so we decided to start and build from scratch.”
Attracting new customers
Camacho says the process took approximately 22 months, from concept to the first live version of the website. But after the formal launch, the payoff was nearly immediate.
“On our residential side, about 20 percent of all — new and old — inspections are coming in through the new scheduling tool, without any interaction with our staff until the inspection,” he says. “On the large-scale commercial side, it’s about 85 percent of all inspections.”
Existing customers tend to use the more traditional methods of phone or email, Camacho admits, although he forecasts that to change as new customers settle in to becoming existing customers. As of mid-September, more than 90 percent of TermitePro.us users are new customers, defined as not having been served by Accurate in the past 24 months or longer.
Lessons learned
Camacho says the Accurate team is thrilled with the results because it offers convenience to customers and reduces the time and labor spent scheduling by phone. It also has strengthened relationships with newer customers from the start, since the customer gets information on his or her assigned termite inspector immediately.
Hindsight being 20/20, Camacho says, there were a few lessons learned along the way during site development.
“We should have involved more web developers and done more market research,” he says. “Because we were starting from scratch, we knew the effort would be costly. In our efforts to keep costs down, we basically built on our own notions and instincts on how customers wanted the tool to work. We ended up with redundancies and some wasted efforts when our beta version launched in 2017, and we saw how customers actually used the tool.”
The updated version introduced in February has been working so smoothly, Camacho says, that similar projects are in the pipeline for 2019 and beyond for the company. He notes that success is due in large part to the hard work and patience of Accurate employees.
“We are very grateful to those team members at Accurate that were crucial in the process of developing, building and implementing this new tool,” he says. “We have a great team and mix of experienced industry professionals and innovators that made this effort possible, and a success for our company and customers alike.”
Ed Dolshun, Technical Director and VP of Business Development, Catchmaster
There are many commercially available traps for wasps, hornets and yellowjackets. I recommend using a trap that is baited with both protein- and carbohydrate-based attractants, to appeal to their changing dietary needs throughout the season. Make sure to place traps away from areas people frequent.
Kevin Kimrey, left, and Ernie Riddle. PHOTOS: NCPMA
The North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) honors Kevin Kimrey with the 2018 Pest Management Technician of the Year Award, and Ernie Riddle with the 2018 Wood-destroying Insect (WDI) Technician of the Year Award. Kimrey works at Terminix Triad in Greensboro, and Riddle works at Pisgah Pest Control in Brevard.
“We are proud to honor the work of excellent pest management technicians such as Kevin Kimrey and Ernie Riddle,” says Bruce Roberts, president of NCPMA. “Through dedication to their craft, outstanding work ethics and unparalleled commitments to customer service, they are model pest management technicians whose work deserves this recognition.”
Kimrey and Riddle each receive a $250 gift card, a plaque and one free Pest Control Technician’s school registration. Both recipients will receive their awards at the 2019 Pest Control Technician’s School in Durham in January.
Technicians of the Year are chosen based on the applicant’s demonstration of leadership among peers, excellent customer relations, knowledge of his/her job, superior job performance and the ability to successfully handle problems on the job. All applicants must be members of NCPMA, have at least two years of experience in either the pest management or wood-destroying insects phase, and must be nominated by a person in a leadership role in his or her company.
Founded in 1952, the NCPMA promotes the continued cooperation and success of all pest management businesses in North Carolina.
PHOTO: CATCHMASTER
The Claw 622 easy set snap traps have been specifically designed for rats, and have multiple anchor points for added durability. Crafted with observations and feedback from pest management professionals in the field, The Claw 622 features metal hardware for longevity and strength — and heavy-duty gripping teeth for dynamic holding power.
LOGO: MODERN PEST SERVICES
Brunswick, Maine-based Modern Pest Services, an Anticimex company, announced its fourth acquisition in the state of Connecticut and sixth overall with the acquisition of Think GREEN Pest Control, based in Tolland, Conn. Terms were not disclosed. Think GREEN’s operations will move to Modern Pest Services’ New Haven, Conn., branch.
“The partnership with Modern Pest Services will further grow the GREEN Movement that Think GREEN began almost a decade ago,” says Lance Travato, owner of Think GREEN. “I am excited to continue pushing this expansion with such a strong influencer as Modern.”
Dennis Dube, VP of Modern Pest Services, adds, “The addition of Think GREEN represents our latest commitment to growth in New England. Think GREEN perfectly represents the culture and philosophy that is important to Modern as we continue to expand. Think GREEN’s mission of providing best-in-class service to clients, while operating with focus on the community and the environment perfectly aligns with Modern. I’m pleased to share that Lance and his team will join Modern’s Connecticut operations and be part of the incredible team we have built over the last year.”
Founded in 1945, Modern Pest Services has more than 180 team members serving more than 26,000 homes and businesses in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont.
Founded in 1934, Modern’s parent company, Anticimex, operates in 16 countries and has more than 5,000 employees worldwide. In the United States, Anticimex operates through its five platform companies: Modern Pest Services, Brunswick, Maine; American Pest Management, Fulton, Md.; Viking Pest Control, Bridgewater, N.J.; Turner Pest Control, Jacksonville, Fla.; and Killingsworth Environmental, Charlotte, N.C.
Dr. Jamel Sandidge, BCE, Research Entomologist, Rockwell Laboratories
Spider control can stump even the most experienced pest management professional (PMP). Effective control, however, can be framed with six simple steps:
1. Identify. Other than cases involving medically significant spiders, it usually is not imperative to meticulously identify spiders down to the species level. Placing spiders into basic categories — cobweb weavers, orb weavers, funnel-web weavers, and wandering/hunting spiders — will suffice to give technicians adequate guidance in the field.
2. Investigate. For example, how and when did these spiders enter the structure? Are egg sacs, juveniles, adult males and females present?
3. Implement interior control. Eliminate the existing population. Usually a good flashlight, a cobweb duster and a vacuum are all you need.
4. Exclusion and perimeter application. Deter spiders from staging directly outside of a structure, which should include applying a long-residual pesticide dust into cracks, crevices and voids. The underside of eaves should be treated with a residual liquid application.
5. Manage prey. Note that spiders are opportunistic feeders, capable of surviving extended periods between meals. It is practically impossible to completely eliminate spider food sources, but you can make it a little harder for them.
6. Find and remove webs, spiderlings and egg sacs. Egg sacs protect eggs from pesticides. Look closely: Are eggs present or have spiders already hatched? This is probably the most critical tactic for long-term control — and too often forgotten. Once these tiny spiderlings hatch and disperse (usually in the hundreds and thousands), they can easily fit through the finest-mesh window screens, easily navigate the smallest cracks under siding, and simply enter beneath doors and windows that appear to be sealed airtight. After building their initial webs, spiderlings may rarely move for several weeks to months as they mature into adults, so they may not encounter residual pesticides at all.
Bonus tip: Remember to always time pesticide applications to take advantage of spider reproductive cycles.
Andrea and Kristin Coron are sisters-in-law, best friends and business partners who are dedicated to the pest management industry.
Andrea and Kristin Coron have served the pest management industry for 24 years. PHOTO: Andrea and Kristin Coron
As the executive director (Andrea) and associate director (Kristin) of Cooper Coron & Associates, they provide association management services for the Virginia Pest Management Association, Virginia Wildlife Damage Management Association, National Wildlife Control Operators Association and Pi Chi Omega, the pest control industry fraternity.
Over the course of their 24 years in the pest management industry, they’ve seen their share of changes and advancements.
Research conducted in the late 1990’s indicated that women in most households were the decision makers when it came to hiring pest control services, Andrea says. The industry ran with this information by hiring more women in administrative capacities, but also in technical and service roles.
“Women feel comfortable working with other women,” Andrea says. “We have a unique way of communicating and earning each other’s trust, which is important when hiring someone to come into your home.”
Additionally, many pest control businesses are family-owned ventures. And with more and more women entering the workforce, female family members began assuming more responsibility within their own companies by stepping into management, sales and service roles.
“Solving customers’ pest issues is a real ‘thinking game,’ and women have a special brand of intelligence along with nurturing talents that help them to be highly successful in this business,” Kristin says. “The trend of women working in the pest control industry will definitely continue. Women are like a non-native pest species: Introduce them into an environment, and they are hard to eliminate!”
IMAGE: CONTROL SOLUTIONS INC.
FUSE Termiticide/Insecticide is a proprietary Combination Chemistry product containing 21.4 percent imidacloprid and 6.6 percent fipronil. FUSE offers multiple modes of action to fight resistance and provide a powerful tool for termite and perimeter pest control applications. Available in 7.5-, 27.5- and 137.5-ounce containers.
from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2018/12/21/control-solutions-inc-fuse/
Sacramento CA
ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK.COM/DESKCUBE
The main focus of the Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials (ASPCRO) is to promote a better understanding and efficiency in the administration of pesticide-related laws and regulations. Members strive to address the broad range of structural issues that have an impact on the successful implementation of state, tribal and territorial pesticide programs.
ASPCRO also works closely with affiliate organizations to address any issues of mutual concern and which affects pesticide programs nationally, such as our recent co-hosting of a fumigation workshop with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). (Editor’s Note: Read more at “ASPCRO packs summer with education outreach” for more details.)
ASPCRO’s 62nd Annual Conference took place Aug. 20-24, in San Antonio, Texas. We had a record number of registrants — 190, including spouses and guests. This year’s sessions focused on a wide range of pesticide-related topics. Here are highlights from the first of the three days’ presentations, although you can read through all our meeting minutes — and those of past meetings all the way back to 1962 — at ASPCRO.org/archive.html:
⦁ Dr. Whitney Qualls, a medical entomologist with the Texas Department of State Health Services, presented “The Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.” She reported how her organization worked with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several other entities to coordinate mosquito treatments in the wake of the 2017 hurricane, including aerial spraying. See box at right for some stats from the project.
⦁ University of Georgia entomologist Dr. Brian Forschler presented back-to-back presentations on “Resistance Management and Modes of Action” and “The Biology of Termites.”
⦁ Dr. Robert Puckett, extension entomologist for Texas A&M, focused on crazy ants for his presentation in the structural pest track.
⦁ Dr. Bob Davis, technical service rep with BASF Pest Control Solutions, discussed new technologies in termite control — including recent liquid termiticide label changes.
⦁ PMP Hall of Famer Dr. Roger Gold (Class of 2011), Texas A&M professor emeritus, presented “Sustainable Management Practices Based on Physical Exclusion of Targeted Pests.” He highlighted his research with Polyguard and its product line.
⦁ PMP columnist and NPMA VP of technical and regulatory affairs Dr. Jim Fredericks, along with Royan Teter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, presented “The Global Economy: Implications for the Sale, Distribution and Proper Use of Pesticides.”
⦁ PMP Hall of Famer Billy Tesh (Class of 2017), president of Pest Management Systems Inc., presented “Horrific Infestations and Success Stories” — focusing on residential hoarder accounts.
⦁ Dr. Nancy Hinkle, professor of veterinary entomology at the University of Georgia, tackled the topic of delusory parasitosis.
ASPCRO’s midyear meeting will be held April 1-2, 2019, in Minneapolis, Minn., and our 63rd Annual Conference will take place in Franklin, Tenn., Aug. 28-30, 2019. Please visit ASPCRO.org for more details.
Hurricane Harvey Mosquito Relief Project, by the numbers
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
The old saw about “when life closes a door, a window opens” is quite true for Lori Prichard of HawkEye Predators, based in Long Beach, Calif. A recent profile by Spectrum News 1 So Cal explains how, after she was laid off from her job as a corporate illustrator in 2011, Prichard turned her longtime hobby of falconry into a full-time career.
These days, she travels around Southern California with three birds and an apprentice (who uses a GPS tracker to make sure the birds stay on course). Among her clients is the Redondo Beach Pier, with her birds chasing away seagulls, crows and other potential pests.
On her website, Prichard admits she’s been fascinated by birds since childhood: “As an ‘aspiring bird,’ I would jump off the patio table in the backyard, endlessly flapping my arms and praying heavenward to lift me up. One summer as I sat at the table bored and disappointed, my mother admonished me to ‘sit up straight! Your shoulder blades are sticking out like wings.’ FINALLY! I brightened, knowing it was just a matter of time! Certainly God knows how to answer prayers. Today, every time I release a bird off the glove, I am flying, too. There is no better feeling.”
Plus, Prichard’s “trailer” for her company is #LifeGoals:
PHOTO: MASTERMAN’S
Masterman’s GVC-235BI Chemical Gloves are liquid-proof because of their PVC material and “1-dip” smooth finish. The black gloves are available in a 14-inch length to protect wrists and lower arms. Buy six or more pairs for a volume discount.
Do you ever wonder how people coped before household appliances? It boggles the mind – especially as domestic chores can be hard enough even with the help of our electrical peers.
Yet there’s nothing more cringe-inducing than the thought of these much-loved appliances – designed purely to clean – being infected with its own antithesis: Mold. Of the 100,000+ types of mold, over 1,000 are found in US homes. Eeek. We would say it doesn’t bear thinking about, if the removal of this fiendish fungi wasn’t so important. And seeing as so many appliances work with water (think washing machine, dishwasher and freezer), it’s a problem that arises time and time again, due to “poor venting and high level of moisture in the appliance, high level of humidity in the kitchen, darkness and supply of food”, according to professional cleaning technician at Fantastic Services, Dean Davies.
Fear not, good reader. MoldBlogger is, as ever, awash with the tips you – and your appliances – need to survive.
What? Trapped moisture when the door and/or drawers are closed causes mold to grow and hide inside the door seal and detergent drawer. Other bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella, can also emerge from underwear or kitchen cloths.
How? Mix 2 cups white vinegar, ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup water and wipe affected areas.
Top Tip? Take laundry out as soon as the load finishes and leave both the door and drawer open when not in use. “Clean the rubber door gasket using hot soapy water and a rag”, Dean advises.
What? The combination of water and humidity after a load causes mold to make itself at home between the drum and interior walls.
How? Run the Clean Washer cycle once a month if your washer has one, otherwise, run a hot water cycle with 3 to 4 cups of vinegar (or bleach) to ½ cup baking soda. The baking soda “will help in removing the mold smell from the machine as well”, Dean explains.
Top Tip? Don’t use too much detergent and leave the lid open after each use.
What? The combination of warm air, moisture, food and lack of ventilation causes mold to appear between the door seals – not to mention neglected food.
How? Before starting to clean the refrigerator, “unplug it and remove all the contents from it”, says Dean. “Check if any food packages are leaking or any food has expired and throw it out. Remove all the shelves and drawers and wash them in the sink using only a dishwashing detergent and water. If any removable parts have mold, soak them in a bathtub filled with warm water and 2 cups of white vinegar. Leave them to soak for about an hour, then rinse them with clean water and dry them with paper towels.
“Wipe all the interior surfaces of the fridge with a vinegar-soaked rag. To reach small corners and crevices use a soft bristle toothbrush, dipped in a bowl of vinegar. Rinse the entire refrigerator with clean water using a new rag. If you notice mold odor, wipe the fridge with a cleaning solution made of a ¼ cup of baking soda and 3 cups of warm water. Dry the appliance with clean paper towels and place the shelves and drawers back.”
Top Tip? An article on the Sears Home Services website advises cleaning spills immediately and wiping down with vinegar once a month. Distilled white vinegar also works wonders in coffee machines, FYI!
What? Damp food particles left behind after a cycle can cause mold to infiltrate the filter, cutlery basket, interior panels and door gasket. Dishwashers are particularly susceptible to Exophiala (one study found that 62% contained the fungi!), can cause systemic disease in humans and colonize the lungs of those with cystic fibrosis.
How? Pick up debris from the drain before scrubbing the interior and gasket with diluted bleach.
Top Tip? Keep on top of mold by cleaning out the gasket and running an empty cycle – other than a cup of white vinegar on the top rack – regularly (at least once a month). Also check and clean the cutlery basket and filter regularly. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher from time to time, too.
Read more about keeping kitchens mold-free here.
PHOTO: TRULY NOLEN
Tucson, Ariz.-based Truly Nolen Pest Control has promoted Tom Lancaster to manager of its Lakeland, Fla., service office. Prior to joining Truly Nolen in May 2017 as a manager-in-training, Lancaster was the director of operations for nine years for Continental Carbonic Products, a dry ice company in the hospitality industry.
“Tom’s management experience and ability to immerse himself quickly into our industry made him the perfect person for our Lakeland service office and I happy he is a member of our team,” says Central Florida District Manager Tim Phillips. “He has shown a high drive for doing what is right for the customer, and has gone anywhere and done anything asked of him without hesitation.”
Founded in 1938, Truly Nolen of America is one of the largest family-owned pest control companies in the United States. It has more than 80 branch offices in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. The company also has independently owned and operated franchises in Kentucky, Georgia, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and more than 60 countries.
