Bayer: Spring Incentive Program

IMAGE: BAYER

From April 1, 2022, through May 31, 2022, Pest Management and Public Health, a business within the Environmental Science division of Bayer, is helping pest management professionals stay ahead of springtime pests with special pricing on a range of premium pest control products. The offer features significant discounts on purchases of Suspend PolyZone (pictured), Temprid FX, Suspend SC and Tempo SC Ultra insecticides. Contact your Bayer representative for more details.

EnvironmentalScience.bayer.us/pest-management-and-public-health

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Sacramento CA

The industry is evolving, for the better

Scarlett Nolen

An unbelievable three years have passed since I became president at Truly Nolen. Beyond the obvious changes in the world, our industry as a whole is evolving tremendously! Pest control interfacing with our local communities have quickly changed. Historically, door-to-door and local events have been our best way to embed ourselves within our communities. Although these tried-and-true practices are still a part of the service world, how we engage with our communities continues to evolve.

For one, leadership is changing. Historically, pest control has been a predominantly white male-led industry. industry. It is exciting to see more women and minorities enter our industry at all levels! This change expands our industry with new opportunities.

Per Forbes, women control or influence 85 percent of consumer spending. However, per Greenfield, 91 percent of women feel that advertisers do not understand them. This is important data for service companies to embrace. Businesses with women having a seat at the table have a distinct advantage over those that do not. Service companies in particular could have blind spots without critical diversity in leadership.

For example, years ago at our company, a group of men stood in a circle debating on drill bit size for termite work. My brother Really Nolen had the foresight to pull in one of our female team members within earshot of the conversation. Without hesitation, she declared that she would pay more for the smaller drill bit. This decision opened the door to asking other women in the office, previously not considered for the “big decisions.” Unanimously, the women agreed they would pay more for a company providing smaller drill holes. This is one example of successfully expanding opportunities by diversifying decision makers in an organization.

As we embrace diversity, we have the opportunity to understand a broader customer base — and attract a larger candidate pool as a result. Per Zippia, companies with racially diverse leadership have a 36 percent greater change of outperforming companies with little or no diversity.

When I appeared as a guest March 23 on SearchKings Presents, Stories from the Field, a podcast featuring stories from women in different service industries, I was able to further reflect on these past three years and stressed the importance of empowering others within your organization to make decisions.

While it may be early to forecast how the next three years play out, I do believe our entire industry will continue to evolve in positive ways. I look forward to updating this particular blog post in March 2025 to see the further evolution!

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Sacramento CA

RISE elects new officers and Governing Board members

Chair Karen Larson, RISE Governing Board

Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE) elected new officers and welcomed new Governing Board members during its March meeting in Arlington, Va.

The 2022 RISE Executive Committee includes newly elected Chair Karen Larson, Clarke, and Vice Chair Jose Milan, Bayer Environmental Science. Blaine Pinkerton, of Nufarm, continues his term as treasurer. Elections were held during the March meeting due to company staff changes.

Vice Chair Jose Milan, RISE Governing Board

“I’m thrilled to lead the board into 2022, which so far, is a challenging year at the state and federal levels,” said Karen Larson, chair of RISE Governing Board and vice president of product innovation and government affairs at Clarke.  We have an engaged RISE Governing Board to guide RISE through the tough issues the specialty industry is facing and to support the association’s work to promote the benefits of our products.”

The Governing Board elected two new members, Barbara Aguiar, of BASF, and Shayne Wetherall, of AMGUARD.

Members continuing their terms serving on the Governing Board include:

Treasurer Blaine Pinkerton, RISE Governing Board

• Daryl Allen, Corteva Agriscience
• Kathy Bishop, Lebanon Seaboard Corp.
• Bill Culpepper, SePRO Corp.
• John Johnson, Prokoz, Inc.
• Scott Lazarczyk, SBM Life Sciences
• Todd Mason, Sipcam Agro USA
• Scott Reasons, Syngenta
• Brian Rowan, SiteOne Landscape Supply
• Nadia Sinno, FMC Corp.

About Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment

RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) is the national trade association representing manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders engaged with the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry.

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Sacramento CA

Mike Albert Fleet Solutions launches study lab

Mike Albert Fleet Solutions, announced the launch of its Fleet Studies Lab, an online learning hub offering a collection of content to help fleet managers make the most of their current and future fleets.

The Fleet Studies Lab is arranged by categories, or “courses,” including:

• EVs and Hybrids
• Data, Telematics and Logistics
• Sustainability
• HR and Safety
• Financial Matters
• TaaS (Transportation as a Service) and more.

Within each course are various “classes,” each an informative solutions-focused article, guide or video with an emphasis on proven solutions and methods for lowering fleet costs and improving ROI. The Fleet Studies Lab is available to C-suite executives and other fleet decision makers.

“In today’s highly competitive environment, companies must do everything they can to make their fleets as efficient and effective as possible to positively impact the bottom line,” said Jeff Hart, president of Mike Albert Fleet Solutions. “The Fleet Studies Lab is an excellent compilation of best practices and innovative approaches to help companies take their fleets to the next level.”

About Mike Albert Fleet Solutions

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mike Albert was founded in 1957 when it became one of the very first companies to lease vehicles to fleets. Since then, Mike Albert has grown into a national top ten, multimillion dollar fleet management company serving fleets in any industry, of any size, across the US and beyond.

The company partners with its clients for the long haul, helping them minimize their TCO, maximize their ROI, and free up their cash flow. Working closely with its clients, Mike Albert devises the best strategy for transforming fleets into a force that nails a company’s business goals, elevates its customer service and gives it a competitive advantage.

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Sacramento CA

When Failure Is Not an Option: A Mindset Powered by Passion

“One of the many things I like most about being involved in the training side of our industry is the opportunity to meet people new to the industry who are on a mission. Whether it is a new owner or a person who has been challenged to make an impact in their organization, the drive and excitement is infectious. I recently met an owner/operator of a new restoration company and afterward thought, ‘What if I could bottle that and share it – the mindset and the passion?’”

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Awareness and Effort: Respirator Use in the Restoration Industry, Part 1 of 2

In this first article of a two-part series on respiratory hazards and protections, Barry Rice, CSP, shares steps to correctly set up a respiratory protection program. In the second article, next month, he will cover how to implement and follow the program.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Control Solutions Inc.: Doxem NXT

IMAGE: CONTROL SOLUTIONS INC.

Doxem NXT is the latest “Combination Chemistry” aerosol from Control Solutions Inc. (CSI). Pest management professionals (PMPs) can now apply indoxacarb in an entirely new way: as an aerosol. With a flexible label that includes food-handling uses, it is a premium, ready-to-use solution for most pest problems. The broad-spectrum insecticide features four active ingredients and four modes of action. Because it’s formulated with non-repellent active ingredients, it is compatible with other non-repellent applications, including baits. It controls many listed pests on contact, while leaving behind a long residual.

Hubs.la/Q014ttY-0

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Sacramento CA

Pesticide preemption bill introduced to Congress

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) announced its support of a pesticide preemption bill, introduced in the House of Representatives Tuesday by Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.).

This bill would codify federal pesticide preemption as the national standard, ensuring that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state lead agency jointly regulate pesticide usage. It would preclude localities from regulating pesticides, instead of ensuring that agencies with scientific expertise are able to evaluate whether a product is safe and effective, promoting the science-based policy making the NPMA has always advocated for.

This is a monumental achievement for the industry as it shows the value of our continued advocacy over the last five years.

The NPMA has been working for federal pesticide preemption since 2018 when our industry was successful in inserting similar language in the 2018 Farm Bill. The industry has also advocated for a federal fix to this issue at every Legislative Day since 2017.

The NPMA said in a news release, “This is a huge step forward for the industry and will allow NPMA to help educate policymakers on the essential nature of the work we do to protect America’s food, health, and property. It will provide regulatory certainty for our industry and will ensure that we do not have to worry about preemption rollback attempts in state legislatures or confusing regulatory patchworks at the local level.”

This is an important issue in the pest control industry, because without it, pesticides can be regulated at the local level. As a result, pest management professionals would be required to keep track of a patchwork of regulations that may differ from one municipality to another. The NPMA contends that the EPA and the state lead agency have the technical expertise and resources to best evaluate whether a pesticide is safe and effective, as opposed to municipalities. Pesticide preemption currently is in effect in 46 states; however, several states have pushed for its repeal.

This has been an evolving story since 2017. Some of Pest Management Professional‘s coverage includes:

• Legislative Day 2022 returned to Washington, D.C.
• Industry must advocate for pesticide preemption
• 5 regulatory issues to watch in 2021

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Sacramento CA

ABC and AFSP Announce Partnership to Address Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Construction

The goals of the partnership are to improve the mental health of construction workers through effective suicide prevention education, intervention and postvention strategies; to encourage, equip and empower mental health champions in the workforce; and to introduce collaboration between ABC and AFSP chapters nationwide.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

MGK acquires Debug Brands from Agro Logistics Systems

MGK, a Minneapolis, Minn.-based subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Co., announces the purchase of the DeBug brand of neem products from Agro Logistic Systems Inc., Brea, Calif. The deal is intended to enhance MGK legacy brands Pyganic and EverGreen.

“This acquisition supports MGK’s mission to make life healthier by offering responsible products that protect people and their environments from the impact of insects,” said MGK President Steve Gullickson.

The DeBug range of products provides growers with a portfolio of solutions for insect control across a broad base of pests and crops. Offering quadruple action as an insecticide, fungicide, miticide and nematicide, DeBug can be used independently or in tandem with pyrethrum and other natural or synthetic pesticides.

MGK’s plan is to incorporate neem into its product development process, and deliver innovative solutions to multiple markets for decades to come.

“We are excited to add neem to our portfolio of botanical active ingredients. MGK now has a strong development and commercial position in three, time-tested and highly effective EPA-registered botanical active ingredients.” said Don Sundquist, MGK’s director of business development. “We believe DeBug and future neem-based offerings are a perfect complement to MGK’s portfolio of organically compliant crop protection products.”

About MGK
Founded in 1902, MGK sells insect control products into global markets including consumer home and pet products, professional pest control, animal health, and crop protection. The company holds 381 product registrations with the US EPA for insect control products, and currently sells its products in more than 60 countries globally. MGK is a world leader in the development and distribution of the botanical insecticides as well as a wide range of synthetic chemistries.

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Sacramento CA

1-800 Water Damage Opens New Location in Toledo

Locally owned and operated by Mohamed Hassan and Hassan Nasr, 1-800 Water Damage of Greater Toledo will be providing local home and business owners with services including water and flood damage restoration, mold remediation, sewage cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration, critical cleaning and sanitizing.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

IICRC Standards: What Every Restoration Contractor Should Know

Mili Washington, standards director with the IICRC, discusses the importance of industry standards, the value of ANSI accreditation, the rigorous and lengthy process of developing a new standard, the business case for embracing them, and on implementing them, and a highlight reel of standards in the works.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Syngenta: 2022 PestPartners 365 Program

IMAGE: SYNGENTA

It’s a snap to plan, buy and save all year with the PestPartners 365 Program. Become a 2022 program member by April 30 to receive yearlong rebates on all your Syngenta pest control purchases. Discover one of many easy ways to save with this perimeter pest control bundle, containing eight 2-quart bottles of Tandem insecticide and seven 12-pound bags of Advion Insect granular bait. Purchase this configuration to automatically become a 2022 program member, as well as provide effective perimeter pest control for your customers this spring.

PestPartners365.com

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Sacramento CA

Terminix acquires Pestech Pest Solutions

The Potomac Co. announced the acquisition of its client, Pestech Pest Solutions, by Terminix. The transaction closed in late 2021; terms were not disclosed.

Pestech Pest Solutions was founded in 1989 by Bruce Davidson. With headquarters in Ferndale, N.Y., the company has grown significantly in three decades to operate throughout the state of New York and servicing 55 counties. It also services five counties in New Jersey and four counties in Pennsylvania.

Pestech Pest Solutions provides both commercial and residential pest control services with just over 60 employees.

After Pestech Pest Solutions had been operating for 20 years, Pestech Pest Solutions became QualityPro certified — credentialing program created by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

Just one year later in 2010, Pestech Pest Solutions was asked to join Copesan, an alliance of regional pest management providers, to become a Copesan shareholder. With his new certification and partnership with Copesan, Davidson was later recognized as Copesan’s Large Partner of the Year in 2014 and 2018.

In 2005, Davidson’s son, Mark, joined the family business as a service technician. Over the course of 16 years, he found a passion within the industry and successfully advanced in his career becoming CEO of Pestech Pest Solutions in mid-2020. Shortly before, Mark also joined QualityPro as a board member. Mark continues to oversee the day-to-day operations and plans for the future of Pestech Pest Solutions.

Paul Giannamore and Franco Villanueva-Meyer of The Potomac Co. advised Pestech Pest Solutions in its acquisition by Terminix.

About Terminix

E. L. Bruce, owner of a hardwood flooring company in Memphis in the 1920s, was searching for a method of protecting his wood flooring from damage by termites. When his senior chemist Frank Lyons developed the first termiticide, an insecticide specifically designed to kill termites, he realized they had discovered the formula to “nix the termites.” Hence the name Terminix, and the opening of the Bruce Terminix Research Laboratory in 1927.

In 1955, Terminix was the first company to offer a termite protection contract with annual inspections and a guarantee. Two years later, franchisees began offering residential and commercial pest control services.

Over the next 30 years, Bruce’s company would continue to expand nationally and internationally. In 1986, Terminix joined the ServiceMaster family of brands and by 1990, it was the largest pest control company in the world.

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Sacramento CA

Cockroach control in commercial kitchens

Dr. Chuck Silcox

Tough jobs require tough solutions. Cockroach control in commercial kitchens can be extremely challenging, thanks to the presence of moisture, grease, food, and harborage sites. Combine all of this with bait-averse or pesticide-resistant German cockroach populations, and the gauntlet has been thrown down.

To prevail in such battles, use an appropriately labeled contact insecticide featuring the active ingredient acephate. It should be noted, however, that when acephate is applied in food areas (such as commercial kitchens), it only may be applied as a spot or crack-and-crevice treatment, and that three to seven days may be required for maximum effectiveness.

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Sacramento CA

The Entrepreneurial Spirit: 6 Traits of Small Business Owners

As an employee, trusted advisor or vendor, it is your responsibility to think about how you can complement the owner of your small business to help them grow and succeed in the endeavor they started. Here are six traits commonly observed in small business owners, along with how you can specifically support them with each one. 

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Natural fungus found to crash tawny crazy ant populations

Tawny crazy ant workers with brood in Hancock County. PHOTO: DR. BLAKE LAYTON

The journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has published an article by researchers from The University of Texas at Austin that demonstrates how a naturally occurring fungus can crush local populations of tawny crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva).

“I think it has a lot of potential for the protection of sensitive habitats with endangered species or areas of high conservation value,” Dr. Edward LeBrun, a research scientist with the Texas Invasive Species Research Program at Brackenridge Field Laboratory and lead author of the study, said in a news release.

In some parts of Texas, the release notes, “homes have been overrun by ants that swarm breaker boxes, AC units, sewage pumps and other electrical devices, causing shorts and other damage. Natives of South America, tawny crazy ants have raised alarm bells as they’ve spread across the southeastern U.S. during the past 20 years. The idea for using the fungal pathogen came from observing wild populations of (tawny) crazy ants becoming infected and collapsing without human intervention.

“About eight years ago, (Drs. Rob) Plowes and LeBrun were studying (tawny) crazy ants collected in Florida when they noticed some had abdomens swollen with fat. When they looked inside their bodies, they found spores from a microsporidian, a group of fungal pathogens — a species new to science. Microsporidian pathogens commonly hijack an insect’s fat cells and turn them into spore factories.”

Dr. Plowes and another co-author, Dr. Lawrence Gilbert, are from The University of Texas at Austin’s Brackenridge Field Laboratory. A fourth author, Dr. Melissa Jones, is formerly of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“It’s not clear where the pathogen came from, perhaps from the tawny crazy ants’ native range in South America or from another insect, but (Dr.) LeBrun and his colleagues started finding the pathogen in crazy ants at sites across Texas,” the news release reports. “Observing 15 local populations for eight years, the team found that every population that harbored the pathogen declined — and 62 percent of these populations disappeared entirely.”

“You don’t expect a pathogen to lead to the extinction of a population,” Dr. LeBrun said. “An infected population normally goes through boom-and-bust cycles as the frequency of infection waxes and wanes.”

According to the news release, Dr. LeBrun theorizes that “perhaps the colonies collapsed because the pathogen shortens the lifespan of worker ants, making it hard for a population to survive through winter.

“Whatever the reason, it seems to be a (tawny) crazy ants-only problem. Unrelated to other microsporidia that infect ants, the pathogen appears to leave native ants and other arthropods unharmed. The researchers plan to test their new biocontrol approach this spring in other sensitive Texas habitats infested with (tawny) crazy ants.”

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Sacramento CA

Ecologic Entomology hires operations manager

Bob Leon

Boston, Mass.-based Ecologic Entomology has hired Bob Leon, ACE, as an operations manager.

Leon has more than 30 years of experience in the pest management industry. He has held positions in sales, service and management in both national and locally owned pest management companies.

He has developed integrated pest management (IPM) programs for multi-unit housing, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, military installations and commercial properties. He also has experience developing rodent control plans for major construction projects and municipalities. Leon is an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) with the Entomological Society of America.

Leon has a longtime commitment to the New England Pest Management Association (NEPMA) since 1994, which he’s held many board positions including president. Leon currently serves as an advisor to the board of directors and chairs the nominating committee. He is believed to be the longest-serving member of the NEPMA, according to a news release.

In 2014, Leon received the Bart Eldridge Award for his contributions and dedication to the association. He serves as chair of the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources (MDAR) Pesticide Advisory Council, which makes recommendations to the Pesticide Board regarding rules and regulations of pesticide applications.

Outside of work, he is committed to giving back to his community. Leon has coached youth hockey for 20 years, spoken to elementary school students about beneficial and harmful insects, and provided free pest and termite control services to veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project.

He and his wife, Teresa, enjoy cooking, spending time at their summer home in Maine, and just welcomed their 10th grandchild.

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Sacramento CA

The birds and the bees

One of Creager’s clients snapped this photo of a birdhouse in his backyard, noting it only took a few weeks to get this way. Photo: Rodrigo Balmaceda

Almost 10 years ago, when Kimberly Creager retired from more than three decades as a union carpenter in Fairfield, Calif., she took up a new hobby. Or perhaps more correctly, the hobby — beekeeping — took up with her.

“A friend of mine wanted to get rid of his hives, which had fallen into a bit of disrepair, to be honest,” she explains. “I thought, ‘Well, I can take them and when I get around to it, I’ll take a closer look, clean them up, purchase some bees and get started.’”

Before she had a chance to “get around to it,” though, two honey bee colonies moved in. She says her first thought was, “I guess I’m a beekeeper now!”

Creager decided to learn as much as she could about the proper care and maintenance of honey bees. She joined a local association, where she met another retired carpenter/beekeeper who also became her mentor, Wayne Scott. Scott, who passed away earlier this year, had a part-time business offering swarm removal. Creager was intrigued.

Kim Creager also is the adminstrator for the “Women and Men in Swarm Removal” group on Facebook.

“I asked him if I could apprentice with him for a year, and he agreed,” she says, noting he helped her get her own swarm removal business, Bees Kneeds, off the ground.

While Creager’s company focuses mainly on honey bees, in February she encountered a backyard birdhouse full of bumble bees. “Bumble bees change locations pretty much every year, and these girls moved in around January when we had some warm weather,” she explains. “There was a lot of yellow wax on the front of the little house, which we thought was kind of neat. We think it was used as a scent trail for the colony.”

Creager says an estimated 250 to 300 bumble bees built a home inside the birdhouse one blade of grass, strand of hair or piece of string at a time. But they likely didn’t take the house by storm, she says, adding, “the previous bird occupants either grew up or migrated.”

“I raise honey bees, but I love bumble bees because they are so fun to watch ‘bumble’ their way around,” Kim Creager says. PHOTO: BEES KNEEDS

Creager says this was an easy job to do, as she could take the birdhouse and relocate it from Clayton, Calif., to a friend’s multi-fruit tree orchard about 40 miles away, in Vacaville, Calif.: “Sometimes it’s hard to relocate bumble bees, but the orchard owner used to be a beekeeper. He planted 50 trees that would bloom at different times of the year so something is in bloom all year long.”

Another bumble bee relocation option Creager sometimes uses is on her own ranch, using abandoned gopher holes in areas where they won’t bother the neighbors.

Creager says bumble bee calls have been on the rise in recent months. “We have a lot of situations where they carry a blade of grass at a time to make a nest in exterior exhaust pipes for stoves,” she explains. “The clients don’t notice until their exhaust fan doesn’t work as well as it used to, and then stops altogether because the pipe is plugged with grass.”

But Creager loves the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction in relocation. “To me, it isn’t like work. It’s a lot of fun,” she says.

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Sacramento CA

B&G Equipment: Bulb Duster

IMAGE: B&G EQUIPMENT

The B&G Bulb Duster boasts excellent dust delivery and the ability to apply both dusts and granules. Small and durable, it easily fits into a service kit or belt clip, while its flat, weighted bottom provides stability on flat surfaces. Made of natural rubber for maximum flexibility and durability, the bulb holds approximately 8 ounces of dust or granules. A sealing cap prevents spillage. This bulb duster includes multiple extension tips for hard-to-reach places.

BGEquip.com/dust-bulb

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Sacramento CA

Black Ownership Matters hosts Legislative dinner

Members of the Black Ownership Matters at the Legislative dinner on March 13. PHOTO: BLACK OWNERSHIP MATTERS

Black Ownership Matters (BOM) held its Legislative Day event dinner in Washington, D.C., on March 13.

Members of BOM from across the county gathered to discuss business growth — MBE certifications, route optimization, and succession planning — and next steps in business operations.

The meeting was attended by BOM members Vernon Brown and Quincy Brown, owners of Harpoon Pest Solutions; Ayanna and Qudair Martin, owners of Alpha to Omega Termite and Pest Control; Timson Green, service manager for Terminix International; Niles Hooks, owner of Pest Exterminating; and Angela and Michael Nevill, owners of N&N Consulting & Pest Control; and board members Jason Payne, CEO of Payne Pest Management; Wayne Golden, owner of GSquare Consulting; Faye Golden, director of government affairs for Cook’s Pest Control; Sterling Barbour, president of Revolution National Pest Council; and Jim Steed, owner of Neighborly Pest Management.

Bell Laboratories, Inc. (Patrick Lynch), Big Time Pest Control (Michael Bullert), and Neighborly Pest Management (Jim Steed) sponsored the dinner.

“This dinner was a huge success thanks to the sponsors,” Golden said in a news release.

About Black Ownership Matters

Black Ownership Matters was founded in 2020. Its mission is to promote black ownership of pest control companies by providing financial guidance, business resources, employee development, mentorship and community support.

The group’s strategies to meet these goals are to:

1. Identify current Black owners in the pest management industry and support their business growth through mentorship and access to resources.
2. Identify potential future Black owners currently involved in the pest control industry and support upward mobility in their careers. BOM view this step as the catalyst for them to begin their path to ownership.
3. Engage in outreach to the Black community at large to inform them of the critical role pest management plays in the lives of all people, and discuss potential business ownership opportunities available in the field.

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Sacramento CA

PestWest: ‘Pesky Flies’ Training

IMAGE: PESTWEST

Fly control is not always an easy task for pest management professionals (PMPs). PestWest, a global leader of insect light trap manufacturing, is offering individual PMPs “Pesky Flies,” a free, in-depth training webinar produced by Dr. Stuart Mitchell. “Doc” is a respected authority in all things flying insects, with decades of field experience to support his academic accomplishments. Schedule your training webinar via your PestWest representative today.

PestWest.com

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Sacramento CA

PWIPM Wisconsin chapter hosts kickoff party

Sara Knilans and Breanna Neerland, ACE, from at the Professional Women in Pest Management of Wisconsin booth at Midwest Pest Con this year. PHOTO: WI PWIPM

The newly formed Wisconsin chapter of the Professional Women in Pest Management (WI PWIPM) held a “kickoff party” at the Midwest Pest Con event put on by the Wisconsin Pest Control Association.

The chapter has a Facebook group and at press time is planning a virtual event for April. Currently, its two officers include:

• Co-chair Breanna Neerland, ACE, operations manager of Kwik Kill Pest Control. Neerland’s father, Bob, founded the Madison, Wis.-based company in 1979. After going to school for biotechnology, she work in pharmaceuticals for five years before joining her family’s business. She has been with Kwik Kill Pest Control for over seven years and has worked her way from technician to her current role. She obtained her Associate Certified Entomologist certification in spring 2021.
• Co-chair Sara Knilans, Midwest regional manager for Madison, Wis.-based Bell Labs. She joined the pest management industry shortly after completing college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998. She started as a sales representative with Bell Laboratories covering the Canadian market. Over the years, she has been part of many projects, including being the project manager for the development of Talpirid mole bait.

Members of the Professional Women in Pest Management at the “kickoff event” at Midwest Pest Con. PHOTO: WI PWIPM 

About Professional Women in Pest Management

The Professional Women in Pest Management is an affiliate group of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Its mission is to attract, develop and support women in the pest management industry through educational programs, resources and peer networking.

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Sacramento CA

The State of Restoration Technology

Adopting new technology happens to be a top challenge among restorers, so we invited Brandon Donatelli to provide insights on the state of technology in the restoration industry. He covers common tech pain points, how to address them, and key themes within the digital solutions realm, now and on the horizon.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Dust applications against cockroaches

Casey Prewitt, Sales Manager, Professional Pest Management, Neogen

Cockroach services have changed quite a bit over the years, and one area that seems to be overlooked by many is that of dust applications. Perhaps it was the stigma of customers incorrectly overapplying dust in every nook and cranny of their homes. Or perhaps changes in the current products offered on the market affected the popularity of dusts. Either way, when applied according to the label, dust formulations are a great component of an integrated pest management program because they can provide lower cost applications, with low to no odor. When undisturbed in cracks and wall voids, these applications can provide a long residual life. Dusts also offer an ideal opportunity to reach cockroaches in deep harborage; the insects can encounter the treatment long after it has been carried out.

For best results, apply dust lightly to take advantage of air flow carrying the product throughout the voids. Making sure the dust applicator is no more than half-full will allow air movement to transport dust particles into further recesses.

One last tip: Always have a damp cloth at the ready, to eliminate any excess dust that may appear outside of the void.

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Sacramento CA

Central Life Sciences expands Zoëcon Professional Products sales team

Jeromy Baumbach

Central Life Sciences is expanding the Zoëcon Professional Products sales team with the addition of Jeromy Baumbach, ACE, as the Midwest regional sales manager.

Baumbach will support both the professional pest control and vector solutions product lines.

“We expect to see significant growth in sales to accompany our expanding product line going into the busy spring and summer seasons of 2022,” said Tony Schultz, senior director of Zoëcon Professional Products. “Jeromy’s years of pest management experience and expertise will be a major asset to our growing team, and we’re excited to have him join us.”

Baumbach joins the Zoëcon Professional Products sales team with over 25 years of experience in the pest control industry. He has previously served as Midwest technical representative for Veseris as general manager/technical specialist for ABC Pest Control, as branch manager for Home Pest & Termite, and as a pest management service technician at Terminix International.

Baumbach is an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE), holds Commercial Pesticide Applicator licenses in multiple Midwestern states and has held multiple board positions with the Iowa Pest Management Association, as well as the Nebraska Mosquito and Vector Control Association. He resides in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

About Central Life Sciences

Central Life Sciences products are a part of Central Garden & Pet Company. Central Life Sciences is dedicated to creating healthier environments and making life better for people, plants and companion animals around the world. As inventors of insect growth regulator technology more than 50 years ago, the founders of Central Life Sciences pioneered biorational pest control: using the insect’s chemistry as a means to reduce pest populations.

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Sacramento CA

FMC: Termite Control Wood Treatments Webinar

FMC’s next First Friday training session for enrollees of its True Champions program takes place Friday, April 1, from 10:30 to 11:30 Eastern. “Termite Control Wood Treatments” is a one-hour continuing education unit (CEU) training webinar on the use of wood treatments as a primary termite control treatment on new construction. It will cover the history of new construction termite treatments (pretreats), product label specifications, do’s and don’ts documentation, Formosan considerations, combo treatments, effectiveness rates after 20-plus years, and more. The webinar will be presented by Bert “The Bug Man” Snyder, president and technical director for Palmetto Exterminators, Charleston, S.C. There will be a question-and-answer session after the presentation. Eligible states to earn CEU credits include Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming,

FMCTrueChampions.com

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Sacramento CA

Past Women in Restoration Award Winners Share Secrets to Success

In conjunction with our seventh annual campaign celebrating leading women in this male-dominated industry, we asked all six of the past winners, from 2016 through 2021, to answer one question: To what do you attribute your success?

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Viking Pest Control voted Top Workplace 2022 by NJ.com

Basking Ridge, N.J.-based Viking Pest Control, an Anticimex company, was voted The Top Workplace award in 2022 in New Jersey by NJ.com for the second year.

The award is based on an anonymous survey that uniquely measured 15 culture drivers that include alignment, execution and connection.

This award is granted to companies that create a culture where employees feel engaged, appreciated and fulfilled.

“We are honored our employees voted this way and are proud to share this award with all of our employees and our customers,” said Paul Bergmann, president of Viking Pest Control.

Some of the reasons for the Top Workplace award include:

• A working environment that values meaningful work, open-minded supportive managers, and clued-in employees providing transformative solutions for customers.
• Enforced background checks for all employees and a drug-free working environment to ensure a safe space for all team members.
• Competitive compensation with numerous benefits, including paid vacation time, health coverage, and more.
• A healthy work atmosphere with plentiful opportunities to learn about and adopt new technology and meet new challenges.
• Diversity – employees feel accepted and valued at Viking Pest Control, regardless of gender or ethnicity.

Viking Pest Control has over 40 years of experience in the pest control industry.

Bergmann added, “Viking believes a diverse team leads to different individual characteristics and perspectives, integral to company growth. As a result, our employees feel accepted and valued at Viking Pest, which, along with customer satisfaction, is our ultimate success.”

About Viking Pest Control

The company creates effective and efficient pest management solutions for residents and business owners in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The company is a QualityPro member, meaning that its customers are sure to receive professional pest management solutions performed by certified and qualified individuals. Viking Pest Control’s employees are held to high standards. Viking Pest Control was also named one of the 10 Best Pest Control Companies by Forbes Advisor for 2022.

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Sacramento CA

5 questions with Dr. Brian Forschler

Dr. Brian Forschler

Dr. Brian Forschler is a professor of entomology at the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., where he also serves as principal investigator for the Household and Structural Entomology research program. We check in to learn more about his 30-year career, which endures as he continues to teach courses on urban entomology and integrated pest management at undergraduate and graduate levels, and share his expertise with regulators and manufacturers.

1. What motivated you to become an entomologist?

I’ve always had an interest in the outdoors. I quit college after four years because I got a good
job at a brewery. About 10 years later, because of my brewery experience, I managed a winery along the Ohio River, where I sprayed the vineyards for Japanese beetles. In the heat of the summer, watching the beetles drop I thought, there’s got to be a better way to manage these things. I went back to school to study entomology, figuring there always would be a need for somebody who knew something about bugs. When I graduated, the University of Georgia was starting its urban entomology program. I applied for it and long story short, got the job.

2.What can the pest management industry do to help support entomology students?

Student internships are an excellent way for the industry to connect with some of the brightest stars coming through the university system, and let them know what the job opportunities are. Companies that are really supportive of internships often hire student interns as employees later. Entomology grads are absolutely awesome at setting up protocols and training in-house for larger companies.

3. You currently serve on the Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials’ (ASPCRO’s) Termiticide Label Review Committee. What impact does advising the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and termiticide registrants have on the products pest management professionals (PMPs) use?

The EPA and registrants have always welcomed science-based opinions, especially if they support their positions about pest control. The pest control industry has had a long relationship with university research programs. Regulators didn’t. Now, ASPCRO is one of the premier meeting places for researchers and regulators. It has been really good to see the regulatory community connect with the research community. Communication opens eyes and doors for compromise, agreement and understanding.

4.Why is research important to regulators?

It is not usual for policy to be written by people who have no clue what this industry does. They’ve never seen a termite treatment. They don’t know what a technician does in a commercial kitchen for cockroach management. That said, I’ve always found the regulatory community to be receptive to discussions, particularly at the level of the EPA.

One of the great things my involvement with ASPCRO led me to was conducting training sessions for EPA employees. The quality of their decisions, from our perspective, improved greatly.

5.What are some of the ways entomology departments serve the pest management industry?

The pest management industry is a people industry. It’s about establishing and keeping relationships with your customers. Universities with an extension component can assist with the correct identification of pests. If the extension office can’t provide an answer, the insect ID experts at the university can. Insect identification is certainly a service that’s available through county extension offices in most states, and the industry should take advantage of it.

Entomology departments with an outreach component go to schools and fairs to reach the general public. A number of entomology programs have training centers that offer hands-on training. On top of that, they will provide training at state and national meetings. The bottom line: A pest control company that is in close proximity to a university’s entomology department needs to contact the folks there and establish a relationship.

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Sacramento CA

Arsenal to have against cockroaches

Harry Bryan, manages mid-south territory, Nisus Corporation

A heavy German cockroach infestation indicates the population has been happily multiplying due to conducive conditions – that is, adequate food, water and harborage.

Unfortunately, serious infestations are extremely challenging, particularly when a customer does not take adequate steps toward good sanitation. This is a tough battle to fight, but it happens. Know the situation, and plan accordingly.

Baits (including granular and gel), dusts, residual aerosols, sticky traps and vacuums are valuable tools in your arsenal. Effective control is also dependent on the knowledge and skill of the technician. Gel baits are effective, but proper placement and particle size of the bait is critically important.

Regardless of the products you choose, at the end of the day, pesticide application is not the service. Your knowledge is the service.

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Sacramento CA

Best practices to manage cockroaches

Dr. Sally Abbar, Field Development Scientist, Bayer Pest Management & Public Health

Successful cockroach management is essential for protecting public health. Following a few best practices can help pest management professionals manage these pests effectively and economically:

• Inspection: When doing a sweep for cockroaches, look for certain signs and conducive conditions for infestations. These include fecal matter, egg cases, cast skins and carcasses. Record your findings, and communicate them clearly with customers.
• Identification and monitoring: Positive identification of cockroaches by species is key to any cockroach management plan. This will help you understand the biology and behavior of the specific cockroach species.
• Treat common areas: After interpreting your inspection and monitoring data, apply dust insecticides for a fast and significant reduction in cockroach populations in harborage and to-be-treated areas. Treat cockroach travel routes along edges and corners of walls, as well as places where they find food and water.
• Prevention and control: Controlling cockroaches also requires non-chemical actions. Communicate with customers by sharing observations and recommendations for long-term control. Help them understand the importance of proper sanitation, sealing cracks and crevices, storing food in cockroach-proof containers, emptying trash containers frequently, and picking up pet food. These actions require effective communication skills that will build a solid partnership with customers.

Creating and following a comprehensive cockroach management plan will contribute to your success and customer satisfaction. This can lead to a strong service reputation, and more opportunities for business growth.

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Sacramento CA

Using monitors to track cockroaches

Chris Ernst, brand strategy director for Catchmaster

Like any good mystery, the start of your cockroach work at a new account will offer lots of unanswered questions. Don’t forget that insect monitors can be great tools to help you investigate what is happening at any location. When initially placed, monitors can help you determine the population density and where the most pressure is occurring. In addition, monitors will indicate the direction of cockroaches as they move through an account, providing clues to possible food sources or harborage areas.

Also, pay attention to the individual cockroaches caught in your monitors. Are you catching more juveniles? If so, this may suggest a breeding site is nearby.

Finally, using monitors over time and comparing your catch rates will provide insight into the effectiveness of your treatments. Think of monitors as “private eyes” helping you solve the mysteries in an account.

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Sacramento CA

Orkin names Top 50 termite cities of 2021

PHOTO: ISTOCK.COM/TOMMYIX

Los Angeles, Calif., claims the top spot for the first time on this year’s Top 50 Termite Cities list by Orkin.

Previously, Miami, Fla., was the historic frontrunner and has fallen to second place, according to a news release. Washington D.C.; Tampa, Fla.; and Chicago, Ill., round up the top five spots.

Both Chicago and Raleigh, N.C., are newcomers to the Top 10, with Chicago making the biggest jump from No. 23 to No. 5 on this year’s list.

The list is based on treatment data from metro areas where Orkin performed the most first-time customer termite treatments from Feb. 1, 2021 to Jan. 31, 2022. The rankings include both residential and commercial treatments.

Check out the full list of Top 50 cities:

1. Los Angeles, Calif. (+1)
2. Miami, Fla. (1)
3. Washington, DC (+1)
4. Tampa, Fla. (-1)
5. Chicago, Ill. (+18)
6. Atlanta, Ga. (-1)
7. New York City, New York
8. Raleigh, N.C. (+5)
9. Dallas, Texas (+1)
10. Orlando, Fla. (-1)
11. San Diego, Calif. (+1)
12. Norfolk, Va. (+12)
13. Houston, Texas (+1)
14. Richmond, Va. (+17)
15. San Francisco, Calif. (-4)
16. West Palm Beach, Fla. (-10)
17. Philadelphia, Pa.
18. Nashville, Tenn. (+3)
19. Baltimore, Md. (-4)
20. Charlotte, N.C.(-2)
21. Cincinnati, Ohio (+1)
22. New Orleans, La. (-14)
23. Indianapolis, Ind. (-4)
24. Greenville, S.C. (-4)
25. Phoenix, Ariz. (-9)
26. Pittsburgh , Pa. (-1)
27. Knoxville, Tenn. (-1)
28. Kansas City, Ks.
29. Savannah, Ga.
30. St. Louis, Mo. (+3)
31. Louisville, Ky. (+13)
32. Columbia, S.C. (-2)
33. Austin, Texas (+14)
34. Charleston, S.C. (-7)
35. Lafayette, La. (+2)
36. Ft. Myers, Fla. (-4)
37. San Antonio, Texas (+4)
38. Grand Rapids, Mich. (+7)
39. Mobile, Ala. (-5)
40. Boston, Mass. (+2)
41. Waco, Texas (-1)
42. Tulsa, Okla. (-4)
43. Columbus, Ohio (+5)
44. Jacksonville, Fla. (-8)
45. Charleston, S.C. (+4)
46. Chattanooga, Tenn. (-3)
47. Honolulu, Hawaii (-8)
48. Wichita, Ka. (-2)
49. Oklahoma City, Okla. (-14)
50. Denver, Colo.

Tips Orkin recommends pest management professionals provide to customers include:

• Regularly check and monitor water drainage areas to ensure they are clear of debris and draining properly.
• Monitor any possible areas where moisture could collect, such as leaky pipes, gutters, downspouts, air conditioning units and other fixtures susceptible to leaking.
• Seal gaps around utility lines, gas lines and pipes and cover exterior vents with screens to help eliminate entry points.
• Reduce food sources by removing any rotting wood or debris, removing excess landscaping mulch and ensuring wooden siding is at least six inches above the ground.
• Monitor wooden structures regularly for any signs of damage.

Are you surprised by some of the cities that made the Top 50? Let us know in the comments below or email us at pmpeditor@northcoastmedia.net.

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Sacramento CA

Thank you for registering

Thank you for registering for the upcoming webinar, “New Season. New Cancels: Ways to Win Back Churned Customers” a sponsored content event with Slingshot.

A link to the live event will be sent to you two hours before the event. Your personalized event URL will be automatically generated by the ON24 system. To ensure receipt of the email, please whitelist this email address by adding it to your contacts: do_not_reply@on24event.com.

This presentation will begin on at 1 p.m. EDT / 10 a.m. PDT on Thursday, April 21.

Audience members may arrive 15 minutes prior to live time. If you have any questions, please contact event producer Mackenzie Shoemaker at mshoemaker@northcoastmedia.net.

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Sacramento CA

Truly Nolen promotes area manager in California

Debra Menez

Truly Nolen Pest Control recently announced the promotion of Debra Menez to area manager for San Diego and the Coachella Valley, Calif. She will remain based at the company’s San Diego office.

Menez joined Truly Nolen Pest Control in early 2017 and has been a manager for the company in both Arizona and California. Prior to joining the company, she spent over 20 years as a manager in the retail industry with companies such as Nike, Bath and Body Works, White House Black Market and Aeropostale.

Some of Menez’s new responsibilities will include district authority overseeing her service office as well as the company’s service offices in San Marcos, Palm Desert and La Quinta, Calif.

“I love helping to develop and bring out the strengths in our team members and partner with them for their career growth,” Menez said. “My favorite thing about working for Truly Nolen is that, in addition to the company’s core values mirroring my own, I can reach out anytime and call anyone at any level within the company and speak to them because no one is inaccessible.”

Lee Blair, senior district manager in California, added, “Debra’s 25 years of managerial experience including five years in our industry combined with her desire to help her fellow managers made her an easy choice for this new position. It has been my pleasure to see her continued growth and success here in California and I am glad she is part of our team.”

About Truly Nolen Pest Control

Founded in 1938, Tucson, Ariz.-based Truly Nolen Pest Control is a family-owned pest control company with over 80 branch offices in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. The company also has independently owned and operated franchises in an ever-growing number of territories including Kentucky, Georgia, New Jersey, Canada, Puerto Rico and over 60 countries.

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Sacramento CA

PPMA appoints 3 new board members

The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) announced it has appointed new members to its board of directors.

Bert Dodson, Jr., president and CEO of Dodson Pest Control headquartered in Lynchburg, Va.; Justin McCauley, NPMA president-elect and CEO of McCauley Services of Bryant, Ark.; and Dan Carrothers, North American Professional Solutions commercial director at Philadelphia, Pa.-based FMC Corp. have all joined the board as at-large members.

“PPMA and its work to consumer audiences – both residential and commercial – is critical to growing the market and each of our respective businesses,” said PPMA Chairman Bobby Jenkins, owner of ABC Home & Commercial Services in Austin, Texas, and a Pest Management Professional magazine columnist. “To continue to grow, learn and challenge ourselves, we need new perspectives and ideas to be successful, and this group of new members will help us do just that.”

Both McCauley Services and Dodson Pest Control are long-time Guardian supporters of PPMA. They have been actively engaged in the organization, working to leverage the work of PPMA does to grow, promote, protect and defend the pest control industry through consumer marketing and education programs within their own businesses. This type of amplification is “critical to reach deeper into local markets and helps to further the professionalism of the industry,” according to a PPMA news release.

Carrothers brings with him more than 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, portfolio management and market segment management and will be assuming the seat previously held by Tom Wharton, representing both FMC and the supplier community.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to add these fine gentlemen and companies to the board,” said Cindy Mannes, executive director of PPMA. “Their insights and unique perspectives will be incredibly helpful and appreciated as we work to build on the vital work and mission we’ve been championing for 25 years. PPMA is only as strong as the companies and people that support it. It’s their industry marketing program and their organization, and we’ve never been stronger than we are today.”

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Sacramento CA

The Value of Working With a Restoration Coach

At some point, you will run into situations where your livelihood may be threatened. This is when you will need advice from someone who may have experienced a similar situation or knows how to navigate through the challenges. So, what is a restoration coach and how can they bring value to your company?

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Rockwell Labs: InTice Gelanimo Ant Bait

IMAGE: ROCKWELL LABS

InTice Gelanimo Ant Bait features patented “rigid hydro-gel” technology for no spills and no mess. Gelanimo is a broad-label product, and can be used indoors and outdoors, including food areas. The high-moisture content of the bait has a consistency similar to gelatin that will not become sticky or gooey, and remains solid up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Multiple ants can feed at once on the Gelanimo surface without drowning, enabling them to carry the bait back to the nest site. The recently redesigned 0.25-ounce small station features an easy-to-remove sticker covering the access hole and a low-profile design, allowing for quick, hassle-free placement in out-of-the-way locations. The larger, 4-ounce cup can be used for long-term control of heavy outdoor infestations, and is designed to be used with InTice Border Patrol Stations. Gelanimo is a Green Zone product, suitable for all service programs, including green ones. It’s packaged in boxes of 30 (0.25-ounce stations), 12 (4-ounce cups), and five (35-gram syringes).

RockwellLabs.com

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Sacramento CA

Of pickles and face masks

Pete Schopen with his preferred pickles. PHOTO: PETE SCHOPEN

I eat pickles on tacos.

Let that sink in for a minute. Onions, tomatoes, lettuce, shredded cheese and pickles make my tacos tastier than a Gordon Ramsay beef Wellington.

I also eat pickles on spaghetti sandwiches. This is a Schopen family favorite. My brothers, Eric and Drake, and sisters, Brenda, Sonja, Anita and Dayle, all partake in the spaghetti sandwich. We learned this tasty trick from Dad: Take cold spaghetti and scoop it onto two pieces of buttered bread. Take a whole dill pickle and thinly slice three sections onto the bread, then smash it together.

My all-time favorite sandwich is peanut butter, mayo, pickles and cheese, dipped into tomato soup. I’m sure I could come up with dozens of ways to eat pickles.

Recently, as I was enjoying some fried pickles, I came to the realization there are many objects in this world for which we can find multiple uses. For example, a drill can be used for drilling holes, screwing and tightening nuts and bolts, and stirring paint. Butter knives can be used for spreading jelly, opening pickle jars, and tightening screws. Cardboard boxes can be used for moving, building fort houses, sending jars of pickles to relatives and, if you flatten them, giving work vehicles traction on icy days.

How about face masks? Can they be used for reasons that are non-medical? I believe so. Here is my list of some of the many ways face masks can be used:

• You can sing in public. If you are a really bad singer in church, at parties, or other places, you will blend in better.
• They hide pimples and other blemishes. Remember that giant pimple you used to always get on picture day in high school? A mask would’ve protected you from years of humiliation.
• They increase your lung capacity. Football players and high-endurance athletes have been using face masks for training for years.
• You can store food in them for a mid-day snack. A mask is a perfect reservoir for my hamburger-sliced pickles, although it can get a bit soggy.
• You can use them as a slingshot.
• They keep your face warm in sub-zero temperatures.
• They can be funny. I love when people wear custom face masks that look like their faces.
• They can be a fashion accessory. Seriously, my wife has a mask for every color and occasion.
• They are great for advertising. The Schopen logo looks awesome on black face masks.
• You can stick your tongue out at your wife without her knowing.
• They are great for cleaning eyeglasses.
• They can hide bad breath.
• They can protect you from others’ poor hygiene. My wife used to teach junior high students, and she said the classroom can get pretty ripe with teenage hormones.
• There’s no need for lipstick. Your Chapstick bills go down, too.
• You can use them as decoration. Festoon your dashboard or hang them from a holiday tree.
• Passing gas in public has never been more camouflaged.
• The ventriloquism industry is booming.

Pete Schopen, left, and Schopen Pest Solutions Technician of the Year Bob Welzen model their corporate masks. PHOTO: PETE SCHOPEN

As pest management professionals (PMPs), we have used face masks for decades to protect us from crawlspace dust, pigeon poop, rodent droppings, cockroach allergens, attic insulation, mold, and more. Clearly, an N95 mask is much better for this task than a cloth face mask with Farrah Fawcett’s face on it. You also don’t want to apply pesticides with a cloth face mask on. Cloth face masks will soak up the particles and create a hazard on your face.

Face masks serve the same purpose PMPs do: protecting public health. They should be worn as directed to protect our customers, coworkers and selves. Face masks can serve myriad uses, whether they are in service on our faces, scrubbing pots and pans, or protecting your nose from your Uncle Fred’s sweaty work shoes.

Perhaps you have more ideas on the many ways face masks can be used. I’m open to hearing them. Well, I’ve got to go now. I’ve got to find my mask so I can open up a new jar of pickles.

---

Schopen’s Open Book

Start-up: Schopen Pest Solutions Inc.
Headquarters: McHenry, Ill.
Founder: Peter F. Schopen Jr.
Start-up date: April 11, 2006
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 33 (32 full-time, 1 part-time)
2006 REVENUE: $97,235
2007 REVENUE: $172,495
2008 REVENUE: $203,732
2009 REVENUE: $243,427
2010 REVENUE: $325,960
2011 REVENUE: $425,847
2012 REVENUE: $489,887
2013 REVENUE: $572,772
2014 REVENUE: $687,326
2015 REVENUE: $858,180
2016 REVENUE: $1,079,068
2017 REVENUE: $1,478,600
2018 REVENUE: $1,877,496
2019 REVENUE: $2,095,118
2020 REVENUE: $2,398,367
2021 REVENUE: $3,295,259
JANUARY REVENUE: $235,305*
2022 GOAL: $4,119,344
*Up 58% from January 2021. 

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2022/03/23/of-pickles-and-face-masks/
Sacramento CA

Ask Annissa: Contents Cleaning…Where Do I Start?

How big of a facility do you need to conduct contents restoration? And, if you want to work with hard and soft contents, which should you get started with first? In this episode of Ask Annissa, Annissa Coy answers these two questions.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Bird Barrier study reports on gel disk efficacy rate

Optical Gel disk. PHOTO: BIRD BARRIER AMERICA

Bird Barrier America has released the results of a four-year study by the University of Pisa in Italy regarding “organic multi-sensory technology disks” for bird control. Bird Barrier is the manufacturer of Optical Gel disks, which contains citronella, peppermint oil, agar and beeswax. The product is classified as GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) and contains no pesticides. Birds see “fire” emanating from the disks; plus they dislike the citronella smell and the tackiness on their feet if they dare to land on a disk.

The study focused on the most common pest bird worldwide, the pigeon (Columba livia), whose roosting and nesting patterns are found to be the most problematic in commercial building structures. Pigeon nesting materials and droppings are known to carry disease and can be a public health risk. However, Optical Gel has also been successful in the field against starlings, barn swallows, woodpeckers, gulls and crows. Each disk can be secured to the roof or other problematic areas of an account using magnets, zip-ties, snap-in bases or glue.

The study found 100 percent efficacy with the product. A white paper and video on the results are available online at BirdBarrier.com/optical-gel-whitepaper. The study results, as well as success in hundreds of installations in the field across the United States, have led the Carson, Calif.-based manufacturer to now offer a two-year guarantee for Optical Gel when installed per the company’s instructions.

“We have seen no failures when the product is installed correctly, and we have university data to back our claims,” Bird Barrier America President Cameron Riddell noted in a news release. “This has truly become a game-changer in the pest and bird control industry.”

 

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2022/03/23/bird-barrier-study-reports-on-gel-disk-efficacy-rate/
Sacramento CA