LabelSDS.com continues to revolutionize the way that pest management professionals (PMPs) manage and distribute their product label and SDS (safety data sheet) books to technicians and their commercial clients.
LabelSDS.com offers an easy way to keep all your company’s label and SDS books updated and organized. Update all your Labelbooks with just a click of a button from your computer or smartphone. Easily add and delete products to all your Labelbooks without asking your technicians to bring them into the office. Never worry about having to print Labelbooks or update flash drives for your commercial accounts; with LabelSDS.com it is all digital and easily managed from your computer or smartphone.
LabelSDS.com also keeps you in the know with industry changes like Envu acquiring Bayer and FMC. With these acquisitions, the product formulations stay the same, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reference numbers change. This is important, because it will require you to have the correct label and SDS for these products with the corresponding EPA numbers.
About LabelSDS.com
LabelSDS.com is a web-based program with more than 20,000 product labels and safety data sheets (SDS) specific to the pest and turf industries. You can create your own company label and SDS “digital book” with the products your company uses. Easily add and delete products from your list. Don’t see the product you are looking for? With LabelSDS.com, you can submit a product request, and the team will add the product for you. All your employees can access, download, print, email and text your company’s labels and SDS from their computer, tablet or smartphone. Best of all, your company’s labels and SDS update automatically whenever there is a revision. LabelSDS.com is designed to be an easy and affordable way to access and manage your company’s labels and SDS.
Recent research reveals a major new discovery about bats: the mammals most likely originated in Europe around 65 million years ago. Previously, bats were believed to have originated in Asia, Africa or North America.
The publication Natureshared the findings on Sept. 23 in an article titled “Reference genomes and fossils revise bat family phylogeny and biogeography.”
News outlets worldwide covered the news, calling it a “landmark study” that solved a mystery going back millions of years. One fifth of all living mammals are bats, and more than 1,500 species can be found throughout the world. In the United States, certain species are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
The discovery was a team effort on a global scale. The Bat1Kconsortium, consisting of 137 researchers from 64 countries, collaborated to combine genomic and fossil evidence that revealed the new origin story. They now believe bats traveled from Europe to Africa and then made their way to Asia, the Americas and Australia.
The team of researchers used a single evolutionary model that incorporated fossil and living species to identify the oldest group of fossil bats while incorporating genomic evidence to determine when and where bats first originated, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Scientists from the Bronx, N.Y.-based organization were among the researchers who contributed to the study.
WCS said the team assembled the largest collection of high-quality bat genomes to date. It covers 103 species and representing each of the currently recognized 21 bat families. Researchers combined them with 44 fossil bats from across the globe to reconstruct bats’ evolutionary history. Samples were collected over decades from bats across the world, including representatives of some of the rarest and most unusual bat families, found in the most remote locations.
The genomic resource also gives scientists an evolutionary framework that will allow them to investigate the genes behind bats’ resistance to disease and longevity. This work eventually could inform research into human aging, immunity and disease resistance.
In addition to pinpointing where bats originated, the fossil evidence shed light on when echolocation and flight evolved. The research suggests these two traits were established near the time bats originated.
Since 1934, Program Brokerage Corp. (PBC) has been the go-to insurance partner for pest management professionals nationwide. As the official endorsed broker of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), the firm brings industry-leading expertise and tailor-made coverage to keep your business safe and thriving.
Coverage you can count on:
General Liability
Property
Inland Marine
Umbrella Excess
Commercial Auto
Worker’s Compensation
Nationwide coverage (excluding Alabama)
Customized. Cost-Effective. Trusted. Let PBC handle your insurance needs so you can focus on what you do best: protecting homes and businesses. Learn more or get a quote today using the URL below.
About PBC
Program Brokerage Corporation (PBC) is a powerful market resource known for its wide range of offerings and capabilities. The New York City-based firm is also a partner for carriers reaching out to the commercial insurance buyer in innovative, cost-effective ways and has pioneered an innovative approach to Purchasing Group Insurance buying, which has won popular acclaim.
International pest management services firm Anticimex has acquired Environmental Pest Management (EPM), established in 2003 and based in Columbus, Ohio. EPM’s residential base is central Ohio, but its commercial accounts coverage includes Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan and Indiana.
This strategic acquisition marks Anticimex’s entry into the Midwest pest control market. Paul Giannamore and Franco Villanueva-Meyer of The Potomac Co. acted as exclusive financial advisors to EPM in the transaction. Terms were not disclosed.
“We are thrilled to welcome EPM to the Anticimex family,” Sean Steves, president of Anticimex North America, said in a news release. “The Midwest has been an attractive market to Anticimex since Anticimex entered North America, and partnering with the Carpenter family was a great cultural fit.”
EPM founder and CEO Jason Carpenter noted in the news release that “we’re excited for our team members and the opportunities that come along with a partnership like this. Anticimex and EPM have similar core values, which is why we felt Anticimex was the right partner to continue growing the business in this new, exciting chapter of the EPM journey.”
About Anticimex
Founded in Sweden in 1934, Anticimex operates in 22 countries worldwide with more than 12,000 employees. In the United States, Anticimex has a presence in 26 states through 18 brands.
Company president and owner Paul Alley, ACE, CWCO, noted in a news release that Adams, a graduate of State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz, “brings a fresh, modern perspective to the company’s marketing, brand development and customer engagement efforts. She will lead marketing strategy as Pestmaster Hudson Valley continues to grow throughout the region.”
“We’ve always believed we’re a customer-service company that happens to be in the pest control business,” Alley added.
“Marketing today is about more than getting someone to pick up the phone,” said Adams. “It’s about creating an experience that starts before the customer ever contacts us and continues long after the technician leaves.”
President and Owner Paul Alley said Adams’ appointment reflects the company’s continued investment in growth and the customer experience.
“Riley brings a fresh perspective to our organization, and that’s exactly what we were looking for,” said Alley.
About Pestmaster Services of the Hudson Valley
Founded in 1999, Pestmaster Services of the Hudson Valley is a locally owned, full-service pest and wildlife management company serving residential, commercial, institutional and government customers throughout the Hudson Valley.
The latest offering from Envu, the Envu Pump Kit (EPK), is designed to streamline and simplify what has long been a complicated pretreatment process. Totality Wood Treatment and the EPK work together as a one-step solution.
Totality wood treatment delivers quick, even distribution and long-lasting protection against termites and other wood-destroying insects (WDI), all from a single application. It applies evenly even in cold temperatures; there’s no need for warm water or same-day application. Plus, once it’s down, it holds up to moisture rather than washing away.
The EPK is a closed transfer system that provides easy setup, accurate mixing and reduced waste. When paired with Totality wood treatment, the EPK unit streamlines the process — which typically involves hauling and connecting separate tools, diluting by hand, mixing product and intensive rinsing equipment between uses — into one single, accurate application.
The result is a pretreatment process that trades complexity for consistency, giving pest management professionals a way to reduce labor on every job while still delivering the long-term protection their customers expect with one application, one system and less hassle.
About Envu
Envu was founded in 2022, a company built on years of environmental science experience, for the sole purpose of advancing healthy environments for everyone, everywhere. Envu offers dedicated services in: Professional Pest Management, Forestry, Ornamentals, Golf, Industrial Vegetation Management, Lawn & Landscape, Mosquito Management, and Range & Pasture. Envu collaborates with customers to design innovative solutions that meet their requirements today and well into the future. The Envu portfolio consists of over 250 trusted and well-known brands. The company employs more than 1,000 people, operates in 100 countries, and has four global innovation hubs.
There’s a hearty list of non-native and invasive pest species that pest management professionals (PMPs) are tasked to manage, and one in particular has become quite the problem in recent years. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula, or SLF) has continued to spread from its original detection in Pennsylvania across the Mid-Atlantic and into parts of the Midwest and Southeast. Threatening vineyards, orchards, hardwoods and numerous ornamental plants, SLF has become a routine headache for PMPs in many quarantine counties.
Even if SLF hasn’t reached your service territory yet, it’s worth keeping on your radar as its range continues to expand.
Successful SLF programs rely on an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that combines inspection, monitoring, vegetation management, destruction of egg masses and insecticide applications when needed. Train applicators to recognize all life stages, especially the distinctive mud-like egg masses found on trees, vehicles, pallets and other outdoor surfaces. Prioritize inspections around preferred host plants such as tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), grapevines, maples and other susceptible ornamentals.
When chemical control is warranted, combining contact and systemic insecticides can provide both immediate knockdown and longer-term suppression. Treatment timing is critical, however. Early-season management targeting newly hatched nymphs often is more effective than waiting until large adult populations become established later in the summer. Because adults are highly mobile, customers also should understand that reinfestation from surrounding areas is common and that multiple treatments may be necessary during periods of heavy pressure.
Finally, stay up to date with your state’s extension service and regulatory agencies, as quarantine requirements and management recommendations continue to evolve.
BASF
Desiree Straubinger, BCE, CP-FS
By Desiree Straubinger, BCE, CP-FS, Technical Services Representative
Invasive species continue to challenge pest management across the U.S., with insects like SLF and emerald ash borers (Agrilus planipennis, or EAB) among the most significant threats. SLF, now established in multiple states, damages trees by feeding on sap and promoting mold growth. Meanwhile, EAB has spread to much of the country, killing millions of ash trees and reshaping urban and natural landscapes.
Early detection is key. Routine inspections, accurate identification and monitoring high-risk items like firewood and outdoor equipment can help limit spread. Incorporating IPM strategies — combining mechanical, cultural and chemical controls — supports more effective, long-term results.
Client communication is equally critical. Educate customers on how invasives spread, especially by hitchhiking on vehicles, firewood and outdoor items. Encourage simple actions such as inspecting and cleaning belongings before moving them and avoiding the transport of firewood. Clear, practical guidance helps clients become active partners in prevention.
To stay informed, rely on resources like the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS.usda.gov), state extension services, and the National Invasive Species Information Center (InvasiveSpeciesInfo.gov) for updates and best practices. Ongoing education ensures everyone is prepared to respond to evolving invasive threats.
Nisus
By Dr. Jamel Sandidge, BCE, National Director of Technical Services
Dr. Jamel Sandidge, BCE
Invasive pests and insecticide-resistant cockroaches may seem like unrelated problems, but they often follow the same biological playbook.
Consider the Turkestan cockroach (Periplaneta lateralis). Introduced into the United States only a few decades ago, it possesses biological traits that have allowed it to adapt quickly, reproduce rapidly and establish populations across many regions of the country. Today, Turkestan cockroaches are displacing American (P. americana) and Oriental (Blatta orientalis) cockroach species in many habitats because of these adaptations.
Insecticide resistance develops along a similar pathway. Within a cockroach population, a few individuals naturally possess genetic traits that help them survive an insecticide application. Those survivors reproduce, passing those advantageous genes to future generations until resistant populations become increasingly common.
Whether preventing the spread of an invasive species like the Turkestan cockroach or delaying resistance in German cockroaches (Blattella germanica), early intervention is critical. Eliminating new introductions and integrating multiple control strategies reduce the opportunity for advantageous traits to establish or spread. Using products with multiple modes of action or applying multiple products that have different modes of action can help circumvent the advantageous traits that are making eradication difficult. Whether it’s an invasive species or insecticide resistance, today’s survivors become tomorrow’s population.
Envu
Matt Remmen
By Matt Remmen, Senior Technical Services Manager
Asian needle ants (Brachyponera chinensis) are an invasive species spreading throughout the eastern U.S. They can be challenging to detect because they often nest in hidden locations such as mulch, leaf litter, landscape timbers and beneath stones. One unique trait is their tandem-carrying behavior: Workers may transport nestmates to food resources rather than forming the obvious foraging trails seen with many other ant species.
When inspecting a property, spend extra time checking shaded, moist areas and watch individual foragers closely. Tracing their movement back to harborage sites can reveal satellite nests and help improve overall management outcomes.
Rockwell Labs
Nick Godfroid
By Nick Godfroid, BCE, Technical Specialist
While Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) and wild boars (Sus scrofa) may come to mind as more memorable invasive species, the invasions that influence PMPs the most tend to be slightly different variations of pests with which we’re already familiar. For instance, in the southeastern United States, many PMPs currently are dealing with Asian needle ants. This invasive species can go unnoticed by the untrained eye because it easily can be misidentified and grouped with “little black sugar ants.”
They definitely aren’t like the locals, though. They forage differently, scout and trail differently, and have a painful sting. An observant PMP can identify these ants and treat them appropriately.
Asian needle ants are highly carnivorous and prefer protein baits. An abamectin ant gel with protein is a great choice, applied where foragers are active, or an imidacloprid granular bait with high protein content.
Get to know your local species, learn which imposters may be present in your territory and keep a keen eye out for anything new. Who knows? You may stop the next ecological invasion yourself!
J.T. Eaton
Isabelle Lucero
By Isabelle Lucero, Education and Compliance Officer
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is an invasive species that has the potential to harm livestock, companion animals and even humans.
This species was first officially detected in New Jersey in 2017. Since then, the Asian longhorned tick has become established in the United States, spreading to many eastern states. These ticks have the ability to multiply rapidly by a process called parthenogenesis, where females can reproduce without the need for males.
Although Asian longhorned ticks primarily are threats to U.S. livestock through the transmission of serious diseases, they are known to spread diseases to humans outside of the United States.
Prevention is essential to managing this invasive tick, as well as most other tick species:
1. Establish a tick prevention treatment program for livestock and companion animals to kill ticks before they can transmit disease.
2. Make sure any potential tick habitat is reduced by cutting grasses short and reducing brush and woody debris around pastures and lawns.
3. Control for tick hosts, like rodents, that transport ticks onto pasture or residential land. There are many tools available in this regard, including combination tick and rodent bait.
Arkion Life Sciences
BJ Harrington
By BJ Harrington, Sales and Marketing Director
Tick control is getting harder, especially with invasive species becoming more prevalent and resistance becoming more of a concern.
One of the most practical ways PMPs can fight this is by rotating a natural pesticide into their program. Natural options such as essential-oil blends, botanical oils or microbial products typically act through different pathways than most conventional treatments. Alternating a natural pesticide with a standard pesticide every few applications or seasons can break a continuous evolution that builds resistance.
Use the natural product on lower-pressure properties, as a follow-up after a chemical application, or in sensitive areas where a reduced synthetic load is preferred. Monitor tick activity with sampling and adjust the rotation if control rates decline.
This simple rotation extends the useful life of chemical tools, lowers overall active-ingredient use and helps keep treatments effective longer.
Syngenta
By Lisa Eppler, Technical Services Manager
Dr. Lisa Eppler
Invasive pests have been spreading across the United States, including EAB, brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys) and Asian long-horned beetles (Anoplophora glabripennis). In particular, the recent spread of SLF across multiple states is a good example of how quickly invasive species can become established, creating unexpected and significant challenges.
Here are five areas of importance to help you stay ahead of these pests:
Inspections. Keep an eye out for pests that seem unusual for the area. Sometimes an invasive species is discovered simply because something didn’t look quite right.
Watch lists. Many states and universities regularly publish lists of invasive pests. Staying familiar with these species helps you recognize potential problems early.
Documentation. If you suspect you’ve found an invasive species, take clear photos, collect specimens and report through the proper channels to help specialists confirm the identification.
Reporting. Clients often are the first to notice something new. Encouraging them to report unusual insects might lead to early detection.
Treatment. Invasive pests generally are drawn to feeding on plants, so a systemic adulticide often is an ideal control method.
When it comes to invasive species, early action can make the difference between a manageable problem and the next headline pest.
After more than 30 years of being in the pest control industry, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard “Your service costs too much.”
It’s the objection heard more than any other. When a customer says it, your gut reaction probably is to get defensive and start justifying your price by listing everything you will do for them.
Foster Brusca
Don’t do that! It’s the fastest way to kill a sale. Instead, treat it as an opportunity to show customers what they’re paying for. Focus on demonstrating the value rather than just the features.
Emphasize value
Here’s the thing to remember: Price is what people pay; value is what they get. When someone pushes back on the price, usually it’s not really about the number. They just don’t see the value yet. Something’s missing, and it’s your job to demonstrate to them why your service is worth it.
This is the struggle most people in our industry have: How do you prove the value of something people can’t really see or touch? Selling something intangible takes skill and knowledge. You need to be patient with the customer and guide them on a path to see the true value of your service. Take these four steps:
1. Just listen. Then agree with them. When a customer says you’re too expensive, don’t fight it. Agree and say something like, “You’re right, we’re not the cheapest company.” It throws people off a little and gets their guard down. Then slide into a story. Tell them about a customer who went with the cheap option, how it didn’t work, and how they ended up calling you to clean up the mess. Stories work. People remember them way more than they remember a list of features.
2. Explain what you’re doing. Don’t just rattle off the services you will be performing; instead, explain to them what it actually means for their home or business. Performing a termite inspection and finding an active colony? Inspecting a food production plant and coming across the source of a long-term pest issue? Explain why you are conducting your inspection, what you found and how this may impact their home or business. Don’t just go through the motions of the inspection; be the investigator. You are there looking for the things that other companies might have missed. At the end of the day, people are not really buying pest control. They’re buying peace of mind that you will be there to solve their problems the right way.
3. Be upfront about your pricing. We all know that providing pest control the right way takes time and real skill, so say that. Discuss the ongoing training your technicians undergo, emphasizing that it is not a one-time event. Talk about your service methods, not your service features. You don’t need to trash talk the competition, but you can point out that sometimes cheaper companies cut corners to hit their margins, which really means the job doesn’t get done the right way. Sometimes it requires two or three services that somehow end up costing the customer more without even realizing it. Charging what your service is worth and doing it right the first time saves everyone money and headaches later on.
4. Don’t cave on your price. If you drop your price the second someone pushes back, you’re basically telling them your original price was made up and that it was actually higher than it should be. Instead, lean into the value conversation. Remind them what problem you’re solving for them. It’s a balancing act, though, because you don’t want to just repeat yourself. Sure, sometimes a discount makes sense, but not the moment someone flinches at the price. That flinch only confirms to the customer they were right all along: Your price is too high.
Selling pest control comes down to trust and knowledge. If you talk like you believe in what you’re offering, customers stop staring at the price tag and start thinking about the results. Get good at demonstrating the real value of your service, and the sales will start to come more easily.
from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/how-pest-control-companies-can-overcome-price-objections-and-demonstrate-service-value/ Sacramento CA
Metuchen, N.J.-based All Pest Solutions has been purchased by JP McHale Pest Management, an Anticimex company, further strengthening the latter’s presence across New York and New Jersey. The Aust Group represented All Pest Solutions, which was founded by industry veteran Scott Soltis in 2006, on the transaction as the exclusive financial advisor. The transaction closed on May 26, 2026; terms were not disclosed.
In a news release, Stuart Aust, principal of The Aust Group, noted that “it was a privilege to represent Scott and the exceptional business he has built over the past 20 years. We are equally grateful for the friendship we developed throughout the process.”
About JP McHale Pest Management
Since 1971, JP McHale Pest Management, an Anticimex company, has provided science-based solutions to homeowners and businesses throughout the Greater New York City area. Headquartered in Buchanan, N.Y., JP McHale Pest Management continues to innovate and utilize scientific expertise with the goal of delivering excellent service. JP McHale Pest Management became part of Anticimex in 2019.
About The Aust Group
The Aust Group is a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) firm dedicated to the pest control industry, helping owners achieve the best possible outcomes through expert guidance and experience. It was founded in 2018 by Stuart Aust, a longtime pest management professional and company owner who today serves both as a principal of The Aust Group and as a columnist with his son Daniel for Pest Management Professional magazine.
For many pest control owners, selling the company they’ve spent years building will be one of the most significant financial decisions they’ll ever make.
Stuart Aust
Yet many owners don’t begin thinking about what buyers are looking for until they’re ready to retire or actively consider a sale. By then, costly mistakes already may have reduced the value of their business.
The good news is that most of these issues can be addressed well before the sale. Whether you’re planning to sell in one year or five, avoiding these common mistakes can help maximize your company’s value.
1. Waiting too long to prepare.
One of the biggest mistakes owners make is waiting until they’ve lost motivation for their business or are ready to retire before planning for a sale.
Selling your business shouldn’t be rushed or unplanned. Buyers want a stable, well-managed company with consistent financial performance. Planning ahead gives you time to improve operations, strengthen your financial position and prepare your business for the best possible outcome.
2. Having poor financial records.
Daniel Aust
Buyers expect accurate, consistent and organized financial records. Clean financial statements build confidence and help speed up the due diligence process. Investing in professional bookkeeping and accounting services before you sell often is money well spent.
3. Losing key employees.
Experienced and tenured managers, salespeople, office staff and technicians are all valuable assets. If key employees leave before the sale, buyers may see additional risk. Strong company culture, ongoing training and competitive compensation help retain employees and make your business more attractive.
4. Being too dependent on the owners.
Many successful pest control companies are built around the owners’ relationships and daily involvement. While that dedication is admirable, buyers prefer businesses that can operate without an owner managing every detail.
Ask yourself: If I were away for several weeks, could my team successfully run the business without me? If not, strengthening your leadership team should be a priority before bringing your business to market.
5. Not building recurring revenue.
Recurring service agreements are one of the greatest strengths of the pest control industry. Companies with a high percentage of recurring customers generate predictable revenue, making them more attractive to buyers. Focusing on customer retention and long-term relationships can significantly increase your company’s value.
6. Waiting until revenue declines.
Too many owners hold onto their businesses until performance begins to decline. Buyers are willing to pay more for companies that are growing and consistently performing well. Declining revenue raises concerns about future performance — and often leads to lower offers.
7. Choosing the wrong advisor.
Not every broker understands the pest control industry. Working with an advisor who has industry experience, valuation expertise and established relationships with qualified buyers can have a significant impact on both the sale process and the final purchase price.
Selling your pest control business is about more than finding a buyer. It’s about protecting the value you’ve built, your employees, your customers and your legacy. Early planning, strong financial records, employee retention, recurring revenue and reduced owner dependence all contribute to a more valuable business.
FACT: Even if a sale is years away, understanding what buyers value today will help you make better decisions now — and maximize your options and your company’s value when the time comes.
Achieve precise and professional insect control with the J.T. Eaton Puffy-D Bulb Insecticidal Duster, designed for effortless application of insecticidal dust into hard-to-reach areas. Featuring a convenient 12-inch extension rod, this duster lets you easily treat cracks, crevices, wall voids, and tight spaces where pests hide.
With a capacity of 14 ounces, the durable Puffy-D reduces frequent refills, making it ideal for extensive treatments. It’s designed for use around baseboards, behind appliances, plumbing and other common insect entry points for thorough coverage. A simple bulb squeeze delivers accurate and even dust distribution, providing an efficient and reliable tool.
Founded in 1932 by Jasper T. Eaton as a mail-order house for pest control products for professional use, J.T. Eaton was brought to prominence when Pest Management Professional (PMP) Hall of Famer Stanley Baker (Class of 1999)purchased it in 1949. Before his death in 2005 at the age of 87, he built it up to a multi-million-dollar company. Baker was a lifelong innovator, and is credited for creating the paraffin rodent bait block in 1962. He is also credited with developing the modern glue board design, in 1980. In 1999, he helped patent an ant and cockroach product that uses just 1 percent boric acid. Still family-owned and -operated by the Baker family, J.T. Eaton’s product line includes products for rodents, wildlife, bed bugs, mosquitoes and other flying insects and more.
Every pest management professional (PMP) is looking for the same thing: greater efficiency, stronger customer relationships and profitable growth. Yet many businesses still rely on inspection models that require technicians to spend valuable time driving to properties simply to confirm that nothing has happened.
Photo: Skyhawk Trapmate
Skyhawk Trapmate changes that. Our purpose-built remote monitoring platform helps PMPs eliminate unnecessary trap inspections, improve operational efficiency, optimize service routes through actionable data and scale their business volume without compromising service quality. By combining intelligent sensors, live monitoring and a centralized digital platform, Trapmate gives business owners the visibility they need to make smarter decisions, demonstrate measurable value to customers and build a more scalable operation.
Time savings and value
One of the biggest transformations happens in the field. Instead of spending hours checking empty traps, technicians receive real-time alerts only when activity occurs. That doesn’t eliminate service visits; it makes them more valuable. Time once spent performing routine inspections can now be invested where technicians create the greatest impact: identifying exclusion opportunities, preventing infestations before they escalate, strengthening customer relationships and applying their expertise.
Trapmate allows more time for investigation and problem-solving. It enables PMPs to focus on higher-value work while improving operational efficiency and creating capacity for growth.
Trapmate doesn’t replace technicians. It empowers them to spend more of every service visit doing what only a trained professional can do.
Continual expansion
Our growing ecosystem of rodent, wildlife, insect and environmental sensors gives PMPs a single digital platform for monitoring more of the environments they protect. Through integrations and collaborations with leading industry partners, Trapmate continues to expand what’s possible with remote monitoring, helping businesses streamline operations while delivering even greater value to their customers.
Visit Skyhawk Trapmate at Booth 224 during PestWorld to experience its complete remote monitoring ecosystem and discover how purpose-built technology can help your business work smarter, deliver greater value and grow with confidence.
from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/must-see-exhibits-skyhawk-trapmate-eliminates-unnecessary-trap-inspections-for-pmps/ Sacramento CA
When it comes to rodent control in particular, remember that a quick, in-person training session can work better than two hours of video training. It’s good to take 15 minutes with all your technicians, old and new, and go over some basics.
Select different technicians to demonstrate simple but important techniques in different situations. For example, how to bait and set a snap trap or how to determine where to place an exterior rodent bait station (RBS). For the latter:
Place your RBS in the most likely locations rodents will be trying to approach a building, not merely every 10 to 20 feet around the building.
Place your RBS near low-lying bushes and other objects rodents can hide behind.
Each time you initially install an RBS, take a photo of where it is placed, properly labeled and anchored. File this information. Sometimes a person unintentionally (or intentionally) destroys the station and spills rodenticide. I saw this happen — and the state agency cited the pest control company for pesticide misapplication.
Inspection tips
Before you open an RBS, stand back and look at the surrounding area. There’s a chance that an active burrow is within 30 feet of the station — maybe multiple burrows, too.
Remove old rodent bait and replace with fresh bait. Never throw it on the ground.
Check to see whether ants or slugs have eaten the bait. Slug baits are available to add to the RBS to protect from this issue. With fire ants, the bait could be gone in less than an hour after you place it.
Musts for dusts
This goes for insect pests as well as rodents, but here are some helpful hints for dusting treatments:
In areas where humidity is a problem, place two marbles in each duster. The marbles keep the dust from clumping.
Color-code your dusters for different products. Make sure a color key is posted prominently for everyone to check against.
Store each duster in a resealable plastic bag so it can be labeled as to contents. Any label you place directly on a duster wears off or falls off. Often, a new technician is issued the previous technician’s vehicle with products. They have no idea what is in the duster, although the color coding should help some.
Avoid the risk of electric shock by using a piece of plastic tubing over your duster’s metal tip. If the plastic tip is a few inches long, it can even be used as a flexible tool to dust in different directions in a void. You can obtain this plastic tubing in pet stores, in the tropical fish department.
When injecting a pressurized tip into a crack, bounce back can be common. The bounce back can hit you in the eye and even leave pitted spots on furniture and appliances. As a precaution, slip a fast food plastic cup lid over the tip of the applicator in the cutout meant for a drinking straw. If any bounce back hits the cover, you will see it immediately.
Rodent control: Expect the unexpected
Your company should know its accounts well enough to know some of the inner workings. For example, I was called in to troubleshoot for an old, shabby-looking warehouse that was under contract for rodent control. There was an active mouse infestation that was hiding somewhere in the dense inventory of wooden pallets.
It turned out this warehouse was storing rare art paintings and artifacts for a very famous museum. When the customer was asked what the inventory was worth, their answer was “priceless.”
The pest control firm was owned by a good friend who had no idea what was in his account. I called him and told him to get his best crew down there immediately to eliminate the mice. What would a claim cost for this account? I’d bet “priceless” had a price tag. — A.F.
Gourmet Ant Bait Gel has been an effective tool for pest management professionals to use for ant and cockroach control for more than two decades. The product is sold in Canada as Green Way Ant & Roach Bait Gel.
Gourmet Ant Bait Gel’s exclusive formulation is attractive to sweet- and protein-feeding ants, as well as German cockroaches (Blatellagermanica). The gel is clear when applied, stays clear, and won’t get runny even at temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit for four hours. There is no documented resistance to the active ingredient, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, the company says. The competitively priced product is packaged six syringes and six plungers to a box.
About Innovative Pest Control Products
Based in Gainesville, Fla., Innovative Pest Control Products was founded in 1999 by pest management professional and entomologist Alan Bernard to provide high-quality products for the professional pest control industry. Today, his daughter Sarah is the president of the company; she holds a degree in entomology from the University of Florida. Notable products include:
Gourmet Ant Bait Gel
Green Way Liquid Ant Killing Bait Pre-filled RTU Bait Stations
Per a news release announcement, DeAngelo brings more than 20 years of experience as a “transformational operating executive, with a proven record of leading large-scale, multi-site businesses. Throughout his career, he has focused on operational performance and organizational transformation. Known for disciplined execution and a people-focused leadership style, DeAngelo has built strong teams and fostered cultures centered on continuous improvement, accountability and lasting growth.”
“I’m excited to welcome Jeff DeAngelo as president of Anticimex Carolinas,” Bryan Cummings, COO of Anticimex North America, said in the news release. “I look forward to working with Jeff as he builds on the strengths of the organization, supports our people and continues to deliver outstanding service to our customers across the Carolinas.”
DeAngelo noted in the release that he is “excited to lead this team and build on our organization’s solid foundation. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and I look forward to supporting our teams, serving our customers, and driving continued growth across the Carolinas.”
About Anticimex Carolinas
Anticimex Carolinas is a union of three long-running Carolina pest control companies — Killingsworth Environmental, Clark’s Termite & Pest Control and Strand Termite & Pest Control — that share a parent company, Anticimex. Founded in Sweden in 1934, Anticimex operates more than 20 countries worldwide with more than 8,000 employees. In the United States, Anticimex has a presence in 25 states through 17 brands.
Tampa, Fla.-based Certus Pest Inc. has partnered with Standard Pest Control, which is based in Puyallup, Wash., 35 miles south of Seattle. Standard will incorporate into the existing operations in Puyallup and Seattle of Certus’ trademarked PURCOR Pest Solutions brand.
“The Greater Seattle area has more than 4 million residents and lots of visiting tourists,” Patrick Kelly, Certus’ senior vice president of corporate development, said in a news release. “This makes the area a strong business market for pest control between its thousands of homes, offices, hotels and other public places. Standard Pest Control has literally set a standard for what great pest control looks like, and I’m delighted to have them join forces with PURCOR Pest Solutions to set an elevated standard together.”
About Certus
Founded in 2019, Certus is a home services company operating pest control, lawn service, and swimming pool maintenance and repair brands in 11 U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Author’s Note: Financing options and eligibility vary by lender and borrower. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of financing or financial advice.
Professional pest control businesses often have a combination of recurring revenue, seasonal demand, specialized equipment, service vehicles and ongoing labor requirements. For established operators looking to expand, acquire another company, add technicians or invest in equipment, the right financing strategy can make growth more manageable without putting unnecessary pressure on cash flow. Let’s take a look at four common areas where financing can help.
1. Technician growth and capacity
For growing pest management companies, adding technicians can be one of the most direct ways to increase service capacity and revenue. However, expanding a team can require significant upfront investment in recruiting, training, payroll, uniforms, technology and other operating expenses before new technicians generate enough revenue to cover their costs.
Working capital financing can help established pest control companies manage these upfront expenses while they build their customer base and service routes. This can be particularly valuable when a company has more demand than its current workforce can handle.
Business owners should evaluate the expected revenue contribution of each new technician and compare it with the additional payroll and operating costs. Financing growth is most effective when the company has a clear plan for turning additional staffing capacity into recurring revenue and stronger cash flow.
2. Working capital for seasonal growth
Although many pest control companies benefit from recurring service agreements, demand can fluctuate throughout the year. Seasonal increases in business can create a need for additional technicians, inventory, marketing, vehicles and other operating expenses before the resulting revenue is collected.
A working capital loan or business line of credit can provide additional liquidity during periods of expansion. The goal should be to match the financing structure with the company’s actual cash-flow cycle rather than borrowing more than the business can reasonably support.
3. Business acquisitions
Acquisitions can be an effective way for pest control companies to expand their customer base and geographic footprint. Buying an established operation can provide immediate access to recurring customers, trained employees, service routes, vehicles and existing revenue.
However, acquisitions require careful planning. Buyers need to evaluate the following for each target company:
financial performance
recurring vs. one-time revenue
customer retention
employee structure
equipment
vehicles
outstanding obligations
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) financing and conventional business acquisition loans may both be potential options for qualified borrowers. The appropriate structure depends on factors such as the purchase price, cash flow of the business, buyer qualifications, available collateral and the lender’s requirements.
4. Expansion and new locations
Established pest management companies may eventually look beyond their existing service territory. Opening another location can require significant upfront investment in personnel, vehicles, equipment, office space, marketing and technology.
Longer-term financing may be appropriate when the capital is being used for a substantial expansion with a multi-year expected return. Businesses should develop realistic projections showing how the new location is expected to contribute to revenue and cash flow.
Choosing the right financing structure
There is no single financing solution that works for every pest control company. The best option depends on what the capital will accomplish.
A company that is purchasing vehicles or specialized equipment may want to explore asset-specific financing. A company acquiring another pest control operation may benefit from acquisition financing. A company managing seasonal working-capital needs may find a revolving line of credit more appropriate.
Before applying, owners should clearly identify the purpose of the financing, determine how much capital is actually needed, review historical financial statements and develop realistic projections for repayment.
Financing should be viewed as a tool for building long-term enterprise value, not simply as a way to access cash. When structured around predictable cash flow and a clearly defined growth strategy, the right financing can help a pest control company expand its routes, increase capacity, pursue acquisitions and strengthen its competitive position.
EcoVia WD is a broad-spectrum, botanical insecticide that can be used directly as a dust or as a wettable powder. It is exempt under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 25(b) provision. The versatile formula has been extensively tested in the lab and proven in the real world to provide fast knockdown and residual control on a wide range of crawling, flying and stinging insects.
EcoVia WD application sites include, but are not limited to, indoor, outdoor and livestock facilities. There are no pyrethroid or neonicotinoid application restrictions, and it can be applied in environmentally sensitive areas, including up to the water’s edge. It’s ideal for applications on boat docks and other sensitive areas for spider control.
EcoVia WD can also be used for dusting void areas, and for liquid applications to entry points to repel invading and overwintering insects. When applied as a dust, EcoVia WD will act as a fumigant in enclosed voids. It’s available in 8-ounce puffer bottles and 2-pound pails.
About Rockwell Labs
Founded in 1998 by Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer Dr. Cisse Spragins (Class of 2018), North Kansas City, Mo.-based Rockwell Labs offers products that are conceptualized, developed and formulated in-house. New products undergo extensive testing in-house, in the field and at major universities before they are produced and launched in the professional market.
NyGuard IGR Concentrate is a juvenile hormone mimic that breaks the life cycles of more than 50 pests, including cockroaches, fleas, mosquitoes, ants and flies. It works indoors and outdoors so it can be used to treat more places. It provides more output per bottle so you get more for your money — up to 120 finished gallons per 480-milliliter bottle, the company says. NyGuard IGR Concentrate’s versatility gives you “the power of more” so you can do more for your customer.
About MGK
In 1902, Alexander McLaughlin went into the business of importing ground spices, plant leaves, barks, fruits and flowers for use in pharmaceuticals and food. Six years later, he incorporated the business with partners George King and John Gormley. The company, McLaughlin Gormley King (MGK), soon realized its product shipments containing flowers in the chrysanthemum family of plants were never infested with live insects.
Four generations of family leadership have guided MGK since its founding. In 1989, MGK became an affiliate of Sumitomo Chemical Co., a critical relationship to its long-term successes in chemistry, technology, sales and growth. As the MGK team notes, “advanced pest control methods that minimize environmental impact while meeting control requirements hold great promise for the future. And that is where MGK plans to be — at the forefront.”
Get ready for an exciting showcase at PestWorld 2026 in Grapevine, Texas, where Catchmaster Pro will introduce a new lineup built around one goal: helping pest management professionals (PMPs) make more money. Our full team of sales representatives will be on hand at Booth 231 to walk you through the innovations below and answer your questions.
Vector 9 Plug-In: The tool that turns you into the hero
Meet the newest member of the Vector family, the Vector 9 Plug-In. PMPs already trust Vector for silent, zap-free fly control. Now that same technology comes in a compact, outlet-ready design perfect for kitchens, break rooms and tight indoor spaces where a full insect light trap (ILT) is not appropriate.
The Vector 9 is great as a leave-behind or as an add-on for your customers. It is useful all year long, from the warmer months when uninvited pests like flies, gnats and moths follow us inside, and again in the spring and fall, when stink bugs, lady beetles and other occasional invaders drop by. Each unit ships with 12 glue board refills, so you can hand your client a full year’s supply in a single visit.
Shadowbox Rodent Station: For mice or rats
Last year, we introduced the Shadowbox Rodent Station for mice. This year, we’re expanding the line with a larger Shadowbox designed specifically for rats. It’s the same low-cost, easy-to-assemble, reusable design and the same discreet profile and multiple trap anchoring options, allowing you to use wooden or plastic snap traps. All Shadowboxes come with optional integrated pest management (IPM) record-keeper labels.
Private Label by Catchmaster Pro: See your brand in action
Stop by our booth to try our new interactive private-label tool. Drop in your logo and company name right on the spot and watch your own branded products come to life on screen. It’s the fastest way to picture what’s possible, like the Private Label Door Hanger. Every private-label partner gets a dedicated Catchmaster Pro representative to guide design and production, from concept to shelf.
Don’t miss what’s new from AP&G’s Catchmaster Pro at PestWorld 2026.
Add convenience, security and efficiency to your work vehicle with a Roll-Up Door Truck Cap. Designed for quick access and maximum productivity, the roll-up door replaces traditional swing/ hatch doors with a smooth, space-saving design that opens vertically — perfect for tight parking areas and busy jobsites where opening doors is a hassle.
Now available for the Ford Maverick (model year 2022 and up), the new roll-up door pairs well with bedslides, configured Next-Gen shelving and an ergonomic ladder rack. It will be available on other platforms, including the Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150, later this fall. Features include:
30% larger access doors than others on the market
weather and dust resistance thanks to a patent-pending system
e-lock option available
commercial-grade aluminum construction
3-point locking handles on rear doors
2-point locking handles on the rear hatch
ladder rack- and toolbox-ready
3-year/36,000-mile warranty
About Adrian Steel
From its beginning in 1953 as a small structural steel warehouse with four employees, Adrian has grown to become an award-winning industry leader in cargo management solutions for commercial vehicles. Small businesses to large fleets rely on Adrian products every day, in a variety of working conditions and industries.
This co-pack of products uses Mold-Care to kill and help prevent mold along with Bora-Care to combat wood-decay fungi as well as termites and other listed wood-destroying organisms (WDOs). During new or remedial construction, a solution is topically applied to all wood surfaces in the structure per the label. After flooding, treat all exposed wood to kill mold and help prevent future mold growth.
Availble in a dual-chamber container (1 pint of Mold-Care and 1 gallon of Bora-Care), this product can be ordered two per case, 40 cases per pallet.
About Nisus
Nisus is a privately held company that manufactures sustainable products for the professional pest control industry, industrial wood protection industry and the agricultural liquid micronutrient industry at its manufacturing plant based in Rockford, Tenn.
Cetane Associates, a Houston, Texas-based financial advisory and transaction firm providing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) expertise to the home services industries, confirms the acquisition of its client, Viper Pest Services, to The Pest Rangers. Cetane team members Bob Williamson, Barrett Conway and Danny O’Laughlin managed the transaction.
Based in Allentown, Pa., Viper Pest was founded in 2016 by Ryan Lingold to serve the Lehigh Valley. In a news release, he noted that he is “confident that The Pest Rangers will take great care of our customers and employees, and I look forward to continuing to work with the team to ensure a smooth transition.”
The Pest Rangers is based in Wilkes Barre, Pa., about 65 miles northwest of Viper Pest. Jeff King, president of The Pest Rangers, remarked, “Ryan has built valuable relationships with his customers and employees over the years, and we appreciate the trust he has placed in The Pest Rangers to carry those relationships forward. Our goal with every acquisition is to make the transition as seamless as possible for the customers and the people who helped build the business.”
About Cetane Associates
Cetane is a leading provider of financial advisory services to pest management companies as well as other service industries such as propane, heating oil, lawn care, landscaping and more. Cetane Pest and Lawn DirectorBob Williamson is a contributor for PMP‘s monthly “M&A Update.” Clients engage Cetane to advise on sales, spin-offs and acquisitions, as well as to perform valuation and ad-hoc corporate finance assignments.
About The Pest Rangers
The Pest Rangers is an independent, family-owned and operated regional pest control company. Founded in 2008, it has grown into a 40-person team with seven physical offices across Pennsylvania and New Jersey: Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Mount Pocono, Allentown, Macungie, Horsham and Moorestown.
Inspections. Keep an eye out for pests that seem unusual for the area. Sometimes an invasive species is discovered simply because something didn’t look quite right.
