company directories

Friday, March 1, 2019

R3 Joins SMA

Strategic Market Alliance (SMA) has added Elk Grove Village, IL-based R3 Reliable Redistribution Resource to its roster of member-distributors. The addition of R3 increases SMA’s product... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry https://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/r3-joins-sma/
Mold Remediation Baltimore

3M Continues Commitment to Sustainability

3M announced a commitment to convert all of its facilities worldwide to 100 percent electricity. As part of this commitment, 3M’s 409-acre, 30-building headquarters campus in St. Paul, MN,... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry https://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/3m-continues-commitment-to-sustainability/
Mold Remediation Baltimore

Univar acquires Nexeo Solutions

Univar Inc. acquired Nexeo Solutions, creating a global chemical and ingredient solutions provider. The combined company will conduct business as Univar Solutions.

“Univar Solutions is uniquely positioned to drive growth and deliver significant value for shareholders, customers, suppliers and employees,” says David Jukes, Univar Solutions president and CEO. “Together, we have the ability to redefine chemical and ingredients distribution, to deliver superior growth for our partners, people and shareholders.”

Univar Solutions combines the scale, broad product portfolio, technical expertise, relationship know-how and specialized services of Univar with the product knowledge, market expertise and scalable technology platform of Nexeo Solutions.

Univar Solutions will provide customers with access to a broad selection of products from suppliers and a growing portfolio of services. Backed by digital tools and a global network of 17 ‘Solution Centres,’ the company will help create new formulations and recipes that distinguish brands in the marketplace.

In addition to announcing the name under which the company will operate going forward, Univar unveiled the new Univar Solutions brand identity and logo.

Jukes adds, “Our new logo represents a commitment to constructive partnerships and collaborations with our customers and suppliers. It also reflects an updated mission of streamlining, innovating and growing through values that will govern our new company: serious about safety, people matter, we’re valuable to others, we do what we say, and together we win.”

Nexeo Solutions will divest its plastics distribution business, Nexeo Plastics, to an affiliate of One Rock Capital Partners LLC. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019 and is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2019/03/01/univar-acquires-nexeo-solutions/
Sacramento CA

3 steps to limiting inside fly populations

Mel Whitson, Senior Field Technical Service Manager, Zoëcon Professional Products

As weather gets cooler, flying insects make their way inside. Follow these three steps to limit fly populations and give your customers some relief from these nuisance pests.

Entry denied. Conduct an exterior inspection, and make any necessary repairs to ensure flies can’t find their way indoors. This includes repairing windows and screens, and checking for any missing pieces of soffits.
Clean sweep. Fly infestations can be managed just by keeping the area sanitized. Keep drains clean and free of food debris to avoid drain flies, and keep garbage tightly sealed and enclosed to eliminate breeding sites.
Treat accordingly. After making any necessary repairs, begin applying appropriately labeled treatment products. Treat inside garbage receptacles and any areas where sanitation is a challenge. Pay special attention to floor drains, and consider treating with an insect growth regulator (IGR) product for long-term control.

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2019/03/01/3-steps-to-limiting-inside-fly-populations/
Sacramento CA

How to evaluate a detector dog for toy drive

PHOTO: David Latimer

This segment continues the process of visiting a shelter and evaluating dogs for suitability as detector dogs. We’ve evaluated the dog for sociability and friendliness and it’s now time to move on to drive testing.

(Editor’s note: Read Part 1 – How to choose a dog for scent detection and Part 2 – Tips to evaluate a dog for scent detection.)

If when I bounced the ball in front of the dog’s cage it tried to grab it excitedly and showed intense focus on the ball as it bounced around, I’ll now evaluate the dog for toy drive. To do that, we’ll need an enclosed area since we have no idea whether the dog will recall if allowed off leash. After entering the enclosed area, I’ll show the dog the ball and bounce it on the ground while holding on to the dog’s collar so it can’t actually get the ball. If the dog tries to grab it, great, I’ll eventually let him do that, then offer a kibble of food or another ball to get him to release. I’ll drop the ball in front of the dog several times and observe whether the dog immediately scrambles grabs it.

Next, I’ll throw the ball several yards straight away from the dog being sure that he sees me throw it. If the dog immediately takes off toward the thrown ball, great, I’ll throw it several times to test the dog’s level of drive. I want to see the dog run after the ball time after time without losing interest. If at some point the dog stops showing interest in pursuing the ball, I’ll switch to the food drive test. If the dog continues to diligently pursue the ball energetically, every time I throw it, I’ll move on to checking whether the dog will be motivated to search for the ball.

In the next phase, I’ll have my helper hold the dog by its collar and I’ll stand just out of the dog’s reach, bouncing the ball and talking to the dog in an excited and high-pitched voice. I want to get the dog excited and struggling to get to the ball. I’ll then quickly turn away, concealing the ball and run away. I’ll act like I hide the ball in a couple of places, allowing the dog to see the ball in my hand at each place, I’ll then conceal it again and repeat this at two or three places before actually concealing it and leaving it somewhere. The goal is for the dog to not know which place I actually left the ball. I’ll then have the helper release the dog. Most dogs will immediately begin searching for the ball. If the dog finds the ball, several times in a row, I’ll move on to the next phase.

Next, I’ll evaluate what is called “hunt drive”. I’ll act like I throw the ball but actually conceal it out of the dog’s sight and not throw it. The dog must be convinced that I’ve thrown the ball or this won’t work. Upon faking the throw, the dog should run out in the direction you faked the throw and start searching. If the dog just never seems to give up searching, I’ll go do the paperwork to adopt it and start training.

In the next segment on testing dogs, we’ll evaluate a dog for food drive.

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2019/03/01/how-to-evaluate-a-detector-dog-for-toy-drive/
Sacramento CA

Online is a lifeline for many PMPs

LOGO: JOSH ALPERT

As pest management professionals (PMPs), we regularly run into bored housewives, lonely retirees, unhappy husbands, talkative nine-year-olds, etc. I always joke around with my techs that we are like bartenders: People tend to feel very comfortable around us. If we are friendly and genuine, customers will open up and tell us some very intimate things.

In my March 2018 column, I discussed the many Facebook pest control groups that have sprung up and are relevant to our livelihood. Some people are taking it to the next level by making Facebook Live streaming videos. Most of the info being presented is outstanding. With the advancements of social media, more and more PMPs are going on Facebook, YouTube and internet radio platforms, and they are sharing. A lot.

“Hi, this is Bobby from Saskatoon Pest Raiders on ‘Canadian Pest Pros Mobile Action LIVE!’ I want to talk to you today about my penny-pinching monster-in-law.”

PMPs are telling their tales of starting up their businesses, retaining their clients, lowering insurance costs, etc. But something else has risen out of the web: PMPs also are helping one another with topics that might have been taboo a few years ago, such as depression, divorce, sexuality, bankruptcy and politics.

Reaching out

I recently talked to Josh Alpert, founder of Green Earth Pest Control, about his Facebook page “Let’s Talk Business Mobile.” I asked whether he was surprised at the level of frankness on his site. Keep in mind, these are videos, not just text.

He told me PMPs “need a place to vent;” they need to know that “I’m not alone and I’m not the only one going through this.”

What Josh admits he has been surprised by is the volume of PMPs joining his platform: “When I started my page, it was a hobby. Now it feels like a business.”

He also points out that Facebook pages are, to some degree, usurping association meetings because, instead of driving somewhere to see people once a month, “You can meet with people every day. You also have access to people you never would have met before.”

Paul Bello, president of PJB Pest Consulting — who, like me, is an administrator on “Let’s Talk Business Mobile” — notes that with these online forums, “I can connect and interact with anyone about anything, anytime I want.”

Paul says he believes social media platforms are helping many PMPs.

“I think it is overwhelmingly positive,” he adds. “Years ago, people used to work without a ‘safety net.’ But now, a PMP can reach out to a Facebook pest control page and ask for advice. Within 10 minutes, 30 people will have recommendations.”

Editor’s note: Read another of Schopen’s columns, “PMPs: Be generous with your industry knowledge“

Posting tips

I have a few thoughts and suggestions when making your videos or posting to these sites:

⦁ Keep your videos short. I would love to watch many of these videos, but I’m running a business. I don’t have time to watch a 30-, 20- or even a 10-minute video. Try to keep your videos between 60 and 90 seconds. Sometimes you can venture up to two minutes if the content needs explaining. Paul also posts great videos on “PJB Pest Consulting” — and they are very rarely longer than two minutes.

⦁ Make sure the content is relevant. If you’re creating podcasts and you’re purposefully putting out 30-minute videos, make sure you publicize the content and make it useful. Mid-sized companies like mine can use the longer videos for training purposes with our employees. But if you are going to ramble on about your diet or how a customer made you mad, I’m going to tune it out quickly.

⦁ Dress for success. If you are recording yourself in your work truck and you’re wearing a wrinkled shirt with food hanging out of your beard, what message is that sending to a young technician? Look professional if appearing in your videos.

⦁ The future is in Internet radio: I predict that the next great wave of video content is going to be internet radio with live feeds. Can you imagine a 24-hour Internet station devoted to pest control? “And for all of us at Pete’s Pests Internet Radio . . . Good night!”

Pete’s picks

Here are six of the best Facebook groups I found for podcasts and professionals sharing information:

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2019/03/01/online-is-a-lifeline-for-many-pmps/
Sacramento CA

Control Solutions Inc.: Pivot Ultra Plus

PHOTO: CONTROL SOLUTIONS INC.

Pivot Ultra Plus contains three active ingredients to eliminate flea populations. A combination of adulticides and an insect growth regulator (IGR) work together to manage flea populations in treated areas. One application of Pivot Ultra Plus kills adult and larval fleas, while the IGR affects hatching eggs, the company says. Contains 1 percent Etofenprox, 30 percent Pyriproxyfen and 0.05 percent Prallethrin. Available in 15-ounce cans.

Want instant savings? Try Pivot Ultra Plus now and save up to 19 percent between Feb. 1 and April 30, through CSI’s Aerosol Promotion, to load up on all of your go-to CSI Pressurized Solutions.

ControlSolutionsInc.com

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2019/03/01/control-solutions-inc-pivot-ultra-plus/
Sacramento CA