Registration open for 87th Annual Purdue Pest Management Conference

Registration is now open for the 87th Annual Purdue Pest Management Conference.

The event will take place in-person Jan. 9-11, 2023, and virtually Jan. 10-20.

This year’s conference is sponsored by the Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management, Dept. of Entomology, Purdue University in cooperation with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and  USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services.

Registration for on-site attendance to the conference is now open.

The on-site program includes:

• Exhibit hall opening reception is Jan. 9 at 4:30 p.m.
• Lab tours are back on Jan. 10 with two evening group tours. Sign-ups are available on the website.
• Anniversary recognitions will be on Jan. 11 during closing ceremonies.

A full list of events for the on-site program is available.

Registration for the virtual program is also available. 

For those whose states have time stamp requirements, viewing must occur at the times listed on the program. Make sure to check your state’s requirements using Purdue’s interactive map.

Virtual content will remain available for viewing and credit (in those states which allow it) through Jan. 20 at 5 p.m.

Registration for the virtual program available.

Complete information for the conference is available on its website.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2022/10/21/registration-open-for-87th-annual-purdue-pest-management-conference/
Sacramento CA

NPMA hosts Annual Day of Service

Volunteers from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) led a number of charitable efforts during its time at PestWorld 2022 in Boston, Mass.

The Annual Day of Service, held Oct. 14, and sponsored by FMC, is a tradition among NPMA’s volunteer councils to give back to local organizations.

This year, the PestVets Council selected the New England Center and Home for Veterans as their charitable organization. With over 50 NPMA veteran members visiting the center, serving meals, delivering care packages, and meeting residents, PestVets raised over $43,000 for the center. The event was also sponsored by FMC.

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

The New England Pest Management Association (NEPMA) hosted a dinner reception for its members. Taking place at the Sheraton, event sponsors included Bell Labs, BASF and Evolve YT. During the event, President Tom Drapeau, ACE, of Freedom Pest Control in Merrimac, Mass., announced that Yankee Pest Control’s Galvin Murphy had donated $10,000 to the New England Center & Home for Veterans on behalf of the NPMA’s PestVets, to match the $10,000 donation raised by NEPMA. This donation not only funds 180 “Welcome Aboard” packages for new arrivals, which consists of toiletries and other essentials, but helps bring a bathroom at the Center into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In addition, NPMA’s Leadership Network Community (LNC) held its annual Pop-a-Shot tournament for United to Beat Malaria. This annual event raises funds to provide bed nets and other life-saving tools in developing countries. This year’s tournament more than doubled last year’s total, with over $7,000 raised for the charity — which PMP columnist Dan Baldwin recently wrote about in the October issue.

The Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM) held its 13th 5k Fun Run/Walk. This year, the event raised $6,900 for Comfort Zone Camp and $1,210 for the PWIPM Professional Empowerment Grant. Comfort Zone Camp holds camps throughout the United States for kids ranging in ages 5-24 who have lost a parent, sibling, or guardian. These camps are offered to all kids everywhere and are free of charge. The run was sponsored by Abell Pest Control, Arrow Exterminators, Bell Laboratories, FieldRoutes, Gardex Chemicals, and PestWest.

PWIPM also hosted a Dress for Success (DFS) clothing drive at PestWorld. Attendees brought suits, dresses, shoes and more to a designated area outside the exhibit hall. The mission of DFS is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Each women receives one suit for an interview and once she obtains a job, she receives several more outfits to start her new job.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2022/10/21/npma-hosts-annual-day-of-service/
Sacramento CA

Small Business Owners Consider Cutting Back on Insurance

Nationwide survey finds majority are pessimistic about the economy going forward.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Rockwell Labs: BorActin Insecticide Powder

IMAGE: ROCKWELL LABS

The broad label of BorActin Insecticide Powder, a long-lasting non-repellent dust, allows for a wide choice of application methods such as a liquid spray, foam, or even a mop solution or drain treatment. The product combats crawling insects such as cockroaches, ants and silverfish, as well as small flies (drain flies, fruit flies and phorid flies). It can be used in residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural applications, including both food and non-food areas, and for darkling beetle control in poultry houses. Precision milling in pharmaceutical-grade equipment yields a superfine, odorless powder with no clumping and superior “dustability.” It is excellent for void treatments. BorActin contains 99 percent boric acid as the active ingredient and is not corrosive to stainless steel. It remains active until removed and will not break down in heat or ultraviolet (UV) light. It is available in a one-pound bottle, a five- and 25-pound pail, and in a box of 36 four-ounce mop packets.

RockwellLabs.com

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2022/10/21/rockwell-labs-boractin-insecticide-powder/
Sacramento CA

Orkin releases Top 50 Rattiest Cities List

Photo: Pierre Aden/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Chicago, Ill., may soon need to change its name from “The Windy City” to the “Rattiest City,” after topping Orkin’s Top 50 Rattiest Cities List, yet again.

For the eighth consecutive year, this Midwestern city takes the top spot on Orkin’s list. New York City beat out Los Angeles, Calif., for the No. 2 ranking — and entering the Top 20 this year is Hartford, Conn. It takes the No. 19 spot, while Miami, Fla., rises three spots to secure the No. 20 spot.

1. Chicago, Ill.
2. New York City, N.Y. (+1)
3. Los Angeles, Calif (-1)
4. Washington, D.C.
5. San Francisco, Calif.
6. Philadelphia, Pa. (+1)
7. Baltimore, Md. (-1)
8. Cleveland, Ohio (+2)
9. Detroit, Mich. (-1)
10. Denver, Colo. (-1)
11. Seattle, Wash.
12. Minneapolis, Minn.
13. Boston, Mass.
14. Atlanta, Ga. (+1)
15. Indianapolis, Ind. (-1)
16. Pittsburgh, Pa.
17. Cincinnati, Ohio (+2)
18. San Diego, Calif. (-1)
19. Hartford, Conn. (+2)
20. Miami, Fla.
21. Milwaukee, Wis. (+1)
22. Houston, Texas (-4)
23. Dallas, Texas (-3)
24. Portland, Ore.
25. Columbus, Ohio (+1)
26. Richmond, Va. (+2)
27. Kansas City, Mo. (-2)
28. Norfolk, Va. (-1)
29. Nashville, Tenn. (+7)
30. St. Louis, Mo.
31. Grand Rapids, Mich. (+1)
32. Raleigh, N.C. (+3)
33. Champaign, Ill. (+4)
34. Albany, N.Y. (-3)
35. Louisville, Ky. (+5)
36. Sacramento, Calif. (-7)
37. New Orleans, La. (-4)
38. Charlotte, N.C. (+4)
39. Buffalo, N.Y. (+2)
40. Flint, Mich. (-6)
41. Greenville, N.C. (+3)
42. Syracuse, N.Y. (+4)
43. Tampa, Fla. (+7)
44. South Bend, Ind. (+21)
45. Portland, Ore. (-7)
46. Phoenix, Ariz. (-3)
47. Charleston, N.C.
48. Fort Wayne, Ind. (+12)
49. Orlando, Fla. (+3)
50. Burlington, Iowa (-11)

Each fall, mice and other rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes in the United States. They typically enter homes between October and February looking for food, water and shelter from the cold. And unique to previous years, with the influx of outdoor dining structures brought on by the pandemic, rodents have found the perfect place to dine, live and multiply, so consumers should pay extra attention to the attractants that entice rats and mice.

“Rodent infestations are among the top pest issues of the fall and winter seasons,” said Dr. Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist. “Not only are mice and rats a nuisance, but they are known to spread a variety of dangerous diseases, including Salmonella and Hantavirus.”

Make sure to inform customers about potential signs of rodent infestations including:

• Droppings: Rodent droppings are often left behind in places where food is stored, such as kitchen cabinets or pantries, under sinks, inside chewed cardboard boxes, along baseboards and on top of wall beams
• Gnaw marks: Mice are known to bite through walls, wood and wires. The damage to wiring within walls can increase the risk for a house fire.
• Nests: Rodents prefer to nest in dark, secluded areas where there is little chance of disturbance. Be on the lookout for shredded paper products, cotton, packing materials and other fabrics, as house mice like to build nests out of these materials.
• Rub marks: Rats tend to leave dark grease or dirt marks along walls and floorboards as they follow a trail throughout the home between their nest and food.
• Strange noises: Scurrying in the walls or in the attic could mean a rodent family is present. Rodents are especially fond of attics as it’s an insulated area for nest building.

Orkin recommends the following tips to tell customers to prevent:

• Store away food. Small crumbs and garbage are popular food sources, as are dry goods such as grains and cereals. These should be kept in sealed metal or glass containers to prevent contamination.
• Declutter. Cardboard objects prove attractive to rodents, as they tend to chew them up for use in their nests. Take advantage of your extra time at home to clean and organize crowded spaces around the house.
• Maintain your landscaping. Tall grass with adequate harborages, such as woodpiles next to the house, can be ideal habitats for rodents. Tree branches in contact with homes can also offer rodents easy access to the upper levels of your home where they may find a way into the attic.
• Inspect both inside and outside your home. Keep an eye out for rodent droppings, burrows and rub marks along baseboards and walls. The sooner rodents are detected, the better.
• Look for possible entry points. Seal any holes and cracks that are found around your home. Install weather strips around entryways, especially under doors, to help keep mice out of your home.

Are you surprised about some of the cities on the list? Let us know at pmpeditor@northcoastmedia.net.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2022/10/20/orkin-releases-top-50-rattiest-cities-list/
Sacramento CA

How Do I Hire and Keep Good Employees?

This edition of Ask Annissa features two special quests and addresses one of the biggest challenges for restoration contractors.

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Mold Remediation Baltimore

Run Your Business: Thank you, Coach!

Photo: salihkilic/E+/Getty Images

A runner needs more than just talent and physical abilities to become a professional. It’s not as simple as that. They need to be trained and guided by the right people.

The right coaching staff can make the difference between ongoing success or quick failure.

I recently read about a female professional runner who finally got accepted into a renowned training group in California. She felt this was the gift that would help elevate her to the next level. The training was harder than anything she had ever done, but she pushed through day after day. Instead of seeing incremental improvements, she faced constant injuries and her race times became slower. Finally, she quit the coaching team and assumed her career was over. But then a friend invited her to run with a group in Colorado. The coach’s plans perfectly matched what she needed, and she began to run injury-free. Running was fun again, and she began to win races.

It doesn’t matter how much skill you have, you need the right coach to bring the best out of you.

The same is true with the ways BHB Pest Elimination trains and supervises people at our pest control company. For years, our “coaching” methods were off and not bringing out the best in our technicians. We have always prided ourselves on being customer driven, so we had service managers in charge of accounts rather than technicians. While this helped to keep customers happy, it did not give us proper tools to continue to guide and coach new technicians. It limited ways in which we could see each individual technician’s strengths, progress and weaknesses. Without the right guidance, we saw our employee turnover dramatically increase.

This year, my son Zack joined the company. He knew this was the main area that needed improvement. One of his first tasks was to revise our service manager team from customer driven to employee driven. He called it the Pod System. Instead of a service manager focusing on individual accounts, their focus was on technicians. It was a simple shift, but one that made all the difference.

We were surprised how quickly the small group instantly created a team spirit. Pest control is a solitary job, mainly working on your own. Being part of a small team and sharing experiences helped everyone. Plus, having a team manager working with the same techs daily brought out the best in everyone. Already we are seeing improvements across the board in new technicians and turnover has dramatically fallen.

It is so important to get the best people with the most talent, but we also need the right coach to guide them.

Have a great run!

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2022/10/20/run-your-business-thank-you-coach/
Sacramento CA