[May News]

PCT on the Road: Bed Bug Summit a Positive Step

By: Brad Harbison

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As any pest management professional will attest, the various entities involved either directly or indirectly with bed bug work make an already difficult job all the more complicated.
These groups — which include pest management professionals, homeowners, landlords/property managers, regulatory officials and many others — were brought together for two days in April for EPA’s first-ever Bed Bug Summit, an effort to develop policies and procedures for future dealings with this pest. The meeting was hosted by EPA in conjunction with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials (ASPCRO).

“You have all these groups — ranging from pest management professionals to furniture rental people — and they all are groping for answers, but there was this absence of leadership and coordination,” said Bob Rosenberg, senior vice president, NPMA. “This was an opportunity to get them all in one room and start finding answers.”

Rosenberg said that there even was a representative from the airline industry in attendance. Why? Because pilots and flight attendants spend a significant amount of time in hotels throughout the U.S. and internationally, where bed bugs are a growing problem.

Attendee Ted St. Amand, president of Atlantic Pest Solutions, Arundel, Maine, said he was impressed that EPA reached out to NPMA and the other stakeholders. “Did we walk out of this meeting with all the answers? No, but it got the dialogue going. Bed bugs are a very complex issue, not just because of the complexities of bed bugs, but because of the nature of the client base we are dealing with. I think for some of the feds it was bit of an eye-opener because one of the recommendations [from the workgroups] was that we need to get some of the federal people out on the sites to see what we are up against.”

Perhaps the most significant developments from this meeting occurred during the half-day small group workshops on April 14. Attendees were divided into 10 groups of 25-30 people (with 4-5 pest management professionals per group). Each group had a diverse mix of attendees and one facilitator per group. Among the topics discussed were: research; the role of government (all levels); consumer education and communication; PCO education and training; and the role of property owners/managers. The groups then re-assembled the next morning (April 15) to review their findings and share insights with one another.

From these group discussions, a PowerPoint presentation was created with about 100 recommendations. Several recurring themes emerged and were further discussed, including:

• A greater need for CDC involvement, including CDC declaring that bed bugs are a public health pest. Rosenberg said that these type of CDC declarations tend to trigger action from local health agencies.
• A broad range of attendees indicated that the tools available to them for bed bugs are not working, and that EPA should offer incentives to encourage new technology development. There also were recommendations to EPA to take another look at older chemistries that worked well, but are no longer available.
• The need for either an accreditation or credentialing program or licensing category for those who treat for bed bugs. This issue was raised by several of the pest management professionals in attendance. For example, some of the groups recommended such a program become a part of NPMA’s QualityPro program.

Donnie Blake, president of OPC, Louisville, Ky., was encouraged by the dialogue in these workshops. “The cooperation between EPA, NPMA and the other stakeholders and the dialogue we had was fabulous,” he said. “I am intrigued to see what direction we will go. I think one of the big things to come out of these workgroups was that EPA and NPMA are really the best sources for getting information about bed bugs out to the public.”

EPA Spokesperson Dale Kemery told PCT that EPA will collect comments from the meeting — as well as those submitted online — then make its recommendations. These recommendations will then be turned over to EPA’s Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee, which is a federal advisory committee. This committee reviews EPA’s recommendations and determines whether or not these changes should be accepted, changed or modified. These recommendations are then sent back to EPA and a final decision is made.

Rosenberg said the Bed Bug Summit was a positive first step, but that more work needs to be done. “I think that (attendees) all left the meeting feeling very empowered. It created a lot of momentum and we don’t want to lose that.”

St. Amand had some thoughts on this subject. “I know EPA is going to pull all this information together. I’d like to see EPA create an inter-agency group that also includes CDC, HUD and any other relative agencies, and for them to engage in these type of regional summits to see if we can find some common trends,” he said.

There already have been tangible benefits — significant media exposure (visit www.pctonline.com to access links relating to media coverage). “The industry probably gained more public awareness in the last 36 hours than in the last five years combined,” Rosenberg said.

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June 2-4: Mexican Association of Pest Control Professionals’ Expo Control de Plagas, Mexico City. Contact: info@expocontroldeplagas.org.mx or visit www.expocontroldeplagas.org.mx.

June 22-26: Termite Biology and Control Course, Fort Lauderdale R.E.C., Davie, Fla. Contact: Janet Miranda, 954/577-6371 or jmiranda@ufl.edu.

July 23-25: National Pest Management Association Academy 2009, Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, Phoenix, Ariz. Contact: NPMA, 703/352-6762 or visit www.npmapestworld.org.

Aug. 6-8: NPMA Carolinas/Mid-Atlantic Summer Conference 2009, Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, Savannah, Ga. Contact: See July 23.

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In preparation for the workgroups, attendees heard from many representatives of the various stakeholders, including:

• Lois Rossi, director of the registration division in the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs, set the tone for the meeting by noting that bed bugs seem to be increasing. Rossi said bed bugs are especially problematic in densely populated areas, but that they can be a problem for anyone. Rossi spoke on an opening session panel that included: ASPCRO President Bonnie Rabe; Rosenberg; and Saul Hernandez, an aide to Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), who introduced the “Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2008.” Hernandez said Butterfield plans to introduce a similar version of this legislation soon, which expands grant programs to help public housing authorities deal with infestations. At press time it had not been introduced.

• Bed bug experts well known in the pest control industry including Cooper Pest Solutions Technical Director Rick Cooper; University of Kentucky’s Dr. Michael Potter; NPMA Technical Director Greg Baumann; Virginia Tech University’s Dr. Dini Miller; and Harold Harlan, Armed Forces Pest Management Board. Each of these technical experts reviewed some of the challenges dealing with bed bugs based on bed bugs’ biological and behavioral characteristics. A common theme among this group was the need to better educate the public about bed bugs so that bed bug outbreaks can be addressed in the early stages, before they grow into widespread problems. These technical experts also agreed that there is a need for more and better bed bug tools.

• Representatives from public health agencies in cities such as Baltimore, Cincinnati and New York reviewed some of the challenges of dealing with bed bugs in densely populated areas and in places such as public housing, where bed bugs are prone to spread from one unit to the next.
Additionally, EPA posted a summary of information from the National Bed Bug Summit at www.epa.gov. This summary includes the following:

• The Final Agenda
• A Public Docket
• Recording of the Webinar from  April 14
• Summary of Workgroup Results
• Summary of Recommendations  Developed at the Summit

In response to the growing bed bug crisis and in effort to keep NPMA members informed, NPMA has introduced a central online location for bed bug research, resource materials for pest management professionals, regulatory and legislation updates, and resources available to the consumer and general public, including recent media coverage. To access The Bed Bug Toolbox, visit www.npmapestworld.org/bedbug. — Brad Harbison

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Golf Enthusiast Brian Cooksey Jr., Enjoys Weekend at The Masters

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Whether you’re an avid golfer or simply a fan of professional golf, there is something special about The Masters golf tournament, which is held each year at the Augusta National Golf Club, near Atlanta, Ga. Bryan Cooksey Jr., the 76-year-old chairman of the board of McCall Service, Jacksonville, Fla., is both an avid golfer and a fan of the sport, so getting a chance to attend this year’s tournament as grand-prize winner of the Univar “Go to the Masters with MasterLine” promotion, was doubly special.

“In fact, after returning to Jacksonville [from The Master’s] I played golf Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Orlando,” said Cooksey, who was accompanied by wife Jane (who also is a golfer) for the championship round of The Masters 2009, on April 5.

Cooksey had attended professional golf tournaments before at TPC at Sawgrass in nearby Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., but said The Masters was something special. “It probably is the best run tournament as far as it being organized. The hospitality is fantastic and the concession prices were even fair.”

Cooksey also was impressed by the course’s layout and design. “Water and bunkers are strategically placed so that some holes are very difficult while others are fairly easy. The terrain is beautiful and television does not do it justice. The course has beautiful rolling hills.”

As part of the prize, the Cookseys were flown into Atlanta, stayed in a rented home, and were escorted at certain points in the trip by Univar rep Joe Manna, who actually worked for McCall Service for 17 years prior to joining Univar. 

“Univar is, of course, a great supplier and always have been since the days of Van Waters & Rogers and others,” Cooksey said. “They’ve maintained a very high standard of customer service and customer appreciation and that’s what this is all about. Customers like ourselves appreciate this type of service. It makes us feel special.”

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NPMA TO HOST SECOND NUISANCE BIRD AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE

FAIRFAX, VA. — The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) will present its second Nuisance Bird and Wildlife Management Conference & Marketplace this fall. This year’s meeting will be held Nov. 19-20, 2009, at the Westin Indianapolis, Ind.

The two-day meeting will include two tracks — one for companies that have been providing nuisance bird and wildlife management services for several years or more, and another for companies that have recently started to offer services in this sector, or are considering to enter this market. The meeting will also include a vendor trade show and networking opportunities.

For hotel reservations at the Westin Indianapolis, call 800/228-3000 or 317/262-8100 by Oct. 26, and mention “NPMA” to receive the discounted room rate of $139 per night.

For more information about the Nuisance Bird and Wildlife Management Conference and exhibit opportunities in the Marketplace, visit www.npmapestworld.org/events or call 703/352-6762.

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JACK ROOT, LONGTIME INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE, DIES

AZTEC, N.M. — Jack Root, 65, of Aztec, N.M., died on March 11, in Durango, Colo., after sustaining injuries from a skiing accident.

Root was involved in the pest control industry in several capacities including owner/operator, chemical manufacturer representative, regulatory official and consultant.

Root worked in the agricultural chemical industry until 1978. He then went to work for the state of Arizona. He semi-retired and moved to Aztec in 1994 to fulfill his dream of owning a farm on the river and living in a timber frame home. He started North & Root Consulting and later established Animas Exterminating.

Root is survived by wife, Helen, of Aztec; mother, Jessie Root, of Avon, Ohio; brother, Frank Root Jr., of Avon, Ohio; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

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Bayonne Exterminating Company, Bayonne, N.J., recently made operational changes company-wide to mitigate the hazards that are associated with pests and pest control in an urban environment as part of the U.S. EPA’s Environmental Stewardship Program.

The New York State Pest Management Association conducted an ACE training course in January. More than 50 professionals attended the full-day course at Residex’s Hicksville, N.Y., branch. Speakers included Mike Deutsch, BCE, Ralph Hernandez, BCE, and Kitty Lee, ACE.

Richard Weisman, president of Advanced Pest Control, Houston, recently earned Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) certification from the Entomological Society of America.

Jill Clark, wife of Critter Control CEO Kevin Clark (pictured below), and Top Female Angler in the 2008 World Sailfish Championship, added to her trophy collection by winning the Top Angler award for the Islamorada Presidential Sailfish Tournament. Kevin Clark teamed up with Gordon Weber in the Captain Al Flutie “Over the Hill” sailfish tournament to take first place in the 50-and-older event. And, in the Islamorada Fishing Club’s Captain’s Cup, the Clarks took 3rd place.

The Exterminators (Pvt.) Ltd., (right) Colombo, Sri Lanka, received the ISO 9001-2000 quality management system for the provision of pest control services, termite control services and fumigation services.

Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators recently opened three new service centers in the metro Atlanta area, bringing its total number of offices to 72.

The Bug Off Pest Control Center presented training for the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) exam in New York City. Bug Off Pest Control Center is the first organization in the country to offer the ACE Preparatory Course.

Al Formella, director of operations; Raymond Kidwell, corporate systems director; Roger Collins, Jacksonville branch manager; and Earl Findley, Gainesville branch manager, all with McCall Service, Jacksonville, Fla., have passed the Entomological Society of America’s Associate Certified Entomologist exam.

Marc Howze recently opened a Truly Nolen of America franchise out of his home in Turlock, Calif. Howze has been involved in the industry for 16 years, and had dreamt of owning his own business. He selected Truly Nolen, in part, because of its trademark yellow mouse cars, he said.

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TERMINIX INTRODUCES NATURAL PEST CONTROL PRODUCT FOR CUSTOMERS

MEMPHIS, TENN. — A new product from Terminix is designed to eliminate indoor pests while being eco-conscious, the firm reports. The product, called Terminix SafeShield, is made with natural active ingredients and comes packaged in a 16-ounce non-aerosol spray bottle.

SafeShield was recently provided to new pest control customers in California, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas, to complement their Terminix pest control services. SafeShield will also be available for purchase nationally at www.safeshield.com.

“Consumers no longer need to turn to harsh off-the-shelf products to eliminate the occasional indoor pest,” said Tom Brackett, Terminix president and chief operating officer. “SafeShield is a new alternative that is designed to work in unison with our quarterly services and gives consumers an environmentally responsible choice that produces immediate results.”

SafeShield is engineered to target common household pests, including ants, roaches, flies, spiders and other crawling and flying household insects. According to Terminix, the fast-acting formula begins working on contact. According to Terminix, the eco-friendly pest control product is designed exclusively for indoor use and can be applied in a variety of areas throughout the home.

The EPA-exempt SafeShield formula was developed by TyraTech, an independent pesticide company for human, animal and environmental health, and formulated with TyraTech Nature’s Technology. Terminix is the exclusive provider of SafeShield, and has established a strategic relationship with TyraTech to develop and market additional environmentally responsible products.

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Comings & Goings

Rentokil North America Pest Control has named Brian Bugara, vice president, sales and marketing. In this role, Bugara will provide overall sales and marketing strategy throughout Rentokil North America. Bugara has a 20-year background in sales and marketing, having most recently served as VP of sales for Cintas’ Midwest Region.

Networkfleet has promoted Chris Ransom to director of product management.

Truly Nolen of America has promoted Michelle Nolen Senner to director of marketing.

Deborah Swett, finance director of Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based Ameri Care Services, completed training and has earned her GRC certification from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Both Greg Covello and Craig Sansig of Viking Termite & Pest Control, Bridgewater, N.J., have recently passed the ACE exam and have became Accredited Certified Entomologists.

Gary Riccio, Residex sales service manager, Sarasota, Fla., retired from Residex after 35 years of service to the company.

Central Exterminating of East Brunswick, N.J., announced that after 23 years as owner/president of Central Exterminating, Sam Mayer has retired, leaving Central Exterminating in the hands of his new partners: Rick Bachman and Paula McGorvin. Bachman has been in the pest control industry for 29 years, the last 14 years as director of Central Exterminating. He will now serve as vice president/director.

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Ron Belknap Presented With Tom Evans Award at GCPCA Spring Banquet

Cleveland — The Greater Cleveland Pest Control Association (GCPCA) presented the Tom Evans Award to Ron Belknap, owner and president, Capital City Exterminating, Worthington, Ohio, at April’s annual GCPCA Spring Banquet. The award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to GCPCA and the pest management industry.
Belknap’s association involvement includes having spent eight years each as co-chair of the Ohio Pest Control Association’s education and legislative committees. In those positions, he helped create the first statewide training program for termite technicians.

Evans, recently retired from Southern Mill Creek Products of Ohio, told PCT Belknap is a true professional. “Ron’s a man who loves his country, his family and this industry,” Evans said. “He’s been a solid, solid performer in helping OPCA and the Columbus Pest Control Association and he’s also run a very professional business.”

Belknap was presented the award by outgoing GCPCA President Rich Kozlovich. — Brad Harbison
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