[May News]

Chris Donaghy signs letter of intent to purchase Residex

ATLANTA — Chris Donaghy, general manager of Residex Corp., announced he has signed a letter of intent to acquire the Residex business from Rollins Inc. with the financial backing of some of the independent members of Speckoz Inc.

In a statement posted on the Residex Web site , Donaghy said "the independent Speckoz members and myself will own the company, with the likelihood of a May 1, 2004 closing date, which will coincide with the Rollins Inc. and Western Industries Inc. transaction."

The future of Residex was in limbo following the March 8 announcement that Rollins Inc. — parent of Orkin Pest Control — had purchased Western Industries Inc. Residex was Western’s distributor arm.

"I think it’s good news for Speckoz, good news for Residex, and I know it’s good news for the industry," said Pat Callahan, president of Speckoz, Atlanta, Ga. "It is a credit to the solidarity of Speckoz members that they were able to come up with the capital to support one of their own."

Tom Forshaw, president of Forshaw Distribution — a Speckoz member company — said there will be "a lot of room for expansion" for the company since Residex will no longer be affiliated with a pest control firm, prompting PCOs who may have been reticent to do business with a competitor to take a second look at Residex’s product and service offerings.

"There were many pest management companies that would not buy from Residex as they viewed it supporting a competitor," observed Phil Cooper, president of Cooper Pest Control, Lawrenceville, N.J. "With no ties to a firm active in the delivery of pest management services comes a host of market opportunities that I am sure Chris and his team will seize.

"I am pleased to see Chris lead a group to acquire Residex," Cooper added. "It is important to continue to have diversified suppliers in the industry and a better person could not be leading the charge. Chris has shown himself to be an industry leader and advocate for the pest management industry," a sentiment expressed by others upon learning of the announcement.

"Residex, like our other industry suppliers, has always played an integral role in supporting and promoting our association events," said Leonard Douglen, executive director of the New Jersey Pest Management Association. "I am personally glad that they will remain independent and home-based here in New Jersey and that we can continue to rely on them as a valuable resource."

"Bowco Laboratories Termite and Pest Control has been dealing with Residex for the past 55 years," added Vice President Barry Bowers. "We have been dealing personally with Chris for the past eight years. In those years he has been nothing but a professional in the way he has treated us."

Luis Ayala named NEPMA Professional of the Year

MARLBOROUGH, MASS. — Luis Ayala, a service technician with Orkin Pest Control, Pittsfield, Mass., has been named the 2004 Professional of the Year by the New England Pest Management Association.

Ayala, who has been with Orkin since 1998, was chosen from nominees submitted by pest management firms throughout New England. He received an award and a cash gift at a recent training program held in Marlborough that was attended by about 200 people.

On a national level, Ayala had been named to Orkin’s "President Club" in 2002 and 2003 for being in the top three percent of its service technicians. In 2003, he also was named chairman of the President’s Club and was a finalist for the PCT Technician of the Year Award.

In support of his nomination, NEPMA was provided numerous copies of letters from satisfied customers complimenting Ayala for his efficient and thorough service.

Ayala moved to the United States with his wife Brenda and two children in 1995 from Puerto Rico. He currently is working to upgrade his pest applicator’s license to be considered a senior service technician.

Ayala was presented his award by Galvin Murphy of Yankee Pest Control, Malden, Mass., and William Burke of Waltham Services, Waltham, Mass.

Orange County PCOs Campaign Against Controversial Ballot Measure

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — The fate of a controversial property tax assessment that would expand the Orange Country Vector Control District’s (OCVCD) services to include rodents, all stinging insects, and other potential "vectors" is in the hands of voters, after the OCVCD Board of Trustees approved this ballot measure during its April 15th meeting.

On June 1, Orange County voters will receive a mailed ballot asking them to approve a property tax increase. If approved, the portion of the property tax allocated to OCVCD would increase by 380%. In other words, property taxes would increase $6 per parcel for residential and $148.80 for most commercial properties in Orange County. These additional funds, OCVCD claims, will allow the agency to provide vector control services to residents countywide free of charge.

In response, Orange County PCOs launched a media campaign against this tax, which they believe has the potential to take away business and give the public a false sense of security. Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) Orange County Chairman Bryan Houtchens (vice president of Team Too Termite & Pest Control, Corona, Calif.) said he and his colleagues are raising money to purchase newspaper ads that will begin running in late May and continue throughout the voting period (voters have 45 days to return their ballots). Houtchens says a half-page newspaper ad costs about $5,000. He estimates the campaign will cost between $60,000 and $100,000. Even with this media blitz, Houtchens says Orange County PCOs are facing an uphill battle. "It’s going to be a real nightmare," Houtchens said. "We’ll be informing the public that OCVCD will not be able to provide pest control services for $6 per year as promised, and that you should vote ‘No.’ So, it is a real double-edged sword we are teetering on."

Houtchens said Orange County PCOs are working at a feverish pace to raise funds for this media campaign and he encouraged other California PCOs to contact him via e-mail at bryan.houtchens@teamtoo.com for more information on this issue.

HOW IT GOT TO THIS POINT. For the past 40+ years, the pest control industry in California has had a working relationship with public health agencies. There was an understanding that public health agencies would take care of health threats like mosquitoes (e.g., West Nile virus) and some rodent problems (e.g., hantavirus, plague) while referring the public’s other pest control needs to local professionals.

In recent years, California has been waging a battle against the red imported fire ant (RIFA). Five years ago, Orange County was quarantined for RIFAs and the OCVCD formed the Orange County Fire Ant Authority. The authority received funding for 26 trucks as well as equipment and advertising. Money for this authority was funneled from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to OCVCD. Some Orange County PCOs were upset at having to compete against a government agency. The authority’s goal was to eradicate this foreign invader. Although this was never achieved, the authority made some progress controlling the pest. However, last fall the ag department abandoned its battle against RIFAs, cutting off funding to OCVCD. Faced with this funding loss, OCVCD began exploring the prospect of a tax assessment. OCVCD hired an outside consulting firm that surveyed 1,500 Orange County residents. Of the 1,500 surveys sent out, more than half of the people responded "yes," they would pay the additional $6. The survey was skewed because it used words like "mosquitoes" and "West Nile virus" to persuade people, Houtchens said. "We feel that the public is being duped. People are going to have a false sense of security that for $6 a year they will receive pest control," he said. "They are not providing 24-hour response, disease assessment and control — services that a licensed PCO provides."

Brian Olson, president of The Bugman, Fullerton, Calif.,’ concurred, adding that, "it’s a case of big government getting bigger."

"Preventing West Nile virus, hantavirus and plague to do the testing and preventive maintenance — that is where I want my tax money to go," Olson said. "A homeowner cannot get the type of services that we provide for $6 per year. What we are saying is ‘you do what you do best and let us do what we do best.’"

Arrow Exterminators acquires South Georgia company

ATLANTA, GA. — Arrow Exterminators has acquired Barnes Exterminating of Augusta, Ga. Jeff Singley, south Georgia regional vice president, said, "Augusta has been at the top of our expansion list for a long time. Having a presence in Augusta will enable us to better serve customers in that area. We are delighted to be associated with the fine people at Barnes." Former owner Charles Griffin will continue with the business in a consultative role while his sons, Matt and Chad, manage the day-to-day operations of the 12-person office.

Barnes becomes Arrow’s third acquisition in the last six months.

Third time’s the charm for Kil-All

FRANKLIN, TENN. — Franklin-based Kil-All Pest Control Company is celebrating 35 years in business as the founder’s grandson Tim Blankenship joins the family-owned company as vice president.

In 1970, Robert Byrd "Bob" Blankenship founded Kil-All Pest Control after 12 years experience as district manager of a national pest control company and a term as president of the Tennessee Pest Control Association in 1968.

In 1973, Bob passed the reins to son Royce Blankenship, who worked with a national pest control company during the day while earning his college degree at night. The company grew from a one-man operation to a staff of four. Royce’s son Tim Blankenship, with a marketing background, now heads the staff of professionals and is excited about the potential for additional growth.

"I’ve been around the business since I was about 12," said Tim, who grew up working summers at Kil-All Pest Control with his dad. "I learned the importance of developing relationships with our customers and employees. Five out of seven of the technicians have been serving our customers for 16 years or more. Many of our current customers are referrals from their parents. We operate on the principle of guaranteed customer satisfaction on each visit with no binding contracts."

Royce added, "Tim’s knowledge of marketing, early experience with the company and encouragement from me convinced him there was an opportunity to take the company his grandfather started to the next level. One of Tim’s first objectives was to create an Internet presence to better communicate with our residential, commercial and industrial customers."

Control Solutions up and running following March fire

PASADENA, TEXAS — Manufacturer Control Solutions announced it began shipping orders just a few days following a March fire that destroyed the company’s headquarters.

Included at the company’s headquarters were the production facilities and offices; a temporary office has been set up. About 70 percent of the products that Control Solutions sells are manufactured off-site and the company is making arrangements for the other 30 percent to be manufactured elsewhere.

Although Control Solutions employs about 50 people, only a manager was present when the fire was discovered, and no injuries or illnesses were reported.

Lesco launches new Web site

CLEVELAND, OHIO — Lesco customers can access product and technical information 24 hours a day, seven days a week thanks to Lesco’s newly launched Web site, www.lesco.com.

"Revamping our Web site was long overdue, and we’re very excited about our new online presence, what it means for our customers and what it means for our business," explained Michael P. DiMino, Lesco’s president and chief executive officer.

"This Web site, which we’re calling Lesco Direct, greatly extends the level of service that we can provide our customers by creating an information-packed, online presence that gives our customers the information they need when they need it."

In other news at Lesco, the company opened its 250th service center earlier this year, in Kaukauna, Wis., about 20 miles outside of Green Bay. Lesco opened 21 service centers in 2003 and expects to open 25 to 30 new service centers in 2004.

Premise combats termites at historic landmarks; ad campaign kicks off

MONTVALE, N.J. — America’s historic places face many threats for survival, including termites. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named historic buildings in Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia on their list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places due to termite infestation and sites nationwide continue to battle these invasive pests. Now, the National Trust joins Bayer Environmental Science’s Premise Termite Elimination in a campaign to address the growing issue of termite destruction.

"Termites have already caused staggering damage in New Orleans and the Gulf states, devouring the historic resources in their path. The pests continue to spread, every day putting more of America’s heritage at risk," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "Premise provides immediate structural protection to preserve these sites for the education and enjoyment of future generations."

Bayer and the National Trust are joining forces to educate the public on the extensive damage termites can cause. To raise awareness of this increasingly pervasive problem, Bayer will donate Premise termite treatments to historic landmarks across the country that have been threatened. In addition, a portion of all Premise treatments over the next year will go to support the National Trust’s preservation efforts nationwide.

For more information about the National Trust, visit www.nationaltrust.org.

In other Bayer news, the company announced it kicked off its consumer advertising campaign, which incudes print, television and radio advertisements.

"Premise eliminated the termites and after seven years, they’re still gone," says Cheryl Lyons, narrator of Bayer ES’s latest consumer television commercial. The advertisements tell the story of the Lyons family and their son Zac, born with a rare blood disease that triggers allergic reactions to ordinary household products. "When we found out we had termites, we weren’t scared of them, we were more scared of a treatment," Mrs. Lyons says in the spot. "But Premise put that fear to rest."

Bayer’s technical team was confident that Premise would get rid of the termites without affecting Zac or disrupting the Lyons’ daily activities. Seven years later, Zac is a healthy 14-year-old and the Lyons’ home remains termite free as abundantly shown in the pictures that run throughout the print ads and 30-second radio and television spots.

Pest management professionals can also customize the spots as part of Bayer’s co-op advertising program. To view the TV spot visit www.BayerProCentral.com. The TV spot, radio spot, print ads, as well as other consumer materials are available through the Premise Cooperative Advertising Program. To find out more about this program contact your sales representative, visit www.BayerProCentral.com or call 800/331-2867.

Professional Mosquito Control acquires Minnesota’s Precision Blend Inc.

CLEARWATER, Minn. — Professional Mosquito Control a mosquito control service company, acquired the business of Precision Blend Inc. of Howard Lake, Minn.

Precision Blend Inc. is a national/international manufacturer and distributor of equipment and chemicals for the mosquito, public health and insect control industries.

Ed Meehan of Precision Blend has agreed to assist PMC in expanding both their service and distribution efforts to a regional and national basis. Meehan has been involved in mosquito control for more than 30 years.

Four more PCOs win ChoiceCommunications sweepstakes from Syngenta

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Four more pest management professionals have access to online marketing communications tools courtesy of the ChoiceCommunications Sweepstakes from Syngenta Professional Products. These winners receive a free one-year subscription to ChoiceCommunications:

• Bernie Holst of Horizon Pest Control in Midland Park, N.J.

• David Oxley of Oxley’s Pest Control in Bakersfield, Calif.

• Terry Martin of Home Tec Exterminating in Alpharetta, Ga.

• Jason Wick of Guardian Pest Control in Duluth, Minn.

As part of a sweepstakes to introduce ChoiceCommunications to the marketplace, Syngenta is giving away eight annual subscriptions to ChoiceCommunications, valued at $3,800 each.

A Web-based resource, ChoiceCommu-nications is a subscription-based service that delivers customizable templates such as yellow page advertising, customer acquisition and appreciation mailings, door hangers, coupons and radio scripts directly to pest management professionals’ desktops.

BASF launches consumer advertising initiative

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — BASF has announced plans for the largest consumer marketing campaign in Termidor’s four-year history.

Even though BASF Professional Pest Control exclusively manufactures professional pest control products, the company is heavily investing in "end-user," or homeowner, advertising in the same way that pharmaceutical companies have taken to promoting their own prescription drugs direct to consumers.

BASF advertising kicked off this year with 30-second television spots airing on national television, as well as local TV in key termite markets. These 30-second spots communicate Termidor’s unique benefits – eliminating 100 percent of termites in three months or less, and carry the product’s recognizable tagline, "If you’re not asking for Termidor, you’re asking for trouble."

Registrations being accepted for FPMA Convention

ORLANDO, FLA. — Registrations are now being accepted for the Florida Pest Management Association Convention and Exposition, June 16-18 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The FPMA convention blends networking, educational opportunities, social and recreational activities with a 75+ booth trade show featuring innovative products and services. Ten hours of continuing education covering GHP, L&O, Core, Termite and Fumigation will be offered for Florida certified operators.

Media interviewing tips and techniques will be offered in a special Media Training session by Cindy Mannes, executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance and the National Pest Management Association’s director of public affairs.

Event highlights include a special keynote address on designing your destiny by Bill Quain, Ph.D., author of several books including the top-sellers Reclaiming the American Dream and Ten Rules to Break & Ten Rules to Make. Preceding Quain’s keynote will be a special performance by the world-famous Disney’s Voices of Liberty.