[News]

TEXAS PCOs PROVIDE PEST CONTROL SERVICES FOR U.S. TROOPS IN KUWAIT

KUWAIT — Al Mercer Jr. froze for a split-second as a black cobra snake charged him. He quickly regained his composure and captured the nuisance pest. In his home state of Texas, this would have been considered an unusual encounter, but the 38-year-old, second-generation PCO has given up the comforts of home to provide vital pest control services in Kuwait, where U.S. troops fighting in Iraq are stationed.

Mercer, owner and operator of Al Mercer Jr. Pest Control, Sugarland, Texas, along with several other PCOs from the Lone Star State, has been contracted by Houston-based Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc. for this difficult, but important task. Other Texas pest management professionals in Kuwait include: B.J. and Maurice "Termite" Watkins, Champions Exterminating, Houston; Jim Selesky, Certified Pest Control, Houston; and Jeff Davis, a certified applicator from the Bay City Independent School District.

Mercer is in charge of safeguarding troops from pests in "A" pod, where the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division is stationed. This includes an important airstrip at the Kuwait International Airport used by U.S. troops to transport supplies and equipment. It was at this airstrip that Mercer encountered the black cobra snake.

Mercer was called upon to remove the snake, which made an unwelcome visit to a fueling point near the airstrip.

"He (the snake) was about 3 feet long and when he charged me I must have jumped back about 3 yards," Mercer recalls. "Usually the snakes are running from me but this time I was the one running."

Mercer then sprayed surrounding areas to keep other snakes off the airstrip. For his efforts, the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division awarded Mercer a Gold Coin for service "above and beyond the call to duty."

In addition to snakes, Mercer says fire ants, rodents, scorpions, wild dogs, flies and sand flies have been the biggest pest problems he’s encountered so far.

"Some of the troops will bring food back to the tents and leave plates on the ground or spill bean juice or barbecue sauce on the floor and that attracts the ants," Mercer says. "All of the troops have been very, very grateful for any of the pest problems I’ve taken care of."

Ten- and twelve-hour days are the norm for Mercer, who begins his work at 5:30 a.m. by inspecting the mess hall to make sure it is properly sanitized. He also checks all Dumpsters to ensure that refuse is being properly disposed and inspects "water ponds" – shallow water deposits where dishwater collects – for mosquito larvae presence. Mercer then reports back to his supervisor and takes care of any other pest problems in need of attention.

Mercer says his pest fighting skills are put to the test on a daily basis.

"All insects are different here. Fire ants and termites are approximately ½-inch long and centipedes are 2- to 3-inches long," Mercer says. "I came across a desert camel spider which has a tail like a scorpion but is without a stinger and it jumps like a jumping spider. Ant mounds here are anywhere from 3 to 15 feet tall."

Of course, any type of frightening pest encounter pales in comparison to the dangers U.S. troops are facing. Mercer was a first-hand witness to the dangers of combat on the first day of the war, Jan. 20, 2003.

After taking his seat at the mess hall for lunch, a "scud alert" siren went off at 12:15 p.m.

"I grabbed my chemical suit, gas mask, rubber boots and gloves and headed for the scud bunker," Mercer says. "It’s a scary experience. You do a lot of soul searching when you are sitting in that bunker and thinking to yourself, ‘Is this one going to land here?’"

Fortunately that scud was shot down about 12 miles from Mercer’s pod. But these types of scud alerts have been commonplace in Kuwait. Mercer recalls scud alerts at 10 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.

For the last five years it has been business as usual at Al Mercer Jr. Pest Control. Mercer’s three-person operation had grown steadily and his company had earned a reputation as a quality, consistent provider of services in both the commercial and residential sectors.

Everything changed in January when the U.S. began its war preparations. Maurice "Termite" Watkins, a friend and colleague of Mercer’s, approached him with the opportunity in Kuwait. Watkins’ father-in-law worked for Brown & Root, a defense contractor that was seeking licensed, certified applicators to work in Kuwait.

Although it meant being away from his three daughters and his business, Mercer decided that working in Kuwait was an opportunity too important to pass up. Before leaving for Kuwait, Mercer said he spent four days calling his customers, all of whom were supportive of his decision. With less than 30 days to learn new responsibilities in Mercer’s absence, the remaining workers at Al Mercer Jr. Pest Control went through a challenging transition period, but Mercer credits his employees for adapting, thus keeping his business running smoothly.

What’s been more difficult for Mercer is being away from his daughters: Mindy, 15; Nicki, 13; and Shawna, 12, whom he tries to call every other day.

Still, despite being away from his family and business, as well as the uncertainty of war, Mercer is proud to be doing his part in the U.S.’s war effort.

"It’s been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he says. "I’ve been able to do something for my country in its time of need."

Mercer added that he’s been told the U.S. will continue providing pest control services for U.S. troops in Iraq the next five-plus years and he is contemplating whether or not he wants to continue working overseas. - Brad Harbison

WHITMIRE MICRO-GEN ANNOUNCES PERSONNEL CHANGES

ST. LOUIS, MO. — Whitmire Micro-Gen recently announced several organizational changes within the company’s sales and marketing team.

Steve Racioppe has been appointed director of sales for the structural pest control sales team reporting to Andy Symons, president of Whitmire Micro-Gen.

Reporting to Racioppe will be three regional business managers (RBMs): Fred Webb, Gary Money-ham and Brian Mann. Also reporting to Racioppe will be Jim Derbyshire in the newly created role of national training and sales development manager, along with Ray Branz who leads the customer service team.

The RBMs will have responsibility for all business within their defined geographies. Their focus will be to provide optimum support to pest management professionals and distribution partners within their regions. The role of the national training and sales development manager is designed to work alongside the RBMs, focusing on education and training and ensuring a transfer of best practices.

Jeff Martin has moved to the position of director of marketing and licensing. Martin will be responsible for leading Whitmire’s marketing initiatives in the structural pest management market in North America, in addition to overall responsibility for licensing. Reporting to Martin will be Missi Bachman, commercial marketing manager; Jeff Vannoy, residential marketing manager; Trish Grove, manager of communications; John Flores, technical service manager; and Sande Summers, marketing coordination manager.

"These changes are aligned with our overall business strategy and are driven by a desire to bring additional value to our customers," said Andy Symons, president of Whitmire Micro-Gen.

For additional information, visit www.wmmg.com.

BASF FINALIZES TERMIDOR ACQUISITION

MONHEIM, GERMANY — BASF has received final approval for its acquisition of selected insecticides and fungicides, including fipronil — the active ingredient in Termidor — from Bayer CropScience AG.

Bayer CropScience AG will retain certain back-licenses of the recently divested products for non-agricultural applications. The total package with sales of $532 million (EUR $500 million) in 2001 is valued at more than $1.417 billion (EUR $1.330 billion). Taking into consideration the back-licenses, the cash purchase price amounts to more than $1.262 billion (EUR $1.185 billion).

"With the completion of this transaction we have fulfilled the conditions imposed by the anti-trust-authorities as part of the Aventis CropScience acquisition," said Dr. Jochen Wulff, chairman of the board of management, Bayer CropScience AG.

With the recent addition of Termidor termiticide-insecticide to its pest control product portfolio, BASF has reorganized and expanded its key business team for the company’s Professional Pest Control group. The new team will develop and support direction for BASF’s products, including Termidor, Phantom and Subterfuge.

Heading the BASF Professional Pest Control group is Business Manager Bill Baxter, who previously held that position for both the BASF Professional Pest Control and Professional Turf & Ornamental groups. Due to the expanded activities of the Professional Pest Control group, Baxter will now focus exclusively on leading all aspects of sales, marketing and business development involving new products and acquisitions for the Professional Pest Control group.

In addition to existing BASF personnel, Karl J. Kisner has joined the BASF Professional Pest Control group as senior marketing manager. He will oversee all marketing functions for the product portfolio, including development of strategic marketing objectives and business tactics, coordinating marketing research and supporting sales development strategy. Prior to this position, Kisner served as Hold Separate Product Manager for Termidor with Bayer CropScience AG.

Derek Miller has been promoted to product manager for the BASF Professional Pest Control group. Miller will serve a focused brand management function solely for the Professional Pest Control group, which includes ensuring overall product quality control, developing product pricing and influencing marketing goals. He will also retain marketing communications responsibilities, overseeing all external advertising, public relations and Internet-based marketing for the BASF Professional Pest Control product portfolio.

Edward Lamb has been named national accounts manager and will be responsible for coordinating product sales opportunities with BASF’s leading national-based customers. BASF has also added Dave Buzzelli as national sales manager. Buzzelli was previously with Bayer, where he served in a similar role and developed relationships with many national-based companies that helped Termidor sales. Together with Lamb, Buzzelli will develop and support product sales, manage the BASF Professional Pest Control sales force and service key accounts for the product portfolio.

Rounding out the team is Market Development Supervisor Mark Coffelt, who will oversee all technical support functions for the product portfolio. Among his responsibilities are managing technical training, coordinating university research and exploring market opportunities in the pest control industry.

COPESAN, INTERVIEW TECHNOLOGIES MAKE DONATIONS TO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

BROOKFIELD, WIS. — Earlier this year at Copesan’s National Conference in St. Petersburg, Fla., Copesan held a raffle for the benefit of the Pi Chi Omega Scholarship Fund and the National Pest Management Association Scholarship Fund. Pi Chi Omega is an honorary entomological fraternity. Both scholarship funds provide grants to selected students in the field of entomology. In total, attendees of the conference raised $2,350. As a result, $1,175 has been donated to both organizations’ scholarship funds.

The raffle, which was sponsored by Interview Technologies, awarded four prizes. Winners of the raffle prizes were announced at the concluding banquet. Ray Mannello of Sprague Pest Solutions, Tacoma, Wash., was the Grand Prize winner of a $1,000 gift certificate.

Runner-up prizes consisting of a $500 Target Gift Card went to Todd Dewey of Western Exterminator, Anaheim, Calif.; a $300 Office Depot Gift Card went to Todd Fenstermacher of Western Pest Services, Newtown Square, Pa.; and a $200 Starbucks Gift Card went to Shanley Donahue of Waltham Services, Waltham, Mass.

NEW ASSOCIATION FORMED IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK — More than 50 New York City-based pest control companies have formed the Professional Pest Control Association of New York City.

The association, which will be led by President Jim Maloney, has as its goal to serve and educate PCOs throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

"Three thousand pest control professionals practice in the five boroughs of New York City," Maloney said. "The state associations’ efforts have been invaluable especially in the area of legislation, but New York City’s PCOs also need a local voice.

"We aren’t looking for a duplication of efforts. We want to work in conjunction with other viable associations to form a united front in Albany and Washington." The Professional Pest Control Association of New York City can be reached at: P.O. Box 341070, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11234, 917-754-3998, e-mail: PPCANYC@AOL.COM

HISTORY CHANNEL PEST CONTROL SEGMENT MOVED TO JUNE 3

DUNN LORING, VA. —The scheduled air date for the History Channel’s upcoming "Modern Marvels: The Exterminator" has changed. The new air date is scheduled for June 3 at 10 p.m.

"Modern Marvels: Exterminators" will explore the world of pest management as well as provide an overview of the history, innovations, achievements and future of the industry.

‘EBONY’ LETTER TO THE EDITOR DISCUSSES ASTHMA/ROACH LINK

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kevin Marchman, executive director, National Organization of African Americans in Housing (NOAAH), Washington, D.C., had a letter to the editor published in March 2003 Ebony magazine. Marchman praised Ebony for a December 2002 article titled "How Parents Are Dealing With The Asthma Epidemic" for raising the public’s awareness of the asthma epidemic.

To read Marchman’s letter, visit www.pctonline.com/ebony.

BAYER E.S. DISCONTINUES SAGA WP

MONTVALE, N.J. — Effective January 1, 2003, Bayer E.S. discontinued production of Saga WP (tralomethrin). Bayer made the decision to discontinue Saga WP in an effort to "pioneer the science" of newer, more effective technologies, such as Suspend SC with DeltaGard brand deltamethrin and new Tempo Ultra WP with beta cyfluthrin.

LINDAHL NAMED NEPMA PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

CONCORD, N.H. — Barry Lindahl, a service technician with Waltham Services, Inc., Waltham, Mass., was named the 2003 Professional of the Year by the New England Pest Management Association (NEPMA). The award was presented to him during a spring educational session held by NEPMA in Boxborough.

Lindahl was nominated by Jonathan Keenan, vice president of Waltham Services, who praised Lindahl for numerous positive traits he has brought to the firm since being hired three years ago. Among Lindahl’s standout traits are his enthusiasm and eagerness to provide outstanding service to a wide variety of the firm’s commercial customers and his ability to act as a good representative of the firm and the industry. He also was credited for having excellent communication skills in dealing with service requests and an accommodating nature in meeting customer needs.

Lindahl also was named the Waltham Services Technician of the Year in 2002 and its Technician of the Month for June 2002.

POSSIBLE LINK FOUND BETWEEN SARS AND COCKROACHES
DUNN LORING, VA. — Responding to two international wire service reports, National Pest Management Association (NPMA) officials said at press time that there is a consistent pattern in the way cockroaches spread disease and the alleged connection to the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

NPMA officials referred to a 1975 World Health Organization (WHO) publication that listed about 40 different pathogens that could potentially be transferred to humans by cockroaches, including pneumonia, food poisoning, salmonella and typhoid.

Based on the possible mode of transfer of SARS by cockroaches, suggested by Hong Kong Deputy Director of Health Leung Pakyin, it appears to have similarities to other modes of transmission of disease by cockroaches.