[October 2004 News]

Kotler Pest & Termite Control acquired by Terminix

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Kotler Pest & Termite Control, one of the largest independent commercial pest control companies in Memphis, has been purchased by Terminix International of Memphis.

Kotler Pest & Termite Control, owned and managed by David Kotler, has been in business almost 50 years. Kotler said he sees the merger as a positive move for the company’s clients and associates.

"This merger will allow our clients to continue receiving the exceptional services they expect, while at the same time creating new growth opportunities for our associates," he said. "I’m ready to pursue other endeavors and I know Terminix is the best company to continue the Kotler tradition."

According to Albert Cantu, president and chief operating officer of Terminix, Kotler is working with Terminix to ensure a smooth transition and to be certain that the changes for current clients will be few.

Bayer ES unveils cash rebate program on select Maxforce, Tempo and Suspend products

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bayer Environmental Science is offering $75 rebates to PCOs on select General Insect Control product packages through Nov. 15.

The following option packages are part of the rebate program:

• Tempo Ultra WP, 3 cases, 6 x 420 gram

• Suspend SC, 2 cases, 16 x 1 pint

• Maxforce FC Select Roach Gel, 10 cases, 5 x (4-30 gram)

• Maxforce FC Ant Killer Bait Gel, 10 cases, 5 x (4-27 gram)

• Maxforce Granular Insect Bait, 4 cases, 4 x 6 lb.

• Maxforce Fine Granular Insect Bait, 4 cases, 4 x 6 lb.

Each option order is eligible for the $75 rebate and the offer is unlimited. Purchases must be made by an authorized distributor.

To participate, PCOs must submit an original invoice from an authorized Bayer distributor, along with the 2004 Fall GIC Program rebate coupon, to Betsy Kukorowski, 95 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale, NJ 07645.

For more information, contact 800/331-2867, or visit www.bayerprocentral.com.

HUD approves NPMA-33 form

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — HUD has approved the new NPMA-33 form for inspections, the National Pest Management Association’s Greg Baumann announced to attendees of the Association of the Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials (ASPCRO) annual meeting. NPMA received word of the approval from HUD on Aug. 20.

The NPMA-33 form replaces the NPCA-1 form effective Sept. 1. The NPCA-1 form can continue to be used through Dec. 31. Pest management professionals must use the new NPMA-33 form beginning Jan. 1, 2005. Forms are available from NPMA.

While 13 states have their own form, 37 states use the NPCA-1 form.

Following are some of the changes to the form:

• The form is streamlined (in an effort to clarify language for the homeowner).

• No "indeterminable" box.

• No treatment recommendation information.

• Added "recommendation" section so that lenders, real estate agents and customers can receive suggestions from the inspector.

• Ladders are not required to be used for inspections. Inspections in attics are only required if there is a walk-up attic or pull-down stairs to the attic.

• "Inaccessible" may include less than a 24-inch clearance from bottom of joists to the crawl floor. While this may seem high, note that girders, HVAC and other construction ultimately makes the clearance less, Baumann said. Pest management professionals may inspect a crawl space that is less than 24 inches but are not required to do so. The number 24 inches is based on the review of several building codes, Baumann said.

In addition, the new form makes it clear that the inspection does not include information about mold, mildew or non-insect wood-destroying organisms.

About 20 percent of home loans are HUD loans, Baumann said. But the adoption of the form is important because although only about one-fifth of loans are HUD loans, as HUD loans go, conventional loans follow suit, he added.

When the NPCA-1 form was adopted about 10 years ago, HUD sent letters to mortgage companies/lenders announcing the change. No letters will go out this time, Baumann said. HUD is adopting the form by simply replacing the form in its system, he added.

"It’s big news," Baumann said. ASPCRO meeting attendees were the first group to hear the news. — Jodi Dorsch

CPCO of Florida Executive Vice President Norm Smith resigns; Michael Beckers to take over position
TAMARAC, Fla. — Norm Smith announced his resignation as executive vice president of the Certified Pest Control Operators Association of Florida at the CPCO board of directors meeting on Aug. 21. The move was made at Smith’s request. Michael Beckers, the association’s current assistant executive vice president, will become CPCO of Florida’s new executive vice president.

"I’m disappointed not to maintain control of the association, but I’m very pleased that the leadership of the association will take a new direction," Smith told PCT. "We have to get away from our old direction and go into a new era. For that reason, the association needs new leadership."

Smith led CPCO of Florida through a difficult transition following the untimely death of founder Mel Edelstein in April 2003. In addition, Smith said he was pleased to see the association follow through on projects like the CPCO of the Southeast conference, WDO Registry and business programs as well as its involvement in legislative issues during his tenure.

"I took on Mel’s quest after he died knowing full well that at some point down the line we would have to look at a younger person," Smith said. "Mel and I were about the same age and physical condition, and that left an impression on me."

Smith says he felt the time had come to step down in favor of a younger, more energetic leader and that Beckers was the perfect choice. Beckers brings years of experience as a PCO, licensed in three states, as well as years of experience in the pest control insurance industry as a loss control expert.

Smith officially stepped down at the 10th annual CPCO Convention, Sept. 29, but will stay on in an advisory capacity and work on other projects including CPCO of the Southeast.

Having been involved and observed the pest control industry, Beckers brings a unique perspective to his new position of executive vice president of the Certified Pest Control Operators Association of Florida.

Beckers started in the pest control industry in 1980 at Orkin Pest Control. For the next 6½ years he worked for Orkin in various capacities throughout Wisconsin, Georgia, Texas and California. He then moved on to Insecontrol, an Orlando, Fla.-based pest control company, where he served nine years as general manager.

Beckers then made a significant career switch in 1995, going to work for Wilson and Schmidt Insurance in Orlando in loss control. In April 2003, he became CPCO of Florida’s assistant executive vice president after Norm Smith left that position to become executive vice president of the association.

"In the eight years I worked in claims my focus was on all the things that can go wrong," Beckers said. "The association is made up of operations both large and small and people who have common threads that have combined their strengths. I am looking forward to expanding our current services and providing new services for our members."

Beckers says he wants to see the association continue offering business programs and increase its membership, which has hovered around 2,000 for several years. — Brad Harbison

DuPont Professional Products launches new fire ant product

WILMINGTON, Del. — DuPont Professional Products in September officially entered the pest management and green industries with its first product, DuPont Advion Fire Ant Bait. Developed to combat the red imported fire ant problem facing much of the southern United States, Advion provides a significant technology advance, providing control of fire ants within 24 to 72 hours after application, the company says.

"DuPont brings its 200-year tradition of turning science into solutions to the professional products industry," said Michael McDermott, global business manager for DuPont Professional Products. "Advion will tackle an invasive species that presents significant risks to human, economic and environmental health."

Advion, which received EPA approval on Aug. 26, contains the active ingredient Indoxacarb, which belongs to a new class of insecticide chemistry. Advion features a unique mode of action that is not found in any other fire ant product. Its fast action results from the metabolic activation of Indoxacarb by developing larvae within the colony. The activated metabolite is then distributed to other members of the colony, including the queen. Once activated, control occurs quickly because, unlike the active ingredients in most other fire ant bait products, the metabolite disrupts the insect’s nervous system, the company says.

Application sites for Advion include but are not limited to: home lawns, golf courses, commercial and recreational turf, parks, picnic areas, roadsides, campgrounds and a wide range of industrial and institutional sites. It may be applied as a broadcast application or a mound treatment. In independent field trials of both application types, Advion outperformed other bait competitors in speed of action and provided long-lasting control, DuPont reports. The product is available in 25-pound bags and 2-pound jugs.

DuPont Professional Products’ future plans for Indoxacarb and other chemistries include products for the pest management and green industry professional.

For more information, contact DuPont Professional Products at 1-888-6DuPont or visit proproducts.dupont.com.

EPA issues revised ecological assessment for rodenticides

WASHINGTON, D.C. — EPA has issued a revised comparative ecological assessment for nine rodenticides, which includes those addressed in the Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) for zinc phosphide and the rodenticide cluster (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, bromethalin, chloro-phacinone, diphacinone), as well as three other rodenticides: warfarin, difethialone, and cholecalciferol.

An "ecological risk assessment" requires a process that evaluates the likelihood that adverse ecological effects may occur or are occurring because of exposure. The preliminary assessment was released to the public through a notice in the Federal Register on January 29, 2003. In this assessment, EPA alleges that rodenticides pose a great risk to birds and other non-target species.

This notice also starts a 60-day public comment period for the revised comparative ecological risk assessment. During the public comment period, EPA plans to work with the United States Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the United States Department of Defense, and other interested stakeholders to identify and propose mitigation measures to reduce risks while maintaining the key benefits of the rodenticides.

For details on how to comment, visit www.pctonline.com/rodenticides. — Brad Harbison

EPA approves Syngenta’s Zyrox Termite Bait

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Zyrox Termite Bait, Syngenta’s first bait product and the newest addition to the company’s termite product portfolio, has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for commercial sale.

Lufenuron, the active ingredient in Zyrox, is an insect growth regulator that acts by inhibiting chitin synthesis. As a result, both egg development and the molting process of termites are inhibited.

"Five years of clinical testing show that Zyrox has improved speed of termite kill and reduced maintenance more than any product on the market today," said Karen Westcott, marketing manager. "It has a very high transferal rate to the termite colony; effecting colony elimination, as well."

In 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency reviewed and granted reduced-risk review status for lufenuron and its use in termite baiting systems, with product launch expected in time for the 2006 use season.

Zyrox will be offered in both above-ground and below-ground bait systems and is effective on Reticulitermes, Heterotermes, Coptotermes species (including Formosan subterranean termites.) The launch of Zyrox remains on plan for the 2006 use season.

In addition, Syngenta is awaiting the registration of OptiGard, an insecticide for zone treatment of drywood termites. Thiamethoxam, the active ingredient in OptiGard, is new to the pest management industry. OptiGard is not yet registered with EPA.

For additional information, visit www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com.

Whitmire Micro-Gen launches homeowner termite Web site

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — In a move to further communicate the new Advance Termite Bait System to homeowners, Whitmire Micro-Gen announced the unveiling of a new Web site, www.
advancetermitecontrol.com. This site is dedicated to educating homeowners about a broad array of termite subjects including: the biology of termites, the damage they can cause, an overview of the Advance Termite Bait System, treatment options available and why they should hire a professional.

The new site is the first in a series of new tools to educate and create brand awareness around the new Advance Termite Bait System with homeowners, the company said.

Marathon Data Systems to host first PestPac User Technology Conference

OAKHURST, N.J. — The First Annual PestPac User Technology Conference will be held in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 17-19. The conference is a knowledge gathering for pest management company owners, managers, IT staff and office staff.

Attendees will hear sessions on major feature developments in PestPac.net, as well as emerging technologies. Business management practices will be shared on customer service and the evolving economic structure.

PestPac Users can participate in focus groups to help shape the future of the office management software. PestPac.net basic training classes will be offered both full days of the conference.

The conference will be held at the Orlando World Center Marriott. For additional information call 800/762-0301 or visit www.pestpac.com/company/user
conference.asp.

Univar opens Brooklyn office, relocates Chattanooga, Glendale branches

AUSTIN, Texas — Univar USA recently opened its Brooklyn, N.Y., office. The new 2,100-square-foot branch location, which is located at 2102 Utica Ave., has a full-service will call display area and will service pest management professionals from Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.

The new branch provides free parking, a rarity in Brooklyn. Tom Nelson, Univar’s Northeast district sales manager, will oversee the operation of the new facility. Steve Mullaney will work at the branch as an inside sales representative.

To reach the branch, call toll free 800/888-4897 or local 718/677-1328.

In other news, the company recently relocated its Chattanooga branch office, as well as relocated its Glendale office to Phoenix, Ariz. The new Chattanooga 2,496-square-foot store/warehouse, which is located at 2981 Riverport Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37406, has a full-service will call and display area and will continue to serve the Tennessee area.

Univar representatives Robert Croft and James Orr are assigned to the Tennessee office. The office can be reached at 423/622-4789.

The new Phoenix, Ariz., 40,000-square-foot warehouse location has a full-service will call display area as well as an educational seminar facility. The Phoenix facility will continue to support sales operations for all the Southwest District locations.

The facility is located at 50 S. 45th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85043. The phone number is 602/233-2440.

Phantom receives California nuisance ant registration, BASF wraps up Termite Tour

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — BASF Professional Pest Control announced the approval of Phantom termiticide/insecticide for nuisance ant control in the state of California. The revised label now allows pest management professionals in the state to use Phantom for indoor ant control. The insecticide can be used alone or with Termidor Ant Control outside, as part of BASF’s Inside-Out program for season-long ant control.

According to the company, Phantom is highly effective against household and structure-invading ants, including acrobat ants, Argentine ants, carpenter ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, Pharaoh ants, pyramid ants and other species. Phantom is currently not labeled for control of cockroaches in California.

In other company news, BASF’s Towering Termite Tour, sponsored by Termidor Termite Protection, ended its 8,000-mile, 15-state, 21-city journey across the country. The 790-pound termite deflated for the last time – until next year. With its 20-foot height and 60-foot long body, the termite began its journey this past January as a campaign to grow the market for professional termite control services.

"Our goals were to educate children and their parents about termites and the severe damage caused by these destructive pests and to support the professional pest management industry by growing the market for professional pest control and termite control services," said Karl J. Kisner, senior marketing manager for BASF Professional Pest Control. "In 2004, we exceeded our expectations for these goals and aim to keep this momentum for the coming years."

Fleet graphics bring recognition to pest control company

SARASOTA, Fla. — David Pomfret, president of Fahey Pest Management Inc., Sarasota Fla., wanted his pest control vehicles to stand out. He thought that by "jazzing up" their look beyond the standard lettering, they could be like moving billboards.

Signzoo, a Sarasota sign and graphics company, helped Pomfret accomplish this. Pomfret worked with Signzoo’s owners when they worked at a different company — they did the lettering on his trucks for him. This time, they took Pomfret’s logo and enhanced it with coloring and pictures.

Vincent Bejar, Signzoo’s national sales director, said not many pest control companies take advantage of the designs and creativity available to them.

Pomfret said he’s happy with the results and definitely recommends fleet graphics to other PCOs. Having the bright decals on his trucks has made them more noticeable and has helped to create name recognition.

"I get compliments on them all the time," said Pomfret. "People have noticed them and said ‘I’ve seen your trucks.’"

Bejar said the company has previously done work mostly for the air conditioning and plumbing market. They’re now branching out into the pest control industry and attended the Florida Pest Management Association show in Orlando, Fla., in June.

"We wanted to test out a new market and we think it’s going to be a real hit," Bejar said.

For more information, contact Signzoo at www.signzoo.com. — Marisa Peters

NPMA’s Harlan gives mosquito presentations in Hong Kong

DUNN LORING, Va. — NPMA’s senior entomologist, Dr. Harold Harlan, presented two invited talks to about 700 pest management and health department officials and workers in Hong Kong on June 19. Each talk was 75 minutes long and the specific topics were "Mosquitoes: Importance and Biology" and "Mosquito Management." These were part of a seminar on pest control, sponsored by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the government of Hong Kong, which was held in the Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Harlan was also asked to spend two additional days reviewing the main technical and practical aspects of the FEHD’s current vector surveillance and control programs for vectors of dengue, Japanese encephalitis and scrub typhus. Recent human cases of each of those had been contracted within Hong Kong during several months immediately before his visit.

Training/ID pest posters and teaching series available from UPMA Labs

CHESHIRE, Conn. — UPMA Labs announced the addition of Training /ID posters from the University of Florida (IFAS Extension) for termites, ants, flies, cockroaches and other important structural and turf pests. The 18- by 12-inch posters are sold as a complete set of 10 in a professional presentation portfolio (introductory special: $59.95 + shipping and handling). For additional information on the training/ID posters and the newly added Arthropods in Amber Teaching series, call 866/270-0111 or log on to www.upmalabs.com.

New customer satisfaction survey introduced to pest control industry

BOURNE, MASS. — Data Now, a new customer satisfaction survey, recently has been developed by Interview Technologies Inc., a Boston, Mass., human resources consulting firm. According to ITI’s Brad Bartlett, it’s a flexible, automated survey program making customer feedback an integral part of improving service, recognizing employees and developing effective marketing tools. It facilitates immediate corrective measures when needed.

Bartlett, who develops personality profiling for pest control and other industries, had observed a need to get a better handle on customer service and decided to do something about it.

"Our computerized survey enables users to analyze the data and generate many reports on a daily basis," he says. "It sends an immediate e-mail if a survey comes in below a certain standard. It identifies the customer’s name and includes the customer’s comments. The user can contact that specific customer immediately."

Bartlett can be contacted at 866-225-5484 or bartlett@interviewtech.com. His Web sites are www.getyourdatanow.com and www.interviewtech.com.

Bayer ES appoints Manny Martinez business manager for Premise

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bayer Environmental Science announced that Manny Martinez has been appointed business manager for the termite control group. Martinez will direct strategy and execution on behalf of the entire Premise brand of products including sales, customer service, advertising, public relations and interactive initiatives.

"Manny’s wealth of experience allows us to provide unprecedented levels of service and support to our valued customers," says Steve Burt, managing director, Professional Pest Management, Bayer Environmental Science. "Under Manny’s direction, Bayer will continue to position Premise as a superior termite treatment that satisfies customers, creates sustainable profits and builds stronger relationships with pest management professionals and our distribution partners."

Martinez currently serves as Bayer’s national accounts manager and coordinates all sales and marketing efforts for national accounts such as Orkin, Terminix, Ecolab, Univar, Speckoz and Lesco. Martinez will continue to operate in this role, but will now share those responsibilities with Dan Meek, Western regional sales manager, and Pete Comis, Eastern regional sales manager.

Martinez brings nearly 20 years experience in the pest control industry. He has served as general manager for Termimesh LLC, where he was responsible for development, sales and marketing of all Termimesh LLC initiatives as well as providing overall strategic direction for growth and expansion.

Prior to that, he served as business manager for Rhone Poulenc Ag. Company, where he managed the creation of the Professional Pest Control Business Group prior to the creation of Aventis Environmental Sciences. Martinez also worked as marketing manager and analyst for Sandoz Agro Inc.

Awards, special moments highlight FPMA convention

ORLANDO, Fla. — More than 750 registered attendees and exhibitors participated in the Florida Pest Management Association’s (FPMA) Convention and Exposition, June 16-18, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. This was the Association’s 58th convention in its 59-year history.

Pest management professionals shopped the 67-booth trade show and had the opportunity to gain 10 hours of continuing education covering GHP, L&O, Core, Termite and Fumigation. Attendees also heard a keynote address on designing your destiny by Bill Quain, Ph.D., author of several books including top-sellers Reclaiming the American Dream and Ten Rules to Break & Ten Rules to Make.

One of the most emotional award moments belonged to FPMA’s past president and current legislative group chair, D.R. Sapp, Jr., who received the Association’s Pioneer Award.

Sapp, president of Florida Pest Control & Chemical Co., Gainesville, was surprised to see his family and friends during his award acceptance. "We made special arrangements to keep this hush-hush — D.R. did not know he was receiving the award or that his family and friends would be there to see him receive it. We’ll always remember his joy," said FPMA Executive Vice President Toni Caithness.

The Pioneer Award, FPMA’s highest honor, was established in 1987 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated distinguished and dedicated service to the industry in Florida. Top honors also went to several other award recipients:

• President’s Award: Past President Brian J. Van Dam, Fulton Company Inc., N. Miami Beach

• Harry J. Balcom Legend Award: Former Allied Board Member Bruce Ryser, FMC Specialty Products Business, Tampa

• Fellowship Award: Past President Bob McGranahan, Live Oak Pest Control Inc., McAlpin

• Regional Director of the Year Award: Former Region Director Rex Thomas, Rex Thomas Pest Control, Tallahassee

• Committee Member of the Year Award: Fund Raising Action Team Chairperson Steve Crader, McCall Service Inc., Jacksonville

• Committee Chairperson of the Year Award: Management Workshop Committee Chairperson Greg Clendenin, Middleton Lawn & Pest Control Inc., Orlando

• Extra Mile Award: Former Region Director Jim Williamson, Williamson Services, Palm Harbor

Plans are underway for the 2005 FPMA Annual Convention and Exposition to be held in Marco Island, Fla., June 27-29. For details, contact FPMA at 800/426-4829 or visit www.flpma.org.

Fumigation Banner Contest winners announced

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — To reinforce the value of banners as a means to increase business leads, the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) partnered with Dow AgroSciences to conduct the "Fumigation Banner Bonanza Contest." Forty-six companies entered this year’s PCOC banner contest with prizes awarded to the top three. Judges from Bader Rutter & Associates, the advertising agency for Dow AgroSciences, selected the winners and the results were announced at the PCOC Convention in Las Vegas.

First place, a $1,500 gift certificate, was awarded to Western Exterminating. Second place, a $1,000 gift certificate, went to The Bug Man. Borite Termite & Pest Treatments and Sunwest Exterminators took home the third place prizes of a $500 gift certificate. Kill-N-Bugs, Full House Exterminating, License to Kill Termite and Pest Control and Holdsworth Pest Control all received honorable mentions.

Dow AgroSciences said it congratulates all the termite companies and subcontract fumigation companies that submitted pictures. "This was the first year for the program and it wasn’t without its challenges," the company said. "Dow AgroSciences apologizes for any confusion or inconvenience. However, based on the great response, the program will be running again in 2005. "

In the whole-structure fumigation business, banners can provide greater company name recognition and differentiate between fumigation companies. Banners can also be a particularly effective lead generation tool to help grow your business, according to Dow AgroSciences.

The following are tips from the company for creating effective banners:

1. Your banner should communicate your message in seven to 10 seconds, which is the length of time viewers will have to see it.

2. Messages need to be brief, simple and clear as banners are typically viewed from 100 to 500 feet.

3. Copy should be kept to seven words or less to quickly register in the mind of a moving audience.

4. Choose colors with high contrast. Colors without contrast will blend together and obscure the message.

5. Choose fonts that are simple, clear and easy to read rather than fancy or ornate fonts.

6. Allow plenty of space between words. Too little spacing tends to allow words or letters to merge when viewed from a distance.

7. Hang your banner on every job. Chances are your phone will ring with potential customers.