[Problems and Solutions] Answers to your toughest pest questions

Q: At NPMA PestWorld 2008 there was a lot of discussion about “green” pest management, and it seemed as if all the exhibitors had “green” products. What is your take on all this?

A: We are facing, in my opinion, a challenge in the industry. Marketing green programs to people who do not understand this concept means it’s time for us to ramp up our knowledge on a few things we take for granted. By this, I mean in the current economic slowdown, we face the tough task of cutting costs and expanding our market. How do we do that? I know that traditionally one way companies have cut costs is to cut back in training, not sending people to meetings and not investing in the future. This, again in my opinion, is a big mistake if you want to market green programs.

Defining what green is remains an issue. NPMA is trying to define it in their QualityPro Green program. We will have to see where that takes the industry. I know that regulatory agencies are interested in this definition also, and that concerns me. Were they that interested in defining (enforcing) IPM? Well yes, they sort of did, but in a roundabout way; state agencies did take steps to create, in many cases, legislation defining and mandating IPM in schools and state government buildings. Will they do the same for green, or is green really IPM in green letters?

Training will be essential for technicians who are looking at new products (perhaps) or new ways of doing applications. Isn’t the essence of “green” low impact/low risk? If that is so, then there are numerous ways to achieve that goal. And our training methods and materials may have to reflect this emphasis as opposed to the approach of “here is a chemical, here is the application device, here is how you mix it and here is how you spray it.” And then there is the marketing of it. Many articles have been written about trying to implement a green program, but selling it may be the more difficult part.

Now, what about all the green products? Have we always had green products? Well, the answer, if we define green as low impact/low risk, is “no.” In the past our products have not been what would be considered green by today’s standards (whatever they are). However, for years now we have done several things with the newer products: reduced application amounts (dosages of pesticides have become lower and lower and are still quite effective in controlling pests) and reduced applications in the environment inside the structures. Using bait products for specific insects, whether cockroaches or termites, is a green alternative, but liquids also provide for targeted applications.

Our problem seems to be on the outside of the structure — where we use the majority of today’s available products. Spraying on a regular basis will most likely not be looked upon as being “green.” However, the exterior arena is a critical part of the pest equation. This is where most of our problems originate and where they can find ways to invade our space. Something has to be done, so applying pesticides is the answer, or is it? In the environmentalist (yep, they are still around) way of thinking, a pesticide is applied to the outside to kill insects and other arthropods, some of which are considered beneficial. Have you had any questions from your customers about what is happening to all the honey bees? Have they asked how your pesticides affect bees? Scientists still aren’t sure what is causing Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), but recent research doesn’t point to pesticides as the reason the bees are disappearing.

So there are a lot of issues surrounding green and how you define it. Rushing out to sell green without defining it in your company is a serious decision. You will have to back it up, start from the bottom up and get it right.

The author is president of George Rambo Consulting Services, Seneca, S.C. Questions can be e-mailed to grambo@giemedia.com.