Berenbaum Appointed to President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In March, President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint several individuals to serve in key roles, including entomologist May Berenbaum to serve on the President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science.

Berenbaum has been on the faculty of the Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for more than 40 years, serving as head since 1992 and as Swanlund Chair of Entomology since 1996. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, she has chaired two National Research Council study committees, including Status of Pollinators in North America, testifying before Congress on the study’s findings. Since January 2019, she has served as editor-in-chief of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Ecological Society of America, and the Entomological Society of America.

In 2011, Berenbaum was awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement and, in 2014, she received the National Medal of Science from President Barack Obama.

Syngenta Donates to Pi Chi Omega Scholarship Fund

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pi Chi Omega announced a $4,500 contribution from long-time supporter Syngenta. This contribution helps Pi Chi Omega provide scholarship funds and research support to students studying urban entomology at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Syngenta has, for years, been making this contribution through its partnership with Copesan and the Copesan Charity Raffle held each year at its annual meeting. Syngenta says the company felt strongly about the need to maintain this giving and support of Pi Chi Omega. Syngenta’s annual commitment to this amount accounts for one-third of Pi Chi Omega’s current annual scholarship award obligation.

L. Brian Stauffer, University of Illinois News Bureau

“Education is vital to a thriving pest control industry — and ultimately contributes to the well-being of our communities,” said Berry Cothern, district manager for Syngenta Professional Pest Management. “Syngenta is proud to partner with organizations like Pi Chi Omega in the continual support of entomology students who fuel industry growth and innovation.”

Cassie Krejci, president of Pi Chi Omega, added, “Having industry partners like Syngenta that graciously step up to the plate to contribute to our scholarship program is integral to our organization’s mission of enriching the pest management industry. We thank the Syngenta team for their continued support of students through the Pi Chi Omega scholarship program.”

Pi Chi Omega provides five $2,000 scholarships, and one $3,000 scholarship each year to deserving entomology students at universities in undergraduate and graduate programs. In 46 years, Pi Chi Omega has awarded more than 140 scholarships.

Rentokil NA Invests In, Expands DE&I Program

READING, Pa. — During the course of the last year, Rentokil North America has invested in and developed an ongoing diversity, equality and inclusion (DE&I) program for its nearly 12,000-plus colleagues. By partnering with the NeuroLeadership Institute (NLI), a pioneer in corporate diversity, Rentokil is working to create lasting behavioral change through neuroscience and industry research.

Coleman Photography, c/o Mississippi State University

“DE&I has always been important to our organization, however, the events over the last year encouraged us to expedite a more comprehensive and deliberate program throughout the company,” said Mike St. Clair, DE&I executive sponsor and senior vice president of sales and marketing for Rentokil. “We want to build an organization where everyone can reach the highest level based on merit, whatever their gender, race, color, nationality, age, sexual orientation, physical ability or background.”

To reach that vision, Rentokil is following the science from NLI and basing its program on:

• Diversity — Recognizing, encouraging and supporting the differences between people and groups of people and placing a positive value on those differences.
• Equality — Ensuring everybody has equal access to opportunities and resources and are able to make full use of the opportunities to fulfill their potential.
• Inclusion — Ensuring all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully and can contribute fully to the organization’s success.

“We’re not just doing this to check a box,” said St. Clair. “This is a huge cultural enhancement for us and something we want to become part of every conversation, so much so that we have a roadmap through 2024 to build out the DE&I throughout every aspect of our organization.

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The organization formed a DE&I committee to set the foundation of the program, conducted conversations with the executive leadership team and senior leaders and hosted several introduction webinars for the organization. Many of the top leaders participated in a four-week program to introduce inclusive leadership concepts and new habit-forming practices supported by brain science to help create a more inclusive environment. Next, there will be listening sessions throughout the company to gain a better understanding of the concerns and experiences of colleagues at every level of the organization. The program will continue throughout 2023.

“It was critical that we align our business goals with a focus on DE&I,” said Anthony Brown, senior vice president of human resources for Rentokil. “In order to foster a culture that attracts and retains talent, we must be intentional and thoughtful about our work environment. Not only do we strive to represent the customers we serve, we also strive to ensure every Rentokil colleague is seen as an important part of the work we do. Our DE&I program is central to these values.”

As part of DE&I, Rentokil will host two programs: Include and Decide.

Include is a four-week program that identifies five factors that help leaders create more inclusive work environments.

Decide is a separate four-week program that helps leaders mitigate unconscious bias and create value for the organization. According to the company, the programs are focused on creating lasting behavior change using science and practical mitigation strategies, working with NLI’s trainings. Rentokil said its goal is to have all 900 company managers complete both programs by September 2022. — Kaitlyn McGarvey

In Memoriam: Dr. Terry L. Amburgey

BRADLEY, Miss. — Terry L. Amburgey, Ph.D., longtime professor at Mississippi State University (MSU) known for his work in wood protection, passed away on April 1, at age 80.

Amburgey served as a professor in the MSU College of Forest Resources for more than 30 years. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and his doctoral degree at North Carolina State University.

Amburgey’s career in wood protection spanned more than 50 years, and his research has contributed to improvements within the railway tie industry and beyond. In 2014, the Railway Tie Association executive committee gave Amburgey a Giles Distinguished Professor, the 2014 Award of Merit for his contribution to the industry. The award is given at the executive committee’s discretion and has been awarded only two other times since the association was formed in 1919.

According to an MSU press release, Amburgey helped increase the lifespan of railway crossties from 8-15 years to more than 25 years. At the onset of his research in the early 1980s, he observed that crossties were vulnerable to fungi and insect damage even during the production phase. Amburgey discovered that treating crossties with borates during the air drying process protected the wood from pests.

As noted in his obituary, Amburgey’s graduate students have made significant contributions to their chosen fields of employment. His professorship at Mississippi State was preceded by 10 years with the USDA Forest Service in Gulfport, Miss., as a Research Wood Decay Specialist. — Brad Harbison

PPMA Announces Plans for Bed Bug Awareness Week

FAIRFAX, Va. — The week of June 5 is Bed Bug Awareness Week, an annual designation recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events to remind consumers to remain alert for bed bugs during travel. The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), which serves as the public outreach arm of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), is observing this week by educating the public through various media relations and social media tactics on the signs of an infestation and the importance of working with a licensed pest control professional to treat an infestation.

“Americans are eager to resume their travel plans, and this summer will likely see a significant increase in comparison to the past two years. However, this opens more travelers to (an) ever-present risk of bed bug encounters,” said Cindy Mannes, executive director of PPMA. “Hotels and rental properties that may have seen fewer visitors in recent times will see an influx of tourists, increasing their vulnerability to these blood-hungry pests. Because of this, it is imperative for them to have a pest control partner on call should an issue arise.”

During this Bed Bug Awareness Week, PPMA will devote all @PestWorld social media pages to address these persistent pests, highlighting its bed bug videos and content from PestWorld.org. PPMA is asking all pest control companies to join in this awareness initiative by focusing their social media content on bed bugs throughout the week and to use the hashtag #BBAW in all posts.

PPMA also created a Bed Bug Awareness Week toolkit which is available for download to Mainframe subscribers on ppmamainframe.org, an exclusive digital marketing hub containing hundreds of custom, professionally designed marketing materials and assets for pest control companies to use to promote their business. The toolkit contains a customizable press release, suggested social media content, Bed Bug Awareness Week logos, high-resolution photography, media training documents and video content that can be directly embedded on a company’s website.

For more information about PPMA and its marketing programs or to subscribe to Mainframe, visit www.npmapestworld.org/ppma.

Maine CDC Confirms Fatal Case of Powassan Virus in Waldo County

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) confirmed in April a fatal case of Powassan virus infection in a Waldo County resident. The adult developed neurologic symptoms and died while in the hospital. This person likely became infected in Maine.

Cases of Powassan virus are rare in the United States, with about 25 cases reported each year since 2015. Maine has identified 14 cases since 2010. As pest management professionals know, humans become infected with Powassan through the bite of an infected deer or woodchuck tick. “Ticks are active and looking for a host to bite right now,” said Nirav D. Shah, director of the Maine CDC. “I urge Maine people and visitors to take steps that prevent tick bites.” — Source: Maine.gov

PestCo Holdings Acquires Pointe Pest Control

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), a private equity firm based in St. Louis, Mo., announced the acquisition of Pointe Pest Control, Chicago, by PestCo Holdings, a TSCP portfolio company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Through its brands Pointe Pest Control in Illinois and Green Pest Services in Virginia, Pointe provides residential pest control services.

“Pointe is a well-known brand in the industry with a long history of successful operations in residential pest control,” said Jay Keating, CEO, PestCo. “We are thrilled to partner with Jared Borg and Kyle Woodbury in the next phase of Pointe’s growth.”

Jared Borg, co-founder and CEO of Pointe, said, “Our teams at Pointe and Green have always prioritized their customers and employees, which has led to sustained levels of high growth over many years. Partnering with PestCo and TSCP will drive even greater levels of satisfaction for our clients while accelerating our ability to further expand our operations.”

Pointe was advised by Paul Giannamore, managing director of The Potomac Co.

Knox Pest Control Acquires Owens and Taunton

COLUMBUS, Ga. — Knox Pest Control announced in April the acquisition of Owens and Taunton, Valley, Ala.

Owens and Taunton has offered commercial, residential and industrial pest control services in the Auburn, Opelika, Valley, Lagrange, Warm Springs and Columbus areas of Georgia and Alabama since 1956. The family-owned and -operated business was led by Michael Moncrief and family prior to the acquisition.

Several years ago, Moncrief said that when he was ready to retire and/or sell, he would contact Knox Pest Control. Having known the Knox family for many years, Moncrief said he was confident that Knox Pest Control would be the right company to take care of his customers and the only company he would choose, he said.

Knox’s Blake Grimsley said, “We are very proud to continue their commitment to customer service and to welcome to the Knox family all Owens and Taunton team members. This is one more step in our aggressive acquisition plan that looks to expand by finding quality business partnerships.”

Purdue University’s Bug Bowl Returns, Providing a Day of Insect Science and Fun

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University hosted its annual Bug Bowl, a day of family fun and insect science and one of the largest insect festivals in the country, on April 9.

During the event, attendees ranging from preschoolers to retirees took part in hands-on insect activities including the cricket spitting contest (modified to a more COVID-friendly cricket flinging contest this year) and an insect petting zoo. The Bug Bowl is part of Purdue’s Spring Fest weekend, which features activities in science, technology, engineering, arts and cultural experiences.

This year’s Bug Bowl included a full day of activities. The schedule of events included a K-12 insect art contest, an arthropod petting zoo, antennae arts and crafts, invasive species games, and exhibits on topics such as bees and pollinators, composting with insects, insects from around the world and insect-eating plants.

Viking Pest Acquires Integrated Pest Management

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. —Viking Pest Control, an Anticimex company, announced the acquisition of Integrated Pest Management of Hammonton, N.J.

Integrated Pest Management has been providing residential and commercial pest control services to greater Southern New Jersey since 1984. Viking said this partnership will enhance IPM’s overall pest management solutions, while strengthening IPM’s delivery of service, increasing the firm’s local support and ensuring quality service.

Paul Bergmann, president of Viking Pest Control, said, “This is an exciting time for Viking Pest Control, and we are excited to partner with Integrated Pest Management as it continues to solidify Viking as the leading pest control provider in New Jersey.”

Bergmann added, “Integrated Pest Management is an excellent fit; we are excited about the latest addition to the Viking family. We welcome the Integrated Pest Management team and will work side by side to continue providing excellent service to our customers”

David Damiano, president of IPM, added, “The partnership with Viking Pest Control is great news for our customers and employees. We are extremely excited about the pest control solutions it will bring, creating an industry-leading pest management partnership.”

The transaction closed on March 31. The Aust Group served as the exclusive adviser for IPM, while Hanse Anderson acted as legal adviser to IPM.