February News, February 2000

Montvale, N.J. — The recent merger of the parent companies of AgrEvo Environmental Health and Rhone-Poulenc has created the single largest global basic manufacturer of structural pest control and vector control products. The new company, known as Aventis Environmental Science, is a separate legal entity of Aventis, S.A. In the structural pest control and vector markets, Aventis Environmental Science will combine the products and technologies of AgrEvo Environmental Health, including DeltaGard-brand deltamethrin and Termidor, Rhone-Poulenc’s termite control product.

The new company will be led by recently named president Dr. Ulrich Trogele.

The priority of Aventis Environmental Science will be on customer-focused solutions for the structural pest control and vector markets, said Michael McDermott, vice president, professional products, Aventis Environmental Science. "In our role as this industry’s global leader, we will make the requirements of our customers our single highest priority," McDermott said.

According to the company, Aventis S.A. will possess one of the largest research and development budgets in the industry, forecasted at more than $3 billion annually.

"Aventis Environmental Science will have an impressive range of emerging technologies and expertise which will certainly benefit this market," McDermott said. "We’ll also continue to have a sharpened focus on products with excellent growth potential."

With global headquarters in Strasbourg, France, Aventis S.A. reports $20 billion in sales and employs more than 95,000 people worldwide. Aventis Environmental Science, North America, is headquartered in Montvale, N.J.

Cleveland — GIE Publishing, a pri-vately held Cleveland-based producer of trade magazines (including PCT and Service Technician), directories, conferences, trade shows, marketing services, web-based industry portals and e-commerce channels, has changed its name to GIE Media Inc.

The name change reflects the company’s diversification of its product and service offerings and its commitment to providing clients with a diverse array of customized business to business communication services, according to Richard Foster, president and CEO of GIE Media, Inc.

"GIE Media reflects the positive progression the company has taken from a publisher of trade magazines to a company producing a wide range of marketing and communications services," Foster said. "Through this expansion we have been able to develop stronger relationships with our advertising partners, providing them with greater diversity and efficiency in their marketing efforts.

"While we will never abandon our core print publications, we are always looking to expand the services we can provide to our advertisers and readers. Through our diversification of services we now have the ability to reach the markets we serve at a deeper level and this will certainly strengthen our market leading positions in the years ahead," Foster said.

In a related move, GIE Media Inc., also announced the creation of a separate company for its website and e-commerce partnership development efforts. The new company, GIE Media.com Inc., will focus on building industry specific Internet portals featuring in-depth, comprehensive industry news and information sites, continuing education and training outlets, as well as e-commerce sites for industry product and service providers.

"Our intent with starting the new company is to position our core businesses for long-term growth in the rapidly expanding world of the Internet," Foster said. "GIE Media.com Inc. adds another dimension to our existing communications and marketing services, and helps us develop stronger relationships with product and service providers in the markets our publications serve."

Founded in 1980, GIE Media Inc. publishes five trade magazines, five trade shows and conferences, vertical websites and numerous industry directories and reference publications.

In addition to Pest Control Technology and Service Technician magazines, GIE Media publishes Lawn & Landscape, Recycling Today and C&D Recycler magazines.

Kansas City, Mo. — Bulk purchases of Premise Insecticide will soon become more affordable and convenient for PCOs. PremiseMax, a new packaging option from Bayer Corporation, will contain the equivalent of eight cases of Premise 75 WP in one easy-to-carry plastic container. With each PremiseMax purchase, PCOs will be eligible to receive a $100 rebate.

"We designed PremiseMax to be convenient to transport and possess some functionality beyond holding product," said Rob Fleshman, Bayer structural protection market manager. "The $100 rebate serves as a thanks to those who have made Premise the success that it is."

As with case purchases, Premise 75 WP is packaged in four 2.25-oz. water-soluble packets per resealable foil pak. PremiseMax contains 32 packs.

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) made public a study in January it has been conducting on pesticide use in schools. The GAO has been studying the issue throughout the last several months at the request of Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn.

The GAO study reports that data on pesticide use in the nation’s 110,000 public schools is sparse, as is data on the extent to which children are exposed to pesticides while at school. "This information gap is troubling on a number of levels," Lieberman said. "We know that children are particularly vulnerable to the health risks associated with pesticides. So we have every right to be concerned, and every incentive to take some action."

As a result of the study, Lieberman, the ranking member on the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency urging the Agency to begin collecting and reviewing data on school exposures and to develop a plan for a comprehensive survey on the use of pesticides in schools. In the meantime, Lieberman called on EPA to take "immediate steps to minimize the risk of exposure, starting by providing guidance to pest control companies and school officials."

Though Lieberman asked EPA to begin gathering the data, it is unclear whether or not they will. "(Lieberman) asked EPA to do something that EPA doesn’t have the resources to do, and doesn’t have the authority to do," said Bob Rosenberg, director of government affairs, National Pest Management Association.

While Lieberman focused primarily on the lack of pesticide data, the GAO report also points out that EPA and a number of states have taken initiatives to implement IPM programs in schools. Six states — Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Texas and West Virginia — have enacted laws mandating the use of IPM in schools.

The GAO also reports that most of the EPA regional and state officials it interviewed for the report expressed reservations about a national requirement for IPM in schools, citing regional pest differences and additional resources that would be required to implement such a law.

Last October, Sen. Robert Torricelli, D-N.J., introduced d legislation that called for adoption of national IPM standards for schools. The bill, titled the School Environment Protection Act (SEPA), is currently held up in the Senate’s Agriculture Committee. At his press conference, Lieberman announced his support of SEPA and said he will co-sponsor the bill.

Since its introduction last year, many in the pest control industry have criticized SEPA. "Our view is that Senator Torricelli’s bill is not a very responsible piece of legislation," Rosenberg said.

In reaction to the release of the GAO report, pest control industry groups have reiterated the importance of pest control in schools. "Children face serious health threats from pests in schools," says Allen James, executive director of Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE). "To protect children from such threats, schools must have all of the available pest control tools, including pesticides, at their disposal. Pesticides are safe and have a proven track record for protecting the public from dangerous pests. Restricting access to these vital pest management tools in schools would put children at risk for a variety of major diseases and illnesses."

At the press conference, Lieberman expressed an interest to build consensus within the pest control industry and look for common-sense solutions. "We take him at his word on that and if his objective is to get more information and create some kind of incentives for the school boards to improve the quality of their pest management practices, then we’re all for it and we are glad to work with him," Rosenberg said.

St. Louis — Whitmire Micro-Gen has scheduled this year’s educational seminars, titled Field Extension 2000. Jeffrey Tucker is the instructor for this year’s program. Attendees will participate in technical training on ant management, small fly and gnat control strategies and using naturally derived products in effective IPM programs. Cost for this year’s program is $25 per person. For registration information, visit www.wmmg.com or call 800/777-8570.

Dates and locations for each session include:

• Feb. 15: Richard M. Schrushy Conference Center, Birmingham, Ala.;

• Feb. 16: Cobb Galleria Center, Atlanta;

• Feb. 17: Charlotte Marriott Executive Parkway, Charlotte, N.C.;

• Feb. 22: St. Louis Marriott Airport, St. Louis;

• Feb. 23: Sheraton Brookhollow, Dallas;

• Feb. 24: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Houston;

• Mar. 7: Holiday Inn Marlborough Inn & Suites, Marlborough, Mass.;

• Mar. 8: Antun’s, Queens Village, N.Y.;

• Mar. 21: Fairview Park Marriott, Washington, D.C.;

• Mar. 22: Wyndham Hotel, Elizabeth, N.J.;

• Apr. 4: Marriott Kingsgate Conference Center, Cincinnati;

• Apr. 5: Wyndham Gardens, O’Hare, Chicago;

• Apr. 6: Overland Park Marriott, Kansas City, Kan.

Milwaukee — An updated version of the Commensal Rodent Facts brochure is now available from LiphaTech. Presented in an easy-to-use format, the folder of information is a primer of IPM techniques and a summary of house mouse, roof rat and Norway rat biology and behavior. The brochure includes complete descriptions of commensal rodents’ habits and behaviors accompanied by close-up photos. A chart on the back also provides a quick reference to rodent descriptions and habits.

Copies of the brochure are available by contacting your district sales manager or LiphaTech at 800/351-1476.