May News

NPMA hosts 10th Academy in July

FAIRFAX, VA. — During the past 10 years, NPMA has challenged the next generation of PCOs at its annual Academy conference, sponsored by Syngenta Professional Products. This year’s conference will be held July 21-23 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Phoenix, Ariz.

Attendees at Academy exchange and discuss new ideas with thought-provoking speakers, and participate in stimulating seminars. Pest management professionals gain advanced marketing insights, cutting-edge business knowledge, and improved strategies to grow in today’s competitive market.

The best speakers, programs and Olympic games of the past 10 years will be incorporated into Academy 2005. Marketing experts, industry executives and business professionals will speak about how your company can adapt to the demands of the future. For more information visit www.pestworld.org.

Whitmire offers rebate; PT-U adds a new course

ST. LOUIS, MO. — For a limited time, licensed pesticide operators may earn $1.25 per can ($15 a case) when purchasing Cy-Kick Crack & Crevice Pressurized Residual and/or P.I. Contact Insecticide.

From April 1 through May 31, Whitmire Micro-Gen will fulfill the Spring Cash Back Rebate when original or copies of original invoices are mailed to the company by June 30. Licensed pesticide operators must make purchases through authorized distributors.

In other news at the company, Prescription Treatment University (PT-U) has added another course to its Web-based and CD-based series.

The newest course, #232 "Introduction to Subterranean Termite Inspections," is the 14th course in the series. "Introduction to Subterranean Termite Inspections" continues the standards of the previous courses with digitally mastered animations, live video and audio instruction from Entomologist Jeff Tucker. Quick quizzes follow each lesson and a final exam is given at the end of the course.

Students may check the PT-U Web site (www.pt-u.com) for individual state accreditation updates.

Cleveland association honors Jim Betts with Tom Evans Award

CLEVELAND, OHIO — The Greater Cleveland Pest Control Association (GCPCA) honored Jim Betts of the Ohio Professional Applicators for Responsible Regulation (OPARR) with the coveted Tom Evans Award at April’s spring banquet. The award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to GCPCA and the pest management industry.

Betts, who also was the featured speaker at the banquet, reviewed OPARR’s role in helping Ohio maintain a "benign" pesticide regulatory atmosphere, in comparison to other states. OPARR was formed in 1984 by a group of Ohio lawn care and pest management professionals (as well as other stakeholders) in response to an environmental movement, which started in the Cleveland area, to eliminate or restrict the use of pesticides for aesthetic purposes.

Since that time the organization has countered local ordinances and provided a consistent voice for pesticide applicators in state legislative matters. OPARR has helped block unnecessary local initiatives and has worked closely with the Ohio General Assembly and state regulatory bodies to encourage effective, rational, non-burdensome regulation. It also strives to promote good stewardship by the industry.

In addition to the presentation of the Tom Evans Award, GCPCA Outgoing President Dick Studier of Guarantee Fumigation Services Inc., "passed the gavel" to incoming President Billy Kirchner, Cleveland Chemical Pest Control Inc. Kirchner presented Studier with a plaque in appreciation for Studier’s two-year stint as GCPCA president. — Brad Harbison

FPMA’s Toni Caithness to step down this fall

ORLANDO, FLA. — Toni Caithness, executive vice president of the Florida Pest Management Association, tendered her resignation on March 31. Her last day will be Sept. 30.

Caithness spent more than a quarter century shepherding numerous officers, boards and staff members through change and growth. During her tenure the association grew from 244 to 1,200 members, and has become a joint state partner with the National Pest Management Association.

"I have been in the association business for more than 30 years — 26 of those have been delightfully spent as the executive vice president of the Florida Pest Management Association, serving with the best and brightest leaders in the industry," said Caithness. "I will miss working with my FPMA family yet I am excited about moving forward and spending precious time with my own family."

The association is moving ahead as well to find its next executive vice president. According to FPMA President Rick Grimes, Bryan Pest Control, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., "We are committed to a successful and seamless transition of headquarters management. To facilitate this transition, we have formed an Executive Vice President Search Committee. Our committee is moving forward with the search and accepting resumes for the position."

Texas recognizes April 14 as Fire Ant Prevention Day

AUSTIN, TEXAS — To recognize the beginning of fire ant season throughout Texas, legislators designated April 14, 2005, as Texas Fire Ant Prevention Day. Citizens statewide were encouraged to educate themselves about the human health dangers fire ants pose and the preventive measures available to combat the pests.

Early each spring, fire ants invade many public areas in Texas and the southern United States; they infest more than 80 million acres across Texas, mainly in the eastern two-thirds of the state. Nationally, the ants occupy 300 million acres, including parks, golf courses, school yards and residential lawns. In Texas alone, researchers estimate annual losses due to fire ant infestations at $300 million.

To mark Texas Fire Ant Prevention Day, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Susan Combs read a proclamation at the Texas Capitol and spoke on the facts regarding the threat of fire ants on public health and safety. Texas legislators also are encouraging citizens of the Lone Star State to contact their pest management or lawn care professionals to assist in the treatment of fire ants around their own residences.

"Fire ants are a significant health risk," says Michael McDermott, global business manager for DuPont Professional Products. "In reviewing control options, it’s important to have fast and effective treatments in pest control arsenals, and DuPont Advion ranks among the quickest for knockdown and control."

For information about how Texas students can take part in Fire Ant Prevention Day, visit www.pctonline.com and click "current issue online extras."

PPMA provides industry with new consumer brochure

FAIRFAX, VA. — The Professional Pest Management Alliance announced the availability of a new consumer outreach brochure.

According to Cindy Mannes, executive director of PPMA, "this new brochure reflects the professionalism of our industry as well as our new consumer messages." The new 12-page brochure titled "Putting Pests in Perspective, A guide to safeguarding your health and property" is the type of consumer outreach piece to use at home shows, community functions, school programs, as well as in sales materials to potential customers.

Nationwide consumer messaging for the professional pest control industry has focused on our industry as "protectors of public health and property." This colorful brochure talks to consumers about:

• Pests that threaten health

• Pests that threaten property

• Pests that threaten lifestyle

• What to look for in a pest professional

• Integrated Pest Management

According to Mannes, the new brochure can be personalized with your company’s contact information. "We made sure to leave enough room on the back cover for companies to stamp their contact information. The goal was to create a high-end marketing piece that small PCOs are unable to create alone."

To order quantities, visit www.pestworld.com. This consumer outreach piece is fully funded by PPMA. To contribute today visit www.pestworld.org/ppma or e-mail cmannes@pestworld.org.

Maxforce Tick Management System now registered in New York state

MONTVALE, N.J. — After six years of research and testing, Bayer ES’ Maxforce Tick Management System (TMS) — a product developed to control ticks and reduce the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections — has received federal registration in New York.

Available in 18 states, the Maxforce Tick Management System attacks the root of Lyme disease by treating the primary hosts of the disease — field mice and chipmunks.

May is Lyme disease awareness month and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, close to 18,000 human cases of Lyme disease were reported in 2000. Nearly 90 percent of those cases were reported by people who live in the northeastern United States.

More than 75 percent of Lyme disease cases are contracted in residential properties. The Maxforce Tick Management System consists of a small, child-resistant box with an insecticide. Boxes are placed around the perimeter of properties to control the ticks that live on small rodents. The Maxforce Tick Management System works by treating mice and chipmunks that enter each box with a small dose of insecticide.

For more information, visit www.maxforcetms.com or call 800/331-2867.

PCT announces Web site and speaker schedule for Stored Product Seminar

CLEVELAND — The PCT Conferences Division has launched a Web site fully dedicated to this year’s PCT Stored Product Pest Management Seminar — www.storedproductseminar.com. The new Web site allows users to register for the conference online and also includes detailed information about the seminars, speakers and location.

The PCT Stored Product Pest Management Seminar, to be held Nov. 16-18, in Minneapolis, Minn., will feature leading pest management, food industry and research/extension service experts who will discuss the latest stored product pest management strategies and research updates.

Register by calling Michele Fitzpatrick at 800/456-0707 or register online at www.storedproductseminar.com.

The seminar will feature a diverse education program with sessions focused on key areas of stored product pest management including:

• Security Issues For Stored Product Pest Facilities

• Organic Stored Product Pest Management

• Health Hazards of Insects and Mites in Food

• Keeping In Compliance: Regulatory Issues and Third-Party Inspections

• Seeking The Source: The Comprehensive Pest Inspection

• The Future of Stored Product Pests and Their Management

HomeTeam Pest Defense acquires Suncal Pest Management

DALLAS — HomeTeam Pest Defense, Dallas, Texas, has acquired Suncal Pest Management, San Diego, Calif.

Founded in 1992 by Ray Keech, Suncal provides termite and pest control throughout the San Diego area. The acquisition provides HomeTeam with its first branch in the San Diego market, an area it has been trying to establish a presence in for some time.

The Tullius Company represented HomeTeam Pest Defense in the transaction. Terms were not disclosed.

OPCA launches redesigned Web site

COLUMBUS, OHIO — The Ohio Pest Control Association has redesigned and enhanced its Web Site, www.ohiopca.com.

The Member’s Only section provides access to OPCA’s affinity programs, documentation, announcements, etc. In this area, users will be able to update their listing information with the association and also renew their dues online using a credit card.

The site has been redesigned to permit online registrations to many of OPCA’s Training Schools and meetings, as well as access to archived newsletters. A complete industry calendar is available, as well as information about the association’s scholarship opportunities. A searchable member directory is available to end users and members providing the latest information about their companies and Web site links.