NEWS

TERRORIST, ANTHRAX ATTACKS AFFECT PEST MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY
CLEVELAND, OHIO — Pest management professionals, like everyone else in the world, have been adversely affected by the recent attacks on America. In the November issue of PCT, it was reported that the Environmental Protection Agency had issued a general alert on pesticide security. But there is another pesticide issue that is making PCOs think twice about their application techniques.

Larry Pinto, a long-time industry consultant and editor of Executive Reports, a monthly newsletter serving the pest control industry, recommends that pest management professionals avoid using dusts or powder formulations until people’s fear of bioterrorism subsides.

Because there have been numerous reports in the weeks following the first anthrax scare that police and fire departments have been called to look at suspicious white powders, “What will (customers) do if they see traces of tracking powder or insecticide dust?” Pinto asks in his October report.

As a precautionary measure, Richard Kirshner, president of Aerex Pest Control, Chicago, Ill., temporarily created a policy of not using insecticide dusts in commercial accounts following media coverage of the anthrax attacks. “I implemented the policy because I didn’t want to empty out any buildings in Chicago because someone saw a suspicious powder. It’s a different world we live in today so I wanted to err on the side of caution. I haven’t received any negative response from technicians or customers,” he said. “Everyone thinks we’re doing the right thing.”

Pinto also suggests that if a pest management professional feels he or she must use a dust or powder, it should be explained to the customer what he or she is using, what it looks like and where it will be applied. “Remember, too, that microencapsulated insecticides and some wettable powders also leave a white, powdery residue when they dry,” he said in Executive Reports. 

Pest management professionals should (as usual) remember to fill out service reports completely and keep MSDSs and labels with them in their trucks at all times.

Some PCOs who have posted messages on PCT’s message board (www.pctonline.com/messageboard) expressed similar concerns. “I did a retreat for ants at one of our local oil company distributors today,” one PCO wrote. “(Later) I had messages on my machine from my company that the police, fire and TV were at the plant and they wanted to know what I used and where I used it. I will be hesitant to use (certain products) at that account again even though where I applied it is not where they discovered the unidentified powder.”

While anthrax news has subsided in recent weeks, some PCOs remain cautious about the future.

“I am not sure when we will resume  using insecticide dusts in commercial accounts again,” Kirshner said.

SCHROEDER REMEMBERED AS A CRUSADER FOR INDUSTRY RIGHTS

YAPHANK, N.Y. — Walter Schroeder, a pest control operator and lifelong advocate of the pest control industry in New York, died on Oct. 16.

In addition to running his own pest control company, Ban the Bug (Shirley, N.Y.), Schroeder served as executive director of both the Long Island Pest Control Association (LIPCA) and the New York State Professional Applicators Coalition (NYSPAC).

Schroeder is remembered as one of New York’s most vocal and visible figures for pesticide applicators’ rights. He served on numerous committees at the local and state levels and actively lobbied for “smart” pesticide legislation. Schroeder was affectionately known as “Uncle Walter” because his passionate lobbying would wear down the opposition until they would yell “Uncle,” according to Jan Cicchetti, executive director, LIPCA.

“Walter worked tirelessly on legislative issues, whether it was getting the word out to pest control operators and letting them know what is going on, or contacting legislators and letting them know if (proposed laws) were good or not — and he let them know exactly why,” Cicchetti said.

Most recently, Schroeder served as an adviser and provided technical support for Suburban Exterminating Services, Smithtown, N.Y.

FMC TO SPONSOR LEGISLATIVE DAY

PHILADELPHIA — FMC Corporation will once again serve as premier sponsor of NPMA’s 15th annual Legislative Day. Legislative Day will be held Feb. 25-26  in Washington, D.C. This two-day event provides a forum for PCOs to meet with legislators to discuss laws and regulations affecting the industry.

Scheduled to speak are Army General Hugh Shelton, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and John Kasich, Republican presidential candidate and former Chairman of the House Budget Committee. Last year, over 500 industry representatives participated in Legislative Day. For more information call 800/678-6722. 

MANNES NAMED PPMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DUNN LORING, VA. — The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) recently announced the appointment of Cynthia A. Mannes as the executive director of the Alliance. Mannes brings 13 years of pest management industry experience to her new position.

According to Rob Lederer, executive vice president for the National Pest Management Association, “Cindy has always been recognized as the ‘go-to executive’ offering energy, vision and strategic direction that personalized corporations, brands and products for consumer, business and worldwide markets. We are very excited to have her on board.”

For more than 10 years, Mannes developed and executed advertising, marketing, public relations and sales support tactics for the pest control, lawn care, golf and consumer markets for Aventis Environmental Science and other companies formed through the mergers and acquisitions of the Montvale, N.J.-company.

RODENT MANAGEMENT SUMMIT SET FOR MARch 13-15 IN CHICAGO

CLEVELAND, OHIO – To assist pest management and food processing professionals meet the diverse challenges of designing and implementing effective rodent management strategies, Pest Control Technology magazine announces dates for the PCT Rodent Management Summit. The conference is scheduled for March 13-15 the Courtyard Marriott Downtown in Chicago.

The PCT Rodent Management Summit will feature Dr. Robert Corrigan, author of Rodent Control: A Practical Guide for Pest Management Professionals, as well as a speaker lineup comprised of leading rodent management consultants and industry practitioners. The summit format will place an emphasis on exchanging information, reviewing the latest research findings and developing control solutions.

The summit, sponsored by Bell Laboratories, promises to deliver an in-depth educational experience for attendees and the opportunity to network with some of the sharpest minds in rodent management. Conference highlights include:

•    There is no other educational program dedicated solely to rodent management practices that is as comprehensive or targeted.

•    Experience two full days of in-depth sessions from leading rodent management experts that address the specific needs of pest management and food processing professionals.

•    Receive a complimentary, autographed copy of Dr. Robert Corrigan’s Rodent Control: A Practical Guide for Pest Management Professionals, the authoritative rodent management resource.

•    Network with fellow industry professionals and build important relationships

•    Earn CEU credits

•    Return to work ready to apply what you have learned and raise the quality and effectiveness of your rodent management programs.

For registration information on the PCT Rodent Management Summit, call 800/456-0707 or go to www.pctonline.com and click on “Conferences.”

EHMANN HONORED BY HAWAII PEST CONTROL ASSOCIATION

HONOLULU — Norm Ehmann, vice president emeritus, Vopak U.S.A., was recently awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Hawaii Pest Control Association (HPCA).

HPCA provides this award on an annual basis to the individual who has done the most for the structural pest control industry in Hawaii throughout the year. The Association takes into consideration the indi-vidual’s performance above and beyond their job responsibilities.

HPCA Robert Sieb of Bugman Pest Control, Maui, said Ehmann was deserving of the award because, “he understands pest control having served the industry for decades.”

FAOPMA CONVENTION HELD IN SEPTEMBER

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — The 13th FAOPMA (Federation of Asian Oceanic Pest Management Association) Convention and International and Exhibition was held in Taipei, Taiwan, Sept. 12-14.

More than 250 attendees from 16 countries heard presentations on both technical and management topics from many world-renowned speakers.

Technical speakers including Dr. Austin Frishman, Dr. Nan-Yao Su, Dr. Graeme Smith, Dr. Jason Nash, Dr. C.Y. Lee, and Dr. Ted Granovsky.

The expanded management program featured three past presidents of the National Pest Management Association — Norman Cooper, who spoke on marketing; Robert Kunst, who spoke on productivity and management systems; and current NPMA President Judy Dold, who spoke on customer service contracts.

Next year’s convention will be held in Yokohama, Japan, Nov. 10-12, 2002.

INDUSTRY MOURNS LOSs OF CARLOS R. PEñA

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Carlos R. Peña, a New York City pest control pioneer, died on Sept. 13 while on vacation in his summer home in Spain. He was 80.

Peña founded El Matador/Bullfighter Exterminating in New York City in the early 1970s. The company specialized in retail sales of pest control products. When Peña retired in 1987, he handed control of the company over to his nephew, Andy Linares, who renamed the firm “Bug Off Pest Control Center.” Peña remained as a consultant and special adviser to Linares.

“If Bug Off Pest Control Center has become Manhattan’s largest supplier of pest control products and the region’s premier training institution, it is due in great measure to the foundation established by Carlos Peña,” Linares said. “Anyone who has benefited from their dealings with us owes Mr. Peña a debt of gratitude. I have lost a cherished family member as well as an irreplaceable counselor. My firm and our industry are diminished by his loss.”

COMPELLING COMMUNICATIONS LAUNCHES UGLY LOGO COMPETITION

ST. LOUIS, MO. — Compelling Communications Inc., a marketing services company specializing in serving pest control companies, is seeking logos that need improving. The company has announced its Ugly Logo Competition in an effort to offer companies the opportunity to upgrade their logo.

Compelling Communications will accept entries through Dec. 30. The company will choose one winning ugly logo that will be awarded a free logo makeover. In addition, any firm that enters the contest (or simply requests the discount) will receive a 20 percent discount on the development of a logo/corporate identity package. Details can be accessed at the company’ s Web site at www.compelcom.com.

To enter, PCOs should e-mail a sample of their logo to june@compelcom.com or mail it to: Ugly Logo Competition, Compelling Communications Inc., 512 Marie Lane, Manchester MO 63011.

Only logos accompanied by name, title, company name, address, phone number and e-mail address will be considered.

CALENDAR 

Jan. 3-5: NPMA’s Pestech2002.com conference, Disney Yacht & Beach Club, Orlando, Fla. Contact: NPMA, 800/678-6722.

Jan. 7-11: 66th Annual Purdue Pest Control Conference, West Lafayette, Ind. Contact: Susan Umberger, 800/359-2968, ext. 92U.

Jan. 9-11: 56th Texas A&M University PCO Pest Management Conference and Workshop, Bryan/College Station, Texas. Contact: 979/845-5855.

Jan. 15-17: Georgia Pest Control Association Winter Conference, Athens, Ga. Contact: GPCA, 770/417-1881.

Jan. 17-18: 10th Annual Urban pest Management Conference, Nebraska State Pest Control Association, Holiday Inn, Lincoln, Neb. Contact: 402/476-1259.

Jan. 21-23: Mid-Atlantic Mosquito Control Association annual educational conference, Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Md. Contact: Dennis Salmen, 704/336-5554.

Jan. 21-24: 52nd Annual North Carolina Pest Control Association Technicians School, Hilton North, Raleigh, N.C. Contact: www.ncpca.org or 800/547-6071.

Jan.  24-26: NPMA Eastern Conference, Trump Marina Hotel, Atlantic City, N.J. Contact: NPMA, 800/678-6722.

Jan. 23-24: FPMA Management Workshop, Adam’s Mark Hotel at the Florida Mall, Orlando. Contact: FPMA, 407/293-8627.

Jan. 31-Feb. 1: NPMA Southwestern Conference, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, Albuquerque, N.M. Contact: NPMA, 800/678-6722.

Jan. 31-Feb. 1: 16th Annual Michigan Mosquito Control Association Conference, Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, Mich. Contact: 989/672-3748 or www.mimosq.org.

Feb. 4-6: W.C.T. Seventh Annual Seminar, Imperial Palace, Las Vegas, Nev. Contact: 815/286-3039.

Feb. 7-8: NPMA Southern Conference, Grand Veranda Hotel, Tunica, Miss. Contact: NPMA, 800/678-6722.

Feb. 24-26: NPMA Legislative Day, Marriott Gateway Hotel, Arlington, Va. Contact: NPMA, 800/678-6722.

Feb. 28-March 2: NPMA PM Canada/Pacific NW Conference, Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia. Contact: National Pest Management Association, 800/678-6722.

March 4-9: 20th Vertebrate Pest Conference, Reno, Nev. Contact: 707/565-2371.

March 13-15: PCT Rodent Summit, Chicago, Ill. Contact: Visit www.pctonline.com or call Maria Miller, 800/456-0707.