NEWS

PENNSYLVANIA INSURANCE DEPT. TAKES ACTION AGAINST S.E.C.U.R.E.
HARRISBURG, PA. — S.E.C.U.R.E. Insurance Co. Ltd. has been forced by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commission to cease and desist from doing business in Pennsylvania, have its license revoked for 10 years and pay penalties.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Commission took these actions after it determined that S.E.C.U.R.E. Insurance Co. Ltd. was operating as a pest control liability insurance entity, but it was not licensed or authorized to provide insurance in Pennsylvania.

“In the commonwealth of Pennsylvania our law requires that pest control companies maintain insurance or self insurance. If they choose insurance they must deal with a company licensed to do business in the state of Pennsylvania,” Dave Scott, pesticide certification and education specialist, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, told PCT. “When we were informed by the insurance department that S.E.C.U.R.E. was not licensed...we notified those individuals who were doing business with that company and told them that they would have to find a new supplier.”

S.E.C.U.R.E. signed a settlement agreement stating that the company will cease and desist from doing business in Pennsylvania, cancel all policies issued nationwide, return unearned premiums and pay legitimate claims.

“In addition, Daniel J. Reardon, the owner of S.E.C.U.R.E. Insurance Co. Ltd. has been substantially penalized,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner M. Diane Koken.

Under the agreement, Reardon’s agent and broker licenses, and The Wyomissing Group’s agency license, are revoked for 10 years and a civil penalty of $100,000 has been imposed on Reardon.

Koken added that pest control operators in Pennsylvania need to be aware that their own licensure may be in jeopardy if they have coverage through S.E.C.U.R.E.

Consumers with questions may contact the Pennsylvania Insurance Department by calling the toll-free automated hotline at 877/881-6388. The department also has four regional consumer-services offices: Harrisburg 717/787-2317; Philadelphia 215/560-2630; Pittsburgh 412/565-5020; and Erie 814/871-4466.

For more information on this action, or to run a search of licensed insurance entities, visit the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: “insurance.”

PCT’s calls to Reardon were not returned.

PCT, CPCO TO CO-SPONSOR TOXIC MOLD SEMINAR IN FLORIDA IN FEBRUARY
CLEVELAND, OHIO — To assist pest management professionals address the legal and liability challenges brought about by toxic mold, Pest Control Technology magazine, in conjunction with the Certified Pest Control Operators Association of Florida (CPCO) recently announced the date for the “What You Need To Know About Toxic Mold Seminar.” The seminar is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2003, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The seminar will feature a speaker faculty of leading public health, regulatory, legal and insurance experts who handle toxic mold issues. The seminar format will place an emphasis on exchanging information, reviewing the latest trends and exploring options on how to protect your company from unnecessary risks when dealing with toxic mold situations.

The seminar promises to deliver an in-depth, comprehensive summary of this important industry “hot topic” and how pest management professionals are handling the situation.

The registration fee is $95 per person and includes all seminar materials and lunch. CEU credits will be available for qualifying sessions. For registration information, call 800/456-0707.

FLORIDA APPOINTS ADVISORY COUNCIL
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has appointed an 11-member pest control enforcement advisory council to provide FDACS with input and act as a liaison between home-owners, the pest control industry and regulators.

The formation of the advisory council is a requirement of the recently amended Statute 482, a statute regulating the pest control industry in Florida. Amended Statute 482 mandates that FDACS create an 11-member panel consisting of eight pest management professionals, a FDACS employee, a member of academia (e.g., a university researcher) and a Florida citizen.

The 11-member panel includes the following eight PCOs: Raymond Capelouto; Mel Edelstein; Tim Hulett; Robert McGranahan; Richard Meahl; Pete Quartuccio; Erica Santella; and D.R. Sapp. The member of academia is Dr. Phil Koehler, extension entomologist, University of Florida, while Steve Rutz, division director, FDACS Agricultural Environmental Services, will represent the department. The citizen chosen to serve on the enforcement advisory council is Elizabeth Allen. (To view the amendment to Statute 482, which includes responsibilities of the pest control enforcement advisory council, visit www.pctonline.com/council.)

Steve Dwinell, assistant director, FDACS Division of Agricultural Environmental Services, told PCT the pest control enforcement advisory council is similar to other councils that advise FDACS on issues such as regulating fertilizers, feed and seed.

“Their role is to look at issues, bring in some expert opinion, debate things in a public forum and interact a lot with the (FDACS) program staff out doing the work,” Dwinell said. “Also, if the program area has a question they can take it to the advisory committee and say ‘What do you think about this?’”

Dwinell said the real benefit of the council is being able to bring together the various entities in a formal setting. “Before, we had to meet informally with the three associations — and we will continue to meet with the associations regularly — but because of the time involved, we never seemed to focus on all of the issues we have to deal with,” he said.

Examples of situations in which the pest control enforcement advisory board might be consulted include rule changes and developing issues — such as toxic mold — and how they should be regulated.

PUBLIC HEALTH SYMPOSIUM TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH

DUNN LORING, VA. — In January, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) will host a meeting aimed at helping PCOs discover more about how pest problems can affect public health — and their bottom line. “Emerging Business Opportunities in Public Health,” sponsored by Zoecon Professional Products, will be held at the Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place, New Orleans, La., from Jan. 16-18.

At this forum, PCOs will hear from renowned pest control experts and educators and be able to take part in insightful sessions. But perhaps most importantly, pest management professionals will be able to learn from others in the industry who have already turned public health into a profit center for their business. Pest management professionals will discover how to become a credible public health consultant and information provider to their customers and leave with specific steps they can take to protect and grow their business in this new area of pest management, NPMA says

Call NPMA at 703/573-8330 for information or visit www.pestworld.org.

ALFIE TRELEVEN ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FOR COPESAN SERVICES

TACOMA, WASH. — Alfred H. Treleven III, president of Sprague Pest Solutions, Tacoma, Wash., has been elected chairman of the board for Copesan Services.

Copesan is an alliance of regional pest management companies united as a single entity to delver pest solutions to businesses across North America.
“Alfie is a great strategic thinker and visionary,” said Tom Moore, president of Copesan Services. “His passion and experience in taking a small business and growing it into something significant will play a key role in Copesan’s future.”

Treleven’s responsibilities will include strategic guidance and the support of Copesan’s core values. “The strength of Copesan lies in its ability to deliver consistent service and quality with a level of passion that can only come from having locally owned service centers committed to a common objective,” Treleven said.

WORLD PEST CONTROL ALLIANCE FORMED

ORLANDO, FLA. — A new and informal global pest group has officially been launched — WEPMA (World-wide Environmental Pest Management Alliance) — by leaders of the international pest control industry who gathered in Orlando to take part in a two-day Global Summit, which ran in conjunction with the National Pest Management Association’s annual conference held Oct.16-19.

Following initial discussions held the previous year in New Orleans, association heads and individual representatives from four global pest management associations — NPMA (representing North America), CEPA (representing Europe), COPLAG (representing Asia, the Far East & Australia) and FAOPMA (representing Latin America) — combined forces to organize the Global Summit. Pest control issues of common concern, such as product registration, the public’s perception of pesticides and technician training where addressed over the two days.

In the opening session, UK-based Rob Fryatt of Sorex International laid the foundations of the meeting by declaring, “This is a global meeting for a global industry.”

Benjamin Gomez, director general of Univar in Mexico, agreed. “We operate in one industry, with one vision, in one world.”

The keynote speaker, Xavier Bonnefoy, a WHO regional advisor for Environmental Health from Geneva, Switzerland, outlined a survey WHO has put together that has data relating to the economic impact and risks associated with public health pests. The first tangible outcome of WEPMA is their declaration of beliefs as detailed in the Orlando Protocol statement, which was ratified at an official signing ceremony on Oct. 17.

Produced by the informal WEPMA, the mission statement for the pest control industry took nearly a year to draft and to obtain unanimous approval. It was decided that the protocol should take its name from the location of its signing.
The Orlando Protocol can be read online at PCT’s Web site at www.pctonline.com/orlando.

The protocol defines the industry’s views on the following: IPM; training and education; work safety; environmental protection; waste reduction; provision of information; research; government regulation; product registration; harmonization of registrations; and social responsibility. — Frances McKim, British Pest Control Association

PHANTOM NOW REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, NEW JERSEY

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — BASF Professional Pest Control recently announced that Phantom termiticide-insecticide is now registered for use by pest management professionals in Connecticut and New Jersey.
Phantom is a non-repellent liquid termiticide that offers excellent soil stability, superior residual performance and outstanding control of all major subterranean termite species, BASF says.

BASF offers an online, product specific certification program to enable pest management professionals to become eligible to purchase and apply Phantom.
To save time earning certification, pest management professionals can visit www.pestcontrolfacts.com and participate in the online training. After reviewing all of the modules, PCOs need to complete a short exam. Passing the exam is required to receive a unique certification number, which is needed to purchase and apply Phantom.

For more information, visit www.pestcontrolfacts.com or call 800/545-9525.

PCO WINS CRUISE FROM INJECTO-MATIC

BARRIE, ONTARIO, CANADA — Brenda Barks, partner at Toby’s Pest Control, Bowling Green, Ken., was the winner of Injecto-Matic’s four night Mexican/Western Caribbean cruise for two at the recent NPMA convention. Barks will be able to choose between Carnival or Norwegian Cruise lines with accommodations for two. The trip is valid from Jan. 2 to June 19, 2003.

Injecto-Matic provides flow meters, foaming equipment, injection equipment, termite tools, application tools, hoses, commercial spraying equipment and safety equipment for the structural pest control and turf industries.

“The NPMA show was a big success for us because we were able to tell our story to the large contingent of pest control companies that the show attracted.

As manufacturers of leading edge systems for the pest control industry, Injecto-Matic’s challenge is creating awareness of our products,” said Steve Barr, the company’s vice president. “The show was a perfect venue for not only showcasing our products but also gave us the opportunity to discuss them with our potential customers. Injection technology with its features and benefits is fast becoming the equipment of choice for many of the leading companies in the pest control industry.”

For more information visit www.injecto-matic.com.

FORSHAW DISTRIBUTION OPENS NEW OFFICE IN NORCROSS, GA.

NORCROSS, GA. — Forshaw Distribution recently announced the opening of its newest location at 6325-B McDonough Dr., Norcross, Ga., 30093.
Karyl Danes, who has more than 14 years of pest control experience, and Larry Maddox, who has more than 12 years experience, are responsible for handling inside sales for the greater Atlanta area. Stan Hollingsworth, who has more than five years experience, is the outside sales representative for this region.

The new office is also supported by the Columbus office and both are under the management of David James, regional district sales manager, who has more than 20 years of experience, and is based out of Nashville, Tenn.
The Norcross office will also offer occasional training sessions and will have its official “grand opening” after the first of the year. The phone number is 678/720-0070 and the fax number is 678/720-0077.

Forshaw Distribution is a full-service company offering a full line of chemicals and equipment.

PCT AWARDS $500 TO PCO

CLEVELAND, OHIO — Brian Menard, president, Reliable Exterminators Inc., Pickering, Ontario, Canada, was the lucky winner of PCT’s $500 Giveaway Contest at the recent NPMA convention in Orlando.

Attendees were eligible for the $500 drawing by doing one of three things at the show: registering for the PCT Fly Summit in March, purchasing a technical resource product from PCT’s store or signing up for a MyPCT account.

Menard, whose company has been in business since 1938, won the $500 after he purchased a set of the new PCT Fly I.D. Flash Cards and a book from the PCT store (Managing Canada Geese published by Cornell University Extension Services). His name was randomly selected after the show.