NPMA Reports Increased Pest Pressure this Fall and Winter

FAIRFAX, Va. — The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) released its bi-annual Bug Barometer this fall, a seasonal forecast of the pest pressure and activity based on weather patterns and long-term predictions, as well as pest biological behaviors. NPMA says erratic weather patterns and record-breaking rainfall are expected to cause an increase in pest pressure across the continental U.S. this fall and winter.

“This summer brought a whole host of extreme weather conditions that can affect pest pressure, including record rainfall in some parts of the country, and drought in others,” said Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., chief entomologist for NPMA. “With most of the country still damp from summer and fall, and winter forecasts predicting even more precipitation, expect an increase in activity from moisture-loving pests such as mosquitoes, termites, cockroaches, stink bugs and rodents.”

Elsewhere, drought conditions across the southwestern part of the country are expected to contribute to an influx of pests. “Rodent populations will become public enemy number one as they seek shelter indoors and are in search of steady sources of food and water,” added Fredericks.

Based on this analysis, the National Pest Management Association’s Bug Barometer is forecasting a spike in major pest populations across the entire U.S. this season:

Northeast & New England

After a record-setting hot and wet summer and calls for an even wetter winter ahead, expect ticks to remain active longer than usual. Lady beetles and stink bugs will thrive with increased rainfall as well, with mice and rats moving indoors as temperatures cool.

Great Lakes, Ohio Valley & Midwest

Flash flooding in the north coupled with a warm and wet winter will help mosquito populations thrive throughout fall. Drier conditions expected in the southern part of the region will drive ants indoors in search of moisture and food.

Southeast

Subtropical storm Alberto dumped tons of rain on the southeast, allowing mosquito populations to flourish. Excessive moisture left behind in the wake of Hurricane Florence in the southernmost parts of the region also will likely spur prolonged termite and ant activity this winter.

Flooding in the northern part of this region in the summer coupled with expectations for a wet winter ahead will push rodents indoors, and also may increase cockroach and ant pressure as these insects search for higher ground.

South Central U.S.

Drought conditions this summer will cause rodent pressure to spike in the fall and winter seasons as they search for water and food. Isolated areas throughout Texas that had excessive rainfall also should be prepared for increased mosquito activity.

Northwest U.S.

From having one of its wettest spring seasons on record, followed by unseasonably dry conditions and wildfires throughout summer, warm and wet winter conditions will cause already booming rodent populations to scurry indoors in search of food and shelter.

Southwest U.S.

Despite having its warmest and driest season on record, cold and wet winter conditions will drive rodents and other overwintering pests such as stink bugs and lady beetles indoors earlier than usual.

Real Green Partners With Private Equity Firm

WALLED LAKE, Mich. — Software and marketing provider Real Green entered a partnership with Serent Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity firm focused on investing in high-growth technology and services businesses.

Real Green says its solution provides a complete operational management and marketing service solution for businesses ranging from small startups to international franchise operations. Real Green says its unique platform provides an integrated and automated solution to enriching and extracting customer and marketing data. Real Green serves thousands of customers in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

“Since inception, Real Green has focused on one thing — improving lawn care companies’ and other service providers’ ability to manage their backend system and serve their customers. Real Green was the first to develop software to aid in managing and growing a lawn care business, a concept that started a service-industry software revolution,” said Joe Kucik, founder and CEO of Real Green. “Our Service Assistant, Mobile Live, Route Assistant and Real Green Payments products are leading examples of how we help our customers to do more and scale.”

McCloud Services Announces Upcoming Food Safety Seminar

SOUTH ELGIN, Ill. — McCloud Services announced that its annual Pest Invasion Integrated Pest Management and Food Safety Seminar will take place on June 27, 2019, at The Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort and Conference Center in Oakbrook, Ill.

Attended by more than 150 professionals annually, McCloud Services’ Annual Pest Invasion Food Safety Seminar is an educational update and information exchange for the entire food supply chain of custody, including food, pest management and environmental health. This day-long seminar will feature information on timely topics related to pests and other contamination concerns, including public health importance and FDA regulations, pest exclusion and sanitation, food-borne illness and security.

For more information, contact Mahi Kokkinos at events@mccloudservices.com.

American Pest Acquires Triple S Pest Services

Fulton, Md. — American Pest, an Anticimex company, acquired Triple S Pest Services — a family-owned pest control firm with locations serving Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Triple S Pest Services was founded in 1981.

“With the acquisition of Triple S,” says David Billingsly, president of American Pest, “we will expand our service territory south into Charlottesville and Richmond, Va. Triple S and American Pest share a reputation of integrity, dependability and expertise, and we have tremendous respect for Triple S’s achievements. The synergies between our service lines and teams will significantly enhance opportunities to serve our customers.”

Anthony (Tony) Sfreddo, Triple S owner and president, added, “I am confident that the partnership with American Pest is the best and most promising option for Triple S and the most positive outcome for our business, our employees and our clients. We share the same values and Triple S will further pursue its strategy, accelerate its development and deliver its pest control vision, as a part of American Pest.”

The acquisition of Triple S Pest Services is American Pest’s seventh and largest acquisition, bringing 70 professionals to its growing team.

Paul Giannamore of The Potomac Company acted as exclusive financial adviser to Triple “S” Termite & Pest Control.

UPFDA Recognizes Karen Furgiuele With Service Award

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Board of Directors of UPFDA, an industry trade group representing product and service suppliers to the professional pest management industry, recently recognized outgoing President Karen Furgiuele with a service award during the group’s membership meeting at NPMA PestWorld.

Presenting the award to Furguiele, who recently completed a two-year term as president of UPFDA, was Tom Eichler, immediate past president. “Karen has worked tirelessly on behalf of UPFDA for many years, and for the last two years all of us have benefitted from her visionary leadership,” he said. “We are grateful for Karen’s numerous contributions to the association during that time, including the important role she played in spearheading UPFDA’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in Chicago, which was such a resounding success.”

“Karen always has the best interests of the association at heart,” adds Executive Director Valera Jessee. “She works quietly behind the scenes and has a collaborative leadership style that inspires confidence in the membership. She is the embodiment of servant leadership.”

With the completion of Furgiuele’s two-year term, Scott Riley, eastern region sales manager for MGK, becomes president of UPFDA. He previously served as vice president of the association.

A graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Riley is a well-known figure in the pest management industry, having served as chair and master of ceremonies of UPFDA’s Spring Conference for several years. He holds an MBA from Strayer University.

To learn more about the United Producers, Formulators & Distributors Association, contact Executive Director Valera Jesssee at 404/275-3302 or visit www.upfda.com.

Mohamed Rachadi Publishes First Book

Alpharetta, Ga. — Mohamed Rachadi, who has worked in the pest management industry as a technical specialist and marketing and business development leader, announced the publication of his first book, “The American Dream For Immigrant Entrepreneurs...A Beginner’s Guide To Fame, Freedom and Fortune.”

The book provides eight steps to succeed in the U.S. economy and culture. Additionally, Rachadi shares advice and lessons he has learned throughout his lifelong personal and professional journey.

Rachadi, who came to America in the 1970s after leaving his homeland of Morroco, wrote the book because, “I wish I had such a guide back in 1970 when I was ready to make the journey from French Morocco to the United States of America,” he said.

The ebook and paperback can be found in major book retailers such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goread and FNAC.

Arrow Exterminators Awards Second Crim Scholarship

ATLANTA — Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators recently awarded Molly Herring with the second annual E. Raymond Crim III Scholarship. This $5,000 scholarship was created in 2017 to honor Crim’s 44-year career in the pest control industry and his service to the military. Arrow Exterminators will fund this $5,000 scholarship annually and preference will be given to applicants with military service. This scholarship is designed to be complementary to existing scholarships within the industry. Herring attended Arrow’s executive meeting in July where she was presented with the scholarship check.

Herring is a student at the University of Georgia where she is currently pursuing a degree in environmental science with a major in entomology from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Herring has been actively engaged in a variety of community outreach and education programs during her time at school including volunteering as a Science Olympiad Tutor, mentoring children in the local community via the universities’ Shop with a Bulldog organization, as well as interning at the Entomological Collections of the Georgia Museum of Natural history.

“I am truly honored for Arrow Exterminators to be awarding the E. Raymond Crim III Scholarship to a student as deserving as Molly,” said E. Raymond Crim, senior executive vice president emeritus — ex officio member. “It is a display of their commitment to giving back to our community and supporting the academic and career goals of our industry’s next generation.”