[News]

Attendees Learn the Latest in Progressive Pest Management at Purdue Conference

West Lafayette, Ind. — About 500 industry professionals traveled to Purdue University in January for the 77th annual Purdue Pest Management Conference. Attendees heard from a wide array of industry experts on cutting-edge pest management topics; networked with colleagues; and learned about the latest technologies from vendors at this year’s exhibit hall.

This year’s conference was somewhat bittersweet as it was the first since the passing of Dr. John Osmun (in October at age 94) — one of the most influential figures in the history of Purdue’s entomology program, which is celebrating 100 years during the 2012-13 academic year. Osmun joined Purdue in 1948 and developed the first four-year curriculum in urban and industrial entomology.

Gary Bennett, coordinator for the Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management, kicked off this year’s Purdue conference by paying tribute to Osmun, whom he (and many others in the industry) considered a friend and mentor.

Following Bennett’s opening remarks, bed bugs once again took center stage. Gene White, director of training and education at Rose Pest Solutions, Troy, Mich., spoke on the topic “Bed Bugs and Their Threat to Public Health.”

White noted that although human disease transmission has not been verified by researchers, psychological and economic health has risen to the forefront of concern. In describing the mental impact bed bugs can have on people, White cited a quote by Sandy Rubinstein, a homeowner whose experiences with bed bugs led her to launch her own business, PestHeat: “You can kill the bugs in people’s beds, but you can’t kill the bugs in people’s heads.”

An interesting new development, White noted, is a human bed bug bite classification system created by Dr. Jerome Goddard, associate extension professor, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University. Goddard said bite reactions will fall into one of these four categories.

1. Usual — occur within an hour

– pruritic (severe itch)

– punctum (a minute round spot differing in color or appearance from the surrounding tissue)

2. Common — occur hours later

– pruritic macules or papules

– Erythematous (red)

3. Complex (Bullous) — include immediate, late and delayed components

– persists for days or weeks

– pruritic, painful, may leave residual scarring and/or hyperpigmentation

– of 357 photographs from the Internet, 6 percent (21) were bullous

4. Anaphylaxis (rare)

– A serious allergic reaction characterized by rapid onset and may cause death

While acknowledging the challenges inherent with bed bug work, White is optimistic the industry is getting a better handle on bed bugs thanks to new product introductions, university research and a newer generation of service professionals who have been dealing with bed bugs since entering the industry. “Bed bug work is an opportunity for us as an industry to truly enact IPM,” he said.
 

Other highlights from the Purdue conference included:

• Purdue recognized long-time attendee and conference supporter Bob Dold Sr., of Rose Pest Solutions, Chicago. Dold has been an active association member at the local, state and national level and is a past president of the National Pest Management Association. He and wife Judy are frequent speakers at industry conferences, including Purdue. Dold joined Rose Pest Solutions after receiving his MBA from Denision University, rising through the ranks to become president. Rose Pest Solutions is currently led by President Bob Dold, Jr., the third generation of Dolds.
   
• Pi Chi Omega announced that it will be awarding a total of four scholarships in 2013. Three scholarships will be in the amount of $2,000; a fourth scholarship, the “Dr. John V. Osmun Memorial Scholarship,” will be awarded in the amount of $3,000.
   
• Purdue’s Fred Whitford reviewed safety issues related to measuring pesticides, as well as the pH of water used in mixes, leaking tanks and other current hot topics related to safety. Harvey Goldglantz, Pest Control Marketing Company, gave a presentation titled, “How to Run a Small Business.” Goldglantz reviewed hiring, firing and other personnel issues and how these issues impact the success of small business. — Brad Harbison

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Rollins Announces Executive Promotions

Atlanta — The Rollins board of directors recently announced executive promotions. Gary W. Rollins was elevated to vice chairman of Rollins, and will remain CEO. John F. Wilson was promoted to president and COO of Rollins and will stand for election to the board of directors at the annual shareholders meeting in April. Gene A. Iarocci was promoted to president of Orkin, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins.

“John and Gene bring years of impressive experience and leadership to the company,” said Gary W. Rollins. “We are fortunate to have them assume a greater leadership role in the future of our company.”

Wilson, most recently president of Orkin USA, worked as a technician and sales inspector while in college, and joined the company full time in 1996 as a branch manager trainee. He held various positions of increasing responsibility, including sales inspector, branch manager, region manager, vice president and president of the Southeast Division. Rollins’ board of directors named Wilson an officer and vice president in 2011. Wilson attended the University of Tennessee and completed the Executive Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Iarocci, formerly vice president of corporate administration of Rollins, has extensive multi-unit management experience with a number of service and manufacturing industries, including Union Carbide Corp., where he worked for 24 years. He has been with Orkin for 10 years, serving as region manager, division vice president and president of Orkin’s Atlantic Division. Rollins’ board of directors named Iarocci an officer and vice president in 2011.

 

New York Pest Management Industry Now Represented by One Association

Albany, N.Y. — New York State can now speak with “one voice” as it now has only one association representing the pest control industry. The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA) recently was formed by the mergers of the Professional Pest Management Association of NYC (PPMANYC) and the Long Island Pest Control Association (LIPCA) with the New York State Pest Management Association (NYSPMA).

According to the new president, Jim Skinner of A&C Pest Management, East Meadow, N.Y., this was a major accomplishment on the part of all three associations to combine their resources to better promote the industry and provide greater education throughout the state. “Some said it would never happen,” he said.

Joseph Sheehan, representing the city group, along with Victor Bonivita of LIPCA and Ken Unger of NYSPMA, were instrumental in promoting this change among their members, NYPMA says. Along with membership in the new association, NYPMA said its members will have the added benefit of being joint members in the National Pest Management Association.

Other officers of the association include Bonavita of Battle A Bug of Massapequa Park, Long Island, and Unger of Surburban Pest Control, Yonkers, who will serve as vice presidents. Louis Taranto of Tonto Pest Control, Brooklyn, will be the treasurer and Bill Minahan, Orkin Pest Control, Latham, N.Y., will be the secretary. Len Douglen will be the executive director and Harriet Schary will be the associate director for marketing.

Learn more at www.nyspma.com.
 

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Galliou Named President of Bayer’s Environmental Science Division NA

Research Triangle Park, N.C. — Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience, in February announced the appointment of Gilles Galliou as president of the Environmental Science division North America at Bayer CropScience. Galliou brings to this role more than 20 years of experience in global and U.S. agribusiness, a long history with Bayer and a vision to lead the Environmental Science division in delivering innovative solutions, the firm said.

Galliou assumed the role officially on Jan. 1. He was formerly the vice president of commercial operations for the Environmental Science division North America. Galliou replaced Jacqueline Applegate, Ph.D., who now serves as CEO of Bayer CropScience Australia and New Zealand, and senior Bayer representative of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania.

Galliou joined Bayer CropScience in 1990. Before moving to the United States to take on his role with the North American business, Galliou led Bayer Garden, the Environmental Science division’s consumer business for the European region. At Bayer Garden, he managed business strategy, organization, resource allocation and financial performance across the region.

“As our customers across every market segment face unprecedented changes, I especially look forward to continuing our work with our colleagues and partners to seek and develop innovative solutions that will shape the future of the segments that we serve,” Galliou said.
 

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PCT Publishes Study Guide and Training Program

Richfield, Ohio — The PCT Media Group announced a pre-publication offer for The Service Technician’s Field Manual Companion Study Guide and its accompanying DVD-based Instructor’s Training Program. The study guide and training provide an accompaniment to PCT’s 2011 release, The Service Technician’s Field Manual by Dr. William H Robinson. Together, the two books and DVD provide the framework for training on the information that technicians need to know for today’s situation-specific pest control and the continuing evolution of the industry.

Each chapter of the Companion Study Guide includes a brief overview of the topic, key points and “10 Things to Know” with lines for note-taking and review. The Instructor’s Training Program includes a DVD with PowerPoint presentations to aid instructors in classroom applications, and a test bank, based on the book’s 10 Things to Know, for evaluating students’ knowledge. It also includes one printed copy of the Companion Study Guide.

Reflecting a 33 percent savings on all the products, pre-publication prices, available through April 30, are $9.95 for the Companion Study Guide (after April 30 list price is $14.95) and $39.95 for the Instructor’s Training Program (after April 30, $59.95). Through April 30, the Service Technician’s Field Manual also will be on sale for $19.95 (regular list price is $29.95). Volume discounts are available for resellers, training programs and pest control companies. Shipping begins next month. To order, call a PCT Store representative at 800/456-0707 or visit the PCT Bookstore at www. pctonline.com/bookstore.

 

Rob Lederer Hired as EICC Executive Director

Washington, D.C. — Rob Lederer, former executive vice president of the National Pest Management Association, recently was appointed as the first-ever executive director of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC). The EICC is a coalition of the world’s leading electronics companies working together to improve efficiency and social, ethical and environmental responsibility in the global supply chain, the group said.

According to an EICC press release, in this position, Lederer will provide strategic leadership, have oversight to the EICC’s initiatives and manage the operations.

“Rob is a talented leader with deep experience and wisdom in leading associations such as the EICC,” said EICC Chairman Tim Mohin. “He will be a tremendous executive director to help the EICC fulfill its potential going forward.”

In the press release, Lederer was quoted as saying he was “honored to be the EICC’s first executive director. The EICC is at an exciting inflection point in its history. I look forward to leading the organization with enthusiasm and dedication in advancing the EICC’s vision of a responsible electronics supply chain.”

Lederer resigned as executive vice president of the National Pest Management Association in October, after having served in that position the last 17 years. Additionally, he was mayor of Fairfax, Va., for 10 years.
 

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UF/IFAS and FDACS Create New Online Certification Testing System

Gainesville, Fla. — The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has teamed with state agriculture officials to create a new, more convenient testing system for those seeking pesticide applicator licenses, UF says.

Fred Fishel, a UF/IFAS agronomy professor who specializes in pesticides, said in the past, testing and certifying applicants could take weeks and relied on documents being mailed back and forth between county Extension offices and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in Tallahassee.

But the agencies recently unveiled a new, quicker web-based system. With it, applicants can go online to schedule a time and date to take an online test administered at UF/IFAS Extension offices in three Florida counties: Hendry, Palm Beach and Duval.

The online testing system is scheduled to be expanded in the near future to include about 10 to 12 counties, meaning applicants won’t have to travel as far to reach a test site, he said.

The web-based system links FDACS and UF/IFAS Extension offices electronically, making the testing system unique from other states that have already implemented computer-based testing systems, Fishel said. Other states using computer-based systems rely upon software, rather than an electronic connectivity between organizations. “We’re kind of a pioneer in this, because there are no other states with a web-based system that I know of,” he said.

Those who handle pesticides and must be licensed include pest control professionals, private agriculture workers, aerial applicators, foresters, lawn care professionals and more.

Some 6,000 exams are administered to agricultural pesticide applicators each year by UF/IFAS county Extension offices, Fishel said, and as many as 1,500 more to structural applicators, such as PMPs.

Weldon Collier, program planning coordinator for FDACS’ division of agricultural environmental services, said there are times when an applicant needs a license quickly.

“This is a much more automated system and it allows us to expedite the process for them,” Collier said. “If somebody needs to get a license quickly, hopefully this system will afford them that opportunity.”

To access the state’s licensing website, visit https://aesecomm.freshfromflorida.com/.
 

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Pi Chi Omega Accepting Scholarship Nominations for 2013-14 Academic Year

Wilmington, Del. — Pi Chi Omega, the national pest control fraternity, announced the availability of three $2,000 scholarships and one $3,000 scholarship for the 2013-14 academic year.

Notifications were sent to 137 entomology professors, representing 61 institutions of higher education to advise of the availability of these scholarships for deserving students.

Applications must be received by April 15. Forms and other information can be found at the Pi Chi Omega website, pichiomega.org. Additional information is available by contacting Pi Chi Omega Executive Director Vern Toblan at 301/376-6714 or at verntoblan@verizon.net. Applications can be addressed to Pi Chi Omega, P.O. Box 8149, Wilmington, DE 19803.

 

PWIPM Accepting Scholarship Nominations

Fairfax, Va. — Professional Women in Pest Management, an affiliate group of NPMA whose mission is to attract, develop and support women in the pest management industry, announced the group’s annual scholarship for one female interested in advancing or securing a career in pest management.

This scholarship may be used by the recipient to defer costs related to advancing their education and/or career in the industry. The scholarship will be a minimum of $1,000. It also includes $500 towards travel expenses to attend NPMA PestWorld 2013 in Phoenix, Ariz., in October.

The scholarship will be awarded during the Professional Women In Pest Management reception at PestWorld. The successful recipient(s) will be notified by Aug. 15. The deadline for submission is July 1. Minimum requirements:

• Female currently employed in pest management industry
• Minimum of two years of experience in the industry

Learn more about the requirements here: http://conta.cc/Wrw63H.