[News]

EPA Launches Bed Bug Information Clearinghouse

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is launching an online Bed Bug Information Clearinghouse. It contains peer-reviewed bed bug outreach materials from a variety of different sources such as governments, universities and extension services. Stemming from a top recommendation from EPA’s Second Annual National Bed Bug Summit, the Bed Bug Information Clearinghouse is a collaborative effort between EPA and partners in the Federal Bed Bug Workgroup.

The goal of the Bed Bug Information Clearinghouse is to provide a one-stop location for communities throughout the country to exchange information and outreach materials on the control, detection and prevention of bed bugs. This will help communities conserve resources and provide improved effectiveness and accuracy of community outreach materials. The Clearinghouse also can serve as a third-party resource for pest management professionals. PMPs can reference the site themselves or refer customers who are looking for additional information. The Clearinghouse is searchable based on audience, topic and type of publication, and will include information in various languages.

While EPA notes that there is no quick fix for bed bug infestations, having accurate information about control as well as non-chemical approaches for controlling, detecting and preventing bed bugs will help keep the public from over-applying or misusing pesticides.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/bedbugs.
 

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Florida ACE Prep Course Set for August 9-10

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Entomology Department will host a prep course for pest management professionals seeking to become an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE), Aug. 9-10, in Gainesville, Fla., at the University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Department.

The prep course will offer training and CEU credits (Florida and other states on request) from ACE-certified entomologists, ESA members from the University of Florida, and from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Florida ACE Prep Course is a result of a request by the pest management industry to provide a review session to help test takers focus before taking the ACE exam. Twenty percent of all ACEs nationwide have attended this course.

The ACE Prep Course is a review session to help prepare PMPs for the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) exam offered by the Entomological Society of America. Visit www.entocert.org to find out more about the ACE program.

At the conclusion of the prep course, participants will have the opportunity to take the online ACE exam with a Board Certified Entomologist (BCE) Proctor. Please indicate on your Florida Prep Course registration form if you will be able to provide a laptop computer for testing.

Registration is a two-step process. PMPs must apply to ESA for the exam, and then register with UF for the ACE Prep Course.

1. ESA ACE exam application. You must have ESA approval to take the ACE exam, which costs $150. ESA needs 30 days to process the application. You may not take the exam without pre-approval from ESA. Call ESA at 410/263-3622.

2. Prep course registration form. Send a $35 check made payable to the University of Florida.

Lunch will be provided. The Florida ACE Prep Course will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the first day and will run until 5:30 p.m. The second day will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will end with the exam from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. For more information about the Florida ACE Prep Course, contact: Wayne Walker, ACE, at waynew@housing.ufl.edu, 352/284-3963, or Dr. Rebecca Baldwin at baldwinr@ufl.edu, 352/273-3974.
 

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Marathon Data Systems Opens Registration for Two PestPac User Conferences

Wall Township, N.J. — Marathon Data Systems announced the dates and locations for its 2012 PestPac User Conference. For the first time, the company will hold two conferences, one in Orlando, Fla., and one in San Diego, Calif.

The first User Conference will be held Nov. 14-16 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando. The second will be held Dec. 5-7 at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa in Coronado, Calif.

Since 2004 the company has held a bi-annual conference. This year Marathon also will incorporate social activities such as golf and local tours, as well as offer more focused employee role-based training classes.

For more information on the PestPac User Conference visit http://pestpac.com/uc2012 or call 800/762-0301.
 

Entomology Professor Receives National Award

LINCOLN, NEB. — Shripat Kamble, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln entomology professor, has received the 2012 Distinguished Achievement Award from the National Conference on Urban Entomology (NCUE). Kamble was cited for his contributions to research, extension and teaching in the field of urban entomology. He is nationally recognized for his research on distribution and persistence of insecticides in soil, insecticide resistance and baiting technology. His research involves ants, bed bugs, cockroaches and subterranean termites.

Kamble also coordinates the annual Statewide Urban Pest Management Conference and develops pest management education programs with special emphasis on household and structural pests.

He received his award in May at the National Conference on Urban Entomology, where he presented the Mallis Memorial Award Lecture at the opening session.

To see a video of PCT Internet Editor Brad Harbison talking with Dr. Shripat Kamble about his award at NCUE, visit www.pctonline.com and click on “online extras.”
 

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Truly Nolen Employees Spread Kindness Through Selfless Acts

TUCSON, ARIZ. – As part of the company’s inaugural “Good Citizen Week” program, Truly Nolen employees recently engaged in a program that resulted in the performance of good deeds in key markets such as Arizona, California, Florida and Texas.

Committed to their role as “Good Citizens and Ruthless Exterminators” the employees exceeded their regular call of duty by performing hundreds of good deeds during the week-long blitz. These subtle acts of kindness ranged from repairing flat tires for stranded motorists, handing out coloring books to children, buying car washes for people and treating local patrons to a free cup of coffee and ice cream.

In San Diego, Truly Nolen employees kicked off Good Citizen Week by invading historic Balboa Park with a special car parade, where the company’s signature Volkswagen Beetle mouse cars lined up the street. The employees gave back to their community by picking up trash and debris from the park’s picnic areas and providing free refreshments and hamburgers to the public.

“Kindness is contagious — and I feel Good Citizen Week serves as a reminder that each one of us has to do our bit in making our community a better place to live, work and play,” said Chris Waite, San Diego district manager. “We remain dedicated to Truly Nolen’s core values, which includes embracing and driving change for the better.” The grassroots program will be reprised quarterly.
 

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Bird-B-Gone Launches New Website

Mission Viejo, Calif. – Bird-B-Gone recently launched its newly designed website. The company supplies PMPs serving the commercial, industrial and residential markets with effective, humane bird deterrents manufactured in the United States.

The new, improved website will be a helpful resource to pest control and wildlife professionals or anyone looking to deter birds from their property, Bird-B-Gone says. The site offers specific information for nearly every industry affected by pest birds.

“Ask an Expert” allows customers direct access to some of the top experts in the bird control industry. Bird-B-Gone’s on-staff ornithologist, Dr. Rob Fergus, and others can be e-mailed directly for personalized answers to difficult bird problems.

The resource center provides technical data for architects and engineers such as CAD details, BIM objects and product specifications, along with information on common pest birds, diseases associated with birds and why bird control is important. Also on the site are case studies and videos.

Visit the site at www.birdbgone.com.
 

Rachadi Forms Morach Regulatory, Acquires UPMA Labs and IPM Products

Alpharetta, GA. — Dr. Mohamed (Mo) Rachadi recently formed a new international consulting company, Morach Regulatory (www.morachconsultingservices.com). With headquarters in Atlanta, the new company provides customized regulatory, product development and marketing services to U.S.-based and international manufacturers, formulators and distributors of specialty chemicals for the PCO and green markets.

“There is a good number of companies in our markets (PCO and turf and ornamental) who depend on outsourcing regulatory, new product development and marketing services, as well as assistance with access to those market segments,” Rachadi said. “Our company is well positioned to partner with these companies and deliver their needed services in a timely manner and under one roof.”

The company also announced it had acquired UPMA Labs (www.umalabs.com) and IPM Products (www.ipmproducts.com).
 

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Now Tweeting Pest Topics: @FMCpest

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Pest management professionals can now stay up to speed on industry news and solutions with @FMC pest from FMC Professional Solutions.

Follow @FMCpest on Twitter to get pest management tips, learn about FMC promotions and keep up with industry buzz. FMC created the Twitter handle to keep PMPs informed about best management practices and solutions, and answer questions on industry and technical topics.

FMC also wants to hear about pest issues and problems pest management professionals face on a daily basis. Tweet questions or comments to @FMCpest.

“We see Twitter as an important new way for FMC to reach and engage with our customers about up-to-the minute solutions and important updates,” said Catherine Bernard, pest product manager for FMC Professional Solutions.
 

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Temp-Air Selected as Part of the PERC Exceptional Product Program

BURNSVILLE, MINN. — Temp-Air’s Thermal Remediation EBB-40KW LP Trailer bed bug heat-treatment equipment package has been chosen to be a part of the Propane Education and Research Council’s (PERC) Exceptional Product Program — a program designed to encourage businesses to adopt new propane-fueled technologies for residential and commercial use.

As part of this program, PERC will provide a $2,000 financial incentive to qualifying companies that purchase the EBB-40KW LP trailer package and agree to share their experiences with PERC and their peers. Visit www.propanecouncil.org/propane-exceptional-product for more information and an application.

PERC has been instrumental in funding recent insect heat-treatment research including: the efficacy of heat to control stored product pests in bins and silos (Purdue University, 2007-09); bed bug behavior at lethal and sub-lethal temperatures (University of Minnesota, 2008-09); and heat treatment as a viable methyl bromide alternative for disinfesting grain-processing facilities (Kansas State University, 2010-11).

For more information visit www.thermalremediation.com.
 

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Richard Kiehna, Owner of Colony Pest Control, Dies in South Carolina

ANDERSON, S.C. – Richard Henry Kiehna, owner of Fredericksburg, Va.-based Colony Pest Control, died in March in Anderson, S.C., following a motorcycle crash.

Kiehna, who was 54, started in the pest control business in 1979. He and his wife moved to Fredericksburg in 1984, where he joined a local pest control company before opening Colony in November 1987.

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Kiehna was driving a 2005 BMW motorcycle when the accident occurred. He was traveling west on S.C. Highway 20 about five miles from the town of Honea Path when a Buick SUV turned left in front of Kiehna into a private drive. Kiehna’s motorcyle ran into the passenger side of the SUV, whose driver was charged with failing to yield the right of way.

Kiehna was born in Missouri and graduated from Greeneville High School in Greeneville, Tenn. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Candra Stroud Kiehna, three children, four brothers and sisters-in-law, and one sister. Kiehna’s family asked that memorial donations be made to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
 

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In Memoriam: Kansas’ Dick Elston

HAYS, KAN. – Richard D. “Dick” Elston, 81, founder of No Pest of Hays, Kan., died in February at Hays Medical Center. He was born Feb. 6, 1931, in Kirksville, Mo., to Lester and Lois (Harris) Elston.

Elston married Norvella Deaver on Dec. 19, 1954. They moved to Hays in 1957 while he was working for Welex, later Halliburton Oil. He also worked for Linenberger Construction before opening No Pest in 1984. Elston was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of North Oak Community Church, as well as Fowler American Legion. He was a past 4-H leader and a member of the Kansas Pest Control Association and National Pest Management Association.

Services were held at North Oak Community Church, followed by military honors at Hays American Legion. Memorials are suggested to North Oak Community Church, Thomas More Society or Hospice of Hays Medical Center. Condolences can be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.