Allergists: Pest-Free Home is Important in Preventing Asthma and Allergy Symptoms
FAIRFAX, Va. — More than 9 out of 10 allergists surveyed (97 percent) say they believe a pest-free home is an important step in preventing asthma and allergy symptoms, according to a recent survey conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) supported by a grant from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). The survey was conducted among medical professionals at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) in March 2014 in San Diego, Calif. The findings were released last month at the beginning of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month to remind homeowners that many pest-related asthma and allergy triggers can be avoided by practicing simple prevention measures.
The study, which included nearly 500 allergists, was conducted to assess physicians’ views on pests and their recommendations to patients with sensitivities to pest allergens. Many common household pests, such as cockroaches and rodents, contain potent allergen proteins that can cause reactions and symptoms in certain asthma and allergy patients. According to AAFA, 63 percent of homes in America contain cockroaches and their particles — saliva, droppings and decomposing body parts — so it is recommended that homeowners take steps to rid their homes of these pests.
“The health threats posed by pests like cockroaches, rodents and stinging insects are serious but can be reduced by taking action against pest infestations,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs, NPMA. “We’re encouraged to learn that the majority of allergists recommended that their patients with pest problems consult with a pest professional to help eliminate pest allergens in the home.”
Allergies are a chronic disease of the immune system, and people with a cockroach allergy should take steps to reduce their exposure to cockroach allergen,” said Mike Tringale, senior vice president of AAFA. “We encourage patients with these types of sensitivities to seek advice from their doctors on the best plan for treatment and prevention.”
Asthmatic adults and children exposed to cockroach allergens experience symptoms when their airways tighten, inflame or fill with mucus. Dr. Jorge Parada, medical spokesperson for the NPMA explains, “Common asthma symptoms include coughing, especially at night, wheezing, chest tightness or pressure, and shortness of breath.” He adds, “Controlling allergies and asthma is a two-fold process, so it’s important for a person suffering from these symptoms to see his or her doctor and contact a qualified pest professional to recommend a course of action to eliminate the problem.”
The AAFA survey of allergists also revealed the following:
- Nearly 8 out of 10 allergists surveyed (76 percent) say, aside from dust mites, cockroaches are the most problematic household pest for patients suffering from asthma or allergies. More than half of allergists surveyed (57 percent) rank rodents as the second most problematic, and nearly two-thirds (63 percent) rank stinging insects as third.
- More than 9 out of 10 allergists surveyed (95 percent) regularly advise their patients to reduce their exposure to pest allergens in their homes.
- Nine out of ten allergists surveyed (90 percent) would recommend a patient with a pest problem consult with a pest management professional.
- When asked to provide open-ended comments about advice they give to patients who have a sensitivity to cockroach allergen, the most frequent advice cited by allergists surveyed was to contact or hire a pest management professional.
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In Memoriam: Dickie Gauthreaux
GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — Dickie Gauthreaux, longtime president and COO of Terminix International, passed away on April 25, at age 82 at Methodist Hospital in Germantown, Tenn. He was born in Baton Rouge, La., on July 19, 1931.
Gauthreaux graduated from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., and attended Louisiana State University. In 1969, he came to Memphis to work for Terminix International, and retired as president and COO in 1997, having spent his entire career in the pest control industry.
Norman Goldenberg, who recently retired from ServiceMaster after a long tenure, worked closely with Gauthreaux after Goldenberg joined Terminix through ServiceMaster’s acquisition of the Waste Management pest management business and lawn care (TruGreen) business.
“He was the ultimate southern gentleman — a very kind and polite person with a business acumen that illustrated that he had been through all of the operations and foxholes of our industry,” Goldenberg told PCT. “Dickie’s ability to respect people is second to none and a character trait that I have never forgotten. He was a teaser but took and received both with grace and a smile. He and I went at each other since he was such an avid LSU fan and I, likewise, am a killer (Florida) Gator enthusiast. Dickie always treated me and everyone with true honor and respect. He was one of those people that you come across in life where no one can say anything bad – only good.”
In 1996, Gauthreaux was recognized by PCT and Syngenta as a Crown Leadership Award winner.
After retiring, Gauthreaux served on many committees and boards, including the board of St. Peter Villa Nursing Home, for 15 years. He was chairman of the board the last 10 of those years. — Additional source: www.commercialappeal.com
| Comings & Goings |
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If your company has added new personnel, send a photo and press release to jdorsch@giemedia.com.
David Moore joined Dodson Pest Control as manager of technical services. Moore has 15 years of experience in pest management, including working with US-AID in Mali, Africa, to assist in reducing pest impact on crops. Moore replaces Eric Smith, Ph.D., who retired after completing 24 years of service with the company. Smith joined Dodson as director of technical services in 1989. Adam Holt joined Service Pro as territory manager of sales and training. In his more than 10 years of industry experience, Holt has held positions as a commercial sales representative and regional technical director. Massey Services has announced four new promotions, including Gary Heath to director of business analysis; Rebecca (Becky) Church to director of advertising and corporate communications; Sean Clifford to director of learning and development; and Tom “TJ” Jarzynka to senior director of pest prevention quality assurance. Bell Laboratories hired two new technical sales representatives: Sara Knilans for the Midwest and Maria Miller for the Southeast. Knilans, a former Canadian representative returned to Bell in March after a seven-year hiatus to represent Bell rodent control products to distributors and PMPs in a 10-state area including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Upper Michigan, Kansas, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota. Miller will represent Bell in Alabama, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. Knilans worked for Bell from 1998-2007, first as senior sales representative for Canada, and later as new product coordinator where she launched Bell’s mole bait, Talpirid. McCloud Services, South Elgin, Ill., hired Richard Burke as chief financial officer, Morgan Kitlinski as talent acquisition/human resources generalist and Brian Zeff as business development representative. Greg Clark joined Pest Management Supply as Kansas City branch manager. James Burke joined Pestguard Commercial Services as general manager of the Pinellas County, Fla., branch. Wendell Codner, business manager of consumer solutions for FMC Professional Solutions, was awarded the “Committee Chairman’s Service Award” by Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE). Codner has been a member of the Programs & Membership committee for eight years, including two years as chair. “Volunteering is vital to our association and Wendell has been a great leader to the committee,” said Aaron Hobbs, president of RISE. Codner has nearly 30 years of experience in chemical manufacturing with FMC, where he has held positions as a sales representative in the Agricultural Chemical Group, national sales manager for the Professional Solutions and Agricultural Divisions, and marketing manager for Professional Solutions. |
Dave Scott, a 16-year veteran of Truly Nolen, has been promoted to east region manager over Florida. Also at the firm, Mark Ringlstetter has been promoted to director of training and technical services at Truly Nolen headquarters in Tucson. Finally, Rafael Masferrer has been promoted to district manager of locations spanning from Broward to Indian River County, Fla., for Truly Nolen of America.Industry Mourns Schendel Services Owner J.T. Isaacs
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Jon Thomas “J.T.” Isaacs, longtime co-owner and operations manager at Schendel Services, died on April 10, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was 68.
Isaacs graduated from Lawrence High School, and started his career in pest control in 1965. When an opportunity came in 1970 to become a co-owner of Schendel Services, Isaacs took a leap of faith. In a 2002 interview with PCT, Isaacs recalled, “When I bought stock in Schendel, probably any financial advisor would have said that’s not a smart move.” But during the next 40 years, Isaac and partners helped Schendel become a leading pest control provider in the Midwest. When Schendel sold to Terminix in 2012, the company was operating 10 offices in six states and producing annual revenues close to $13 million.
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Curl Translations Formed
MADRID, Spain & NEW YORK, N.Y. — Susan Curl and Pamela Boyle have founded Curl Translations, a boutique translation firm focusing on the Spanish and English market. The company specializes in translations for the environmental, legal, business/finance, marketing, luxury goods and enology and viticulture industries.
Small by design, the company has a network of translators around the globe; subject-matter expertise from years of previous work experience in the U.S., Spain and Latin America; and environmental translators who are well-versed in many areas, ranging from EPA labels to promotional literature for Hispanic markets. For more information, visit www.curltranslations.com.
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EndZone Insecticide Sticker Voted “Best New Product”
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The EndZone Insecticide Sticker from FMC Corporation was voted “best new product” at the January Florida Pest & Lawn Care Expo. EndZone is a 4 ¼-inch square sticker that starts to kill filth files in less than one minute after ingestion, and provides up to seven months residual action indoors and four months of outdoors (when protected from rain, excess moisture, dirt, dust and filth), FMC says.
EndZone was selected by the Florida Pest Management Association board of directors after a review of all products exhibited at the show. On hand to accept the award was Florida Market Specialist Bruce Ryser. EndZone insecticide stickers are available through pest management distribution channels. For more information, visit www.fmcprosolutions.com or watch a two-minute video of the product in action at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmUI25cpCOw0R2X4S5j0P0w.
| PCO News |
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Please send press releases about your firm to jdorsch@giemedia.com. Burnum-Hahn Exterminators, Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Gibson Pest Control, Arden, N.C., earned Angie’s List Super Service Award for 2013. Loyal Termite & Pest Control, Richmond, Va., received two annual awards for 2013, including the Angie’s List Super Service Award for the eighth straight year, and Richmond Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award as the Number #1 Pest Control Company for the third year in a row. Noon Turf Care opened a new Pest Prevention Division in Marlborough, Mass., in March, offering a full line of pest prevention services, including bed bug, crawling insect and rodent control and termite treatments. Ryan and Dan Bradbury of Viking Termite & Pest Control awarded Cape May Branch Manager Erin Schempp and team with the 2013 Viking Office of the Year award and presented them with the “Viking Battle Helmet of Triumph” at the award celebration. “The Cape May team had a phenomenal year in many areas including overall growth and customer retention and satisfaction,” said Ryan Bradbury. Every team member received a cash prize at the dinner celebration in Atlantic City, N.J., which was attended by the branch employees and their guests. In addition to receiving Angie’s List Super Service Award for 2013, Suburban Exterminating was voted as “Best of Long Island Exterminator” in 2014.
To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Interstate Pest Management signed a definitive agreement with the city of Kelso, Wash., to donate, install and maintain a Frisbee golf course in the city’s Tam O’Shanter Park. The disc golf course is located about a mile from the company’s Kelso headquarters and will be named “The Thorstensen Family Disc Golf Course by Interstate Pest Management.” The company has also committed to hosting an annual disc golf tournament. For the fifth consecutive year, Exterminators of Sri Lanka was honored at the National Business Excellence Awards, organized by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka. Exterminators won the 2013 Silver Award in the small business category and third place in the other services sector, competing with larger blue chip companies. Overall, the company has won 28 awards for business excellence, brand excellence, industrial excellence and entrepreneurship. McCloud Services, South Elgin, Ill., is offering the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe Food Safety Management Training Course for Illinois. The company administers the course at its advanced training facility in South Elgin, Ill., near Chicago. Also, McCloud Services recently sponsored events benefitting the Clearbrook organization and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and participated in Feeding America’s Food Sourcing and Operations Conference, which provides a forum for industry professionals to network, learn and expand their capacity to advance Feeding America’s capacity to end hunger. David Pettigrew, food safety manager for McCloud Services, presented “Pest Management for Third-Party Food Safety Audits.” |
For 16 years, Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators’ employees and their families have been entertaining spectators in downtown Atlanta by sponsoring and participating in the annual Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) Holiday Parade. More than 100 team members braved the cold to walk in the parade and maneuver two-story character balloons, the Three Blind Mice, down the mile route. The CHOA Holiday Parade raises money for pediatric hospitals including Scottish Rite, Egleston and Hughes-Spalding. The proceeds from 2013 exceeded $100,000 and will help fund programs and equipment to serve the patients and families of CHOA.Cantu Enterprises Announces Fifth Acquisition
MCKINNEY, Texas — Cantu Enterprises, the parent of Cantu Pest Control, acquired Denco Pest Control based in Terrell, Texas. Denco serves about 400 residential pest and termite customers throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Previous Denco Owner Danny Stephens will continue to own and operate Ter-Jam Flooring.
This marks the fifth acquisition the company has completed in the Dallas/Fort Worth market. Cantu Enterprises began its entry into the Dallas market in 2009 with the acquisition of Express Pest Control in McKinney, Texas, followed by Complete Pest Control, Discount Pest and Lawn and Impact Pest Services.
“This is the continuation of our strategy to make investments in the Dallas/Fort Worth market as well as other major markets throughout the Southeast,” said Cantu Enterprises Holdings Chairman and CEO Albert Cantu. Cantu is the former president and COO of Terminix International.
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NPMA Academy 2014 Focuses on Strategic Planning, Staff Development
FAIRFAX, Va. — Academy 2014, the annual summer conference hosted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), will be held July 17-19 at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson, Ariz.
Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, Academy is designed to advance the professional and business development of the industry’s leaders and emerging leaders in a hands-on, interactive environment. “Busy. Overloaded. Overwhelmed. It’s amazing how these simple words dominate our conversations, influence decision making and affect the quality of our lives,” said NPMA CEO Bob Rosenberg. “Whether you are an owner, manager or emerging leader, three days at Academy 2014 will provide you the information you need to develop a vision for your business and find the right people who can help you achieve that vision — and gain control over your time and resources.”
Showcasing keynote speakers Jeff Havens, Ari Weinzweig and Chris McIntyre, Academy 2014 will focus on such topics as “Creating a Vision for Your Company,” “Building the Right Team,” “How to Keep and Engage Your Employees,” “Developing a Strategic Plan” and “Planning for Future Challenges.” For hotel reservations, call the Westin La Paloma Resort, 520/742-6000, by June 30 to receive the NPMA group rate of $119 per night. For more information or to register, visit www.npmapestworld.org/academy2014.
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Rollins Makes International Moves
ATLANTA, Ga. — In late January, Rollins announced its acquisition of Allpest WA, an independent pest control provider in Western Australia. The acquisition is Rollins’ first business venture in Australia.
Established in 1959 and headquartered in Perth, Australia, Allpest recorded revenues of about $25 million (U.S.) in 2013. Allpest has been recognized as Western Australia’s Pest Manager of the Year the past two years. In addition to residential, commercial and termite service offerings, Allpest provides global consulting services on pre-border protection of Australia’s biosecurity and specialized offerings to Australia’s mining and oil and gas sectors.
“The acquisition of Allpest is a very important milestone for our company and firmly establishes our global presence as a leader in international pest control management,” said Rollins Vice Chairman and CEO Gary W. Rollins. “We look forward to working with them and their talented employees, while sharing each other’s best practices.”
In other international business, Rollins’ wholly owned subsidiary Orkin established its third China franchise in the city of Chengdu in March. Orkin Chengdu will offer commercial and residential pest control and termite services. The franchise owners are Miao Hong and Miao Bing.
In April, Orkin established a franchise in Montevideo, Uruguay. Orkin Uruguay will offer commercial and residential pest control and termite services. The franchise owner, Horatio Rivera, will convert his existing pest control business to the Orkin name.
| Date Book |
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Send your announcement at least 14 weeks in advance to jdorsch@giemedia.com. For additional dates, visit www.pctonline.com/events.
Nov. 4-6: University of Kentucky’s Pest Control Short Course (44th annual), Lexington, Ky. Contact: Darlene Thorpe, 859/257-5955 or dthorpe@uky.edu. |
RK Environmental Food Safety Conference in Atlantic City in October
WESTWOOD, N.J. — The Food Safety and Pest Management conference, hosted by RK Environmental Services and Comprehensive Food Safety, will take place Oct. 8-9 at Revel Resort, the casino resort in Atlantic City.
The conference will provide education and information on developments in the food safety and pest management industries. Recertification credits will be available to attendees. Highlights of the Revel venue include a casino and hotel, 14 restaurants, 10 pools, retail shops, theaters, nightclubs and a 32,000-square-foot spa. RK Environmental Services will announce additional conference details, outlining the agenda and seminar leaders, in the near future.
To enable professionals to stay current on training prior to the conference, food safety and pest management professionals can participate in courses offered by Comprehensive Food Safety, a licensed SQF training provider. Courses are conducted at the company’s training center in Westwood, N.J., and include an accredited HACCP course, as well as IPM courses for which participants can attain recertification credits.
For more information about or to register for these courses and/or Food Safety and Pest Management 2014, pest management professionals can visit www.cfsfoodsafety.com or call Jessica Albrecht, 800/996-4402. Early-registration and multiple-attendee discounts are available.
CORRECTION
Due to editing errors, there were several incorrect statements in the March “Controlling Ants” feature. They include:
No ants are solitary (page 110). In fact, all discovered species are social and live in colonies.
Although the article suggests ants collect granular insecticides and take them back to the nest (page 112), this is not the case. Granular insecticides are inert clay granules impregnated with active ingredient meant to release the AI into the soil. Ants ignore granular insecticides because they are not food items.
“Transfer of a lethal dose…can occur…(by) eating dead bodies or cast skins” (page 112). This is incorrect in that ants don’t eat dead ants from their own colony.
Although the article stated, “Workers of the same colony may not transfer solid food, but they can exchange liquid extracted from the bait,” ants don’t extract any liquid from solid baits because such baits contain no liquid (water). They are dry granules that are fed to the larvae, processed into a liquidy paste and fed back to the workers. In a way, workers do indeed transfer solid food, but with the help of the larvae.
PCT apologizes for the errors.
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