[News]

UPF&DA Members Convene in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — Some 60 members of the United Producers, Formulators & Distributors Association (UPF&DA) gathered in San Antonio earlier this year for the organization's annual spring conference, held at the Westin La Cantera Resort. Each year the industry group representing manufacturers and distributors meets to discuss a variety of current issues.

The conference opened with introductory comments by UPF&DA President Larry Eichler, followed by a brief welcome by Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA) President Tim Gafford, who before taking over his family pest control business in Lubbock worked for a major product distributor serving the industry.

In his address, Gafford shared some of the changes TPCA has undergone in recent years, including the hiring of Executive Director Don Ward following the untimely passing of Ken Myers, creating a new logo and updating its website.

Gafford's presentation also drew somewhat of a comparison between the weather extremes experienced in Texas this year — forceful winds, drought conditions — to the resolve of its residents, which he described as a fighting breed.

"We're the only state outside of the original 13 colonies that fought for its independence," Gafford said. "This is the way Texans are — fiercely independent."

The series of educational presentations at the two-day conference included a discussion of the EPA's Rodenticide Risk Mitigation Decision, led by Steve Levy, president of Bell Laboratories, and Ray Finke, business director, Liphatech. This important topic was covered in a feature article in the July issue of PCT.

Doug Mills, eastern region sales manager for MGK, addressed the industry's ongoing pyrethrum shortage and the Minneapolis-based company's efforts to diversify its sourcing of this highly prized commodity to address the problem. "The world demand for pyrethrum continues to increase," Mills said, explaining that pyrethrum "is probably the greenest product we have out there."

Currently much of the world's pyrethrum supply comes from East Africa and Australia, but economic, political or environmental forces have adversely affected the pest control industry's ability to meet market demand for the product. Political unrest in Kenya has hampered supply there, Mills explained. Conversely, in Australia, severe flooding has been the problem, decimating this year's crop and prompting shortages throughout the world. "Mother Nature has thrown a monkey wrench into the works in recent years," he said. "It's hard to grow flowers under water."

In response to these market challenges, Mills said MGK is investing its time and resources into increasing production. "We're working in several areas to produce more pyrethrum," he said. In addition, Mills referred to improvements in logistics and transportation, new production facilities, and diversification of growing regions as reasons for optimism moving forward. As a result, "supply is expected to improve in 2012," he said.

In a presentation covering social media, Terri Mason, managing director of Internet marketing firm How to Go Social, discussed the relationship between company blogs and Search Engine Optimization, or SEO. Mason said businesses can use blogs not only to inform current and potential customers, but to raise a company's visibility and drive sales. "Build your followers by posting creative content," Mason said. "It's a lot of work, but it pays off."

Along with these and other educational presentations — including presentations by Bob Rosenberg of the National Pest Management Association and former state regulator Jim Harron — the conference program included the UPF&DA Board of Directors meeting, a golf tournament, general membership meeting and several evening receptions.

Larry Eichler Hailed as Industry Mentor, Friend

Members of UPF&DA paid tribute to Larry Eichler, longtime owner and president of Prentiss, who retired in April from day-to-day operations of the business, but continues to serve as the company's chairman. Eichler is also president of UPF&DA. Dan Moreland, publisher of PCT magazine, delivered a tribute to Eichler during UPF&DA's spring conference, describing him as an "old school" businessman who grew up in an era when deals were sealed with a simple handshake, and relationships were nurtured by after-hours conversations in the hotel restaurant and lounge. "He understands that when the rubber meets the road — when the economy sours, when business relationships are stressed…it's the depth and integrity of one's relationships that will ultimately win the day," Moreland said. Moreland also relayed stories and shared observations from Eichler's brother, Tom, and colleagues Valera Jessee, Steve Levy, Tom Wright and Lon Records. Jessee described Eichler as a "friend and mentor" who blessed her life both personally and professionally, while brother Tom said Eichler was always able to keep things in perspective, regardless of the business challenges, saying, "No matter how hectic things got (at work), Larry would always remind you that it was five o'clock somewhere." In recognition of his 40-plus years of industry service, UPF&DA awarded Eichler, a loyal Cubs fan, with a Chicago Cubs jersey signed by Hall-of-Famer Ernie Banks, a sports icon that personified many of Eichler's traits: loyalty, optimism, kindness and good humor, as well as several other gifts. Eichler, a man always quick with a smile and a story, was speechless upon receiving the surprise recognition, thanking those in attendance for their years of friendship and support.

To learn more about the programs and activities of the United Producers, Formulators & Distributors Association, visit www.upfda.com or call Executive Director Valera Jessee at 770/417-1418.
 
 

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University of Kentucky Announces 41st Annual Program
LEXINGTON, KY. — The 41st Annual University of Kentucky Pest Control Short Course will be held Nov. 1-3, in Lexington, Ky. The conference includes a money-back satisfaction guarantee and features one of the strongest programs in the country, organizers say.

Topics include strategies for growing your business, the latest bed bug research and management tips, readying for resurging fleas and the brown marmorated stink bug, the art and science of inspections, measuring customer loyalty, an afternoon with a bed bug attorney, and useful tips on managing rodents, flies, and brown recluse spiders.

Featured speakers include Paul Hardy, Stoy Hedges, Mark Sheperdigian, Kevin Pass, Tom Dobrinska, Ron Harrison, Dan Collins, Phil Koehler, Christian Hardigree and Fred Whitford.

For more information, contact Dr. Michael F. Potter, Department of Entomology, S-225 Agriculture Science Center North, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091; phone 859/257-5955; fax 859/323-1120; e-mail dthorpe@uky.edu.

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NYC Housing Authority Wins Bed Bug Scholarship
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — The New York City Housing Authority was the first recipient of the Dr. Austin Frishman Annual Scholarship, a program created to send organizations and individuals with limited resources to an intensive four-day course on effective bed bug treatment protocols and sustainable management plans.

As a recipient, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) was able to send pest management professional Benjamin Valentin to the February BedBug University: Boot Camp at no cost to the city. The intensive educational course was created by nationally regarded entomologists Richard Cooper and Jeffrey White of BedBug Central.

During the program, Valentin along with representatives from nine other pest management firms learned about bed bug behavior, biology and the most recent and effective bed bug treatment options. The group also observed in-field demonstrations of protocols in action, application methods and how to implement a financially sustainable bed bug program. Valentin plans to educate other PMPs throughout the NYCHA.

"Like many other major urban centers, New York City is being hit hard by bed bugs to the point where it's almost getting out of hand," observed Valentin. "Learning these new treatment strategies and implementing them throughout NYCHA will be an important step forward."

Dr. Frishman selected Valentin and the NYCHA to become the first recipients of his annual scholarship not only because of New York City's issues with bed bugs and limited resources, but also because of Valentin's drive to conduct treatments correctly and his willingness to educate other pest management professionals. "He works for NYCHA which is ground zero for bed bugs, and they have very limited resources," Frishman said. "Ben also has a deep desire to learn how to effectively control this pest and to teach his colleagues what he has learned."

Jeffrey White, an entomologist for BedBug Central and instructor for BedBug University: Boot Camp, acknowledges that one of the major obstacles cities face when attempting to control bed bugs is limited resources and access to information.

"The cost cities face when attempting to implement a comprehensive bed bug management program can be staggering," said White. "Scholarship programs like these are invaluable for organizations with limited resources because they provide attendees with important information at no cost that they can then use to educate their team members."

The Dr. Austin Frishman Annual Scholarship was created by BedBug Central to honor Dr. Frishman's numerous contributions to advancing the availability of information about bed bugs.

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NPMA Elects 2011-12 Board Members
FAIRFAX, VA. — The National Pest Management Association has elected its board members for 2011-2012.

Ray Johnson of Johnson Pest Control, Sevierville, Tenn., will serve as president; Laura Simpson of Dugas Pest Control of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, La., will serve as vice president; Kevin Pass of Action Pest Control, Evansville, Ind., will serve as treasurer; and William Tesh of Pest Management Systems, Greensboro, N.C., will serve as secretary.

"I am pleased to be selected as the association president by my industry peers," said Johnson. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue to promote the general interest and welfare of the pest management industry, as well as reinforce the value of pest management in protecting public health and property."

The NPMA also elected several new members to its Board of Directors.

Bernard Holst Jr. (Horizon Termite and Pest Control Corp., Midland Park, N.J.) is past president representative.

Five new at large directors have been elected to the NPMA's Board: Lanny Allgood (Allgood Pest Solutions, Dublin, Ga.); Cleveland Dixon (Holiday Termite & Pest Control, Springfield, Va.); Alford Foster (All-American Pest Control, Nashville, Tenn.); Stacy O'Reilly (Plunkett's Pest Control, Fridley, Minn.); and Jeff Spencer (Griffin Pest Solutions, Kalamazoo, Mich.).

Ryan Bradbury (Viking Termite & Pest Control, Bound Brook, N.J.) is Region 1 Director.

Debra Kay (Envirotech Pest Solutions, Centennial, Colo.) is Region 4 Director.

"NPMA is delighted to welcome our newly elected Board and Executive Committee," said Rob Lederer, NPMA executive vice president. "We are fortunate to have excellent leaders who will work together to encourage high levels of competence, knowledge and performance in the industry."

For more information about NPMA's efforts and initiatives, visit their website at NPMApestworld.org.

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Envincio Merges Prentiss and Envincio Brands
CARY, N.C. — The combined Prentiss and Envincio businesses have been positioned under the company brand Envincio. The Envincio brand affords the opportunity to re-energize the business while also creating congruent brand families that will help focus and guide the expansion of the business. The legacy of Prentiss dating back to 1919 will be preserved via the Prentox branded products. Customers will soon begin to see these products packaged with the new Envincio label, the company said.

Envincio will serve as the exclusive marketing agent for Prentiss products in order to minimize administrative challenges for customers while also stewarding current state registrations. The new organization has posted a Q&A about the merger on its newly redesigned website at www.envincio.com.

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Harold Leyse Retires
MINNEAPOLIS — Harold Leyse, co-founder of Adam's Pest Control, retired effective June 29, on his 74th birthday. He has entrusted the company, after 40 straight years of growth, to his son Todd Leyse and daughter Andrea Guy.

Leyse entered the industry in 1963, working for Lystad's. He formed Adam's in 1971 with friend Don Hanson, who passed away in 1995.

Leyse patented the DoAll, an accessory for the compressed air tank sprayer, but he is more well known for his Pest Jests, a series of cartoon/joke/trivia books for the pest industry. In July, Leyse published a compilation book of all of these cartoons with the addition of humorous and educational stories from his 48-year career. For more information, see www.adamspestcontrol.com/fun.

 

Teaming Up to Fight Fire Ants
DALLAS — Sick children and their families at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas have one less thing to worry about this summer — fire ants.

On May 25, Markle Pest Management & Tree Service, Mesquite, Texas, and FMC Professional Solutions donated a treatment of Talstar XTRA granular insecticide to the two-acre site. Though fire ants have been a problem in the area for years, the donation ensures the Ronald McDonald House property will be fire ant-free this summer.

Victor Markle, who runs the company with his brother Jay, said spring rains were conducive to fire ants. "With the serious medical challenges these children are facing, they cannot risk allergic reactions or other problems due to fire ant stings," Markle said. The company donated manpower while FMC donated four bags of its new Talstar XTRA granular insecticide.

The product — which is not restricted use — eliminates fire ants in as little as minutes while also providing broad spectrum residual control for three months or more, FMC reports. "Because of its speed, Talstar XTRA is uniquely suited for high-risk properties like the Ronald McDonald House," Markle said. "We treated in the morning and by the afternoon the property had no fire ant activity and was safe for the kids."

"We couldn't do what we do if it wasn't for folks like Victor," says Corinne Karp, COO of the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, which accommodates families of children seeking treatment at area hospitals. "For 20 years, their commitment to us has never faltered."

 

Rhodes Continues Term on Kansas Ag Board
TOPEKA, KAN. — Roland Rhodes, president of Rhodes Chemical Co., returned to his role as a member of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture. Rhodes, appointed from Congressional District 3, is one of four returning members on the nine-member board. The Board’s new members were recently appointed by Governor Sam Brownback.

The board’s primary role is to advise the governor and the secretary of agriculture on issues facing Kansas agriculture, encourage growth in the industry and serve as liaisons to the Kansas agricultural industry. The Board also reviews and makes recommendations on legislative initiatives and proposed regulations.  
 

Univar PP&S Offers Free SmartPhone Application
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Univar Professional Products & Services launched a new PestWeb Application for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 7.

Part of a company mission to provide valuable, timely information, the application informs PMPs about Univar promotions and updates and provides access to product information (labels and Material Safety Data Sheets), advice from "Ask Mr. Pest Control," industry news and alerts, product training videos, Master Technician courses, pest and weed identification assistance, classified ads, and a directory of Univar Pro Centers.

"Univar is committed to ensuring that PestWeb is a valuable resource to the pest management professional," commented Karl Kisner, director of marketing for Univar PP&S.

The new PestWeb Application and a demonstration video are available at http://pestweb.com/apps/.