Rollins Acquires PermaTreat Pest Control
ATLANTA — Rollins announced that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire PermaTreat Pest Control Company through a tax-free reorganization of PermaTreat’s parent, Wilco Enterprises. The all-stock merger is the first in Rollins’ recent history and carries significant potential tax benefits for Wilco’s stockholders, officials say.
PermaTreat, a $12.5 million company and #55 on the PCT Top 100 list, is a leading pest control company located in central and northern Virginia that was founded in 1967. It was purchased in 1982 by Joe Wilson.
Wilson started his career in pest management nearly 50 years ago with Orkin. Having grown from one office and six employees when acquired, PermaTreat currently has nine branches and more than 100 employees. The company has established itself as a leader in general pest and termite control, real estate inspections, new construction pretreatment, outdoor pest control, and services to industrial, commercial and residential customers.
“Merging with Rollins is a good cultural fit for both companies,” said Joe Wilson, president and CEO of PermaTreat. “We are now aligned with the premier pest management company in North America, and look forward to a successful partnership with the Rollins team. It was a pleasure dealing with Rollins.”
John Wilson, president and chief operating officer of Rollins, commented, “We are extremely pleased to welcome PermaTreat to our company and family of pest control brands. The acquisition provides ideal expansion of our presence in Virginia. Joe and his associates share our culture of continuous improvement and regards customer service as their number one priority. We look forward to working with this team of highly trained professionals, as they continue to operate under the well-recognized PermaTreat brand name.”
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NPMA Announces Keynote Speakers for PestWorld 2014
FAIRFAX, Va. — Nationally recognized speakers Eric Greitens and J.B. Bernstein will present keynote addresses at PestWorld 2014, NPMA’s annual convention and expo, scheduled for Oct. 21-24 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando.
Eric Greitens, named one of Time’s 2013 “100 Most Influential People,” will draw from his experience as a humanitarian and Navy SEAL lieutenant commander to address leadership, team building, overcoming adversity, and the power of service during Wednesday’s general session, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences.
J.B. Bernstein, whose biographical story inspired Disney’s film “Million Dollar Arm,” will show the genesis of the creativity that led to groundbreaking marketing deals for superstar clients Barry Bonds and Emmitt Smith.
PestWorld 2014 features four days of educational programming, a trade show and multiple networking opportunities and social events. Information can be found at www.npmapest world.org/pestworld2014.
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Industry Mourns Vern Toblan
MIDDLETON, Del. — Vern Toblan, longtime executive director of Pi Chi Omega, passed away on Aug. 23 in Seasons Hospice at Christiana Hospital. He was 84.
Toblan’s daughter, Brenna, posted on Facebook, “Myself, his cousin Heidi Ross, her daughter Katherine Ross, and even his beloved dog Frannie were able to be there at his side.”
A native of Zurich, Switzerland, Toblan studied agriculture at Strickhof University and immigrated to Saskatchewan, Canada, in the 1950s, eventually settling in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. After working on a farm for several years, Toblan was hired by Chipman Chemical, a legacy company of Bayer.
In 2001 Toblan succeeded Dr. Bill Jackson as executive director of Pi Chi Omega, and he helped transform the national fraternity for PMPs, said Dr. Eric Smith, longtime Pi Chi Omega member. Smith said Toblan helped expand Pi Chi Omega membership, was instrumental in growing the fraternity’s annual scholarship fund from $50,000 to more than $150,000 and he also did well investing the fraternity’s funds. “Vern knew everybody from his days as technical sales person, giving talks all over country,” Smith said. “He had a great personality, was very friendly and never met anyone he didn’t really like.”
Pi Chi Omega’s Gerry Wegner agreed, noting Toblan was an excellent ambassador. “He was conscientious and devoted to the success of the fraternity, both professionally and fiscally. I am grateful for his mentorship and friendship during my years serving as an officer and committee chair with the fraternity. Vern will be greatly missed.”
Brenna Taylor posted on Facebook that Toblan, “did not want a funeral, or any flowers...Donations in his name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society would be welcome.”
| Comings & Goings |
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If your company has added new personnel, send a photo and press release to jdorsch@giemedia.com. Mark Goodman, a doctoral candidate in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology, joined Varment Guard, Columbus, Ohio. Goodman is apprenticing with senior technical director/staff entomologist Gerry Wegner to gain experience needed to step into Wegner’s role in the next few months. After almost 50 years with AIB International, Tom Lehmann is retiring. During an employee recognition ceremony held in July in conjunction with AIB’s annual All Staff Conference, Lehmann was honored by AIB President Andre Biane as the longest standing employee in the company’s history. Popularly known as “The Dough Doctor,” Lehmann joined AIB in 1965 as a baking technologist and was later promoted to director, bakery assistance. During his tenure with AIB, Lehmann coordinated the move of the Research Department from Chicago to Manhattan, Kan.; developed the company’s first Technical Assistant, Individualized Training and Technical Assistance programs; and taught many classes and seminars, including the Baking Science and Technology course. Fania Montenegro and Malik Mantro were hired by Truly Nolen of America as branch managers. Daniel Hutten joined Geotech Supply as technical sales representative covering the Bay Area, north coast and wine regions of northern California. Hutten began his entomological education in college, when he worked in the Insect Biology Department at UC Berkeley with Gail Getty. |
Bayer Launches Maxforce Mobile App, Unveils New Bait Packaging
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Pest management professionals can now instantly access Bayer’s ant identification steps and recommended treatment solutions on their mobile devices using a new Maxforce Ant Solutions app from Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience. The free app can be downloaded from the iTunes or Google Play store.
“In 2013, Bayer launched the Maxforce Ant Solutions website in an effort to provide more clarity around ant identification and the various Maxforce Ant solutions available to PMPs,” said Ray Daniels, marketing manager, baits and termites for Bayer Environmental Science. Now, PMPs can access the resource through their hand-held devices while in the field. When logged into the app, pest managment professionals will be asked a brief series of questions to identify the appropriate recommended Maxforce Ant product, including a description of the type of ant, where it’s located and what it’s feeding on. Based on the answers, PMPs will receive a recommendation.
One solution in the app is Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait, now available in a 120-gram easy-squeeze tube with an intuitive needle tip, enabling Quantum to be used for crack-and-crevice applications. The large screw-on cap prevents loss and leaking product, and the volume meter printed on the tube allows PMPs to see how much product is left in the container. For more information, visit www.backedbybayer.com.
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AIB International Introduces HACCP Online Course
MANHATTAN, Kan. — AIB International has introduced a new HACCP Online course designed to provide practical, relevant instruction in an accessible, self-paced, online format. The course will review the history and background of HACCP and provide an understanding of HACCP plan development.
“This new course includes timely, current examples, delivered on an eLearning platform, that allows participants to pace themselves, assess learning throughout the duration of the course, and return to content as needed,” said Food Safety Services Innovation Vice President Stephanie Lopez. “This course is deeply technical, yet easy to understand. Assessment and evaluation now takes place throughout the course, which is better from a learning perspective.”
The course provides hands-on, practical HACCP knowledge; graduates will be prepared to participate on a HACCP team and meet the training requirements for audits. Course participants have 60 days to complete the course at their own pace. Certificates of completion and CEUs are provided on successful completion. Covered topics include history of HACCP; overview of HACCP; prerequisite programs; biological, chemical and physical hazards; the seven principles of HACCP; HACCP plan development; deviation reports; and validation.
For more information, visit www.aibonline.org or call 800/633-5137.
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Updated Good Bug/Bad Bug Program for Children Available
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — An updated 15- to 20-minute “Good Bug/Bad Bug” program is now available from Compelling Communications for pest control companies to present to schools and children’s groups. The program leads children ages 6 to 9 through a discovery process to determine if a bug is “good” or “bad.” It promotes the professional pest control industry as the solution to pest problems and provides presentation resources.
“This program had limited availability in the past, but those who used it praised it for its simplicity and completeness,” said Owner June Van Klaveren, who was one of the developers.
The purpose of the program is to point out to children that insects are “bad” only when they interfere with our lives, the related dangers of cockroaches and that pest management professionals are interested in getting rid of only those insects that affect our lives in a negative way.
The program’s kit includes information on getting your foot in the door with schools, a promotional flyer, things to remember when talking to children, a PowerPoint file containing 12 color cartoon slides and a script, bibliography of children’s literature about insects, glossary of terms, and a coloring sheet. The program is available for $49.95 at www.compellingcommunications.com. For more information, contact Van Klaveren at 800/779-0067 or june@compelcom.com.
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Food Protection Alliance Welcomes Versacor
LAPLACE, La. — Versacor Managed Pest Solutions has joined the Food Protection Alliance. Versacor is a Texas-based company providing managed pest solutions for commercial and industrial businesses. The firm said it was founded on the principle that clients deserve quality and value in pest service, delivered by experts who share a passion of achieving unparalleled results.
For more information about the Food Protection Alliance, contact National Executive Director Kalah Schmitz, 877/372-3334, kschmitz@fpalliance.com or www.fpalliance.com.
| 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. Jan. 19-23: Marathon PestPac User Conference and FPMA Pest and Lawn Care Expo, Embassy Suites, Kissimmee, Fla. Contact: www.events.marathondata.com/userconference. |
UF/IFAS Celebrates 100 Years of Extension
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Alligators, an insect-petting zoo and lunch prepared by a former White House chef were among the highlights of the 100th anniversary celebration of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Service in April.
On May 8, 1914, Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, creating the Cooperative Extension Service, which, for a century, has conveyed agricultural-related scientific research from land-grant universities to the public. Florida has a UF/IFAS Extension office in each of its 67 counties. Residents benefit from educational programs that include everything from agricultural best practices to marriage-preparation courses, to money-management help and water-conservation and environmentally conscious gardening programs. Large and small producers of Florida’s more than 300 agricultural commodities and related industries benefit from Extension’s technical advice on best practices for growing, marketing and safely distributing food, the service says.
UF/IFAS and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services co-sponsored the event.
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WCS Acquires Snake Guard Snake Traps
EAST GRANBY, Conn. — Wildlife Control Supplies (WCS) acquired the Snake Guard snake trap product from Snakeguard, Birmingham, Ala. The original Snake Guard snake trap, developed by herpetologist Martin Nowak, founding partner and former president of Snakeguard, is a low-cost option for humanely trapping nuisance snakes, the firm reports. The trap is safe, effective, easy to use and eco-friendly, the company said.
WCS has assumed full production of the Snake Guard trap and is taking orders. The traps are available through several U.S. distributors. For more information, visit www.snakeguard.com or www.shopwcs.com, or call 877/684-7262.
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FMC Videos Show Proper Way to Apply Pesticides
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — To combat the higher pest pressures of summer and fall, FMC reintroduced three videos showing proper guidelines for liquid pesticide applications and demonstrating how to apply Talstar Professional Insecticide. The videos take viewers step-by-step through applications of Talstar for outdoor spot and perimeter treatments, and indoor applications.
The videos, on the FMC YouTube Pest channel, include two three-minute videos: “How to Properly Apply Liquid Pesticides” (http://bit.ly/1pHhGvo) and “How to Properly Apply Talstar Professional Insecticide” (http://bit.ly/1lwAkU3), and a six-minute version incorporating both videos (http://bit.ly/1rLSXZ7).
“Safety serves as the backbone of FMC’s culture,” said Lauren Wilson, technical service representative for FMC and a certified pest management professional. “Every day I answer questions from customers about how to apply our insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. I always tell them, there are certain guidelines to follow when using any product.” The company wants to encourage Talstar product stewardship by showing the correct way to apply it, she said.
In the videos, Wilson demonstrates how to prepare for an outdoor application, then shows proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when making an application, preparation for an indoor application, proper storage of pesticides, preparation for an accidental spill and mixing and spraying of Talstar both indoors and outdoors.
| PCO News |
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Please send press releases about your firm to jdorsch@giemedia.com. Markle Termite & Pest Management, Mesquite, Texas, is certified to provide consumers with the Sentricon System by Dow AgroSciences. To become a Certified Sentricon Specialist, a qualifying firm is required to complete comprehensive and ongoing training, use state-of-the-art data management and gathering tools, and pass annual quality reviews. SHS Pest Control of Portsmouth, R.I., completed the expansion of its 39 East Main Road office. SHS was started in 1980 by building contractor Ernest Nascimento with a single service vehicle servicing Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Today SHS has seven service vehicles and provides a full line of pest control services, wildlife services, bank-approved building inspections and homeowner services such as gutter cleaning, rescreening vents and installing crawlspace ventilation. The company celebrated its newly expanded offices with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in May. The expansion project started in the fall of 2013. McCall Service, Jacksonville, Fla., acquired Enviro Pest Control, also of Jacksonville. Enviro Pest Control, a family business established in 1974, will continue to operate independently, but will merge its service center. Enviro owners P.J. and David Lashley built a legacy of customer-focused, high-quality service that fits the core values of McCall Service, according to McCall Service President and CEO Bryan Cooksey. Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators acquired Action Pest Control of Northwest Florida, a full-service company, specializing in residential and commercial pest and termite control located in Tallahassee, Fla. “Action Pest Control’s commitment to their community, passion for customer service and their full service offerings makes them a perfect strategic fit for Arrow,” said Arrow President and CEO Emily Thomas Kendrick, adding, “growth in the Florida Panhandle is strategic to meeting our objectives as we continue to build to $200 million and beyond. We continuously look to merge with high-quality companies who share our goals, principles and culture.”
Allgood Pest Solutions acquired Rich Exterminators, Lawrenceville, Ga. Rich Exterminators was founded by Howard Rich in 1989, who has now retired. “When Howard Rich decided to retire he chose Allgood Pest Solutions to take care of his partners and his customers,” said Chuck Tindol, Allgood senior vice president of marketing and sales. For more than 25 years, Rich Exterminators has provided termite and pest control services to north Atlanta metro customers. Bee Control Pittsburgh, owned and operated by Ian Hough for 13 years, provides 24/7 emergency response for stinging insects nesting in and around residential and commercial buildings, yards, trees, etc. It is the only pest control company in the Greater Pittsburgh area with a certified master beekeeper on staff to deal with honey bee calls, Hough said. Hough has a B.S. in zoology and more than 30 years of experience in pest control. Viking Termite and Pest Control, of Warren, N.J. acquired the accounts of Accent Pest Services, previously owned by Todd Conine, in the Southern New Jersey/Philadelphia area. Viking plans to continue to grow both by its internal efforts and through acquisition “when the fit is right,” said Viking’s Dan Bradbury. |
The 15th Annual Offshore World Championship (OWC) fishing tournament in Quepos, Costa Rica broke the world record with 2,307 sailfish, seven blue marlin and 63 dolphin three days into the four-day event. Of these, the Critter Control Fishing Team (2011 Offshore World Champions) tallied 34 sailfish, with Captains Sam Worden and Kevin Clark both catching 38-pound dolphin during the event.
Etex Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Electro-Gun
MOJAVE, Calif. — This year marks the 35th anniversary for California-based Etex, which offers pest management professionals an opportunity to find and destroy drywood termites and other wood-boring insects via the Electro-Gun.
“Since 1979 our company has placed Electro-Guns with pest control companies across the U.S. as well as in Tahiti, Costa Rica, French Polynesia and Portugal,” said Etex President Susan Fortuna. Fortuna is the daughter of the late Don Bondy, founder of Etex, who, with scientist Lucas Lawerance, invented the termite-killing device.
“In the 1970s, my dad was one of the pioneers of the green revolution. He believed there had to be a way to kill termites without using chemicals in a structure,” she said. “They began a serious R&D project designed to create a product that would be both safe and effective.” The end result was the Electro-Gun, an alternative treatment for localized termite infestations. Fortuna cites extensive research, field-testing and innovations over the years as consistent proof that the Electro-Gun is a green, safe and effective tool that kills drywood termites while maintaining the structural integrity of treated buildings.
The Electro-Gun can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with one or more non-chemical treatments, borates or localized chemical treatments. Its technology combines high-frequency, high-voltage and very low current to overcome wood’s natural resistance to electrical current flow. The current penetrates wood and flows into the galleries and nests of drywood termites. Most of the insects are killed instantly and there is a delayed mortality to those that don’t get a direct hit, Fortuna said. For more information, visit www.etex-ltd.com.
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Marathon Data Systems Announces Joint 2015 Conference with FPMA
NEPTUNE, N.J. — Marathon Data Systems, which provides a cloud-based business management platform for companies with a mobile workforce, and the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA), announced a new 2015 conference combining the Marathon PestPac User Conference and the FPMA Pest and Lawn Care Expo.
As both the conference and the expo traditionally focused on networking and the sharing of industry best practices, combining them removed overlap while still providing industry-specific training and certification from FPMA and PestPac-user training designed to get the most out of Marathon’s technology, officials say. Attendees now receive both conferences in one place at one time.
“The heavy overlap in our respective user bases and our industry leadership positions made the decision to combine our events a simple one,” said Marathon Data Systems President and CEO Chris Sullens.
The conference and expo will be held at the Embassy Suites in Kissimmee, Fla., Jan. 19-23, 2015. Visit www.events.marathondata.com/userconference for more information.
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