[News]

The Service Technician’s Application and Equipment Manual Now Available

Valley View, Ohio — Whether you have well-worn copies of the two previous Service Technician’s manuals or you are hearing about them for the first time, the newest book in the series, The Service Technician’s Application and Equipment Manual, is a must-have, keep-in-the-truck resource for everyone in the pest control industry who uses any type of application equipment.

Like author William H Robinson’s Service Technician’s Field Manual and Service Technician’s Inspection and Identification Manual, the Application and Equipment Manual is a practical guide to the pest management service technician’s daily activities — in this case, the use and maintenance of standard pest control equipment. For technicians starting in pest control, it provides a foundation of knowledge; for experienced technicians, it will change what they know about pesticide application and equipment.

For both veteran and newly hired technicians, the dramatic changes made to modern insecticides in recent years have brought challenges of selectively matching the products — which have become more effective at lower concentrations — with the most efficient application methods and tools.

As Robinson describes in the book’s preface, “Insecticide application and equipment must be managed to have a successful business, but you can’t manage what you don’t understand. The next generation of professional pest control will know the methods and the tools of application, and use that knowledge to manage the costs of using them.”

Thus, the objective of Robinson’s newest manual is to help service technicians understand the connection of insecticides, application methods and equipment, and to provide illustrated instruction on the use and maintenance of equipment for the greatest possible efficacy. Many of the topics covered in this manual are related to information in the first two manuals of the Service Technician series, with cross-referencing included for the topics of each chapter.

The 128-page PCT-published manual is structured in two sections. Following the Introduction, chapters 2 through 8 focus on application methods, including: Liquid Application, Structural Wood Treatment, Soil Treatment and Termite Control, Foam Application, Fogging and Aerosol Application, Dust and Granule Application and Gel Bait Application. Chapters 9 through 15 provide detailed instruction, illustrations and parts lists for standard equipment including Traps and Monitors, Compressed-Air Sprayers, Foggers and Aerosol-Application Equipment, Foam-Application Equipment, Soil-Application Equipment, Dust- and Granule-Application Equipment and Gel Bait-Application Equipment.

Robinson has been technical director of B&G Equipment Co. since 2000, prior to which he spent nearly 30 years conducting research and teaching at Virginia Tech and Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. Robinson has published more than 250 papers and articles on ants, cockroaches, fleas, wood-infesting beetles, and wood protection and application technology, along with the textbook Urban Entomology (1995) and the reference book Urban Insects and Arachnids (2005). He is chair of the executive committee of the International Conference on Urban Pests and earned his M.A. at Kent State University and Ph.D. at Iowa State University working on phorid flies.

The Service Technician’s Application and Equipment Manual sells for $24.95 and is available in the PCT Bookstore at http://store.giemedia.com/en/books. Or call PCT at 800/456-0707.

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Dates, Speakers Announced for 80th Annual Purdue Pest Control Conference

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 80th annual Purdue Pest Control Conference will be held Jan. 11-13, 2016, at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.

This year’s conference features the latest research findings and field observations from renowned industry speakers, as well as an exhibit hall filled with the latest product innovations from industry suppliers.

For additional conference information and to register online visit www.conf.purdue.edu/pest or call 800/359-2968.

Speakers and topics include:

• Bob Avenius, safety
• Judy Black, global food safety
• Jay Bruesch, prevention and training
• Dan Collins, food pests
• Bobby Corrigan, rodents
• Mike Dryden, ticks and fleas
• Ed Hosoda, fumigation
• Dale Hodgson, pollinators and carpenter bees
• Bennett Jordan, insect identification and NPMA update
• Jeff McGovern, new technology and sensitive accounts
• Dini Miller, cockroaches and bed bugs
• Tom Shelton, termiticides
• Mark “Shep” Sheperdigian, bed bugs and spiders
• Gene White, carpenter ants
   

New Pi Chi Omega Executive Staff Announced

Fredericksburg, Va. — Pi Chi Omega announced that as of Aug. 1, 2015, the organization will be managed by Cooper Coron & Associates (CCA). CCA was formed in 1994 to provide complete association management services, including accounting, board relations, membership management and communications, meeting planning, web and media communications, and research and technical writing services to local, state and national organizations. CCA has managed the Virginia Pest Management Association for 21 years and during that time the organization has worked closely with other pest management industry organizations, including NPMA, ESA, ASPCRO and other state pest management associations.

CCA principals Andrea Coron and Kristin Coron say they bring a unique combination of education, skills and experience to Pi Chi Omega, with their overriding priority being to provide excellent customer service to members, while strategically moving the organization toward meeting the goals of the board.

“Managing Pi Chi Omega is an exciting opportunity to apply our two decades of association management experience to this dynamic organization that serves a vital role in keeping education at the forefront of the pest control industry,” said Andrea Coron, Pi Chi Omega executive director.

In regard to hiring CCA to serve in the capacity of executive director, Pi Chi Omega President Kim Kelly-Tunis said, “We feel very fortunate to have CCA as our management company. They bring years of nonprofit management experience, and the Board felt like this team of professionals will enhance Pi Chi Omega’s mission and purpose going forward.”
 

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‘A Systematic Approach to Selling Pest Control Services’ Virtual Event Next Month

Valley View, Ohio — Looking to increase sales at your pest control business? If so, consider attending PCT’s next virtual conference, which will focus on “A Systematic Approach to Selling Pest Control Services.” Hosted by industry veterans Randy Moser and Mark Zajac, the event will share valuable insights about how to create a culture of success; mistakes to avoid; understanding the sales process; and closing the sale.

The event will be held Oct. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (EST). Moser has more than 35 years of experience working with Fortune 500, regional service, small business and non-profit organizations. His expertise recognizes ways to improve a company’s bottom line and identify blind spots that limit potential within a company.

Zajac has more than 25 years of experience working in professional pest management product development, training and strategic planning. He is recognized for his collaborative leadership and team-building skills in diverse cultural settings, maximizing employee productivity, creativity and motivation.

Cost of the event is $49.99. Visit www.pctonline.com/virtualevent to learn more or call PCT’s Conference Division at 800/456-0707.

Syngenta Plans Divestment of Flowers Seeds Business

Basel, Switzerland — Syngenta announced on Aug. 19 its intention to divest its premium Flowers seeds business from its Lawn and Garden operating unit. Divestment would enable the new entity to play a leading role in the consolidation of the home gardening market, which is taking place in response to changes in the distribution and retail channels driven by shifts in consumer preferences, the company said.

Syngenta says it has built a high-quality, profitable Flowers business based on seeds and vegetative genetics and efficient distribution platforms. According to the company, Syngenta Flowers is a market leader in mass market plants and has developed innovative solutions for seasoned and hobby gardeners alike. The business has a competitive footprint in both developed and emerging markets, the firm says.

Syngenta will continue to invest in its chemistry for professional products markets such as pest management and golf courses.

No further details of the proposed divestment were provided.
 

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UF/IFAS Scientists Warn of WNV Threat

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — While Florida has never experienced a serious West Nile virus epidemic, UF/IFAS scientists recently cautioned the public to remain vigilant about this mosquito-borne illness.

Meanwhile, UF/IFAS researchers continue to study ways to nip the virus in the bud and monitor its spread. Researchers at the UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach, Fla., track rainfall, groundwater levels, mosquito abundance, wild bird populations and virus transmission to animals including horses and sentinel chickens. Researchers use this data to track the virus’ transmission between mosquitoes and wild birds, noting when mosquito infection rates reach the levels that can infect humans.

West Nile virus, first detected in the United States in New York City in 1999, and in Florida in 2001, has been confirmed hundreds of times nationally, and it can be lethal. For example, 779 cases (with 28 deaths) were reported in California in 2004, most from three Southern California counties. The next summer, 880 cases (with 19 deaths) were reported in counties across the state.

The environmental conditions that favor West Nile virus transmission in Florida include very dry winter and early spring months, followed by heavy rainfall and short periods of drought — usually 10 to 14 days — in the late spring and early to mid-summer months.

Low winter temperatures also help to predict epidemic risk, especially in south Florida, said Jonathan Day, a professor at the UF/IFAS lab in Vero Beach. Years when exceptionally cold periods were reported in south Florida, such as 1977 and 1989, were followed by mosquito-borne virus epidemics.

A mosquito known as Culex nigripalpus Theobald spreads West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus in Florida. Environmental factors — especially rainfall — limit where and how often this mosquito lays its eggs and how often it takes blood from birds. Thus, to date, Florida has reported only small outbreaks of West Nile, according to a new paper by UF/IFAS scientists.

“However, historical epidemics of St. Louis encephalitis in Florida alert us to the eventual possibility of a widespread West Nile epidemic if and when the important environmental factors line up,” said Day, who co-authored the paper with Professor Walter Tabachnick and Associate Professor Chelsea Smartt, fellow UF/IFAS faculty members at the Vero Beach lab. Their paper was published online July 1 in the Journal of Medical Entomology.

Day urges government agencies responsible for arboviral surveillance in Florida — including mosquito control districts, local and state public health units and Florida universities — to aggressively monitor the state for mosquito-borne viruses.

Surveillance efforts include monitoring sentinel chickens, mosquito abundance and age, wild bird abundance and reproductive success as well as environmental factors — especially temperature and rainfall — that influence mosquito and wild bird ecology, Day said.
 

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Georgia Pest Control Association Elects Officers, Board Members

NORCROSS, Ga. — The Georgia Pest Control Association (GPCA) recently welcomed a new slate of executive officers for 2015-16. The officers were sworn in during the 2015 GPCA Summer Conference in Orlando, Fla.

The new officers include President Shay Runion of Arrow Exterminators, Atlanta; Vice President Randy Martin of Home Tec Exterminating in Alpharetta; Secretary/Treasurer Roger Lemaster of Cook’s Pest Control in Rome; and Chairman of the Board Jeff Dunn of Northwest Exterminating in Marietta.

“It is with great pride that I accepted this position to serve as a part of the leading state pest control association in the country,” said Runion. “Our plan in the 2015-16 year is to continue to build on the season of success we experienced in the 2014-15 year and with our members help we can accomplish this. We will remain laser focused on promoting this industry in a positive way.”

Runion is just the second woman to serve as president of the GPCA in the 65 year history of the association.

Hundreds of PMPs from Georgia and surrounding states attended the conference in Orlando. The officers will serve a one-year term ending July 2016. Each of the executive officers has served previous terms on the board of directors and has been active in board committees.

 

WinField Names New Leadership

SHOREVIEW, Minn. — WinField Professional Products Group (PPG) announced its new leadership team with the promotion of John Smith to marketing director and Scott Gault to national sales director.

“Investing in our talent is something we’ve always believed in, and these individuals personify the kind of dedication, expertise and integrity our customers deserve,” said Mitch Eviston, senior vice president of marketing. “We’re extremely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in our industry thus far, but our sights are set on the future; and we’re excited to begin the next chapter.”

WinField also announced the promotion of Aaron Johnsen to director of regional sales and proprietary products.

WinField is a distributor for the golf, lawn care, ornamental and pest control industries. Learn more at www.winfield.com.
 

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CDC: Lyme Disease On the Move in 17 States

ATLANTA — The geographic areas where Lyme disease is a bigger danger have grown dramatically, according to a new government study published in July. U.S. cases remain concentrated in the Northeast and upper Midwest. But now more areas in those regions are considered high risk.

There are now 260 counties where the risk of catching Lyme disease is at least twice the national average, up from 130 a decade earlier, the report shows.

The CDC says 14 states accounted for 95 percent of all confirmed cases in the U.S. in 2013.