[News]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On Aug. 9, Terminix announced it had acquired the assets of Chino Hills, Calif.-based Antimite Termite and Pest Control and its Arizona affiliate, SOS Exterminating.

Founded in 1941, Antimite operates 12 branch locations across California and Arizona, reaching more than 37,000 customers and producing $30 million in annual revenue. Antimite and SOS Exterminating will continue to operate as stand-alone entities and provide termite and pest control services under their current names to their existing customers.

"Antimite has a rich tradition of providing superior service to their customers for almost 70 years. Their strong focus on the customer experience is a perfect fit for our organization, and we are proud to add them to the Terminix family," said Tom Brackett, Terminix president and chief operating officer.

The move offers the potential for continued growth in the southwestern U.S. for the nation’s largest provider of termite and pest control. In addition, the acquisition improves the company’s customer delivery models in major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.

"The transition will be seamless to customers. They’ll still receive the same level of service and dedication from the staff they know and trust. Antimite and SOS Exterminating have built strong reputations through the years on the hard work of their associates, and we are committed to providing those associates with the resources they need to offer an unmatched level of customer service in the future," said Brackett.

In order to help maintain consistency and continue the momentum the company has built, Antimite Chief Operating Officer Rick Swope will remain in his current position and report directly to Brackett.

"By aligning our region’s most trusted family-owned and -operated termite service company with the nation’s premier provider of termite and pest control solutions, our customers are entering an unparalleled era of service," said Lee Blevins, Antimite’s former president and owner. "We have a tradition to uphold at Antimite, and we were very careful to select a company that would enhance our service offerings and maintain our tradition. We’ve found that industry partner in Terminix."

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Dr. William Jackson, industry leader and rodent expert, passes away at age 83

CHICAGO — Dr. William B. Jackson, a world-renowned bird and rodent expert and faculty member at Bowling Green State University for more than 25 years, has died. Jackson passed away on July 15 at age 83.

Jackson is remembered as a mentor to many people — at home and abroad — including Bobby Corrigan, PCT editorial contributor and president of RMC Pest Management Consulting. "Dr. Jackson’s body of work in the field of rodent pest management moved the science forward and emphasized the need for environmental management serving as the cornerstone of sustainable urban rodent management efforts," Corrigan said. "Many cities around the world are healthier places to live as a result of the work of Dr. William Jackson."

Jackson is perhaps best known for his work in the identification of warfarin-resistance in rodents and his extensive study of the effects of this substance, as well as the evolution of counter measures designed to eliminate that resistance.

A native of Milwaukee, Wis., Jackson earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin, and his doctorate in vertebrate ecology from the School of Hygiene and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he was involved in groundbreaking research on the ecology of urban rats. Jackson spent several years as a commissioned officer in the public health service, followed by two years in Micronesia with his wife Shirley, studying rodent populations for the Pacific Science Board/National Research Council. Jackson later visited and worked on all continents except Antarctica, as well as many islands, notably Bikini and Enewetak Atolls, where he studied the effects of nuclear testing on rat and bird populations.

Upon returning from Micronesia in 1957, Jackson found his home base at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He served in many roles at BGSU including as professor of zoology, assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and director of the Environmental Studies Center, which he established. He trained more than 100 graduate students in basic and applied ecology, with many conducting their research at the National Wildlife Center in Colorado.

Jackson retired from BGSU in 1985 but remained active at the university and within the pest control industry, serving as executive director of Pi Chi Omega, the national pest control fraternity, from 1980 to 2000. Jackson was succeeded in 2000 by Vern Toblan, current executive director of Pi Chi Omega. "Bill was a good friend and mentor and certainly instrumental in recruiting me to be his successor," said Toblan.

Jackson is survived by wife Shirley, his children Beth, Mark and Craig and their spouses, and his grandchildren Kathleen and Elizabeth. A memorial reception took place in August. Condolences can be shared at www.wbj.last-memories.com. Donations in Jackson’s memory can be made to the Pi Chi Omega Scholarship Fund. For more information contact Vern Toblan at verntoblan@verizon.net.

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Phil Cooper appears on Eagles tickets and yearbook

BUCKS COUNTY, PA. — Phil Cooper, president of Cooper Pest Solutions and BedBug Central, has been selected by the Philadelphia Eagles NFL franchise to appear on the team’s season tickets and on the cover of the franchise’s 2010-11 team yearbook.

A longtime fan and Eagles supporter, Cooper received confirmation in May that a photograph of him decked out in Eagles regalia and war paint would appear on the Sept. 2 pre-season tickets for a game against the New York Jets. And in July, Eagles Chief Marketing Officer Tim McDermott announced that Cooper’s picture would appear on the cover of the franchise’s annual yearbook. McDermott applauded Cooper for his long time loyalty to the team.

"Fans like Phil Cooper are the reason we made the 2010 season the year of the fans," said McDermott. "One look at his face on game day and you can see the passion that he brings to stadium and the loyalty that makes the Eagles franchise so special."

Cooper will also be invited on the Lincoln Financial Field on the Sept. 2 game day to lead the Eagles pep band in the singing of the team anthem "Fly Eagle Fly," in addition to participating in season-long media initiatives.

"This is an amazing honor, I am as passionate about the Eagles as I am passionate about killing bugs," said Cooper. "When you bring a level of passion and excitement to anything you do, people take notice and it feels great to be recognized for it."

This isn’t the first time Cooper’s passion for the Eagles has drawn attention. In 2009 Cooper Pest Solutions was featured on the local CBS affiliate for the intense inter-office rivalry between the Eagles and Giants fans that work at the company.

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USDA-ARS, Audubon Institute to host third Formosan conference

FAIRFAX, VA. — New Orleans is once again the site for an international symposium on Coptotermes formosanus. The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service-Southern Regional Research Center and the Audubon Nature Institute are hosting the 3rd International Symposium on Coptotermes formosanus May 15-18, 2011, at the JW Marriott Hotel on Canal Street in New Orleans. The symposium will highlight recent progress made in termite research, control, management and education programs. Session topics, headed by experts from around the world, will cover distribution, management, colony dynamics, behavior, biology and genomics.

The symposium also will include a reception at the Audubon Nature Institute’s Insectarium and a pre-symposium tour of New Orleans’ rebuilding and recovery after Hurricane Katrina.

For more information and to register, visit www.formosansymposium.com. Titles will be accepted for inclusion in the program in either presentation or poster format. Presentations/posters on other subterranean termites are also welcomed. Deadline for submission of titles and abstracts is Jan. 21, 2011.

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FMC Offers Product Label Notification Service

PHILADELPHIA — A new service from FMC Professional Solutions provides product users with rapid notification of label changes and updates.

After registering for the service on the FMC website, users will receive an e-mail alert each time an FMC product label is modified. Messages will include a summary of the change and a link to the label itself. FMC says the new service saves time for pest and turf professionals and eases the burden of locating the information.

"With all the things turf and pest professionals have to worry about — employees, customers, equipment, weather, local issues and more — we know they don’t have much time," said Rick Lewis, FMC sales support manager. "This service is part of our continued commitment to bring excellent value to our customers."

To sign up for the service, visit www.fmcprosolutions.com/Home/LabelsMSDS.aspx.

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Univar’s Karl Kisner elected to OSU Alumni Association Board of Directors

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Karl J. Kisner, director of marketing at Univar USA in Austin, Texas, has been elected to The Ohio State University Alumni Association board of directors.

Kisner, who graduated from the university in 1990 with a degree in agronomy specializing in turfgrass management, was elected by the board in May following a rigorous review process. A five-member nominating committee recommended Kisner and four others for consideration after reviewing a large base of candidates from around the country. Board members serve five-year terms.

"I want to be able to pay forward and assist my alma mater," Kisner said. "I have intense pride and appreciation for Ohio State and this gives me a chance to help apply my skills to work with the Alumni Association. I recognize that I am where I am today because of my time at Ohio State and so in appreciation I wish to continue to serve the needs and interests of the university however I can."

Kisner has never forgotten his Buckeye roots. He maintains membership in several alumni organizations, including the Austin and Army ROTC clubs. He also is a devoted OSU Buckeye football fan, attending every home game but one with his father at the famed "Horseshoe" since 1994. Kisner also has attended every bowl game since 1993, including the BCS National Championship in 2002. His many professional accolades include being recognized as a Rising Star by The Ohio State University Alumni Association in 1994.

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PPMA creates ‘Pest Quest’ children’s show

FAIRFAX, VA. — The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) has created a new children’s show that teaches kids about the fascinating world of insects, rodents and small wildlife. The entertaining and educational show, "Pest Quest," is available on NPMA’s websites, PestWorld.org and PestWorldForKids.org.

"Pest Quest" is hosted by a group of energetic pre-teens in a fun, colorful science lab full of gadgets and bubbling beakers. Each episode explores a variety of different topics, from wolf spiders, velvet ants and beetles to opossums, pigeons and bats. Other fun features include "Pest Commander Pete’s Head Scratchers" and "Itsy-Bitsy Mystery" quizzes, which engage viewers and test their pest knowledge. In addition to sharing fun facts, the show aims to educate viewers about the risks posed by certain creatures when they enter homes and properties and become pests.

Twenty-four episodes have been produced for the first season of "Pest Quest," focusing on species found within the United States. New episodes will be posted to the Pest Quest Channel twice a month. "Children are fascinated by bugs and anything ‘creepy crawly’," says Missy Henriksen, executive director of PPMA. "We wanted to foster and encourage that interest by creating a web-based program that allowed us to share our industry’s wealth of pest knowledge with such a captive audience, evoking their inner-entomologist and scientist."

PPMA has a variety of programs designed for use in the classroom and on the home computer for children in grades K-8. Lesson plans, science projects, report writing programs, interactive games and other fun facts are available at PestWorldForKids.org. The Pest Quest Channel is the next installment in NPMA’s commitment to science education.

"The Guardians and Contributors of PPMA are instrumental in strengthening our industry. With their support, we have been able to gauge and react to consumer attitudes toward professional pest control and develop unique marketing programs aimed at growing the industry, including early science education initiatives that reach future generations of pest control users and their parents," said Henriksen. "The Pest Quest children’s show would not have been possible without their steadfast commitment year over year."

PPMA Guardians and Contributors will receive a specially designed Pest Quest Channel icon for use on their company websites, allowing them to directly link to the children’s web show. It’s also available for download on PPMATools.org, the Internet hub for PPMA investors. These investor extras are part of the PPMA Perks Program, which provides investors with incentives and unique marketing tools to use in their own businesses. For more information about "Pest Quest" or to learn about becoming involved in PPMA, visit www.npmapestworld.org/PPMA.

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Residex distributes
Master Fume in Florida

ROSELLE, N.J. — Residex has become a distributor for Drexel Chemical’s Master Fume product line in the state of Florida. Master Fume is a new post-patent sulfuryl fluoride and it is currently registered for structural fumigations in the state of Florida.

"I spent almost 40 years in the fumigation business in the state of Florida. I am excited to introduce this product and Drexel’s stewardship program to the marketplace," said Pete Elbert, Residex Fumigation Business and Florida sales manager. "It is an exciting new option for Florida fumigators and no contract is necessary." Master Fume has developed a full-service stewardship program including training on a Windows-based custom calculator. Training on Master Fume has been conducted throughout the state and future dates will be announced.

Master Fume is available for purchase at Residex’s Tampa, Jacksonville and Riviera Beach locations.

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Coalition addresses Connecticut bed bug issues

NEW HAVEN, CONN. — The Connecticut Coalition Against Bed Bugs (CCABB) was founded last year under the leadership of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station to address bed bug issues in Connecticut. The CCABB is chaired by Dr. Gale E. Ridge and is represented by station entomologists, local health departments, DEP, and the department of public health to address the environmental, health, and legal aspects of the bed bug problem.

According to Ridge, CCABB’s mission is to train and support health professionals, housing professionals and pest management professionals in the state of Connecticut; provide information on pest management practices including Integrated Pest Management; provide and seek funding for public education, support scientific research, and provide legal advice and assistance to the citizens of Connecticut.

CCABB ran three successful bed bug forums in the past year reaching out to health departments, pest control professionals, charities, the hospitality industry, housing authorities and landlord tenant entities. Currently CCABB is engaged in bed bug control research, production of a health department staff training video and the writing of a bed bug handbook.

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EHS donates vehicle to local animal control officer

NORWOOD, Mass. — Environmental Health Services (EHS) has donated a service van to the Town of Goshen, Mass., to be used for animal control needs.

This Chevrolet G2500 was a vehicle used for the Wildlife Management Division of EHS. John Stellberger, president of EHS and also a Town Selectman in Goshen, said, "We decided to retire this vehicle after five years of use and donating it to assist on animal inspections and animal complaints just made perfect sense. It was already set up for animal control."

The van also will be available to other departments seeking a covered vehicle for transport of items. So, for the first time in several years, the Goshen Animal Control Officer will be hitting the streets soon in an official vehicle equipped for handling animals. Kyle Meservey, who was appointed full-time Animal Control Officer for the town, will be able to do inspections, respond to complaints and transport animals.

"It was a very generous offer," Selectman E.J. Brennan said of the donation. "EHS not only donated the van but also paid the expense of getting it ready and transported here."

They also paid for the windshield replacement and a few minor repairs, as well as the lettering on three sides of the vehicle. In addition to putting "Goshen Animal Control," the town seal, and the town’s Web site on the vehicle, Stellberger had a little fun with the lettering. The side of the van is inscribed with "Please spay and neuter your pets," which is how Bob Barker used to end every episode of the TV game show "The Price is Right" with the phrase. The back of the van asks "Have you hugged your ACO (Animal Control Officer) today?"

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COMINGS & GOINGS

Brian Cook has been promoted to director of business development for Cook’s Pest Control, Decatur, Ala. In addition, Ray Phillips has been appointed Cook’s customer care manager. Further, Cook has been elected to the board of directors of Not Forgotten, a non-profit organization focused on helping Peruvian street boys. Not Forgotten was incorporated in 2007 while Cook was in graduate school, when he developed the organization’s business plan. He has continued to develop marketing materials while serving as vice president of Not Forgotten.

Envincio, Cary, N.C., announced the addition of Mike Tweedy as executive vice president for marketing and account management.

Debra Logue, commercial key accounts manager, BASF, recently was awarded the company’s 2009 Top Sales Award. Also, Travis Chambers is the company‘s new senior sales specialist covering Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri.

Hersh Exterminating Service in Hermitage, Pa., congratulates Norene Stevenson and Richard Yuhoss, who have been employed with the company for 25 years. Yuhoss is a pest control technician and Stevenson is the company’s information technology specialist and bookkeeper.

Al Brown, service and training manager of Cascade Pest Control, Bellevue, Wash., has joined the Education Committee of the Washington State Pest Management Association (WSPMA).

Keith Corino, marketing manager for Massey Services, Orlando, Fla., has been appointed to the Christian Service Center Board of Directors. The center offers several programs designed to address key needs of those struggling in the Central Florida community. In other news at Massey Services, Greg Kopplow and Mike Swanson were promoted to regional manager positions.

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DATE BOOK

Oct. 20-23: PestWorld 2010, Hilton Hawaiian Village & Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii. Contact: NPMA, 703/352-6762 or visit www.npmapestworld.org.

Nov. 15-17: University of Kentucky 40th Annual Pest Control Short Course, Lexington, Ky. Contact: 859/257-5955 or e-mail dthorpe@uky.edu.

Nov. 17-19: NPMA’s Nuisance Bird & Wildlife Management Symposium, Westin Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind. Contact: See Oct. 20.

Dec. 1-3: NPMA’s Lawn Care Summit, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga. Contact: See Oct. 20.

Dec. 12-15: ESA Annual Meeting, Town and Country Hotel & Convention Center, San Diego, Calif. Contact: www.entsoc.org or 301/731-4535.

Jan. 10-14: 75th anniversary of the Purdue University Pest Management Conference, West Lafayette, Ind. Contact: 765/494-4564.

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PCO NEWS

The latest poster campaign for Apex Pest Control was honored with a Silver ADDY Award. The campaign had been created by advertising agency Anson-Stoner, Winter Park, Fla. The agency also received a "Best in Radio" Charlie Award for Apex Pest Control’s radio campaign. The annual ADDY Awards are considered the world’s largest advertising competition.

American Pest Control, Hanna City, Ill.; Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions, Pearl City, Hawaii; and Turner Pest Control, Jacksonville, Fla.; have all been approved for membership in the bedbugFREE network of companies committed to the guidelines of BedBug Central.

In other news at the firm, BedBug Central’s lead research entomologist, Jeffrey White, was featured on New York City’s Fox 5 News Channel’s "Good Day New York" morning show. The New York City news station brought White on air in response to severe bed bug outbreaks that forced the closing of popular clothing stores and several movie theaters.

A All Animal Control has been named a Military Friendly Franchise for 2010 by G.I. Jobs magazine. The company created a benefit program offering a $5,000 credit toward the first office franchise fee to any honorably discharged veteran meeting the requirements of A All Animal Control. The program was created to offer business opportunities to military personnel transitioning to civilian life or seeking a career change.

The corporate team members of Massey Services, Orlando, Fla., raised more than $3,200 for Junior Achievement (JA) in April from team member-organized "Jeans Days" and a Bowl-A-Thon event. More than 70 Massey Services’ team members participated in the Bowl-A-Thon, held at the Aloma Bowling Center in Winter Park, Fla. All funds raised through the Bowl-A-Thon contributed to various student programs in Central Florida.

Integrity Termite and Pest Control opened a new office in Mesa, Ariz. The 4,000-square-foot facility houses the office staff on the first floor along with a large storage bay. The company’s service technicians occupy the second floor.

First Rate Solutions, a family-owned pest management company servicing the New York metropolitan area, has contracted bed bug expert and board certified entomologist Lou Sorkin to provide ongoing staff training. Sorkin is the founder of Entsult Associates, an entomology consulting company.