[News]

PCO Robert Dold
elected to Congress

CHICAGO — Republican Robert Dold — president of Rose Pest Solutions, Northfield, Ill. —edged Democrat Dan Seals in the 10th Congressional race.

Shortly before midnight on Nov. 2, Dold told supporters, "This is a great night for us, but a bad night for the big spenders in Washington, D.C. By letting your voices be heard, I‘ll be able to represent you and move our country forward."

The National Pest Management Association has been very supportive of the Dold campaign, holding fundraisers and asking its members to back the campaign. Gene Harrington, manager of government affairs, NPMA, said he was not surprised by the outcome. "When Bob first told us that he was running for Congress we were very confident that he would win and wanted to do everything we could to help, including measuring for the drapes in his Congressional office." Harrington added that Dold’s election is rewarding not only for NPMA but for the hundreds of PMPs across the country that contributed or other-wise supported his campaign.

"The fact he will be serving in Congress gives PMPs and other industries dominated by small businesses the comfort of knowing that at least one member of Congress understands and can relate to the challenges faced by small business and know full well what a difficult climate it is today," he said.

Dold previously worked in the White House under President George H.W. Bush and served as an investigative counsel for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee before returning to Illinois to work at the family business (see "Bob Dold Running for Congress," PCT magazine, October 2009, page 158).
 

*****

 

 

Rentokil’s Keown Wins 2010 Women of Excellence Award

FAIRFAX, Va. — The National Pest Management Association announced Karie Keown, director of strategic accounts operations for Rentokil North American Pest Control, the winner of the 2010 Women of Excellence Award, presented by Orkin. NPMA recognized Keown and her accomplishments at PestWorld 2010, in Hawaii in October.

"We are delighted Karie has been selected for this honor. She has been a formidable leader within the industry and a true inspiration, trainer and mentor for other professionals," said Rob Lederer, NPMA’s executive vice president. "NPMA is proud to join with Orkin through the Women of Excellence Award to celebrate the contributions of women to the pest management profession."

The selection process for the award was competitive, with nominations for the international honor open to women across the profession.

Keown joined the industry in 2003 when she went to work for her father, Jerry, starting as a sales and service representative for Presto-X in the Chicago area; one year later she moved into the home office in Omaha, Neb. In 2005, she was promoted to general manager, responsible for the company’s daily operations. During her tenure, Presto-X grew by 9 to 12 percent each year. She also developed the company’s heralded leadership development program. In 2009, Keown was promoted to director of sales training and development, leading this area for Rentokil’s 2,000 North American colleagues at Watch All, Ehrlich, Presto-X and Rentokil Pest Control. She was appointed to her current position in 2010. Keown serves on the NPMA board of directors, and she was recognized as NPMA’s Committee Chair of the Year in 2009 for her service on the Business Development Committee.

"Orkin is proud to support this award for the second consecutive year as a way to pay tribute to the extraordinary accomplishments of women in the pest management industry," said John Wilson, president, Orkin USA. "We are pleased that Karie Keown has been selected as this year’s honoree. She is an excellent representation of the professionalism that exists within the field — and of someone who actively supports the development of our next generation of leaders."

*****

NYC releases report from
Bed Bug Advisory Board

New York — New York City’s Bed Bug Advisory Board recently released a report that provides insights into the city’s bed bug problems. New York City announced the release of the report from its Bed Bug Advisory Board, which was appointed in June 2009. Three prominent entomologists — Gil Bloom of Standard Pest Management, Rick Cooper of Cooper Pest Solutions and Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, Ph.D., of Cornell University IPM — were part of the five-person board.

The 39-page report outlines key steps to be taken to combat bed bugs in a complex urban environment. To see a copy of the report, visit www.pctonline.com/FileUploads/file/BedBugAdvisoryBoardFINAL.pdf.

*****

Pestweb introduces
new free iPhone app

AUSTIN, Texas — Univar has introduced a new PestWeb iPhone app.

After a free download from the AppStore, PMPs will have the power of PestWeb in the palm of their hands, allowing them to get product information and updates from Univar, seek advice from "Ask Mr. Pest Control," and stay current on industry news and alerts. The App also allows PMPs to view product training videos, take Master Technician courses, identify pests and weeds, read and post classifieds and find their closest Univar Pro Center. To learn more visit www.pestweb.com/iphone/.

*****

NPMA launches
new website

FAIRFAX, Va. — The National Pest Management Association has redesigned its website, www.npmapestworld.org, to the industry.

"While our website has a new look, the real change is in its approach," said NPMA Executive Vice President Rob Lederer. "We’ve enhanced the architecture of the site, allowing for a clearer structure, simplified navigation and improved search functions — making finding information easier than before."

The new site offers several new features, including PestPedia, an extensive database of news articles, fact sheets, Library Updates, and other resources to help pest management professionals identify and learn about a particular pest. There’s also an enhanced Find-a-Pro form that allows NPMA members to update their online listings for potential customers. Archived recordings of the popular "NPMA on Demand" webinar series are available, as is information on legislative and regulatory issues impacting the industry.

*****

Comings & Goings

If your company has added new personnel, send a photo and press release to
jdorsch@giemedia.com.

Karen Boniface, senior sales specialist, BASF, recently was awarded the company’s 2009 Top Sales Award.

Amy Gabrielian O’Shea was recently named director, FMC Professional Solutions. O’Shea is a 14-year FMC veteran and former general manager for the company’s Agricultural Products Group in Mexico. Accordingly, Carlos Jurado was named the new general manager for FMC APG in Mexico.

In other news at the firm, Steven Mora was recently named territory business manager of the Northeast region for FMC. Mora will handle sales of products to pest management companies from Virginia through Maine on the eastern seaboard.

Dr. Hao Yu, technical director of Guardian Pest Solutions, Duluth, Minn., has become a Board Certified Entomologist. In addition to the board certification, Yu holds a Ph.D. in entomology. Yu began his career at Guardian Pest Solutions in March 2009.

The company also hired William R. Reed II as account executive in Wisconsin. Reed brings with him more than 10 years experience in pest control sales and holds a pesticide applicators license.

Univar Professional Products & Services hired Sean McDonough as sales manager for the Southeast District, based out of Tampa, Fla. Prior to this new position, McDonough worked for Univar’s Industrial Chemicals division as a sales representative in Pittsburgh.

*****

BedBug Central featured on five major media news broadcast stations

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — BedBug Central’s experts have been featured on all five major broadcast news stations including NPR, CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX, in addition to a multitude of specialty media outlets.

Throughout the process of helping media outlets provide the public with accurate information, BedBug Central and its website, www.bedbugcentral.com, have promoted the need for increased public awareness and education about bed bugs in addition to the importance of using skilled pest management firms to treat for bed bugs.

BedBug Central has also made it a priority to provide the public and members of the media with resources for self-education, prevention and treatment.

In addition to public awareness, BedBug Central was also covered by CBS 3 in Philadelphia for its BedBug University: Boot Camp and how pest management firms from across the nation and Canada are attending this four-day workshop for hands-on education concerning the most effective treatment strategies and business models for bed bugs.

*****

Residex to Host Bed Bug Seminar in December

MT. LAUREL, N.J. — Residex is hosting a bed bug seminar on Dec. 13 at the Marriott Hotel (915 Route 73) in Mt. Laurel, N.J. Cost is $95 per person with a $10 discount for two or more attendees. To register, e-mail cchervenyak@residex.com or call 800/526-4222. CEU credits are available for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

The seminar runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and sessions include:

• Creating a Complete Bed Bug Program
• How Do I Sell a $400-Per-Room Job?
• Basics in Inspection
• Bed Bug Product Introductions (Manufacturer Representatives Showcase)
• Guide to Successful Bed Bug Treatments
• Ancillary Products & Services
• Multi-Occupant Dwellings Forum
• Opportunities in Bed Bug Control

*****

Bed Bug Symposia to address public health concerns

LANHAM, Md. — Entomology 2010, the 58th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, will feature a full day of bed bug presentations by the nation’s leading bed bug experts. The meeting will take place in San Diego, Calif., Dec. 12-15. The bed bug presentations are scheduled for Dec. 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase "Monograph of Cimicidae," which was recently reprinted by ESA.

*****

Critter Control unveils new mobile website

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Critter Control has unveiled a mobile website designed to be simple, clean and fast loading on mobile devices. The home page prominently displays the 800/CRITTER number in three places so viewers can easily contact their local Critter Control office by either dialing the number, or simply scrolling over the number and clicking, which then dials automatically.

General information regarding services can be accessed via links at the bottom of the mobile website, or the viewer can link through to the full corporate website. A link to Critter Control on Facebook and YouTube is also provided.

To see the new Critter Control mobile website from your web-enabled mobile phone, type in http://m.crittercontrol.com.

*****

DATE BOOK
Send your announcement at least 14 weeks in advance to jdorsch@giemedia.com. For additional dates, visit www.pctonline.com/events.

Dec. 8: Insects Limited Fumigation Continuing Education Training, Westfield, Ind. Contact: 800/992-1991.

Dec. 12-16: ESA Annual Meeting, Town and Country Hotel & Convention Center, San Diego, Calif. Contact: www.entsoc.org or 301/731-4535.

Dec. 13: Residex Bed Bug Seminar, Mt. Laurel, N.J. Contact: cchervenyak@residex.com or 800/526-4222.

Jan. 10-14: 75th anniversary of the Purdue University Pest Management Conference, West Lafayette, Ind. Contact: 800/359-2968 or http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/urban/urban_info/pestcontrol.html.

Jan. 26-28: National Pest Management Association’s Eastern Conference, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Atlantic City, N.J. Contact: NPMA, 703/352-6762 or visit www.npmapestworld.org.

*****

EPA launches online discussion forum for pesticide labeling

WASHINGTON — EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs has unveiled Enable the Label, an online discussion forum established to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas related to the labeling of pesticides. Initially, it will be used to facilitate a monthly discussion focusing on one or two chapters of the Label Review Manual. Each month several questions will be posed for discussion and participants are welcome to post their thoughts and ideas on the topics and provide feedback on any other subject covered in that month’s chapter. The goal is to improve the clarity and usefulness of the manual for its users — primarily people who draft, review, or enforce labels in the field. Pesticide manufacturers and their representatives, state pesticide regulators, and pesticide users are expected to be interested in participating in EPA’s new Enable the Label online discussion forum.

The inaugural Enable the Label discussion solicited ideas related to Chapters 1 and 2 of the Manual. Discussion threads covering these chapters will be open for comment and discussion for 30 days. Subsequently, participants will move through the manual by individual chapter or small groups of chapters, each open for comment for 30 days. OPP will review comments received and incorporate useful ones into future revisions of the Label Review Manual. For this discussion focusing on the Label Review Manual, the Agency is not asking for general discussions on pesticide policy issues.

Enable the Label will provide informal comment opportunities to everyone interested in improving the Label Review Manual, and encourage creative solutions to complex pesticide label challenges in an open and transparent environment. Comments can be submitted at http://blog.epa.gov/enablethelabel/.

*****

PCO News

Action Termite and Pest Control, Toms River, N.J., has added a fourth bed bug detection dog to its bed bug control team. Duke, a male black Labrador mixed with American boxer, was rescued from a Florida Animal Shelter and was trained by Master Trainer Bill Whitstine of the Florida Canine Academy. Duke joins the company’s other bed bug dogs, Sara, Rex and Cassie, who have been called into action in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Bug Doctor Termite and Pest Control, Paramus, N.J., has formed a new Bedbug Doctor division specializing in bed bugs. The company, which serves customers in New York and New Jersey, also runs Bird Doctor Nationwide, Mosquito Doctor and Animal Doctor divisions.

Arrow Exterminators, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., recently held the company’s annual Premier Club weekend to recognize its top performing sales professionals. Award recipients and their guests were treated to a three-night stay in downtown Chicago.

Advanced Services for Pest Control, Augusta, Ga., hosted the 2nd Annual Bald for a Cause on Sept. 10, raising nearly $10,000 in one afternoon in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The company hosted the event by providing pizza, an ice cream sundae bar and other refreshments.

Pestmaster Services of the Hudson Valley, in Kingston, N.Y., is now treating bed bugs with the company’s Eco-Freeze system of freezing bed bugs and their eggs. When combined with one of the company’s certified bed bug detection canine teams, the success rate for complete control in one service dramatically increases, the company reports.

NaturZone Pest Control, Sarasota, Fla., has been awarded the 2010 Best of Sarasota Award in the Insecticides & Pesticides category by the U.S. Commerce Association. The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country.

*****

Orkin hosts conference for Middle Eastern franchise owners

ATLANTA — Orkin recently hosted a conference for its Middle Eastern franchise owners to provide sales and marketing updates as well as training and business development best practices. Franchise owners from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Cyprus, Turkey and Saudi Arabia attended the meeting in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

"I was very pleased to assemble this group to discuss common issues and ways Orkin can continue to grow its services in the region," said Tom Luczynski, Orkin vice president of international development and franchising.

During the conference, Abdel Naser Rahhal, franchise owner of Orkin United Arab Emirates, was named the 2010 Orkin International Franchisee of the Year. His franchise, which employs 125 professionals, includes a call center, a technical laboratory and a training center where employees can continue their education on the latest pest management techniques.

The three-day international conference gave Orkin franchise owners the opportunity to present sales and service information from their individual franchises.