[News]

Fredericks, Mitchell Join NPMA’s

Technical Services Department

FAIRFAX, VA. — The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recently announced the appointment of Jim Fredericks as technical services director and Stuart Mitchell, Ph.D. as technical director of the 7,000-member organization.

Fredericks brings more than 11 years of experience as technical director for Home Paramount Pest Control, where he was responsible for product selection, treatment protocol development, and service quality assurance technical training. He is a board certified entomologist and registered sanitarian/environmental health specialist. Currently pursuing a doctorate in entomology and applied ecology from the University of Delaware, Fredericks expects to complete his degree in May 2011.

With more than 30 years of pest management experience, Stuart "Doc" Mitchell is an observing physician and a certified medical investigator. In addition, he is board certified in urban, industrial, medical, and veterinary entomology. During his career Mitchell has served as a technician, salesperson, technical specialist, technical director, consultant, expert-witness, author, lecturer, and speaker.

"Jim and Stuart bring a wealth of technical expertise to NPMA’s membership," said NPMA Executive Vice President Rob Lederer. "Their combined skills, determination, and can-do attitude are exactly what our industry needs. NPMA is very fortunate to have these individuals, with their personal and professional qualities, on board." The NPMA was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to proteting the public’s health, food and property. To learn more, visit www.pestworld.org.

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Bayer Environmental Science North America Names New Leadership

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Bayer Advanced consumer and Bayer Environmental Science professional divisions are forming a functional organization that continues to serve its distinct business channels with one focused leadership team for the North American business. Dr. Jacqueline Applegate was named head of Bayer Environmental Science North America, a division of Bayer CropScience LP.

"The new organization allows us to keep the focus even more on end-user needs to meet market dynamics, leverage the resources and knowledge within our organization and maximize innovation," Applegate said. Most recently Applegate served as head of Bayer Advanced, the consumer branded business for home and garden products. Josh Weeks, who led the North American Professional business, retired at the end of November.

"We would like to thank Josh for his dedication to the organization and his significant contribution to the industry over his 37-year career," Applegate said.

"As the new leader of Bayer Environmental Science North America, I look forward to sharing my passion for growing and improving our business," said Applegate. "During my three years as head of Bayer Advanced, the business grew because of the commitment of our people and an increased focus on understanding our customers, markets and need for solutions."

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National Speakers Headline Virginia Annual Meeting

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Virginia pest management professionals converged on Richmond, Va., earlier this year for the 5th Annual Virginia Pest Management Association (VPMA) State Technical Meeting. The meeting is structured to provide a full day of business management training, followed by a full day of technical training by nationally renowned speakers. Conference attendees also had several opportunities to visit the 26 tabletop exhibits on display throughout the two-day conference. This year’s attendance was up by 25 percent, the association said.

During the association’s annual meeting and Pest Fest event, held after the first day of training, the association presented its 13th annual VPMA Industry Lifetime Stewardship Award to Ron Chaney, VPMA past president and longtime board member. In addition, VPMA awarded scholarships to four students doing research at the Dodson Urban Pest Management Lab at Virginia Tech, under Dr. Dini Miller. The association raised more than $5,500 for the VPMA Scholarship Fund to support ongoing research of graduate students at Virginia Tech.

The hallmark of the state technical meeting is the second day’s technical training. With speakers from around the country, VPMA provided the nearly 200 people in attendance with a unique opportunity to learn from some of the nation’s leading entomologists, including Dr. Phil Koehler of the University of Florida; Dr. Rick Vetter of the University of California, Riverside; Dr. Dini Miller of Virginia Tech; and Dr. Eric Benson of Clemson University.

"VPMA can provide this caliber of speakers as a result of the heavy sponsorship provided by supplier members of the association," said Jeff Johnson, education committee chair and VPMA president.

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BASF Announces 2011
Skill Development Series

St. Louis — Board-Certified Entomologist Jeff Tucker is teaming up with BASF’s market development specialists from around the country to share information designed to help PMPs solve some of their toughest problems and improve their business.

The 2011 seminar series, "Delivering High Value to Your Customers Through SmartSolutions," kicks off in January and consists of a full day of training. Technical sessions will focus on solutions for specific pests including termites, ants, cockroaches and flies. Information for growing business opportunities, such as value-added selling and servicing, also will be incorporated.

"Each year during our SDS series, we take a survey from attendees to find ways to improve the series for the next year," said Brian Mann, education and marketing development manager. "Last year’s survey revealed strong interest in more technical topics and ways to improve business."

Seminars run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be served and CEUs will be provided where approved. The seminars are free of charge, but space is limited. Attendees must register in advance at www.pestcontrol.basf.us or by calling 908/864-5800, ext. 2177.

Dates and locations include:

• January 19: Columbia, S.C.
• February 1: Davie, Fla.
• February 2: Tampa, Fla.
• February 3: Jacksonville, Fla.
• February 8: Nashville, Tenn.
• February 9: N. Birmingham, Ala.
• February 10: Atlanta, Ga.
• February 16: Raleigh, N.C.
• February 22: Overland Park, Kan.
• March 1: Linthicum, Md.
• March 2: Piscataway, N.J.
• March 3: East Elmhurst, N.Y.
• March 8: Fishers, Ind.
• March 9: Rosemont, Ill.
• March 16: Tempe, Ariz.
• March 17: Anaheim, Calif.
• March 29: San Antonio, Texas
• March 31: Irving, Texas
• April 7: Pleasanton, Calif.

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Veteran PCO Robert Dixon Passes Away

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Robert Dixon, founder of Dixon’s Termite & Pest Management and an industry veteran of 40-plus years, died on Sept. 24. He was 65.

Like many in the pest management industry, Dixon got started by answering a help-wanted ad in the paper. The year was 1963 and he was looking for a job when he saw an ad for the American Disinfectant Company. He landed an entry level service technician position and instantly fell in love with pest control.

Dixon eventually left American Disinfectant and in 1978 founded Dixon’s Termite & Pest Management. The company would become a family affair with the addition of wife Ann and son Anthony, who serves as vice president.

In addition to running his business, Dixon was active in the community and well-known by Washington, D.C. politicians and business leaders.

"Mr. Dixon was a champion for pest management in Washington D.C., and for equality for everyone," said friend and colleague Cleveland Dixon, president of Holiday Termite & Pest Control, Springfield, Va.

Dixon was a 2009 PCT/Syngenta Professional Products Crown Leadership honoree. Gene Harrington, director of government affairs for the National Pest Management Association, was interviewed for the Leadership article and he noted that Dixon took the lead on almost any notable pest management-related issue that occurred in Washington during the last 40 years. "To that end, Robert helped develop the initial D.C. pest control law and subsequent regulations in the 1970s," he said. "More recently, he lobbied the D.C. Council in 2008 to make sure a notification bill council members were working on was more workable for the pest management industry."

Robert Dixon is survived by wife Ann and sons Byron and Anthony.

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Industry Mourns Loss of
Entomologist Jeff Seabrook

FORT DAVIS, TEXAS – Jeff Seabrook, a former ICI Americas/Zeneca Professional Products sales representative and retired president of Seabrook Entomological Services, Argyle, Texas, succumbed to cancer on November 10. He was 59.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Entomology, Seabrook was well-known throughout the pest control industry, particularly in the Southwest where he worked as a sales representative for ICI Americas/Zeneca Professional Products (now Syngenta) for many years. Following his career in product sales, Seabrook opened his own pest control business — Seabrook Entomological Services — in 2005, before recently retiring to the mountains of West Texas with wife, Diane. He was a board certified entomologist.

Tim Gafford, owner of Gafford Pest Control, Lubbock, Texas, was a longtime friend and co-worker. "Jeff was the best man at my wedding in New Orleans in 1984. When I moved back to Texas to take over the family pest control business in 1994, Jeff was without a doubt the best friend a man could have. Jeff helped me when I was really down and needed a friend. I believe to this day I would not be where I am without his support during those days."

"Jeff was one of the great personalities produced by the pest control industry in Texas," added Mike Merchant, who writes the industry blog, Insects in the City. "He always had a story or a gadget for every occasion. Jeff was a great colleague and he will be missed by all his friends."

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NPMA Announces
National Bed Bug Forum

Fairfax, Va. — The National Pest Management Association will host the National Bed Bug Forum Jan. 5-7, 2011, in Denver, Colo. The forum is designed to provide PMPs with the information they need from legal, technical, business, and customer-oriented perspectives. According to NPMA, the conference moves beyond bed bug basics and focuses on management solutions.

"While some professionals are playing the guessing game when it comes to bed bugs, there are many who have successfully navigated the challenges presented," said NPMA Executive Vice President Rob Lederer. "When it comes to managing your bed bug business, it’s too important to guess at answers when solutions are available."

Also offered at this event is the new House of Learning, a display that provides real-life demonstrations of new technologies designed to defeat bed bug pressures in challenging environments. Demonstrations will include heat, steam, cold, treatment ergonomics and methods, monitoring practices, UVA inspection, and canine inspection, the association said.

The forum will be held at the Omni Interlocken Resort in Denver. For more information, visit www.npmapestworld.org.

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COMINGS & GOINGS

Donald C. Gibis of Guardian Pest Solutions, Duluth, Minn., has been promoted to district supervisor/Minneapolis district for Guardian. Gibis began his career at the company in 2006 as a service specialist.

Roger Graham, general manager, Arrow Exterminators, Broken Arrow, Okla., recently became an associate certified entomologist (A.C.E). Graham has been employed in the pest control industry for 18 years and has experience with both termite and general pest control work. He is a certified applicator in three categories and has specialized training in structural pest and chemical composition.

Heron Lawn and Pest Control based in Apopka, Fla., has presented its 2010 Heron Awards. Coy Windt received the Heron Award for his dedication and leadership, Greg Wells received the Sales Award, and DJ Stephens of the Orlando Branch received the Service Award. Rachelle Scott was recognized for her contributions to the company’s Admin Team.

Todd Wilhelm has been promoted to fumigation manager of Fumigation Service & Supply’s Indianapolis office. Wilhelm, an 11-year veteran of Fumigation Service & Supply, will train, plan, and implement commercial fumigations for stored product protection.

Samantha Rohan has joined Bell Laboratories as marketing coordinator, providing marketing and sales support for Bell’s rodent control products in the U.S. and international markets. Prior to joining Bell, Rohan worked for the Eau Claire Press Company.

Capital Risk Underwriters, Orlando-based pest control insurance specialists to the broker market, has hired Billy Craft as director of marketing. Craft, a 12 year insurance veteran, is the former regional manager of LIPCA Insurance Group and most recently was with the Nowell Agency of Jackson, Miss.

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Insects Limited
Redesigns Its Website

WESTFIELD, Ind. — Insects Limited recently redesigned its website, www.insectslimited.com, to be more user friendly. With the changes, navigation will be easier for those who are in search of information on stored product insects or would like to purchase pheromones, the company says.

"The new look is clean and focuses on our company motto: Start with the insect first," commented David Mueller, owner, Insects Limited. "This is our focus and the website helps the user research this through the wealth of information that we have on the newly designed site."

Along with recreating the homepage, detailed technical sheets on several common stored product pests were added. In addition, an archive of Insects Limited’s quarterly newsletter, "Fumigants & Pheromones," is available to browse. Site visitors also may sign up to receive the newsletter via e-mail.

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New Advion Packaging
Uses Recycled Materials

WILMINGTON, DEL. — DuPont Professional Products plans to convert all of its four-syringe packaging of the DuPont Advion cockroach and ant gel to 100-percent post-consumer recycled plastic that is 100-percent recyclable.

DuPont says it is committed to seeking sustainability in all parts of its business, and a key part of that initiative is reducing waste wherever possible.

Toward that end, the new Advion cockroach and ant gel packaging is made from plastic products, such as soda or water bottles, which were previously used and then recycled. This material requires significantly less energy and water to produce and diverts re-useable materials out of the waste stream. Furthermore, the company says its new packaging will reduce the burden in landfills and help PMPs improve their environmental stewardship and positioning to clients.

The company’s Terrene packaging, created for DuPont Arilon insecticide, was also intended to minimize waste. Each Terrene packet contains a premeasured amount of Arilon to help reduce applicator handling and exposure, minimize waste and eliminate the need to triple-rinse prior to disposal. The packets are constructed of a biodegradable and compostable material and utilize water-based ink and adhesives, DuPont said.

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Univar PP&S Announces PestWorld iPad Winners

AUSTIN, Texas – National distributor Univar Professional Products & Services has announced the winners of the company’s iPad giveaway held during the 2010 PestWorld convention in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Univar’s PestWorld theme was tied to its new advertising campaign, "Univar has the answer." To reinforce this theme and Univar’s commitment to technology, customers were able to register to win one of six Apple iPads. The giveaway was intended as a fun, interactive way for attendees to learn more about the resources offered by Univar by answering preloaded questions on the iPads. In addition, customers were able to view demos of Univar’s websites and resource videos via the iPads.

The lucky iPad winners were:

• Thomas Mason, Mason Termite
• Ann Burns, Arrow Exterminating
• Tim Brock, Brock Lawn & Pest
• Mike Parker, Clark Pest Control
• Jim Cropper, Home Paramount
• Kurt Treftz, Cascade Pest Control

As a follow-up, all registered participants were sent emails three days after the conclusion of the tradeshow to either introduce them or remind them of the benefits and services offered by the industry website, www.pestweb.com.

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NWCOA to be Held in
New Orleans in January

The National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) is hosting its inaugural NWCOA Convention and Trade Show in New Orleans in January.

NWCOA says there will be as many as 55 exhibitors, and each will have an opportunity to demonstrate their products and services.

The event, to be held Jan. 13-18, 2011, at the Astor Crowne Plaza, New Orleans, will feature the latest equipment, technology and trends in the wildlife management industry.

Attendees will earn credits toward the NWCOA Certified Wildlife Control Professional program. Registration fees start at $300 and include professional or supporting membership dues for 2011.

To learn more about the event and the National Wildlife Control Operators Association, visit www.nwcoa.com or call 540/206-2414.

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DATE BOOK

Jan. 5-7: NPMA’s National Bed Bug Forum, Denver, Colo. Contact: www.npmapestworld.org or call 800/678-6722.

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. 13-18: National Wildlife Control Operators Association’s first NWCOA Convention and Trade Show, Astor Crowne Plaza, New Orleans, La. Contact: www.nwcoa.com or call 540/206-2414.

Jan. 19: BASF Skill Development Series, Columbia, S.C. Contact: www.pestcontrol.basf.us or call 908/864-5800, ext. 2177, for a complete list of seminar dates.

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

Jan. 27-28: NPMA Southwestern Conference, Isleta Casino & Resort, Albuquerque, NM. Contact: NPMA, 703/352-6762 or visit www.npmapestworld.org.

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PPMA Announces New Board and Executive Committee Member

Fairfax, Va. — The Professional Pest Management Alliance has appointed John Wilson to its board of directors and executive commit-tee. Wilson currently serves as the president of Orkin USA, a position he has held since 2009.

Wilson has been employed with Orkin since 1996 and has held various positions of increasing responsibility including technician, sales inspector, branch manager, region manager and divisional vice president and now, president, Orkin USA. Wilson currently serves on the NPMA QualityPro board of directors.

"We are delighted to have John join our leadership team," said Missy Henriksen, executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance. "John will be a welcome addition to this forward-thinking group and we look forward to working with him to further PPMA’s mission of growing the industry and educating the public."

"It is my pleasure to accept the opportunity to serve on PPMA’s executive committee and board," Wilson said. "Orkin has supported PPMA since its creation because we recognize the importance of and need for a powerful voice on behalf of our industry. It is an honor to have been asked to serve as a steward of the organization and to help shape the future, not just of PPMA, but of the industry as a whole."

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PCO NEWS

Rich and Patty Mengert have opened a Mosquito Squad Mosquito Control franchise. The business, Mosquito Squad of Northern Alabama, is based in Huntsville.

Rollins subsidiary Orkin is now providing pest control service in Turkey. It is the 16th country Orkin serves. Orkin will offer primarily commercial pest control service, along with some additional residential services, throughout the country. Firat Imamzade, currently involved in the pest control and chemical distribution business, will own and operate the franchises.

In other news at the firm, Orkin acquired Redi-National Pest Eliminators near Tyler, Texas. Bobbi and Lloyd Robertson founded Redi-National Pest Eliminators nearly 25 years ago. Following the acquisition, Bobbi Robertson will retire from the business and Lloyd Robertson will join Orkin’s Tyler branch as a service manager. Redi-National’s employees will join Orkin’s Tyler branch.

Baccus Exterminators, Monroe, Ga., opened and dedicated its W.E. Blasingame Sr. Pest Control Training Center on Oct 1. The center is named in honor of Bill Blasingame Sr. who began his career in 1950 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in entomology. Billy Blasingame Jr., general manager and technical director for Baccus Exterminators, will direct operations of the center, which provides in-house training as well as program opportunities for other pest control companies. According to Valera Jessee, executive director of the Georgia Pest Control Association, Blasingame Sr. has trained more than 10,000 professionals during his career.

R. Dana Pest Control of West Haverstraw, N.Y., has formed a new division, DANA K-9 Scent Detection, using its bed bug sniffing canines Walter and Lucy. The dogs graduated from Action K-9 Academy in Manistee, Mich. Walter is a 24-pound beagle-and-pug mix, while Lucy is a 45-pound border collie-chocolate lab mix.

Venus Pest Company, College Station, Texas, was honored as a 2010 Newman 10 Business Performance Award recipient. The Newman 10 Awards are presented to the top 10 fastest growing businesses in Brazos County, Texas, by the Rotary Club of Bryan and Newman Printing Company. With a growth rate of nearly 60 percent from 2007 to 2009, Venus Pest Company was the 10th fastest growing business in Brazos County. "I can remember being in the audience several years ago and wondering what it would take to win a Newman 10 award. I am so proud of this company and how far we’ve come to win this award the last two out of three years," said Dr. Scott Lingren, president of Venus Pest Company.

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BASF Announces
Leadership Change

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – BASF’s Keith Holmes has left his position as Pest Control Solutions (PCS) group business manager to pursue other opportunities. Director Specialty Products Jan Buberl will assume leadership of the PCS group until a successor is named. BASF made the announcement on Nov. 30.

BASF appointed Holmes as business unit manager for the combined BASF and Whitmire Micro-Gen U.S. Pest Control business, which is based in St. Louis, in February 2009. Buberl was named head of the organization’s Specialty Products Division (SPD) effective Oct. 1, 2009. The division comprises three businesses: Professional Pest Control Solutions, Professional Turf & Ornamentals, and Professonal Vegetation Management.