[News]

B&G-Target Undergoes Name Change

SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. — B&G-Target, formerly B&G Chemicals and Equipment Co., began operating under the name Target Specialty Products on Jan. 1 as the companies completed their integration. Under a joint venture plan announced in May of 2010, B&G branch offices in Texas and Oklahoma were operating as B&G-Target.

"While the name and logo have officially changed to Target Specialty Products, we want to assure customers that the people they are used to working with in Texas and Oklahoma will remain the same," stated Target’s Vice President and Regional Manager Rich Records. "The ‘B&G team’ remains intact – this is just the final step in the process of merging the two companies into one. In addition to an expanded line of products and inventory, customers in Texas and Oklahoma now have access to regulatory and training specialists who can assist with technical and regulatory support."

Target and B&G had been business allies and Speckoz Partners for several years before entering into a joint venture. Target currently operates 13 branches in California, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Texas and Oklahoma.

The B&G website also moved to www.target-specialty.com as of Jan. 1.

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Univar Names John Bolanos President – PP&S

Austin, Texas — Univar has named John Bolanos president of its Professional Products and Service (PP&S) business, the largest distributor to the pest management industry in the United States.

In 2010, Univar integrated Southern Mill Creek Products into its North American operations. Additionally, PP&S has made gains in related specialty markets, including public health, post-harvest food fumigation, turf/ornamental, agricultural twine and animal health segments, the firm says. As part of its strategic plan, PP&S is also expanding its geographic footprint with a growing business in Mexico, increased exports into the Caribbean and Latin America, and exploration into other countries.

During his 33-year career with the company, Bolanos has held positions as a sales representative, manager of pest control supplies, district manager of industrial chemicals and general manager of PP&S. He became vice president of PP&S in 2000.

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Correction

The Ant Control Strategy Guide from Rockwell Labs Ltd in the December 2010 issue of PCT was printed incorrectly. PCT apologizes for the error. Please disregard the December insert and see page 74 for a corrected version.

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Residex Merges With Turfgrass

NOVI, MICH. — Residex and Turfgrass have merged into one business entity serving the structural pest and turf industries. The new company will retain both former brands, Residex-Turfgrass, into the foreseeable future, the firm says. The new headquarters for the combined businesses is in Novi, Mich. Integration into a single operation is expected to occur early this year.

Chris Donaghy will serve as the company’s CEO and Todd Griebe as the company’s president. Jim Hespe will be vice president of operations and Janice Cronin will be vice president of finance.

"I am excited about the expansion possibilities and the opportunities that the Residex-Turfgrass joint venture will bring to our customers, our employees and the industry," Donaghy said. "Residex and Turfgrass were both successful standalone businesses, and now Todd and I get to work together to develop our forward strategies to innovate the future of distribution."

"There are great benefits in combining these two highly complementary organizations and product lines," said Griebe. "The synergies realized by this merger will allow us to offer even greater knowledge and value to our customers in a much expanded territory."

Residex’s former headquarters, in Roselle, N.J., is now a regional operations and customer service call center. Residex-Turfgrass will have 23 walk-in and delivery locations servicing the East Coast and Midwest regions, the organization said.

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MGK To Host M.I.S.T. Seminars in Houston, Atlanta in February

MINNEAPOLIS — MGK will host day-long "M.I.S.T." seminars in February in Houston and Atlanta, covering technological innovations, regulatory updates and business-building tools for the mosquito market and offering social media "mini boot camps."

M.I.S.T. — an acronym for Misting Insecticides Solutions & Technology — is designed as an intensive one-day seminar devoted exclusively to the mosquito market, one of the fastest-growing segments of the pest management industry. The M.I.S.T. Conference is scheduled for Feb. 8 in Houston, Texas, and Feb. 22 in Atlanta, Ga.

"Due to the recession, PMPs had a challenging year in 2010," observed Kevin Caskey, business director of MGK’s Branded Products division, "but those forward-looking companies that diversified into the mosquito market fared better than most, providing a valuable add-on service to new and existing customers."

Caskey said the company is so committed to the market that it was one of the first to add a dedicated mosquito misting market specialist, Andy Sturgis, a 15-year veteran of the industry. MGK also named Monika Morris as mosquito misting market manager.

"Mosquito control services not only provide a valuable revenue stream for PMPs, but address a legitimate service need of homeowners," Sturgis observed. "Residents of mosquito-prone areas want to take their backyards back from mosquitoes. For many, it’s a quality of life issue."

MGK’s M.I.S.T. Conference is designed to be the industry’s one-stop location for the latest news and technology advancements in the mosquito market, offering an extensive array of educational topics devoted to successful marketing strategies, equipment selection, mosquito control products, liability exposure/management and more.

New to this year’s M.I.S.T. Conference is a Social Media "Mini" Boot Camp led by Paul Slack, co-owner of Splash Media, a company specializing in social media strategies for small businesses. "Paul will provide attendees with a crash course on specific ways PMPS can use social media to grow their businesses in 2011," Morris observed. "Splash Media understands Internet marketing, having created successful social media strategies for a variety of small businesses. We think PMPs will enjoy this valuable addition to the program."

In addition, Dr. Jerome Goddard, one of the most sought-after speakers in the pest management industry, will present a keynote address titled "The Public Health and Medical Importance of Mosquitoes" at the conference. "Dr. Goddard is not only an informative, but highly entertaining speaker who is one of the country’s foremost authorities on public health pests," Morris said. Rounding out the program is Russ Jundt, co-owner of Mosquito Squad of Minnesota, who will share his real-world insights about marketing mosquito misting and control services.

"We’re confident mosquito misting professionals and PMPs who attend the M.I.S.T. Conference will be armed with the necessary skills to expand their business, providing a valuable service to their customers while fulfilling their mission as protectors of public health," Sturgis added. "It’s a one-of-a-kind event."

Cost of the one-day seminar is $30 per person, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and reception. To register or if you are interested in having a tabletop at the event, call 800/456-0707, e-mail conference@gie.net or visit www.mistconference.com. To learn more about MGK’s complete product line, including the company’s mosquito misting products Riptide, Vampyre and Sector, visit www.mgk.com.

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

Feb. 1: BASF Skill Development Seminar, Davie, Fla. Contact: www.pestcontrol.basf.us or call 908/864-5800, ext. 2177.

Feb. 2: BASF Skill Development Seminar, Tampa, Fla. Contact: See Feb. 1.

Feb. 2-3: Michigan Mosquito Control Association’s 25th Annual Conference, Amway Grand Plaza, Grand Rapids, Mich. Contact: 616/774-2000 or visit www.mimosq.org.

Feb. 3: BASF Skill Development Seminar, Jacksonville, Fla. Contact: See Feb. 1.

Feb. 8: BASF Skill Development Seminar, Nashville, Tenn. Contact: See Feb. 1.

Feb. 9: BASF Skill Development Seminar, N. Birmingham, Ala. Contact: See Feb. 1.

Feb. 10: BASF Skill Development Seminar, Atlanta, Ga. Contact: See Feb. 1.

Feb. 10-11: NPMA Southern Conference, Tunica, Miss. Contact: www.npmapestworld.org.

Feb. 16: BASF Skill Development Seminar, Raleigh, N.C. Contact: See Feb. 1.

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Chicago Pest Conference Draws Hundreds

TINLEY PARK, ILL. — More than 300 PMPs turned out for the one-day "A Meeting of the Minds IV" conference sponsored by the Greater Chicago Pest Management Alliance (GCPMA) in early November. Attendees were treated to four nationally recognized speakers who covered the biology and behavior of pests such as cockroaches, ants and bed bugs, as well as growing insect issues in the greater Midwest.

Roger Gold, Ph.D., a professor of entomology at Texas A&M University, discussed cockroach population management. Gold said the secret to effective cockroach control is Integrated Pest Management.

In his presentation, "Ant Identification, Biology and Control," Jeffrey Tucker, BCE, and president of Entomology Associates, of Houston, Texas, said one of the basic essentials to effective ant control is correct identification of the species.

Dr. Philip Koehler, a professor of urban entomology at the University of Florida, used an entertaining and informative approach for his presentation, "Bed Bug Research and Control."

Phillip Pellitteri, MS, discussed bed bugs in "Growing Insect Issues — A Midwest Perspective." Pellitteri is a distinguished faculty associate who has run the Insect Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 1978.

The next conference, "A Meeting of the Minds V" is scheduled for Oct. 27, 2011. To learn more about GCPMA, visit http://gcpma.com. — Mark Hendrickson, GCPMA

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COMINGS & GOINGS
If your company has added new personnel or recently announced other personnel changes, send a photo and press release to jdorsch@giemedia.com.

Matt Elderbrook has joined Bell Laboratories’ technical sales team as territory manager for Canada where he represents Bell’s rodent control products to Canada’s professional pest control industry. He also represents rodent control products to the Canadian agricultural market through Bell’s sister company, Motomco.

Truly Nolen of America has announced several promotions. Susan Hayek was promoted to manager of the Southwest Florida Administrative Hub. Kenneth Smith was promoted to branch manager of the Venice Branch and is managing both the Englewood and Venice branch. Gary Popdan was promoted to branch manager of the Marco Island branch.

Sarah Schultz joined the Liphatech Pest Management Division as southeast district sales manager for the company’s line of rodenticides and bait stations. In her new position, Schultz will provide product information, training and sales advice to distributors and pest management professionals.

Patrick Ryan joined Rockwell Labs Ltd as its technical representative for the Northeast Territory, covering the eastern seaboard from New England to Virginia and west to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Most recently Ryan worked in the pest management industry, spending four years representing EcoSmart products in the Northeast and Midwest territories.

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DuPont Packaging Holds 23rd Innovation Awards

WILMINGTON, Del. — DuPont Packaging is seeking entries to its 23rd DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, an independently judged competition. Packaging designers, converters, consumer goods producers, retailers and equipment manufacturers from around the world are encouraged to enter their new product packaging developments, DuPont said.

"The industry is facing many challenges to address cost and waste reduction as well as sustainability demands while responding to consumers’ needs for greater convenience," said Shanna Moore, global director of sustainability, DuPont Packaging. "Innovation is key to these new packaging approaches and we aim to recognize innovative solutions from around the world that address local needs." Moore said DuPont sponsors the awards to recognize achievements in packaging and highlight the importance of collaboration. "Once again we will conduct a global online event that will be open to the industry and, in addition, winners will be honored in a celebration event with senior DuPont executives," Moore explained.

The judging panel is expected to be headed by John Bernardo, president of Sustainable Innovations. Entries will be evaluated for excellence in packaging innovation, sustainability and cost /waste reduction. Entry forms and guidelines are available at www.packaging.dupont.com. Entries are due by Feb. 28. Winners will be announced this spring.

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PCO NEWS

Integrity Pest Management, a company with 10 years in business in Sand Springs, Okla., has earned the National Pest Management Association’s QualityPro designation.

Heron Lawn and Pest Control, Apopka, Fla., held its annual family picnic on Sunday, Oct. 31. Heron employees and their families gathered to spend time together and celebrate. The day was filled with fun, great food, games, awards and recognition.

Team Too Termite & Pest Control, Corona, Calif., has opened a new service center in Sacramento, Calif., to provide services to the greater Sacramento and Central Valley Area. The new location is in addition to the current service center locations throughout California and provides Team Too with a second location in Northern California.

Craig Thomas Pest Control, Hyde Park, N.Y., has been awarded a Business Excellence Award from The Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation for Small Business of the Year. The local economic group recognized the achievements of local employers in agricultural, small business, manufacturing, entrepreneur, innovation, nonprofit and tourism categories. The company’s diversification strategy in a down economy attracted the attention of The Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation. New services provided by the company included gutter protection, home repair, nuisance wildlife and T.A.P. Insulation.

Western Pest Services, Parsippany, N.J., is offering the ThermoZone Attic Insulation Program, designed to protect homes from pests, lower energy bills up to 30 percent and reduce outside noise through sound absorption, the firm says. Depending upon environmental conditions and a home’s upkeep, homeowners typically recoup their investment in ThermoZone in about four years, Western reports. ThermoZone is a fire-retardant insulation made from cellulose and treated with boric acid. ThermoZone also has been awarded the U.S. government’s Energy Star designation.

Bed bug handler Steven Rozek of Action Termite and Pest Control, Toms River, N.J., and Rex, the bed bug dog, were recently featured in a news story that aired on Philadelphia affiliate CBS-3.

Guardian Pest Solutions, headquartered in Duluth, Minn., has opened a new service center in Milwaukee, Wis., to better serve the existing and future client base in the central/southern Wisconsin region.

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NPMA Establishes Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force

FAIRFAX, VA. — The National Pest Management Association has established the NPMA Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force, a broad-based stakeholder group whose goal is to develop an industry-wide comprehensive response to the bed bug pandemic sweeping the globe, including education, best practices, policy and research.

"The Bed Bug Blue Ribbon Task Force is simultaneously addressing a broad range of topics," said NPMA Senior Vice President Bob Rosenberg, "but will focus initially on the development of best practices for bed bug inspections and treatment, including K-9 inspections. The task force’s efforts are designed to ensure that the pest management industry remains at the forefront of the war on bed bugs and ensure the continued credibility of the industry with consumers, media and policy makers."

During an organizational meeting at PestWorld 2010, NPMA’s recent annual conference and exposition, the task force identified four key areas on which it will focus. These areas are Best Management Practices, Credentialing, Certification and Training; Public Policy; Public Outreach, Education, Messaging and Data Needs; and Research and Efficacy. Workgroups were assigned to each of these key areas.

Information about the task force and all task force documents are available at www.npmapestworld.org/publicpolicy/task_force.cfm.

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BASF Completes New
Online Video Library

ST. LOUIS — BASF Pest Control Solutions has completed its new online video library. Located in the "Reference" section of www.pestcontrol.basf.us, this new online library is designed to be a forum for pest management professionals to learn more about BASF products and services via product demonstrations and informational videos.

Videos currently available include Termidor DRY application and "in action" videos, Alpine ant gel bait and cockroach gel bait videos and a Roguard Rodent Management System informational video. New videos will be added on an ongoing basis, the company said.

For more information about BASF Pest Control Solutions or to find a BASF sales specialist in your area, visit www.pestcontrol.basf.us.

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Food Protection Services Adds Office in Pacific NW

BAY, ARK. — Food Protection Services has added an office in Tacoma, Wash., to provide commercial pest management and fumigation services in the Pacific Northwest region. The new office, which serves the food, grain and export industries, is an expansion to the company’s current pest management and fumigation locations in the Midwest.

Food Protection Services(FPS) is a joint venture combining the commercial pest management and fumigation capabilities of Fumigation Service & Supply, Westfield, Ind., and Research Fumigation Company based in Reserve, La., which specializes in in-transit shipboard fumigation.

The new office is managed by Michael Carette-Meyers, who has experience in commercial pest management, bird control and fumigation.

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Pest Management
Foundation Seeks
Research Proposals

Fairfax, Va. — The National Pest Management Association’s charitable organization — the Pest Management Foundation — recently issued a solicitation for grant proposals related to the management of structural pests and pests in urban and suburban environments.

Any submission deemed worthwhile by the Foundation will be eligible for a grant of up to $35,000. Eligible entities include, but are not limited to, institutions of higher learning, non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses and individuals.

While the solicitation lists specific project ideas, the Foundation is interested in any proposal that pertains to the management of pests in structures and urban and suburban environments. Over the past few years the Foundation has funded published research on an emerging invasive ant species in the Southeastern U.S., the odorous house ant, the effectiveness of painting eaves to manage paper wasps, cobweb management as a strategy to control urban spiders, the effectiveness of yellow jacket trapping, bed bug control, and various methods of controlling the black widow and hobo spiders conducted by respective researchers at Clemson University, North Carolina State University, Texas Agri-Life Extension Service, University of California at Riverside, Cornell University, University of Kentucky and Spokane Falls Community College.

"Our main intent is to generate the submission of numerous different proposals," said Gene Harrington, executive director of the Foundation. "We recognize that there are countless valuable research ideas and issuing anything too prescriptive could preclude many worthy proposals. We look forward to carefully reviewing any and all proposals."

The deadline for submissions is March 4, and the target for identifying a worthwhile applicant is by the middle of May. The solicitation is available at www.npmapestworld.org/support/foundation.cfm.

Questions/proposals should be directed to Gene Harrington at gharrington@pestworld.org or 800/678-6722.