[News]

Industry Group Launches Pyrethroid Information Web Site for PMPs

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The pest management industry now has an online resource dedicated to keeping it abreast of new labeling and regulatory requirements related to products containing widely used pyrethroid pesticides, an industry group announced recently.

The site, www.pwg2pmp.com, is intended to serve as the "go-to" pyrethroid resource for pest management professionals, according to officials from the Pyrethroid Working Group (PWG).

"There are major developments at both the federal and state level that will have a direct impact on PMPs and how they conduct business," said Fred Pearson, chairman of the PWG. "Because of this, we believe it is important to assist our customers who apply our products commercially."

Pest control operators may soon be required to make changes in how they apply pyrethroid pesticides. The new requirements are contained in updated surface water regulations proposed by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CPDR) and in label changes required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help ensure that pesticides are applied in a manner to minimize runoff that may reach surface waters.

The web site offers an overview of the new labeling requirements in development at EPA, Pearson said, as well as related regulations under consideration at the state level, especially in California. "This issue is on the front burner in California," he added. "CDPR is implementing the federal changes more quickly and is promoting regulations that target urban uses."

The new website provides PMPs with an easy way to monitor and participate in the regulatory process by enabling them to subscribe to e-mail alerts, which will notify them of new developments. For more information, visit www.pwg2pmp.com.

The Pyrethroid Working Group is comprised of following companies: AMVAC Chemical; Bayer CropScience; Cheminova; DuPont Crop Protection, Stine-Haskell Research Center; FMC Corporation, Agricultural Products Group; Syngenta Crop Protection; and Valent BioSciences Corporation.
 

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"Pest Quest" Children's Show Debuts Second Season

FAIRFAX, VA — The NPMA's Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) has debuted its second season of "Pest Quest," the educational children's show designed to teach youngsters about the fascinating world of insects, rodents and small wildlife. New this season is the "Critter Crafts" feature, which directs viewers to a series of bug-inspired arts and crafts videos on the website kidcrittercrafts.com. The new season of "Pest Quest" is available on the NPMA websites pestworld.org and pestworldforkids.org.

A group of energetic pre-teens host the show from their colorful science lab, and topics delve into what makes insects, rodents and wildlife so interesting. From red mouse tears to glowing scorpions and flying squirrels, the pest facts are designed to keep kids engaged. PPMA says the Critter Crafts videos create a new layer of entertainment and offer activity ideas for parents and teachers.

"The response to the first season of 'Pest Quest' was so great that we had to create more of this entertaining and educational content for viewers," said Missy Henriksen, executive director of PPMA. "With the addition of Critter Crafts and new fun facts, we hope that children will further develop an interest in the fascinating world of entomology and also learn about the importance of keeping some of these species out of our homes where they can become pests posing risks to our health and property."

Twenty-four episodes have been produced for the second season of "Pest Quest," which includes pests from all over the world. New episodes will be posted to the Pest Quest Channel, www.pestworld.com/pestquest, twice a month. Following the success of Season One's inclusion in MagRack for distribution via OnDemand, Season Two will also be available in Mag Rack's Kid's section. This coverage is designed to bring "Pest Quest" and the industry's core messaging objectives directly into the homes of consumers across the country, PPMA says.

All industry members can direct customers to this free family and school-friendly content as part of their community programs. As with the previous season, PPMA investors are able to link to the Pest Quest show from their own websites. And, starting this season, PPMA investors can also include the Critter Crafts logo and link on their websites as an added bonus.

PPMA offers a variety of programs designed for use in the classroom and on the family computer for children in grades K through 8. Lesson plans, science projects, report writing programs, interactive games and other fun facts are available on www.pestworldforkids.org.

Univar PP&S Redesigns PestWeb

AUSTIN, Texas — Univar Professional Products & Services has redesigned its website, www.pestweb.com, detailing the company's resources in the structural pest control market.

The new website features easier access to content and a bold new look and feel, the company says. Whether accessing PestWeb from a PC, tablet or smart phone, visitors will find PestWeb.com to be faster and easier to navigate, the company says. Enhanced pest and product information across multiple categories can be accessed through the new Pest Information section. The site's Premier Services area offers time-saving tools for service professionals, such as the EZ-Order Online Catalog & Order Entry; Product Documents (providing access to MSDS sheets and product labels); Pest and Weed ID Applications; Master Technician Online Training (which has approved online CEU status for 33 states and one Canadian province); and Ask Mr. Pest Control (where questions are submitted and answers are generated from industry- and manufacturer-provided information).
 

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AB Bait Products Adds Distribution Partners

BETHLEHEM, PA. — AB Bait Co., supplier of the Brigand Rodenticide lines, has added The Bug Stop of Chicago, Ill.; Wildlife Control Supplies of East Granby, Conn.; and Harvest Supply Company of Fort Worth, Texas; to its distribution network.

AB Bait said the additions will improve availability of Brigand Soft Bait and Brigand Wax Blocks for PMPs in the Midwest, northeastern United States and central Texas. Brigand rodenticides are manufactured by PelGar International in the United Kingdom.
 

In Memoriam: Bettie Portwood

AKRON, OHIO — Elizabeth "Bettie" Portwood, who, with her late husband Norman, was a longtime owner of Akron, Ohio-based TNT Exterminating, died on Oct. 21. She was 93.

In addition to her involvement with TNT Exterminating, Portwood was an active association member and was the first and only woman to serve as president of the Ohio Pest Management Association.

TNT Exterminating was founded in Akron in 1935 by Norman's father, Harold Portwood. In 1962, Bettie and Norman Portwood met with Akron city health officials with the goal of forming a local professional pest control association. The Summit County Pest Control Association was born with 18 members, including Dick Schroeder of Southern Mill Creek Products. Bettie served as the Summit County Pest Control Association's first secretary/treasurer, a role she held for 44 years. In 1973, Bettie served as first and only woman to be elected president of the Ohio Pest Management Association. It's for these contributions that PMPs such as Rich Kozlovich, owner of Pest Management, Mentor on the Lake, Ohio, referred to Bettie as "Ohio's First Lady of Pest Control."

"Her impact on people in the pest control industry can't be overstated," said Kozlovich.

Bettie and Norman Portwood owned TNT Exterminating until 1988, when they sold the company to Gerry and Janet Grace. The Graces ran TNT for seven years before selling the business to son Mike Grace, the company's current owner, in 1995.

"What allowed my parents to follow through with the acquisition was the knowledge that Norm and Bettie had such integrity," Mike Grace said. "There was never a concern that it was a questionable venture. They were first-class people — just very humble and very gracious."

Bettie is survived by daughter, Jean Davis Almquist; grandsons, Liam and Colm Davis, all of Evanston, Ill.; two nieces and one nephew. — Additional information for this story provided by Rich Kozlovich
 

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BASF Debuts "Pest Talk" Blog

ST. LOUIS — BASF launched its first blog, BASF Pest Talk, at www.pest-talk.basf.us. The blog was developed as an online forum on industry issues, trends and regional happenings for BASF and its customers.

"Over the past few years, our customers' online demand for information and feedback has increased greatly," said Dan Carrothers, business unit manager for BASF Pest Control Solutions. "We're hopeful the blog facilitates peer-to-peer discussions about industry challenges and opportunities and helps address pest management professionals' latest issues and successes."

Pest management professionals can visit BASF Pest Talk to react to pest problems, keep up on trends and industry insight, and access tools and resources. BASF Pest Talk also offers technical expertise to help ease issues relating to pest management. PMPs interested in pest control tips, insect identification and frequently asked questions can visit BASF Pest Talk to learn more. Regular content will cover industry news, events, people and solutions, the company said.

For more information on BASF products and solutions visit www.pestcontrol.basf.us.