Reader Feedback, October 1998

I am writing this letter to express to you and the pest control industry the deep concern that we have for the reckless abandon with which some basic manufacturers will pursue sales of their products. Bayer Corporation believes that before we can say something about one of our products we must have clear and strong evidence that it is true.

Bayer Corporation believes pest control operators want to hear the positive attributes of a product before making the decision to buy. We stand firm in the position that we will sell our products based on their own confirmed merits rather than taking a negative approach against someone else’s product.

The recent ad and brochure campaign launched by FMC against Bayer is a clear indication that it’s easier for FMC to promote falsehoods about Premise than it is to find positive attributes in their own product(s).

Greggory K. Storey, Ph.D.
Pest Control Market Manager
Bayer Garden & Professional Care
Kansas City, Mo.

A WHITE-FOOTED ANT SUCCESS STORY

I read with great interest the article by Stoy Hedges on the white-footed ant, Technomyrmex albipes. We have worked closely with PCOs in southeast Florida to determine the most effective approach to controlling this persistent landscape and structural pest ant.

Demonstrations and on-site trials have revealed that Talstar Lawn and Tree Flowable Insecticide is providing outstanding success. Pest control professionals have found that an integrated approach works best in targeting white-footed ants. Boric acid sweet baits are extremely appealing to the ants, helping to draw them out of wall voids and other nesting sites within structures. This avoids trapping satellite nests of the colony inside the building when Talstar is applied as a targeted spray to landscape nesting sites and as a long-lasting perimeter spray.

Hundreds of PCOs are recording impressive successes in white-footed ant control with Talstar treatments. Tree trunks, foundation plants and exterior walls are treated, as well as any landscape materials that are favored by the ant as nectar sources. We find that Ixora, a favorite woody ornamental in central and south Florida, is a preferred target for white-footed ants due to its plentiful nectar. Gingers and orchids are also potential attractants for this ant, along with plants infested with honeydew-producing insects such as aphids, mealybugs or soft scale.

We are pleased to be cooperating with Dr. Tom Weissling of the University of Florida-Fort Lauderdale in conducting further studies into the behavior and control of this ant species, and applaud his efforts to address the needs of the pest control industry in Florida.

Geri Cashion
Technical Specialist
FMC Corporation
Palm Harbor, Fla.

PCT’S STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT DRAWS APPLAUSE

With your State of the Industry Report, you have developed a very interesting service to our pest control industry. We all want to know where we stand — compared to our peers.

Your many percentage charts enable us to slot ourselves in, and “presto,” we know how we compare. Of particular interest were sales increases, profit and cancellations. The how, the what and the why of our own standings.

Thanks for your informative State of the Industry Report.

Bob Russell
Sr. V.P. of Technical Services
Arrow Exterminators
Atlanta, Ga.

Send letters to PCT Letters, 4012 Bridge Ave., Cleveland OH 44113, or e-mail them to ljosof@gie.net. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.