SEPTEMBER NEWS

WEST NILE VIRUS HITS U.S. AGAIN
CLEVELAND — West Nile virus (WNV) has been identified again this summer in the United States and as of mid-August, four people in the U.S. had been positively identified as contracting the virus.

One victim, a 71-year-old woman from Atlanta, died Aug. 11. She was the first human fatality in Georgia from the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported.

The other three victims were from two other states: New York and Florida. The first, a 73-year-old man in Madison County, Fla., tested positive for the virus on July 24. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) was not certain how he contracted the virus, however, several birds in north Florida had also tested positive for West Nile virus.

A 64-year-old woman was the second Florida resident to be hospitalized after being infected with encephalitis caused by West Nile virus this year. She fell ill in mid-July. As a result of this case, the state expanded its medical alert for the virus to 28 Northern Florida counties and has stepped up its aerial spraying efforts, according to reports from Florida.

A third victim, a 73-year-old woman, was the first New Yorker to have contracted the disease this year and was hospitalized July 31.

Residential areas of the Staten Island borough, where the woman lives, were sprayed with the pesticide Anvil.

CDC warned that the virus has spread farther and faster this year than in years past. So far, it has reached nine states from Massachusetts to Florida.

On July 18, health officials in Washington, D.C., confirmed the presence of WNV in a dead crow found in one of the city’s residential neighborhoods. The crow was found in the same area where a bird was found last October.

Also, on July 18, Lakeville, Mass., health officials confirmed WNV in a dead crow found in a residential neighborhood. The crow was the second appearance of the virus in the state this year.

Two dead crows found in West Windsor, N.J., tested positive for WNV, marking the area’s first encounter with the virus this year.

The virus was also detected in Ohio for the first time, according to an article from The Associated Press. A blue jay infected with the virus was found in Lake County, northeast of Cleveland. The Ohio Department of Health called it the first ever evidence of West Nile virus in Ohio.

Mosquitoes spread the virus by ingesting the blood of infected birds, which circulate the virus in their system. The virus can also be spread to humans through mosquito bites.

WNV causes inflammation of the brain. However, most infected people never experience any symptoms, although some experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches. Symptoms of more severe cases include high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and sometimes death.

Since 1999, West Nile virus has killed nine people in New York and New Jersey. Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

For the latest news on West Nile virus, visit www.pctonline.com/news/pastheadlines.asp.

JT EATON REACHES PLEA BARGAIN IN EPA CASE
TWINSBURG, Ohio — JT Eaton & Company Inc. and two of its officers have reached a plea bargain with federal prosecutors in a case concerning false test results submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the re-registration process of two of its products. The outcome of the case was announced Aug. 16 in the U.S. District Court in Cleveland. According to published reports, the company has agreed to pay a $100,000 fine. (The company could have received a $500,000 fine.)

The company, President Stanley Z. Baker and Vice President Benjamin H. Baker were charged on July 19 with submitting false test results to EPA for the re-registration of 4-The-Birds Repellent Gel and Squirrel Repellent. The false tests were submitted in April 1998.

Below is the official statement from JT Eaton regarding the case and its outcome:

“JT Eaton & Company Inc. and two of its officers have reached a plea bargain with federal prosecutors in a case concerning false statements submitted to a government agency during the re-registration process of two of its products.

“In 1998, JT Eaton submitted false formula statements to EPA during the re-registration process of 4-The-Birds Repellent Gel and Squirrel Repellent. Though two members of JT Eaton’s management team were made aware that false formula statements were being submitted at the time, neither stopped the statements from being submitted to EPA. Therefore, the family management accepts full responsibility for this situation.

“A criminal investigation was launched against JT Eaton and its officers after the mis-statements were reported to EPA by a former JT Eaton employee. After several months of negotiations, JT Eaton and two of its officers pled guilty to the charge of ‘false statement made to an agency of the United States’ and have agreed to pay a fine as part of the plea bargain.

“The plea agreement with the federal government states that throughout the proceedings: 1) the conduct did not present a ‘risk of death or bodily injury,’ 2) the government is unaware of any economic harm as a result of the conduct and 3) the conduct did not present a ‘threat to the environment.’

“JT Eaton has taken measures to focus on its core products. In February, JT Eaton announced the EPA investigation into manufacturing and formulation practices at the Twinsburg, Ohio, plant. JT Eaton voluntarily stopped production of several products in question at that time in order to perform an internal compliance investigation. Since then, JT Eaton has resumed production of most of its rodent control products.”

ACADEMY PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
BAL HARBOUR, Fla. — More than 300 National Pest Management Association (NPMA) members received a unique interactive education at NPMA Academy 2001, The Experience, July 19-21.

NPMA Academy attendees participated in three educational seminars designed to enhance professionalism, develop closer relationships with industry members and create a basis for pest management innovations.

NPMA Academy 2001 gave attendees the opportunity “to build peer networking relationships that they can take with them and share and build on throughout the course of the year,” said Rob Lederer, executive vice president, NPMA.

This year’s business management seminars included, “Power Thinking for the New Economy,” given by Terry Brock, columnist for American City Business Journals and “Coaching Your Team,” given by Chuck Hitzemann, founder of Positive Growth International.

A highlight of this year’s program was the “Afterburners seminar,” in which a group of Marine, Air Force and Navy pilots instructed NPMA Academy attendees on how they can use military-style concepts of planning, follow-through and debriefing in the business world.

Following a video presentation, NPMA Academy attendees were divided into teams for a military simulation exercise. Each team was in charge of planning an air attack on an enemy base and each team member had different responsibilities. The team members had to work together to formulate the best plan of attack. Burner members then reviewed these plans and discussed the likely outcome of the actions. The exercise showed attendees how a lack of planning, inefficiency and poor execution can lead to failure in business.

Another highlight from this year’s Academy was the annual “Olympics.” Academy attendees didn’t let a little rain spoil this year’s games, as competition was fierce in everything ranging from “indoor” field hockey to parody skits.

WHITMIRE MICRO-GEN’S DAN STOUT PASSES AWAY
KIRKWOOD, MO. — Dan Stout, former senior vice president, technical development, Whit-mire Micro-Gen, passed away July 2 from heart complications.

Stout spent more than 35 years with the company and during his career, he developed and registered more than 60 pest control products and held 30+ patents.

Those wishing to make donations in honor of Stout may do so to the St. Louis Chapter of the American Heart Association, 4643 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108-3723.

FMC WORKSHOP SERIES CONTINUES
PHILADELPHIA, PA. — FMC Corp. announces additional dates for the 2001 Business Management Workshop Series featuring the FirstLine ^®Termite Defense System.SM The free one-day workshop will help pest management professionals grow their business and improve their profitability using the FirstLine Termite Defense System and the new FMC Guarantee of Support. The workshop will review the use protocol for The Defender, the newest component of the FirstLine Termite Defense System. The workshop series will visit 35 locations nationally.

The Business Management Workshops provide pest management professionals with information and expertise to more effectively manage their business and increase financial rewards using the FirstLine Termite Defense System. The workshop features in-depth presentations on the following topics: small budget marketing ideas with big potential; understanding how to cost a job; five steps to successful selling; selling the value of the service; review of the use directions for the FirstLine Termite Defense System; FMC Guarantee of Support program; cross-training employees; and, FMC Alliance Rewards program.

The workshops also feature demonstrations of the SMARTRAK Series of Software Solutions and how PCOs can use this technology. The workshops, which include lunch, refreshments and all necessary educational materials, are free of charge to all PCOs interested in the FMC Guarantee of Support Program and is the last step for eligibility in the program.

For a complete schedule of dates and locations, or more information on the FirstLine Termite Defense System Business Management Workshops Series, please call Maria Miller at 800/456-0707 or visit www.pctonline/events.

SENTRICON LISTED AS STAND-ALONE WITH SBCCI
INDIANAPOLIS — The Sentricon^® Termite Colony Elimination System (trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC) was evaluated by and is now listed with the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI form No. 2123) as a stand-alone treatment, the company reports.

The SBCCI Evaluation Service, a member of the National Evaluation Service Inc., provides support in the building design and construction industry. The SBCCI develops and maintains a set of model building codes and co-authors the International Building Code for use by local jurisdictions.

“Dow AgroSciences and Authorized Operators for the Sentricon System are excited to offer new home builders a termite treatment option that is easy to install and easy on the environment,” said Drew Ratterman, market development manager for Dow AgroSciences LLC.

ABSTRACTS BEING ACCEPTED FOR ICUP
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The 4th International Conference on Urban Pests will be held on July 7-10, 2002, in Charleston, S.C., and abstracts are now being accepted. The conference will include topics such as: structural pests (termites, carpenter ants, wood-destroying beetles, etc.); household pests (cockroaches, ants, etc.); vertebrate pests (mice, rats and pest birds); vector control and its implications on urban development; building, construction and landscaping influences on pests; and, education technology (long distance learning, Internet, etc.).

All submitted papers, posters and workshop contributions will be assessed for quality, originality and relevance to pests in urban environments on the basis of the abstract. The abstract should be a precise summary in English, between 250 and 400 words and must be submitted to Dr. Susan Jones, conference program chairperson, no later than September 15, 2001. Abstracts may be submitted to Jones via mail (102 Extension Entomology Building, 1991 Kenny Rd., The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1000), via fax at 614/ 292-9783 or via e-mail to jones.1800@osu.edu. 

Abstracts must be provided with a contact address (fax and/or e-mail) and oral/poster preference. Authors will be notified of acceptance or rejection of their contributions by Oct. 1.

The organizing committee reserves the right to reallocate or reject any contribution. The full text, figures and tables of accepted papers and posters will be due by February 25, 2002, and should be sent to Dr. William Robinson (155 South Central Drive, Christians-burg, VA 24073).

COOPER PEST CONTROL RAISES MONEY FOR MS
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — Last year Phil Cooper, president of Cooper Pest Control Inc., raised more than $14,500 as part of the “City to Shore” fundraising effort for the Pennsylvania-Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This year’s effort, slated to raise more than $20,000 kicked off in July. This is the eighth consecutive year that Cooper will ride the 150 miles on his bicycle in the name of MS.

Last year there were 5,000 cyclists in the ride and Cooper was the third highest fundraiser. The Delaware Valley campaign is one of many MS 150 bike rides held throughout the country. In 2000, the event, held the last week of September, raised more than $2.1 million.

The fundraising campaign kicked off July 1 and will continue through mid-October. The campaign’s goal for this year 2001 is to surpass $20,000.

Editor’s note: To contribute to the campaign you can do so by writing a check to The National MS Society and mailing it to: Cooper Pest Control, Attn: MS 150 Campaign, 351 Lawrence Station Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

WATERBURY OFFERS $20 REBATE
WATERBURY, CONN. — CB Professional Products Division of Waterbury Companies Inc. is offering a $20 rebates to pest management professionals purchasing 6-count case packs of CB-80 Extra Flushing & Contact Insecticide, 20 oz. size, purchased through authorized CB distributors.

The rebate program began July 1 and will continue through September 30, 2001.

Rebate coupons are available on counter cards placed in distributor showrooms nationally and on the CB Professional Products Division’s Web site, where rebate coupons may be downloaded off the Internet. Log on to www.CBProProducts.com and follow prompts for the CB-80 Extra $20 rebate. For more information contact Waterbury Customer Service at 800/845-3495.

PCT, WMG ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP FOR 2002 CONFERENCE
CLEVELAND, OHIO – Pest Control Technology and Whitmire Micro-Gen Research Laboratories in August announced a partnership agreement to market and manage the 2002 Whitmire Micro-Gen Institute of Technology Conference. The conference will be held Sept. 8-10, 2002 at the Marriott Eaton Centre in Toronto, Canada.

More information will be featured in the October issue of PCT. Stay tuned!

COMINGS & GOINGS
PestOne Inc., Greensboro, N.C., recently named Greg Baumann, former technical director of the National Pest Management Association and current President of Pro-Tech Pest Management, as internal technical director for PestOne.

Aventis Environmental Science has made two personnel announcements: First, Jim Truslow has been appointed Aventis northwest sales representative. Second, Sergio Torrente has been appointed the company’s southeast Florida sales representative.

There have been a number of recent personnel changes at FMC Corp-oration’s Specialty Products Business, including the following:

Don Claus was promoted to director, specialty products business.

Jim Collins has been promoted to general manager — Latin America, specialty business and insecticides division.

Wendell Codner is now the national sales manager, covering east and west coast regional sales; inside sales; national account management; and turf and ornamental sales.

Chris McGill is a new regional sales manager, East; Maureen Thompson is the new national accounts manager; Mike Bonner is the new regional sales manager, West; and, Amy Gab-rielian is the new inside sales manager/customer satisfaction manager.

Rick Lewis is the new national sales support manager and will provide technical selling and training support to national and key accounts for the FirstLine Termite Defense System.

Suzanne Woodward is now the pest management sales representative in the Northern Florida territory. Bill Beach is the newly appointed key accounts representative in Florida.

Jay Lee is now the sales representative for California. David Griscom is pest management representative for the Northeastern states. Marty Schmidt is the pest management representative for Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Dave Torska is the pest management representative for Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Tricia Jensen is the T&O sales representative for the West Coast.

WEB WATCH
The following is a list of new or updated industry Web sites. E-mail jdorsch@pctonline.com with new sites.

• USDA Agricultural Research Service West Nile Virus Site
• Clearly Chemical
• Pest Control Association of India