Viewpoint

Ant control has long been an industry staple, providing PCOs with new money-making opportunities and revenues from recurring services. Just why does ant control continue to be one of the most requested service offerings? Answers can be found in this month’s ant coverage, which begins on page 33. Included are articles from leading industry researchers and practical tips for PCOs in the field.

Noted carpenter ant researcher Laurel Hansen examined the importance of homeowner education in “Panic! Carpenter Ants During the Dormant Season (page 34)” while Clemson researchers Eric Paysen, Patricia Zungoli and Eric Benson reviewed the invasive Chinese needle ant, Pachycondyla chinensis, a growing problem in South Carolina (page 55).

Bayer Environmental Science Research Scientist Tom Macom writes about the spread of the red imported fire ant in “Movin’ On Up the Map” (page 70), while University of Auburn Researcher Xing Ping Hu reveals her findings from a research project that set out to find out how much pest management professionals know about fire ant control (page 62). We hope our coverage provides valuable information you can use this ant season.

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Also included in this issue is coverage from NPMA Legislative Day (page 96) held in February. At this year’s event I shadowed the Ohio contingent (since I am from Ohio) and observed first-hand the importance of their proactive lobbying efforts. Our group had visits set up with aides of Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rep. Steve LaTourrette (R-Ohio, 14th district). Voinovich generally has been friendly towards pest control industry- and small business-related issues. PCOs Scott Steckel (Varment Guard) and Lonnie Alonso (Columbus Pest Control) took the lead in this meeting, thanking the aides for the Senator’s past support and discussing environmental issues that could arise in the new Democratic-controlled Congress. Specifically, Alonso noted that school pesticide legislation likely is forthcoming and that PCOs would like Voinovich to consider the industry’s position. The Ohio contingent exchanged business cards with the aides, provided them with position papers and let them know they were available to the Senator and his staff should they have questions about industry- and small business-related issues. Our visit with a LaTourette aide, with whom we met last, proceeded similarly. LaTourette generally has been supportive of pest control industry issues.

There were concerns heading into our visit with a Brown aide. The newly elected Brown was not particularly “pest control industry-friendly” while he served in the House. Still, the group approached the meeting with an open mind. Billy Kirchner (Cleveland Chemical Pest Control) congratulated Brown’s aide and, similar to Alonso, made the aide aware of forthcoming legislation, and that Ohio PCOs are available as resources. It turns out the aide had an agricultural background and was familiar with how Integrated Pest Management is used in agriculture. He seemed receptive to the Ohio contingent and my sense is that our group felt like the meeting went as well as could be expected.

What I took away from my most recent trip to Capitol Hill was an appreciation for the role every person plays in the political process. What the Ohio PCOs were doing was making inroads with the people who ultimately have control of the tools they need to do their jobs. I applaud NPMA Legislative Day attendees for doing their part to affect policy decisions that impact not only themselves, but the entire industry.

The author is Internet editor of PCT Online (www.pctonline.com).