NPMA Releases Spring 2020 Bug Barometer

FAIRFAX, Va. — In April, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) released its bi-annual Bug Barometer, a seasonal projection of the pest pressure Americans can expect to see in their respective regions. NPMA says this information is designed to encourage proper pest prevention and protection measures to reduce pest encounters that can pose a risk to both health and home.

According to NPMA, ongoing warm, wet weather has allowed pest populations to spike early and will enable them to thrive throughout spring and summer across most of the U.S.

“Coast to coast, our country experienced unseasonably warm and wet conditions this winter, allowing certain pest populations not usually seen during this time of year to surge in population,” said Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., chief entomologist, NPMA. “These conditions allowed vector pests such as ticks, responsible for the spread of Lyme disease, and mosquitoes, common vectors of West Nile virus, Zika virus and eastern equine encephalitis, to get a jumpstart on activity, and with more warm and wet weather predicted for summer across most of the U.S., we’ll likely see these populations, and others, rapidly expand.”

Homeowners should also be prepared for increased pressure from structural pests as well. “Damp conditions predicted for the Northeast, Southeast and South Central regions this spring and summer will enable termite, cockroach and ant populations to take hold and thrive. In areas expecting less moisture this season, stinging insects will also pose a significant threat, as families will be spending more time outdoors, increasing their likelihood of exposure to these dangerous pests, which send over 500,000 people to the emergency room every year,” added Fredericks.

Based on this analysis, the National Pest Management Association’s Spring/Summer Bug Barometer is forecasting a spike in moisture-loving pest populations across most of the U.S. this season. For a complete review, visit www.pctonline.com and search “barometer.”

Advion WDG Label Training Module Added to PCT’s DLC

VALLEY VIEW, Ohio — PCT announced the addition of Syngenta’s Advion WDG label training module. Access the new module from PCT’s Distance Learning Center or via Veseris’s online ProTraining platform.

PCT has applied for continuing education credits for this course in numerous states.

Created by Board Certified Entomologist and consultant Stoy Hedges, the courses use photographs, video clips and reference materials to challenge users’ knowledge, experience and problem-solving skills for a wide range of products and pest problems.

Accessible by PC, tablet or smartphone, Distance Learning Center training is presented in modules designed to take a half-hour to an hour to complete. Their brevity gives individuals the opportunity to fit this education in whenever their schedules allow — even during breaks or lunchtime. And if a user needs to stop while taking a course, no problem: He or she can close the program and pick up at the point left off later.

Each label course is designed around reading and interpreting a specific pesticide product label, covering all aspects of the label — from trade name, target pests, hazards and first aid to areas for treatment and directions for use. As the user takes the course, he or she will be required to identify pests or treatment sites by photograph and determine whether such pests or sites are included on the label and/or interpret how that product may be used to treat the pest according to label directions.

Training is divided into sections with three to seven related questions, and upon selecting the correct answer(s), an explanation of the correct answer is provided, sometimes with a tip on where the pest professional can find the answer in the reference materials. These explanations help to improve the user’s understanding of the topic materials.

Visit https://training.pctonline.com or https://pestweb.com, and return frequently as new training modules are being added.

PWIPM of Alabama Raffles Off a Pink B&G Sprayer

AUBURN, Ala. — The Professional Women in Pest Management of Alabama spread awareness for its chapter and raised funds at the Alabama Pest Control Association (APCA) Winter Conference in Auburn, Ala., on Feb. 7. Butch Cauthen from Oldham Chemical Company graciously donated a B&G Sprayer with pink covers to be raffled off to support the chapter. Thanks to the support of APCA membership, PWIPM of Alabama raised more than $1,200 to help its chapter grow.

“The Alabama Pest Control Association Winter Conference is a great event for the PWIPM of Alabama to showcase the strength of women in the industry. This is our second year having a booth at the conference (booth space donated by Oldham Chemical Company). We distribute educational information, resources and (information about) upcoming networking opportunities,” says Faye Golden, governmental affairs manager for Cook’s Pest Control, Decatur, Ala., and co-chair of PWIPM of Alabama. “Our chapter gives women the resources and tools to not only help with their professional position in their companies but also empower them personally.”

The Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM) is an affiliate group of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) whose mission is to attract, develop and support women in the pest management industry through educational programs, resources and peer networking.

Tony DeJesus Presented with Eldridge Award

CONCORD, N.H. — The New England Pest Management Association recently held its annual Bartlett W. Eldridge Award dinner to recognize an individual who has made a long-term commitment to the betterment of the pest control industry in New England.

Recipients of this award exemplify a strong service to the industry, a commitment to community service, and an overall acknowledgment by peers within the industry.

This year’s recipient, Tony DeJesus of Big Blue Bug Solutions, Providence, R.I., has provided more than four decades of valuable service to the company, the community and the New England pest management industry.

DeJesus is deeply involved in the industry and hosts an award-winning Sunday morning radio show featuring pest control- related topics as well as a popular YouTube channel called “TonyTV,” where he offers expert pest control advice.

DeJesus serves as a deacon in his church, plays Santa Claus at company holiday parties and founded Operation ROVAC, a group that gathers holiday gifts and delivers them to veterans who might not otherwise receive a holiday gift. Operation ROVAC has grown over the years from a single bag of gifts to truckloads of gifts being delivered to U.S. veterans.

NCPMA Announces 2019 Award Winners

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) announced its 2019 Technician of the Year awards and 2019 Administrative Professional of the Year award. Each recipient received his or her award at the 2020 North Carolina Pest Management Association’s Pest Control Technician’s School in January 2020.

• Technician of the Year, Pest Management, Ronald Wilson, Terminix, Madison, N.C.
• Technician of the Year, Wood-Destroying Insects, Caleb Dulin, City Wide Exterminating, Locust, N.C.
• Administrative Professional of the Year, Regana Cavin, Arrow Exterminators, China Grove, N.C.

“It brings us great pride to present these awards to these outstanding professionals, and we wish them all a huge congratulations,” said Clint Miller, president of NCPMA. “These professionals are leaders to their peers and have shown dedication to their craft, outstanding work ethics and unparalleled commitments to customer service.”

NCPMA presents two Technician of the Year awards each year to technicians who exemplify the best qualities of pest management professionals within their companies. The two Technician of the Year awards are given each year to technicians in the pest management category and wood-destroying insects category.

The North Carolina chapter of the Professional Women in Pest Management (NCPWIPM), a committee of the NCPMA, has been awarding the Administrative Professional of the Year award annually since 2018 to the administrative professional who best demonstrates customer service both internally and externally and a commitment to the company’s purpose.

Truly Nolen Named to Franchise Business Review’s ‘Top Franchises in 2020’ List

TUCSON, Ariz. — Truly Nolen Pest Control, a Hall of Fame Franchise Business Review inductee in 2016, recently was named as one of FBR’s 2020 “Top 200 Franchise Opportunities.” This marks the 22nd time the company has been named to a “Best of the Best” list since 2006.

Franchise Business Review is a leading national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. All six of Franchise Business Review’s annual reports can be found at www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. Truly Nolen has made multiple appearances in the Guide to Today’s Top Franchises and Top Franchises for Veterans.

“Being a local, family-owned company affords us instant familiarity when doing business,” said Chris Mehalic, Charlotte, N.C., franchisee and one of many Truly Nolen domestic franchise owners located in the United States and Canada. “When that is enhanced by the support, reputation and history brought by the corporate team, our customers truly get a best-in-class experience.”

Lance Washington, Truly Nolen director, Domestic Franchising, said he was excited about the company making the list. “We are honored to be recognized on this diverse list of franchise opportunities,” said Washington.

Pest Posse Academy Approved Continuing Education Provider in Four States

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Pest Posse Academy, a training solution for the small- to medium-size pest control company as well as individual pest management professionals, is now an approved continuing education provider in California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas. There are several courses that have been approved for continuing education credits with more courses being added every day.

Pest Posse Academy provides PMPs online video-based training. It is a regular monthly subscription-based solution that delivers regular weekly training on topics such as safety, pest identification, reading pesticide labels and specific application techniques.

The Pest Posse says its Academy will bring pest control training into a new age and it will be available anytime on any electronic device.

Learn more at www.thepestposse.net/pestposseacademy.