[News]

NPMA Survey Reveals Bed Bug Impact

FAIRFAX, VA. — A new survey from the National Pest Management Association provides some interesting insights about how this rapidly expanding pest is impacting millions of Americans.

The "Bed Bugs in America" survey indicates Americans who have encountered bed bugs tend to be younger, live in urban areas and rent their homes. Bed bugs have been found in all 50 states. Specifically, the pests were encountered by 17 percent of respondents in the Northeast; 20 percent in the Midwest; 20 percent in the South; and 19 percent in the West.

The survey also indicated most Americans are concerned about bed bugs and believe that infestations in the United States are increasing. The fear of getting bitten topped the list of concerns. As the public’s awareness of the bed bug resurgence grows, many Americans are modifying their behaviors to minimize infestations: 27 percent have inspected or washed clothing upon returning from a trip; 25 percent have checked a hotel room for bed bugs; 17 percent have inspected or vacuumed a suitcase upon returning from a trip; and 12 percent have altered or canceled travel plans because of concern about bed bugs.

Despite widespread exposure to information, most Americans know little about bed bugs. Nearly half incorrectly believe that bed bugs transmit disease (research conducted to date has shown that bed bugs are not vectors of disease); 29 percent inaccurately believe bed bugs are more common among lower-income households; and 37 percent believe bed bugs are attracted to dirty homes.

PMPs also will find information in the survey about where respondents would search for professional pest management services, consumer attitudes on available treatment options and more.

For more information and the full industry version of the survey findings, visit http://www.pestworld.org/bedbugs-in-america. A separate version of the report is available for external audiences.
 

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Chuck Steinmetz Commits
$5 million to University of Fla.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida (UF) officials announced in January that long-time Florida resident Charles Steinmetz and his wife, Lynn, committed $5 million to create five new permanent endowments, including three professorships, an entrepreneurship fellowship fund, a research fund and additional support for an existing student scholarship fund. The support is directed to UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ Department of Entomology and Nematology.

"Florida is at the epicenter of the influx of insects to the continental U.S.," said John Capinera, professor and chairman of UF’s entomology and nematology department.

"These invading pests can prove to be very disruptive to natural and managed ecosystems, including human and animal health and welfare," Capinera said. "And our native insects also thrive in our benign climate, so we have a disproportionately high frequency of problems with insects in Florida."

The professorships to be established with the Steinmetzes’ gift will address these ongoing and growing issues of pest management, including new invaders and the need to apply emerging technology to solve complex problems.

"Pest management is a highly technical field," Charles Steinmetz says. "And UF is in an ideal position to expand on the technology needed to help the industry provide better results. UF researchers are also focused on reducing the negative impact and exposure of pest management methods on the environment, which is very important to me."

Steinmetz has been a leader in the pest control industry for more than 40 years. He received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and life sciences from the University of Florida in 1961. Steinmetz has served in various capacities with Orkin and Truly Nolen, and led the build-up and sale of All America Termite and Pest Control. At the time of sale it was the largest privately owned pest control company in the United States with 125 locations. Following the sale of All America, Steinmetz was involved in Middleton Pest Control’s growth from 1977 until June 2005 when it was sold to Sunair. Recognized as PCT magazine’s "Professional of the Year" in 1996, Steinmetz is a member of the PCT Leadership Class of 1990.

The Steinmetzes, who live in Winter Park, Fla., have a long history of financial support to the University of Florida. They previously established an endowed scholarship fund for entomology graduate students.

In recognition of the couple’s gift, the current building housing the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology on the Gainesville campus will be named Charles Steinmetz Hall, pending approval by the UF Board of Trustees at its March meeting.

The gifts from the Steinmetzes to endow the three professorships also results in additional funds for the University of Florida’s entomology and nematology department as part of a UF initiative launched this past fall titled "Faculty Now." The incentive program provides extra funding equaling four percent of a gift or commitment to endow faculty positions at the university. The funds are made available immediately and can be used in a variety of ways for faculty support.

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Comings & Goings

AP&G, based in Brooklyn, named Robert Stocker national accounts manager. Stocker will continue to have regional responsibility in the South Central United States. The company also hired Robert Weist and Steve Olenak as Southeastern regional manager and Western regional manager, respectively. Kevin Keane assumes the role of vice president of sales for the Professional Products Division.

Team Too Termite & Pest Control, Corona, Calif., appointed Michael Clark to the position of regional manager for the firm’s Northern California regional service centers. Clark began his career with Team Too as a field service technician in 2008 and earned the firm’s Employee of the Year award in 2009.

Chem-Tech, based in Des Moines, Iowa, promoted Tom Eichler to the position of national sales manager. Prior to joining Chem-Tech in 1997, Eichler was the Midwest regional manager for Prentiss Incorporated. Chem-Tech is an Iowa-based formulator and distributor of animal health insecticide products.

Central Life Sciences, Schaumburg, Ill., selected Drew Lockhart as the 2010 recipient of the "Outstanding Sales Achievement Award" for the Zoëcon Professional Products Division. Lockhart is responsible for Central Life Sciences’ professional pest management and vector markets. In this role, he oversees sales, training and customer support for pest management professionals, mosquito abatement districts and public health agencies.

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Arizona Pest Management Conference Set For March

PHOENIX, ARIZ. — The Arizona Pest Professional Organization (AzPPO) and Univar have joined forces to co-sponsor the 1st Annual Arizona Pest Management Conference & Expo, March 28-29 at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort in Chandler, Ariz., and March 29-30 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Tucson, Ariz.

The two-day conference will be held at two different sites in late March in order to coincide with the state’s continuing education renewal program and to be readily accessible to more attendees, according to Christy Davie, co-chair of the conference. "It is sure to be a great event with over 65 vendors attending and six hours of certification (credit)," she said.

The educational program for the conference includes both a business track for owners and managers and a technical track for service managers and technicians. The Chandler meeting also features a golf tournament, with a portion of the proceeds of the tournament going to support the AzPPO Political Action Fund.

The cost of pre-registering for the conference is $80 for AzPPO members and $95 for non-members. The pre-registration cut-off date is March 7. After March 7 the cost is $90 for AzPPO members and $105 for non-members.

To register, visit www.regonline.com/
2011azpestconference. For questions, contact Christy Davie at 480/205-4233 or e-mail: christy.davie@univarusa.com.

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ESA Names Executive Director

LANHAM, MD. — The Entomological Society of America (ESA) selected C. David Gammel, CAE, as its new executive director. He replaces Ann Kenworthy, who served as interim executive director in 2010.

Gammel is a long-time association executive with more than 15 years of experience in association management and association consulting. He was president of High Context Consulting for five years, and before that served the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Employee Relocation Council in senior management positions. He is the author of two books and numerous articles on association membership and technology issues.

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Food Protection Alliance Gathers for Annual Meeting

NEW ORLEANS — Members of the Food Protection Alliance (FPA) gathered in New Orleans in November for their annual meeting. The group, created in the same location six years ago, still has the same objectives, but its membership has grown from five companies to 23.

The organization of regional companies holds the shared vision of providing excellence in pest management, food safety, fumigation services, alternatives to fumigation and product sales throughout North America.

For more information, visit www.fpalliance.com.

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Participants Sought for Raccoon Eviction Study

LINCOLN, NEB. — The Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (ICWDM) has received funding from the National Pest Management Association to study the effectiveness of raccoon eviction fluids. The organization is looking for PMPs interested in helping with this research. Participants are paid a stipend per chimney job, in addition to any charges assessed the client.

The study is limited to female raccoons with young dwelling in a chimney.

If you remove six or more female raccoons with young from chimneys each year, ICWDM wants to hear from you. (However, the group is open to PMPs who can guarantee a minimum sample size of three.)

All study materials are provided including return postage. For details, contact Stephen Vantassel at svantassel2@unl.edu or 402/472-8961.

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Date Book

March 1: BASF Skill Development Series, Linthicum, Md. Contact: www.pestcontrol.basf.us or call 908/864-5800, ext. 2177.

March 2: BASF Skill Development Series, Piscataway, N.J. Contact: See March 1.

March 3: BASF Skill Development Series, East Elmhurst, N.Y. Contact: See March 1.

March 8: BASF Skill Development Series, Fishers, Ind. Contact: See March 1.

March 9: BASF Skill Development Series, Rosemont, Ill. Contact: See March 1.

March 13-15: NPMA Legislative Day, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C. Contact: NPMA, 703/352-6762 or visit www.npmapestworld.org.

March 16: BASF Skill Development Series, Tempe, Ariz. Contact: See March 1.

March 17: BASF Skill Development Series, Anaheim, Calif. Contact: See March 1.

March 18-19: 2011 Discovery Retreat: IPM Basic Training. Contact: Call 888/711-3232, e-mail terrycare@att.net or visit www.lloydsmigel.com.

March 29: BASF Skill Development Series, San Antonio, Texas. Contact: See March 1.

March 29: 2011 Arizona Pest Management Conference & Expo, Chandler, Ariz. Contact: Christy Davie, 480/205-4233 or christy.davie@univarusa.com. Visit www.regonline.com/2011azpestconference.

March 30: 2011 Arizona Pest Management Conference & Expo, Holiday Inn, Tucson, Ariz. Contact: See March 29.

March 31: BASF Skill Development Series, Irving, Texas. Contact: See March 1.

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DuPont Announces Winners of Arilon NASCAR Challenge

WILMINGTON, Del. — DuPont Professional Products announced the winners of the DuPont Arilon NASCAR Challenge and Sweepstakes. The winners of the Challenge, who were the top five U.S. purchasers of DuPont Arilon insecticide in the designated timeframe, are Moyer & Son, Black Pest Prevention, Orkin, Guardian Pest Solutions and Tri-County Pest Control. In addition, Northwest Exterminating won in the random Sweepstakes drawing.

All six winners attended a NASCAR VIP weekend event Oct. 7-9. The event included air travel for two and tickets to the Kansas City Speedway, plus the opportunity to meet and talk with legendary DuPont-sponsored NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon. On race day, the winners received tickets to the NASCAR race and full access to the special DuPont Hospitality Tent for food and entertainment, along with the chance to win more prizes.

The Challenge and the Sweepstakes for the DuPont NASCAR Experience ran from March 8 to July 31.

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Pest Guide Smart
Phone App Available

FAIRFAX, VA. — The NPMA’s Pest Guide App provides access to a comprehensive electronic pest database that allows users to search more than 200 detailed descriptions of pests.

In addition, the interactive Pest Guide allows users to enlarge pictures to show consumers, overlay multiple images and record a detailed history of findings per each account.

Other features include interactive forums allowing users to submit questions, replies, photos and hold discussions with NPMA experts and fellow professionals. And the integrated calendar system allows PCOs to manage appointments and upcoming events.

By purchasing this application, users also have access to the companion website, allowing desktop access to the Pest Guide and the ability to upload photos from a PC or Mac hard drive.

The app is available for $39.99 to iPad and iPhone users at Apple’s App Store and at the Android Market for Droid users.

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Rollins subsidiary HomeTeam Pest Defense announced it had acquired Collin Services based in Dallas, Texas. HomeTeam CEO Bob Wanzer said the company was attracted to Collin Services because of its long-tenured customer base and builder channel business. Expansion in the Dallas/Fort Worth area was another factor, Wanzer said.

Integrity Pest Management, Sand Springs, Okla., has been selected for the 2010 Best of Sand Springs Award in the Pest Control Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association. The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country.

Steven Pazienza opened a Mosquito Squad mosquito control franchise in Mount Laurel, N.J. Pazienza also owns a Cleaning Authority location. Mosquito Squad mosquito control offers five control programs for mosquitoes, as well as tick control in participating locations.

Pied Piper Pest Control of Anchorage, Alaska, and The Pest Bureau of Columbia, S.C., have been approved for membership in the bedbugFREE national network of companies committed to the guidelines and practices of BedBug Central.

For the fourth consecutive year, Faulkner Pest Service has earned a Best of Amarillo award in the Pest Control category. Faulkner Pest Service has been in business for more than 20 years. The awards, which are based on a readers poll, are conducted by the Amarillo Globe News.

Pestmaster Services of the Hudson Valley, Kingston, N.Y., has added a second bed bug detection dog team to its staff.

Stuart Aust, president of Bug Doctor Termite & Pest Control, and Justine Boone, sales coordinator at Bug Doctor, were interviewed for a news segment on WABC-TV Channel 7 in New York, N.Y. Aust and Boone appeared on-air for the segment that covered the recent bed bug outbreaks in New York City.

American Pest, Lake St. Louis, Mo., joined Anderson Pest Solutions, Elmhurst, Ill.

PermaTreat, Fredericksburg, Va., sponsored the Fredericksburg Dog Fair on Oct. 2, bringing 3,000 people to the city for a day of pet recognition. The firm also organized a flea market on Oct. 9 to benefit Rappahannock United Way. Proceeds from the space rentals and grill out raised $291.

Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators has acquired Top Notch Pest Control of Tampa Bay, located on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Top Notch is a full-service company, specializing in residential and commercial pest control, termite control, and lawn and ornamental services.

Turner Pest Control, Jacksonville, Fla., was awarded the 2010 Super-Sub of the Year Award by the Florida First Coast Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors at the 2010 Excellence in Construction Awards. The award is presented each year to the subcontractor that exemplifies quality service on the most award- winning projects for the year.

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Liphatech Sponsors
Golf Contest at PestWorld 2010

MILWAUKEE — Liphatech awarded numerous prizes and gift cards as part of its FirstStrike Golf Challenge held during PestWorld 2010 in Hawaii last October.

More than 200 competitors took part in the hole-in-one golf event at the Liphatech exhibit booth. Participants who made a hole-in-one on the artificial-turf course were given a spin on the Liphatech prize wheel, where winners could take home anything from an 8-pound pail of FirstStrike to a Liphatech-branded umbrella and other golf-themed promotional items. Each participant in the challenge was also entered into a daily drawing for a $250 gift card.

Gift-card winners included David Fisher of Rentokil, Reading, Pa.; Jacob Swett, Ameri Care Services, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and Jeremiah Ryden, Gunter Pest and Lawn, Kansas City, Mo.

"The FirstStrike Golf Challenge is an extension of our successful FirstStrike Success Story challenge, which generated excellent first-hand experiences about the product from PMPs across the country," said Jim Doll, senior marketing manager, pest management division, Liphatech.

For more information about Lipha-tech products and services, visit www.liphatech.com.

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IN MEMORIAM

Mike Bertino, Former President of York Chemical Company, Dies

BEAUFORT, N.C. — Michael Anthony Bertino, a well-known figure throughout the pest management industry, died Dec. 18, at Crystal Bluff Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Morehead City, N.C. He was 72.

Born in Coney Island, N.Y., in 1938, Bertino had a successful pest control career that spanned many decades. A graduate of the State University of New York at Farmingdale and the University of Georgia, he was a board certified entomologist who was active in the National Pest Control Association, UPF&DA and Pi Chi Omega, the industry’s professional fraternity. In addition, he served as president of York Chemical Company, Garden City Park, N.Y., before joining B&G Equipment Co. later in his career.

Upon learning of his passing, former NPMA President Norm Cooper said, "I had the great privilege and joy of knowing Mike Bertino for six decades. He was always eager to be helpful, always a gentleman and always in good spirits. The pest control profession was better for having been blessed by his presence in our midst."

Survivors include his wife, Lorna; daughters, Carmela and Kathryn; son, Michael; sister, Annmarie; brother, Anthony; and six grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Star of the Sea Scholarship Fund, St. Egbert Catholic School, 1705 Evans Street, Morehead City, NC 28557 or to the Pi Chi Omega Scholarship Fund, Attention: Vern Toblan, P. O. Box 8149, Wilmington, DE 19803-9997.

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Al Moore, ’07 Tech of the Year, Massey Service Manager, Passes Away

DECATUR, GA. — Al Moore, a PCT Service Technician-of-the-Year in 2007, has died. He was 59.
A 30-year veteran of the pest control industry, Moore was a popular service manager at Massey Services’ Alpharetta, Ga., office. Noted for his exemplary customer service, Moore had a long and distinguished pest control career, serving as a technician for Orkin Pest Control in New Orleans and technical director with Sears Pest Control in Atlanta before opening his own business, Guideline Pest Control, in 1990. He joined Massey Services in 2005, receiving the prestigious Harvey L. Massey Award at the company’s 2010 Eagle Circle Awards Banquet.
"Al unfailingly went above and beyond to not only support customers, but also his fellow team members," said Tony Massey, president and chief operating officer of Massey Services, Orlando, Fla. "Al was loved and respected by the Massey Services family and the pest management industry and he will be sincerely missed."
After graduating from Tuskegee University in 1972, Moore joined the Peace Corps, teaching science and physical education classes in West Africa for three years. In recent years he worked as a community volunteer, organizing and supervising local food drives. Moore also was active in his church, serving as a deacon and overseeing a mentoring program for young men.
In addition, he was Region 7 Director of the Georgia Pest Control Association (GPCA) and he chaired the GPCA Forms Committee.
Moore is survived by his wife, Connie; sons Malcolm and Marcus; daughter Liva; and five grandchildren.

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Industry Mourns Marcella Nelson, Wife of Former Pest Control Editor

CLEVELAND — Marcella S. Nelson, wife of the late Jim Nelson, passed away on Sept. 22. She was 90 years old. Marcella was an honorably discharged veteran of the Women’s Army Corps and provided 13 years of distinguished service to the American Red Cross.

Jim Nelson, the long-time editor and publisher of Pest Control magazine, was widely respected for his business acumen and professional expertise. An iconic figure in the pest management industry, he preceded Marcella in death.

Pi Chi Omega, the professional pest management fraternity, named Jim Nelson its first executive director in 1974 and the group’s first lifetime membership was awarded to him in 1980. In 1979, Nelson retired from his position as executive director of the fraternity, having provided 30 years of distinguished service in a variety of capacities. Marcella was supportive of Nelson’s career and highly regarded by many in the pest management industry.