[Back Talk]

Thankful for PCT and Its Staff

I just wanted to personally thank you for your fantastic magazine. I look forward to the emails and monthly publication and they both really keep me abreast on the latest happenings in the industry as I am usually too busy to attend the industry events.

The commitment and dedication of the PCT staff shows in the pages of the magazine. I know sometimes people only write when they are unhappy but I just want you to know I am thankful for the PCT staff. Keep up the amazing work as it is greatly appreciated!

Mike Masterson
ISOTECH Pest Management
Covina, Calif.

Writer Worthy of The New York Times

I just read the introduction to Al Greene’s article on Rachel Carson and the 50th anniversary of the publication of “Silent Spring” (September PCT, page 26), and must say that I very much look forward to reading his forthcoming book on IPM. I met Al Greene some years ago at an IPM workshop where we both spoke, and we had a lively discussion about the benefit (or not) of monitoring in cockroach control.

Greene certainly has captured the true essence of what “Silent Spring” meant in its time and what it represents today. I remember attending an NPMA conference in Toronto some years ago where I heard a keynote speech by a retired pest control operator who spoke of Carson in very deprecatory terms, and I really marveled at how much misguided passion was still evoked by “Silent Spring,” about 35 or so years after Carson’s death.

PCT’s readers may wish to read the excellent article about Silent Spring in a recent issue of The New York Times Magazine: http://nyti.ms/T1Y2xr.

I can only say that Greene’s writing is on a level of excellence that would be recognized in The New York Times, which has one of the highest reputations for literary accomplishment by its writers in so many different areas.

His article has the added insights of someone who is an expert in the pest management business, and it is one I hope to bookmark and use as a reference for the history of IPM and what it means. He correctly points out that Carson was never “anti-pesticide,” but was concerned about excessive use, primarily in agriculture. Sadly, I find that real understanding of IPM practice is still lacking by many in our industry and, in my experience, it is taken for granted by some of the best-known names. But there is hope as we see some young people promoting IPM as it should be used — with creativity, insight and education. I just recently spent a few days with a small operator in Chicago whose work in bed bug elimination is, in a word, outstanding, with warranties that most firms would not dare offer.

Sam Bryks, B.C.E.
Integrated Pest Management Consultancy
Toronto, Canada

Readers are invited to send letters to jdorsch@giemedia.com. Comments may be edited for space or clarity.