NEW YORK – Steve Hawkins, owner of 5 Star Environments, New York, N.Y., was the winner of PCT’s March book giveaway. Hawkins won three copies of “Bed Bug Beware: An easy to understand guide to bed bugs, their prevention and control,” which was reviewed in March PCT as part of our bed bug coverage. Pest management professionals can use this book as an add-on tool for their customers during the preparation stages for bed bug control, or other training or customer communications.

Hawkins has been involved in the pest control industry since 1992, and has worked in sales for several companies including Orkin, Western Pest Services and Assured Environments. He started his own company, 5 Star Environments, in January.

“I’ve always been successful and had a passion for this industry. I figured that as hard as I work…why not do it for myself and reap the benefits,” he said.

Why the name 5 Star Environments? “Because we give 5-star service, just as you would expect from a 5-star resort,” Hawkins said.

5 Star Environments is a full service pest control company (employing four) and Hawkins says what makes his company unique is its emphasis on the inspection and consultation. “We meet with the client and go through a holistic process, much like a doctor examining a patient and then prescribing a treatment.”

Bed bugs, particularly problematic in New York City, are a major focus of the company. Hawkins says 5 Star Environments has been busy with bed bug jobs in hotels.