TWINSBURG, Ohio - Les Smith, an entomologist and president of Rid-A-Pest, Inc., based in eastern North Carolina, also serves as range manager for Heber Valley Camp in Utah. Created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to host church retreats and other outdoor events, this beautiful camp is located on a spectacular tract of land covering more than 8,000 acres in the mountains. Elevation of the camp ranges from 7,500-10,000 feet.

For the past year, Smith has towed the line between being environmentally sensitive to the wildlife and plant life surrounding the camp, while keeping pests out of the cabins, RV areas and outbuildings so that there is no damage to food, belongings or equipment. Many of the missionaries on the campgrounds have fifth-wheel campers, and mice had been a perpetual problem for him to keep under control. Other pest issues ranged from ground squirrels and badgers to spiders, flies and bed bugs, as well as chipmunks and other small rodents. And while Smith had been keeping up with sanitation and doing some trapping, keeping up with the pest pressure was getting the better of this dedicated volunteer.

At a recent pest industry trade show, Smith spoke with J.T. Eaton Sales Manager Craig Velte about the camp and its pest issues. Velte soon realized that the camp was a perfect candidate for J.T. Eaton’s Stanley Z. Baker Foundation. Named after the rodenticide pioneer and former president of the company, the Foundation is the vehicle through which J.T. Eaton donates product and/or funds to worthy causes. Velte notes that Heber Valley Camp certainly fit the bill.

“Les keeps up with the pest control all around the camp on a volunteer basis and a limited budget,” Velte explains. “I knew we’d be able to donate some Eaton products to help ease that responsibility.”

In April, through the Stanley Z. Baker Foundation, J.T. Eaton donated several cases of many of its integrated pest management products, including J.T. Eaton Kills Bedbugs and Crawling Insects powder, the Webster Cobweb Duster, Stick-Em Rat & Mouse Glue Traps, Stick-A-Fly fly traps and the Jawz mouse- and rat-sized plastic snap traps. Smith was thrilled.

“J.T. Eaton is getting a lot of recognition with the 53 couple missionaries serving here,” he says. “So far, we have had 100% success in all locations in which we have used the products J.T. Eaton sent.”
“100% success” is music to Velte’s ears. “This is exactly why the Foundation was started,” he says. “Mr. Baker was a philanthropist in life, and his family is continuing his legacy of generosity by donating to organizations in need of pest management tools, like Les and the Heber Valley Camp.”

To learn more about the Heber Valley Camp, visit HeberValleyCamp.org. And to learn more about the Stanley Z. Baker Foundation, visit JTEaton.com.