[Back Talk]

INDUSTRY GENEROSITY APPRECIATED
Thank you for PCT’s excellent coverage of Hurricane Katrina’s impact on Gulf Coast PCOs in the October issue. I wanted to share a quick story to illustrate the generosity of this wonderful industry.
A week after the hurricane, while evacuated in Houston and driving in a semi-fog, I called Rob Lederer at the National Pest Management Association with what I thought was an original idea: What about raising money for the pest control technicians who were suffering from Katrina’s ravages? Maybe we could do this, maybe we could do that, I rambled. When I finally shut up, Rob said, “We’ve already got the ball rolling,” or words to that effect. At that time, about $20,000 had been raised already.
Fast-forward to mid-October: I drove to the Louisiana Pest Management Association office to pick up the envelopes containing $250 for my technicians. Over the next few days I met them in various locations to give them the money. Many were still in somewhat of a daze, trying to cope with all of the upheaval and uncertainty. But to a person, when they opened up the envelopes and saw the money that their industry colleagues had raised for them...words don’t do justice to the expressions of gratitude on their faces.
We’ll look back on this sad event one day and wonder how we ever got through it. Many of the details will fade with time. But to Rob Lederer and NPMA, and the countless generous people in our industry who helped us in our time of need, we won’t ever forget it. God bless you all.
Chris Caire
DA Exterminating Co.
Metairie, La.

EXCELLENT BED BUG COVERAGE
I’ve been reading PCT for years now and had to write to tell you how much I appreciate it. I not only enjoy the articles but also the products advertised. I’ve chosen products and equipment based on what I’ve read in your magazine.
The article by Michael F. Potter on bed bugs in the October issue blew me away! It was the finest article I have ever read. I’ve been following the industry’s interest in the reemergence of bed bugs and this article really pulls it all together. It touches on all aspects of dealing with this critter: biology, control, prevention, insurance concerns, customer relations, etc.
I’m a very conservative pest control company owner. I don’t intend to service or bid new accounts with bed bug problems but I do want to protect my present client base. I used this article to put together a newsletter for my accounts. I’ve been sending out this newsletter with billings throughout the month. I’ve just about contacted everyone and just in time too.
Two days ago a local hotel was shut down by the health department for a serious bed bug problem. I’ve done newsletters before on spiders, roaches, etc., but couldn’t put one together for bed bugs. This was just what the doctor ordered.
Louis A. Lavecchia
Owner
Nevada Pest Control
Las Vegas, Nev.

E-mail jdorsch@giemedia.com or write to 4012 Bridge Ave., Cleveland OH 44113. Letters may be edited for space or clarity.