[March News]

John V. Osmun endowed professorship to be established at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. — In a career that spanned 60+ years, Dr. John Osmun raised the industry’s level of professionalism as a pioneering advocate of education/training. Now, the former Purdue entomology professor’s legacy has been further cemented with the establishment of the John V. Osmun Endowed Professorship.

The Purdue University Endowed Chair Committee, a volunteer group chaired by Rose Pest Solutions President Judy Dold, announced in January that it secured funding to establish the endowed professorship. The group — which also includes Steve Yaninek, department head, Purdue Entomology; Eric Putman, director of development, Purdue Agriculture; consultant Austin Frishman; former Univar Vice President Norm Ehmann; PCT Publisher Dan Moreland; Insects Limited’s David Mueller; and John Owens of S.C. Johnson & Sons — worked the past three+ years to raise the necessary funds. Pest control companies, distributors and others involved in the pest control industry all contributed, including Terminix, whose sizable contribution in early January pushed the fund past the required $1 million mark.

A named professorship is one of the highest honors a university can bestow on a member (or past member) of its faculty. It is a position permanently supported with the revenue from an endowment fund specifically set up for that purpose. Osmun, who came to Purdue in 1948, established the first four-year program devoted to urban and industrial entomology and helped build the Department of Entomology to one of the best in the country. He retired from Purdue in 1987 but remains active.

"John Osmun is a revered industry icon," Dold said. "The endowed professorship is the culmination of an effort to honor someone who has given so much to all of us — really so much to the entire industry. We wanted to do something that is a going to live on long after we are here."

Added Mueller, "Dr. John Osmun means so many different things to so many people. I know he has been like a father to me. We couldn’t be happier to have made this happen."

One of the real drivers of this project was Ehmann, a longtime friend and colleague of Osmun, who raised more than $250,000 from West Coast companies. "With the endowed professorship we are recognizing the person who really established professionalism in the (pest control) industry with the Purdue Conference. I know he has inspired me every year."

In addition to the John V. Osmun Endowed Professorship, Purdue University’s Entomology Department also is home to the O. Wayne Rollins/Orkin Chair in Urban Entomology. The fact that Purdue Entomology has two endowed positions is impressive, considering the department is relatively small compared to other university departments, Mueller said. "The endowed professorship will allow Purdue to go out and find good leaders, good professors and increase Purdue’s support in this area."

What’s more, the John V. Osmun Endowed Professorship will have industry-wide benefits. The Purdue University Endowed Chair Committee’s proposal to Purdue for the endowed professorship stipulated that the position will perform research that is timely and is immediately applicable to the pest control industry, said Dold, adding that "the endowed professorship is an opportunity to honor John Osmun, while at the same time move the industry forward with some real information we all can use that will impact the way we do business."

Purdue’s Yaninek agreed, adding, "John Osmun’s interactions with the pest management industry were innovative and trend-setting, so it is appropriate that this new professorship will support faculty working on cutting-edge research that addresses industry priorities." — Brad Harbison

Tucker, Whitmire Micro-Gen begin seminar series

BALTIMORE, MD. — On Feb. 6, Jeff Tucker, B.C.E., and Whitmire Micro-Gen kicked off the first of a 20-date series of skill development seminars focused on restaurants and commercial kitchens.

About 100 pest management professionals crowded a meeting room in Baltimore to hear Tucker present for more than three hours about "two things and two things only," Tucker said, "cockroach control in restaurants and commercial kitchens and fly control in restaurants and commercial kitchens."

Tucker, a popular presenter and a regular on the speaker circuit, focused his session on microhabitats — the smaller areas within a bigger space that pest management professionals must focus their attention on while making an application. These microhabitats are usually the site of insecticide applications, Tucker said. "The big picture doesn’t help us much. We’ve got to understand the little parts," he said.

To kick off his presentation, Tucker shared with attendees what a large potential market the restaurant industry is:

• In 2006, restaurant industry sales were
estimated to be $511 billion.

• There are 925,000 restaurant locations
in the United States.

• The restaurant industry employs 12.5
million workers.

"There is a 100 percent chance of cockroach infestations," in these locations, Tucker said. "The restaurant industry needs us to offer advice."

Regarding cockroach control, Tucker presented information about pest control work in kitchens in two sections: 1) where all of the restaurant’s customers sit (called the "front of house") and; 2) where food is prepared (called the "back of house").

As pest management professionals who work in such accounts know, restaurant kitchens come in all shapes and sizes. And the No. 1 cockroach in restaurants? German cockroaches, Tucker said. "This is one tough creature," he added.

Tucker said German cockroaches:

• spend most of their time in cracks and
crevices

• are most active at night

• are distributed in clumps

• have high reproductive potential

• have a 60- to 75-day life cycle

As has been widely discussed in the pest management industry, some populations of German cockroaches have been shown to be resistant to some insecticides. In addition, there are cockroach strains, Tucker said, that are resistant to some baits. As a result, "Bait mania may be a thing of the past," he said.

But even though some PCOs have experienced challenges in the field with some bait products, the industry is fortunate to have a wide range of products at its disposal for German cockroach control. Baits, as well as residuals, crack and crevice products, traps, etc., are being used on a rotating basis by pest management professionals in many accounts and the key to cockroach control in restaurants is inspection, Tucker said. "Inspection is always first in restaurant pest control," he said. "Walk in purposely with your flashlight and you check locations.

"As you get control of an account, you should be inspecting a lot more than you treat."

For additional information/dates or to register for the Skill Development Seminar: Restaurants & Commercial Kitchens, visit www.wmmg.com/seminar. — Jodi Dorsch

Critter Control celebrates 25-year anniversary

TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. — Twenty-five years ago, Detroit metropolitan-based chimney sweep Kevin Clark received a call to remove a raccoon from a chimney. The caller said he had phoned all over town to everyone he could think of to help solve his problem, but nobody dealt with marauding wildlife. Clark began calling pest control companies and animal control officers in the metropolitan Detroit area, and confirmed the caller’s predicament.

Seizing the opportunity, Clark’s Critter Control was born. Five years later Critter Control, was incorporated and began franchising the concept. Wildlife damage complaints in urban areas were increasing all across the United States, and the company added an average of one new office a month over the next decade. Today, Critter Control says it is North America’s largest wildlife pest control firm, with more than 100 offices coast to coast.

Clark shares the credit with his franchisees, who’ve helped grow the business. "We have dedicated people who are passionate about protecting people, property and wildlife," he said. "Franchising was the perfect way to grow the concept and share the dream. It’s been extremely satisfying to pioneer an industry, and in the process create over 400 jobs."

Premise Termite Control, HomeTeam Pest Defense team up with Extreme

Makeover: Home Edition

LINCOLN, NEB./DALLAS, TEXAS — Two pest control-related firms recently joined forces with ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to help families in need.

The home of the Machacek and Fullerton families of Lincoln, Neb., was bulldozed and rebuilt by the team and volunteers of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. With the help on Lincolnland Exterminating and Premise Termite Control, the construction of the new home included a termite treatment.

With only six days to construct the new home, the whole community worked together to create a place in which the Machacek and Fullerton families could be proud. When it was time for a termite prevention treatment, the Extreme Makeover team had to look no further than Leroy Hawk and his team at Lincolnland Exterminating.

The tight construction schedule meant the Lincolnland team was working in the early morning, treating the structure using Premise for Eastern subterranean termites. Premise wettable powder was used throughout the house, garage and basement.

"We chose Premise for the treatment because we wanted to use a product that would already be working when the family returned from Paris," says Hawk. "Premise begins working quickly and lasts the long haul."

HomeTeam Pest Defense and its employees also rolled up their sleeves to help an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition family rebuild their home. HomeTeam contributed its patented Taexx built-in pest control system in a rebuilt home owned by Linda and William Riggins. In addition, the company donated two years of pest control service and four years of termite protection to the family.

"We’re excited and pleased to install our Taexx system in this new home and help give a deserving family a fresh new start," says Bob Wanzer, HomeTeam president and COO. "Our company was built around offering products and services that help others, so this is a perfect cause for us."

Bird-B-Gone offers free training classes

ORANGE, CALIF. — Bird-B-Gone is offering free bird training classes once a month for the next several months. Attendees receive class credit for the one-day course, which is held in Orange, Calif. Attendees will learn the basics of identifying and solving bird control problems, participate in hands-on installation of bird control products, learn how to best market bird control and make a profit.

Following is the class schedule:

• April 20

• May 18

• June 22

• July 20

All classes are held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information and a complete outline of the training, contact Bird-B-Gone sales at 800/392-6915.

North Carolina Pest Control Association holds 57th

Technician’s School

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Pest Control Association’s 57th Annual Pest Control Technician’s School was held Jan. 15-18, in Raleigh, N.C. More than 850 pest management professionals registered for this year’s conference. Also in attendance were 33 exhibitors and 64 exhibitors’ representatives.

Notable speakers included Dr. Phil Koehler, University of Florida; Dr. Mike Potter, University of Kentucky; numerous professors and staff from North Carolina State University; and keynote speaker, Richard Moore, the North Carolina state treasurer.

The school is held each year in January in conjunction with the North Carolina Pest Control Association and North Carolina State University’s department of entomology. The program is designed for pest control technicians, suppliers, nuisance wildlife control agents and others closely associated with pest control operations. The school offers certification training and examinations; training with the opportunity to earn continuing certification credits for North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia; and information for technicians, owners and managers on the latest developments in pest control.

Zoecon Professional Products announces new Web site

SCHAUMBURG, ILL. — Zoecon Professional Products has launched a new Web site at www.zoecon.com.

"We are happy to help pest management professionals by providing our new and improved Web site. The new site is an improvement over our old site in two respects," said John Neberz, business manager for Zoecon Professional Products. "First, the depth and breadth of product information has been vastly expanded, allowing users to perform all of the research necessary to make informed decisions when deciding what product is appropriate. Second, the Web site’s navigation structure is simple and
intuitive, allowing users to access all of that information easily."

The Zoecon Professional Products Web site contains:

• product descriptions and news

• product availability

• downloadable brochures and labels

• links to distributors

• tips and frequently asked questions

J.T. Eaton celebrates 75th anniversary

TWINSBURG, OHIO — When J.T. Eaton & Co. was founded in 1932, unemployment was higher than 24 percent. You could buy a loaf of bread for seven cents and a gallon of gas for 10 cents.

It was in those Herbert Hoover-led times that the J.T. Eaton & Co. was founded. However, the pest and rodent management equipment company did not gain its true footing until Stanley Baker purchased the firm in 1949.

Before his death in 2005 at age 87, Baker built J.T. Eaton & Co. into
a multi-million-dollar company, introducing such products as Eaton’s Bait Blocks,
the first commercial paraffin-based rodent formula, in the 1950s. In 1980, Baker created Stick-Em Glue traps and worked to improve rodent stations. In 1999, he helped patent an ant and roach product that used 1 percent boric acid.

Today, the company is run by Baker’s sons, Ben and Bart. Bart Baker’s son, Dale, is vice president and continues the tradition for a third generation.

For several years, the annual J.T. Eaton & Co. Scholarship has been awarded at the Purdue Pest Control Conference Banquet every January. The 2007 winner is Margaret Schwinghammer, a Ph.D. student whose research currently focuses on investigating termite behavior using molecular techniques. Her goal is to develop a new mode of action for termite control.

In addition, the Baker family recently added to their industry stewardship efforts by creating the Stanley Z. Baker Philanthropic Program. The program is intended to serve two purposes: One is to create additional scholarships for college students looking to enter the professional pest management industry and the other is to team with PCOs to help people in need.

"We feel that this is a great way to celebrate our anniversary — by giving back to the industry and the people that have supported us for 75 years," Dale Baker said.

To learn more information about the scholarship program or a donation request, call Gary Schlosberg at 800/321-3421 or e-mail garys@jteaton.com.

Anderson to host 32nd Pest Solutions Seminar

NORTHBROOK, ILL. — Anderson Pest Solutions will host its 32nd Annual Pest Solutions Seminar April 12 at the Northbrook Hilton Allgauer’s Restaurant. The one-day seminar will cover pest management, theory, technique, and regulations and features notable speakers such as Austin Frishman, Robert Corrigan and Mike Potter.

The seminar was established by Charlie O’Hara with the goal of increasing cooperation between health officials and the pest management industry and providing a technical resource for health departments. The seminar draws more than 200 attendees per year and Anderson also hosted a similar event in St. Louis in November.

Visit www.pctonline.com to download the seminar brochure.

LIPCA offers program through Lloyd’s of London

BATON ROUGE, LA. — Effective Jan. 1, LIPCA began a new national pest control general liability program through Lloyd’s of London.

In "Lloyd’s" terminology, the relationship is called a "Coverholder," allowing LIPCA to bind coverage and issue Lloyd’s of London policies, handle claims, market to agents and PCOs, collect premium, audit policies and report to regulatory agencies. Lloyds of London is rated A by AM Best.

LIPCA was sponsored by BRIT, one of Lloyd’s 66 syndicates, and was allowed to draft the policy language that met the specific insurance needs of pest control operators, as well as develop the underwriting guidelines that determine company eligibility. The Lloyd’s of London general liability program through LIPCA will be available to PCOs and their agents in all 50 states.

LIPCA insureds will benefit from more in-house control of pricing, claims and underwriting decisions, an improved rating system and limits of liability with aggregates of up to $5 million, reducing the extra expense of umbrella or excess policies for PCO customers that demand higher limits. A list of general liability features can be found on the LIPCA Web site at www.lipca.com/insurance_pro grams-pest_control.php.

PestEX 2007 set for April in London

LONDON — PestEX 2007 will take place April 18-19 at the ExCeL centre in London’s Docklands area.

Entry into the exhibition is free of charge. Visitors need to pre-register by visiting www.pestex.org. The Web pages are displayed in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. All those pre-registering will be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win the first prize — five days worth of BPCA training.

A leading pest control event in Europe, PestEX 2007 will feature topical (and free) seminars covering such issues as waste disposal, pesticide-free pest control, the affects of the Biocides Directive and bed bug control.

To date, nearly 60 organizations have booths booked, with exhibitors coming from the UK, Europe including Scandinavia and from the United States.

For further information about PestEX 2007, contact Laura Marshall via phone at +44 (0) 1332 225114 or e-mail at laura@bpca.org.uk.