[On the Road] A Rewarding Experience at the Kentucky Short Course

The University of Kentucky was center stage for the pest control industry in September as more than 400 pest management professionals, manufacturers, distributors and others gathered for the 34th Annual Kentucky Short Course.

A speaker lineup of leading industry experts addressed a wide array of pressing technical and business management issues. In developing this year’s program, Dr. Michael Potter said he and his planning committee targeted topics that would be "practical and useful for pest management professionals."

In addition to sessions devoted to industry staples such as termites, ants and rodents, this year’s program included sessions on emerging pest threats such as mosquitoes, bed bugs, Asian lady beetles and the resurgence of German cockroaches.

Featured speakers included Austin Frishman, Bobby Corrigan, Stoy Hedges, Jay Bruesch, Steve Kells, Faith Oi, Dan Suiter, Nick Hamon and Neal Haskell.

Potter kicked off the termite segment of the program with a presentation titled "The State of Termite Management." Potter traced how the pest control industry’s attitude towards termite control has have gone from "It’s time to get out of the business" 10 years ago, to today’s attitude of "Which method is best for me and my customers?" Potter explained that both manufacturers and the research community "stepped up to the plate" and have provided pest management professionals with new information and products that have transformed the termite control industry.

In her presentation "Think Like A Termite," Dr. Faith Oi, University of Florida, covered a wide array of termite topics including a review of the work she and colleagues are doing at the university.

One of the most significant changes for those involved in termite work is record keeping. The NPMA-33 form has replaced the NPCA-1 form. The NPCA-1 form can continue to be used through Dec. 31, 2004. Pest management professionals must use the new NPMA-33 form beginning Jan. 1, 2005. Donnie Blake, of Okolona Pest Control and Larry Churchman of Dial One Real Estate Pest Control explained these changes to attendees.

In addition to the technical presentations, the Kentucky Short Course featured management sessions including a practical session prepared by Action Pest Control Owner Kevin Pass and presented by Dan Collins, the company’s technical services manager, titled "Things We Do…But Shouldn’t." In this presentation, Collins shared with attendees many of Action’s procedures and policies. He also gave attendees tips on how they could learn from Action’s past mistakes and successes.

Industry expert Austin Frishman discussed German cockroaches, pests that are making a comeback due to bait aversion. Frishman said that during the past 15 years the industry has gotten away from thorough crack and crevice treatments because of the advent of baiting. At the same time, cockroach control is as important as ever, especially considering the following:

1.) DNA testing can prove if cockroaches were transferred from one site to another.

2.) Recent asthma studies have stressed the importance of cockroach control.

3.) The advent of the Internet now allows customers to thoroughly research cockroaches.

"We’ve found out that if you control 85% of the cockroaches at an account you will have failures," Frishman said. "You need to have 96-97% control to be effective."

Bobby Corrigan, president of RMC Pest Management Consulting, Richmond, Ind., detailed the challenges he and others experienced this summer while providing pest control services prior to and during the Republican National Convention. Corrigan used these experiences as a backdrop to stress the importance of inspections and to give practical on-the-job tips. For example, Corrigan reminded attendees that each account is filled with "built-in" pest monitors, including, window sills, floor drains with food particles, shadowy corners and voids.

"Although it feels good to start putting ‘something’ in the account right away, we must identify the pest’s high activity areas first," he said. Corrigan said a premium was placed on rodent control at the Republican National Convention for a number of reasons, notably image concerns. Republican party officials did not want a rat to scurry across the stage while President George Bush or others were speaking.

This year’s conference also included an exhibit floor where attendees learned about the latest products and services from industry manufacturers and distributors.

The author is Internet editor for PCT magazine. He can be reached at bharbison@giemedia.com.