As one of the most recognizable figures in the Providence, R.I., skyline, the 58-foot, 4,000-pound Big Blue Bug is seen daily by thousands of Rhode Islanders. With the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent need to raise awareness about mask-wearing, it was only natural that the bug — whose actual name is Nibbles Woodaway — was called into action.

The bug has been adorned with a painted-on facemask and Big Blue Bug Solutions added a banner thanking essential workers.

“The community reached out to us and overwhelmingly said ‘the bug needs a mask,’” Brian Goldman, president of Big Blue Bug Solutions, told PCT. “We are right down the street from some of the major hospitals in Rhode Island, and we work with a lot of [hospital personnel]. We felt it was a great way to spread the message [about the importance of mask wearing] and also to say thanks to all of the frontline workers.”

How did the Big Blue Bug team make a mask that big? “It’s actually painted on, which was the suggestion of one of our employees. It was the right decision because it can withstand the weather,” said Goldman, who enlisted local painter Mike Moffitt, from Dennis Moffitt Painting, Providence, R.I. Moffitt, who has experience with specialized painting projects, painted the mask from a lift. The Providence community also got involved when it came to deciding how to decorate the Big Blue Bug for the holidays. In a normal year, the bug is adorned with antlers, bulbs and a red nose. “People were proactive and said, ‘You know, the proper way to wear a mask is to have it cover the nose,’” said Goldman, who agreed and made sure that the bug’s nose remained covered throughout the holidays. — Brad Harbison

Big Blue Bug Creator Dies at 88

George Cardono, creator of the Big Blue Bug, passed away on Jan. 27, at age 88. An accomplished artist, Cardono’s most well-known and visible piece is certainly Nibbles Woodaway, the 58-foot-tall, 4,000-pound Rhode Island landmark that appeared in the 1994 comedy masterpiece “Dumb and Dumber.”

Steve Goldman, retired CEO of Big Blue Bug Solutions, told PCT that he and his late father, Leonard, brought Cardono aboard in 1980 to help design a billboard to be placed atop the company’s building on I-95.

“We met with George and he asked us to think about what we can do to make the billboard unique, and I said, ‘Well, we are in the pest control business, what about putting up a giant replica bug?’ Everyone’s eyes lit up. It was like a light bulb went off,” Goldman said.

After scrapping the billboard plan in favor of a giant insect, the group chose a termite swarmer since these are a visible pest that gets the company’s phones ringing.

Cardono, whose background included not only art, but engineering and architecture, took it from there. “He designed it, he created it, he built it and he installed it,” Goldman recalled. This process included choosing fiberglass steel for the bug’s body and mounting the bug into the building’s steel girders — a decision that has kept the bug anchored atop the building and has helped it withstand the sometimes fierce New England winds.

The bug was originally painted purple, but as it weathered (UV rays) that purple turned to blue. “We re-painted it after the first time it happened, but then threw in the towel. It worked out perfectly because Big Blue Bug has such a great alliteration.”

Goldman said he and Cardono stayed in touch throughout the years, and in June 2002 Goldman called on Cardono to help dismantle the bug, clean it up and refurbish it. “While [Nibbles] was down we took it on tour throughout Rhode Island and you would not believe the reception Nibbles got from the public,” Goldman said. The highlight of that tour was Nibbles’ participation in the Bristol (R.I.) Fourth of July Parade, where it was the last float, akin to Santa Claus being the last float during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“It’s just something that has become endeared by the entire state of Rhode Island,” Goldman added. “George is part and parcel of that. He knows he created a landmark and an icon that hopefully will live forever.” — Brad Harbison

Target Specialty Products

Target Specialty Products will become the exclusive distributor for several Leading Edge technology solutions. The strategic alliance allows both organizations to expand offerings across several industries and better serve customers, the company says.

Leading Edge’s flagship technology solutions include MapVision (geospatial data management system), PrecisionVision (unmanned aircraft systems and software) and DropVision (droplet analysis software). Leading Edge says it aims to make organizations more efficient, effective and safe and supports operations in vector, pest, agriculture, weed, forestry and aquatic management from coast to coast.

“Leading Edge provides some of the most advanced technologies in our industry and we are excited to be the exclusive distributor for their products,” said David Helt, president of Target Specialty Products, “These technologies will allow Target Specialty Products’ extensive sales network to offer unique integrated management solutions and application methods to our customers.”

“The partnership with Target Specialty Products is a great fit for our growing business,” said Bill Reynolds, CEO at Leading Edge. “Leading Edge will remain focused on enhancing our technologies and supporting operations where our products are active. The scale of the Target Specialty Products’ team ensures our products continue to be shared with organizations throughout North America.”

Azuga

Azuga, a fleet telematics company, has launched a product enhancement to its original fleet dashcam, Azuga SafetyCam AI, that is designed to improve road safety by helping to predict and prevent commercial auto accidents. The company says at a time when the roadways are busier than ever with delivery drivers and service workers, driver and pedestrian safety has never been more important. Eliminating vehicle accidents involving auto fleet drivers can save lives while helping fleet operators maintain reasonable insurance costs, Azuga adds.

The Azuga SafetyCam AI dashcam addresses these issues with a combination of multi-sensor HD cameras, artificial intelligence and computer vision technology. The dashcam, which mounts to a vehicle’s dashboard, produces a livestream of the driver while alerting fleet managers to potentially dangerous activities, such as hard braking, sharp turns, distracted driving and rapid acceleration. Facial recognition technology in the dashcam can detect when a driver is distracted or drowsy, whether at night or during the day. The AI neural learning network analyzes each driver-facing video to look for possible distraction events and provides tags to help fleets identify underlying causes of risky events. Video is automatically stored for 30 days, and SafetyCam AI works with the Azuga Fleet and Azuga FleetMobile products to provide an integrated solution that reduces risk and improves safety, the firm says.

In addition to the artificial intelligence layer of the new dashcam technology, Azuga brings an additional layer of human intelligence with its premium offering. With the premium service, Azuga’s team of professional risk analysts tag the events that best illustrate risky driving behavior and prioritize them for driver coaching.

SafetyCam AI builds on the existing safety framework that Azuga already has starting with buzzers in GPS devices, gamification and driver rewards, driver coaching with Azuga Coach, and basic SafetyCam that records harsh driver events.

Bell Labs

Bell Labs’ Acute Fastrac Soft Bait is now registered in California. Made out of the acute active ingredient, bromethalin, Fastrac Soft Bait helps PMPs knock down rodent infestations at accounts. Technicians will use less bait versus anticoagulants and may see more effective results, as rodents may consume a lethal dose in a single night’s feeding, which reduces the amount of bait required to achieve control, the company says. Fastrac Soft Bait is available in 8-gram sachets, with a minimum mouse placement of one sachet and a minimum rat placement of four sachets. The sachets are packaged in a 4-pound pail, which features a purple lid for easy identification.

FMC

FMC will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Talstar insecticide throughout 2021 via multiple promotions, a sweepstakes for end users, an updated logo and bottle, and monthly training events for end users to earn Continuing Education Units (CEU). FMC says Talstar insecticide provides long-lasting, broad-spectrum control of the toughest pests in industrial, commercial, and food-handling areas as well as in lawns and ornamentals.

“We are proud to highlight the longevity of the Talstar brand,” says Sam Pass, Pest and Nursery market manager at FMC. “Pest management professionals and lawn care operators have built their businesses on a product like Talstar. We look forward to a yearlong celebration and offering additional resources for our end-user customers.”

In addition to its Spring and Fall Promotions, which will feature special pricing on Talstar, FMC will unveil its new Talstar logo and bottle in conjunction with its 25th Anniversary Talstar Sweepstakes at this month’s NPMA virtual Legislative Day. The Talstar Sweepstakes will feature a grand prize of two new Ford F-150 trucks, one for the pest control market and one for the lawn care market.

Finally, as part of the FMC True Champions end-user program, FMC will launch its First Friday Training Series, where end users can earn CEUs in select states. Each first Friday of the month, FMC will feature industry speakers on a variety of categories to help end users earn CEU credits towards their commercial applicator licenses. For more information, visit https://info.fmctruechampions.com/first-friday-webinar.

Coxreels

Coxreels offers the Brawny option available for most 100 Series hose reels. The 100 Series reel can be mounted to a floor, wall, ceiling, bench or truck and is made of steel for strength and durability with a U-shaped frame for 2-point axle support to provide stability during operation, the company says. It has a brake assembly for braking or for locking the drum to a desired length of hose. The Brawny feature is an added option that adds strength to the drum, minimizing potential damage under increased or pulsing pressure usage. By adding the additional strength to the drum, these professional-grade reels are better prepared to tackle the toughest jobs in the industry. To order the brawny upgrade, simply add prefix “BX” to standard 100 Series reels. The Brawny option is available for the 8-, 12.5- and 18-inch drum widths.

Buzz Duster

Buzz Duster is a sleek, commercial grade, telescoping dusting pole for the elimination of flying insect pests, the manufacturer says. The product not only promotes jobsite safety but will help eliminate nuisance pests such as yellowjackets, wasps, carpenter bees and more all from a comfortable distance, the company says. The pole has a 20-foot reach and comes with multiple attachments. Buzz Duster is available now through Univar.

The spring season evokes thoughts of blooming flowers and warming weather. However, pest control professionals might think of something else when it comes to springtime: termites. Estimated to cause more than $5 billion in property damage in the U.S. each year, these “silent destroyers” pose serious threats to homeowners and require professional attention should an infestation be discovered. While these facts are well-known across the industry, we have a tremendous opportunity — and responsibility — to educate consumers as well. In doing so, companies can help ensure the safety and well-being of their customers while simultaneously helping to grow their own businesses.

According to a study conducted by the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), Generational Pest Control Research, only 35 to 41 percent of respondents across the millennial, Gen X and baby boomer generations indicated they would call a professional if faced with termites, underscoring the need to educate consumers on the threats an infestation can pose. Utilizing the following timely marketing campaigns and relevant outreach strategies can go a long way towards improving consumer awareness and spurring professional service utilization.

LEVERAGE PPMA CONSUMER INFO. Online content and social media have become the primary avenues for consumers to get their daily news and are increasingly influencing their purchasing decisions. To capitalize on these trends, PPMA produced two termite-focused consumer education initiatives in recent years: the Tiny Termite House and “Will They Eat It?” video series.

Released in 2018, the Tiny Termite House provides a never-before-seen look at how these voracious pests are able to systematically compromise the integrity of a home. More than half a million subterranean termites were introduced into the soil surrounding a miniature, built-to-scale dream home outfitted with real-life features such as insulation and electricity, as well as cameras to capture all of the action. From introduction to decimation, PPMA chronicled the incredible damage these pests were able to inflict on the house from the inside out, which typically remains hidden from homeowners until it is too late. Although the exterior of the tiny home appeared undisturbed, the project revealed the devastating impact the termites caused behind the walls and beneath the surface.

More recently, PPMA produced “Will They Eat It?” The six-part video series demonstrates that these destructive pests can chew through much more than just wood. Each episode featured fun and eye-catching gameshow-like experiments, placing everyday household objects into a tank of 100,000 hungry termites to find out, “Will They Eat It?” Termites operate out of sight, and the damage they cause, as well as the speed at which they work, isn’t usually something homeowners can see or are aware of. By revealing the damage these “silent destroyers” caused to items like shoes, books and even a fast-food meal, the project brought these hidden pests into the spotlight to help consumers truly understand the breadth of damage they can cause.

These unique and engaging campaigns were extremely successful, generating national media coverage and amassing millions of social media impressions, helping to increase awareness of termite dangers as well as the importance of professional pest control.

Industry professionals can leverage these compelling assets for their own marketing programs, with high-resolution photography, footage and much more available for PPMA investors via Mainframe, the organization’s digital marketing service. Companies can share the visuals on social media and their websites, utilize assets for local media relations outreach, and even equip technicians with digital content to use as educational and sales tools in the field.

GET SOCIAL, SAFELY. Approximately two-thirds of American adults get their news from social media, and a recent report from Statista noted that 77 percent of Americans are active social media users. Due to safety concerns amidst the ongoing pandemic, social media has become increasingly effective and widely utilized by companies to engage with consumers. According to a recent consumer survey conducted by the Harris Poll, 51 percent of respondents reported an increased usage of social media since the pandemic began.

Sharing highly visual content is one of the best ways to engage and connect with consumers. In fact, according to Wyzowl, people are twice as likely to share video content with their friends compared to any other type of content. In addition to static posts, companies also can leverage interactive features such as Facebook Live Chats to provide users with timely insights. Livestreaming is a great way to easily generate video content, boost brand awareness and highlight key message points. Whether it’s a technician answering questions about termite issues or showcasing termite damage in real-time, Live Chats can help develop personal connections and trust among followers by showcasing the hardworking people behind your company who keep the community safe.

When sharing content, balance education with entertainment to ensure your materials not only grab people’s attention but resonate with them as well. Mainframe subscribers have access to an expansive catalogue of professional and customizable marketing materials, as well as useful “how-to” guides on optimizing your platforms and presence.

TAP INTO LOCAL NEWS. Consumers turn to local news outlets to get the information most relevant to them in their area. By securing local news coverage, your company can get direct exposure to residents and customers, highlighting the pest issues that matter to them and positioning yourself as the local go-to expert. Commenting on a local infestation or warning residents about future termite problems in the area are great opportunities for your company to become part of community conversations.

While generating media coverage can be a cost-free tactic, it still requires time and effort. News outlets need a reason to feature your company, so it’s essential to provide them with something relevant and newsworthy to the community. Here are a few tips to help your company break into the local news cycle:

• Do Your Research: Identify local journalists reporting on the issues most relevant to your business, such as home maintenance, safety and health reporters. Check out local news channels on television, look through the neighborhood newsstand and search online for outlets covering your area.


• Build Relationships: Once you’ve gotten a sense of the landscape, look for contact information online and reach out to newsrooms with information relevant to their coverage. If you spot a home improvement story, reach out to that reporter with information about the importance of termite prevention around the house. Provide the media with useful insights and imagery to show them how you can help keep their audience safe.


• Become a Resource: Journalists are always looking for expert sources to add insights and credibility to their stories, and who better to speak about termite issues in the area than a local company? Whether you’re providing termite prevention tips or insights on termite behavior, position your company as the local expert to ensure they go to you when they need more information.

Although the world looks quite different now than it did this time last year, termite habits and the threats they pose remain steadfast. This season, be sure to leverage the wide variety of modern marketing resources and unique materials at your disposal. By doing so, you’ll establish your company as the trusted local termite expert, ensuring the well-being of not only your community, but your company as well.

Cindy Mannes is executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance and senior vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association. Learn about PPMA at www.npmapestworld.org/ppma.

All pests will have certain environmental preferences and survival needs. When the right conditions are met, pests thrive. Sanitation, employee practices, facility processes and structural/equipment design can either hinder or help pest survival. In fact, not all areas within a facility will meet the needs of the pest equally and certain areas will have a higher risk for pest development than others. Here is a list of 10 of the most common areas of pest activity by product type, structural design and practices. Use this list in prioritizing areas for inspection as part of a pest prevention program.

1. Rack Legs

• Cleanability is rarely a consideration in designing and purchasing racking systems for warehouse storage. Commonly, they are either three- or four-sided with numerous holes drilled into the leg for ease of assembly. Those holes can provide areas for food to accumulate and pests to travel unobserved.
• The openings in the leg do not provide sufficient space for cleaning tools to access and effective cleaning will take time to complete.
• The issue can be compounded by the addition of guards installed to protect the base of the rack leg from forklift damage. These too can be difficult to clean and provide areas of food product accumulation for mice and stored product pests.

2. Horizontal Rack Supports

• Both vertical and horizontal rack supports offer areas for pest harborage. In addition, horizontal rack supports may have holes or channels in them for pests to travel. Supports used for rack grating can provide “U”-shaped wells for product spills to accumulate.
• Capping holes and mounting “U”-shaped wells upside down can assist in reducing food accumulation.

3. Dumpster/Compactor Areas

• A poorly maintained dumpster pad can provide food for flies, birds and rodents. The type of dumpster and dumpster seal can make a difference in product leakage from the box and/or compactor seal. A single unit designed for liquid disposal will reduce leakage. Unfortunately, most facilities do not have the all-in-one unit.
• Cleaning between the unit and the dumpster pad is required when the disposal company changes out the box. This is the only time when the pad is exposed for effective cleaning. Pads should be maintained and free of cracks to prevent food contamination of the soil or flies could develop.
• Make sure that a clean dumpster box is provided by the disposal company when changing out the box. Fly maggots can be delivered with a dumpster box that has been emptied but not washed.

4. Trailers for Repurposing Food and Other Waste

• It is important to reduce waste that goes to landfills, but how we handle repurposed waste can make a difference in pest pressures at the site. Trailers should be sealed to block insects and vertebrate pests from foraging on the materials inside.
• Birds, flies, racoons, rodents and feral cats are common pests of poorly sealed trailers used for repurposing food. It is important to have a program for cleaning the trailers in between use.
• Food residue left in trailers can support stored product pests and flies. If the trailer will be docked at a dock door, make sure the dock door is kept closed while not actively loading and that the trailer door be kept closed as well.
• Lastly, understand where the trailers go and what controls are in place to prevent movement of pests like rodents from the repurposing drop-off site to the warehouse.

5. Balers

• Balers may be used to condense cardboard and paper bags for recycling and disposal. Food residues on these items can support pests and accumulate underneath and around the baler unit.
• Balers are often difficult to clean due to their design. They can be a source of stored product pests and flies so it’s important to check these areas frequently.

6. Damaged Goods

• Products in the damaged goods area may provide easy access for pests to feed and develop. Damaged cans can be prime area for flies.
• Make sure there is an area designated for damaged goods and that warehouse staff are moving damaged items to this assigned area for ease of inspection and disposal.

7. Product Type

• Certain products may be more susceptible to pests than others, such as pet food and bird seed. This is because the products go through fewer kill steps in processing.
• Bagged packaging may be easier for pests to enter due to holes provided in sewn bags or lack of complete seals. Aged product and expired inventory will likewise be more likely to be infested.

8. Corrugate Wall Construction

• Metal corrugated walls are an economical building construction material but are subject to damage and more difficult to pest proof. Damaged walls may provide pests access from the exterior or void spaces for pest development to the interior.
• In some facilities, rolled insulation is often placed over the corrugate wall for temperature control, making it a perfect location for rodents to travel through and to nest in.

9. Break Rooms and Locker Rooms

• Areas where employees eat and store their personnel belongings can see pest activity. Hitch-hiking insects like cockroaches and bed bugs may be brought into facility on personal belongings.
• Food materials may attract and support other pests like mice and flies.

10. Wash Bays and Drains for Floor Scrubbers

• Moisture and organic material from equipment wash down bays and floor scrubber units may support pests like flies.
• It is important to frequently clean drains to remove organic material which may allow fly development. Maintain floors and walls free of cracks and use squeegees and fans to help dry areas quickly.
• Filth flies and small flies will need moist organic material for development. Targeting both the moisture levels and amount of organic material can be helpful in reducing fly populations.

Patricia Hottel has more than 35 years of pest management industry experience. She is a board certified entomologist and a member of the National Pest Management Association’s Commercial and Fumigation Committees. She has served on the board of directors for the professional pest management fraternity, Pi Chi Omega, is a past chair of NPMA’s exam review board and the NPMA Technical Committee. She is the technical director for McCloud Services, South Elgin, Ill. McCloud is a member of the Copesan network of local service providers.

Copesan is an alliance of pest management companies with locations throughout North America. To learn more, visit www.copesan.com.