APRIL BACK TALK

QUESTIONABLE HEADLINE?
Isn’t the goal of your publication to promote the pest management profession? Isn’t the goal of your publication to help us do a better job in the industry? Isn’t the goal of your publication to improve the image of pest control operators? If so, then why do you continue to coin and use the reference to us in this industry as "PMP"? That sounds like the word "PIMP" to me. You even headlined Richard Kramer’s excellent article in the January publication: "PMP or Prostitute: Part I." (www.pctonline.com/articles/article.asp?MagID=1&ID=1348&IssueID=137). Did such a respected professional as Dr. Kramer write this headline? I don’t think so!

Jim Stegall
President
National Exterminators Inc.
Martinsville, Va.

PCT’S RESPONSE
Although many in the industry use the abbreviation "PMP" for "pest management professionals,"  in general, PCT does not. We do not use "PMP," in part, because of the reason M. Stegall lists above, as well as for several other factors.

PCT uses "pest management professional," "pest control operator" and "PCO" throughout the magazine. The editors will only print the abbreviation "PMP" if it is used in a direct quote (which we can’t change) or in a special circumstance, like in Richard Kramer’s January Technically Speaking column. In addition, Kramer (who did in fact write the headline for his column) said he used "PMP" as a play on words and to grab readers’ attention. We think he got his point across. — Editor

FRIENDLY COMPETITION
I have always spoken or written about how special people in the pest control industry are. We are average everyday folk who perform an important service for our customers.

Additionally, and more importantly, I believe each one of us contains a special thread that allows us to be more than competitors with each other. It is not unusual for a PCO to help his or her competitor in a time of need by sharing information or helping someone else solve problems that may affect their own bottom line. We’re kind of special, don’t you think?

At the NPMA Convention in Las Vegas, I witnessed this special thread not only with PCOs but also with our industry’s national trade magazines, Pest Control Technology and Pest Control magazine.

PCT’s cover story titled "The 25 Most Influential People In The Industry" (www.pctonline.com/articles/Article.asp?MagID=1&ID=1290&IssueID=133) recognized Jerry Mix, the publisher of Pest Control magazine, as one of the honored list of 25. Conversely, Pest Control magazine requested its readers throughout the year to nominate candidates worthy of its Hall of Fame. Pest Control magazine chose Harry Katz, a long-time contributing editor to PCT magazine.

It is certainly refreshing to see the thread of respect and friendship PCOs show one another extends to our industry magazines as well.

Mel Edelstein
Executive Vice President
Certified Pest Control Operators of Florida
Tamarac, Fla.

AIB CLARIFICATION
I have recently received several telephone calls and e-mail messages from various pest management companies requesting clarification on the issue of bar coding and electronic filing of pest control service records.

It has come to my attention that there have been several consulting/inspection services telling customers that these methods of documentation are not specifically outlined in the AIB Consolidation Standards and would not be acceptable. I would like to clearly state that this is not the position of AIB International. The standard simply details what minimum information to be provided at the completion of each service and that the service is conducted in compliance with all regulatory requirements. We in no way express the methods by which this information is provided, only that it be available upon request by an authorized individual who requires the information.

Current and developing technologies clearly provide positive advantages to provide better and more timely pest management. The ability to store and retrieve data in a more efficient manner is always encouraged. Though no system is without the potential for abuse, the electronic systems being implemented for pest management appear to be the direction the industry is going. We at AIB International encourage any direction that improves the level of services and information available to customers in the food industry.

Should pest management professionals have any questions arise, please contact me at 785/537-4750.

Al St. Cyr
Head, Food Safety Education
AIB International
Manhattan, Kan.

CONGRATULATIONS
I congratulate Peter Bopp, Thomas Horton and Steve Adkins who won the Service Technician/Syngenta Technician of the Year Awards. The receipt of this award signifies their active interest in their work as pest control technicians, as well as a strong desire to learn all that they can about pests and their control. By reaching this standard of excellence, I’m sure that they understand in more depth the "whys" and "wherefores" of their daily work and will have gained a lot of self-satisfaction and self-pride in doing so. As a result, their customers will receive the benefit of a better job accomplished by an enlightened technician. The companies that they work for will have more enthusiastic and knowledgeable employees. I want you to know that you all are an inspiration to me personally and I am sure to all of the service technicians who witnessed the presentation (and wished they were receiving it).

Norman R. Ehmann
Vice President Emeritus
Van Waters & Rogers
Salinas, Calif.

Readers with comments are invited to write to PCT Letters, 4012 Bridge Ave., Cleveland OH 44113. Letters also can be faxed to 216/961-0364, or e-mailed to jdorsch@pctonline.com. Letters may be edited for space or clarity.