Acclaimed entomologist Dr. Chow-Yang Lee recently joined the University of California, Riverside, Department of Entomology as endowed presidential chair in Urban Entomology. His official start date was July 1.
Lee said he was excited about the opportunity to join the storied department, which rose to prominence under the late urban entomology pioneer Dr. Walter Ebeling, and whose tradition was carried on by Dr. Mike Rust and research associate Don Reierson.
In his position at UCR, Lee serves as a mentor to graduate students and post-doctoral researchers; teaches courses related to urban entomology and insect toxicology; and interacts with pest management professionals and related stakeholders in urban pest management. “My research direction will continue to center around the behavioral, ecological and physiological adaptations of urban insect pests, especially understanding how these adaptations help them to thrive in the urban environment and their biological trade-offs,” he said. “I am also interested in the roles of human activities and propagule pressure in invasion history of urban insect pests. Using the research findings obtained, my students and I design, evaluate and integrate multiple management tactics to provide a system-level approach towards urban pest management.”
Lee added that one of his short-term goals (five to seven years) is to elevate the level of interaction between the UCR urban entomology program with pest management professionals in the U.S. and around the world.
Lee comes to UC-Riverside from the Universiti Sains Malaysia where he performed a broad spectrum applied research and background in insect toxicology. Lee said his greatest accomplishment at that institution was “helping to train many students who later went on pursuing successful careers in academia, industry or their own pest management companies,” including many that were first-generation college graduates from underprivileged upbringings. He also said he was proud to have been “a driving force who has made an impact on the pest management industry in Southeast Asia through my research findings and training of pest management personnel.”
More than 100 women attended the Women in Pest Control inaugural event.
Editor’s note: The first annual Women in Pest Control (WIPC) conference was held Aug. 23 in Austin, Texas. Linde Mills of Nisus Corporation was in attendance and provided the following recap.
Women from across the nation made history together as they attended the inaugural Women in Pest Control (WIPC) conference in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 23. With more than 100 women in attendance, this conference boasted all female attendees, speakers and vendors.
Event organizers Bobbie Terry (left) and Lisa Meyers-Botts.
Bobbie Terry, owner of The Bug Lady Pest Control, founded the WIPC group Facebook page on May 2, 2017. In January of this year, Terry and Lisa Meyers-Botts, co-owner of WIPC and owner of Peacock Pest Prevention, began publicly discussing the possibility of group members meeting in person. They said they had such positive feedback that the idea quickly evolved into a full-blown conference. Terry and Meyers-Botts said they determined that this was an important opportunity to encourage close collaboration between pest management professionals, distributors and manufacturers, not only for making knowledge more accessible, but also for the dissemination of diverse content that promotes gender equality.
“I can’t believe how just asking the ladies in the group if anyone would be interested in a meet-and-greet once a year blew into a conference,” Terry says. “The next thing we knew, phones, email and (Facebook) Messenger were blowing up with people wanting to help. We are so grateful for all the support and help. I believe this is only going to get bigger and better!” Attendees spent the day learning from inspiring women in the industry as well as networking with women who are facing some of the same struggles they are. Meyers-Botts said she is still amazed at the response. “I still can’t believe the support; it was so amazing for all of these women to come together and make this happen,” she added.
Conference organizers said the event was designed to help female pest control operators develop themselves professionally and find fulfillment in their work and beyond.
The WIPC Facebook group page now has almost 500 members. The next WIPC conference is scheduled for Sept. 25, 2020, in Houston, Texas. Learn more. — Linde Mills
Education Made Easy
Features - PCT Event
PCT’s annual Rodent Control Virtual Conference will be held in December and features an array of expert speakers. Attend from your home or office!
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, PMPs have an opportunity to hear from the industry’s leading rodent experts during PCT’s Rodent Control Virtual Conference. Designed for busy professionals, this half-day virtual event allows attendees to attend all or part of the conference from their home or office.
For only $99 per person, attendees will hear presentations by Bobby Corrigan, Timmy Madere, Mike Deutsch and Matt Frye (see information at right). Can’t participate on the day of the event? No problem. Each registered attendee also will receive a link to an online version of the webinar. The link to the virtual conference content will be sent approximately 5 to 10 business days after the event.
MARANA, Ariz. — RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) welcomed new governing board members and recognized dedicated volunteers during its annual meeting in Marana, Ariz. Leaders at the meeting focused on heightening engagement and advocacy at the local, state and federal levels. Nearly 185 manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders attended the meeting, held Aug. 26-29.
“Our members and partners, including our extensive grassroots network, have risen to address growing advocacy needs over the past few years,” said RISE Governing Board Chair Gilles Galliou. “Looking ahead, we foresee a need for even more engagement to share the benefits of our industry’s products.”
The RISE Governing Board met Aug. 26 and elected new members: Stephanie Jensen, BASF, holding a manufacturer seat; Karen Larson, Clarke Mosquito Control, holding a formulator seat; and Scott Todd, Central Life Sciences, holding a manufacturer seat. The board also elected a new executive committee: Gilles Galliou, chair, Bayer Environmental Science; Sean Casey, vice chair, Nufarm Americas; and Karen Larson, treasurer, Clarke.
Outgoing board members completing their terms are Darren Horst, chair, Central Garden & Pet; Abizar “Zack” Zaki, treasurer, FMC Corporation; and Jeff Alvis, AMVAC Environmental Products. Others continuing their terms on the board include: Daryl Allen, Corteva Agriscience; Kathy Bishop, Lebanon Seaboard Corporation; Bill Culpepper, SePRO Corporation; Todd Ferguson, Primera; Michael Maravich, Sipcam Agro USA; Neil Cleveland, PBI-Gordon Corporation; Scott Reasons, Syngenta; John Smith, WinField United; and SiteOne Landscape Supply.
Horst awarded RISE Volunteer Service Recognitions to two outgoing RISE Committee chairs: Karen Larson, Clarke, strategic oversight council co-chair; and Dave Ravel, Syngenta Professional Solutions, programs and membership committee chair.
Horst presented the association’s highest honor, the E. Allen James Leadership Award, to Jill Holihan, FMC Corporation, in the opening general session. Currently a member of the RISE Regulatory Affairs Committee and chair of the Committee from 2016-18, Holihan was honored for her industry leadership and dedicated efforts to improve the regulatory environment for the specialty chemical industry.
FMC Corporation’s Jill Holihan, a member of the RISE Regulatory Affairs Committee and chair of the committee from 2016-18, was honored with the E. Allen James Award. Pictured from left: Abizar “Zack” Zaki, FMC Corporation; Gilles Galliou, Bayer Environmental Science; Karen Larson, Clarke; Jill Holihan, FMC Corporation; and Darren Horst, Central Garden & Pet. Robert Danze
Terminix Triad Employee Discovers War Medals in Crawlspace; Locates Owner and Returns Medals
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Robert Danze, a Terminix Triad employee, was completing a crawlspace cleanout in Greensboro, N.C., when he came across a metal crate of old war medals. After confirming that the crate did not belong to the homeowner, he posted the medals on Facebook, hoping the power of social media would help him in his quest to find the owner.
Robert Danze found war medals belonging to a Vietnam veteran.
The crate contained a variety of medals and pins including: a pistol sharpshooter badge, rank insignia, a dog tog, a Marine Corps tie clip and an identification card all dating back to the Vietnam War.
After just a few days on Facebook, the post was shared with the veteran’s son, Donald Pressley Jr. Donald Pressley Sr. served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
The medals have been returned to the family. Pressley Sr. is currently in the VA Medical Center in Salisbury and is in great condition, the family reported.
Waynes Acquires Dayton’s Pest Control
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Waynes, an Anticimex company, announced its expansion into Eastern Tennessee in September with the acquisition of Dayton’s Pest Control, Knoxville, Tenn.
Left to right: Dayton and Sheila Hylton, and Eric Frye and Shawn Hollis of Waynes.
Dayton Hylton founded Dayton’s Pest Control in 1985 in the basement of his parents’ home, and under the leadership of Dayton and his wife Sheila, it has grown into a firm with 35 professionals.
Commenting on the announcement, Eric Frye, president of Waynes, said, “Partnering with Dayton’s will allow us to effectively serve Knoxville and surrounding communities.”
Dayton Hylton added, “Thirty-five years ago, I began this business with a passion to serve others while pursuing my dream of a career in entomology. In 2003, my wife Sheila joined Dayton’s and we have been blessed to expand the Dayton’s team and our impact within the community through service to thousands of Knoxville residents. We are honored to entrust Waynes with our team and look forward to the opportunities that this will create for them and the customers we serve now and in the future.”
LR Tullius represented and acted as exclusive financial adviser to Dayton’s Pest Control during the transaction.
Stoy Hedges Receives 2019 John V. Osmun Alumni Award
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Industry consultant Stoy Hedges was selected to receive the 2019 John V. Osmun Alumni Professional Achievement Award in Entomology, announced Stephen Cameron, head of the Department of Entomology at Purdue University.
Hedges
The department presents the annual award to an alumnus who has demonstrated excellence in their career as an entomologist or in a related field.
Hedges is a storied 40-year veteran of the U.S. pest management industry, having worked for a variety of pest management companies across the Midwest and South, including a 25-year tenure as the senior technical entomologist with Terminix. In 2014, Hedges launched his own consulting firm, Stoy Pest Consulting.
Hedges’ impact on the field has been immense through roles as a conference educator and author of first-of-a-kind field manuals for pest control technicians. He has served as the editorial director for the last three editions of the Mallis Handbook of Pest Control (the 1,600-page “pest control industry bible”) and he has written more than 100 articles for Pest Control Technology and Service Technician magazines.
The JV Osmun Award ceremony, including a presentation by Hedges, was held Oct. 11. The JV Osmun Award selection committee included Ian Kaplan, Ameya Gondhalekar, Trevor Stamper, Christian Oseto, Bob Waltz, Paul Cammer and Mathew Dittmann.
CPCA Holds Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser
CPCA’s Kevin LeMasters presents a plaque to Colorado State Rep. Leslie Herod.
LOVELAND, Colo. — On Sept. 14, the Colorado Pest Control Association (CPCA) held its inaugural Sporting Clay Shoot to raise funds for the association’s issues defense fund. More than 30 CPCA members attended the event, which raised about $8,000. In attendance was Rep. Leslie Herod, sponsor of the state’s recently passed bed bug bill (HB 1328). CPCA recognized Herod as CPCA’s Legislative Champion for 2019. Rep. Hugh McKean and Sen. Rob Woodward also participated in and engaged with CPCA members throughout the event.
“We had lots of great feedback, and we are excited to see what next year looks like,” said Kevin LeMasters, a director with CPCA, who credited members for pulling this event together in only three months.
NJPMA Recognizes Citarella as Pest Management Professional of the Year
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The New Jersey Pest Management Association, at its 72nd annual Clinic, Trade Show & Clambake, recognized Ralph Citarella Jr. as its Pest Management Professional of the Year.
Citarella serves on the board of directors for NJPMA and has been the educational program committee chairman for the last four years. In 2005, he went through the NJPMA Leadership program.
Citarella is the third generation of family members to operate Bayonne Exterminating Company. A board certified entomologist, Citarella has been instrumental in creating new educational programs for NJPMA members. Currently, he is starting the Master Technician program to help promote greater competency for technicians.
NPMA’s Mosquito Multiplier Shows Just How Quickly Mosquitoes Multiply
A still photo of mosquitoes in a white dish from PPMA’s new Mosquito Multiplier video.
FAIRFAX, Va. — The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), the public outreach arm of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), released results of its new video project — Mosquito Multiplier — to show just how quickly mosquitoes are able to multiply in your customers’ backyards. By recreating ideal conditions that allow mosquitoes to thrive, researchers were able to capture the true breeding power of mosquitoes, and the results are a must-see, PPMA says.
“The Mosquito Multiplier project is a visual simulation that’s designed to show homeowners exactly how mosquito populations can explode under the right conditions,” said Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association. “Our team of experts took mosquito eggs and hatched them under controlled conditions that mimic those you would find in a typical backyard, and in less than a week, we had over 5,000 mosquitoes.”
As PMPs know, mosquitoes thrive in warm, wet areas and only need as little as half an inch of water to breed, turning seemingly innocent items such as kiddie pools, wheelbarrows and overturned frisbees into potential breeding grounds.
Terminix Releases List of Top 50 Mosquito Cities
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In recognition of World Mosquito Day, Terminix recently released its list of the top 50 cities impacted by mosquitoes. By using service data across 300+ branches nationwide, Terminix identified 50 cities where residents had the highest number of mosquito services last year. (The rankings represent Metropolitan Statistical Areas [MSAs] with the highest number of actual services between June 16, 2018, and June 15, 2019.)
Taking the top spot was Los Angeles. Here’s a look at the top five cities Terminix identified on its list of Top 50 Mosquito- Infested Cities:
BOSTON — In September, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced that laboratory testing had confirmed the ninth human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infection — a man in his 70s from Essex County. As a result of this finding, risk levels were raised to “high” in the cities of Ipswich and Topsfield, and to moderate in Beverly, Danvers, Hamilton, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport and Wenham.
In addition to the nine human cases of EEE this season in Massachusetts, there also have been eight confirmed cases of EEE this year in animals — seven horses and a goat. One person has died. There also has been one human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this season.
Liphatech Announces Soft Bait Slam Dunk Challenge Winners
Liphatech’s Barry Pitkoff (right) presents a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card to Rob Guyette.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Liphatech, manufacturer of FirstStrike, Resolv and TakeDown soft bait rodenticides, announced the winners of its Soft Bait Slam Dunk Challenge, which was launched earlier this year and awarded points to PMPs for purchases of Liphatech soft baits.
Based on soft bait purchases, hundreds of prizes were awarded to PMPs during the promotion. Top prize winners included Ken Gladen of Plunkett’s Pest Control, who redeemed points for a Spartan GoCam trail camera, and Rob Guyette of Braman Termite and Pest Elimination, who earned a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card with his points.
FirstStrike, Resolv and TakeDown all have different active ingredients and are palatable to rats and mice. From residential maintenance accounts to heavy commercial infestations, Liphatech says soft baits are part of a successful game plan.
Clarification
In the PCT August feature, “A National Story,” Unique Pest Management claimed to be the only company in the United States to provide canine rat control services. While Unique has distinguished itself in this area, it is not the only company in the U.S. to provide this service. PCT regrets this error.
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