EcoClear Products

www.ecoclearproducts.com EcoClear Products, a cleaning solution and pest control company based in Sarasota, Fla., announced that SteriCide, a multi-use disinfectant, has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use against emerging viral pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

The company says SteriCide has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus [2 SARS-CoV-2] on hard, non-porous surfaces. Therefore, SteriCide can be used against 2 SARS-CoV-2 when used in accordance with the directions for sterilization on hard, non-porous surfaces. When using an EPA-registered disinfectant, always follow label directions. EcoClear reminds users to follow the contact time, which is the amount of time a surface should be visibly wet, for full efficacy.

SteriCide is not only a disinfectant, but an all-in-one disinfectant, sterilant, detergent cleaner, deodorizer, fungicide and sporicide. SteriCide cuts through grease and grime while simultaneously sterilizing and killing bacteria, making it an ideal multipurpose product for practically any residential or commercial purpose, the company says.

Voice for Pest

Voice for Pest, a leader in providing telephone and call center solutions to the pest control industry, announced delivery of TechMobile, a unique Mobile Communications Service allowing PCOs to mobile-enable their company communications.

“If the PCO is going to provide smartphones to their employees, why not have complete control over them?” says Tom Welsh, president of Voice for Pest. “Currently, all smartphone conversations between a technician/salesman and the customer are unknown to management unless they attempt to enforce a cumbersome and often unreliable mobile app. With TechMobile all business conversations from company smartphones flow through our phone system via the cellular voice channel. This means we can track, record and report on the conversations as well as control the outbound caller ID and inbound routing.”

TechMobile uses standard Apple and Android devices and runs over the networks of multiple existing Tier 1 service providers. By controlling the cellular voice path, users can place calls from any smartphone app including their chosen pest software mobile app and the call will automatically route through the PCO System.

TechMobile even supports dual-mode smartphones, if someone wants to use one smartphone for both personal calls and their business extension on one device.

In addition to phone conversations, Voice for Pest says it expects to soon be able to collect all business text conversations occurring on the smartphone and will be able to deliver them to pest management firms as well, the company reports.

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. 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, the company says. By adding the additional strength to the drum, these professional-grade reels are ready to tackle tough jobs, Coxreels adds. 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.

Trécé

Trécé, an American manufacturer of pheromone- and kairomone-based insect trap and lure based monitoring systems and mating disruption products for insect control, announced the introduction of a new mating-disruption (MD) product designed to control five of the most destructive moth pests that attack agricultural commodities in processing, manufacturing and storage facilities.

The new offering, CIDETRAK IMM MEC, is a novel microencapsulated (MEC) sprayable formulation that provides mating disruption control of Indian meal moth (IMM), Plodia interpunctella; tobacco moth Ephestia ellutella; almond moth, Cadra cautella; raisin moth, Cadra figulilella; and Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella.

“CIDETRAK IMM MEC is an excellent addition to Trécé’s rapidly growing stored product and pest control operator (PCO) line of mating disruption and traps and lures for insect monitoring,” said Bill Lingren, Trécé owner and founder. “The new formulation also provides exceptional ease of use because it produces no harmful or unsightly residues, is non-toxic and requires no facility shut-down or re-entry interval — when sprayed alone at the full rates.”

Trécé says the novel formulation also is compatible with other products, suspends and mixes well — and is easy to measure and pour with a well designed tip-and-pour container.

“CIDETRAK IMM MEC provides an outstanding level of long-lasting efficacy for IMM and related moths when used alone,” said Trécé Stored Products and PCO Market Manager James Miller. “It is also extremely versatile, because it can be tank-mixed with conventional insecticides and/or insect growth regulators and used as a spray or aerosol to widen the range of control.”

The product, which can be used alone or with Trécé’s CIDETRAK IMM solid MD dispenser, will be sold through the company’s distribution partners. Most states already have registered CIDETRAK IMM MEC. Registration and organic approval is pending in California.

As we get ready to enter a new year, it’s imperative to look back on an important lesson this tumultuous year has taught us. In times of crisis, a customer’s interaction with a company can have a significant effect and a lasting impression on his or her attitude towards that company during the crisis, and beyond. As marketers, we must adapt to every situation thrown at us, and this year is no exception and has proven to be the most challenging. This column will take a critical look at what the pandemic has taught us and how we can integrate these teachings into our own marketing programs and strategies moving forward.

GO DIGITAL. At the onset of the pandemic, it quickly became clear that many industries would need to go virtual to stay afloat. Businesses that historically operated completely in person had to quickly assess the evolving situation and pivot their strategies accordingly. Those that were able to make decisions quickly and confidently stood out from the pack. As an example and according to research from global management consulting firm McKinsey, fitness companies have seen between an 80 and 250 percent increase in app downloads and new signups in recent months, showing one industry’s success in quickly adapting to digital. It’s likely that many customers who have converted to digital services during the crisis will keep this preference afterwards. Companies that successfully transitioned their services to digital are the ones customers will continue to rely on even after COVID-19.

Similar to the fitness industry, professional pest control is one that also relies on in-person interaction. However, there are plenty of ways to digitize your services to help keep both employees and customers safe. An online service portal is one option your company can adopt now and continue to use in the future. Supplying customers with an app or online location where they can book appointments, upload images of suspected infestations and even video chat with a technician is a great way to limit in-person interaction and streamline services. Investing in these digital options now is an investment in your company’s future, as it is predicted customer preferences toward digital options will remain well after the pandemic subsides.

LISTEN TO EMPLOYEES. Employees on the frontlines serve as liaisons between your business and its customers and have invaluable, firsthand knowledge of their wants and needs. According to McKinsey, while 78 percent of employees report that leaders have made customer experience a top priority, almost 60 percent say they feel like their ideas for improving that experience often go unheard. As a leader, ensuring your employees have adequate tools, training and support both during times of crisis and beyond should be an integral part of your business. If you haven’t done so already, consider hosting a town hall or some sort of open discussion forum with employees where they can air any concerns and express how they are feeling. You may find there are other measures you can put in place to ensure employees feel heard.

It’s also important to maintain an open and transparent line of communication between upper management and employees to foster that sense of care and comradery. Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson created a video to address his employees directly as he felt it was important that crucial company news came directly from him. In the video, Sorenson was transparent about the company’s performance and outlook, announcing pay cuts for himself and other Marriot executives. The video was extremely well-received by employees as it conveyed the message that “we’re all in this together.” While it may not be necessary to address your staff via video, sending a company-wide letter or hosting a virtual town hall are great ways to connect with your employees to let them know their feedback is encouraged and welcomed.

ALWAYS BE AUTHENTIC. At a time of such uncertainty and confusion, consumers want and need one thing from companies above all else — real stories from real people. According to research from Stackla, 92 percent of marketers report feeling like most or all of the content they create is authentic, yet 51 percent of consumers say less than half of the brands they interact with create content that feels authentic. So, how can you ensure your marketing messages resonate with consumers? Have it come from consumers.

Seventy-nine percent of people surveyed said user-generated content (UGC) highly impacts their purchasing decisions as opposed to brand-created or influencer-created content. This means that reviews from real customers about your company’s services are going to have the biggest impact on other consumers. Follow-up with happy customers and encourage them to leave reviews that you can then incorporate into impactful UGC marketing campaigns like testimonial videos. If potential new customers hear from current ones what a great job your company did during the pandemic, they will be motivated to begin using your services as well.

2020 was certainly a year we won’t soon forget. While the pandemic surely upended our daily lives, it also taught us a lot about our customers and the importance of being nimble and flexible to ensure the future success of our businesses. If you can invest in digital and contactless service options, listen to and care for your employees and prioritize authentic messages that resonate with consumers, you’ll be well-positioned heading into 2021 no matter what it has in store for us.

Cindy Mannes is executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance and vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association. She can be reached at cmannes@pestworld.org. For more about PPMA, visit www.npmapestworld.org/ppma.

Pest management has always been a blend of science, technology and art. Technical skills and knowledge are important to outsmart the pests, but if you cannot effectively communicate with clients and package services that customers want to purchase, your business won’t grow. It’s never been easy, but these days there are entirely different levels of complexity. On top of those basic pest management skills, companies now need to be savvy with a number of safety requirements, legal issues, risk assessments, third-party auditors, a whole host of IT issues and even virus disinfection. In fact, with all the noise these days, it seems some of the pest management basics get ignored.

One aspect of pest management that requires the consumption of large amounts of data is reading and understanding pesticide labels. If you’ve worked in the industry longer than a week you’ve probably heard, “The label is the law.” While accurate, this phrase downplays so many things, including that the law is written in technical jargon, often changes without notice and sometimes isn’t all that clear to begin with.

Labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) have gotten progressively harder to keep up with since my entry into the industry in the early 2000s. The company I work for has 182 pesticide products that we use. The average label length is about five pages long and contains about 4,000 words. For nearly 200 products, this is a mountain of information to be familiar with, and a very similar word count as reading CS Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia” (all seven books) twice! Or, for fans of J.K. Rowling’s more verbose prose, this is as long as the first five books of the Harry Potter series. That pile of literature does not include the accompanying SDSs, which average about seven pages and 2,200 words apiece!

Not surprisingly, there are several companies offering access to their up-to-date databases of product labels/SDSs as a billable service. While these databases do have an appealing ring to them, pest management companies still need to find ways to transfer that knowledge from the database into the end user’s (i.e., applicator’s) head. This is where owners often go astray, thinking that having up-to-date labels on their website is the end goal. It’s not! Having competent applicators should be the goal. What follows are some tips for managing and training on the tangled thicket that is pesticide labeling.

THE LONG FORM OF THE LAW. If the label is the law, then it’s worth explaining how it’s laid out. Pesticide labels have a variety of parts that generally appear in the same order, regardless of manufacturer. Many of these components require an explanation. After all, we aren’t born knowing what the signal word CAUTION means. When an applicator is reading the label, they often want to know how to use the product. The directions for use are found towards the back of the label. This means if you pick up a label and read it like a book you may be experiencing some brain fog by the time you finally make it to the directions for use, if you find them at all! Products labeled for use in different categories, like termiticides and general use products, are even trickier. Technicians need to pay attention to the section headings. I do a demonstration with all new employees where I ask a question about how to treat for ants with such a product. The first 10 pages of the directions for use are explicitly for termite work and don’t apply to ant treatments, but every person we’ve hired spends a large amount of time searching that area of the label, until I explain the layout.

TRAIN AS THEY SAY, NOT AS THEY DO. Assume that most technicians, as well as supervisors and managers for that matter, don’t spend enough time reading and understanding pesticide labels. How can a trainer determine what an employee knows and what they don’t? Fortunately, technicians document how materials are applied on their service reports (big data strikes again!). Depending on how your documentation is stored and retrieved, it’s likely possible to search through all your service reports and find applications that don’t quite look right. If you are smiling right now, you probably haven’t looked at your documentation lately! When reviewing documentation, it’s safe to assume some unfortunate things have been recorded. For example, the EPA has been explicit about not making misleading safety claims about pesticides. Try searching your technician’s comments for the word “safe.” It will likely be enlightening and open some training avenues.

This quote is attributed to the inspirational speaker Tony Robbins, who may have been referring to pesticide labels for all I know. It certainly fits! Even if you manage the nearly impossible feat of getting everyone up to speed on all the products you use, guess what? The labels will change, and quite frequently! Of the 182 products I track, in the last seven months, 27 of them had new labels and/or SDSs published to the manufacturer’s website.

Many may not be aware just how often “the law” gets minor tweaks that no one seems to talk about. It may be wise to nomi- nate one of your more organized employees as a “label czar” to at least keep track of your regularly used products, and to thoroughly read any labeling looking for easily overlooked changes after a new version is released. Better yet, get on the bandwagon to encourage manufacturers to make getting these updates easier! Automatic updates, with changes highlighted, would be both a change and progress.

CLIFFSNOTES FOR BROAD-SPECTRUM CONCENTRATES? This next tip will probably put me at odds with some risk-averse folks out there — but if they are truly risk-averse they won’t challenge me on it. I’ll go ahead and share it, as it has been largely beneficial in my experience.

Here is a fundamental truth: The amount of information in pesticide labels is immense (and growing) and time spent reading labels is relatively small (and possibly shrinking). This truth is putting the pest management industry in the awkward position of feeling like an irresponsible student who stayed up too late partying instead of finishing their homework.

One possible solution is to make a cheat sheet. A couple of years ago, I put together reference sheets for commonly used pesticide products that listed out need-to-know information, such as required PPE, reapplication intervals, dilution/application rates, and labeled sites outdoors/indoors. Using such a reference, an applicator can correctly find accurate information for how a product is to be applied in a fraction of the time. Beware, some caveats will likely apply (and now your organized employee just got another responsibility).

FINAL THOUGHTS. I may have made pesticide labels seem insurmountable, but in truth, there is a lot of repetition in the way they are constructed. Teaching people how to comprehend this “art form” and find what they are looking for is an attainable goal without paying people to read the entire “Chronicles of Narnia” (twice!) while sitting in their truck! If you are a smaller company it is probably wise to avail yourself of some of the resources out there like PCT’s label training or possibly one of the third-party database providers. Just remember, if progress is optional, we should be opting in!

VanderWerp is a board-certified entomologist and the manager of education and training for Rose Pest Solutions, based in Troy, Mich. Rose is part 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.

Sieb worked with Signarama, Ledgewood, N.J., on the winning wrap (on a Nissan NV200 van in this photo), which features a large wolf spider across the door and a smaller bat just above the back tire. Also, the company’s URL and phone number, as well as some of NJ Pest’s icons and affiliation’s (e.g., NPMA QualityPro logo), are clearly visible. The concept was simple, said Sieb. “We rebranded the company as NJ Wildlife and Pest Control (previously it was NJ Pest Control) so to promote our wildlife services on the vans we included one pest and one wildlife animal.”

PCT’s judges “loved the HUGE spider” and the “use of icons on this vehicle wrap to communicate a variety of messaging.”

Here’s a look at the other finalist photos from this year’s contest.