Hands on Training Tutors PCOs

In Haddenfield, N.J., 17 area PCOs honed their termite control techniques by inspecting, estimating and performing an actual residential treatment last July. Participating PCOs not only upgraded their termite control skills and knowledge, they earned 10 continuing education credits in a wood protection category.

Experience is the best teacher, according to John Fasoldt, owner of United Exterminating Co. in Cherry Hill, N.J., and one of the PCOs who attended the seminar. "On-the-job training teaches problem-solving skills that classrooms and books can’t simulate."

The chance to face and overcome termite control problems in a real setting was offered when Gary Marcucci, a Sherwood Chemicals Ltd. sales representative, discovered termites in his home last spring. "It seemed like a perfect opportunity to experiment with on-site training," Marcucci said.

PCOs from Philadelphia and New Jersey were invited to the home for a one-day seminar sponsored by DowElanco and Sherwood’s president, Merle Gardner.

A raised porch, slab living room, imbedded pipes, a wood deck abutting the house and French drain with a sump pump posed some interesting challenges, according to Dr. Brian Bret, a DowElanco technical specialist who helped conduct the seminar.

Apart from the specific construction obstacles the house presented, he said, the PCOs learned to manage two treatment dilemmas they always face - accurately estimating termite control needs and limiting a treatment’s odor.

After viewing a slide show on termite control each PCO determined the amount of termiticide, hours and money needed to effectively treat the Marcucci home. Answers ranged from 65 to 500 gallons of mixed termiticide solution and from four to 12 hours of labor, at a cost of $75 to $3,000.

The class nailed down their final estimate by splitting into groups that mapped assigned sections of the house’s structure and the activity levels. The PCOs regrouped to discuss diagrammed areas and treatment strategies with Bret.

"The actual treatment used 320 gallons of termiticide, and took six man-hours at a cost of more than $1,400." Bret said.

Rob Bruno, of Boro Exterminating in Glenolden, Pa., said: "This seminar pointed out the lack of universal estimating techniques. Occasionally, a company will take the chance of spot treating when there’s no visible infestation. I think the lower estimates reflect that fact."

The PCOs prepared the home for treatment by trenching, drilling and calibrating the termite rigs, according to John Peterson, a DowElanco sales representative.

Since the family was going to be in the house that night, limiting odor was a big concern. The PCOs ventilated the house with fans during the treatment and mixed Epoleon with Dursban TC. DowElanco donated the termiticide and new injection tips used by the class. Efforts were so successful that odor was undetectable that evening, Marcucci observed. Since then, the Marcuccis have remodeled their home and have seen no signs of termites, he added.

This particular seminar also caught the eye of an industry regulatory agency, Peterson noted. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection sent two inspectors to the Haddenfield training ground to participate in the termite control program.

"Hands-on pest control training is drawing attention across the country," he explained. "We are looking to offer more on-site training."