October News

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NEW N.Y. PESTICIDE LAW REQUIRES NEIGHBOR NOTIFICATION

ALBANY, N.Y. — Many New York school officials and lawn and tree care companies are grumbling over a law passed in August that will require them to give 48-hour notice to neighboring properties (within 150 feet) of areas they spray before application.

The law excludes structural pest control and outdoor spraying conducted within three feet of any building foundation, which allows PCOs to breathe a sigh of relief. However, the pest control industry would be wise to monitor the law because of its future implications.

There are two parts to the complex law. The first deals with both residential and commercial outdoor pesticide applications. Any pesticide sprayed more than three feet away from the foundation mandates the applicator give 48-hour notification to any resident within 150 feet of the application site.

Currently, New York state has put adoption of the residential and commercial part of the bill into the hands of its 67 local county governments. If adopted, the law would go into affect March 1, 2001.

Another reason for industry-wide skepticism is the small number of people who have expressed interest in being notified prior to pesticide application. Many states already have implemented a registry program where residents can opt to be notified about pesticides being sprayed near their homes. However, in several of these states, only a few hundred residents have requested to be notified.

"What that says from a logical point of view is people are concerned about pesticides, but not enough to be notified every time a pesticide is sprayed," said Arthur Katz, president of the New York Pest Control Association (NYPCA).

Gene Harrington, manager of government affairs for the National Pest Management Association, said he also believes the law is inherently unnecessary. "Since the majority of the population isn’t interested in being notified, the information they’ll receive due to the new law will be worthless," he said. "So the only thing this is going to do is increase the cost of services."

Whether customers want the information or not, lawn care companies in New York are now required to notify them via mail or going door-to-door — another issue raising some eyebrows not only because of its cost, but because of the possible decline in business. "People may withhold commitment to effective pest management because they don’t want their neighbors to know they have a pest problem and they won’t be willing to fix it if they have to tell everyone," said Fred Goossen, executive director, NYPCA.

"Basically [the law] won’t affect PCOs much except when they deal with school officials who opt to do their own pesticide spray work after having IPM done," Katz said.

Pest control in schools is the second part of the notification law. This portion of the bill will go into effect statewide on March 1, 2001. The law mandates that preschool administrators notify parents three times a year, as well as give them 48-hour notification, if pesticides will be sprayed on the premises. Public schools above the preschool level only need to notify parents once a year of any pesticide activity in and around the school.

For now, PCOs and others in the industry can only speculate what would happen if the law were one day applied to structural pest control.

"It would be a hassle and definitely costly because a company might need to hire more people just to deal with the task of posting notifications in residences, buildings, restaurants, etc.," said Ronald Meringolo, president, Professional Pest Control Association of New York.

For those people to whom the notification law does apply, the penalties are costly if broken. Violators will receive a warning and educational material for a first offense, fined $100 or more for the second offense and up to $250 for each subsequent violation.

Katz believes monitoring the law will be tricky, similar to any other law. "It’s the same as going through a stop sign. If a cop is watching or someone complains, you’ll have to pay the consequences," he said. "People might get away without notifying anyone for awhile, but the minute someone complains or notices, they’ll be penalized."

EXTINGUISH REGISTERED FOR USE IN CALIFORNIA

Schaumburg, Ill. — Extinguish Professional Fire Ant Bait from Zoëcon Professional Products has been approved for use in California. The California registration of Extinguish will boost fire ant eradication efforts that have been implemented since fire ants infiltrated counties in the southern part of the state.

Extinguish contains an insect growth regulator (IGR) in an attractive bait that foraging fire ant workers take back to the mound to feed to the queen. The IGR affects the queen’s reproduction. When existing workers die, replacement workers are not produced, resulting in starvation and elimination of the queen and colony, the company says.

FQPA BILL REVIEW NOT LIKELY IN SHORT TERM

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee postponed a scheduled mark-up of a bill in early September that would ensure "sound science" by EPA in its review of pesticides under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). "Marking-up" means that a Congressional committee reviews a bill, passes it (or a revised version) and sends it to the full House of Representatives.

Now there is little chance that Congress will adopt the legislation this year, which was backed by the pesticide industry, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

"We’re extremely disappointed that an issue as important as FQPA got sidetracked by election-year politics," said Bob Rosenberg, director of government affairs for NPMA. "NPMA fired off letters to members of the Agriculture Committee that day explaining their disappointment and dismay at the committee’s decision and are working to get the decision reversed."

According to a Reuters article, a spokesman for the House Agricultural panel said the mark-up was postponed due to staff scheduling conflicts. In all likelihood, there is little chance this issue will be brought up again this session, Rosenberg said. The bill, sponsored by Californian Republican Richard Pombo and co-sponsored by more than 200 other House members, would ensure that EPA used real-world data when making pesticide evaluations.

FORSHAW FOUNDER DIES

Georgetown, S.C. — Thomas Forshaw Jr., founder of Forshaw Chemicals Inc., passed away in August in Georgetown, S.C. He was 85.

Forshaw retired as a captain in the U.S. Army in 1946 and began a career with Chapman Chemicals, Memphis, Tenn. In 1961 he left Chapman and began Forshaw Chemicals Inc., now known as Forshaw Industries Inc., with two divisions — Forshaw Distribution Inc. and Wood Protection Products Inc.

Forshaw was a founding member of the United Producers Formulators & Distributors Association and was active in the American Wood Preservers Association. His sons, Thomas Forshaw III and James R. Forshaw, now oversee the family business. In addition to his two sons, Forshaw is survived by his daughter, Bess, eight grandchildren and three great grandsons.

AVENTIS INTRODUCES PEST MANAGEMENT SITE

MONTVALE, N.J. — The Professional Products Group of Aventis Environmental Science has announced the introduction of www.aventispmp.com. The site serves as a source of company and pest management industry information for PCOs.

"We designed this site to meet a pest management professional’s needs in multiple ways," said Mike McDermott, vice president of professional products. "Our website functions not only as a source of information about Aventis Environmental Science and its products but also as a resource for timely industry news and as an effective method of communication between our staff and the pest management industry."

The new website provides information about the company’s line of products for the pest control industry, as well as location-specific distributor and sales representative information, MSDS and specimen labels, in addition to several other features. PCOs can also apply online for product literature and promotions through the site.

BOSTON BECKONS PCOs TO WHITMIRE SYMPOSIUM

Boston, Mass. — More than 185 PCOs gathered in Boston in August for the 12th Whitmire Micro-Gen Institute of Technology. Created by Whitmire in 1980, the Institute of Technology brings together PCOs and the industry’s top researchers every two years to discuss technical pest management issues, as well as business management topics.

With the backdrop of Harvard Square, Fenway Park and downtown Boston, the Institute of Technology featured more than 32 speakers, including a keynote address delivered by Bob Case, president, Sears Termite & Pest Control, Inc. Other featured speakers included Dr. Brian Forschler, Dr. Jerome Goddard, Dr. Mike Potter, Don Jamison and Bobby Jenkins. Also featured was a half-day interactive session with Sandra J. Sucher of the Harvard Business School.

"I think this meeting is truly one of the foremost symposiums of its kind in the nation," said Bobby Corrigan, RMC Pest Management Consulting, who spoke at the event.

"We had some excellent speakers and we were really thrilled about the success of the conference this year," said Trish Grove, manager of communications, Whitmire Micro-Gen, who co-directed the event.

One of the meeting’s most talked about presentations came from Dr. Roger Gold, who gave attendees a preview of the controversial termite bait study he is conducting at Texas A&M University. While Dr. Gold says the study will not be finalized, released or formally presented until late this year, he did say that based on results to date, he recommends that baits not be used as stand-alone treatments, but rather in concert with termiticide applications. Dr. Gold further indicated that based on his research to date, termite baits were only 50 percent effective in termite control within the Texas A&M study. Until the formal study is officially released later this year, industry reaction will be hard to gauge. However, any study whose results question the effectiveness of termite baits is sure to stir up considerable debate. Stay tuned to PCT for further coverage of this issue.

NPMA ANNOUNCES NEW CONFERENCE

Dunn Loring, Va. — The National Pest Management Association has announced dates for its new conference, PESTECH2001.com. The three-day conference, sponsored by Aventis Environmental Science, will be held Jan. 4-6, 2001, at the Hyatt Regency Embar-cadero Center in San Francisco, Calif. The conference will introduce pest management professionals from around the country to the most innovative and efficient technological concepts for business in the 21st century.

NPMA says that the conference will allow PCOs to learn about hand-held computers, digital photography, customer Internet scheduling, paperless office systems, website design and cellular phones for technicians.

For further information, contact NPMA at 800/678-6722 or at its website, www.pestworld.org. Or, PCOs can visit www.aventispmp.com for additional details.

FIRST INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE SOLD BY ORKIN

ATLANTA — Orkin Exterminating Company, Inc., a division of Rollins Incorporated, recently sold its first international franchise rights in Mexico to Balance Urbano Control de Plagas, SA. The principals of Balance Urbano are Ned Ewart of Bug Master Exterminating Service, Inc., Austin, Texas, and Tony Garza Morton, Monterrey, Mexico.

The two principals acquired the six Orkin branches in Mexico and have plans to expand under the Orkin banner to all major markets in the country over the next five years.

Gary Rollins, president of Orkin and Rollins, Inc., said the company is proud of its new franchise with Balance Urbano and foresees a long relationship. Rollins also said that Orkin has plans to further expand its international franchise.

PCT TO PUBLISH PI CHI OMEGA SUPPLEMENT

Cleveland — PCT magazine recently announced plans to publish a special editorial supplement in honor of Pi Chi Omega’s upcoming 50th anniversary. The supplement, which will be bound into the December issue of PCT, will feature profiles of those individuals who have played a critical role in the success of the fraternity including such industry legends as Dr. John Osmun, Norm Ehmann and Dr. William Jackson.

"Pi Chi Omega has played a key role in the growth and professional development of the structural pest control industry," said Dan Moreland, PCT’s publisher. "We’re pleased to recognize the numerous contributions of both current members and the founding fathers of the fraternity."

In addition to recognizing key members of the fraternity, the supplement will highlight the past successes of this important industry group and discuss the future vision and mission of Pi Chi Omega. Overruns of the supplement will be published and distributed at the 2001 Purdue University Pest Control Conference, where a celebration is planned in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the fraternity.

Ad space is available in the supplement in the form of display advertising, "tribute" advertising and business cards. Ten percent of all ad sales will be donated to the Pi Chi Omega Scholarship Fund. Anyone interested in reserving ad space should contact Michael Kelly at 757/425-2370.

FLORIDA FIRM HOSTS CHARITY EVENT

ORLANDO — Middleton Lawn & Pest Control Inc. leapt into its "Summer of Giving" in July. The event, which took place at Middleton’s corporate offices in Orlando, highlighted a number of local charities, including Charity Cars Inc., Central Florida Mentoring Network and Hi-Tech Tutoring Center Inc., among others. Highlights of the day included Middleton’s donation of computer equipment to the tutoring center and a giveaway of five donated vehicles to families in need.

"This event, we hope, will not only help make it a little easier for people in the community that have always wanted to get involved but will lay the groundwork for other local businesses to do their part as well," said Greg Clendenin, president of Middleton.

BIRD BARRIER OFFERS TRAINING CLASSES

Chicago — Bird Barrier is offering two-day training courses that are designed to help PCOs become more successful in bird control. PCOs will learn through slides, videos, lecture and hands-on installation how to correctly assess bird behavior and biology to select the right control products to effectively solve the problem.

Classes are held at local Van Waters & Rogers offices. Contact Bird Barrier America at 800/503-5444 or your local Van Waters & Rogers office at 800/888-4VWR for more detailed information.

The courses will be offered at the following locations:

• November 8-9: Albuquerque, N.M.;

• December 5-6: Dallas, Texas;

• December 7-8: Houston, Texas;

• December 11-12: San Antonio, Texas; and,

• December 13-14: El Paso, Texas.

NEW FUMIGANT RECEIVES EPA REGISTRATION

Indianapolis — ECO2FUME Fumigant Gas, a new cylinderized phosphine fumigant, received full food registration from the U.S. EPA in August. This will allow the phosphine- and carbon dioxide-based fumigant to be used by trained and certified applicators for food items. ECO2FUME received EPA non-food registration in December 1999.

ECO2FUME is the first new methyl bromide alternative that EPA has registered, according to David Mueller, Fumigation Service & Supply Inc. According to Mueller, this opens the door for the phosphine- and carbon-dioxide based fumigant to replace methyl bromide in flour mills, grain- and food-processing plants where possible.

CSIRO, an agricultural research and industry branch of the Australian government and the industrial gas company BOC discovered ECO2FUME in Australia in the 1980s. This collaboration has led to the widespread use of ECO2FUME on more than 50 percent of the wheat stored in Australia and registrations in Cypress, Germany, Bahrain, China and the United States. Registrations are pending in several other countries.

Cytec Industries Inc. is the registrant for ECO2FUME and Brian McSwigan is its global business director. Cytec has appointed Fumigation Service & Supply Inc. as the coordinators for a mandatory stewardship program for users of ECO2FUME. This stewardship program will train fumigators to use this new phosphine-generating delivery system in commodities and structures. It will include high-pressure techniques, safety, safe storage, methyl bromide alternatives, case studies, phosphine corrosion management, special equipment needs, calculations on methods for dosage rates and re-dosing with ECO2FUME, along with expert information in the field of fumigation and actual hands-on fumigations.

For more information about ECO2FUME and upcoming stewardship programs, contact David Mueller at www.insectslimited.com or 317/896-9300.

PCT ANNOUNCES SITE FOR 2001 PCT DIALOGUE CONFERENCE

Cleveland — Pest Control Technology recently announced the dates for the 2001 PCT Dialogue Conference. The conference will be held September 12-14, 2001, at the Wyndham Palace Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

The PCT Dialogue Conference will feature an all-new program format with new speakers and social events. Attendees will be able to choose from a variety of business-management breakout sessions and roundtable discussion groups covering key business management topics facing pest control professionals.

PCT Dialogue attendees will also have the chance to enjoy a special PCT Dialogue Welcome Reception, display their golf skills in the 4th Annual PCT Tournament of Champions Golf Outing and enjoy networking opportunities.

"We look forward to an exciting and informative 2001 PCT Dialogue Conference in Orlando," said Dan Moreland, PCT group publisher. "The combination of dynamic educational sessions, valuable networking opportunities, affordable registration and hotel rates, and an outstanding destination make PCT Dialogue an attractive event for pest management professionals."

To be added to the PCT Dialogue mailing list, call Maria Miller at 800/456-0707.

PHILLY PARK GETS IMP TREATMENT

PHILADELPHIA — The Pennsylvania Pest Control Association Eastern Division conducted an educational program that focused on mosquito control and commensal rodent monitoring in Philadelphia’s historic Fairmount Park at the end of June. The day-long event was held in recognition of pest management month, which was June. Program activities took place in and around two Fairmount Park structures built for the 1876 World’s Fair, Concourse Pond and the Fairmount Carousel House.

The event featured activities and experts that emphasized the use of IPM strategies for mosquito and rodent control, including ongoing educational sessions, mosquito larvae dipping and identification and rodent monitoring.

LiphaTech and Wellmark International also participated in the event.

PEST MANAGEMENT COMPANY PLACES IN ETHICS COMPETITION

ARLINGTON, Va. — Twenty-four businesses from 13 states have been selected as finalists in the National Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics competition. Adams Pest Control, Alexandria, La., has been named as one of the finalists.

The national award competition is judged by an independent panel of business and ethics experts. More than 2,000 businesses compete in local Torch Award competitions each year and about 100 move on the national level.

Adams competed in category III, which are companies with 11 to 99 employees.