[News]

Study to Assess Impact of the Great Recession on the Industry

Mendham, N.J. — Specialty Products Consultants (SPC) has undertaken its tenth syndicated study of the professional pest control market in the United States. The impact of the Great Recession on the structural pest control industry will be thoroughly analyzed in A Strategic Analysis of the U.S. Structural Pest Control Market — The 2009 Season.

The U.S. structural pest control industry generated more than $6.59 billion in service revenue in 2008. "The market for professional pest control services has long been considered to be ‘recession resistant,’" said Gary Curl, president of SPC. "The 2009 season industry analysis will examine the resiliency of that theory." Additionally, the study will examine the expanding importance of professional bed bug control to the industry this past year and beyond.

The 2009 season market study will involve telephone and online interviews with more than 800 owners or managers of professional pest control operations across the country. The Olson Research Group, working in conjunction with SPC, will conduct the interviews. The report will measure the sales and usage of leading brands of pest control products in the professional pest control market. Additionally, end users will be queried about the impact of the economy on their pest control service revenue and the changes made in their service practices given the Great Recession experienced this past year.

Specialty Products Consultants, headquartered in Mendham, N.J., is a market research firm dedicated exclusively to the specialty pesticide industry.

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MGK Sponsors Mosquito Misting Conference

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. — Mosquito misting professionals eager to learn about the latest technological innovations, regulatory updates and business-building tools for the misting market will have two opportunities to do so thanks to MGK. The family-owned supplier of Riptide Waterbased Pyrethrin ULV, Sector Misting Concentrate and Vampyre Misting Concentrate announced the dates of its M.I.S.T. Conference, scheduled for Feb. 9 in San Antonio, Texas, and Feb. 23 in Tampa, Fla.

M.I.S.T. — an acronym for Misting Insecticides Solutions & Technology — is an intensive one-day seminar devoted exclusively to the misting market. "Due to the recession, PMPs had a challenging year in 2009," observed Kevin Caskey, business director, Branded Products, MGK, but those forward-looking companies that diversified into the mosquito market fared better than most, providing a valuable add-on service to customers, he said.

"Mosquito misting not only provides a valuable revenue stream for PMPs, but addresses a legitimate service need of homeowners," said MGK’s mosquito misting market specialist, Andy Sturgis, a 14-year veteran of the industry. "Residents of mosquito-prone areas want to take their backyards back from mosquitoes. For many, it’s a quality of life issue."

MGK’s M.I.S.T. Conference is designed to be the industry’s one-stop location for all of the latest news and technology advancements in the mosquito misting market, offering an array of educational topics devoted to mosquito misting best practices, advertising guidelines, liability exposure and management, active ingredient education, and "green" mosquito control services. "The state of the pyrethrum market also will be discussed, as well as effective resistance management strategies," said Monika Morris, misting market manager.

"If you’re involved either directly or indirectly in the mosquito misting market, the M.I.S.T. Conference is a must-see event, offering valuable technical information, product data, and marketing insights that aren’t available anywhere else," she said.

Cost of the one-day seminar is $30 per person, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register, call 800/456-0707 or e-mail conference@gie.net. To learn more about MGK’s product line, visit www.mgk.com.

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Industry Mourns Loss of TPCA’s Ken Myers

AUSTIN, Texas — Ken Myers, executive director of the Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA), died Nov. 9. Myers was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and previously worked for Orkin.

TPCA President Van Wilson, president of Wilson Spraying & Consulting, Lubbock, Texas, credits Myers for his attention to detail and ability to lead an association that is filled with many strong personalities.

"He never forgot that TPCA was a family. He never favored one person over another and really tried to make everything work for everyone. He attended chapter meetings and always was available by cell phone. It’s not just our association that will miss him – our entire industry will miss him."

Myers was involved in the Travis County Brown Santa, a program that distributes toys and gifts to children at Christmas and food for the Christmas dinner. Myers would collect toys all year long for this program. In lieu of flowers, the Myers family asks that donations be sent to the Travis County Brown Santa, P.O. Box 207, Austin, TX 78767, or visit www.brownsanta.org and use the Donate button to make your secure online donation through PayPal. If you have questions you can call Brown Santa at 512/247-2682.

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John Sessions, founder, Bug Out Service, Dies

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — John F. Sessions, the founder of Bug Out Service, Jacksonville, Fla., died Nov. 14, after a year-long fight against a brain tumor. He was 75.

Sessions was born Jan. 7, 1934, in Mayo, Fla., to the late Festus Williams and John Cabble Sessions. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army for two years and graduated from Jacksonville University with a business degree. John F. Sessions Stadium at Jacksonville University was named after him.

Sessions founded Bug Out in 1963 as a division of Arlington Fuel Oil Company. Sessions, who was vice president at Arlington at the time, convinced his partners to add pest control services to the business to build up the typically slow spring and summer months. His partners agreed, and Sessions created a pest control division within Arlington. After two years, the partners wanted to sell off the business, and they offered it to Sessions, who quickly took them up on their offer.

In the early years, Bug Out grew slowly but during the 1980s the company experienced significant expansion with the acquisition of several companies. In the ’90s the growth continued with expanded service areas and additional offices. Sessions retired in 1999. Today, the company is operated by his son-in-law, Paul Felker, who joined the company in 1978. Sessions was a past regional director of the Florida Pest Management Association and a winner of the PCT/Syngenta Professional Products Crown Leadership Award in 1991.

"John Sessions was such a good man to work for and made us all feel like family," said Linda Prentice, the firm’s technical director.

"(Sessions) will be missed by the entire Bug Out family," said Robert Holyfield, a Bug Out Service manager who has been with the firm more than 25 years. "He was a great business man and an even greater human being."

Sessions was married for 52 years to his childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth Carson Sessions.

Editor’s note: Additional information from the Florida Times-Union.

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Oversight of California Pest Control Board Changes Hands

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Legislation passed and signed during the 2009 California legislative session transfers the Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) from the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).

DPR evaluates and registers pesticides, oversees pesticide use enforcement, and licenses companies and individuals who conduct pest control work in agriculture and in non-structural settings. SPCB regulates the structural pest control industry, licensing businesses and individuals who conduct structural pest control. Under the direction of DPR, county agricultural commissioners enforce pesticide laws and regulations, including pesticide use by structural pest control licensees.

DPR and DCA are committed to making the transfer as seamless as possible for individuals and companies regulated by the Board, and for consumers who use their services.

To do this, the agencies have agreed that DCA should continue to manage the Board functions through June 30, 2010. This will ensure that examination, licensing and complaint resolution activities will be unaffected while the transition occurs. DPR and county agricultural commissioners will continue to be responsible for enforcing pesticide laws and regulations.

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BASF Launches SmartSolutions

ST. LOUIS — BASF Pest Control Solutions recently introduced SmartSolutions, a new program designed to assist pest management professionals when dealing with some of the industry’s most challenging pests.

Throughout the year, SmartSolutions will deliver comprehensive guides and solution ideas focused on bed bugs, termites and more.

According to BASF, SmartSolutions start with some of the industry’s most experienced and knowledgeable researchers, scientists, and sales and support specialists. BASF Pest Control Solutions has assembled a team of professionals dedicated to developing and supporting smart products and smart strategies, the company notes.For more information, visit pestcontrol.basf.us.

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PCO News

The Exterminators (Pvt) Ltd, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka, has achieved the ISO 14001-2004 Environmental Management System standard from the Sri Lanka Standard Institution. The company is one of the few in the industry to hold accreditations in both ISO 9001-2000 and ISO 14001-2000 standards.

Black Pest Prevention, Charlotte, N.C., has launched a new interactive Web site at www.blackpest.com. The new site is designed to be user-friendly, easy to navigate and provide customers with an abundance of information about both their services and common household pests.

M&M Pest Control, the pest control division of M&M Environmental, New York, N.Y., earned its QualityPro certification from the National Pest Management Association.

Team Too Termite & Pest Control, headquartered in Corona, Calif., has been awarded a license from the California Department of Pesticide Regulations (CDPR) for a nonchemical method of controlling termites. Team Too Termite & Pest Control’s registered Heat Blast Method has been recognized by the state of California as an alternative to eliminating termites within a structure without the hassles associated with traditional fumigations. Team Too is EcoWise Certified and holds Quality Pro, GreenPro, and Green Shield Certified Provider certifications.

Massey Services, Orlando, Fla., has opened a second Service Center in The Villages, a retirement community in Central Florida. The new Service Center, located in Wildwood, employs about 35 team members. Massey opened its first Service Center in The Villages-Lady Lake region in 1998.

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Residex, Bird-G-Gone Support the Achilles Freedom Team

CRANFORD, N.J. & MISSION VIEJO, CALIF. — Chris Donaghy of Residex and Bruce Donoho of Bird-B-Gone have partnered to donate a handcrank competitive cycle to the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans.

"Bruce and I would like to express our gratitude to the servicemen and women of the U.S. military by giving back to those who sacrificed so much to keep the world free from tyranny," said Chris Donaghy, president, Residex.

The Achilles Freedom Team was founded in 2004 to introduce marathon racing to wounded war veterans as part of their rehabilitation.

This is the second handcrank donated by Residex in 2009 since partnering with the charity. Both competitive cycles are stationed at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Upon arrival at the hospital, wounded servicemen and women are encouraged by Achilles Freedom Team members to integrate the use of the cycles as part of their rehabilitation.

Despite their disabilities, many remarkable wounded veterans go on to incorporate competitive marathon racing into their lives. Residex hopes to surpass its 2009 goal of raising $10,000 for the charity.

To help support the cause visit www.firstgiving.com/residex.

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Tax credit for adding qualified insulation

Homer, GA. — Part of making homes more "green" is to make them more energy efficient. Earlier this year, a tax credit was put in place (maximum of $1,500 per home) for adding qualified insulation in the crawlspaces and attics of existing homes. This credit is currently in effect for 2009 and 2010.

T•A•P Pest Control Insulation says pest management professionals are uniquely qualified to provide this service to homeowners. TAP’s Pest Control Insulation is EPA registered to control insects, qualifies for the tax credit and is made from recycled newsprint. Since it helps control insects, it can only be installed by a pest management professional and it’s the only pesticide that has an Energy Star label, which means it can save energy, T•A•P reports.

The result is an exciting, growing sales program for PMPs who want to expand their business, not just survive, T•A•P says.

Some pest professionals also may want to consider insulation removal services and crawlspace insulation programs, T•A•P says. This difficult work has been reduced thanks to large gas-driven vacuum systems, rapidly sucking up dirty insulation, and blowing it directly into large, disposable bags stationed outside. The old insulation should be replaced, which provides another opportunity for the PCO. Many homes with crawlspaces either have damaged or no floor insulation, and present an opportunity to offer the consumer another way to reduce home energy consumption and improve comfort (this too qualifies for rebates and tax credits).

According to the firm, PCIS’ full-time staff serves only the pest management industry, offers training from industry leading experts, turn-key blowing equipment packages, vacuum systems, a full range of supplies, and distributes the new poly-encapsulated ComfortTherm crawlspace insulation nationwide.

To learn more about T•A•P, visit www.TAPinsulation.com or call 866/BUG-PCIS.

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Etex’s Phil Holt To Retire

MOJAVE, CALIF. — After more than 21 years of service with Etex, Phil Holt, head of research, development and maintenance in the company’s Austin, Texas, facility, is retiring.

"Phil has worn many hats at Etex throughout his career here — from electrician to electrical engineer to president. I have to say that in each capacity, Phil always rose to the challenge with dedication, loyalty and ingenuity," said Susan Fortuna, president, Etex, which manufactures The Electro-Gun.

Holt, 56, who was at one time president of the company, was instrumental in developing and implementing many of the design changes that have improved the company’s Electro-Gun, said Fortuna. The Electro-Gun, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, is an innovative, multi-patented device that is a non-chemical alternative to fumigation and chemical spot treatments, which are currently used to eradicate drywood termites.

"During his career here, Phil has also trained hundreds of pest control operators in the use of the gun," says Mike Fortuna, Etex’s chief operations officer.

Before joining Etex, Holt owned an audio and stage lighting business in Norman, Okla. When he sold that company, he learned that Etex, then located in Las Vegas, was hiring and started there as an electrician. Impressed with the company and its potential, he then studied to become an electrical engineer.

As an electrical engineer, he worked with the original developers of the Electro-Gun, Lucas G. Lawrence and D.J. Bondy, to redesign and improve the device.
 

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DATE BOOK

Jan. 11-15: 74th Purdue Pest Management Conference, West Lafayette, Ind. Contact: www.conf.purdue.edu/pest or call 765/494-9482.

Jan. 14-15: NPMA’s Eastern Conference 2010, Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, N.J. Contact: NPMA, 703/352-6762 or visit www.npmapestworld.org.

Jan. 18-21: North Carolina Pest Management Association‘s 60th Annual Pest Control Technician School, Hilton North Raleigh, N.C. Contact: www.ncpestmanagement.org.

Jan. 25-27: Wildlife Control Technology 16th Annual Seminar, Hilton Charlotte University Place, N.C. Contact: 815/286-3039.

Jan. 28-29: NPMA’s Southwestern Conference 2010, Albuquerque, N.M. Contact: See Jan. 14.

Feb. 2-3: Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference, Lincoln, Neb. Contact: 402/476-1528 or e-mail info@nspca.org.

Feb. 3-4: 24th Annual Michigan Mosquito Control Association Conference, Traverse City, Mich. Contact: www.mimosq.org, 989/755-5751 or randy@scmac.org.

Feb. 3-4: NPMA’s Southern Conference 2010, Memphis, Tenn. Contact: See Jan. 14.

Feb. 4: First-ever European Termite Market Conference, organized by PestBusiness.com and sponsored by Edialux France, Novotel, Bercy in Central Paris, France. Contact: www.pestbusiness.com or e-mail jilly@pestbusiness.com.

Feb. 9: M.I.S.T. (Misting Insecticides Solutions & Technologies) Conference, sponsored by MGK, San Antonio, Texas. Contact: 800/456-0707 or conference@giemedia.com.

Feb. 23: M.I.S.T. (Misting Insecticides Solutions & Technologies) Conference, sponsored by MGK, Tampa, Fla. Contact: See Feb. 9.