Pesticide Run-Off

Concern for our environment. It became a hot topic of conversation in the 1970s, as environmentalists shed light on the ever worsening build-up of pollutants in or air and waterways. Things came to a head once again in the 80s, as the public began to fear and protest against the use of chemicals, whether applied to our food crops or used in and around our homes to guard against pests.

Although one can only guess as to what the "hot topic" of the 1990s will be, it looks as though the efforts to protect our environment and limit the use of chemicals will remain an integral focus on our lives from now on.

One PCO who can be credited with having an active concern for environmental issues is Robert M. Forrest, president of Forrest Exterminating Service Inc., Chesapeake, Va. While many in the industry are well aware that pesticide runoffs threaten the underground water table, Forrest is doing something bout it. Fortuitously, this decision coincided with Forrest’s realization that his company had outgrown its old headquarters in Virginia Beach, Fla., and was in dire need of a new office building. Thus when construction was completed in May of 1988, the firm’s new 10,000 square-foot, $500,000 building was much more than just roomier quarters for the company’s employees and equipment. Incorporated into the design is a state-of-the-art facility which actually recycles minute amounts of spilled pesticides, thus preventing them from seeping into underground water.

The system is designed so that trucks coming into the building’s drive -in loading bay pull in under a 1,000 gallon steel overhead fill tank. During the filling process, spills are quickly hosed down, with the runoff water traveling down a sloped floor into a center drain. All water used to clean spray rigs and compressed air sprayers go down this drain as well. From that point, according to Forrest, "a sediment pt in the drain traps any solids coming down off the trucks once the liquid level reaches a height of about 1 foot, the runoff flows laterally over to a 1,000 gallon reservoir which is beneath the slab about 12 feet away. There, a solid filter traps any remaining solids which could come through the plant. From that reservoir we pump the recycled water back up into the overhead tank."

This recycled water is then mixed with the exact amount of pesticide concentrate - which in Forrest’s case is Dursban TC - corresponding to the pesticide residues already in the tank. A site gauge on the outside of the tank allows precise control of the mix. The mixed chemical I then pumped back into the truck’s fill tans for on-site applications.

This recycling system effectively eliminates any possibility of seepage, according to Forrest. "There’s no possible way for the termiticides to get into the water table from our operation. It’s a closed system."

While undeniably proud of the recycling system, Forrest is quick to give most of the credit for its design and development to his son, Gary, who is executive vice president of the $1.1 million company. "It was Gary’s bainchild," Forrest explains. "He’s always been very pollution conscious, particularly when you consider the liability associated with our industry." Gary and a consulting architect worked out the design of the system before construction was begun on the new building.

Forrest agrees wholeheartedly with his son’s ideas, however. "There’s tremendous concern now in the industry about pollution and chemicals, and the effects these substances can have on people," he says. "Anything you can do to prevent he creation of environmental hazards - and to legally protect yourself and your customers - is a good idea."

Added benefits of the recycling system are chemical savings since all of the product is utilized, and the fact that all trucks leave the facility free of contamination. "Trucks leaving the building re clean not only from a contamination standpoint," Forrest says, "but clean from an appearance standpoint as well. We don’t lose any business because our trucks look unprofessional."

Fortunately for the pest control industry, Forrest’s pride in his firms’ vehicles and state-of-the-art recycling facility has not prevented him from sharing his secrets with other PCOs. "I don’t know of any system like this in use at the moment and I want to spread it in the trade. So we’re gad to give any PCOs the schematics - even set up a system if they want us to."

A lifetime of accomplishment. Being considered an industry innovator is hardly a new role for Bob Forrest. During a 14-year association with Orkin Exterminating Co., early in his career, Forrest developed and sold that company on the idea of "pretreatment" of buildings (both residential and commercial) during the early stages of construction. Forrest quickly moved up the ladder at Orkin, progressing from salesman to branch manager and ultimately to national sales manager.

When Forrest left Orkin in 1970 to start his own firm, he continued to sell customers on the advantages of pre-treats. Today, approximately 30 percent of his company’s revenues are derived from termite work and pre-treatments, he says, while 40 percent comes from contract pest control (monthly servicing of both residential and commercial accounts) and another 30 percent comes from guarantee renewals. "We have a complete exterminating service, but a large portion of our market is in pre-treatment of new construction."

Perhaps seeing the wisdom in their father’s ideas and concepts, two of Forrest’s sons were quick to join him when he went into business 20 years ago. Son Richard joined the firm soon after it opened its doors in the fall of 1970; he currently serves as vice president of sales. Gary came on board in 1971. Paul, Bob’s youngest son, joined the company eight years ago, moving through the ranks from pest control route service operator to pre-treat unit operator to termite technician, before coming to his present position as field service consultant. Bob’s wife, Emma Lee Forrest, has served as the corporation’s secretary-treasurer since the inception of the business.

A Quality company. Today, this family-run business includes a total of 35 people, with the average length of employment being nine and one-half years. Forrest attributes this longevity, in part, to a comprehensive benefits package which includes a company-paid profit sharing/pension program in which all employees are automatically enrolled after their second full year of employment.

Even more impressive is the fact that 42 percent of all service personnel are state licensed; Forrest plans to raise this figure to a full 90 percent by the end of 1990.

Of course, the firm’s facilities have grown along with the number of employees. The new headquarters building includes 4,500 square feet of office area and an additional 5,5550 square feet of open bay service area "which will accommodate up to 20 trucks on a freezing night," Forrest says.

Ever a forward thinker, one thing Forrest may not have foreseen is the national attention his recycling system has attracted. Among the major companies who have viewed his facilities are representatives from DowElanco and Roussel Bio Corp.

But that kind of attention is to be expected when one comes up with such an environmentally sound innovation. With today’s level of concern over the present and future state of our air, water and lands, companies must examine every viable new method that comes along to aid in the battle to preserve our world for future generations. This is especially true of industries that utilize potentially toxic chemicals, including the pest control industry. Because, legal issue aside, we have amoral obligation to maintain a safe, healthy environment - not just for ourselves, but for those who will follow.

___ Kathleen Milgate

The author is a free-lance writer based in Cleveland, Ohio.