On the morning of Oct. 10, 2018, Amanda Kaiser already had called three customers to cancel their termite warranties. “We are cancelling customers monthly. It’s become a really big deal,” said the owner of Island Pest Control, Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The big deal is spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation, which can significantly improve a home’s energy efficiency when installed in crawlspaces, walls and attics. PMPs are finding it also can hide termite activity.

WHAT IS SPF? Spray polyurethane foam insulation is a spray-applied cellular plastic. When applied, the chemicals react quickly, expanding on contact to create a foam that insulates, seals air gaps and provides a moisture barrier. When properly installed, SPF forms a continuous barrier on surfaces. It resists heat transfer and is an effective solution for reducing unwanted air infiltration through cracks, seams and joints.

Photo courtesy Tim Kendrick, Wayne’s Environmental Services.

SPF insulation can be open- or closed-cell. Open-cell spray foam contains microscopic voids that are open to each other. It is soft and flexible and has a higher moisture permeability. In closed-cell foam, the microscopic voids are isolated from one another. This foam is rigid, dense, resistant to water, has a higher R-value, and can improve a building’s strength (a key benefit in high-wind and hurricane-prone areas).

The type of foam used and the thickness in which it’s applied depends on the problem being addressed and where in the structure it’s being used.

At one client’s home with SPF, Kaiser said pests had “eaten across half the house” before they swarmed and were found. At another, her inspector noticed dirt specks on a piece of foam in the crawlspace. “He pulled it back and boom, there were termites behind it,” she recalled. And still another homeowner didn’t know his $2 million house had termites from subfloor to attic until he started adding on to it; her technicians pulled out the SPF and found “endless” amounts of termite damage.

PMPs report that the foam also hides leaks and traps moisture that homeowners normally would notice and fix. This creates conditions that attract termites and even can lead to aerial infestations of the pests.

“If termites find it, they’re going to use it to go all the way to the roofline,” said Tim Kendrick, technical director of Wayne’s Environmental Services, Birmingham, Ala., and president of the Alabama Pest Control Association. He pulled a 30-pound Formosan termite carton nest from the wall of a client’s spray-foamed attic. The pests damaged eight rooms in the slab house before they swarmed and were found.

“There’s just no way to see what’s behind that spray foam” and “we’re not going to roll the dice” in Formosan country, said Kaiser. “It’s just not worth the risk.”

A growing number of PMPs across the Southeast feel the same way. They are cancelling the termite damage warranties of customers who’ve had the foam installed. They are walking away from new customers who already have it in their homes and from newly constructed homes that have it built in. And some are refusing to write termite/WDO inspection letters required for real estate closings if houses have SPF. “We recognize that there’s an issue. It’s our strong position that we are not the origin of these problems but we’re involved in this,” said Kurt Riesenberg, executive director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), the trade association for spray foam installers.

SPRAY FOAM SURPRISE. PMPs generally don’t learn customers have installed spray foam insulation in their crawlspaces or attics until they return for an annual termite or wood-destroying organism (WDO) inspection.

What they find runs the gamut: Some foam applicators provide termite inspection and treatment gaps at the top and bottom of the crawlspace foundation wall; others encase the entire crawl in 6 to 8 inches of spray foam covering the walls, sill plates, outside band and subfloor, much like a cave.

“It’s the wild, wild West out there; there’s no consistency” in how the foam is applied from house to house, said Scott Monds, general manager of National Exterminating Company, Newport News, Va.

In most cases, the areas that PMPs need to inspect for termite mud tubes, such as the inside of the foundation wall or the sill plate where termites may come up through a hollow cinderblock, are now covered.

Spray foam insulation “can’t be removed for inspection like fiberglass batting. It is as hard as a rock and it sticks,” said Jim Fredericks, who heads technical and regulatory affairs for the National Pest Management Association.

And while some states have building codes for installing spray foam in new construction, fewer have codes for its application post-construction, report PMPs. These codes also vary greatly from municipality to municipality, which may adopt different parts or versions of codes.

“There’s mass confusion over what the right way to do it is,” says Wayne’s Environmental Services’ Kendrick.

Pesticide Program Chair Ryan Okey of the Department of Pesticide Regulation at Clemson University said “there needs to be some standards introduced for installation” of the foam to protect consumers, though he admitted that enforcing these standards would be a challenge.

The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance supports changes to building codes that mandate inspection strips in the crawlspace in jurisdictions with termite pressure, said Riesenberg. “We have to rely upon the code communities to make the proper determination of what’s required, and then our job is to make sure our installers know what’s required and that they do it,” he said.

GAP OR NO GAP? In the meantime, how pest control companies respond to spray foam varies greatly. While some won’t touch a house with it, others will keep customers under warranty if the foam applicator installs inspection gaps or comes back to cut them out.

“It’s not always where we see termites but it’s a good place to start,” said Stephen Gates, vice president of technical services at Cook’s Pest Control in Decatur, Ala.

But according to Art Appel, an entomologist at Auburn University who is conducting studies on closed-cell spray foam insulation, “we have no data that shows a 6-inch gap is sufficient to provide that adequate inspection. We kind of think it is. But what if it’s not?”

National Exterminating’s Monds said an inspection strip “can give folks false hope.” You have no idea if termites are active behind the spray foam on a foundation wall, and the pests have 12 months until the next annual inspection to potentially bridge that gap, he explained.

Johnny Baker doesn’t like inspection gaps, either. “I still think you’re going to have a lot of places where that’s not going to work,” especially in areas of high humidity where moisture gets trapped between the SPF and the wood and makes a “perfect haven” for the termites, said the owner of Columbus, Mississippi-based Baker Insurance, which insures pest control companies.

Some PMPs only feel confident when a spray-foamed crawlspace has gaps for inspection and treatment at both the top and bottom of the foundation wall. Others, like Island Pest Control, will work with customers who contact them before foam is applied so they can first treat the crawlspace wood with borate. “We don’t like to do that, but we will,” said Kaiser.

Individual pest control companies “have to figure out the best way forward,” and that’s difficult because as an industry “we’re still uncovering potential scenarios that will impact new best practices for providing service to customers,” said Chris Gorecki, vice president of operational support at Rollins Inc.

A new concern about spray foam recently surfaced: How to properly fumigate attics that have it. Another is how to retreat houses with liquid termiticide when parts of the crawlspace are inaccessible.

The spray foam issue has “10,000 tentacles.” “It just keeps morphing and getting bigger” and that makes it a challenge to provide guidance to employees and customers, Gorecki said.

MAKING NOISE. Customers get angry when you tell them you can no longer honor their termite warranty after they’ve just spent thousands of dollars to install the insulation, said Ryan Yoakum, general manager of ALL Exterminating in Cumming, Ga. He’s had the difficult conversation with 50 customers in the past two years.

To get ahead of this, PMPs are reaching out to customers to educate them on the challenges that SPF poses to termite protection and to encourage them to call their termite company before they have it installed. They’re mailing letters and postcards, doing email blasts, running ads in local newspapers, even sticker-ing up service vehicles.

Some pest management companies, however, are using false or inaccurate information in their advertising to scare consumers away from spray foam, such as citing lawsuits that cannot be verified, said Riesenberg. “There’s a real guerilla- warfare type of approach that we feel that the pest management industry has engaged in that’s only getting worse,” he said.

In November, Fox5 News in Atlanta ran a series of investigative reports on spray foam. Rick Bell, who heads government affairs and industry stewardship at Arrow Exterminators, Atlanta, expected the reports to cause “a lot of consternation” with homeowners.

Courtesy of Jim Fredericks/NPMA

Courtesy Tim Kendrick, Wayne’s Environmental Services.

Courtesy of Jim Fredericks/NPMA

Courtesy of Jim Fredericks/NPMA

Courtesy of Jim Fredericks/NPMA

SEEKING SOLUTIONS. In January, NPMA met with SPFA, the Spray Foam Coalition (representing foam manufacturers) and other stakeholders at the Georgia Pest Control Association conference.

Both sides came away with a better understanding of how the other industry operates, as well as the challenges each faces in protecting the consumer. “Both sides listened. I felt like it was very constructive when it was all over with,” said Arrow’s Bell, who attended the meeting. He said the group discussed developing code amendments that would allow for termite inspection gaps where the foundation wall meets both the sill plate and the ground. “I’m optimistic that we’re going to continue to move forward and get something done,” said Bell.

The issue requires “our respective industries to be working proactively and positively with each other,” said Riesenberg, SPFA.

A meeting in mid-January between NPMA, Douglas Products and BASF’s construction materials division, one of many spray foam manufacturers, likewise was productive, NPMA said in a newsletter.

In other recent moves, NPMA’s WDO Committee was considering changes to the wood-destroying insect report form (NPMA-33) to list spray foam insulation as a specific obstruction to inspection.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture issued a consumer alert about spray foam and termite protection in September. PMPs in other states were encouraging departments of agriculture to distribute similar alerts.

Pest control companies are meeting with local building code officials, spray foam applicators and new home builders. Builders see the value of the spray foam but they also see the value of a termite warranty when they’re selling a home, explained Rollins’ Gorecki. “The good news is we have good relationships with a lot of those builders” and “now they’re asking questions. They didn’t always think about this” issue previously, he said.

Spray foam insulation isn’t a big deal for Gregory Pest Solutions in Greenville, S.C. The company occasionally finds it in crawlspaces and will ask customers to cut it back to provide a termite inspection window. “It hasn’t disrupted business. It’s not really creating issues for us,” said Larry Motes, director of operations.

Others said issues with spray foam insulation will increase and could leave many homeowners without termite protection. After you void their warranty, what other reputable company is going to pick them up, asked National Exterminating Company’s Monds.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to PCTonline.com for updates.

The author is a frequent contributor to PCT.

Is Spray Foam Insulation the Next EIFS?

PMPs are cautious about spray foam insulation because of what happened in the late-1990s. That’s when many held termite warranties on houses built with exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS), such as Dryvit. The artificial stucco trapped moisture and termites tunneled undetected through the systems’ foam board insulation, often installed below grade. Pest control companies paid out millions in insurance claims to cover termite damage. Some lost their insurance as a result.

“EIFS was on the exterior and prevented us from determining if an infestation was present. Spray foam is on the interior and it prevents us from determining if an infestation is present. They both hold water. They’re both next to the food source” of termites, said Rick Bell, who heads government affairs and industry stewardship at Arrow Exterminators in Atlanta.

Energy Savings Drive SPF Growth

More customers are having SPF insulation installed in their homes to increase energy efficiency, improve comfort and save money on energy bills.

In 2017, it was installed in some part of roughly 924,000 existing homes; about 120,000 newly constructed homes had it built in, according to an analysis of reports compiled by Home Innovation Research Labs, a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders.

The bulk of homes that have spray foam insulation are located in the Southeast, as well as Louisiana, Texas, Arizona and California, the organization stated on its website.

According to Lucintel, a Dallas-based market research company, the North American spray foam insulation market was estimated at $717 million in 2017 and it is expected to grow to more than $1 billion in 2023. Residential will remain the largest end-use and have the highest growth through 2023.

More Than Just Termites

Eastern subterranean and Formosan termites aren’t the only pests hard to detect with spray foam insulation, stated PMPs. Wood-decaying fungi, wood-boring beetles, powderpost beetles, carpenter ants, yellowjackets and honey bees also can reside in or behind it, said Ryan Yoakum, general manager of ALL Exterminating in Cumming, Ga.

Mice have been a problem for Emilio Polce, owner of EcoChoice Termite & Pest Control in Vernon, Conn. “I can’t tell you how many houses that I’ve gone to where they’ve over-sprayed and now mice are burrowing and nesting behind the spray foam and it’s become impossible to find out where the nest is,” he said.

Has the Industry Kept Pace With Building Science?

The International Building Code for spray foam insulation changed 11 years ago, said Kurt Riesenberg, executive director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance. “The pest management industry has been absent from a lot of the building science and building construction technology discussions, code discussions and everything else,” he said. Now with modern building practices the norm, PMPs “need to step up and they need to figure out how to make their product still work, make their inspections still work, their treatments still work in the environment that they’re given, just like we did. To just throw your hands up and say, ‘no’ — it’s not serving anybody but it’s sure not serving the customer,” said Riesenberg.

Auburn University Studies Spray Foam

Entomologist Art Appel, Auburn University, began studying closed-cell spray foam insulation in August. Early findings indicate that eastern subterranean termites will tunnel through it but prefer to “go between the back of the foam application and the front of the brick or the concrete,” where some separation in adhesion might occur, he said. He found carpenter ants and wood-boring beetles also will “attack and destroy” the foam.

Unfortunately, the foam does not have insecticidal properties and tunneling through it does not harm the insects. “To the best of our knowledge it does not kill anything,” he said.

In another experiment, Appel found the foam can get “water logged,” which “could be a problem because if it holds water and it’s warm then there’s a perfect place for something to nest.”

Cause to Cancel?

Cliff Slaten, founding partner of Slaten Law in Montgomery, Ala., does not recommend a PMP continue to warranty a house that cannot be inspected and treated properly. Generally, termite contracts allow firms to void warranties if a structure has been altered in a way that prevents inspections and treatments. For some clients, Slaten has written contract exclusions specific to spray foam insulation.

Those who continue to carry a warranty on such a home are on the hook for any termite damage that occurs. They also may be fined because most state regulations require a visual inspection of the structure and that’s not possible if key areas are covered by foam.

Cancelling contracts is “about the only way that we’re getting our point across” with customers and builders, said Butch Cauthen, Alabama district sales manager for Oldham Chemical. And while no one wants to lose a customer, he asked, “Do you want that $125 renewal or do you want to be sued for a million?”

Ryan Okey of the Department of Pesticide Regulation, Clemson University, urged PMPs to improve their inspections. “Don’t limit it to just the exterior or just the crawlspace,” he said. Look in the attic and identify changes to the entire structure that could impact termite control as soon as you can, he said.

News Alert: Don’t Fume Homes With SPF In Attics, Pending EPA Guidance

In September, Douglas Products and Ensystex sent letters advising fumigators to cease using Vikane and Zythor fumigants in homes with SPF in the attic pending further evaluation. The concern is that the fumigants used in these attics may need extended aeration times.

PMPs cannot modify how they aerate these spaces. “We are bound by the label which is federal law,” said Jim Fredericks, who heads technical and regulatory affairs for NPMA. The aeration times that are on that EPA-approved label are based on attics being ventilated; attics that are insulated with spray foam aren’t being ventilated, he said. Any changes to aeration must be evaluated, reviewed and approved by EPA, said Fredericks.

But other products beside spray foam are used to create unvented attics, cautioned Kurt Riesenberg, SPFA. “So your problem is not spray foam; your problem is an unvented attic that’s been recognized in the code for 11 years,” he said. Focusing only on spray foam could put homeowners with other types of unvented attics at risk, especially if a fumigator looks in an attic and assumes that a fumigation is good to go if he doesn’t see spray foam insulation.

“We don’t want our product to have a hand in any way in creating a life safety issue,” said Riesenberg.

Lawsuits Coming?

Homeowners angry over termite damage are holding pest management and spray foam companies responsible.

“We’ve had some claims and I think it’s going to get worse. I think we’re on the tip of the iceberg. The real claims are going to be ahead of us,” said Johnny Baker, owner of Baker Insurance. He advised PMPs who have a spray foam-insulated house under warranty to either drop it or make sure it’s on a retreat-only contract. “They should not have a repair contract on a house like this at all,” said Baker.

Carrying warranties on houses that can’t be properly inspected “leaves us wide open for the attorneys,” said Tim Kendrick, technical director, Wayne’s Environmental Services, Birmingham, Ala.

“It’s lawsuit city is what it is,” said ALL Exterminating’s Ryan Yoakum of the brewing problem. And “unfortunately in Georgia, pest control companies catch the punt for everyone else’s mistakes with a home,” he said.

Inspect A Better Way?

SPFA and the Spray Foam Coalition, which represents makers of foam and installation equipment, published a guidance document in October 2017 on spray foam insulation and termites. The report suggested that newer technologies be used to inspect for termites when SPF covers areas like sill plates, band/rim joists or the ends of the floor joists. This included using moisture meters, acoustic emission (listening) devices, microwave technologies, infrared cameras, air sampling (carbon dioxide and methane emissions) and specially trained dogs.

“We reviewed their document and did not endorse it,” said Jim Fredericks, NPMA. Infrared cameras can’t pick up thermal readings of termites in insulation — it insulates them — and dogs need air drafts to pick up the scent of termites but SPF eliminates these, he said.

“The most effective and widely used method of termite inspection, and in many cases is also mandated by regulation, is a visual inspection with sounding and probing,” Fredericks said.

Still, Kurt Riesenberg of SPFA was not aware of any scientific studies proving these advanced technologies do not work with spray foam. The building environment is evolving and PMPs can’t continue to rely on old construction technologies and inspection techniques, he said. “They need to enter the modern day and potentially use more advanced, more technically capable techniques to do their job,” said Riesenberg.

A Problem in Encapsulated Crawls? It Depends

A big difference exists between creating an encapsulated or conditioned crawlspace the right way and trying to achieve the same result by encasing the entire crawl from floor to subfloor in spray foam or rigid foam board insulation.

Unfortunately, many companies providing this service fall into the latter category, said PMPs. As such, some pest management companies are now offering encapsulation as an add-on service. Installations are designed to allow technicians to inspect for termite activity and may feature inspection and treatment gaps and the use of clear poly sheeting.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — An important goal of the annual Purdue Pest Management Conference is to provide attendees with information they need to help move the pest control industry forward. This year’s conference, held in January at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., was highlighted by industry experts who presented on a variety of cutting-edge pest management topics.

Kicking off the program was a Pi Chi Omega-sponsored session titled “The Avengers,” which examined the important role technicians play in safely applying products and protecting health, property and food. For this session, Arnold Ramsey, FMC; Dini Miller, Virginia Tech University; and Mark “Shep” Sheperdigian, Rose Pest Solutions, played the roles of Sgt. Safety (Ramsey), Habit Hero (Miller) and Mr. Perfect Practices (Sheperdigian).

Ramsey, a U.S. Marine, discussed common safety mistakes service technicians make and how to avoid them. Some of the hazards he reviewed included:

• Insect stings and allergens — Ramsey noted that 2 million Americans are allergic to insect stings and that allergens can be found in certain foods, plants, pollen, microorganisms, medicine, etc.
• Attics — Ramsey said attics present PMP threats ranging from broken or damaged ladders to protruding nails in plywood.
• Crawlspaces — these threats can include structural issues and wildlife pests, as well as the possibility of contaminated soil.
• Driving hazards — these include distractions caused by cell phones, something Ramsey says has challenged him. He said he broke the bad habit of talking while driving by keeping his phone in the back seat of his car.

Miller said she would like to see the industry transition away from the term/concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which was developed for agricultural pesticide applications. Instead, she encouraged PMPs to practice what she calls Assessment-Based Pest Management (APM), which involves a thorough investigation and the development of a customized pest control plan. Miller said that the pest control industry needs to improve its professional image and service technicians are the best ones to do so. Miller provided a number of examples of little, but significant actions service technicians can take. For example, pest control firms should encourage residents to be on-site whenever possible, so technicians can ask questions, explain their intended actions and answer questions/concerns. “Talk to them before the first treatment. Ask them questions. Let them know how you think. Let them know you are on the same team,” she said.

Sheperdigian kicked off his presentation by reviewing how mice once interrupted the New York Stock Exchange by chewing on and shorting out computer wiring. In another example, Sheperdigian said too many citizens get stung trying to remove nests themselves instead of calling on a licensed PMP who wears a protective bee suit and understands the proper way to remove nests.

Another highlight was a rodent tract presented by Claudia Riegel of the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) and industry consultant Dr. Bobby Corrigan. Riegel reviewed how NOMTRCB is using video and other electronics to measure rodent populations. She said it’s an exciting time for PMPs doing rodent work because they can use a mix of old and new technology and products. For example, she said NOMTRCB reviews video footage of rodent activity to observe how rodents approach traps and choose which baits they prefer; PMPs then adapt their strategies accordingly. She also showed how this technology can help with client “buy in.”

For example, NOMTRCB was able to get a client to seal off an open pipe after Riegel showed the client video of a rat emerging from the open pipe. Corrigan built off Riegel’s presentation, noting that with the advent of video and electronic rodent monitoring, “We are learning that we have woefully underestimated the complexity of rodent infestations, colonies and populations.” He encourages PMPs to use this equipment, record results and rethink their rodent control strategies, particularly when it comes to rodent bait station placement. As effective as this technology is, however, Corrigan said these are tools, and there is no substitute for smart, well-trained service professionals who will get on their hands and knees and crawl in tight spaces.

This year’s conference also featured presentations on termites, bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, flies, wildlife pests, mosquitoes and more, as well as an exhibit hall filled with the latest product innovations from industry suppliers. Another highlight of this year’s show was tours of Purdue’s entomology labs, in which attendees got to see first-hand some of the work being performed by Purdue students and researchers. — Brad Harbison

Dr. Gary Bennett Recognized at Purdue Conference

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — One of the highlights of the opening ceremonies at this year’s annual Purdue Pest Management Conference was the recognition of Dr. Gary Bennett for having led the conference the last 50 years.

As professor and director of the Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management at Purdue University, Bennett has been the longtime organizer of the conference, which is one of the premier educational events in the pest control industry.

In addition to leading the conference, Bennett has taught numerous courses in urban entomology and led research programs on the biology, behavior and management of bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, rodents, termites and more.

Industry consultant Dr. Bobby Corrigan, a Purdue graduate, reviewed many of Bennett’s contributions, including his research into the science behind pest management. “If we look at the breadth of knowledge and the reach he has had over the years, we realize that many of the things you are doing as pest management professionals, many of the products you are using, and the technology you are using, can be traced back to Gary Bennett.”

Bennett also has trained and mentored subsequent generations of entomologists who have carried his research forward, including 44 graduate students.

A native of Lake Charles, La., Bennett’s family owned and operated a pest control business and he worked summers for the family company. One of his career highlights was the discovery of Formosan termites in and around the Lake Charles port (the first identified infestation of this species in the U.S.), and being visited by Purdue’s Dr. John Osmun who came to collect some of this new invasive species.

Bennett earned two degrees from LSU (where he was involved in surveying New Orleans for Formosan termites, which were found to be widely scattered along the Mississippi River port area). He then moved with his wife, Milta, to Raleigh, N.C., to study urban entomology at North Carolina State with Drs. Charles Wright and Harry Moore (a Purdue graduate). He received his Ph.D. in 1970 and moved to Indiana, where he and Milta started their family (which includes daughter Nikki and son Chris) and where he joined the faculty at Purdue.

In reflecting on his time leading the Purdue Pest Management Conference, Bennett recalled that his first day on the job after accepting the Purdue position in 1970 was attending the Purdue conference as an observer. “I remember thinking this was a pretty darn good meeting, and I am happy to be here, and happy to be a part of the team that will put on programs that have, hopefully, been beneficial to you guys.” — Brad Harbison

Judy Black Joins Rollins

ATLANTA — Rollins Inc. announced that Judy Black has joined the company as vice president of quality assurance and technical service.

With more than 32 years of industry experience, Black ’s knowledge, leadership ability and research-based approach of identifying and developing service and training programs will help strengthen and advance Rollins’ technical and quality assurance goals, the company says.

Prior to joining Rollins, Black had been vice president of technical services for Rentokil North America since 2015 and for The Steritech Group from 2005 to 2015. While at these companies, she managed the technical services and education training groups and supported quality assurance initiatives. Rollins said her international experience will help Rollins as the company continues its global expansion.

A well-known and respected member of the pest control industry, Black received the National Pest Management Association Women of Excellence Award in 2012 and the PCT/Syngenta Crown Leadership Award in 2011.

Black received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture (emphasis on environmental protection) and a master of science degree in entomology from West Virginia University. She is also a NEHA Certified Professional – Food Safety.

Plague Confirmed in Third Wyoming Cat

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Laboratory testing at the University of Wyoming recently confirmed a Johnson County cat was infected with plague, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH). The illness was confirmed by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory in Laramie. No human cases have been identified.

This is the third plague-infected cat identified in Wyoming over the past six months; the others were in Sheridan and Campbell counties. Only six human cases of plague have been exposed in Wyoming since 1978 with the last one investigated in 2008. There is an average of seven human plague cases each year in the United States.

“Plague is a serious bacterial infection that can be deadly for pets and people if not treated as soon as possible with antibiotics,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with WDH. “The disease can be passed to humans from ill animals and by fleas coming from infected animals. We are letting people know of the potential threat in the cat’s home area as well as across the state.

“While the disease is rare in humans, plague occurs naturally in the western United States in areas where rodents and their fleas become infected,” Harrist said.

Plague symptoms in humans can include fever, swollen and tender lymph glands, extreme exhaustion, headache, chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. People who are ill should seek professional medical attention.

Information about plague is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/plague/.

United Phosphorus Inc. (UPI) Announces Name Change

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — The North American operation of United Phosphorus Inc. changed its name to UPL NA Inc. effective Jan. 1, 2019.

“The new UPL brand name for the North America business more accurately reflects the global corporate identity,” said Manish Sirohi, director, strategy and innovation. “The change aligns our business with our corporate parent and their subsidiaries around the world.”

UPL globally has a presence in more than 130 countries on six continents. With 33 manufacturing and formulation facilities situated in 11 countries, UPL says it is a leader in the manufacture of high-quality brands used to protect crops and property, including turf.

“Our company mantra is ‘Doing Things Better,’” said Sirohi, “and Doing Things Better is all about raising the bar in global agricultural productivity. UPL has invested heavily in R&D activities that produce innovative solutions, leading to the global launch of more than 100 new products in the past two years.”

Termite Awareness Week Plans Set for March 10-16

FAIRFAX, Va. — The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) is asking for the industry to join in with its efforts to educate consumers on the importance of protecting against termites during Termite Awareness Week, March 10-16.

“Every year, we make a concerted, organized effort to drive awareness around the prevalence of termites and the damage they can impose on homes, businesses and other properties by launching various media relations and social media campaigns to bring our messages front and center with consumer audiences,” said Cindy Mannes, executive director of PPMA. “We collected a ton of compelling video and photography with our Tiny Termite House project last year and we’ll be using these assets in new digital campaigns to continue to show just how devastating termite infestations can be.”

In honor of Termite Awareness Week, PPMA will build a new section on www.pestworld.org to host materials from the Tiny Termite House project, taking consumers on a visual journey from termite biology, to infiltrating a home and the devastation left in their wake. PMPs are encouraged to check out pestworld.org in early March for more information and to share or link to the content from their own channels.

“This year, Termite Awareness Week is especially important following the momentum from our Tiny Termite House last spring,” added Mannes. “After we finished the project, we still had an incredible amount of quality footage that could be used to educate the public and show the destructive nature of this pest. We’ve done the heavy lifting of curating the content. Companies that invest in PPMA can take advantage of and share widely on their channels to help amplify our industry’s message and hammer home the need to call a professional for termite control.”

PPMA works to operate year-long, comprehensive marketing and communications programs and is funded solely through voluntary investments from pest control companies, suppliers and other industry leaders to grow, promote, protect and defend the professional pest management industry. In turn, the group gives back to its investors with exclusive access to ready-made marketing materials on PPMAMainframe.org. PPMA encourages investors to log on to access the 2019 Termite Awareness Week toolkit containing press materials, suggested social media posts, and photography that they can share as their own content with local media, customers and make available on their websites and social pages.

For more information about PPMA and all its marketing programs or to subscribe to Mainframe, visit www.npmapestworld.org/ppma.

Website Dedicated to Wood-Boring Beetles Education

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Nisus Corporation announced the launch of a new website, woodboringbeetles.com. This new site will help homeowners and PMPs identify wood-boring beetles, the company said.

According to Nisus, most people are familiar with the threat of carpenter ants and termites, but wood-boring beetles can be just as devastating. The company added that wood-boring beetles rank just behind termites in the amount of damage they do annually.

To make matters even more confusing, four major species of beetles are responsible for most beetle-based structural damage to wood. Unfortunately, wood can be infested with these pests and the homeowner may never know because the hidden larvae cause most of the damage. It can take up to five years for larvae to mature into adult beetles and eat their way to the surface, creating visible exit holes.

Homeowners will find useful information about how to identify beetle damage, what kind of beetle might be infesting their home and options for controlling the problem using a professional pest control expert.

Claude Thomas Retires From B&G Equipment Company

JACKSON, Ga. — Claude Thomas recently announced his retirement from B&G Equipment Company. Thomas came to B&G early in his career and Bill Brehm, the company’s founder, became his mentor. During his decades with B&G, Thomas has worked as sales representative, technical director, marketing director, new product developer and, most recently, the senior technical sales representative for the southeastern U.S.

“My passion for our industry and knowledge of application technology made it easy to carry the B&G brand around the world,” Thomas said.

Thomas added that he plans to continue to use his knowledge and passion for pest control to serve the industry into the future.

Douglas Products Creates Plant Health Division

LIBERTY, Mo. — Douglas Products announced the formation of a new plant health division following the addition of two companies known for innovation in biological plant nutrition and soil health, the company said. Growth Products, based in White Plains, N.Y., joined Douglas Products in October 2018, and AgriEnergy Resources, based in Princeton, Ill., joined in December 2018.

“We are excited to expand our resources and expertise with the addition of two companies, each with more than 30 years of a proven track record for developing innovative solutions aimed at improving soil health and increasing plant productivity,” said Wes Long, CEO of Douglas Products. “The mergers are a major step in our company’s vision to expand its branded specialty chemicals and biological solutions portfolio for the agriculture and turf and ornamental segments.”

Growth Products produces and markets liquid nutrient and biological technologies serving the turf and ornamental, agriculture, arbor care and residential markets, in addition to the citrus market in Florida through its G.P. Solutions division. AgriEnergy Resources specializes in the development and production of microbial and other soil fertility products for horticulture and row crops.

Vince Adams, chief business development officer for Douglas Products, added that the announcement of the new plant health division “addresses an important issue within agriculture and T&O: the demand for proven sustainable biological technologies.”

Growth Products and AgriEnergy Resources will continue to operate from their current headquarter location

Rollins to Acquire Clark Pest Control

ATLANTA — In January, the pest control industry in California was reshaped when Rollins announced it had agreed to acquire Clark Pest Control, a $130 million firm based in Lodi, Calif. Geotech Supply is included in the acquisition and will continue to expand its current operations, the firm said. Rollins expects to close in the first quarter 2019 subject to regulatory approvals.

The acquisition of Clark, which operates in 26 locations serving residents and businesses throughout California and northwestern Nevada, makes Rollins the largest pest control provider in California.

Clark becomes part of the Rollins Specialty Brands division, which is led by Jerry Gahlhoff. Robert Baker — who most recently served as vice president of operations — becomes president of Clark Pest Control, which will continue to operate under the Clark brand. “In our experience, we find that successful brands continue to prosper based on their unique connection with their customers, community and marketplace,” Gahlhoff said.

In addition to Baker, Clark members who will be instrumental in the transition are: Dave Shewmake, vice president; Nicole Kirwan-Keefe, vice president of strategic growth; and leadership members Heather Garcia, Larry Bragg, Matt Beckwith and Darren Van Steenwyk.

Gahlhoff added that Rollins will support Clark in its goal to maintain its independent culture “while also providing resources that will further improve efficiency, employee growth opportunities and expertise, without compromising their great culture.”

A CrOWN JEWEL. While Rollins already had an impressive California presence — with brands that include Orkin, Home-Team, IFC, Crane and Critter Control — the Clark acquisition strengthens Rollins’ position in this all-important market. “They have a great mix of business and service offerings that help round out our footprint in California and Nevada,” said Gahlhoff.

Although California’s economy has had ups and downs in recent years, it is still the largest in the United States, boasting an estimated $2.9 trillion “gross state product” — which is the sum of the market values or prices of all final goods and services produced in an economy — as of 2017. On the residential side, the most expensive and largest housing markets in the U.S. are in California, with some communities boasting average housing prices in the $1 million to $2 million range. Commercial pest control opportunities also abound in California, which boasts everything from science and technology sectors (e.g., Silicon Valley) to agriculture throughout inland areas. These market conditions and opportunities made Clark an even more attractive acquisition target. As industry consultant Kemp Anderson noted, “When you think about this transaction, despite whatever rumors you may hear, it is easy to justify going quite large in an acquisition when you think about the true size and economic opportunity of California. Rollins and Orkin will now have the leg up on all competitors eyeing California both in terms of residential and commercial service.”

AN ERA BEGINS, AN ERA ENDS. While the deal is a new beginning for Rollins, as well as Clark employees, it also marks the end of a remarkable 68-year run in the pest control industry for the Clark family. Despite operating in highly regulated environments, and having to navigate complex family business issues, Clark Pest Control continued to prosper under the current-day leadership of Joe, Terry and Jeff Clark — sons of the late company founder Charlie Clark. The decision for the Clark family to sell was not easy, and it came after they had exhausted their options internally for a family succession plan, said Clark spokesperson Kirwan-Keefe. “They ultimately decided that entrusting the future of Clark Pest Control to a responsible new owner whose primary mission was to maintain the legacy of their family’s brand and culture, and foster its future success, was the right path.”

Charlie Clark, who founded Clark Pest Control in 1950, died in 2018, but Kirwan-Keefe said, “The sale of Clark Pest Control had been in deep negotiations for quite some time prior to Charlie’s passing, and he was very aware, involved and supportive.”

Once the Clark family began examining external succession options, Kirwan-Keefe said they decided Rollins was “the right home for its future because of their commitment and proven track record for protecting and fostering the brand, independent operations and culture of its acquisitions.”

Joe Clark, president of Clark Pest Control, stated in a press release, “The Clark Pest Control family is proud to become a member of the Rollins Inc. team. We are excited for the opportunities this brings for the Clark employees.”

Effective immediately, the Clark family has exited the day-to-day operations of Clark Pest Control, but they will remain engaged with the leadership and Rollins teams through the transition.

The deal does not include Clark Pest Control of Bakersfield, which is an independent operation with five branches in Visalia, Fresno, Bakersfield, Santa Clarita and Lancaster, Calif. The company was advised by LR Tullius Inc. — Brad Harbison

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GPS Insight recently announced the promotion of Gary Fitzgerald to chief executive officer. Former CEO and Founder Rob Donat will remain with the company as chairman of the board. Wayne Holder, the company’s controller, moves to the chief financial officer role and Jason Walker, vice presidents of sales, becomes chief revenue officer.

Thomas Pest Services, Albany, N.Y., announced Megan Thomas joined the firm as director of business development. She joins Thomas Pest Services after spending five years in guest services, events and hospitality management with the Walt Disney Company and MKTG.

Pest Control Insulation, makers of TAP Pest Control Insulation, welcomes Chris White to the firm as vice president of sales.

Memphis, Tenn.-based Terminix announced Juan Rezk has accepted the role of director, digital enablement, and will be responsible for designing, integrating and implementing strategic digital sales and marketing initiatives. In other news at the firm, Jeff Storck was named southeast division vice president. In this position, Storck will lead the Southeast division to elevate customer and employee experiences, increase revenue and drive improved branch operations.

The Potomac Company announced Clyde King joined its Pest Control Group as director of M&A, with a special focus on family businesses. King comes to Potomac after serving as the director of acquisitions for Massey Services for 19 years.

Rose Pest Solutions announced the promotion of Joe Flood to Cleveland district manager. The Aust Group, a mergers and acquisitions and consulting firm, announced the appointment of Nick Aust as the firm’s mergers and acquisitions analyst. Aust joined The Aust Group after spending several years working in multiple roles at Bug Doctor, the former family-owned business.

Black Diamond, Jeffersonville, Ind., announced the opening of its newest franchise location in the River Cities area of eastern Kentucky. The firm is now servicing the Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia areas near Ashland, Ky.

Modern Pest Services, Brunswick, Maine, announced its third acquisition in the state of Connecticut with its acquisition of Guaranty Pest Elimination of Danielson, Conn. Guaranty Pest Elimination has been providing both residential and commercial services in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York since 1989. Paul Giannamore and Ericka Andes of The Potomac Company acted as exclusive financial advisers to Guaranty Pest Elimination.

BOG Pest Control, Harwood, Md., selected Southern High School graduate Dillan Drennan as the winner of their 2018 scholarship fund. The BOG Pest Control merit-based scholarship is awarded to one student pursuing a degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biology, environmental studies or a related field.

Certified Pest Control Operators of Georgia (CPCO of GA) and P.E.S.T. Relief International sent volunteers to multiple locations in Florida that were devastated by Hurricane Michael. The team worked to clear debris, remove trees and cook food for local families.

In November, Colony Pest Management, Brooklyn, N.Y., participated in No Shave November, or “NOSHEMBER,” to raise cancer awareness. Those participating donated the money they would have normally spent on grooming to the American Cancer Society, while the company also donated $100 for every employee who participated.

Massey Services, Orlando, Fla., announced the purchase of Prosper, Texas-based Rumble Pest Solutions. The acquisition of the Texas division expands Massey Services presence in the Dallas/Fort Worth markets.

Smith and Son’s Pest Control, Aiken, S.C., merged with Columbia, S.C.-based Modern Exterminating in December 2018. Modern Exterminating will take over the daily operations of Smith and Son’s, doing business under the Modern Exterminating name.