PCT recently announced Ed Freytag as the winner our 15th annual photo contest. In addition to Freytag’s winning photo of an acorn weevil, check out the top 10 entries as determined by PCT judges.

This eastern lubber grasshopper photo was taken by Jeff Stephens of Golden Circle Exterminators, Cedar Grove, Tenn.

Retired Australian insect enthusiast Zol Straub submitted this up-close Calliphora auger photo. “My interest in insects stems from an inquisitive mind and an openness to the challenge of taking macro photographs exposing details in an insect that at normal sight is not apparent.”

“These worker termites were found coming out of the floor of the library in a school in New London, Conn. This was on the lowest level, slab construction, approximately 15 feet from an exterior wall in an open area,” said photographer, Adam Bourgun, of Griggs & Browne, Waterford, Conn.

Dennis Judy of Allgood Pest Solutions, Lawrenceville, Ga., calls this photo “Snail of Snellville (Ga.)” His grandson actually spotted it in his backyard and the two enticed it out to crawl across an old decayed slab of wood.

Daniel Dye, training director of Florida Pest Control, Gainesville, Fla., captured this photo of a blister beetle “just before it took flight. “Perfect timing,” he said.

Bob Richardson of McCarthy Pest Control, St. Charles, Mo., photographed this honeybee, which he said “spent the night on a penstemon flower at the University of Missouri Extension Service in St. Peters, Mo.”

Jody Green, extension educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, snapped this photo of a beautiful cuckoo wasp (Family Chrysididae). “It was a cool (56°F) and rainy day and I saw it on a leaf. It was moving very slowly and actually came to rest in my warm hands and rolled up into a ball,” she said.

LSU’s Claudia Husseneder submitted this photo of a mason bee (Osmia chalybea), found in her backyard in Bayou Paul, Saint Gabriel, La. “Although mason bees usually use mud to build their nests, this species does what the closely related leafcutter bees do: cut leaves (like those of my favorite rose bush in the picture) to separate the cells in their nests.”

Wally Holden of Leesburg, Fla., found and photographed this spider while conducting a termite inspection. He knelt below the spider to clarify the focus on the distinct colorings.

This female brown and yellow paper wasp, Polistes major major, is chewing wood fibers from a fence post to masticate into paper mache for her paper nest under construction. Photo was taken by entomologist Gerry Wegner, of Vero Beach, Fla.

WINNING PHOTO: Ed Freytag, senior entomologist at the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, wins PCT’s annual contest with a beautiful photo he submitted of an acorn weevil.

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ORANGE, Calif. — Enviro-Care Pest & Termite Control, Orange, Calif., announced its sponsorship and involvement in the 6th annual Dad's Club Charity Golf Tournament. Proceeds provide funding to increase technology in Orange County schools. Enviro-Care President Ed Carter is a Dad’s club board member..

The annual golf tournament began in 2011 as a platform for parents in the Orange County area to help raise greatly needed funding for specific technology programs in county schools. As state funds become more difficult to come by, technology in nearby high schools become obsolete, creating barriers for students to stay competitive in a worldwide economy. By organizing the golf tournament, the Dad's Club has made a positive impact in student's lives while at the same time hosting an amazing afternoon that brings together parents with a common goal. 

In 2016, the golf tournament raised over $15,000 for Orange County schools, and plans to double that amount in 2017. Enviro-Care and Dad's Club member Ed Carter hopes to recruit more sponsors and golfers this year to join in on the charitable efforts. Sponsorship opportunities are available for local businesses starting at just $200, and top tier sponsorship packages allow for premium visibility amongst all attendees. Golfers may register individuals, foursomes or even sponsor a local military serviceperson at the official website listed below. 

Hosted in a scramble format, the 18-hole golf tournament will have a shotgun start at 12pm and include catered lunch by Berkley's BBQ along gift bags, snacks, beverage stations and an appearance by the PIN-UP Golf Girls. The evening will be capped off with a special dinner at 6:00pm followed by an auction and raffle. 
"We are always excited to show support for Orange County schools and to help bring new technology into their classrooms. Schools around the county are often severely underfunded and we play our part in helping bring their technology departments up to speed, " Carter said. For sponsorship information visit http://dadsclubgolftournament.org/ 

FAIRFAX, Va. – With spring on the horizon, the industry is closely watching for signs of termite activity. After a rather unusual winter, swarms are expected to appear early and in force and companies are ready to respond. The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), which serves as the public outreach arm of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is working to spread consumer awareness about termites during Termite Awareness Week, March 12-18, 2017. This annual designation is recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events and is celebrated throughout the pest management industry. Using various media relations and social media tactics, PPMA will work to educate homeowners about the dangers of termites and how to best protect their homes.

“In many parts of the country, we’ve had a water-logged, yet fairly mild winter. So our homes have been exposed to moisture and swarmers weren’t frozen out by old man winter. With home improvement often top of mind, spring is an ideal time to educate homeowners on the damage termites can cause, as well as signs of termite activity and when to schedule that annual inspection,” said Cindy Mannes, executive director of PPMA. “Consumers will look to pest professionals for information and advice and we have new materials to share. To spread the word, we are inviting the whole pest control industry to promote public vigilance against termites and join our conversation online and in our communities.”

PPMA is leading the charge with the launch of various media relations and social media campaigns. Industry members are encouraged to join the cause by devoting their company social media pages to termites during Termite Awareness Week and using the hashtag #TermiteWeek on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. PPMA has also developed an exclusive toolkit for Mainframe subscribers to utilize as a resource in their own publicity efforts. The toolkit, available for download on PPMAMainframe.org, contains a customizable press release, suggested social media content, Termite Awareness week logos, high resolution photography, media training documents and a list of video content that can be directly embedded on a company’s website.

“It’s important for us to give back to the company’s that help fuel our industry’s marketing programs through their investment in PPMA. We always search for ways to make our materials useful to companies in their own marketing efforts,” said Mannes. “These are professionally produced, ready-made materials, designed exclusively for the pest control industry. Why not put them to use in your own business?”

For more information about PPMA and all its marketing programs or to subscribe to Mainframe, please visit http://www.NPMApestworld.org/PPMA.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- ServiceMaster announced unaudited fourth-quarter and full year 2016 results. For the fourth-quarter, the company reported a year-over-year revenue increase of 5 percent, and, for the full year, the company reported a year-over-year revenue increase of 6 percent. Both the fourth quarter and full year increases in revenue were driven primarily by organic growth at American Home Shield (“AHS”), the impacts of acquiring Alterra Pest Control, LLC (“Alterra”) in November 2015, OneGuard Home Warranties (“OneGuard”) in June 2016 and Landmark Home Warranty (“Landmark”) in November 2016.

Fourth-quarter 2016 net income was $31 million, or $0.23 per share, versus $17 million, or $0.12 per share, in the same period in 2015. Full year 2016 net income was $155 million, or $1.13 per share, versus full year 2015 net income of $160 million, or $1.17 per share. Pre-tax income includes charges for fumigation related matters of $93 million in the full year 2016 and $9 million in the fourth-quarter and full year 2015, an insurance reserve adjustment of $23 million in the full year 2016 and a loss on extinguishment of debt of $32 million in the fourth-quarter and full year 2016 and $58 million in the full year 2015. Additionally, fourth-quarter and full year 2015 include an estimated charge relating to our voluntary correction proposal to our 401(k) plan for $23 million.

Fourth-quarter 2016 Adjusted EBITDA was $144 million, a year-over-year increase of $20 million, or 16 percent, primarily driven by an increase in Adjusted EBITDA of $18 million at AHS. Full year 2016 Adjusted EBITDA was $667 million, a year-over-year increase of $45 million, or 7 percent, driven largely by increases at Terminix and AHS of $24 million and $15 million, respectively.

Fourth-quarter 2016 adjusted net income was $60 million, or $0.44 per share, versus $45 million, or $0.33 per share, for the same period in 2015. Full year 2016 adjusted net income was $281 million, or $2.04 per share, versus full year 2015 adjusted net income of $245 million, or $1.80 per share.

Rob Gillette, ServiceMaster’s chief executive officer, noted: “This was another solid quarter. At American Home Shield, both revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth increased as we continue to focus on streamlining operations, growing organically and capitalizing on recent acquisitions. At Terminix, our investment in our termite business continues to show progress as year-over-year sales and revenue continue to grow. Challenges remain in our pest control business but we are confident the operational changes we are making will improve customer service and retention and result in solid growth in the future.”

Terminix
Terminix reported a 3 percent year-over-year revenue increase in the fourth-quarter of 2016, driven by the impact of the Alterra acquisition in November 2015 and organic growth, primarily driven by improved pricing. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 4 percent, or $3 million, versus prior year, primarily reflecting a $4 million increase in production labor costs associated with the company’s effort to improve customer service, $2 million increase in technology costs and $2 million increase in other costs, offset, in part, by $4 million from the conversion of higher revenue and $1 million decrease in fuel costs.

For the year, Terminix reported a 6 percent year-over-year revenue increase, driven by the impact of the Alterra acquisition in November 2015 and organic growth, primarily driven by improved pricing. Adjusted EBITDA increased 7 percent, or $24 million, versus prior year, primarily reflecting $36 million from the conversion of higher revenue, $5 million decrease in fuel costs, and $1 million decrease in other costs, offset, in part, by $12 million increase in technology costs and $6 million increase in production labor costs associated with the company’s effort to improve customer service.

Fumigation Related Matters
As previously disclosed, on January 20, 2017, the company entered into a new plea agreement in connection with the investigation initiated by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) related to the U.S. Virgin Islands matter. Under the terms of the new plea agreement we have agreed to pay fines, community service and government costs totaling up to $10 million, which is equivalent in total amount to the financial terms under the superseding plea agreement that was previously rejected by the court. Unlike the superseding plea agreement, however, the new plea agreement is non-binding on the court. It is possible that the court could use its discretion to impose fines or other terms different than those in the new plea agreement. The new plea agreement is subject to the approval of the court and, if approved, will resolve the federal criminal consequences associated with the DOJ investigation.