“Murder on the Fly” recently published by Jeffrey Alan Lockwood.
University of Wyoming professor Jeffrey A. Lockwood, an entomologist-turned-fiction writer announced the publication of “Murder on the Fly” — the second installment in his “Riley the Exterminator” mystery series.
Lockwood’s latest book is a follow up to his 2016 murder-mystery “Poisoned Justice,” which features Riley, whom he described as a PCO who makes no apologies for “killing what needs killing.”
Lockwood provides the following description of his newest book: “In terms of science it’s about the Mediterranean fruit fly and what this pest could do to American agriculture. In terms of history, it’s about an outbreak of the Medfly 36 years ago, the occupation of Alcatraz by ‘Indians of All Tribes’ 47 years ago, and the Indian Relocation Act that was implemented 61 years ago. In terms of philosophy, it’s about trying to understand: how we know if a living being belongs somewhere; what makes a species or a people native/indigenous; and when it’s right to remove invasive creatures...”
In addition to trying to provide readers with a good story, Lockwood said he’s tried to weave in elements of entomology and ethics. “My hope is that folks will discover some unexpected features of the natural world and encounter some abiding qualities of the moral sphere — while enjoying the trials and tribulations of Riley, his ragtag workmates, and an alluring woman from his past.”
Lockwood has worked for nearly 20 years as an entomologist, starting with graduate studies at Louisiana State University, where from his mobile home he experienced first-hand encounters with cockroaches, fleas, flour beetles and a home-invader opossum. As a professor at the University of Wyoming, he’s developed better ways to kill legions of grasshoppers across expanses of rangeland. He says he “also discovered that the field of pest management is tailor-made for crime noir.” — Brad Harbison
Bug Found Embedded in van Gogh Masterpiece
A tiny grasshopper was recently discovered lodged into the swirling brushstrokes of a Vincent van Gogh masterpiece painted more than a century ago.
As reported by the Kansas City Star, Mary Schafer, a conservator at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Missouri, found the bug hiding in plain sight in the artist’s 1889 work “Olive Trees.”
“Van Gogh worked outside in the elements,” Julian Zugazagoitia, director of the museum, told the Star. “And we know that he... dealt with wind, and dust, grass and trees, and flies and grasshoppers.”
The troubled artist killed himself just a year after painting the work. He had written about the perils of painting outdoors in an 1885 letter to his brother, Theo.
“But just go and sit outdoors, painting on the spot itself!” van Gogh wrote. “Then all sorts of things like the following happen — I must have picked up a good hundred flies and more off the four canvases that you’ll be getting.”
Diversified Plastics’ Cover-Up FVC (Foundation Vent Cover) is now available. The cover is ideal for encapsulation projects as it closes and insulates vents, the company says. The ¾-inch insulation is mold/mildew and pest resistant. Diversified Plastics says the FVC saves PMPs time as it is ready to install and eliminates the use of foam board and plywood. It fits a standard 8- by 16-inch vent opening. Custom sizes also are available.
Diversified Plastics, a manufacturer of plastic access panels and access doors, was established in 1988. Located in Sand Springs, Okla., the firm’s products are used in new construction and maintenance of residential structures, commercial buildings (i.e., hotels) and manufactured housing for access to plumbing, electrical, HVAC, telephone lines and computer cables, as well as wall repair.
Innolytics says based on interest from the pest control community and impacted customers, the firm has introduced a new label for OvoControl P. EPA recently approved the new label, which extends the use of OvoControl for grackles, starlings, cowbirds, blackbirds and mynahs. Dr. Alexander MacDonald, chief scientific officer for the company, said, “The OvoControl baiting protocol for these additional birds remains identical to the one recommended for pigeons: a) establish a rooftop baiting site; b) condition with pre-bait; and c) monitor and transition to OvoControl.”
OvoControl is a ready-to-use bait, dispensed on flat rooftops with an automatic wildlife feeder. The manufacturer says this effective and humane technology is especially useful for managing birds in larger areas without having to use avicides or labor-intensive trapping programs.
The Professional Pest Management business of Bayer, within the company’s Environmental Science Unit, announced the launch of its new product, Maxforce Fleet. Maxforce Fleet is a fipronil-based ant gel bait that can be used both outdoors and indoors, providing fast control in an effective formulation, Bayer says.
“We’re especially proud of the Maxforce Fleet formulation; it’s thick enough to stand up where you need it, but has enough moisture to be highly attractive to many ant species, including carpenter ants,” said Kristen Fielding, senior product manager for Bayer. “Now, PMPs can get the kind of ant control that they’ve come to expect from fipronil in a formulation for both indoor and outdoor use.”
Maxforce Fleet comes in a new, thicker formula that is designed to be effective even on vertical surfaces, Bayer says.
The
latest addition to Rockwell’s EcoVia product line, EcoVia WH Stinging
Insect Killer, is now available in a 16-ounce foaming jet spray aerosol
can. Like all EcoVia products, new EcoVia WH is an EPA FIFRA 25(b)
minimum-risk product that avoids notification requirements for use in
many school districts. Using botanical oils to kill wasps, yellowjackets
and hornets on contact, the foaming jet spray reaches up to 18 feet to
get to hard-to-reach nests. EcoVia WH also can be used to kill and
control spiders. It is a water-based formula, so it does not leave an
oily residue behind when sprayed, the manufacturer says.
To continue improving purchasing solutions for pest management professionals and their businesses, Syngenta launched its 2018 PestPartners365 Program on Oct. 1. The program allows PMPs to plan their product purchases so they can earn rebate savings all year long, instead of limiting rebates to monthly or seasonal deals.
To qualify, PMPs can purchase Syngenta products from any Authorized Syngenta Channel Partner during the Qualification Period (Oct. 1, 2017-March 31, 2018). Their total purchases during the Qualification Period will determine their rebate level (Partner, Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond) and the corresponding rebates they’ll receive on all Syngenta purchases made during the Program Year (Oct. 1, 2017-Sept. 30, 2018).
“PMPs should be able to earn rebates on product purchases, no matter what time of year it is,” said Pat Willenbrock, head of marketing for Professional Pest Management (PPM) at Syngenta in North America. “Our unique program structure allows PMPs to choose a purchasing pattern that can be tailored for their specific business operations, while still allowing them to reap the rewards of rebates year-round.”
New to the program this year is the opportunity for PMPs to earn a Cockroach Gel Bait Bonus. PMPs who purchase at least 400 syringes of select Syngenta cockroach gel baits (Advion Evolution, Optigard Cockroach and the Advion Cockroach Master Shipper) during the Qualification Period can earn a $0.25 rebate per syringe. To take advantage of this bonus, they must qualify for at least the Partner level (a Base Rebate Total of at least $200) by March 31, 2018.
PMPs also can take advantage of their fourth-quarter purchases by qualifying for a one-time Early Order Bonus rebate. Starting Oct. 1, 2017, PMPs who purchased enough product to qualify for at least the Silver level (a Base Rebate Total of at least $500) by Dec. 7, 2017, earned an Early Order Bonus rebate. PMPs can continue to qualify for an even higher rebate level with additional product purchases through March 31, 2018.
The PestPartners 365 Program also gives PMPs the option to defer payment on select product purchases with SummerPay. Payment terms are offered until July 6, 2018, giving PMPs a way to keep their cash flow in check throughout the year.
Air-Scent International has introduced its new Aroma One fan air care dispenser. The diffuser allows for the choice from three fan cycle settings: Continuous (30-day) operation; Linear (30-day) operation (for more even refill performance); and an Extended (60-day) cycle. The Aroma One also switches from battery to electric power on the fly with the simple insertion of the included power cord, Air-Scent says. The Aroma One utilizes all Air-Scent refills.
Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, which feature a warranty of six years, are engineered and manufactured in Madison, Wis. All of the firm’s dehumidifiers are assembled, tested and fully supported in the United States.
Santa Fe says it provides superior dehumidifiers, encapsulation products and monitoring solutions. According to the company, Santa Fe helps pest management professionals succeed by:
J. F. Oakes’ 2018 Product Catalog is now available. This catalog contains the firm’s new products and solutions for stored product and non-stored product insects, including bait stations, lures for rodents and wildlife, equipment and tools.
The 2018 Product Catalog also has a section with QR Codes for quick access of up-to-date information on a smartphone or device. The catalog is easy to use and will help PMPs find the correct trap, monitor, drill bit, hose, pump and/or lure for any particular need.
The catalog puts product information, suggested product uses and placement at PMPs’ fingertips. The 2018 Catalog is informative and features the most innovative products available, J. F. Oakes says.
PMPs can request a 2018 J. F. Oakes Product Catalog online or via email at sales@jfoakes.com.
The Attic Tent is a folding attic stair insulation cover. It stops air infiltration between the home and attic, during both hot and cold seasons. It keeps out unhealthy insulation and dust from the attic, thus improving indoor air quality. The Attic Tent will seal openings and help keep vertebrate pests and insects from entering the living space. The Attic Tent comes fully assembled. Its design allows easy zipper access and simple installation for variations in rough frame construction, including uneven surfaces. The Attic Tent reduces your customers’ power bills and improves HVAC efficiency, the firm says.
Happy New Year! As we prepare to ring in 2018, it’s time to think about an answer to the annual question, “What’s your New Year’s resolution?” We’ll likely hear the same few responses — “Going to the gym more,” “Eating healthier” and “Saving money.” But what about a resolution for your pest control business? Consider closing out the year by taking a deeper look at marketing efforts, specifically in regard to collateral and content, to ensure you’re speaking to your customers in the best way possible. Remember, a successful marketing program is driven by great content! Living in a digital day and age, in which most people are getting their news online or looking for quick content from their mobile device, it’s critical to make sure marketing materials are concise and visual across all avenues.
Heed these five tips for sprucing up marketing and public relations content to start the New Year off with a bang:
ENGAGING SOCIAL MEDIA COPY. Take a step back and think about why you would want to follow a page and the type of copy you’re personally open to receiving. Ask yourself, “If I saw this on Facebook, would I stop and read it? Comment on it? Share it?” Be concise, eye-catching, helpful and even a bit humorous. Try throwing a conversation starter out there to boost engagement, like, “The cooler months are here and rodents are out in full force. Have you spotted one yet?” Or, start off a post with something like “Eek!” or “Buzz!” to grab followers’ attention as they scroll through their feeds.
Another thing to think about is how many visuals you share on your pages. According to Buzzsumo.com, Facebook posts with images see 2.3 times more engagement than those without images, while tweets with images receive 150 percent more re-tweets than tweets without. Consider overlaying short text on a visual for your next few posts and check-in on how they perform. Canva is a great resource that can help you easily create these types of visuals on your own and in a timely fashion.
STICK OUT! It all starts with your headline and don’t be afraid to have fun with it! According to Copyblogger.com, 80 percent of people read headlines and only 20 percent read body copy, which makes it important to grab readers’ attention with an eye-catching headline. Also, jump right into your main point in the first paragraph. If you take too long to get to the call to action, it may get lost and never reach your audience. Try to fill the content with quotes, bullet points (tips or lists are always reader favorites) and statistics to back up any claims about pests. Hard numbers, tips and quotes are easy for reporters to lift and credit within their own stories, which is always a plus!
FRESHEN, SERVE UP NEW CONTENT. Give yourself an end-of-year website checklist. As a first step, take a look at your site’s analytics to determine what pages are most popular — and if you don’t have analytics set up, start there! Keep the statistics in mind as you look to make any changes throughout the site. Do you have pages with a lot of text and minimal visuals? Can you convey any information in a clearer, more concise way? Balance website pages with text and visuals so they feel more welcoming.
What about testimonials? A recent survey conducted by the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) found that millennial, Gen X and baby boomer generations all rely on online reviews and personal recommendations when selecting a pest control professional. Adding a new testimonial section to your site or on the homepage could help add credibility and drive more business.
KEEP YOUR BLOG ACTIVE. Always consider your audience first. Are you hearing a recurring pest concern now that winter is here? Think about focusing copy on any hot topics that you’re hearing customers talk about, or tie content to a timely angle like an Awareness Week or the weather and how it’s affecting certain pest populations. If you’re having writer’s block, create a calendar to help yourself stay organized and to keep posts fresh. Additionally, consider mixing it up and adding a guest blogger to the author rotation. Have a passionate co-worker step in as a guest blogger to share a recent success story and walk homeowners through typical infestation areas in the home related to issues they are seeing in your area.
DON’T FORGET PRINT PRODUCTS. Make sure your marketing materials, like brochures, case studies and newsletters, are up to snuff. If you recently added a new service or have changed marketing messages, make sure current materials reflect those changes. If the visuals are outdated, think about swapping them out for something new.
Are you active on social media now, but weren’t two years ago when you printed a large quantity of brochures? Update them with your social media handles or the platform icons to encourage customers to follow your pages. Cross-promotion is extremely valuable! If your company is a PPMA investor, don’t forget to check out the ready-made marketing content on Mainframe that can be downloaded and utilized for future efforts.
As many people typically begin their New Year’s resolutions in January, don’t forget to freshen things up for your business too. Be a storyteller, keep copy concise, appeal to visual learners, remember the digital age we’re living in and always start by first thinking of your audience and what will matter most to them. Now is the time to set up your marketing program for success in 2018!
Cindy Mannes is executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance and vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association. She can be reached at cmannes@pestworld.org. For more information about PPMA, visit www.NPMApestworld.org/PPMA.
Technician of the Year Finalists
Technician of the Year Awards Supplement - Technician of the Year Awards Supplement
The following service professionals were named as finalists in this year’s Technician of the Year Awards program.
Nick Caudell, East Cooper Termite & Pest, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
Mike Fain, Go-Forth Pest Control, High Point, N.C.
Dave Gonser, American Pest Management, Manhattan, Kan.
William Grey, ABC Exterminating, Monroe, Conn.
William Morris, Bug Out Service, Jacksonville, Fla.
Robinson Riascos, Massey Services, Orlando, Fla.
Michael Sullivan, Orkin, Tyler, Texas
Commercial
Steven Daugherty, Orkin, New Castle, Del.
Eric Dierking, Arrow Environmental Services, Lakeland, Fla.
Paul Dutra, Crane Pest Control, San Francisco, Calif.
Marc Piccirillo, Viking Pest Control, Denville, N.J.
Dave Simonis, Wil-Kil Pest Control, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Termite
Doug Nold, American Pest Management, Manhattan, Kan.
Isidro Ramirez, Orkin, Miami, Fla.
Michael Wallace, Terminix, Madison Heights, Mich.
Judges
The process for choosing this year’s winners involved a thorough review of each candidate’s credentials, including materials submitted by their respective companies. A panel of well-respected industry professionals had the difficult task of deciding the winners. PCT would like to thank our panel of judges:
Dr. Robert Corrigan RMC Pest Management Consulting Richmond, Ind.
Dr. Robert Davis BASF Professional & Specialty Solutions Pflugerville, Texas
Dr. Richard Kramer Innovative Pest Management Brookeville, Md.
Dr. Fred Whitford Purdue University Pesticide Programs West Lafayette, Ind.
Pressurized Products Target More Pests, Provide Quicker Relief for PMPs
Technician of the Year Awards Supplement - Technician of the Year Awards Supplement
System III has been designed to deliver precision applications of BASF pressurized products.
The System III, manufactured by BASF, is pairing its system applicator and the company’s Prescription Treatment® (PT®) brand products, which “enhances the use of our formulations by making them more efficient to use and offers PMPs the ability to apply product with greater precision,” explained Dave Biegacki, product manager, urban pest control, BASF. “You’re armed with a can of product on your belt, the trigger in your hand, and a flashlight in the other hand.”
Using proprietary components, the aerosol pressure is maintained by the system so that flow rate remains consistent from the first spray to the last. Kurt Scherzinger, vice president of operations, Scherzinger Termite & Pest Control, Cincinnati, has seen this first hand. “It doesn’t matter if the can is 100 percent or two percent full, the System III allows you to get every drop out of the can compared to using the can by itself, because of the way the system is designed.”
PMPs experiencing the benefits. All types of companies are seeing the benefits of the System III. “We’ve been using the system for more than 25 years and have more than 2,000 systems in the field,” said Jay Yarsinske, quality assurance supervisor, Terminix Service, Columbia, S.C.
Wade Wilson, commercial pest control manager and technical manager, Turner Pest Control, Jacksonville, Fla., shared that his team has been using 12 units for about five months and are “looking to incorporate another 30 by the end of the year.”
The System III is an additional tool in a PMP’s arsenal, said Scherzinger. “It hasn’t really replaced any equipment, but it’s taken us away from being ‘baseboard spray jockeys.’”
A complete system. There are more than a half dozen aerosol insecticide products exclusive to the System III for treating a range of crawling and flying pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, flies and more. Biegacki said the products can be used independently of the System III, but “to get the most out of the product, it should be used with the System.”
At Manhattan, Kan.-based American Pest Management, the company’s technical team likes that the PT brands offer a variety of insecticides and active ingredients, which help reduce the chances of resistance and aversion.
“We continue to look toward adding products compatible with the System III,” said Biegacki. “Whether they’re enhanced current formulations or new active ingredients, there’s always innovation in the pipeline.”
Precise treatments. Although effective for both precise treatment and fogging, its greatest advantage is for Crack & Crevice treatments, PCOs say. Gerry Marsh, general manager, Patton Termite and Pest Control, Wichita, Kan., said they “use the system pretty much 100 percent of the time for treating cracks and crevices.”
Wilson said Turner is using a thermal fogging machine a lot less for cracks and crevices now that it started using the System III. “The company has reduced the use of a thermal fogger from about 40 percent of the time to four percent, and is using the System III for treating cracks and crevices about 96 percent of the time,” he said.
PMPs tend to use the System III to treat for the same pests, with bed bugs and cockroaches topping the list, and ants and occasional invaders, among others, trailing closely behind.
More consistent flow rate. The System III was designed to improve all aspects of treatment. “PMPs are able to treat more efficiently with one or two products — such as a contact and a residual — that are immediately available without carrying two tanks. It improves product efficiency by using less product and applying it precisely where it’s needed and most effective,” said Biegacki.
One ounce of insecticide is equivalent to 28, one-second bursts. “It’s a metered system that applies a specific dosage every time you press down on the applicator. You know you’re getting the correct amount every time,” said American Pest Management Vice President Travis Aggson. This accuracy allows PMPs to accurately record how much chemical has been applied.
Less waste = cost savings. Aerosols can be inefficient. A new can typically delivers more product per squeeze at first, because it’s under maximum pressure. Toward the end of the can, as pressure decreases, less product is delivered. The System III provides consistent application, which optimizes flow rate by 37 to 67 percent, depending on the aerosol product used. “You’re getting more seconds per can, making more efficient use of the product and saving money,” said Biegacki.
Said Yarsinske, “When we started using the System III, we saw a dramatic reduction of product being wasted. The system allows us to utilize all of the product in every can, which results in less waste and less product ordered. This dramatically reduces chemical costs and raises profits.”
Aggson said if you used the aerosol can alone, you might leave anywhere from a half-ounce to an ounce in the can, but “because we’re able to use the entire can, we’re probably saving about $6 on every case of product.” He added that the System III also saves money by reducing over-application.
Wilson said he noticed the savings right away. “The system saves us chemicals. We’re using about 60 percent less product using the system compared to applying product using an aerosol can. For bed bug jobs, we were using two to two-and-a-half cans of product. Now we’re using only one can. We’re spending about one-third of what we used to. Our monthly savings using the System III averages around $320 to 380 per month.”
Prior to Terminix Service using the System III, Yarsinske said a lot of product was being wasted. “Technicians would often have to apply aerosols in tight areas — such as underneath and in cabinetry — by holding the can horizontally or upside down, which caused excess propellant to be dispersed. One-quarter to one-third of a can of product can be wasted when the propellant is depleted before the product. We know, because every technician has to return product cans and we were able to determine how much product remained.”
With six aerosol insecticides being System III compatible, BASF PT brand insecticides include products for treating a range of crawling and flying pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, flies and more.
Treating difficult spaces. The System III allows PMPs to be more agile and mobile to get their job done more easily.
“It gives our techs the ability to treat in all directions. Using a regular aerosol, they can treat upside down if the can is full. But with the system, the can sits vertically on their waist, so it allows them to treat until the can is empty,” said Marsh.
There are a lot of difficult-to-reach places in commercial kitchens, for example, such as under dishwashers, tables, and prep tables, and around deep sinks. The System III makes those areas easier to reach. Said Wilson, “I can get my hand up under the sink using the system actuator and straw —an area I can’t reach using a can. I can also see better, because the can isn’t obstructing my view.”
The belt. The belt that accompanies the System III allows pest management professionals to carry two or more aerosol cans of PT brand insecticide, keeping them at the ready. An attached pouch can be used to carry replacement parts for the System III.
“Our PMPs like that the belt gives them the ability to enter a customer’s home with everything they’ll need to solve any problems they encounter, without having to go back and forth from their service vehicle, which is time consuming,” said Yarsinske.
Also, with the belt, PMPs aren’t “fumbling with a compressed air sprayer, one or two cans of aerosol, and bait. It reduces multiple trips to the vehicle or having to carry a lot of products,” said Aggson. PMPs may attach other treatment necessities to their belt, including gel bait and a flashlight.
Minimal, easy maintenance. Yarsinske recommended that as technicians begin using the System III, “be sure to educate and train them on which products can be applied through the system and how to perform routine maintenance in the field. Like any other piece of pest control equipment, it will require maintenance and minor repairs from time to time. We love that any repair or maintenance on the System III takes five minutes or less!”
BASF provides all replacement parts for the System III at no cost.
Ease of use, application control, efficiencies, and cost savings are all reasons why pest management professionals will want to consider adding the System III to their toolboxes.
