Pest Posse to Host Women in Pest Control YouTube Series

The fourth annual series, to be held in March, will recognize five women dedicated to the pest control industry.

February 16, 2021

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. — The Pest Posse will host its fourth annual Women in Pest Control YouTube series, sponsored by Target Specialty Products, each Monday throughout the month of March, starting March 1.

The Pest Posse, based in Santa Clara, Calif., is a weekly YouTube series, continuing training solution and consultant dedicated to pest management professionals and small- to medium-size business owners.

March is Women’s History Month, highlighting the contributions of women in history and contemporary society. The Women in Pest Control series will recognize five women who work in the pest control industry as service technicians, business owners or sales representatives. Each live episode will feature one of the women being recognized.

View the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Women in Pest Control series on The Pest Posse YouTube channel.

Go-Forth, AHA to Present Workplace Wellness Seminar Series

The American Heart Association and Go-Forth Pest Control have teamed up to provide a free Workplace Wellness seminar series for local employers across the region.

February 15, 2021

Posted by Brad Harbison

Companies

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The American Heart Association and Go-Forth Pest Control, High Point, N.C., have teamed up to provide a free Workplace Wellness seminar series for local employers across the region.

The three- part series will include topics like mental health and healthy eating on the go, among others.

The first seminar of the series, titled “Mental Health Matters,” will feature local health and wellness experts and provide education, guidance and resources for anxiety and stress, coping skills, and self- care. This first event will take place Feb. 23, from noon to 1 p.m. (EST).

Registrants may attend live and receive a recording of the event to watch at a later time. Go-Forth Pest Control has partnered with the American Heart Association as the NC Triad and Iredell County for the AHA’s Go Red for Women campaign for the next three years.

Go-Forth Vice President Leah Hazelwood will also serve on the Triad Go Red Executive Leadership Team. Hazelwood said, “Our motivation to partner with the AHA was spurred by a recent company-wide survey that revealed strong interest in an Employee Wellness Program offering guidance on self-care and healthy living habits. We feel that this Workplace Wellness series will help show our team, and hopefully help other employers show their teams, that we’re listening to employees' priorities, and that employee health is very important to us.”

PCT Online Editor’s Choices for the Week of Feb. 8

Recently added articles, videos and other resources highlighted by the PCT staff.

February 13, 2021

Brad Harbison

National

Here’s a look at articles, videos and other resources for the week of Feb. 8 highlighted by the PCT staff.

Big Blue Bug ‘Masks Up’

To help with mask-wearing awareness, Big Blue Bug Solutions has adorned its iconic Big Blue Bug with a painted-on facemask and added a banner thanking essential workers. PCT interviewed Big Blue CEO Brian Goldman for a behind-the-scenes look at why and how the Rhode Island landmark got masked up. We also caught up with Brian’s dad, Leonard Goldman, who reflected on the passing of George Cardono, creator of the Big Blue Bug, who recently passed away.

EPA Orders Amazon to Halt Illegal Pesticides Sales

An ongoing issue the pest control industry has been monitoring is EPA’s actions regarding online sales of pesticides. In a new development (Feb. 9), the Seattle office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Feb. 9 that it has issued a “stop sale” order to Amazon.com. This is the third pesticide stop-sale order issued by the agency to Amazon in the last three years.

Cross-Country PMP Conversations with Court: Episode 13 — Zach Ivey

PCT readers have enjoyed following the cross-country RV tour of Court Parker. In a newly added video, Court and his family stopped in Houston, Texas, where he caught up with Zach Ivey, president of Cypress Creek Pest Control.

N.C. State's Bertone Creates Coloring Book of Insects and Other Arthropods

A fun story for the insect enthusiasts in the pest control came out of North Carolina State University. Matt Bertone, the director and diagnostic entomologist of NC State’s Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, created a coloring book called “Arthropods! A Coloring/Learning Guide for Young Naturalists."

Termite Market Poll Question

PCT’s February issue is our annual termite control issue. We thought it would be a good time to survey our readers about their involvement in the termite market.

Terminix Launches Nationwide Bug Education Program for Grades K-6

Harry’s Big Adventure provides education for elementary students; lesson plans and activities for teachers and parents.

February 12, 2021

Posted by Brad Harbison

popular culture

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- Terminix recently reimagined and relaunched its Harry’s Big Adventure program, in partnership with the Audubon Nature Institute. The program, which includes an educational website and curriculum, is dedicated entirely to teaching and engaging students in grades K-6 about the exciting world of bugs.

“As a company, we’ve always worked to advance the awareness and understanding of insects,” said Valerie Middleton, senior director of Communications for Terminix. “We’re thrilled to relaunch Harry’s Big Adventure, providing teachers, parents and students in the neighborhoods and communities we serve, with free access to knowledge, resources and support for interactive learning.”

Since many students are still learning virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, Terminix revived its program in a way that brings bug education into classrooms through virtual platforms. For the virtual classroom visits and online education tools, Terminix is leveraging both its in-house team of technical experts as well as professional educators from the world-renowned Audubon Nature Institute.

“Audubon Nature Institute is excited to partner with Terminix to revive Harry’s Big Adventure and inspire a new generation to make a positive impact on the natural world,” said Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman. “Insects are some of the most important and least understood organisms on our planet, and our team of expert entomologists can’t wait to bring their fascinating world directly into K-6 classrooms through interactive virtual programming made possible by the generous support from Terminix.”

Terminix entomology experts are equally dedicated to providing students and children with entomology education.

“Insects and arachnids are only pests when they are entering our homes and businesses or causing damage,” said Dan Baldwin, director of Technical, Training, and Regulatory Services for Terminix. “Otherwise, they play an integral part in the health of our ecosystem, so educating children about them is a critical component of understanding our world.”

The Harry’s Big Adventure website is the hub for the program’s materials and resources. Visitors to the site can:

Meet Harry, a praying mantis, and his pals, including Luckie the Ladybug and Skimmer the Dragonfly
Download a National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) approved curriculum guide and lesson plans for grades K-6 (updated seasonally)
Test one’s insect knowledge with an interactive, online quiz
Download bug-themed games, puzzles, coloring pages and worksheets
Keep up with Harry’s adventures on social media
For more information on Harry’s Big Adventure, visit www.harrysbigavdventure.com or connect with Harry and his pals on Facebook and Instagram.

EPA Orders Amazon to Halt Illegal Pesticides Sales

The Seattle office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Feb. 9 that it has issued a “stop sale” order to Amazon.com. This is the third pesticide stop-sale order issued by the agency to Amazon in the last three years.

February 12, 2021

Posted by Brad Harbison

Legislative & Regulatory

WASHINGTON - The Seattle office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Feb. 9 that it has issued a “stop sale” order to Amazon.com to prevent sales on the platform of potentially dangerous or ineffective unregistered pesticides and pesticide devices making illegal and misleading claims, including multiple products that claimed to protect against viruses.

This action adds 70 products to a June 6, 2020 EPA order which contained over 30 illegal products.

“Unregistered pesticides in the e-commerce marketplace pose a significant and immediate health risk to consumers, children, pets, and others exposed to the products,” says Ed Kowalski, director of the Enforcement Compliance Assurance Division in EPA’s Region 10 office in Seattle.

This is the third pesticide stop-sale order issued by the agency to Amazon in the last three years. Beyond the stop-sales EPA has mounted other efforts to stop fraudulent products, such as partnering with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to stop multiple imports of millions of illegal disinfectant products imported by or for sale on Amazon. EPA has also provided guidance to e-commerce companies on multiple occasions about their requirements to ensure their disinfectant products are legal and safe.

The agency advises consumers who have purchased an unregistered pesticide product or a misbranded pesticidal device to safely dispose of it in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. This is especially important for consumers seeking to protect against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. EPA recommends that consumers only purchase products on EPA’s “List N of Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19).” EPA expects all products on this list to kill the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) when used according to the label directions.

Under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, pesticides and disinfectants intended for sale in the U.S. must be evaluated for safety and efficacy by EPA and bear approved labeling with an EPA registration number (e.g. “EPA Reg. No. 1234-56”) and an EPA establishment number (e.g., “EPA Est. No. 12345-AA-1” (domestic) or “EPA Est. No. 12345-AAA1” (foreign)). In contrast, pesticidal devices must bear an EPA establishment number and conform to certain other requirements, but they are not evaluated for safety and efficacy by EPA before marketing.

Source: EPA.gov

Your source for industry news and technology.

Pest Posse to Host Women in Pest Control YouTube Series

Go-Forth, AHA to Present Workplace Wellness Seminar Series

PCT Online Editor’s Choices for the Week of Feb. 8

Terminix Launches Nationwide Bug Education Program for Grades K-6

EPA Orders Amazon to Halt Illegal Pesticides Sales

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