Orkin Donates Time, Services to Treat Mold-Damaged New Orleans Homes

Members of the Orkin Ready Response Team in New Orleans included (pictured left to right, front to back): Row One: Eduardo Ramirez, Commercial Branch Manager Trainee (Houston, Texas); Ernest Butler, Commercial Branch Manager Trainee (Houston, Texas); Jeff Angelo, Residential Branch Manager Trainee (Atlanta, Ga.); Gary Simpson, Commercial Service Manager (Denver, Colo.) Row Two: Mark Faliveno, Termite Claims Manager (New Orleans, La.); Rob Sutherland, Residential Branch Manager (Indianapolis, Ind.); Don Tavlin, Assistant Region Manager (New Orleans, La.); Ken Colpaert, Commercial Service Manager (Phoenix, Ariz.); Frank Meek, Director of Technical Services (Atlanta, Ga.); William Dear, Residential Branch Manager (Wilmington, N.C.); Jim Ansley, Residential Branch Manager (Tyler, Texas) Row Three: Rick Laster, Residential Branch Manager (North Dallas, Texas); Martha Craft, Assistant Vice President, Public Relations and Corporate Communications; Joel Perez, Residential Service Manager (Miami, Fla.)

ATLANTA — Almost a year after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans, the after-effects of extensive flooding and roof damage continue to threaten local residents’ health and property. As residents face mounting pressures from the City of New Orleans to gut or demolish their flood-damaged homes, Orkin, in partnership with several national non-profit partners, helped treat 75 severely flood-damaged homes in New Orleans for mold infestation.

Working with the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH), Orkin donated time and services June 12-16 to assist Catholic Charities’ Operation Helping Hands and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)’s Home Clean-Out in efforts to clean up neighborhoods and restore homes. After volunteers from these organizations identified and gutted damaged homes, many of which are occupied by low- to mid-income, elderly or disabled residents with little to no flood insurance, Orkin’s volunteer team of 13 began work.

The Orkin Ready Response Team – a group of Orkin employees with a vast knowledge of pests, extensive training and years of experience in the pest control industry – applied BORA-CARE® and MOLD-CARE™ products to help protect homes from mold growth. As a secondary benefit, this application of BORA-CARE discourages termite activity, which has increased in New Orleans due to wet conditions.

“We are very proud of the Orkin Ready Response Team’s dedication to safeguard public health and property for those homeowners who so desperately need assistance. Orkin is thrilled to join these notable charities in protecting and preparing homes for the safe return of New Orleans residents,” said Glen Rollins, president and COO of Orkin.