Purdue Conference Addresses Issues that ‘Move the Industry Forward’

Mark "Shep" Sheperdigian gave a bed bug presentation at the Purdue Pest Control Conference.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — With a goal of providing information to "move the pest control industry forward," the 79th annual Purdue Pest Control Conference was held last week at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.

During the course of three days, attendees heard from industry experts on important pest management topics; networked with colleagues; and learned about the latest technologies from vendors at this year’s exhibit hall.

Gary Bennett, coordinator for the Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management, kicked off this year’s Purdue conference by noting that the Industry Planning Committee put together a program to promote innovative and environmentally sensitive approaches to pest management. Towards that goal, a major emphasis of this year’s program was to include sessions that addressed pest management holistically — utilizing variety of pest control strategies and tools.

Gene White, regional technical director, Rentokil, and Tommy Reeves, president of Oldham Chemical, reviewed new and innovative products during a session at which they co-presented. White also reviewed new electronic introductions, including apps, and made the point that PMPs will need to adapt to this technology or they'll be left behind.

Laurel Hansen gave a presentation on tramp ants.

Darren Van Steenwyk, technical director, Clark Pest Control, Lodi, Calif., addressed the issue of “Life After Pyrethroids” in a session. Van Steenwyk updated attendees on pending label changes to pyrethoids and how these changes affect use patterns. He made a point of saying that pyrethroids are still an important tool, especially for PCOs who use them to control fall invaders (e.g., stink bugs). He said pyrethroids need to be part of a toolbox of products, but that PMPs need to be aware of available alternative products. Van Steenwyk reviewed how Clark Pest Control takes a very site-specific approach to pesticide use and continually adapts its management strategies.

Similarly, Matt Frye of Cornell University’s IPM Program, presented on “Life After Rodenticides,” a session he developed to give attendees some hypotheticals should rodenticide and bait use become further restricted in the future. Much of Frye’s presentation was focused on the importance of inspections, exclusion work, and how to most effectively place mechanical traps and baits. “We have to understand where the rodents are, and to intercept their pathways,” he said.

Purdue attendees at the exhibit hall.

Other highlights from the conference included:

• Bed bugs remain a hot topic in the industry and the Purdue conference addressed this pest with several presentations, including “Customer Challenges in Bed Bug Solutions,” by Mark “Shep” Sheperdigian, technical director, Rose Pest Solutions, Troy, Mich. Shep discussed how a lack of understanding the biology and habits of bed bugs can result in frustrated clients. For example, Shep noted that it’s not uncommon for entire schools to be shut down if just one single bed bug is discovered. As pest management professionals know, that is an overreaction.
• Pi Chi Omega, the national pest control fraternity, held a member dinner and meeting. Pi Chi Omega President Kim Kelly-Tunis updated members on recent activities. In August, the fraternity’s longtime executive director, Vern Toblan, passed away, and the board of directors has been working hard to keep the fraternity’s affairs in order while it finds a replacement. As part of efforts to re-engage past members who have left Pi Chi Omega, the fraternity is offering amnesty to members who owe past dues. Additionally, moving forward, members will be able to pay their dues electronically, thus streamlining the collections process.
• The Indiana Pest Management Association inducted John Walton, president of Arab Termite and Pest Control, Evansville, Ind., into its Hall of Fame. An active IPMA member, Walton has been involved in the pest control industry since 1959. He purchased the Evansville Arab Pest Control franchise in 1966 and has operated it ever since.

PCT will have additional reports on sessions from the Purdue conference throughout 2015.