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Articles by Anna Berry
When pigeons were war heroes, not pests
Humans have domesticated and used the homing pigeon to send messages for millennia, including ancient Egypt, ancient Roman armies, and various sides of the medieval crusades. Homing pigeons were used for their extreme focus on where home is and their amazing ability to find and aim for that home over long distances and through extreme or arduous conditions.
Develop a protocol to help determine if you are combating bed bugs or bat bugs | Pest Management Professional
You may have a “bat bug situation” when your normal bed bug application doesn’t seem to be doing the trick, and reintroduction doesn’t seem to be the issue. The average technician can’t tell the difference, so developing a protocol for such situations is important. Here are two things to consider: Are the bugs on the ceiling and other abnormal places more than in the bed or nightstands? Has the customer reported bats in the attic or crawlspace?
The biggest clues to help differentiate bed bugs from bat bugs | Pest Management Professional
Although bed bugs and bat bugs look physically similar, sometimes there are clues that point to their different identities. Two of the biggest clues are: Location. While bed bugs are associated with areas humans rest, bat bugs are associated with areas where bats rest. If we find them in an unusual place, such as an attic, consider bat bugs. Population. There are rarely people in the areas in which bat bugs are found.
Pelsis: Digital ILT | Pest Management Professional
Pelsis Digital ILT isn’t “just another insect light trap,” the company says: It’s a data-driven intelligence center that revolutionizes your service approach. Gain real-time insights into fly activity with high-resolution glue board images – 24/7, anytime, anywhere. Pelsis Digital’s built-in glue board camera and artificial intelligence (AI) software analyzes not just the fly count, but their size for trend analysis.
PestWest USA: Retrofit LED Lamp | Pest Management Professional
Effortlessly transform your Mantis brand magnetic ballast, 15-watt fluorescent lamp systems to light-emitting diodes (LED) with the exclusive PestWest LED Lamp Conversion Kit (130-000328). You can transform all of your fluorescent lamps to LED, or create hybrid systems of one fluorescent lamp and one LED lamp. For seamless integration, each retrofit LED lamp includes a dedicated LED starter. A how-to video is available online.
Using essential oil formulations to cover fly pheromones | Pest Management Professional
Nature-Cide As a PMP, I have been in situations where I did all the right things to control flies. I found the food source. I identified harborage sites. But I still had difficulty shutting down reoccurrences thanks to fly pheromones — even after food sources were cleaned up.
Temperature and time may affect ant management
Being able to find food faster than your competitor is a key to survival, and I would argue there are few insects on Earth better at this than ants. One component to their success is the ability to search for food when others cannot. Some ant species are known as “thermal specialists,” meaning they can tolerate extreme temperatures that would kill other insects.
The value of regular team meetings
As the busy season ramps up in the pest control world, one of the first things we tend to neglect is regular team meetings. Contrary to popular belief, however, team meetings should be one of the last things we abandon. When issues arise and challenges emerge, effective communication and problem-solving become critical for achieving sustained success. Without consistent meetings, we risk only addressing surface-level problems while deeper issues persist.
LED insect light traps
Pelsis As light-emitting diode (LED) insect light traps (ILTs) become increasingly prevalent, there’s a common misconception regarding their effectiveness compared to traditional fluorescent ILTs. While it’s true that LED ILTs are not as visually bright as their fluorescent counterparts, this does not diminish their efficacy in filth fly monitoring or control. The key lies in understanding the spectrum of light emitted.
Keys to controlling flies
Control Solutions Inc. Flies are gross. I know — groundbreaking information, right? To be fair, not all flies are gross, but many of the flies we deal with in the pest control industry love to hang out in feces, dirty water, trash and even dead animals. Aside from being foul, many flies are super-annoying and quickly can make our customers crazy, then mad if the problem is not addressed. When it comes to flies, proper identification and finding the breeding sources are the keys to control.
Know which product to use, where to treat
As a pest control business owner in addition to my role at Nature-Cide, I always think in terms of opportunity and risk. Sometimes, risk is opportunity in disguise — and when it comes to vector issues such as mosquitoes, there is plenty of both. For instance, we want to take the opportunity to shut down these biting insects without the risk of hurting people, pets or the environment. My method is to find the sensitive areas on a potential account before servicing it.
Syngenta: SecureChoice Mosquito Assurance Program
Summer is here — bringing not only more sunshine, but also more mosquitoes onto your customers’ properties. The SecureChoice Mosquito Assurance Program from Syngenta can guarantee a reduction in these mosquito populations on a 30- or 60-day treatment cycle, helping you see assured control and reduced technician time.
Reduce harborage to treat mosquitoes
Because of the number of diseases mosquitoes can vector, they’re considered the most dangerous animal on the planet. Therefore, it may not be a surprise that successful mosquito control typically requires several strategies. While challenging, the most important strategy is reducing harborage. For Aedes species, this includes urging property owners to eliminate any container holding stagnant water, from bottle caps to buckets to tires to kiddie pools.
B&G Equipment: PTT
B&G Equipment, a Pelsis brand, has set the standard in professional-grade pest control, vector control, disinfection and industrial equipment since 1949, starting with the introduction of its iconic Primeline Sprayer. This industry icon was created by Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer Bill Brehm (Class of 1998) and George Gilmore while students at Purdue University, with their initials serving as the company name.
Pelsis: Digital ILT
New Pelsis Digital ILT isn’t “just another insect light trap,” the company says: It’s a data-driven intelligence center that revolutionizes your service approach. Gain real-time insights into fly activity with high-resolution glue board images – 24/7, anytime, anywhere. Pelsis Digital’s built-in glue board camera and artificial intelligence (AI) software analyzes not just the fly count, but their size for trend analysis.
Do a thorough inspection to identify mosquitoes
Like most insect control measures, a proactive response can help you control your mosquito problems before they start. Begin with a thorough inspection to identify breeding and harborage sites. Any breeding sites that can be emptied, such as discarded pots or buckets, should have the standing water removed and left upside down to prevent refilling. Sites that cannot be emptied should be treated with an appropriate larvicide.
3 tips for PMPs against mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are extreme nuisances that can transmit several devastating diseases. Therefore, residential and commercial mosquito management is an extremely important and valuable service that pest management professionals (PMPs) provide to protect public health. Here are three tips to help PMPs against one of the world’s most deadly insects: 1. Empty water containers. Managing mosquito development sites is key to mosquito control.
PMP Gallery: Legislative Day edition
1. EVENT KICKOFF National Pest Management Association (NPMA) CEO Dominique Stumpf, CAE, welcomed attendees to Legislative Day 2024, which took place March 10-12 in Washington, D.C. 2. A ‘BEARY SPECIAL PROJECT Operation Gratitude, an initiative that shows appreciation for active military personnel, is sponsored by FMC and PestVets. Attendees stepped up to assemble “Battalion Buddies,” stuffed bears created to help comfort the children of active service members. 3.
On the Job: How PMPs should view plague risk
Plague is a bacterial disease of rodents. It’s generally spread to humans through the bites of infected fleas. It also can spread by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, wildlife and pets. Dogs and cats that are allowed to roam and hunt can bring infected fleas from dead rodents back into the home, putting household members at risk. Last month, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) announced that a Lincoln County man died of plague after being hospitalized for the disease.
Location determines treatments for stinging insects
Location plays a pivotal role in determining how to effectively manage stinging insect nests. Whether nestled in the ground, mulch, against structures, picnic tables or playground equipment, the nest’s site dictates the approach. First, determine whether your current pest applicator license permits control. Regulations vary across states, with some imposing maximum treatment distances from structures or restricting exterior treatments for indoor pests.
MGK: Sumari Insecticide Label Updates
Sumari insecticide, a product of MGK’s commitment to innovation and effectiveness, now boasts enhanced features for ant control and more. Designed to exploit the natural foraging and communal feeding behaviors of ants, Sumari sets a new standard for ant treatments. With the updated label, Sumari now provides the dual benefits of killing the colony and preventing reinfestation for up to 90 days (excluding harvester, carpenter and fire ant species).
5 tips to protect customers against stinging insects
Stinging insects send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room each year, becoming extremely active in late summer and early fall when their colonies forage for food to sustain their queens during the winter months. This situation needs to be stressed to your customers so they can take proper precautions to protect themselves. Here are five tips to pass on to your customers to keep summer safe and fun: 1. Seal cracks and crevices.
Effective cockroach control
Cockroaches are highly adaptable insects that thrive in a variety of environments, from exterior to interior settings. They are attracted to areas with shelter and abundant food sources, such as kitchens, pantries and food-handling facilities. Cockroaches love areas with high humidity and warmth, around appliances and water fixtures. Cockroach infestations can be challenging to identify and treat, thanks to their nocturnal behavior and ability to hide in small cracks and crevices.
Seeking employee input leads to long-term success
As I write this, my company is in the middle of our annual Ownership Thinking meetings. We have been holding these company-wide meetings for the past 10 years, except during COVID-19. In these meetings, we gather the team to work on two questions we believe are critical to our long-term success: What can we do to make our service the best it can possibly be for our customers? How we can make ABC a better place to work?
Use a combination of strategies for cockroaches
We all have our favorite cockroach tools, but it’s important to remember many control tools are available — each labeled to address different areas and situations. For quick and complete cockroach control, it’s often best to use a combination of strategies. For example, use dusts in voids where cockroaches harbor, and residual applications along their likely travel paths, including cracks and crevices.
Aprehend: Free training for PMPs
ConidioTec, makers of Aprehend, offers a free series of seven short videos on its YouTube channel that discusses information essential to successful treatment for bed bug prevention and elimination. Starting with bed bug biology in segment one and ending with Aprehend storage and handling, viewers will finish the series with understanding and confidence for success with Aprehend. The entire series is 36 minutes in duration.
February 2024 | Pest Management Professional
Ellen Wagner is the digital editor for magazine. She can be reached at ewagner@northcoastmedia.net.
From the Field: WorkWave Beyond Service 24
The third annual WorkWave user conference, Beyond Service 24, took place Jan. 7-10 at the Hilton Orlando in Florida. Attendees who work in pest control; lawn care; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; and other asset-based field service companies learned more about WorkWave, its software and how it can benefit companies. The event was also an opportunity for attendees to network with fellow software users within their industries. Beyond Service 25 will take place Feb.
PMP Gallery: 88th annual Purdue Pest Management Conference
1. CONFERENCE TRADITION This is the 2024 edition of the group photo of conference attendees, this time on the west steps of Stewart Hall on Purdue University’s campus in West Lafayette, Ind. See past conference group photos, dating back to 1937, online at Bit.ly/3HcNdoz. 2. STRONG START The Resource Shop’s Jeff McGovern kicked off the conference Monday morning, Jan. 8, with a talk about providing pest control in small spaces.
Look beyond in homes, hotels for bed bugs
In bed bug inspections, our attention naturally gravitates toward the bed and its vicinity in bedrooms or hotel rooms. However, these elusive pests remain hidden until they’re prepared to feed, making their way to the nearest food source, which isn’t always confined to a bed. Beyond homes and hotels, consider places where people frequently rest.
Early detection, intervention to treat bed bugs
Bed bug infestations are beyond irritating. Not only do they directly impact health and quality of life, but their ability to spread quickly and avoid detection makes them one of the most difficult insects for clients and PMPs alike. When an infestation does occur, early detection and intervention from a professional is key. Bed bugs leave a musty-sweet smell, rust-colored spots and, most conspicuously, small bites on human hosts.
Stop ants in attics
The attic provides an ideal environment for ants — thanks to its secluded nature, ample food sources and suitable nesting sites. One of the top issues in attic infestations is that ants are known to damage insulation materials by tunneling through them or using them as nesting material. To stop these invaders, it’s important to understand the species in your area and apply exclusion to anywhere they are known to get in.
January 2024 | Pest Management Professional
Ellen Wagner is the digital editor for magazine. She can be reached at ewagner@northcoastmedia.net.
Treat ants with non-repellent pesticides
All the data points to the fact that ants are the No. 1 economic pest in the United States. But that’s not the case in certain markets, like the New York City Metropolitan area, where the German cockroach is still king. Still, ant pressure has been building here for years and new species have taken hold. Once upon a time, all we basically had to deal with were pavement ants, pharaoh ants and carpenter ants.
IN MEMORIAM: Arthur Dales
Arthur Dales, an Alpharetta, Ga.-based technical manager for British industry manufacturer Pelsis, died at the age of 67 on Dec. 22, 2023. In a statement from the Pelsis team, “With over 40 years dedicated to the pest control industry, Arthur’s impact was immeasurable. Formerly with Rentokil and later joining Brandenburg (acquired by Pelsis), he brought an unparalleled expertise to the realm of insect light traps.
Test what works best for ants with a bait card
Ant management tools are rarely a one-size-fits-all situation, especially at commercial or industrial accounts. With their response to repellents, indoor/outdoor nests, attraction to warmth, and varying dietary needs of the colony, it’s important to identify the species. Once you figure out what you’re dealing with, it still can be challenging to decide on the right control path.
Wildlife Control Consultant: Vertebrate Pest Handbook, Third Edition
Vertebrate Pest Specialist Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP, ACE, has published the third edition of The Vertebrate Pest Handbook: Questions & Answers on Norway Rats, Roof Rats, House Mice & Deer Mice. The new edition updates the commensal rodent information found in the second edition, which was authored by Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer Dr. Austin Frishman, BCE-Emeritus, in 1999 (Class of 2002).
Place bait stations strategically
Rodents constantly employ evasive tactics, which is why we need to use all available tools. Situating bait stations along wall/ground junctions is a popular choice because rodents often seek security by following these boundaries. However, strategic placement in alternative locations also can yield effective results. For example, in areas with dense vegetation like ivy, rodents create their own pathways and leverage the cover it provides.
Use correct techniques for rodent control
Effective rodent control is obtainable if you implement the correct techniques and exclusion whenever possible. As rodenticide use becomes more restricted, it will be imperative to learn better trapping and exclusion techniques. For example: When trapping, always wear gloves to minimize human scent. Never smoke when handling traps or baits. Traps should not be spaced at regular intervals, but instead placed in areas that have known rodent activity.
What the Inflation Reduction Act means to PMPs
The Inflation Reduction Act passed into law last year, and currently is being implemented across the U.S. The hiring of new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents under the Act is likely to have a significant impact on federal tax audits. The IRS has not released any specific plans for how it will use the new funding, but it has stated it plans to increase audit activity. As I write this column in mid-November, the audit rate for individuals is at less than 1 percent.
Tips for using a bait station for rodenticide
Rodenticide is a hot topic in our industry — and it got there, in part, due to misuse. When using block or packet rodenticides, always follow the label. The label will address where to place the rodenticide. When using a bait station for rodenticide, it’s key that: The rodenticide is held firmly in place by rods. The bait station is secured, typically by weighting with a pavement stone. It’s tamper-resistant, which typically means it locks with a key.
Argentine black and white tegu: Salvator merianae
Tegus, specifically the Argentine black and white species (Salvator merianae), have been making headlines this year in Florida and Georgia — scaring homeowners by taking up residence under a back porch, for example. These “dog-sized lizards” are desirable pets among reptile enthusiasts, but several established populations are being found in the wild. Tegus mostly feed on the eggs of chicken, quail and turkeys.
Find where SPP originate
A common “hide-and-seek” game in pest control is finding the source of stored product pests (SPP) and learning what the source actually is. One thing to understand is, although they may be seen in the pantry, that doesn’t mean that’s where they are originating. It may turn out to be the hope chest with stored holiday decorations in the living room next to the kitchen, and the SPP were the IMM in Christmas wreaths.
4 predictions for the future of pest management
2033? It’s difficult to even comprehend how distant that feels — and at the same time, how the time will fly by. Here are some of my predictions on how the industry will have evolved by 2033 — the year the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and Pest Management Professional (PMP) celebrate their 100th anniversaries — based on what I have seen and experienced in my more than three decades in the field: 1.
Embracing a service-first focus will ensure sustained industry growth
It is easy enough, I suppose, to rattle off an enumerated list of challenges our industry faces over the next 10 years. We are certainly facing the possibility of reductions in the availability of certain classes of chemistry, an unpredictable economy and a growing shortage of interested and qualified field personnel. However, I think we have to look a little deeper within ourselves to identify the biggest challenge and opportunity.
Verify the identify of SPP
Store product pests (SPP) are commonly linked to specific environments such as pantries, dry food processing facilities, or the baking aisle of a grocery store. Sometimes, we hastily identify an insect as SPP solely based on the environment where we encounter it.
Find the sources of stored product pests
Stored product pests (SPP) are common invaders in the pantry and other areas where food is housed, including pet food and bird seed. Occasionally, SPP will get into other interesting items like dried flowers, tobacco, rodent bait, decorative arrangements and even bean bags. It’s essential with any SPP problem, regardless of whether it’s a moth, beetle or other pest, to determine which items are infested and to find the source. Often, simply removing the infested item(s) will resolve the problem.
How to make cockroaches ‘irresistible’
Pesticide resistance in insect pests, particularly the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), presents a significant challenge in the realm of pest management. Traditionally, research has focused on physiological resistance mechanisms, which encompass biochemical adaptations that enable insects to withstand pesticide exposure. These mechanisms involve alterations in target sites and enhanced detoxification processes (Terriere, 1983).
PestWorld 2023: Must-see exhibits
Check out all the must-see at the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA’s) PestWorld 2023 from Oct. 17-20 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Read the PDF version or the section in the September issue: PHOTO: DELAMOFOTO/ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS/GETTY IMAGES
Photo Finish: 28th NPMA Academy
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) hosted its 28th Academy July 18-20 in Scottsdale, Ariz., at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. The event is designed to be an opportunity for pest management professionals (PMPs) to expand their networks, enhance leadership skills and accelerate their businesses. As with previous incarnations, the NPMA Academy is all about sportsmanship and team spirit.
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