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Articles by Doug R. Foster
PMP Gallery: 89th annual Purdue Pest Management Conference
The 89th Purdue Pest Management Conference took place Jan. 13-15 and was titled “Moving at the Speed of Technology.” The event brought together pest management professionals to exchange ideas, grow networks and engage in the future of pest management. Pete Schopen, owner of RV There Yet Pest Consulting and a columnist for Pest Management Professional (PMP) magazine, was this year’s planning committee chair.
What are you leaving behind?
You just left your last pest control account. Besides dead bugs and your service invoice, what did you leave behind? All too often, because of the product choice, we’ve left an unsightly visible residue or stain in our client’s home or business. Manufacturers have made huge improvements in products over the years, yet challenges still exist.
Graduate assistantship honoree named at 88th Purdue Pest Management Conference
Dr. Angela Abbott, the interim associate dean of agriculture and director of Purdue Extension, announces Grace Kolb as the recipient of the graduate assistantship award named in honor of PMP Hall of Famer Dr. Gary Bennett, BCE, at the 88th Purdue Pest Management Conference. Learn more about Dr. Bennett on the PMP Hall of Fame website. Tags: PMP Hall of Fame, Purdue Pest Management Conference, Purdue University
Rest and Reflection - Pause
By Doug Foster, Synod Ministry Agent Coordinator Renewing God, you are the one who invites us on a journey of renewal – the one who sees beyond, the one who calls us forward, the one who endeavours to constantly refresh our lives. But we are not meant to simply rush into each new day, each precious moment. Instead, caring God, you invite us to pause before we move on.
Doug Foster at the 88th Purdue Pest Management Conference
Burt’s Pest Control and the Indiana Pest Management Association (IPMA) created the Gene White Memorial scholarship for industry fraternity Pi Chi Omega, as announced by Doug Foster, IPMA education chair, PMP EAB member and owner of Burt’s Pest Control, at Pi Chi Omega’s meeting on Jan. 8. Tags: Indiana Pest Management Association (IPMA), Pi Chi Omega, Purdue Pest Management Conference, scholarship
Renewing God - JourneyOnline
By Doug Foster, Synod Ministry Agent Coordinator Renewing God, you are the one who invites us on a journey of renewal. The one who sees beyond, the one who calls us forward, the one who endeavours to constantly refresh our lives. But we are not meant to simply rush into each new day, each precious moment. Instead, caring God, you invite us to pause before we move on.
BASF: Termite Bait Solutions
Flexibility is key when choosing the best termite service for your customers. BASF offers two baiting options that ensure you have the right solution for every job, along with complete freedom to operate – you maintain ownership of the equipment and the accounts. For homeowner accounts that prefer ultimate peace of mind, Trelona ATBS Annual Bait Stations are preloaded with the active ingredient before the stations are installed.
Predicting pest- or business-related trends in 2024
We asked Pest Management Professional’s columnists and editorial advisory board members share what they predict will be a pest-or business-related trend in 2024. Here are some of the experts’ responses from our November 2023 print edition. Please take a minute to answer our latest one-question poll on this topic and let us what you’re bring to the new year: Reader poll: What do you predict will be a pest- or business-related trend in 2024?
BASF: Termidor HE High-Efficiency Termiticide
Easy on you. Tough on termites. No matter how challenging the termites, Termidor HE High-Efficiency Termiticide from BASF is designed to reduce time and labor on every treatment. Its breakthrough molecular technology allows for shallow treatment depths, few drill holes and small trenches for each job. Termites cross through treated areas and transfer the solution to other termites in the colony through social interaction, leading to complete colony control in three months or less, the company says.
Insects Limited opens new facility in Indiana
Insects Limited opened its brand-new headquarters, named The Center for Stored Protection in Westfield, Ind. This state-of-the-art facility represents a milestone in the company’s commitment “to advancing the field of stored product protection through science, innovation, education and quality products,” according to the news release. The Center for Stored Product Protection is a hub for research, development and industry advancement.
Burt’s Termite & Pest Control celebrated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Columbus, Ind.-based Burt’s Termite & Pest Control celebrated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in “pink” fashion. Technicians wore pink booties and buttons to raise awareness of breast cancer and honor those who have been affected by this horrible disease. Burt’s Termite & Pest Control partnered with Shubee shoe covers and Buns and Beards Beauty Lounge, a local business, to support their annual Bash to Beat Cancer event.
Third annual Termite Academy held at Purdue
Pest management professionals (PMPs) from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and New Mexico gathered at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., for the third annual Termite Academy. The joint venture between the Indiana Pest Management Association (IPMA) and BASF brought attendees together for a full day of both classroom and field experience. The event was held at the Purdue Structural Pest Control Facility and featured different structural components that technicians may encounter in their work.
Peroxide cure study in HCR silicone
by Erick Sharp, Kylie Knipp and Doug Foster, ACE Laboratories The performance of different peroxides at varying levels in HCR silicone are comparatively evaluated in this article. Comparative measurables include crosslink density, rheology, physical properties, compression set and heat aging.
An IPM approach to preventing IMM infestations - Pest Management Professional
The Indianmeal moth (IMM) (Plodia interpunctella) is a common pest that infests stored food products worldwide (Kumar et al., 2017). This species is known for its distinctive gray color with two-toned wings as an adult and cream-colored body with brown heads as a larva (Stevens et al., 2018). These larvae can cause severe damage to stored food products by consuming them and contaminating them with their feces and webbing (Lacey et al., 2019).
Temporary Displacement: Reflections on Being Lost and Finding Purpose
By Doug Foster, Ministry Agent Coordinator. Have you ever been lost? I have on a few occasions, but the fact I can write this indicates that this lostness was not permanent. Instead of lost, I call it “temporarily displaced”. Jonah reminds us that we can be temporarily displaced from faithfully following God in one of two ways. Firstly, we can end up in the wrong place, either by choice or accident, far away from where God wants us to be. Just the other day, we were exploring parts of the city.
Franklin Pest Solutions sponsors 2023 Bug Bowl intern - Pest Management Professional
Franklin Pest Solutions sponsored 20-year-old Purdue University student Kayala Bliven as the 2023 Bug Bowl Intern, which was April 15 at Purdue University. A love of bugs is what draws people to Bug Bowl each year and Bliven fit the bill. After moving several times as part of a military family, Bliven realized she was fascinated by the insect world that also travels from place to place, season to season.
SenesTech: Elevate Bait System with ContraPest - Pest Management Professional
Designed for roof rats, the new Elevate Bait System with ContraPest can be deployed in elevated indoor spaces with multiple options for mounting in the rafters of barns, granaries, attics, lofts, and storage and manufacturing facilities. It can be used above ground wherever roof rats are feeding, transiting or hiding indoors.
Review your rodent knowledge - Pest Management Professional
Editor’s Note: Questions for this month’s test were contributed by Foster Brusca; Doug Foster; Pete Schopen; Mark Sheperdigian, BCE; and Mark VanderWerp, BCE. Want to know how you did? The answers are listed at the bottom of the page.
Bell Labs urges PMPs to take action on PID issue - Pest Management Professional
Madison, Wis.-based Bell Laboratories has issued the following news release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Proposed Interim Decision (PID) for rodenticides at the end of November, which is a general notice of their intention to make major adjustments to all registered rodenticides.
You lookin' for trouble? - Pest Management Professional
Are you lookin’ for trouble? Usually that phrase has a negative connotation with negative consequences. However, in pest management your answer should be a resounding “Yes!” It means you are busy solving problems. Whether you are a commercial, residential or termite technician, office staff or owner, you are a problem solver and should be proactive in “looking for trouble.” It’s easy to be an autopilot when checking 60-plus repeating mouse traps and 30 exterior bait stations.
Live coverage from the 87th Purdue Pest Management Conference - Pest Management Professional
Monday morning kicked off with an Indiana Pest Management Association (IPMA)-sponsored business workshop, hosted by Rose Pest Solutions’ Angie Persinger, PHR. The human resources manager for the Chicago, Ill.-based firm focused on “Retention, Recruitment and Diversity.” Look for more coverage of her presentation in an upcoming issue of Pest Management Professional.
Lessons to bring into the new year - Pest Management Professional
We asked Pest Management Professional’s columnists and editorial advisory board members share lessons they learned in 2022 to bring into the new year. Here are some of the experts’ responses from our January 2022 print edition. Please take a minute to answer our latest one-question poll on this topic and let us what you’re bring to the new year: Reader poll: What’s one lesson you’re taking from 2022 to 2023?
IPMA hosts business workshop on Dec. 15 - Pest Management Professional
The Indiana Pest Management Association (IPMA) recently held a business workshop in Indianapolis, Ind., on Dec. 15. The IPMA invited Pest Daily President Seth Garber and Schopen Pest Solutions Owner Pete Schopen to each speak on the complexities in growing a pest control business. Schopen is also the “Start-Up Diaries” columnist for Pest Management Professional. Twenty-three business owners from five states came for the four-and-a-half-hour presentation.
BASF: Relaunched consumer-facing websites - Pest Management Professional
The new and improved TermidorHome.com educates customers on the benefits of a Termidor liquid treatment, while the all-new TrelonaHome.com details the benefits of the Trelona ATBS termite baiting system. Both websites focus on three key topics: the threat of termite infestations and why termite control is needed; specifics about BASF treatment options; and the importance of hiring a pest management professional to protect their homes. TermidorHome.com and TrelonaHome.com
PMPs gather for 2nd Annual Termite Workshop - Pest Management Professional
Pest management professionals (PMPs) from Indiana, Michigan and Ohio met for the 2nd Annual Termite Workshop at the Hilton Garden Inn in Edinburgh, Ind. A joint venture between the Indiana Pest Management Association (IPMA) and BASF brought participants together for a classroom and “hands on” in the field learning experience. Vesaris was also a co-sponsor of the half day event.
IPMA Holds Second Annual Termite Workshop
Editor’s note: Tom Drapeau, president of Freedom Pest Control, Merrimac, Mass., reflects on this year’s PestVets Day of Service that took place in Boston, host city of NPMA PestWorld 2022. For the past few years at PestWorld, the annual industry meeting hosted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), part of the final day is dedicated to service projects. This year, NPMA’s PestVets Council chose the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV) as a group to support.
Arrow Exterminators Opens North Jacksonville Service Center.
ATLANTA – Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators recently opened a new office in Callahan, Florida to better serve the communities of Nassau County, including Fernandina, Hilliard, Jacksonville, and Yulee, FL. This new office will help accommodate recent growth and will provide career advancement opportunities for Arrow team members.
BASF: Termite Bait Solutions - Pest Management Professional
Flexibility is key when choosing the best termite service for your customers. BASF offers two powerful termite baiting options to ensure you have the right tools for every job. With Advance Termite Bait Stations (ATBS), the active ingredient is added only when termite activity is detected. Because of its station design, termites find the Advance stations fast.
IPMA appoints 2 to education committee - Pest Management Professional
Adam Mueller, of Summit City Pest Control, and Autumn Foster Powers, of Burt’s Termite & Pest Control, were recently appointed to the education committee of the Indiana Pest Management Association (IPMA). Mueller and Foster Powers will help plan and facilitate training workshops throughout the state in their roles on the committee. Mueller is president of Summit City Pest Control, based in Fort Wayne, Ind. The company offers general pest control as well as rodent, termite and bed bug control.
IPMA hosts 2022 Summer Meeting - Pest Management Professional
The Indiana Pest Management Association (IPMA) hosted its 2022 Summer Meeting from July 15-16 in Lafayette, Ind. IPMA kicked off the meeting with a golf tournament and attending an evening baseball game with the Lafayette Aviators. Pest management professionals (PMPs) from across the state gathered at the Holiday Inn – City Centre in Lafayette, Ind., for continuing education, dinner and auction to raise money for scholarship funds.
What’s your favorite ant inspection tip? - Pest Management Professional
We asked Pest Management Professional’s columnists and editorial advisory board members to tips for vacations for you and your employees. Here are some of the experts’ responses from our July 2022 print edition. Please take a minute to answer our latest one-question poll on this topic and let us know how you promote disinfecting and sanitizing services: Reader poll: What’s your favorite ant inspection tip?
Rose Pest named on 2021 Best list by The Detroit Free Press - Pest Management Professional
Rose Pest Solutions was named one of the Best of the Best by The Detroit Free Press two years in a row. The award celebrates the best metro Detroit, Mich., has to offer. Winners are determined by votes from Free Press readers, who selected their favorite companies in each category. Winners were announced on April 30 and were featured in the official Best of the Best special section of the Sunday Free Press on May 1.
5 practical tips for a new pest control business - Pest Management Professional
Did you recently start a new pest control business? If so, you are probably feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start or what to do, especially if you have been working as a technician without previous business experience. Here are five proven and practical tips to help you get started on the right path. 1. Be consistent in everything that you do. Consistency matters in all aspects of your business.
5 spring pest tips to share with customers - Pest Management Professional
PHOTO: APTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL People often jump into spring cleaning with the hope of creating mindful practices that will help them stay organized throughout the year. However, many overlook routines that will help them prevent a pest problem. With spring quickly approaching, Aptive Environmental has provided five spring-cleaning tips to help homeowners combat unwanted pests in their homes, which we have adapted for use for pest control firms in general.
AMGUARD creates American Innovators recognition program - Pest Management Professional
AMGUARD Environmental Technologies launched its American Innovators recognition program to recognize the work ethic of pest control, golf and landscape professionals. Throughout 2022, AMGUARD will invite pest control, golf and landscape professionals to nominate a peer through its American Innovators’ website.
ANECPLA presents guide to prevent pests through building design - Pest Management Professional
The Building Protection Working Group of ANECPLA presented the “Guide for prevention of pests through design in buildings” on Jan. 26. PHOTO: ANECPLA The Building Protection Working Group of ANECPLA, the National Association of Environmental Health Companies, presented the “Guide for prevention of pests through design in buildings,” which recommends considering pest management early in the design process.
How to make your clients noteworthy - Pest Management Professional
According to Chinese philosophers, “The palest ink is better than the best memory.” This shared secret from years ago is still relevant today, if not more so. One of the biggest challenges in pest control (or any customer service business) today is communication. It’s ironic that we have more forms of communication today at our fingertips, yet we still don’t use them effectively, or at all.
Pest control industry topics for 2022 - Pest Management Professional
We asked Pest Management Professional’s columnists and editorial advisory board members to share what will be the biggest pest control industry topics in 2022. Here are some of the experts’ responses from our December 2021 print edition. Please take a minute to answer our latest one-question poll on this topic and let us know how you promote disinfecting and sanitizing services: Reader poll: Industry topics for 2022.
The Importance Of Right-Sizing Innovations With Market Demands
Throughout my career, I have treaded across various industries. My life-long experience of working in the corporate, as well as the public sector, has taught me a great lesson: a lesson on how to bring value to the organization that you either own or you are working in. The formula lies in understanding the business. To understand the key value drivers for a business, one has to get into depths of it.
An Amazon Preserve
What immediately strikes a newcomer upon entering the forest is how noisy it is, and how dark, beneath the canopy. Late last summer, I found myself standing in a preserve, a few hours drive from Manaus, Brazil in "continuous forest" which stretches for hundreds of miles to the Venezuela border. Leaves as big as your head rained down steadily, creating overlapping layers of brown, red, purple, and gray across the forest floor.
The Future of Bonobos: An Animal Akin to Ourselves
Human tragedies often reverberate in unexpected ways, threatening environmental destruction and endangering other species. Consider the unfolding tragedy of the Congo, where continued fighting has caused the deaths of more than 1.7 million people in the past two years.
An Ant's Life | Alicia Patterson Foundation
Sunrise refracts over the Peloncillo Mountains, sending tendrils of light along the ground where biologist Deborah Gordon kneels in the dirt with an aspirator, sucking up dozens of ants. We're in the desert a few hours drive from Tucson, where Arizona meets New Mexico, a sandy intersection that has provided the material for Gordon's career-long quest to understand the social structure of this particular species of harvester ant, pogomyrmex barbatus.
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