Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Gregg Schumaker
Wildlife Control Supplies: InsectArmor Vent Screens
Wildlife Control Supplies (WCS) now offers Foundation Vent Screens with trademarked InsectArmor to keep out not only raccoons, squirrels, birds, and other critters, but also flies, wasps, bees, stink bugs and other insect pests. Made in the USA, these frames feature an adhesive foam mounting strip for easy temporary attachment during the installation process. In addition to the galvanized steel mesh, each style features 1.6-mm steel InsectArmor mesh for ultra-fine exclusion against small insects.
Strategic spending to be a theme for pest control companies in 2025
The pest control industry is poised for continued growth in 2025, with equipment and materials budgets increasing across the board. No respondents to Pest Management Professional’s (PMP’s) 2025 State of the Industry survey reported an upcoming budget that was less than that of 2024, compared to the 4 percent of survey respondents last year who reported lower budgets in 2024 over 2023. Overall, 90 percent reported their budgets would be up in 2025 over 2024, vs. 87 percent last year.
Vehicle monitoring technology puts safety first
We can all agree that drivers should be safe. No one wants to be in an accident and risk injury or even death, whether they are driving for their jobs or are in their personal vehicles. One difference between the two is that being involved in an accident while driving a company vehicle not only endangers the driver, it also jeopardizes a company on which so many employees and customers rely. You may believe companies with vehicle monitoring programs are invasive and overbearing.
Why 2025 may be the year to add new services to your operation
Generally speaking, the pest control industry has long held the belief that professionals should “find a need, fill a need.” When bed bug populations rebounded at the turn of the last century, for example, entire generations of technicians who had never seen a single specimen of Cimex lectularius suddenly found themselves studying the biology, behavior and control methods of the pest.
Tips to turn obstacles into opportunities at your business
Every business has its share of obstacles and opportunities, and pest control companies are no exception. Successful pest management professionals (PMPs) find a way to minimize setbacks. When our 2025 State of the Industry survey asked for the top obstacles expected in 2025, the answers reflected a change from our 2024 survey. The responses remained the same, but the order in which they were listed did not. Last year, the top obstacle was fuel costs; this year fuel ranked fourth.
Wildlife control requires advanced skills, tools and knowledge
Assisting home, business and property owners in resolving wildlife-human conflicts continues to be a growing industry. Many of your customers will oversimplify what wildlife professionals do, often believing that resolving such issues is easy. Educate customers on what you will be doing and why, and what to expect.
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.
J.T. Eaton: Answer Cage Coats
New Answer Cage Coats are reusable, weather-resistant covers for live traps available in black, green camouflage and forest camouflage. Two sizes are available: 465COV fits cages approximately 24 x 7 x 6 inches; 485COV fits cages approximately 31 x 11 x 13 inches. Made of heavy-duty polyester, the coats protect animals from the elements while blending in with the environment. An adjustable hook-and-loop self-fastener accommodates various live trap brands. Founded in 1932 by Jasper T.
Bird-X: Solar Mesh Kit
Offering customers a solar protection service can increase revenue and overall customer satisfaction. Now available in two sizes, the Bird-X Solar Mesh Kit excludes birds and rodents from underneath solar panels — protecting the electrical wiring and roof from damage, and reducing instances of costly repairs. The weather-resistant stainless steel mesh creates a physical barrier around the perimeter of the panel, effectively blocking all pest animals from entering.
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.
As the wheel turns
The respondents to Pest Management Professional’s (PMP’s) 2024 State of the Industry survey gave similar answers to all revenue- and profit-related questions as those who answered the year before. It seems the more things change — an election year, wild weather, an uncertain economy — the more things really stay the same. That doesn’t stop most company owners from hustling to make it an even better year than 2023, of course.
Home and pest-free for the holidays
This is the time of year when your clients start unpacking those old cardboard boxes full of seasonal decorations. To your clients, these boxes may contain cherished decorations such as natural wreaths, dried flower arrangements, and other preserved decor that honor family traditions or hold important holiday meanings. But to many pests, these boxes hold a lifetime supply of food and shelter.
Inclusivity is key to successful work culture
Fostering a family atmosphere within a growing company requires a strategic approach that prioritizes core values, strong leadership, open communication and employee development. By defining and communicating core values early on, companies establish a framework that guides employee behavior and maintains a sense of purpose as the organization expands. Equally critical is the role of leadership in exemplifying these values and nurturing a cohesive culture.
3 protocols for successful wildlife control
While it may not be difficult to catch the occasional wildlife pest, to do so consistently and still be profitable takes skill and discipline. Here are three proven protocols for success: 1. Know the basic biology and behavior of the animals you are trying to control. Diagnosing a wildlife problem begins with the initial phone call and your inspection starts. Question your client for clues that will help you identify the offenders and determine the equipment you will need. 2.
Fake cobwebs for Halloween threaten wildlife
With Halloween approaching, wildlife experts are warning people not to use fake cobwebs for outside decorations since it’s a hazard for birds, insects and other animals. The Nebraska Wildlife Education group is warning residents that fake spider webs can entangle hummingbirds, owls, butterflies, bees and small critters.
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.
3 questions to prepare you for your first hire
So, you’re ready to expand and hire that first employee. Good for you! If you are like me, taking this step is exciting and scary all at the same time. You’ve worked hard to get to this point, and a decision like this can be a bit overwhelming. Questions arise, such as: What if I can’t pay him or her? What if I don’t get enough business to sustain two incomes? What if my customers reject my choice? I’ve been there and done that.
Fly control: Knowing is half the battle
One of my favorite cartoons growing up was G.I. Joe. Not only was the show itself great, but each episode featured a public safety message that always closed with the catchphrase, “And knowing is half the battle!” I learned a lot from those safety lessons as a kid, but it was G.I. Joe’s signature catchphrase that turned out to have the greatest impact on me as an adult. I hear those six words echo through my mind every time I troubleshoot an infestation.
Tropical bed bug: Cimex hemipterus
In honor of the National Pest Management Association’s PestWorld 2023 conference and trade show taking place in Honolulu, Hawaii, let’s take a quick look at the tropical bed bug. It shares a genus with the common bed bug (C. lectularius), and its habits are similar as far as being a parasite of humans. In regions where both species exist — Hawaii included — they both may be present within an infestation.
Proactive approach to controlling birds
Successful bird control can be greatly enhanced by taking a proactive approach. Nuisance bird problems rarely solve themselves, and generally grow worse for your clients over time. Reducing or eliminating bird issues before they become serious will help your clients avoid liability, improve their work environment, and minimize any economic loss from increased labor and maintenance. Here are five helpful tips: To increase efficacy, include multiple techniques and strategies.
Wildlife Control Supplies: Soap in Seconds - Pest Management Professional
IMAGE: WILDLIFE CONTROL SUPPLIES To keep your hands clean wherever you are, use Soap in Seconds, a foaming hand soap that requires no rinsing and keeps your hands smelling fresh. Each can of Soap in Seconds provides up to 250 hand washes. Learn more about the science behind soap vs. hand sanitizer and see for yourself why Soap in Seconds is a better choice for keeping your hands clean on the go. ShopWCS.com
IN MEMORIAM: Alan Huot - Pest Management Professional
Wildlife Control Supplies President Alan Huot passed away on March 1 at 67 years old. He fought “a courageous & fierce battle with pancreatic cancer,” according to his obituary. He was born Oct. 31 in Manchester, Conn. According to his obituary, Huot “was a real people person, who was greatly loved by his family and many friends, old and new, close and around the world.
Plans to prevent geese from returning in the spring - Pest Management Professional
Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are creatures of habit and are philopatric, which means they tend to use the same nesting sites every year. Before they return to their preferred nesting area, you need to develop a plan to make the area less inviting to them. The time to develop a plan is well before the geese appear in the spring. Federal law protects Canada geese. It is illegal to harm geese, their eggs or their nests in the United States without permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Let’s toast a terrific team-building exercise - Pest Management Professional
Tired of trust falls? Weary of weird interactions when trying to build team unity? A few years back, Medina, Minn.-based Adam’s Pest Control decided to try something new to make its leadership team more close-knit during its annual strategic planning meeting. The 11 participants met at a local bar and broke into three teams. The three-member team was given a handicap to be on equal footing with the two four-member teams.
When you need help finding help - Pest Management Professional
Although clichés can be 100 percent accurate, they’re so overused that they tend to water down the impact of what’s said. So, when someone says, “You just can’t find good help anymore,” the listener automatically dismisses it and usually responds with yet another cliché, like “No one wants to work nowadays.” The conversation then tends to roll on about just how difficult it is to find workers, and often, no helpful direction is shared.
5 questions with Dominique Stumpf - Pest Management Professional
We caught up with National Pest Management Association (NPMA) CEO Dominique Stumpf, CAE, for an update on the activities of the association’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) Task Force. 1. The IDE Task Force was formed in September 2021. Why was it created, and what has it accomplished since it launched? The task force was created to assess the structural pest control industry’s IDE needs and work toward implementing solutions that improve the inclusivity of the pest control industry.
Using lasers to control birds - Pest Management Professional
Many bird control projects can be greatly enhanced with the proper use of professional lasers. Keep in mind, of course, that there is a big difference in using professional equipment and procedures vs. lasers not specifically designed for birds and using them haphazardly. Once you find the right laser for the situation, consider these tips: If you can, install automated lasers before birds are causing damage or nesting. Move your laser steadily, about the pace of a fast-walking human.
I spy a termite - Pest Management Professional
An inspection for wood-destroying insects may uncover infestations and damage like this found on the second floor of a home. PHOTO: GREG BAUMANN Pest Management Professional magazine (PMP): Today, we are speaking with a mole of one of the species considered to be “native subterranean termites” in America; the other species being R. hesperus, R. tibialis, R. virginicus and R. hageni.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Gregg
Contact Gregg, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack