By Mark "Shep" Sheperdigian of Rose Pest Solutions When phorid flies are coming from decaying matter somewhere in a kitchen or above ground, they are handled in the same manner and just as easily as any other small fly problem. When they are coming from under the slab, however, they present a significant challenge to [...]
By Elizabeth Johnson, Copesan Director of Marketing A common question when evaluating new employees is the comparative value of experience vs. knowledge. What does 10 years of PMP experience contribute compared to an entomology degree from a good college, for example? This Tech Talk column is a great example of the intersection of hard-earned industry [...]
Advice to Give Your Clients on Dealing with Overwintering Pests So, as the days got shorter and the weather turned cooler, some of the overwintering pests such as boxelder bugs, brown marmorated stink bugs, cluster flies, multi-colored Asian lady beetles (ladybugs) and kudzu bugs (presently found as far north as northern Virginia) invaded your customer’s [...]
Performing a bed bug canine inspection in many commercial settings can be quite different than inspecting homes and apartments. Commercial accounts also present unique challenges for which some dog/handler teams are not prepared. Some of these commercial settings include schools, hospitals, movie theaters, buses, train cars, police and ambulance vehicles, and more. If you have [...]
So, what is risk? Risk communication is the science of communicating effectively in situations that are highly sensitive or controversial. Risk communication principles serve to create an appropriate level of outrage in direct proportion to the level of risk or hazard. It is an interactive process of sharing knowledge and understanding, so as to arrive [...]
By Mark VanderWerp To view this article as it appeared in PCT magazine, click here. Advertising is all around us — billboards on the side of the road, commercials on television or manufacturers’ ads in PCT. They’re quick and catchy, attention-grabbing message delivery vehicles. Just like the “advertisement” coloring of a yellowjacket. Wait, what? You may [...]
By James E. Sargent, Ph.D. To view this article as it appeared in PCT magazine, please click here. Spiders are the No. 1 fear of many people. People are more upset about seeing spiders than seeing mice, birds, flies, cockroaches or other public health pests. Illogically, most humans fear that spiders will attack without provocation, sinking [...]
By Pat Hottel One of the many ways that insects survive cold weather is to hibernate in void spaces of structures. They migrate towards buildings in search of an ideal warm resting spot to spend the cold winter. Changes in daylight hours and cooler temperatures can trigger the insect’s indoor movements. Normally there is a [...]
By Keith Daniels To view this article as it appears in PCT online, please click here. In our industry, we are regularly reminded of the value of effective communication. But, in the field, how often do we think about our communication skills? In my 17 years in the pest management industry, working with large accounts with [...]
By David Sexton To view this article as it appeared in PCT online, click here. In the day-to-day life of a pest control technician, daily preparation and a clear focus are the keys to a safe and successful career. One of the fastest ways for the day to be ruined is for the technician to simply [...]