News from GPCA

ATTENTION MEDIA: Please feel free to publish these press releases in your publication. For more information, contact GPCA at 800-465-9827. Professorship Established for Dr. Lund Foam Insulation May Void Termite Warranty (pdf file) (Feel free to download, copy and distribute this document to your customers) Suiter Wins 2007 Crown Leadership Award Commission Welcomes New Participant Guardians Provide for TwoTrain-the-Trainer Scholarships GPCA Participates in Light the Night Events Annual Termite Inspections a Must for Conscientious Homeowners GPCA Provides Easy, Inexpensive Way to Be Recertified GPCA Launches Buggateer’s Club Spring AND Pests are Just Around the Corner

January, 2008 Norcross, GA – Over 700 Georgia pest control company employees attended 2-1/2 days of intense workshops and presentations at the 2008 GPCA Winter Conference in Athens, GA January 8-10. Under the theme of “Industry Changes: Adaptation or Extinction,” the conference included presentations on school treatment programs, “green” movement, generic vs. branded products, loss of WDO inspections, mosquito control and more! Distinguished speakers included Dr. Jerome Goddard, Dr. Moray Anderson, Dr. Brian Forschler, Dr. Dan Suiter, Jim Chase, Rick Bell and many others. Participants could earn up to 15 credits toward recertification. “This is one of the largest conferences we’ve produced,” explains Executive Director Valera Jessee. “Our outstanding lineup of speakers and pertinent topics made for one of the most successful conferences as well.” GPCA honored Dr. Horace Lund, founder of the University of Georgia Entomology Department for his many works and contributions to the pest control industry in Georgia. Dean Scott Angle announced that the Lund Professorship in Entomology has been established. The Professorship will support the industry through enhanced and expanded research programs in structural and urban pest management. This partnership between GPCA and the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is enthusiastically endorsed by the Lund family, and ultimately will enable GPCA to more effectively address the critical issues facing the industry. Dr. Lund’s support of the pest control industry dates back to the 1950’s when he helped draft legislation establishing the Georgia Pest Control Act which required licensing of pest control operators and regulation of the profession. “We feel especially pleased to honor Dr. Lund’s many contributions to our industry with this professorship,” explains GPCA President, Cliff Nipper. October, 2007 COMMISSION WELCOMES NEW PARTICIPANT At the October Commission meeting, Dr. Brian Forschler was installed as the University of Georgia representative.  Dr. Dan Suiter had served for six years on the Commission when he stepped down in September 2007.  Dean Scott Angle advised that the University wanted to give all their urban faculty an opportunity to participate on the Commission – so it’s Dr. Forschler’s turn! Dr. Suiter had come to the Commission when Dr. Beverly Sparks moved to a new position as Associate Dean of the Cooperative Extension Service.  We truly appreciate the work that Dr. Suiter did while on the Commission.  He served both the industry and the research community well with his unbiased viewpoint and efforts to best serve the consumers of Georgia.  Welcome to Dr. Brian Forschler.  Dr. Forschler is respected throughout the United States as a leading urban entomologist with specific opinions and commitment to excellence.  We look forward to working with Dr. Forschler as a member of the Structural Pest Control Commission. October, 2007 The benefactors of the Georgia Pest Control Association  - the Guardians – are doing it again.  They are offering two scholarships to two deserving individuals to take the Train the Trainer Program.  At $475 per student, the class is worth every penny – but sometimes it is an expense that can not be managed on a small company budget. Here’s the criteria – TRAIN THE TRAINER Scholarship Criteria: Candidate’s company must have been a member of GPCA for a minimum of 3 years. Candidate must have a minimum of 5 years industry experience. Candidate must be employed in the industry with an organization with no more than 8 employees. Candidate must be willing to teach at least two one hour programs for GPCA within two years of becoming an approved trainer. If you are interested in applying for the scholarship, we are attaching a Train the Trainer application to this BugBytes.   Indicate that you are requesting consideration for scholarship on the application. Please submit your application no later than October 22.  The next class for Train the Trainer begins on Monday, November 12.  The group meets for four consecutive Mondays at the GPCA office for four hour sessions, finishing the program on December 3. June, 2007 Georgia Pest Control Association Launches 4th Leukemia/Lymphoma Fund Raising Campaign Norcross, GA – For the fifth year in a row, GPCA members have launched their fund raising campaign for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. Funds from a fall golf tournament & live auction and from individual companies participating in local Light the Night events make up the sizable contribution. GPCA has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for the society in the past three years. More than 118,000 cases of Leukemia, Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphoma and myeloma will be diagnosed in 2007. In 2006, 53,920 people died of blood cancers. “Leukemia or Lymphoma touch nearly every PMP in the state directly or indirectly. Everyone knows someone affected by these diseases,” explains Executive Director, Valera Jessee. “That’s why we selected this particular organization to support.” The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society provides dollars to help improve the quality of life for blood cancer patients and their families. Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma are blood cancers that cause the most cancer deaths in young men and women under 20. More than 480 researchers and projects in 15 countries on five continents are supported by the $33 million annually raised for the organization. The funds go to provide financial assistance to patients; to sponsor scientific conferences around the country, to produce educational materials and videos and to run dozens of Family Support Groups. In 2007, several community projects are planned in coordination with Leukemia & Lymphoma Association including the annual GPCA Charity Golf Tournament September 24 at the Reunion Golf Club in Braselton, Georgia. April, 2007 Annual Termite Inspections a Must for Conscientious Homeowners Norcross, GA -- Like tiny germs in your body, termites in your home can cause serious damage when undetected. Annual checkups with your doctor detect and prevent health problems before they become serious. So it makes sense that to maintain a healthy home, you must have annual checkups for termites by a professional pest management company. During the Spring, you may see what looks like flying ants swarming around your home. These may be damaging termites looking for a place to set up housekeeping. “Within days, termites can take up residence and begin damaging wooden structures like your home,” says Cliff Nipper of National Termite & Pest Control, “though it takes around four to six months for noticeable damage to occur. Pest Management professionals like us are trained to detect termite infestations before they cause noticeable damage.” Tom Buchanan, President of the Georgia Pest Control Association, believes that one of the most important pest preventive measures you can take is an annual termite inspection. During an annual termite inspection, a pest control professional will: 1. Thoroughly inspect all accessible areas of house, visually including sounding and probing of wood. 2.  Paying particular attention to all wood near grade level and to crawl and inspect all crawl spaces at close range. 3.  Determine areas conducive to infestation. (Earth to wood contacts, improper ventilation, roof and water leaks, etc.) 4.  Give recommendations to correct these conducive areas. 5.   Develop a treatment plan. To find a professional pest management company in Georgia, ask your friends and family who they are using for termite service and if they are satisfied with their service. Then go to www.gpca.org and click on “Find a Pest Control Company” and click on your region of the state on the map. Members of GPCA adhere to a strict set of standards of professionalism and meet or exceed the requirements imposed by the State of Georgia. Consumers and the media may call GPCA at 800-465-9827 for more information. End

April, 2007 GPCA Provides Easy, Inexpensive Way to Be Recertified Norcross, GA – As the April 30 deadline looms for technician recertification, GPCA has come to the rescue! The Association is offering six full-day seminars throughout the state for a member’s low price of $10 for a full day’s learning ($20 for non-GPCA members) – all before April 30! Many of the classes will offer IPM and PTX hours to satisfy state requirements. Credit has been applied for in SC, NC, AL, FL, TN in Category 31 and 35. "We’re calling these ‘Knock ‘em Out Conferences’ because it’s an opportunity to get six hours of credits in one day, for a very low price and located conveniently,” explains Valera Jessee, GPCA Executive Director. “We have a wide variety of speakers and topics, carefully selected for their speaking ability and the information they provide.” For a schedule of classes and specific speakers and topics, visit www.GPCA.org and click on the “Knock ‘em Out Conferences” button. To register, download the registration form from the website and fax or mail it in. GPCA is a full service association headquartered in the Atlanta area and can be reached at 800-465-9827. End

April, 2007 GPCA Launches Buggateer’s Club Norcross, GA – In an ongoing effort to educate the public about insects and professional pest control, the Georgia Pest Control Association has just introduced a new children’s program to the state’s public schools. Entitled, The Buggateer’s Club, the program was designed for Kindergarten through Second Grade and includes information and photos of insects and explains the role professional pest management plays in our health and safety. GPCA members Danny Nix of Arrow Exterminating, Eunice Hall of DowAgroScience, Jim Chase of Terminix, Robert Grizzard of T.Y. Gibson Pest Control and Julie Ramirez of Forsyth Exterminating wrote the program with Julie Ramirez providing title art work for the presentation. “We feel this type of program presents the message that the professional pest control industry protects the health and property of Georgia citizens,” explains Danny Nix of GPCA’s PR Committee. Schools interested in having the program presented contact GPCA who coordinates the program using members of GPCA to present the program. After the presentation, each child receives a coloring book provided by the GPCA Guardian program, a certificate and a spider ring. GPCA is a full service association headquartered in the Atlanta area and can be reached at 800-465-9827. End

March, 2007 Spring AND Pests are Just Around the Corner Spring is just around the corner and along with spring blossoms comes the threat of spring insect pests. Spring pests are not only annoying and aggravating, but they can actually cost significant money if not prevented. In fact, termites cause more damage in the US than hurricanes and fires combined. And scientists have proven that cockroaches carry hundreds of disease-causing pathogens on their bodies and can contribute to asthma in children. “There are many measures a homeowner can attempt to keep pests outside, but with the pests we see in Georgia, a professional pest management professional is the best defense against pests, especially termites!” explains Tom Buchanan of Allgood Pest Solutions and President of the Georgia Pest Control Association. “Addressing pest infestations accurately requires extensive knowledge of pest biology and habits. Since most people don’t want to look at an insect long enough to determine its species, it is important to enlist the help of a knowledgeable and qualified pest management professional.” The pest management industry in Georgia is highly regulated and requires extensive training and licensing of pest management professionals. As a result of the training required of all pest control companies, they have access to tools and techniques not available to consumers. The Georgia Pest Control Association recommends the following tips for selecting a reputable pest management professional. Ask friends, relatives and neighbors to recommend pest control companies they have used successfully and find out how satisfied they were with the service. Get bids from several pest control companies but don’t make your decision entirely on price. Watch out for the person who comes to your home uninvited and offers to inspect your home for pests for free. Buy value, not price. Beware of bargains that sound too good to be true. Look for a company whose judgment you trust. Before signing a contract, be sure to fully understand the nature of the pest infestation, the extent of the infestation, and what will be necessary to solve the problem. If a warranty is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing control, prevention and management are necessary. To find a reputable pest management professional, visit www.GPCA.org and click on “Find a Pest Control Company”.

All press releases written and distributed by Compelling  Communications.