A-Academy Termite & Pest Control

Jun 14, 2022

Wilson Book Giveaway Bob Gilbert, training manager at Blue Sky Pest Control, wins a copy of Naturalist: A Graphic Adaptation. GILBERT, Ariz. — Bob Gilbert, staff entomologist at Blue Sky Pest Control , Gilbert, Ariz., was announced as the winner of PCT’s recent giveaway of E.O. Gilbert has extensive experience in his field, as he studied environmental forest biology at Syracuse University and later received a master's in entomology from Clemson University. As staff entomologist, Gilbert oversees the training of new technicians, introducing them to standard operating procedures and teaching classes on topics such as rodent identification. Gilbert says he is thrilled to receive this book and add it to his collection of other E.O. Wilson works, including the renowned Ants. Gilbert says he admires Wilson for his groundbreaking research, his thoroughness of investigation and his ability to make the information comprehensible to the average person. To learn more about Wilson, read PCT’s examination of his life from our April issue: PCT Magazine - April 2022 - E.O. Wilson: A Field Biologist at Heart. Description: Pest control marketing involves much more than coming up with an eye-popping logo and/or catchy slogan. It includes thorough research and planning to develop a strategy for best reaching potential customers. Add to the mix the numerous sales/marketing outlets available in the digital age, the task of developing a successful marketing strategy can seem daunting. In the “Misconceptions Around Marketing” webinar, sponsored by FieldRoutes, one the pest control industry’s leading marketers, Hal Coleman, a former PCO, will share his experience with what does – and doesn’t – work when it comes to pest control marketing. A humorous and provocative speaker, Coleman will share tips for helping you get your business on a faster growth track without spending a fortune on SEO and advertising. HARTFORD, Conn.—The Connecticut Department of Public Health announced on June 7 that a Connecticut resident has tested positive for Powassan virus infection (POWV). This is the second case of POWV associated illness identified in Connecticut in 2022. From 2017 to 2021, 12 cases of POWV associated illness were reported in Connecticut, including three in 2021. Of those 12 cases between 2017 and 2021, two were fatal. This second case of 2022 is the first fatality from POWV this year. The female patient—age 90 to 99—lived in New London County and became ill in early May. The patient was admitted to a local hospital with fever, altered mental status, headache, chills, rigors, chest pain and nausea. The patient’s condition worsened, and she became unresponsive over the next two weeks. The patient died on May 17. The patient did have a known tick bite which was removed two weeks prior to the onset of symptoms. Laboratory tests performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory in Ft. Collins, CO, confirmed the presence of antibodies to POWV. The first patient diagnosed with POWV this year was a male—age 50 to 59—and a resident of Windham County who became ill in late March. The patient was hospitalized with a central nervous system disease and had a known tick bite. The patient was discharged from the hospital and recovered at home. ORLANDO – Representatives from 38 of this year’s PCT Top 100 companies took time out of their schedules to reflect on this past year’s successes at the PCT Top 100 Awards Ceremony and Industry Summit, held this week in Orlando and sponsored by Syngenta. PCT Publisher Jodi Dorsch noted that the last time PCT honored Top 100 companies at an in-person event was 2018, and “comparing this year’s list and event to 2018 is not even like comparing apples and oranges. It’s like comparing apples and Jupiter. So much has happened in the past four years.” For example, in 2019 nine companies were acquired from the prior year. From 2019 to 2020, 10 companies were purchased. From 2020 to 2021, seven companies were purchased. In this year’s issue, only one company was purchased from last year’s list to this year’s. Dorsch then presented plaques to Top 100 companies and provided brief overviews of each firm, including company history/milestones; recent accomplishments; employee achievements; fun facts; and more. In addition to the awards ceremony, the two-day event included: • A fireside chat between Dorsch and Dave Fisher, senior vice president, Rentokil North America. Fisher provided insights into Rentokil Initial’s pending acquisition of Terminix, the largest merger in the history of the pest control industry. Fisher said the merger makes sense for Rentokil on multiple levels. “The [Terminix] business has a really strong brand and strong recognition. And we are happy with the systems they have in place and where they are going,” he said. “From our perspective, Terminix has one of the strongest residential brands and that is something Rentokil can really benefit from. That combined with Rentokil's focus on the commercial brand and global market, makes it a really good partnership opportunity. It certainly gives us the opportunity to scale and reach markets all throughout the country and, in some places, throughout the globe.”  The question Fisher said he most often receives is about branding. Fisher said the process for rebranding Rentokil-Terminix will include working with 3rd party input, thinking strategically about different services they provide (commercial, residential and termite) and being respectful of existing Rentokil brands (e.g., Ehrlich Pest Control, Presto-X, Western Exterminator, Florida Pest Control, etc.). • Communication expert Dave Mitchell gave the keynote presentation on “The Power of Understanding People.” Mitchell said people fall into 1 of 4 styles: Romantics (value relationships); Warriors (value results); Experts (value consistency); and Masterminds (value innovation). As a leader your job is to understand and adapt to each of your employees' styles. • At the session “Why Diversity Is Good for Your Business,” Brandon Bell, diversity and inclusion lead at Syngenta North America, encouraged company leaders to ask themselves: “I wonder if how I show up, how I lead, how I manage, impacts the innovation [my team is] bringing to the table? Have I really created that space?” His session focused on why having a diversified workforce is not only beneficial but crucial to a company’s success. Bell provided attendees with actionable steps to foster a more inclusive workplace as leaders, such as withholding judgement when interacting with diverse teammates, being transparent and consistent when making decisions, encouraging feedback from employees in the decision-making process and being open to seeing the world through the lens of others when conversing with them. Bell then moderated a panel discussion on diversity, equity and inclusion, during which speakers Kevin Burns, chief development officer, Arrow Exterminators; Dr. Hamilton Allen, Florida Region technical director, HomeTeam Pest Defense; and Aly Silva Mulgrew, director of innovation and support services, Plunkett’s Pest Control; discussed action steps their companies are taking to implement DE&I. Being open-minded and fostering candid conversations with employees can go a long way in creating a more inclusive workplace, the speakers said. As Burns reminded attendees, educating yourself about diversity and inclusion is an ongoing journey, and “you’re never really going to get to the end in learning.” Silva Mulgrew challenged leaders to venture outside their comfort zones daily. “It’s human nature sometimes to want to choose the easy path,” she said. “For example, if I go into a room, I’m going to gravitate to the people I know. But sometimes it’s actually better as a leader at an organization to gravitate toward the people that I don’t know. And that’s where it takes work. … I think that’s where, as leaders, we can shine, is making the choice every day to just, in one conversation or one meeting, doing something different that what we naturally do, because we will always naturally choose the easy and comfortable.” • A panel discussion moderated by PCT’s Brad Harbison on “Why Philanthropy Matters” included Bill Hoffman, owner of Hoffman’s Exterminating, Maple Shade, N.J.; Scarlett Nolen, president of Truly Nolen of America; and Bobby Jenkins, president of ABC Home & Commercial Services, Austin, Texas. While most people think of the impact charity work has on those who receive it, what it means to employees is huge. Hoffman provided the example of a quiet intern at his company who flourished when he donned the Hoffman bumblebee mascot costume and brought joy to a child with autism. Nolen said one of the best things that companies of any size can do to give back to the community is to be involved with schools. She recently participated in a career day and team members are encouraged to give “good bug, bad bug” presentations at schools. “It really shows our perspective about who we are as an industry, what we really stand for, and the impact to the environment that we have when we engage with the schools.” Jenkins said he thinks of a business philanthropy as a win-win-win proposition: good for the charity, good for employees and good for business. The impact of employees being involved in philanthropy cannot be overstated, he said. “When we go do something together, the team becomes that much tighter. And that culture that's been talked about so much…when you're able to build a culture where people are doing something other than their job together. Now, now we're now striking a core. Now we're doing something important.” • Tony Massey, president and CEO of Massey Services, Inc., served as ambassador to PCT Top 100 event host city Orlando. Massey noted that despite the city's reputation as a tourist destination roughly 2/3 of its residents work in life sciences, health care, innovative technologies and consumer services (e.g., pest control). A-Academy Termite & Pest Control has been in business for more than 40 years. Their unique mix of pest control, handyman services, and animal control has made them one of the top pest control companies in the area They are a commercial and residential pest control company with customers in central and southern New Jersey. The acquisition will enable both companies to broaden their service areas. It will also allow them to retain the family feel of a neighborhood provider but with the perks of a larger company with more resources behind it. Regional Manager, Pat Porcella, said, “Acquiring A-Academy Termite & Pest Control is definitely a great thing for the company, but even more so for their customers. We are happy to be able to bring the customers at A-Academy the service they have come to expect – plus the rest of the services Western offers. It’s definitely a win for everyone.”   Western Pest Services was drawn to A-Academy because of their fast, dependable, and honest pest control services as well as their extended list of services. That along with their customer-first approach made them the right fit for an acquisition. Western is proud to welcome A-Academy into its portfolio of companies and looks forward to continuing to bring their customers the level of service they have come to expect.