Since its inaugural event in 2003, The New York Pest Expo has grown in influence and scope to become one of the most significant events in pest management. Each edition continues to draw more attendees and exhibitors than ever before.

Today, the expo has become a true celebration of leading professionals enjoying a day of food, gifts, prizes, exhibits, training and special offers. It serves as a showcase of some of the most notable figures in pest management, and exhibits feature major product manufacturers and business support providers.

The 15th Anniversary Edition of the New York Pest Expo is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 10, 2017. This year, six of the foremost experts in the pest management industry will lead educational sessions on topics ranging from new ways to approach rodent control to understanding product formulations.

Catch an early preview of these sessions by reading on or following one of the links below.

• Pesticide Families, Modes of Action and Overcoming Resistance, presented by Dr. Reid Ipser of Nisus Corp.
• Filth Flies in the Commercial Arena, presented by David Nardolilli, BCE, of BASF Corp.
• Ant Management — Choosing the Right Formulation, presented by Dr. Faith Oi of University of Florida
• Rodent Control — Inside and Out, presented by James Rodriguez, ACE, of J.T. Eaton & Co.
• Cockroach Control — A Reality Check, presented by Dean Stanbridge of Direct Line Sales
• Bed Bugs and Other Persistent, Irritating, Hard-to-Kill Pests, presented by Lou Sorkin, BCE, of Entsult Associates

Pesticide Families, Modes of Action and Overcoming Resistance

Presented by Dr. Reid Ipser of Nisus Corp.

What is insecticide resistance and how does it impact our industry and the pest management professional (PMP)?

Resistance is a change in the response of a pest population that is reflected in the repeated failure of a product to achieve an expected level of control. Hence, resistance is repeated failure, which equates to callbacks, resulting in loss of revenue.

Service managers may recognize this as an onset of increased chemical use. One initial response is to repeat treatments more frequently with the same materials and use patterns. This behavior is called the “pesticide treadmill,” in which the technician treads — or applies product — down the same path, invariably compounding the resistance issue. However, there are now tools available that can guide one to use proper products with a proper use pattern.

The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) is one of those tools. IRAC has resistance management strategies for pest insects such as bed bugs, house flies, mosquitoes and cockroaches. In order to understand how to effectively apply relevant products, taking time to learn these strategies will decrease resistance and callbacks — and increase customer retention and revenue.

Dr. Reid Ipser is director of technical services at Nisus Corp. Ipser has more than 12 years of practical experience in the pest control industry and holds multiple degrees in Entomology, including a doctorate degree from the University of Georgia. 

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Filth Flies in the Commercial Arena

Presented by David Nardolilli, BCE, of BASF Corp.

There are many important factors to consider when aiming to prevent and correct filth fly infestations in commercial facilities.

Nardolilli will discuss biology and proper identification of both small and large filth flies. Once you identify your target, you can perform detailed inspections to uncover the conditions conducive to the breeding sites of various filth fly species.

Attendees will learn to create a comprehensive fly control program incorporating the components needed to monitor, treat and control these nuisance and disease carrying pests. Additionally, those in attendance will learn proactive measures that keep customers in control of their facilities.

Attendees also will learn how to increase revenue for their business while providing a valuable and important service to customers using these important tools:

1. Monitoring for flies.
2. Treatment of resting areas.
3. Knockdown of existing fly infestations.
4. Proper drain maintenance.
5. Strategic placement of insect light traps (ILTs).

The presentation will close with an overview of how your business can effectively communicate and sell the value of a fly control program to your customer. By breaking up the service into components, customers will understand that a fly program is more than simply installing an ILT.

David Nardolilli, BCE, began his award-winning career in pest management sales in 1983. He has worked at BASF since 2008 in numerous positions and is currently national key account manager for animal health.

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Ant Management — Choosing the Right Formulation

Presented by Dr. Faith Oi of University of Florida

Despite years of headline-grabbing attention by bed bugs and mosquitoes, ants seem to be the consistent No. 1 challenge for the pest control industry.

Why?

1. Ants can range in size from approximately 1/16 of an inch to 0.5 in.
2. Territories of ants can span a continent as is the case of super-colonies (think Argentine ants).
3. Colonies can range in number from 100s to millions or more.

Oftentimes, our customers describe their problems as “little black ants” or “sugar ants” that are “everywhere!” — which is not generally helpful to PMPs tasked with solving the problem. In addition to the inherent challenge of dealing with a pest that shifts and moves like an amoeba, there are a plethora products that contain “ants” on the label.

How is a PMP with good intentions to know which one to pick? What is the PMP’s strategy?

Knowing biology and behavior, as well as understanding how products work separately and in combination are of critical importance. It all starts with understanding product formulations.

Dr. Faith Oi is the director of Pest Management University, a hands-on training facility, and the director of the Florida School IPM program. She conducts applied research with graduate students to solve industry problems.

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Rodent Control — Inside and Out

Presented by James Rodriguez, ACE, of J.T. Eaton & Co.

Rodents continue to be very problematic, and the challenges they present are growing throughout the country, especially in large cities. We can blame this influx of rodents on a variety of factors: changing weather patterns, stressors in breeding cycles or the ban of second-generation anticoagulants, among others.

No matter the exact cause, the situation is not improving. Generation after generation of exterminators could be battling the same rodent families in the same cities with little luck of elimination, so, who’s winning the battle?

The goal of Rodriguez’s talk is to challenge conventional thinking and explore different ways the professional exterminator views rodent control, all in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.

Attendees will explore the challenges of endangered species and why these challenges are important to our industry’s future. They also will explore some of the devices now being used for inspection, locating rodent hot spots and discuss safety — not only for technicians, but for customers — taking integrated pest management to the next level.

James Rodriguez, ACE has 32 years of pest management experience and is currently technical director for J.T. Eaton, covering the Western U.S. He offers consultations on rodent and insect control to public and private entities and evaluates new and existing products for J.T. Eaton.

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Cockroach Control — A Reality Check

Presented by Dean Stanbridge of Direct Line Sales

Are you still waiting for the silver bullet? Do you jump at every new product to hit the market? When was the last time you felt your cockroach accounts were in great shape?

Our industry is driven by time, so we’re constantly trying to find ways to augment “at account” time while also maintaining control. This can be difficult in commercial accounts, including food courts, multi-tenant buildings and other high density environments. After 35 years of working on the “front line” of commercial pest management, little has changed in PMPs’ daily challenges. They’re still working in dirty, cluttered accounts with tight budgets.

The real challenge isn’t what we’ve done in the past, but what we need to do in the future. A client’s time and financial constraints won’t be relieved. No “improved” product is going to make a difference. Our brain has always been the most important item in our PMP toolbox. It’s paramount that we perform good investigations, choose the right product(s) and communicate control strategies to our client. Our future success will rely on us being better investigators and managers.

Strategic use of time and judicious use of products is our future. The goal of this presentation is to conduct a “reality check” in order to improve!

Dean Stanbridge is vice president & technical director for Direct Line Sales Corp., a leading Canadian supplier of pest management products, and has more than 30 years of pest management experience.

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Bed Bugs and Other Persistent, Irritating, Hard-to-Kill Pests

Presented by Lou Sorkin, BCE, of Entsult Associates

Bed bug infestations that start out small can easily increase to high numbers if all harborage areas have not been located. Is it something you’re missing? Is it a neighbor issue? Is the reservoir population next door, on another floor or somewhere else?

It’s important to speak with your client to understand the patterns of their everyday life. Are bed bugs being reintroduced after treatments? Continued bites? Skin lesions? Psychosomatic issues? There can multiple etiologies.

Pets? Could fleas and mites be the problem? Dermestid/carpet beetle issues? Stored product pests and other associated insects and mites? Investigations may require use of other tools such as canine detection or a fresh set of eyes.

Cockroaches, flies, beetles, moths and other pests can baffle the investigator. Correct identification is important and knowledge of their natural history and biology aid you in locating breeding sites. This session will enhance your knowledge about those multi-legged animals with exoskeletons. Sorkin also will review a few specific tools and equipment that will aid in your investigations.

Lou Sorkin, BCE, has provided entomological expertise to homeowners, businesses, associations and institutions since 1978. He works extensively with pest management companies to implement integrated pest management programs for their clients.

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Attend the 2017 New York Pest Expo

The 2017 New York Pest Expo is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT, Friday, Nov. 10, at the George Washington Bridge Doubletree Hotel. The New York Pest Expo serves as a showcase of some of the most notable figures in pest management and exhibits feature major product manufacturers and business support providers. The expo continues to thrive because it is always fresh and energized — a true celebration among friends!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your knowledge and elevate your professionalism.

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This page was produced by North Coast Media’s content marketing staff in collaboration with Bug Off Pest Control Center. NCM Content Marketing connects marketers to audiences and delivers industry trends, business tips and product information. The Pest Management Professional editorial staff did not create this content.

Photos: ©istock.com/LeoPatrizi; Bug Off Pest Control; Feature illustration: ©istock.com/Michael-Merck/eriksvoboda