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This article discusses the life and legacy of Austin Enos "Brick" Kness, the founder of Kness Manufacturing Co. and inventor of the Ketch-All Multiple Catch Mousetrap. Kness was born in 1889 and had a diverse range of jobs before settling down as a custodian at Audubon High School in Iowa. Frustrated with the time and labor involved in setting multiple traps, Kness invented the Ketch-All trap, which could capture multiple rodents without needing to be reset. The trap gained traction and Kness formed the Kness Manufacturing Co. to produce it. The company continues to produce the Ketch-All trap today, and Kness' family remains involved in the business. [Extracted from the article]

Dr. William Robinson, a renowned figure in the pest management industry, has dedicated 60 years to the field. Starting as a termite technician, he went on to earn a bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree in entomology. He conducted extensive research at Virginia Tech and published numerous papers on household and structural pests. Dr. Robinson also founded the International Conference on Urban Pests, which brings together professionals from around the world. He emphasizes the importance of pest control technicians and their problem-solving abilities. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the growth of Graduate Pest Solutions (GPS) under the leadership of Paul Olesuk and his mother, Brenda Olesuk. Topics include the company's balance between residential and commercial services, its shift towards greener pest control solutions due to regulatory and customer demand, and the challenges of offering both traditional and eco-friendly options.

The article focuses on the surge in bird control services in 2024, cautioning against overpromising and underpricing. Topics discussed include the growing demand for bird management services, success stories from industry leaders, and strategic approaches for effective bird control, emphasizing the importance of specialized training and separate business divisions.

The article offers information on how the pest control industry is utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) technology, with consumers and employees increasingly comfortable with IoT components in various devices. Topics include a virtual roundtable discussion with five suppliers—Bell Sensing Technologies (BST), CAS Dataloggers, Skyhawk, Woodstream, and WorkWave—on their incorporation of IoT into pest control products.

Loss prevention. Discrimination. Pollution liability. If these terms manage to simultaneously glaze your eyes over and send shivers down your spine, you're not alone. Many shops in this industry don't [...]

The article focuses on the most profitable pest categories in the 2025 State of the Industry survey, with ants, rodents, and wood-destroying organisms (WDO) continuing to lead. Topics include regional differences in ant species and their control challenges, the impact of mild winters on insect populations, and the ongoing public health threat posed by rodents like house mice and Norway rats.

All U Need Pest Control, founded in 2003, has grown into a successful enterprise with multiple locations in Florida and Texas. The company's success can be attributed to mentorship, adaptability, and a commitment to employee satisfaction. Steve Groeper, the founder, reached out to Sean Hearn and Kyle Selbach to help build the brand after deciding to buy a pest control company. All U Need Pest Control has experienced significant growth, with projected revenue of $21.7 million in 2024. The company prioritizes employee satisfaction, offering vesting opportunities and competitive pay. All U Need Pest Control aims to be the best in the field of general household pest and termite control. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the challenges of controlling bed bugs in non-sleeping areas such as movie theaters and other commercial environments, highlighting the difficulties posed by multiple layers of construction, odor interference, and the use of blowers that spread bed bugs, as well as the importance of thorough inspection, transparency, and collaboration with employees and management in effectively addressing infestations in these unconventional settings.

The article focuses on pest management professionals considering wildlife removal services, the challenges they may face, and the potential rewards of offering such services. The topics includes insights from industry professionals who have successfully integrated wildlife management into their pest control businesses.

The article examines the importance of retention, recruitment, and diversity in pest control firms, discussing strategies such as expanding the candidate pool, focusing on customer service skills, promoting inclusivity in branding, sponsoring outreach programs, and implementing ongoing training to create a welcoming and diverse workplace. It mentions the importance of addressing all aspects of diversity and standing up for employees in the face of mistreatment by customers.

The article discusses how becoming a franchisee can help professional pest management companies grow and highlights three franchising trends that are favorable for the industry, including a focus on environmentally conscious companies, valuing innovation, and embracing market disruptors. It also provides insights into the growth of the franchise industry in the U.S., with over 792,000 franchise establishments as of 2022.

The article discusses the risks and rewards of the lucrative pest control industry segment of bird control. It mentions the importance of proper safety precautions, personal protective equipment (PPE), and hygiene practices to protect technicians from diseases and pathogens, such as avian influenza, when treating facilities or residences that keep wild birds.

If you think a bed bug infestation can't happen to your property, think again. No matter how diligent you are with your maintenance and housekeeping responsibilities, any guest who walks [...]

The article offers information on Sprague Pest Solutions' environmentally-friendly service center in Denver, Colorado. The facility is equipped with solar panels on the roof, automated lighting and air systems, a state-of-the-art training room, multiple workspaces, and electric vehicle charging stations.

What's the biggest business headache facing jobbers -personnel issues? Is it the volume of product lines necessary to compete? Or is it the inevitable invasion of independents by chains? 'All [...]

On the retail side, counter staff must function as 'counselors' to customers, knowing what to suggest to help solve a problem. So says Kari Dettbarn, marketing coordinator for Uni-Select USA, [...]

Brian Tarnacki, the director of marketing for Federal-Mogul Corporation, which is based in Southfield, Mich., says the Brake and Front End program his company introduced last year has been a [...]

Loss prevention. Discrimination. Pollution liability. If these terms manage to simultaneously glaze your eyes over and send shivers down your spine, you're not alone. Many shops in this industry don't [...]

Carl Davidson, service manager of The Wagon Shop Foreign Car Repair & Parts in Bellevue, Wash., notes that the debate over proposed Right to Repair (R2R) legislation doesn't seem to [...]

In 2005, Jim Preussner, owner of Southwest Automotive in tiny Lemitar, N.M., saw the handwriting on the wall almost as soon as the AutoZone set up shop in nearby Socorro. [...]

Jeanine Butts oversees inventory control for Moosic, Pa.-based Cee-Kay Auto Supply. The holiday season usually is when she's most glued to her phone, trying to gather inventory for remote starters, [...]

On the retail side, savvy stores realize that the average walk-in customer is frazzled and wants an immediate end to his or her vehicle's performance problem. If you anticipate customers' [...]

With Internet access becoming as much a staple of the home s a TV or telephone, the aftermarket has turned its attention to harnessing the Web's potential for marketing and [...]

The article focuses on the first-ever National Urban Rat Summit held in New York City, where over 100 attendees discussed the public health challenges posed by Norway rats in urban areas.

The article focuses on Liphatech's rebranding strategy, which emphasizes their expertise in rodent control through experienced personnel and intelligent solutions. Topics include the company's commitment to integrated pest management (IPM), the depth of experience within their team, and their ongoing innovation in pest control products and services.

The article focuses on emerging trends in the pest control industry, as revealed by the 2025 State of the Industry survey, highlighting a shift toward diversification of services. Topics include the continued dominance of traditional pest management services like ant, rodent, and cockroach control, the growing popularity of services like termite management, and the increasing trend of companies offering additional services such as wildlife management, insulation installation.

The article focuses on the growth of the pest control industry in 2025, with companies planning increased budgets for equipment and materials. Topics include the rising demand for products like ant bait, strategies for expanding service coverage and response times through investments in vehicles and new services, and the importance of balancing budgetary expansion with operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

The article focuses on the diverse revenue projections within the pest management industry for 2025, as revealed by the 2025 PMP State of the Industry survey. Topics include the continued growth of the industry with 54 present of companies reporting revenue increases, the conservative approach of some firms due to economic uncertainty, and the emphasis on core business fundamentals like service, sales, and marketing to drive growth.

Judy Black, a retired pest management professional, reflects on her career in an interview. She discusses her decision to retire, the digitization of processes in the industry, and her pride in developing capable teams. Black also highlights the increasing presence of women in the pest control industry and the need for support for entomology departments in universities. She emphasizes the importance of people in the industry and attributes her success to hard work and seizing opportunities. [Extracted from the article]

A large part of the current fast-paced activity in the lodging industry stems from market segmentation, in which newcomers and old-timers are aggressively competing for an increasingly specific target clientele. [...]

Dominion Pest Control has found success in sponsoring demolition derbies at the Buck Motorsports Park & Entertainment Complex. By becoming the official pest control company of the Buck, Dominion Pest Control has gained new customers and increased employee morale. The company's sponsorship has led to increased visibility and positive word-of-mouth, with customers often mentioning that they learned about the company through their involvement with the derbies. This unique marketing strategy has proven to be a major boost for Dominion Pest Control. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the importance of thorough inspections for bed bugs, as emphasized by PMP Hall of Famer Paul Hardy's hospital experience, highlighting the necessity of looking beyond obvious areas to detect bed bug infestations.

Once upon a time, CSK Auto's wholesale arm, CSK Proshop, produced invoices the same way everyone else did: A multi-part order form was taken to the customer's doorstep, the customer [...]

John-John Auto Parts has come full circle. The Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., store was started in 1986 by the late Johnnie Ward and his son, John Michael Ward, who goes [...]

In his 18 years in business, Jeff Bacon has tried different marketing approaches for gaining new customers. His store's affiliation with NAPA Auto Parts has provided him with a variety [...]

Quincy Automotive isn't your typical auto parts store, mainly thanks to its third-generation owner, John Garth Elzea III. The eight-store NAPA wholesaler, based in Springfield, Ill., has a spirit of [...]

Seattle Automotive is committed to bringing value to its customers any way it can. This summer, the wholesaler/distributor showed its commitment in a big way--purchasing a Freightliner truck with a [...]

There is no denying the long-term benefits of global positioning systems (GPS) as a way of tracking vehicles, drivers and shipment contents. In a new report, 'North American Commercial Vehicle [...]

The article focuses on pest control industry has been combatting the ripple effect of COVID-19, inflation and a labor shortage. Topics include the cherish employees who have been exemplary, and to take the time to guide their career paths to benefit both them and your company, and the extend beyond comfort zones, and adapt and embrace new products and practices.

The article focuses on the recipe for cockroach management success varies in commercial accounts, although the basic ingredients remain the same. Topics discussed include Cockroach technicians should be able to both follow the product label to a T and think outside the box when it comes to placing monitoring devices, for example; and they should be able to identify species, even those that can be hard to distinguish, and know how to put together the best strategy for each situation.

The article discusses that Residential cancellations and commercial client business closings have become commonplace, but many pest management professionals (PMPs) also have seen opportunities with sanitization services, pest prevention programs and in some cases.

Heather Gooch Keeping insects and rodents out of the hotel is of utmost importance, but what about the hotel grounds? Somehow, there must be a balance struck between letting nature [...]

An interview with John Murphy, the CO2 development and implementation manager at Liphatech Inc., is presented, discussing the expansion of the IGI CO2 system's scope since its initial launch. Topics include the system's growing interest among pest management professionals (PMPs), its applications in various settings like school systems, zoos, and historical sites, and the training involved for PMPs to use the system effectively.

The article offers information on the Women in Pest Control (WIPC) organization, which has launched a public-facing Facebook group and announced the WIPC 2025 conference for March 6-7, with location and details to follow. Topics include a donation of vintage training manuals to Pi Chi Omega by Deni Naumann, which raised funds and a Mosquito Management Supplement featuring insights from Jeffrey Zeiber, ACE, on considerations for mosquito control services.

When Paul Bello goes to work, he is often dressed like the ice cream man: white shirt, white pants, white socks and white sneakers. But he's not in the business [...]