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International Pest Management
Association News
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Three Leading Scientific Societies Take an Objective Look at the Issues Associated with "Least Toxic Pesticides" Applied as a "Last Resort"
Three leading scientific societies, the Weed Science Society of America, the American Phytopathological Society and the Entomological Society of America, have issued a statement discussing the problem with setting public policy based on the use of "least toxic pesticides" and pesticides applied as a "last resort." In the view of NPMA, the use of both terms is problematic and reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of how best to manage risk. A copy of the societies' statement can be seen by clicking here.
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'The Pest Detectives' Hits Virtual Shelves
 The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) announced the release of its free eBook that teaches children about bugs, entomology and the pest management profession. The digital book, "The Pest Detectives," is written by Susan Carraretto, author of the popular mom blog 5MinutesforMom, and is illustrated by Colleen Madden.
"The Pest Detectives" follows the adventures of Millie, an 8-year-old budding-entomologist, as she solves real-life pest mysteries with her father, a pest professional. Readers can join Millie as she shares stories of past pest investigations logged in her scrapbook, and as she embarks on a new case to determine the secret behind Mrs. Romero's pest problem. Along the way, Millie educates readers on a variety of pests and offers prevention tips through colorful illustrations and stories.
"Members of our industry can all agree on the importance of teaching children about the fascinating world of insects and the vital role pest management professionals play in keeping our families and homes safe from the property and health risks posed by household pests," said Missy Henriksen, executive director, PPMA. "The Pest Detectives" is the latest addition to the growing library of educational resources available for consumers on Pestworld.org.
Author Susan Carraretto founded 5MinutesforMom, rated a Top Family Blog by the Wall Street Journal, with her twin sister Janice.
"Creating this eBook in partnership with the Professional Pest Management Alliance has been a wonderful experience," said Carraretto. "I wanted to write something my kids would enjoy reading and I love how the story and visualization of Millie came to life through the illustrations."
"Susan is an exceptionally strong writer who knows how to captivate her audience and we were really excited to work with her to share a glimpse of what a day in the life of a pest professional can entail," Henriksen added.
The eBook is available for free on the PPMA-funded NPMA consumer website, PestWorld.org, in the iBookstore and the Barnes and Noble Nook store. It is also available in the Amazon Kindle Store. Paperback versions of the eBook will soon be available for purchase at the NPMA Bugstore.
"PPMA Guardians and Contributors will all receive a complimentary version of the printed book and can post an exclusive web badge on their web sites offering the ebook to their visitors. We want to thank them for their investment that allows this important work to happen," said Henriksen. "Many investors have already expressed interest in using the printed versions of the book as leave behinds in school programs and in using the eBook badge on their company sites."
For more information about the eBook or about PPMA, please contact Missy Henriksen at mhenriksen@pestworld.org or visit NPMAPestworld.org/PPMA.
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Hantavirus Case Has Doctors Urging Better Hygiene
Thanh Nien News, November 23, 2012
Not all hantavirus infections lead to diseases and not all cases are fatal, said Dr. Tran Phu Manh Sieu, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Preventive Health Center. He was speaking to the media in the wake of a recent human infection in HCMC's District 3.
Sieu said people should not unnecessarily panic, but act swiftly to control rodents that can also spread several other diseases. Recently, the Pasteur Institute Ho Chi Minh City announced that it had found the potentially deadly hantavirus among rats caught near the house of the man who became infected with the virus and was successfully treated in October. Read more...
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Winnipeg Needs 'Total Picture' on Bed Bug Problem: Coun. Harvey Smith
Metro News, November 21, 2012
The City of Winnipeg's bed bug inspection program has a new "leading edge" protocol, said a City official. Peter de Graaf, Winnipeg's manager of community bylaw enforcement services, said that since May, which was the last time a bed bug report was provided to the protection and community services committee, a complete review was done of the City's inspection program.
"We've developed what I would suggest is a leading edge inspection protocol, we've enhanced it, we took a look at other jurisdictions and what they do," said de Graaf during Monday's meeting. "We also had industry experts from within Manitoba take a look at it and we've implemented a new bed bug inspection protocol that's very comprehensive." Read more...
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Are the "Ladies" Bugging You?
CTV News, November 2, 2012
 When ladybugs swarm in the fall they're looking for shelter in homes and outbuildings to hibernate during the coming winter months. Although the south side of trees and rotting logs are the natural habitat for hibernation, ladybugs often congregate on the south side of buildings and houses and are amazingly good at finding their way inside homes. But why are we seeing so many of them this fall?
They've been showing up in very large numbers because of the two rainstorms that swept the Maritimes. The first was in September and the second was the recent torrential rains that accompanied Sandy. If you think back, you probably noticed an abundance of ladybugs following the downpours. Read more...
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Weird Science: Dead Trees Hide New Bugs
St. Albert Gazette, October 27, 2012
An Alberta researcher has discovered seven new species of beetle by poking around in dead wood. University of Alberta master's student Charlene Wood revealed this week that she had discovered seven new species of beetle in northwestern Alberta by studying dead aspen trees. Deadwood houses thousands of species, Wood said, but has received little attention from scientists. As part of her conservation biology degree, Wood chose to study beetles in a forest about 170 kilometres north of Grande Prairie during 2007 and 2008. "Beetles are one of the most species-diverse animals known," she said, with about a million varieties thought to exist - only 350,000 of which have been identified. Read more...
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News from the Mideast & Africa
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Campaign Launched to Reduce Pesticide Poisoning
Gulf News, November 19, 2012
Dubai Municipality recently warned against the consequences of using pesticides in houses without the proper supervision of concerned authorities.
The announcement was made in the context of increasing pesticides poisoning cases reported in the emirate of Dubai recently to the Public Health Pest Control Section at Dubai Municipality.
Eng Hisham Abdul Rahman Al Yahya, Head of Public Health Pest Control Section, said that it is dangerous to use toxic pesticides and specifically Aluminium phosphide in homes for the control of bed bug, "When this pesticide comes in contact with warmth and moisture it releases a highly toxic phosphine gas."
The lack of awareness and misuse may result in poisoning or death. Read more...
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FCTA Bans Unregistered Private Fumigators
News 24 Nigeria, November 19, 2012
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says only registered private fumigators would be allowed to operate in the territory.
Mr Uche Agbanusi, Head of Environmental Health and Safety of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that only fumigators who had been duly registered by the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORACON) would be considered.
Agbanusi, who is also Deputy Director in AEPB, said the administration would no longer condone the proliferation of fumigation activities in the FCT. Read more...
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Fruit Flies Threaten Production, Exports
IPP Media, November 5, 2012
Tanzania earns about USD35m from exports of fruit and flowers annually, according to statistics from the Bank of Tanzania, but Bactrocera invadens, a destructive pest commonly referred to as the fruit fly, has been undermining their production.
With its origins in Asia, it was first found in Tanzania and Kenya in 2003 but the pest has since then rapidly spread to at least 24 countries in the region. This very pest may make oranges in the country face a ban from exports as did mango and avocados in the past. Read more...
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News from the Pacific Rim
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These Suckers Are Out of Control
The New Zealand Herald, October 30, 2012
 A big "explosion" over a year in bedbug infestations is being blamed on the hard-to-kill pests hitching rides to Auckland on increasing numbers of world travelers.
Although generally found in budget accommodation, the parasites are just as easily found in five-star hotels and, increasingly, homes.
"There has been quite an explosion," Bug King director Mark McDonald said.
"With the high turnover of people here, particularly in inner-city apartments and backpackers, the bedbugs are spreading quite rapidly. Read more...
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Invasion of the Mutant Super-Rat: Poison-Resistant Rodents Found in Henley
Daily Mail, November 19, 2012
With its pretty riverside location and the annual Royal Regatta, Henley-on-Thames has never had much trouble attracting visitors.
But the latest ones won't be welcome - the upmarket town in South Oxfordshire has been invaded by a plague of mutant 'super-rats'.
Carrying a poison-resistant gene, they have been found by researchers on farms and other properties around Henley after previously being identified in parts of Berkshire and Hampshire. Read more...
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Members Make the Headlines
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Del Valle Joins Bell Laboratories as Southern European Manager
 Arnaud Del Valle joined Bell Laboratories in October as Southern European Manager, representing Bell products to the professional pest control and animal agricultural markets in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey.
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Introducing the 2013 Pest Calendar!
Keep your company in front of your customers all year long by personalizing the 2013 Pest Calendar with your company information!
Click here for more information.
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Bugstore Product of the Month
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NPMA Field Guide to Structural Pests - Second Edition
 The Second Edition of the NPMA Field Guide to Structural Pests, a one of-a-kind reference manual, is the pest management industry's most valuable resource. This edition has been updated with additional regional pests, new high-resolution images, and the latest control procedures along with the same convenient binder and easy-to-use tabs with a ruler to measure pests on the spot.
Get this product for the low rate of $59.95!
Visit the Bugstore to place your order!
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2013 Lawn Care Summit
January 7-9
Florida Hotel & Conference Center
Orlando, FL
More Information
2013 Wildlife Expo
February 14-16
Harrah's Hotel & Casino - Tunica, Mississippi
More Information
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