Rugged and field-serviceable, the patented sprayer features a cast aluminum body, stainless steel components, Viton O-rings and 0.25-inch National Pipe Thread (NPT) fittings.

About dos Pistolos

The dos Pistolos sprayer started with founder Kenny Crenshaw’s desire to replace the Right of Way herbicide application standard tool, the rollover nozzle, with a simpler and more effective sprayer. With Crenshaw’s 40 years of application experience in all types of commercial, residential and industrial settings, he went to work developing the dos Pistolos double-barreled sprayer. The result is from four years of experimenting, prototyping and field testing, designed to be simple, rugged, lightweight and versatile.

dosPistolos.com

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WorkWave AMPLIFY 2027 is expected to bring together more than 1,000 forward-thinking attendees for three powerhouse days of immersive learning, technology insights and more than 70 focused sessions. The event will feature operational expertise, data insights and technology solutions for field service organizations.

Event highlights

• AI and innovation. Get an exclusive first look at new tools and product announcements that are redefining how the pest, green, cleaning and security sectors leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for growth.
• High-value, role-specific learning paths. Explore practical strategies for tackling operational bottlenecks and common industry challenges, from labor constraints and rising costs to business scaling.
• Peer-to-peer learning. Join customer-led sessions focused on real-world business wins, practical lessons and strategies that have supported growth.
• Complimentary product boot camps: Kick off the experience on Sunday, Jan. 31, with intensive, focused product training led by software experts to help attendees build product mastery before the main event begins.

“As our customers continue to push boundaries and scale new ways to grow, we’ve transformed our flagship event to match their ambition,” WorkWave CEO Kevin Kemmerer said in a news release. “Next year’s conference is focused entirely on helping you amplify what matters most: your growth, your impact and your ultimate results.”

Learn more and register online at WorkWave.com/amplify27.

About WorkWave

WorkWave is on a mission to “deliver innovative software and fintech solutions to the dedicated service professionals who ensure the world remains safe, clean and beautiful.” Powering millions of services every year, leading companies in lawn care, pest control, commercial cleaning and security guarding rely on WorkWave’s comprehensive software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, including its core offerings PestPac, RealGreen & TEAM Software, to manage and grow their businesses. Backed by decades of experience, passionate teams and an unwavering commitment to its customers, WorkWave’s vision is to empower the world’s mobile service workers to build a brighter future.

<p>The post Registration opens for 2027 WorkWave user conference first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

“This acquisition represents another exciting step in Aruza’s growth strategy,” Aruza CEO Joshua Langdon said in a news release. “Core Pest Solutions has earned an outstanding reputation in the Charleston market by putting customers first and building lasting relationships. Those values closely align with our own. We’re excited to welcome their customers and team members to Aruza and look forward to continuing the high level of service they have come to expect while introducing expanded service offerings.”

“We’re proud of what our team has built over the years,” Core CEO Tyler Roskelley said in the release. “Finding the right long-term partner was incredibly important to us. Aruza shares our commitment to customer care, employee development, and operational excellence, making them the ideal organization to continue serving our customers and providing new opportunities for our employees.”

The acquisition also reflects the continued investment and strategic support of Concentric Equity Partners, Aruza’s investment partner based in Chicago, Ill.

“At Concentric Equity Partners, we seek to partner with exceptional management teams that prioritize people, culture and long-term value creation,” Concentric Operating Partner Rob Swartz said in the release. “This acquisition represents another important milestone in Aruza’s strategic growth across the Southeast.

The acquisition supports Aruza’s long-term strategy of growing through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions of respected pest management companies that share its commitment to customer service, employee development, and core values.

Customers transitioning from Core Pest Solutions will continue receiving professional pest control services with access to Aruza’s comprehensive residential pest management programs, including Aruza 360°, Aruza 360° Plus, termite protection, mosquito reduction, rodent control, crawlspace solutions, insulation services and other home protection offerings.

About Aruza Pest Control

Founded in 2016, Aruza Pest Control offers comprehensive services in North and South Carolina, Florida and Texas. Built on a foundation of five Core Values — accountability, integrity, humility, kindness and gratitude — Aruza’s commitment to exceptional customer service and innovative pest management solutions has earned it recognition, including being named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies.

About Concentric Equity Partners

Concentric Equity Partners is a private investment firm that partners with leading middle-market companies by providing capital and strategic advisory to accelerate long term value creation. Concentric’s approach is simple: Support entrepreneurs and operators by providing the resources required to achieve extraordinary results. The firm’s investment team is made up of individuals with distinguished track records as operators and professional investors across a variety of growth oriented middle market companies.

Concentric Equity Partners is the direct investing arm of Financial Investments Corp., a private asset management firm and family office with over $2 billion in investment commitments under management. Financial Investments Corp.was founded in 1994 by father and daughter Harrison and Jennifer Steans and has been partnering with private companies for more than 25 years.

<p>The post Aruza expands in Charleston, S.C. first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

Arrow is led by President and COO Tim Pollard, CEO Emily Thomas Kendrick, and Chairman Joe Thomas, a Pest Management Professional Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2009). The company was founded in 1964 by industry veteran Starkey Thomas and his wife, Jean. Since acquiring its first company in 1988, Arrow has grown by partnering with pest control businesses that share its values and dedication to quality. Today, it stands as the largest family-owned pest and termite control company in the United States.

Arrow offers a full range of services, including pest control, termite protection, mosquito prevention, wildlife control and exclusion, handyman work, insulation services and new construction treatments. These services are available for both residential and commercial customers.

As a third-generation family business, Arrow respects the time and effort it takes to build a successful pest management company. The team understands the importance of creating strong foundations for lasting partnerships and works closely with acquisition partners to ensure a smooth transition for both customers and employees.

Whether you’re ready to sell or just exploring options, email mergers@arrowexterminators.com or visit online.

ArrowExterminators.com/mergers

<p>The post Arrow Exterminators: Merger Opportunities first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

RewardsPass allows pest control, lawn care, cleaning and other home service businesses to create branded Apple Wallet and Google Wallet passes that customers can save to their digital wallets. Each pass can include a referral QR code, referral link, reward details, customer balance, booking links, promotions, VIP perks, contact information and other program details.

The biggest advantage to RewardsPass, according to the Clicki team, is permanence. Once installed, the business earns a lasting place inside the same digital wallet customers already use for boarding passes, credit cards, event tickets and other everyday items. Instead of asking customers to remember a link, search through old emails or download another app, RewardsPass gives them a branded referral and rewards hub that stays with them at all times.

For service companies, this makes referrals easier to remember, share and track.

“Most pest control and home service companies already earn referrals through great service, but the referral process is usually too manual, too forgettable, or too hard for the customer to act on,” Kendall Hines, co-founder and CEO of Clicki Referrals, said in a news release. “RewardsPass puts the referral program right inside the customer’s digital wallet, next to the things they already use every day. No app download. No messy tracking. Just a simpler way to activate the customers who already love your business.”

RewardsPass also creates a new communication pathway after the pass is installed. Businesses can use wallet-based push notifications to keep referral offers, seasonal promotions, rewards, booking reminders and customer campaigns top of mind. This gives businesses another way to stay visible without relying only on email, text messages, paid ads or social media algorithms.

RewardsPass connects with Clicki’s referral tracking and payout system, allowing businesses to manage referral offers, customer rewards, campaign performance and payouts from one platform. Companies can send customers a branded RewardsPass through SMS, email, QR code or post-service follow-up, making it easy to introduce the program immediately after a completed service visit.

Once saved, RewardsPass gives customers a persistent, mobile-first way to refer a friend at the exact moment someone asks for a recommendation. The pass is always with them, sitting directly in their digital wallet, which makes the referral experience faster and more natural for the customer while giving the business a repeatable system for turning customer goodwill into measurable growth.

“Referral programs should not live in a forgotten email or on a buried landing page,” Hines said. “They should be with the customer all the time, ready the moment someone asks, ‘Who do you use?’ That is the future we are building with RewardsPass.”

About Clicki Referrals

Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., Clicki Referrals is a referral automation platform built for service businesses. The platform helps companies automate referral tracking, reward payouts, customer engagement, employee incentives, partner programs and campaign management. Clicki works with home service businesses across pest control, lawn care, cleaning and other appointment-based industries.

JoinClicki.com

<p>The post Clicki Referrals: RewardsPass first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

The Restaurant Pest Risk Index analyzed major U.S. cities to identify where restaurant environments may create the most favorable conditions for pest-related concerns and hygiene complaints. Results are based on restaurant density per square mile, average humidity level, and Tripadvisor reviews mentioning terms such as “dirty,” “bugs” and “pests.”

“Restaurant hygiene concerns can have a huge impact on customer trust, particularly now that online reviews and social media make dining experiences more visible than ever before,” said Excel Pest Services’ General Manager Nick Ferrante Jr., ACE.

Seattle, Wash., ranked first on the Restaurant Pest Risk Index, performing highly across humidity levels, restaurant density, pest-related review complaints and restaurant pest-related search behavior. The city recorded one of the highest humidity levels in the study at 80.5 percent, while also maintaining more than 36 restaurants per square mile.

Grand Rapids, Mich., ranked second despite having a smaller hospitality footprint than many of the larger cities included within the study. The city recorded high humidity levels alongside relatively strong levels of Tripadvisor reviews mentioning hygiene and pest-related concerns.

Miami, Fla., was third and recorded by far the highest restaurant density in the entire study, with more than 125 restaurants per square mile. The city also recorded one of the highest percentages of Tripadvisor reviews mentioning terms such as “dirty,” “bugs” or “pests.”

“What’s particularly interesting about the findings is that the cities ranking highly aren’t just those with large restaurant scenes, they’re the locations where climate conditions, hospitality density, and customer-reported concerns all overlap,” Ferrante said. “Warm, humid environments combined with busy food establishments can create conditions that are more favorable for pest activity if preventive measures aren’t maintained consistently.”

Las Vegas, Nev., placed 81st despite recording one of the highest restaurant densities in the study, with more than 37 restaurants per square mile. However, the city also recorded the lowest humidity levels analyzed at just 34 percent, which may help explain its comparatively lower overall ranking.

Click here see the full Restaurant Pest Risk Index results.

“In cities where restaurants operate continuously throughout the year, maintaining preventive pest control becomes even more important,” Ferrante said. “High customer turnover, food handling, shared infrastructure and warmer conditions can all increase vulnerability if issues aren’t addressed early.”

About Excel Pest Services

Excel Pest Services is a family-owned pest control company based in River Edge, N.J. Founded in 1991, the company provides residential and commercial pest management across New Jersey and South Florida. It uses environmentally responsible and integrated pest management (IPM) practices to safely eliminate common pests and offers free quotes, same-day service and military discounts.

<p>The post Excel Pest Services ranks cities vulnerable to restaurant pest problems first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

“Encouraging pollinator health and working to stave off further decline is so important to our future,” Janelle Iaccino, Rose’s marketing director, said in a news release. “We can’t really live without them since they are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we eat. We are on a mission to educate everyone about the importance of pollinators and what we can all do to protect them. When we reach and teach children, they grow up knowing the importance of our pollinator friends and can help make a difference.”

Depending on the time of day, The Enchanted Garden will draw such pollinators as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds and even bats at night. These pollinators transfer pollen between blooming flowers, allowing plants to fertilize and grow fruit. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), without them, more than 35 percent of the world’s food crops and 80 percent of all flowering plants would not survive.

Garden perennial plants focus on native plants that bloom continuously from spring to fall. The flowers serve as nectar guides, with various patterns visible to pollinators that draw them directly to nectar and pollen. There will be a beautiful array of oranges, yellows, reds, purples and more, all planted to highlight their unique colors and textures. However, Iaccino said, plants were chosen for their attractiveness to pollinators, not necessarily for their colors.

“We get a lot of questions about what to do when planting a pollinator garden,” she added. “We tell people it’s important to choose similar colors clustered together, because when there’s a larger patch of it, pollinators are more likely to go to it.”

Iaccino joined Rose President Curtis Rand, along with Dr. Stan Cope, PHE, Rose director of technical services, and Kevin Cadwalder, Rose Rockford branch manager, for the garden’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 4.

About Rose Pest Solutions

Since 1860, Rose Pest Solutions has been trusted in the Midwest to keep homes and businesses free from insects, rodents and more. Using cutting-edge technology, environmentally friendly methods and personalized unique solutions, Rose and its sister company Franklin Pest Solutions are dedicated to creating and maintaining healthier living environments.

Founded in 1860 and owned by the Dold family, Rose Pest Solutions serves communities in all of Chicagoland, the Greater Milwaukee area, the Greater Rockford region and South-Central Wisconsin. Franklin Pest Solutions serves Indiana, Southwest Michigan and Kentucky. The company boasts three Pest Management Professional magazine Hall of Fame honorees: Company founder Solomon Rose (Class of 2001) and longtime leaders Bob and Judy Dold (Class of 2002).

<p>The post Rose funds pollinator garden at local museum first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

1. Ritzy rats. Why would a wealthy, upscale neighborhood zoned with 5-acre plots have noticeable problems with Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)? The answer lay beyond the property lines: Riding stables and private horse barns were the initial source, even from a mile away.
2. Into the void. In a large high-rise and high-end department store, it took hiring a third pest control company to locate the source of a severe house mouse (Mus musculus) problem. Unlike the previous companies, this team opened walls and floors and found a huge, enclosed void space that was a mouse haven. The current store personnel and owner had no idea the space existed; it was created by a remodel of the building many years before. 
3. Fire ant follies, Part I. In southern Florida, I observed a pest control firm lose accounts because customers complained the technicians were not putting out enough bait. The technicians were doing everything right, except that before the mice had a chance to find the bait in rodent bait stations (RBS), it was being devoured by fire ants (Solenopsis spp.). Many of today’s RBS feature sensors that would alert the team to a hit, but at the time, RBS inspections were on a scheduled visit basis only. We implemented a fire ant control program right away, which led to the rodent control program functioning as intended.
4. Fire ant follies, Part II. In another instance in “fire ant country,” I couldn’t figure out how the bait was going so fast in the attic, with no slowdown in mouse activity. I decided to place a few snap traps baited with dog food and waited 25 minutes. When I went back, hundreds of fire ants were on the bait. They originated from nests on the exterior adjacent to the home.

Night moves

When you are having difficulty with a commercial account for rats or mice and feel like you are losing the battle, visit at night. Once it gets dark, after people leave the building and it gets quiet, rodents become active and visible. Both for interior and exterior problems, you can learn so much by sitting quietly and watching. Infrared cameras also help, but I have solved many a rodent problem with a simple stakeout. Here are three examples:

1. I saw roof rats (R. rattus) travel down a tree, crawl up the side of a building, get on a roof and enter a building through an open vent. The tree (and vent) was not on my radar during a daytime inspection.
2. After dusk, standing on a landfill with 100 Norway rats running around makes you understand the magnitude of the problem you are facing.
3. At an office account, dozens of house mice poured out of tubing that housed wires at the floor level. 

Although I taught at a university for 12 years and all the classes were in the daytime, it was expected that at least four times a semester, we would make a trip that lasted from about 7 p.m. to midnight. The students loved it and so did I. One’s passion, desire to learn and enthusiasm reach new heights when you are on the front line, face-to-face with the enemy!

Among the many talented students I had the fortune of working with was fellow Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer Dr. Bobby Corrigan (Class of 2008). I have always believed that “the student better go further than the teacher, or the world goes backward.” He definitely has gone further. 

Rodent resource

In 2024, Stephen M. Vantassel, ACE, revised — and I must say, improved — the third edition of my Vertebrate Pest Handbook: Questions & Answers on Norway Rats, Roof Rats, House Mice, & Deer Mice. Both hard and electronic copies are available from select retailers or directly from WildlifeControlConsultant.com.

<p>The post Best practices for atypical rodent accounts first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

Dan Baldwin, MPH, BCE, REHS/RS, FRSPH, Hawx Pest Control

“Most of the ants we deal with have subterranean nests and can travel long distances from their nests. Because they also are influenced by temperature and other environmental factors, never assume that just because you don’t find ants during the inspection, they’re not there. Targeted baiting in likely nesting areas or in areas where ants may have been observed in the past, for example, is a prudent practice.”

Foster Brusca, The Pest Posse

“Return to the absolute basics of pest control: You must seek out the source. When I deal with an ant infestation, I know success relies on looking beyond the inside of the structure. You must inspect the outside to locate the actual colony or trailing paths. I always ask myself, ‘Why are the ants trailing to this area?’ and ‘Where are the entry points?’ Managing ants effectively isn’t about quick treatment; it’s about finding the root cause both inside and out.”

Doug Foster, Burt’s Termite & Pest Control

“Meticulous attention to detail is the best lesson I have learned to help curb retreatments and profit-killing return visits. Did you inspect and treat both the interior and exterior? Did you get into the crawlspace? Did you use multiple baits? Of course, a checklist and standard operating procedures (SOPs) serve as a great guide for both new and seasoned technicians.”

Dr. Hamilton Allen, BCE, Fox Pest Control

“Ants can have discerning palates. A bait product working today may not work tomorrow. Many service professionals have their go-to ant bait. However, ant feeding preferences may change with the season, so it’s best to carry a few different products with you just in case the ‘preferred flavor of the month’ has changed.”

Michael Broder, BHB Pest Elimination

“Get a positive ID on the exact species you are treating. While many ants look alike, treatment protocols can vary greatly depending on the specific species.”

Dr. Mohammed El Damir, BCE, Adam’s Pest Control

“Success depends on colony elimination and correcting underlying conditions, rather than immediate kill counts. For example, seeing dead carpenter ants can provide a false sense of control if the queen remains or if moisture issues and satellite colonies aren’t addressed. I also remind clients that baiting may temporarily increase visible activity. Ultimately, effective control requires understanding biology, performing thorough inspections, and setting realistic expectations.”

Eric Scherzinger, Scherzinger Pest Control

“Make sure you identify what type of ant you are dealing with correctly, or you can turn an ant problem into a really bad ant problem.”

<p>The post QOTM: Best ant management practices our experts have learned first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

“Pest management is a dynamic, growing industry, but too few students and other emerging talent know it’s even an option,” NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf, CAE, noted in a news release. “LAUNCH is our opportunity to change that — to show talent from technical schools, two-year programs and four-year universities alike, across every discipline from business to the skilled trades, that this industry offers real careers with real growth potential. We’re proud to bring this event to life in Knoxville and to partner with faculty and career services professionals who are on the front lines of guiding students toward their next opportunity.”

The event brings together four key audiences:

1. college students and other emerging talent
2. faculty and career services professionals who influence student career decisions
3. NPMA member pest control companies
4. pest management industry suppliers

Over the three-day event, students will engage in the “Employer Engagement Zone,” a career fair connecting them directly with hiring companies. There will also be team-based challenges, professional development sessions and networking receptions built around the summit’s core theme: Business. Technology. Science. Service.

For NPMA member companies and industry suppliers, LAUNCH offers a direct line to emerging talent through career fair participation and a range of sponsorship opportunities. Details on sponsorship tiers are now available.

More information for students and faculty is available at LaunchYourPestCareer.org. Companies and suppliers interested in participating or sponsoring can learn more at NPMAlaunch.org.

About the National Pest Management Association

The National Pest Management Association is a non-profit organization with more than 4,000 members. It was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. The association has had many notable leaders over the years, including Pest Management Professional Hall of Famers Bill Buettner (Class of 1998), Dr. Ralph Heal (Class of 2003), Dr. Phil Spear (Class of 2004) and Bob Rosenberg (Class of 2013), to name just a few.

<p>The post NPMA debuts workforce initiative for college campuses first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

Biddle received the honor, designed to recognize top performance in technical expertise, customer service and leadership, at the FPMA Summer Conference Awards Dinner in Orlando, Fla., in June. He was selected based on his experience, certifications, training achievements, and strong customer and company testimonials. Per a news release from the Northwest Family of Brands, Biddle is “known for his dedication to customers and his commitment to making a meaningful impact in the community.”

“This is a proud and surreal moment for Dave and the entire McCall team,” Jeff Dunn, co-president of Northwest Family of Brands, said in the release. “We are grateful to have a teammate like Dave, who genuinely cares about his customers and the communities he serves, and for the McCall service center leaders and team who cultivate an environment where excellence thrives. Dave is truly deserving of this FPMA recognition, and we appreciate the example he sets for us all.”

About FPMA

Founded in 1945 and based in Tarpon Springs, Fla., the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) is a nonprofit trade organization representing more than 1,000 pest management professionals, business owners and suppliers across Florida. It advocates for the industry, provides continuing education and hosts events like the annual Business & Operations EXPO.

About McCall Pest & Wildlife

Family-operated since 1928 and a certified QualityPro provider, McCall Pest & Wildlife is part of the Northwest Family of Brands. Service areas include Gainesville, Jacksonville, Ocala, Tallahassee, Tampa and Orlando, Fla. Northwest Exterminating was founded in 1951 and joined the Rollins Inc. family of leading brands in 2017. Northwest has grown across the Southeast to include over 60 service centers, with plans to continue that growth alongside Rollins in partnership with leading pest control brands. 

Rollins Inc. is an Atlanta, Ga.-based consumer and commercial services company. Through its family of leading brands, Rollins and its franchises provide essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects to more than 2.8 million customers in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, with approximately 22,000 employees from more than 850 locations. Rollins is parent to Aardwolf Pestkare, Clark Pest Control, Crane Pest Control, Critter Control, Fox Pest Control, HomeTeam Pest Defense, Industrial Fumigant Company, McCall Service, MissQuito, Northwest Exterminating, OPC Pest Services, Orkin, Orkin Australia, Orkin Canada, PermaTreat, Safeguard, Saela Pest Control, Trutech, Waltham Services, Western Pest Services and more.

Gary Rollins, Rollins’ Executive Chairman Emeritus of the Board, is a member of the Pest Management Professional Hall of Fame (Class of 2012).

<p>The post FPMA bestows inaugural award on McCall technician first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

Kness Ants-No-More Bait Stations are designed to target ant colonies at the source, helping prevent repeat activity instead of chasing trails. The controlled-access, tamper-resistant design supports consistent performance across residential and commercial accounts. 

When control is precise and predictable, routes stay efficient and results stay professional. That’s the pro’s edge. 

Discover how Ants-No-More helps you work smarter in the field.

About Kness Pest Defense

Per company history, the Ketch-All was invented by a young, widowed father of six, Austin Enos “Brick” Kness, in 1924. Mice were prevalent at the high school in which Kness was a custodian, and led him to the idea of the “box” trap. Kness, a Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer (Class of 2024), built the first trap from a square oilcan, a Tuxedo Tobacco can, a spring from a curtain rod, and the wood base of a crate. The first night he set his trap, he captured five mice.

He was elated and showed the teachers and his friends. He was encouraged to build others for his friends and to seek a patent. By 1927, Kness Mfg. Co. was formed to produce the KetchAll Automatic Mousetrap and another of Kness’ inventions, the RotoBow tree saw.

Kness.com

<p>The post Kness Pest Defense: Ants-No-More Ant Bait Station first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

Aruza Pest Control named Caroline Fanucchi VP of Human Resources (HR).

The company said she will lead its HR strategy, talent development, employee engagement, recruiting infrastructure and organizational planning initiatives. In addition, she will work closely with company leadership to strengthen Aruza Pest Control’s people-first culture while supporting its continued growth and operational scalability.

“Caroline brings a dynamic presence and a wealth of experience to Aruza,” said Aruza Pest Control’s CEO Josh Langdon. “She is a strong people-first cultural leader who focuses on kindness as a primary core value. She has led teams for high-velocity businesses across multiple industries, and she will draw on those accomplishments to continue Aruza’s march to becoming the employer of choice in the pest management industry.”

Fanucchi has more than 15 years of global HR leadership experience gained across multi-state and international organizations. She has expertise in workforce strategy, talent acquisition, organizational development, compliance and culture integration, the company said. Her background includes leadership roles supporting operations across the United States, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

She previously served as VP of Human Resources for Combined Caterers Inc., where she led HR operations for four brands and more than 1,500 seasonal and full-time employees across the Southeast. In that role, she developed scalable HR infrastructure, led workforce planning initiatives, improved retention, and standardized onboarding and compliance systems across multiple operating brands. Earlier in her career, Fanucchi held HR leadership roles with Integra Realty Resources, Decathlon, and Fremantle Media, gaining extensive experience in international workforce management, compliance, leadership development and organizational transformation. She is fluent in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Arabic.

“From my first conversations with the Aruza leadership team, I knew this was a company where people truly matter,” Fanucchi said. “The company’s core values really spoke to me; especially kindness, which is something I deeply value in leadership and culture. I immediately connected with the leadership team, not only professionally but personally, and recognized how aligned we are in the way we lead, support people, and build strong teams. I’m incredibly excited to join Aruza at such an exciting time and help continue building a culture where employees feel supported, valued and empowered to grow.”

About Aruza Pest Control

Aruza Pest Control was founded in Charlotte, N.C., in 2016, and provides comprehensive pest management services across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Texas. The company is committed to exceptional customer service, innovative solutions, and a values-driven culture built on Accountability, Integrity, Humility, Kindness, and Gratitude.

<p>The post Aruza Pest Control appoints Human Resources VP first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

Heat has long been a tool in the pest management professional’s (PMP’s) toolbox when dealing with common bed bugs (Cimex lectularius), but a new study aimed to dial in the optimum temperature/humidity level to gain control. The results were published in the February 2026 issue of the Entomological Society of America’s (ESA’s) Journal of Economic Entomology.

Dr. Aaron Ashbrook, assistant professor of entomology at Louisiana State University, and graduate student Bandana Shrestha, who is now at the University of Kentucky, tested male bed bugs for tolerance to five temperatures (77 degrees, 81 degrees, 100 degrees, 102 degrees and 104 degrees Fahrenheit) and three relative humidity conditions (10 percent, 45 percent and 90 percent). A control group was exposed to 40 percent humidity and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Then they waited two weeks and counted the dead.

They found the highest level of mortality stemmed from the highest combination: 90 percent humidity and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. 

There were a couple of surprises along the way, per the pair’s interview with the ESA’s Entomology Today news site.

“One of the biggest surprises for me was how strongly the effects depended on specific temperature-humidity combinations rather than tested temperature alone,” Shrestha told Entomology Today.

“While low humidity was less effective than high humidity, high heat with low humidity was the second-most effective condition,” Dr. Ashbrook concluded. 

For more info: EntomologyToday.org/2026/02/09/bed-bugs-mortality-heat-humidity

Bed bug gene offers possible clue to resistance in other pests

A study published in the ESA’s May 2025 issue of the Journal of Medical Entomology by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) has identified a gene mutation in bed bugs associated with potential insecticide resistance.

A Virginia Tech news article reports the research was initiated as a molecular skill-building exercise for graduate student Camille Block. It involved analyzing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from 134 unique bed bug populations collected by North American pest control companies between 2008 and 2022. Screening these samples revealed the presence of a specific gene mutation in two distinct populations. Notably, this mutation is the same one known to create resistance to certain insecticides in certain populations of German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) and whiteflies (Aleyrodidae). Further investigation confirmed all individuals within these two bed bug populations possessed the mutation.

The team was led by urban entomologist Dr. Warren Booth, the university’s Joseph R. and Mary W. Wilson Endowed Urban Entomology Associate Professor. He explains the resistance mechanism in German cockroaches is linked to a nervous system gene (Rdl) known to confer resistance to dieldrin, an insecticide with the same mode of action as fipronil. While dieldrin has been off the market since the 1990s, fipronil currently is used with great success in consumer flea and tick treatments for pets and in the professional pest control industry for several general household pests. It is important to note that fipronil is not labeled for bed bugs.

Since that study was published, Dr. Booth teamed with Drs. Jin-Jia Yu and Changlu Wang from Rutgers University to sequence 227 populations of C. lectularius, primarily collected over a 15-year period (2010–2024) from New York, New Jersey and Indiana, to investigate the distribution of and any discernible general insecticide resistance patterns in three gene mutations in bed bugs. That study was published in the March 2026 issue of the Journal of Pest Science. 

With this study, the team concluded that, based on the low-income, multifamily housing from which the majority of the collected specimens originated, the more varied treatment was with active ingredients and different techniques at a given apartment building, the fewer instances of the insecticide-resistant gene were found.

For more info: Booth-lab.org

Irish teen awaits patent for bed bug trap

Experiencing bed bugs in a Paris hotel while attending the 2024 Summer Olympic Games with her family spurred Sophie Keane to create the “Bed Bug Bait Box.” The glue trap uses an electrical circuit and heated brass rods to mimic a human heartbeat and temperature to lure bed bugs away from their harborage. It turns on with the flick of a switch, and her hope is to commercialize it for airplanes, trains and hotels to stop the bugs’ spread.

Keane has won three national prizes and counting in her native Ireland for the device. At press time, a patent was pending for the technology. 

One more fun fact: Keane is 17 years old. Click here for more info.

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Every Trapmate device is battery-powered with replaceable batteries, eliminating the need for hardwiring or external power. This allows for flexible deployment in virtually any environment, while ensuring devices can be reused across accounts — reducing costs and maximizing return on investment.\

A complete monitoring ecosystem

Trapmate offers a comprehensive platform that supports:

• Rodent and wildlife monitoring across virtually any trap type
• Insect monitoring solutions, including vision-based systems like Trapmate InsectaVision
• Environmental sensors for temperature, humidity, water, entry and power
• A cellular-connected hub and software platform for real-time alerts and reporting

All devices communicate wirelessly, enabling remote visibility without relying on Wi-Fi or on-site infrastructure.

Built for the real world

Designed for durability and repeat use, Trapmate devices can be easily deployed, repositioned and redeployed as needs change. The battery-powered system ensures reliable performance across food facilities, warehouses, commercial properties and wildlife applications — especially in areas where power access is limited.

Smarter, more efficient operations

With continuous monitoring and real-time alerts, Trapmate shifts pest control from routine checks to exception-based servicing. Technicians can focus only where activity is confirmed — reducing unnecessary visits, improving documentation and optimizing service efficiency.

About Skyhawk

Based in Derry, N.H., Skyhawk Trapmate is a division of Skyhawk, a U.S.-based company specializing in remote monitoring technology for pest and wildlife professionals. Trapmate’s wireless, battery-powered sensors provide real-time trap activity and data to enhance technician efficiency, reduce service visits, and increase client retention.

Trapmate.ai

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Fully automated, humane and chemical-free, the iChase operates 24/7 to reduce contamination, structural damage and biosecurity risks in farms, warehouses, roofs, and open structures. Other features include:

• Class 3B laser designed to startle birds without causing harm
• Programmable movement patterns
• Durable, commercial-grade construction for indoor and outdoor use
• IP66-rated for reliable performance in outdoor environments
• Operates in temperatures from -4 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees Fahrenheit
• Wide coverage range of approximately 320 to 650 feet
• Compatible with 100- to-240-volt alternating current (VAC) power supply (50 to 60 Hertz)
• Supports professional integrated pest management (IPM) programs
• Discreet, quiet operation suitable for sensitive environments

About Wildlife Control Supplies

WCS was founded in 1998 by the late Alan Huot and his wife, Carol — both experienced wildlife trappers and experts. The company has been helping wildlife and pest control professionals capture, control and prevent wildlife in the field, in commercial buildings and in residential environments ever since. The Suffield, Conn.-based company not only offers a variety of brands and products, but also has developed its own WCS Premium Grade Bait products and breakthrough inventions in response to customer needs.

ShopWCS.com

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