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Mosquito Misting Systems… What Do Pest Management Professionals Think?. Bobby Jenkins ABC Pest and Lawn Austin, Texas Rick Bell Arrow Exterminators Atlanta, Georgia Mike Rottler Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions St. Louis, Missouri. Consumers Want Solutions to Mosquito Problems.
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Mosquito Misting Systems…What Do Pest Management Professionals Think? Bobby Jenkins ABC Pest and Lawn Austin, Texas Rick Bell Arrow Exterminators Atlanta, Georgia Mike Rottler Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions St. Louis, Missouri
Consumers Want Solutions to Mosquito Problems Pest Pressure in Texas extremely high Mosquito season lasts 9 months Backyard landscaping is very dense
What Do Consumers Want? • Desire to utilize outdoor living space • Large investment in backyard • Pools, hot tubes, patios, outdoor fire places, outdoor kitchens, sport courts, children playscapes • Children and adults need to be able to access • People willing to invest significant dollars • Misting systems average from $2000-$3000 in Texas • Quarterly charge $150
Do Mosquito Misting Systems Work? System Results • More than 300 installed in Texas • Customers very satisfied • Mosquito populations reduced by over 95% • Can now utilize back yard more often
Misting SystemsChallenges for Pest Management Professionals There are two broad areas of challenge facing PMPs who desire to successfully integrate misting systems in their business: External Challenges Internal Challenges SUCCESS
External Challenges • Is this I.P.M.?(population density, action threshold,…) • Effect on beneficial Insects • Resistance • Target Pests • Non-target Pests • System Damage • Cut Lines • Leaking nozzles • Ruptured Drums • Homeowner Intervention • Changing formulations • Access to timer / remote control • Kids exposure
Internal Challenges • Additional licensing / certification from the state. • Soliciting customer involvement. • Commitment to specialized training. • Commitment to explore additional methods and materials. • Is this I.P.M.? (scientific data vs. anecdotal data) • Guard against overselling. • Can we satisfy the customer? • On demand vs. Timed application. • Did we install correctly? How do we know?
Overcoming These Challenges Together • Pest Management Professionals welcome assistance from state regulators and the EPA
Overcoming These Challenges Together • Responsible advertising and promotion • Eliminate misleading ideas from marketing vehicles
Overcoming These Challenges Together • Regulate sales and service by licensed operators only • Require systems to be secured
Overcoming These Challenges Together • Eliminate risk of direct exposure • Implement override mechanisms • Replace use of timers with on-demand systems
Overcoming These Challenges Together • Establishment of workgroup with key stakeholder involvement • Uniform policies throughout the United States
Pest Management Professionals want Mosquito Misting Systems to be: • Safe • Effective • Available