DECEMBER 10:
Spiders/Occasional Invaders and Label Review - Richard Spigler, Amvac Environmental Products
December 10, 2020 | 7:00 PM
Credits: TBD
Cost: $15 for members; $30 for non-members
To receive continuing education credits, attendees must be present for the entirety of the call and participate in questions asked by the moderator.
Speaker:
Richard D. Spigler II, BCE
Richard is an over 20 year veteran of the pest industry. He holds a BS in Biology from Loyola College and a MS in Entomology from the University of Nebraska and has been a BCE since 2004. He has held service, technical and management positions with companies at the top, middle and bottom of the top 100 list. In these positions he has trained over 500 new hires while at one company, created training programs to achieve QualityPro certification for another and has developed and facilitated many training programs. He is currently the Eastern Regional Sales Manager for Amvac Environmental Products.
Richard has presented at a variety of industry meetings and in front of students from Kindergarten to High School. He has also been a college instructor of an upper-level biology course on Urban Entomology.
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Focus Pest Control - Dillsburg, PA
E & J Termite and Pest Control - Beverly, NJ
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Pennsylvania COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard Update for Nov. 20 - Nov. 26: Case Increases Top 41,000; Percent Positivity at 11.7% and 66 Counties with Substantial Transmission |
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Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard, highlighting a seven-day case increase of 41,424 cases, statewide percent positivity of 11.7%, and 66 of 67 counties with substantial transmission status.
The update includes the following:
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Level of community transmission as a basis for the recommendations for Pre-K to 12 schools to determine instructional models.
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Data on cases among 5-18-year-olds.
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Cases that reported visiting a business among potential locations where exposures may have occurred.
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Updated travel recommendations.
The dashboard is designed to provide early warning signs of factors that affect the state’s mitigation efforts. The data available on the early warning monitoring dashboard includes week-over-week case differences, incidence rates, test percent-positivity, and rates of hospitalizations, ventilations and emergency room visits tied to COVID-19. This week’s update compares the period of November 20 – November 26 to the previous seven days, November 13 – November 19.
“Pennsylvania continues to trend in the wrong direction as COVID-19 continues to spread,” Gov. Wolf said. “Last week, we took a number of mitigation steps designed to reverse this trend and help protect Pennsylvanians. We need all Pennsylvanians to follow these measures as part of their collective responsibility to protect one another. I remain convinced that by working together Pennsylvanians can stop the spread of this virus.”
As of Thursday, November 26, the state has seen a seven-day case increase of 41,424 cases; the previous seven-day increase was 37,380 cases, indicating 4,044 more new cases across the state over the past week compared to the previous week.
The statewide percent-positivity went up to 11.7% from 11.1% last week. Every county in the state has a concerning percent positivity above five percent except for one county, Forest County at 3.6 percent. This includes five counties (Juniata, Mifflin, Bedford, Somerset and Tioga) with percent positivity above 20 percent.
“This week’s data, and the one week change in the rate of hospitalizations and ventilator use is a reminder to us all of our role in protecting our health care system,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Latest models continue to indicate very concerning trends for our hospital availability and ICU bed availability. We know COVID-19 does not discriminate and is affecting every county in the commonwealth. It is affecting all Pennsylvanians, no matter your race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status or whether you live a rural, suburban or urban area.”
Community Transmission
As of Friday’s data, Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York counties were in the substantial level of community transmission.
For the week ending November 26, one county was in the low level of transmission and 66 counties were in the substantial level of transmission: Cameron.
Cases Among 5-18-Year-Olds
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of statewide cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds.
Throughout the pandemic, there have been 27,954 total cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds. Of that total, 4,212 occurred between November 20 – November 26. For the week of November 13 – November 19, there were 3,937 cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds.
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of individuals who responded to case investigators that they spent time at business establishments (restaurants, bars, gym/fitness centers, salon/barbershops) and at mass gatherings 14 days prior to the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.
It is important to note that due to the recent number of cases, the department is prioritizing case investigations. In addition to the need for people to answer the call, the significant number of cases helps contribute to the low percentages in contact tracing data. All of this reinforces the need for Pennsylvanians to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Of the 44,525 confirmed cases reported between November 15 and November 21, 7 percent (3,038) provided an answer to the question as to whether they spent time at a business establishment.
Of those who did provide an answer, 0.9 percent, or 392, answered yes, they visited a business establishment 14 days prior to onset of symptoms:
- 51 percent (200) of those who said yes reported going to a restaurant;
- 24.5 percent (96) of those who said yes reported going to some other business establishment;
- 15 percent (60) of those who said yes reported going to a bar;
- 10 percent (39) of those who said yes reported going to a gym/fitness center; and
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8 percent (31) of those who said yes reported going to a salon/barbershop.
Of the 44,525 confirmed cases, 6.9 percent (3,063) answered the question as to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event. Of the 6.9 percent, 13 percent (398) answered yes to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event 14 days prior to onset of symptoms.
Compared to data reported on November 23, this week’s data indicated an increase for people who reported going to a restaurant (51 percent vs. 48 percent last week), going to a salon/barbershop (8 percent vs. 7 percent last week), and slight increases for those going to some other business (24.5 percent vs. 24 percent last week) and going to a bar (15.3 percent vs. 15 percent last week). The data saw a decrease for people who reported going to a gym/fitness center (10 percent vs. 14 percent last week). The number of those who attended a mass gathering or other large event decreased to 13 percent from 16.3 percent last week.
The numbers above highlight business settings and mass gatherings as possible sites for transmission. With less than half of those asked about what types of businesses they visited or if they attended a mass gathering responding to the question, the department is reminding Pennsylvanians that it is essential that people answer the phone when case investigators call and to provide full and complete information to these clinical professionals.
Travel Recommendations
This week, the Department of Health provided an updated travel order requiring anyone over the age of 11 who visits from another state to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or place themselves in a travel quarantine for 14 days upon entering Pennsylvania.
This order, which took effect on Wednesday, November 25, does not apply to people who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment, those who left the state for less than 24 hours, and those complying with a court order, including child custody.
It is important that people understand that this Order is in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. A concerning number of recent cases have been linked to travel, and if people are going to travel, we need them to take steps to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community, and that involves having either a negative test, or placing themselves in a travel quarantine.
Gov. Wolf continues to prioritize the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians through the COVID-19 pandemic. Pennsylvanians should continue to take actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, regardless of in what county they live. This includes wearing a mask or face covering anytime they are in public. COVID-19 has been shown to spread easily in the air and contagious carriers can be asymptomatic.
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Stay up-to-date with current PA COVID-19 mitigation efforts at the link below.
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ENHANCE YOUR BED BUG BUSINESS AT THE GLOBAL BED BUG SUMMIT
December 2-3, 2020 | Virtual Event
If you are in the bed bug business, or thinking of adding on this service, you will NOT want to miss the 2020 Global Bed Bug Summit!
What can you expect from this virtual conference? This is much more than a collection of webinars or Zoom meetings! From interactive discussions with industry experts, networking opportunities with like-minded peers, and 24/7 access to EXPO Central, attendees will walk away from this virtual experience with a greater understanding of the latest technology and research covering all-things bed bugs.
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When: Wednesday, December 9, 2020 2-3 pm
Nancy Troyano, Ph.D., BCE, Rentokil North America, Reading, PA
Digital misinformation is becoming more prevalent with the widespread use of social media. At any given time, you may log onto Facebook or Twitter and see "the invasive kissing bug", "miracle ant cures", or “homemade insect repellent”. There is a lot of information to sort through and it’s tough to figure out what is accurate or misleading. In this day and age especially, we need to remain vigilant and educated on how to use social media responsibly for science and science communication. Learn how to determine what’s a tall tale and find reliable sources so that you can have accurate information to tell your customers the next time they come across an alarming, not-true story.
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When: February 1-3, 2021
Where: Caribe Royale, Orlando, FL
Join the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) for an educational program that will provide both technical and business-related information to professionals who are involved in wildlife management or are considering offering this valuable add-on service. The program at the Wildlife Expo combines training and education with networking opportunities and the chance to check out the newest technology and services in the Exhibit Hall. Whether you are a large company or a one-man shop, use this opportunity to grow this segment of your business by attending this unique meeting.
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PestVets Looking for Interested Members! |
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If you are a veteran, employ a veteran, or are interested in joining the PestVets group, please let us know! Contact Bridget Cole Whitman at bcole@versantstrategies.net.
The group's purpose is to support and uplift Pennsylvania's Veterans and Pest Management Professionals. If you have a technician in your business that may be interested, please share the word!
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GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. If you are considering participating in GivingTuesday, or another form of end of year gift, please consider the Pest Management Foundation. The Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides university scholarships for the next generation of urban entomologists and funds practical pest control research at universities across the country. Donations are fully tax deductible. To make donation, visit the secure fundraising page.
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Giant rats overtaking NYC's Central Park, Upper West Side of Manhattan |
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Rat school is in session as fed-up New Yorkers try to learn how to deal with a surging rodent population.
Rats as big as bunnies are roaming the streets in broad daylight, nesting in trees and chewing through car engine wires that can cost thousands to fix. And there are so many that residents are kvetching about them every chance they get — 311 hotline complaints about rats have totaled 12,632 so far this year — a third more than the 9,042 for all of 2019.
With the Upper West Side teeming with the hungry critters, Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal and the city Health Department sponsored the latest incarnation of “Rat Academy,” two hours of rat prevention training livestreamed Tuesday to nearly four dozen supers, tenants and homeowners. The city began such training sessions about 10 years ago.
Gail Dubov, president of the West 83rd Street Block Association, has a “Ph.D in Rat Academy” from sitting in on a couple of sessions, including Tuesday’s. “Rats are devious,” she pronounced with authority, “and they’re smart.”
Dozens who belong to Upper West Siders for Safer Streets have posted their gargantuan vermin sightings on Facebook, including Melanie Sloan, whose daughter is Scarlett Johansson.
“Central Park is overrun with huge fat rats,” Sloan wrote. “I saw a man on a bench in the rambles swatting them unsuccessfully with a rake.”
Not a day goes by that Amanda Levine doesn’t see at least one rat. She sprays her Jeep Grand Cherokee with a cocktail of cinnamon and mint oils and water — under the hood and on all four wheel bearings — to ward off the critters. In her apartment complex, at 107th Street between Amsterdam and Broadway, her neighbors tell her they hear scratching behind the walls.
Levine ticks off four reasons why she thinks rats have invaded the UWS: outdoor dining, more homeless New Yorkers, shoddy street cleaning and the biggest — trash not being picked up often enough, both from the cans on sidewalk corners and the stacks of bags hauled to the curb by building supers.
The Department of Sanitation is responsible for both street cleaning and garbage collection. Spokesman Joshua Goodman told The Post that DSNY is committed to keeping the city clean and reducing the rat population.
“Only when residents, businesses, and the City work together can we address a problem that is as old and as persistent as the City of New York itself,” Goodman said.
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We want to hear from you! |
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Do you have any news about your business? Anything to brag about? We would love to share stories about our members. Feel free to send those to Bridget at bcole@versantstrategies.net so we can all learn more about each other! |
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Kids grade K through 8 might want to check out Pest World for Kids! There are ebooks, crafts, games and more to educate and entice a young learner, especially the kids that love creepy crawlies! Check it out now!
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