My name is Kristin Dodd, and I am honored to be serving as the president of the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) for 2010-2011.

On Aug. 5, members of the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) gathered in Kiawah Island, S.C. to kick off the 2010 General Membership meeting and the Mid-Atlantic Conference.  This meeting always kicks off a new year for our association with the swearing in of our new slate of officers.

This year we have an excellent board of directors to lead our association, many of whom have served on our board in past years.

We want you to meet our board of directors and will be including more information about each board member in our newsletters and right here on our Web site.  To kick this off, let me share a little about myself.

I’m proud to be the fourth generation of my family to work in pest management.  Like many pest management professionals, I grew up in this industry by spending my summers working in the office of my family business and serving as a technician in the field.  I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and now live in my hometown of Charlotte where I work full-time in my family’s business, Carolina Pest Management.

Now, I am honored to have been elected to serve as the first woman to represent NCPMA as president and the industry in NC.  This is an excellent industry, and more and more women are getting involved in pest management every year.  I think it is very exciting to be able to be a part of this transition.

We are looking forward to an excellent year and encourage our members to get involved. We will use this blog site, our Facebook page and our Twitter feed to communicate with you directly and frequently. I encourage you to sign up and stay informed about your association. I also encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions throughout the year.

Kristin Dodd

Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) today announced the election of its first female president. Kristin Dodd, the former vice-president of NCPMA and president of Carolina Pest Management in Monroe, N.C., will be sworn in as president at the association’s annual meeting in early August.

“Today the North Carolina Pest Management Association took a step forward by electing its first female president,” said Doug Whitley, NCPMA president 2009-2010. “We have watched as more and more women have begun pursuing life-long careers in the pest management industry. Having Kristin Dodd lead our efforts over the next year is an excellent example of how both men and women play an important role in the work we do for the citizens of North Carolina.”

Dodd became a certified technician when she was 18 years old and received her pest control license in 1998.  After working in other fields and with other pest control companies, she returned full-time to Carolina Pest Management in 2000.  She is the fourth generation to work in the family business, which was started by her great-grandfather, Rev. David Dodd, in 1939.

“These days there are very few professions that allow families to work together and pass down knowledge,” said Dodd. “I am proud to be a fourth generation pest professional and I look forward to beginning my duties as the new president of the North Carolina Pest Management Association. There have been numerous dedicated women throughout the years that have been very active in our association and the industry.  I am honored that I will join these women as a leader for our profession in North Carolina.”

Dodd was born in Charlotte and attended Monroe High School in Monroe.  She attended college at UNC-Chapel Hill, graduating with a degree in Religious Studies.  Dodd started helping her father at Carolina Pest Management when she was 10 years old in the office and worked there during the summers during high school and college – working in the office or as a technician out in the field.

Dodd’s term goes from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

About the NCPMA

Founded in 1952, the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA), is the trade association representing the professional pest management industry in North Carolina. NCPMA promotes the continued cooperation and success of all pest management businesses in North Carolina.  Formerly, the North Carolina Pest Control Association, NCPMA is the only statewide association dedicated to representing and educating North Carolina’s pest management professionals.

To learn more about NCPMA, please visit its Web site at:  www.ncpestmanagement.org.

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Stinging pests have real impact on people – sending half million to the ER each year

Raleigh, N.C. – With vacations being planned and the hot and humid weather looming, the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) today reminded people that stinging insects such as wasps, bees, hornets and yellow jackets are a serious problem that become more active in the summer months. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), more than half million people are sent to the emergency room every year due to stinging insects.

“We are all excited about the upcoming summer months and look forward to spending more time outdoors,” said Burns Blackwell of Terminix Company in Greensboro and a board member of the NCPMA. “As we welcome the warm days of summer, the North Carolina Pest Management Association encourages the general public to be aware of pests that can sting or bite. Despite the danger these insects can pose, there are simple techniques we can all use to protect ourselves and enjoy the outdoors.”

The association is reminding North Carolinians that they should not let these stinging insects keep them from enjoying outdoor activities this summer. Instead, the association is providing a series of techniques to help avoid unwanted encounters with these insects.

These techniques include:

• Know that not every wasp or bee is ready to sting. Some are only interested in pests and don’t attack humans.
• Don’t swat or wave insects away. Gently and slowly brush the insects away from you.
• Keep food covered. Many wasps are attracted to sweet drinks and foods.
• Don’t sit near trash cans when picnicking. They are prime targets for yellow jackets.
• Don’t wear heavy perfume or aftershave when spending time outdoors. The smell attracts wasps and bees.
• Wear loose or baggy clothing when walking outside, especially in wooded areas. And always wear shoes to prevent stepping on insects.
• Watch for yellow jackets when doing yard work. Yellow jackets often live in nests in the ground which can be disturbed by lawnmowers, weed eaters and other lawn tools.
• Consult a pest management professional to determine the best solutions to reduce stinging insects and other pests from your home and yard.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, stinging insects are most active during late-summer and early-autumn when nest populations can exceed 60,000 insects.

“Now is the time for the public to educate themselves on how to avoid provoking a stinging insect,” said Lee Smith, entomologist and NCPMA board member. “There is no need for these stinging insects to damper summer outdoor activities.  Following these simple strategies and contacting a pest professional when needed, will help ensure a fun, relaxing summer for everyone.”

The NCPMA can provide North Carolinians with the name of a local pest management professional by visiting www.ncpestmanagement.org. The Web site offers an online tool to help North Carolinians find a local pest professional by typing in their zip code.

About the NCPMA

Founded in 1952, the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA), is the trade association representing the professional pest management industry in North Carolina. NCPMA promotes the continued cooperation and success of all pest management businesses in North Carolina.  Formerly, the North Carolina Pest Control Association, NCPMA is the only statewide association dedicated to representing and educating North Carolina’s pest management professionals.

To learn more about NCPMA, please visit its Web site at:  www.ncpestmanagement.org.

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Raleigh, N.C. – The warm, sunny days of Spring have arrived and so have the Spring pests.  Today, the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA), urged homeowners to include pest management strategies in their spring cleaning and lawn maintenance to prevent potential problems.

“Spring is a time when many pests make their reappearance after a winter of lying low,” said Lee Smith, board member of NCPMA.  “As we begin to venture outdoors to enjoy the spring weather, pests like ants, spiders and ticks become active and can become a nuisance or even a health threat.”

According to the association, ignoring the increased presence of pests in the spring months can result in serious infestations and other problems that can bring health risks to families.

“Keeping pests at bay during the Spring months is not just about cleaning.  It is also about keeping you and your family healthy,” Smith said. “Because the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that Lyme Disease had been discovered in several of the state’s counties, it is important that all North Carolinians take the proper steps to ensure that their homes and lawns are protected.”

The NCPMA has offered the following tips for families to help ensure a pest-free spring cleaning:

• Keep it closed. Keep windows and doors closed to keep pests from coming inside the home.
• Do a pest check. Before coming inside from the outdoors, check exposed skin, clothes and shoes for insects.
• Wear the right clothes. When you are outside, wear long sleeves to prevent insects from touching your skin.
• Bag it! Reduce dust-mites, carpet beetles and spiders in your home by vacuuming your home thoroughly including carpets, draperies and mattresses and box springs.
• Clean your closets.  To reduce carpet beetles and moths in your home, get rid of unwanted clothing in your closet and especially on your floor.
• Keep an eye on pets. Make sure you watch your pets closely, especially if they spend time outdoors.  Check your pets’ fur for ticks regularly and make sure you speak with your veterinarian about flea protection.
• Schedule regular pest inspections. Get your home inspected regularly by a qualified, licensed pest professional.  Your pest professional can recommend steps you can take to make sure your home stays pest-free.  Visit www.ncpca.org to find a pest professional in your area.

About the NCPMA

Founded in 1952, the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA), is the trade association representing the professional pest management industry in North Carolina. NCPMA promotes the continued cooperation and success of all pest management businesses in North Carolina.  Formerly, the North Carolina Pest Control Association, NCPMA is the only statewide association dedicated to representing and educating North Carolina’s pest management professionals.  To learn more about NCPMA, please visit www.ncpestmanagement.org.

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Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) today said the recent cold and wet weather the state has received will likely have an impact on the types of termite swarms property owners encounter this year. The association urged homeowners to take steps now so their homes are protected from termites.

“This winter has been an unpredictably wet and cold one for our state, which means that the termite season will also be unpredictable,” said Burns Blackwell of Terminix Company in Greensboro and a board member of the NCPMA. “Because termite swarms can be bigger following wet weather, homeowners should be prepared to protect their homes from these silent invaders.”

According to the National Pest Management Association, termite infestations cause homeowners $5 billion in property damage every year. Termites swarm during warm spring days and can infest any type of house and its surrounding areas in very little time, often going undetected while doing thousands of dollars in damages to a home.  A colony of termites feeds 24 hours a day and can chew through any wood or paper product including wood, flooring and wallpaper.

“Because of the winter we’ve had, we cannot be sure when the termite swarms will begin, how big they will be or where they will strike first.  But homeowners can ensure their homes are protected by having an annual inspection conducted by a qualified professional.  Early protection and detection are the keys to preventing costly damage,” said Lee Smith, board member of the NCPMA.

The NCPMA urges homeowners to schedule annual termite inspections in spring months when termite swarms can first invade a home.   These inspections help prevent and treat termite infestations before they turn into costly repairs.

The NCPMA offers the following tips to help homeowners prepare their homes for termite season:

Wilmington, N.C. – More than 100 second-grade students at Blair Elementary School today interacted with a variety of live insects and learned about their life cycles thanks to a demonstration given by representatives from the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA). 

The interactive class was provided as a supplement to the second-grade science curriculum about insect life cycles that the school is teaching.  The students were able to view and touch insects in various forms of development, take an interactive role in the demonstration and ask questions of the NCPMA experts. 

“The students found out today that there are a lot of things to learn from insects,” said Burns Blackwell of Terminix Company in Greensboro and a board member of the NCPMA.  “The North Carolina Pest Management Association encourages students to take an interest in bugs, their life cycles and the benefits these creatures provide to our environment. We hope an event like this helps them to get excited and learn more about science.” 

The students viewed and touched specimens of various types of insects including a Tobacco Hornworm and Hissing Cockroaches. 

“We are happy to have the North Carolina Pest Management Association come to Blair Elementary and enhance the science curriculum we use to teach our second graders about insects,” said Barbara Stock, Blair Elementary School principal.  “Having these pest experts on hand to teach our students and provide an interactive learning environment is an exciting addition to our curriculum.” 

Students were given a NCPMA magnifying glass that can be used to explore and learn more about the insects they study.  

About the NCPMA

Founded in 1952, the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA), is the trade association representing the professional pest management industry in North Carolina. NCPMA promotes the continued cooperation and success of all pest management businesses in North Carolina.  Formerly, the North Carolina Pest Control Association, NCPMA is the only statewide association dedicated to representing and educating North Carolina’s pest management professionals.  To learn more about NCPMA, please visit its Web site at:  www.ncpestmanagement.org.

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