Pest Management Professional, January 2014

face off A TALE OF 2 VISIONS Will Nepper t Managing Editor Whits Vision Wills Vision Marty Whitford t Publisher Editorial Director I have 20 20 vision thanks to corrective lenses But even when I wear my old fashioned G Man glasses my vision of what can should and will happen sometimes falls far short of 20 20 Reading life past present and future is a bit more challenging than reading an eye chart Thats why the National Pest Management Association NPMA and Bayer recently launched Vision 2020 Creating the future and driving change in the pest control industry Vision 2020 is a multiyear initiative designed to identify future trends and equip the industry to enhance its value amidst a sea of societal economic technological and regulatory changes Read our cover story on page 25 for Vision 2020 s first series of forward looking analyses The collection of four white papers is based on input from more than 40 pest management company executives and senior managers As for this G Mans vision following are just three of the many big changes I foresee Get Smart Smartphone adoption in the United States will snowball from 55 percent to more than 90 percent by 2020 Handy 411 Permission based texting of select industry intel and targeted marketing promotions also will increase but those who abuse the platform will face more severe legal consequences One Stop Shop More pest management professionals PMPs will add bird management wildlife control lawn care and other services to their business offerings Theyll also expand their add on services such as exclusion and crawlspace and attic insulation solutions You can reach Whitford at mwhitford@ northcoastmedia net or 216 706 3766 U nlike Marty I do not have 20 20 vision I have better than 20 20 vision thanks to laser surgery six years ago While it doesnt necessarily follow that my exceptional vision gives me greater insight into the future of pest management than my boss Ill share these forward looking expectations Gone Green Before long the pest management industry will be able to retire the phrase going green This will occur not because of any about face on the importance of being environmentally conscientious but rather in the years to come green will be the industry standard Climate change is real government regulation will always keep a keen eye on pest management products and practices and customers no longer will demand a green approach theyll expect it Though definitions of green differ I expect well come to a more clear consensus The NEW Usual Suspects New types of treatments even less predictable weather and other unforeseen natural changes will shuffle the deck of our most wanted pests There will always be a bed bug caliber antagonist even if the bed bug can be overthrown as the reigning king of difficult tomanage pests Bed Bug Learning Curve There are so many resources aimed at defeating bed bugs in more cost effective ways that somethings gotta give I believe bed bugs will take a step back and join the ranks of ants cockroaches and rodents regular pains PMPs are well equipped to keep in check Advancing technology and techniques will help PMPs deliver total control solutions customers can afford PMP You can reach Nepper at wnepper@ northcoastmedia net or 216 706 3775 8 January 2014 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net