Farm Bill Momentum, Pesticide Preemption Push Highlight Legislative Day

WASHINGTON — The National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) Legislative Day, held March 17 in Washington, D.C., arrived at a critical juncture as momentum is building for a 2026 Farm Bill.

More than 230 industry professionals descended on Capitol Hill, urging their lawmakers and staff to support inclusion of state-level pesticide preemption language in the 2026 Farm Bill.

Just days earlier, the House Committee on Agriculture approved the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 by a 34–17 vote, with bipartisan support that included seven Democrats joining Republicans.

This version of the Farm Bill includes Section 10206, commonly referred to as state pesticide preemption, and it reaffirms the authority of states to regulate pesticide use.

“State pesticide preemption prevents a patchwork of local ordinances that could create inconsistency for both consumers and service providers,” said Megan Striegel, senior director of public policy, NPMA.

Shannon Sked, national technical director, Orkin, said the industry prides itself on its compliance.

“If we are operating in an environment where there are 15 different areas with 15 different regulations, that is 15 different ways we can slip up and not do the right thing,” he said. “I really worry about it causing confusion and actually tarnishing the reputation of this great industry that we have.”

Importantly, Section 10206 is distinct from other pesticide sections in the bill, particularly those related to labeling, which were the primary focus of opposition during committee debate. When Legislative Day participants met with their congressional offices they explained these important distinctions.

Their message highlighted that state pesticide preemption does not alter labeling requirements or limit states’ ability to address risks. Instead, it reinforces existing regulatory frameworks already in place in 45 states, where statewide standards provide clarity while still allowing local governments to make decisions when it comes to pesticide use on public property.

Envu was the event’s premiere sponsor. Visit bit.ly/4bsdgIS for additional PCT coverage, including video interviews, a photo review and session recaps.

— Brad Harbison

Pest Management Foundation Announces New Scholarships

FAIRFAX, Va. — The Pest Management Foundation announced the establishment of two new scholarships, the Rick Bell Industry Affairs Scholarship and the Wayne Golden Leadership in Action Scholarship. The new scholarships are designed to support the next generation of pest management professionals.

The Rick Bell Industry Affairs Scholarship was established through the generosity of Arrow Exterminators and recognizes the lasting contributions of Rick Bell to the pest management industry. The scholarship aims to support students interested in the role of public policy and industry affairs in pest management. It will be awarded annually to a student pursing a degree that benefits urban pest management and industry stewardship through public policy involvement at a Georgia college or university.

“After a long and rewarding career at Arrow Exterminators, I was given the honor of a scholarship in my name,” Bell said. “Industry affairs and public policy in pest management have been a small niche for many years but now the group is growing with people and talent. We will always have good and bad legislation to monitor and engage, and I sincerely hope that this scholarship will further the career of an aspiring pest management professional with an interest in industry affairs and the legislative and regulatory community.”

The Rick Bell Industry Affairs Scholarship is for $1,000 and will be awarded annually.

The Wayne Golden Leadership in Action Scholarship was established by Neighborly Pest Management, Rollins Inc., Holiday Termite & Pest Control, Payne Pest Management, Connecticut Pest Control Association, Rid-A-Bug Exterminating Company and Latarsha Horne to honor Golden’s leadership and commitment to strengthening the pest management industry.

The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a high school student entering college or trade school whose studies focus on urban entomology, rodentology or biological sciences. Priority will be given to minority students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities, military veterans or those with direct family members actively serving or who have served in the military, and students whose families work in the pest control industry.

“My hope is that this scholarship removes one barrier and gives the recipient the confidence to pursue what they’re capable of achieving,” Golden said.

A Mixed Bag for Termite Revenue, PCOs Report

CLEVELAND — Termite control remains a key revenue stream for pest control operators, though recent performance varies across the industry.

In a PCT reader poll, 37% of respondents reported a decline in the share of revenue generated by termite services over the past five years. Meanwhile, 30% saw a slight increase, 26% reported a significant increase and 7% said revenue remained unchanged.

The results highlight uneven trends in a service category long considered a steady source of income. Demand remains strong as homeowners seek to protect one of their most valuable assets, but how that demand translates into revenue depends on factors such as geography, service strategy and customer retention.

At Redd Pest Solutions in Gulfport, Miss., the termite customer base has grown by an average of 15% annually over the past five years, said President Eddie Brewer. He attributed the growth largely to retention and a focus on prevention.

Rather than relying on one-time treatments, the company emphasizes ongoing protection, particularly for customers already enrolled in general pest control programs. Educating homeowners early and positioning termite protection as part of routine home care has supported steady, sustainable growth, Brewer said.

Regional conditions also play a major role. In the southeastern United States, warm, humid weather creates an environment where termite activity is not a question of if but when. Brewer said activity seasons have lengthened, with some markets experiencing near year-round pressure depending on weather patterns.

He added that Formosan termite pressure has increased, with larger colonies and faster feeding, which accelerates potential damage. That shift has encouraged both homeowners and PMPs to take a more proactive prevention approach.

In Griffin, Ga., Blasingame Pest Management has seen improvement in its termite segment, even though it is not a primary focus, owner Billy Blasingame said. After previously selling its renewal business and later reentering the market, the company reported strong performance in 2023 and continued upward momentum.

Blasingame said termite control practices have evolved over the years, particularly with the growing use of bait systems. Those systems, he noted, illustrate how widespread termite activity can be, as colonies may appear in different areas of the same property over time.

While revenue trends vary, operators all agreed that the need for protection remains a constant.

— McKenna Christy

PestInsight Empowering Youth in Africa

IBADAN, Nigeria — When Shofu Babalola was studying industrial chemistry at the University of Ibadan in November 2018, he encountered a bed bug infestation that sparked an idea: apply science to solve a real-world problem.

By January 2019, Babalola developed a treatment and began selling it to fellow students. Demand quickly grew, with customers requesting help applying the treatment. That interest led him into professional pest control, where he handled residential accounts after connecting with an established business.

He later founded SB Super Pest Solutions, formerly SB Fumigation Services, which marked its seventh anniversary in January.

Babalola soon noticed a knowledge gap among young people about pest behavior and prevention. “People always ask the same questions — ‘Where do bed bugs hide? How do I get rid of them?’” he said.

In 2020, he launched PestInsight as a blog to address those questions. It expanded into social media and, in 2021, a radio program now called Insight Radio.

PestInsight has since grown into a global initiative focused on youth education in pest control and public health. The team includes Babalola and international adviser Daniel Baldwin of Hawx Services.

In May 2025, Babalola launched PestInsight for Schools at the University of Ibadan, training more than 95 students on bed bug identification, treatment and prevention.

The initiative is expanding through partnerships. At the 2026 Purdue Pest Management Conference, Pi Chi Omega awarded a $1,879 grant to support programming.

— McKenna Christy

Nisus Corporation Joins NPMA as Strategic Partner

FAIRFAX, Va. — The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) announced Nisus Corporation as its newest Strategic Partner.

NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf said the association is proud to add Nisus as its newest Strategic Partner. “Their longstanding commitment to sustainability, innovation and the advancement of pest management professionals aligns perfectly with the values of our organization,” Stumpf said.

Lee Barrett, president and CEO of Nisus Corporation, added, “Our partnership with NPMA reflects our organizations’ shared mission to support the professionals serving our communities every day.”

Nisus joins NPMA’s other Strategic Partners: BASF, Corteva, Envu, FieldRoutes, MGK, Syngenta and WorkWave.

PMPs Plan Mera Peak Summit for Parkinson’s

MELBOURNE, Australia — An all-Australian team of pest control professionals plans to summit Nepal’s Mera Peak in October 2026 to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research.

At 21,247 feet, Mera Peak is Nepal’s highest trekking peak in the Himalayas and the world’s second highest of its kind after Aconcagua in Argentina.

The expedition, called “Peak for Parkinson’s,” will support the Shake It Up Australia Foundation, which funds Parkinson’s research. The organization is an Australian affiliate of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The team is inviting pest management professionals worldwide to participate in the climb or donate.

“This mission combines our passion for pest management with a fight against Parkinson’s,” said team leader Peter McCarthy of Pest IT in Melbourne. “Pests challenge us daily; Parkinson’s challenges society. We’re showing that pest managers can take on any summit, even mountains, to support a cure.”

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease affecting about 10 million people worldwide, including roughly 38 Australians diagnosed each day.

From Mera Peak’s summit, climbers can see five of the world’s six highest mountains, including Mount Everest.

McCarthy called the climb both a personal development challenge and an opportunity to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease.

The team, expected to include seven to 10 members, will spend three weeks trekking and climbing. All climbers are donating their time and covering their own costs, while sponsorships and merchandise sales will support the foundation. For more information and to donate visit bit.ly/4lV6Wx8.