In Praise of Environmental Protection Agency's PESP Program

Image Copyright EPA PESP The EPA's Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) promotes pest control efforts that are ecologically aware and also less toxic for people. The history of Cascade Pest Control as a pioneer in environmentally friendly pest management services spans from the early 1990's. In those days there were few groups or agencies that would work with a conscienscious pest management company. In fact, in those days most of the pest control industry had a lot of animosity toward environmentalists in general. Today things have changed significantly and the EPA has sponsered the PESP program to encourage and promote companies for their efforts in environmental care and the use of safer products and methods. Cascade is a proud member of PESP and our owner, Kurt Treftz, and our IPM Laison Person, Maxine Luna, wrote articles for the PESP newsletter Pestwire. See article. Don Leland

Northwest Entomological Research Center certifies Cascade Pest Control

(Image Copyright Northwest Entomological Research Center) Cascade Pest Control was certified to provide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) services by the Norhwest Entomological Research Center (NWERC). NWERC describes themselves as haveing been, "...founded with the mission to provide high-quality entomological expertise to the industry and the general public by integrating research, service and education. Our research and service activities to date have supported academic, government and non-profit research endeavors in the areas of endangered species conservation, biodiversity and environmental monitoring in the Pacific Northwest. We are also working toward the education and promotion of “green” technology for pest management in homes and, integrating management techniques to soften environmental impacts and to enhance efficacy and cost efficiency." Cascade is proud to earn NWERC recognition for IPM certification. Don Leland

Termites Essential to Humanity

The very voracity of termite's hunger both threatens our homes and saves the planet.  Obviously, we need to control those that attack our homes, but we need them in the wild.
Researchers have fount that termites throughout the planet are essential to the life cycle of soil.  The lack of them would shut down much of our agriculture overnight.
So, we need to keep a balance by controlling those right around our homes yet protect those in agricultural, grasslands and wildlands.  read here for more information

Image of termites

Pest Control Seminar held near Seattle, WA

A pest control seminar hosted by Univar in cooperation with the WSPCA Education Committee on 2/21/08 for Greater Seattle area pest control operators.
The first half covered pesticide/chemical spills. The speaker was Fred Whitford from Purdue University's Pesticide Programs. It was an entertainig presentation onwhat some would consider a boring subject. He pulled technicians from the audience to use as victims and drivers. He simulated a vehicle accident with a chemical spill and had them say what steps to follow. Al Brown of Cascade Pest Control noted that all Cascade vehicles have labels and MSDS's which Mr Whitford said was most important.
The second half was on Integrated Pest Management and Green pest control. How we have evolved from exterminators to consultants. Our role is in being good stewards of the environment. It was clear that, as we do our consciously of the environment we should be a well respected industry and be compensated accordingly.

Report submitted by Alan Brown