Pestworld Magazine Focusing on the Business of Pest Management
Pest control companies urged to help spread consumer awareness of the dangers associated with rodents amid the COVID-19 pandemic
The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), which serves as the public outreach arm of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), is working to educate consumers about the dangers and health threats associated with rats and mice during Rodent Awareness Week, this October 18-24, 2020. With Americans altering their regular activities in response to the global pandemic, many food sources previously relied upon by rodents can no longer provide a steady supply, forcing them to move indoors in droves in search of sustenance. According to new research, there were more than 11 million online engagements on the topic of rats as a health and home issue in July 2020, and a 16 percent increase in rodent sightings in the kitchen in homes across America during that same timeframe.*
“Rodent Awareness Week is an opportune time for pest control companies to encourage public vigilance against mice and rats, especially given this year’s spike in activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Cindy Mannes, executive director of PPMA. “As we head into the fall and winter months where rodent infestations are particularly prevalent, we encourage all pest control companies to help educate consumers on the dangers associated with an infestation and the importance of promptly contacting a professional if one is suspected.”
PPMA will be dedicating all @PestWorld social media pages to sharing important rodent information, facts and prevention tips during Rodent Awareness Week. Pest control companies can help further the cause by focusing their social media content on rodents throughout the week as well and use the hashtag #RodentAwareness in all posts. This year, PPMA will also be unveiling a new and exciting consumer campaign to commemorate the week – so stay tuned for details!
PPMA created an exclusive toolkit available for Mainframe subscribers to download on PPMAMainframe.org. The toolkit includes a customizable press release, suggested social media content, Rodent Awareness Week logos, high-resolution photography, media training documents and a list of video content that can be directly embedded on a company’s website. New photography will also be added in late September.
For more information about PPMA, its marketing programs or how to get involved in supporting the professional pest control industry, please visit http://www.NPMApestworld.org/PPMA.
*Online engagement findings are a result of research conducted by Advanced Symbolics Inc.
About the Professional Pest Management Alliance: The PPMA was founded in 1997 to defend, protect and grow the pest management industry. As the voice of the professional pest management industry, PPMA continues to proactively provide the public with information on the value of professional pest management through its media relations, public service announcement, advertising and online communications programs it conducts on behalf of the National Pest Management Association. For more information, please visit PPMAMainframe.org or NPMAPestWorld.org/PPMA.
About the National Pest Management Association: The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,500 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. For more information, visit PestWorld.org or follow @PestWorld on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
