After nearly 50 years working in the business, Gary Blankenship of Lexington, Ky.-based Guarantee Pest Control recently sold his second generation family business to Scherzinger Pest Control in Cincinnati, Ohio. PCT interviewed Blankenship at the UK Short Course to reflect on his pest control journey, the benefits of attending state and regional meetings for continued growth in the industry and his plans for retirement.

Sydney Crawley, principal vector scientist with Rentokil Terminix, shares how pest activity continues and, in some cases, increases during the winter months, challenging the common belief that pests slow down in cold weather.

Horner, vice president of government affairs & industry stewardship, Arrow Exterminators, was recognized by PCT and Syngenta during the Crown Leadership Awards ceremony at PestWorld, in Orlando.

Hosts Mike Thome and Jen Sweeney-Ingram of UPMTC sit down with Jeff Weier, BCE, consultant and technical director emeritus for Sprague Pest Solutions, to explore Weier’s 50+ year journey through the evolution of pest management.

At the 2025 University of Kentucky Short Course held in Lexington, Ky., Dr. Faith Oi, UF/IFAS extension associate professor, discussed the future of pest control and using integrated pest management on a global health scale under one framework: One Health. PCT interviewed Oi on this developing concept and the role it plays in the future of pest management.

In the following Q&A interview with Jim Fredericks, executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance, he shared more about the Alliance's rebranding, the culmination of months of strategic planning sessions, board collaboration and extensive member feedback.

Anneke Cannon, chief operating officer, Sage Pest Control, sat on a panel at NPMA Academy in Palm Springs, Calif., focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and ways fast-growing pest control companies are using AI to enhance operations while keeping a personalized feel to their company’s messaging. PCT interviewed Cannon to learn more about this AI practice.

Beyond the Pest podcast hosts and UPMTC members Mike Thome and Jennifer Sweeney-Ingram sat down with industry veteran Pat Hottel to discuss her entomology career, experiences in Bermuda that kickstarted her pest control journey, the evolution of women in the pest control and more.