Orkin

Orkin
Orkin’s pest specialists use trucks (like the one pictured above) for customer service calls.

Orkin is a pest-control company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins Inc.

Contents

Brand

The Orkin Uniform

The most recognized Orkin uniform consists of a white collared shirt with the Orkin logo and red epaulets and pressed khaki (or gray) pants. The uniform varies depending on an employee’s job function for safety purposes. Commercial technicians have an additional pocket to store a handheld device used to record service data for on-the-job use. [1]

Advertising

Orkin’s advertising focuses on what the more than 100-year old pest control company can do for homeowners. [2] The company’s Big Bug advertising campaign features giant pests that attempt to enter homes through deceptive practices; however, the Orkin Man arrives to thwart their plot and offers homeowners his knowledge and expertise to help control pest invaders. [3] The advertising campaign’s commercials include:[4]

  • “Blind Date” - A woman awaiting the man of her dreams discovers that the guy she’s corresponded with online is a termite wanting to go home with her.
  • “Vacation” - A family discovers two rodents jamming on guitars in the living room when they return home from their getaway. [5]
  • “Delivery” – While a man prepares his morning coffee, an ant rings his doorbell and tries to deliver a couch. [6]
  • “Hot Tub” – A couple enjoying quiet time in a hot tub is interrupted by a cockroach that wants to join them. [7]
  • “Pizza Delivery” – A woman answers the door and finds a cockroach attempting to deliver pizza that she never ordered.
  • “Broken Down” – A couple getting ready for work receives a visit from a termite asking to use their phone because the termite’s car broke down.

The Orkin Truck

Orkin’s fleet consists principally of white Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado trucks. Outfitted with Orkin’s red diamond logo, each truck has a global positioning system (GPS) to help improve routing efficiency so field specialists can increase their time with customers and decrease driving time. [8]

Treatments/Services

Termites

Wood-destroying insects like termites cause billions of dollars in property damage every year in the U.S. [9] Termite activity can be hard to identify because these pests eat wood from the inside out. It can take years before a homeowner sees damage to the home. [10] Orkin provides termite inspections and customizes treatment options based on the home and the customer’s needs.

Mosquitoes

As temperatures warm up in the spring and summer, pests like mosquitoes become more active, causing people to be cautious while enjoying outdoor activities. [11] More than just a nuisance, mosquitoes can transmit potentially harmful diseases like malaria and West Nile Virus. [12] Orkin’s mosquito service helps reduce conditions that exist around the home and allow mosquitoes to survive and thrive.

Bed Bugs

Bed bug activity is on the rise due to increased international travel and resistance to pesticides.[13] These pests are flat, brown and similar in shape to an apple seed and have been found in hotels, offices, malls and other public places where they can feed on humans. [14]

Orkin uses several techniques to help identify and control bed bugs, one of which includes bed bug DNA testing. An Orkin specialist swabs areas where bed bugs typically crawl and sends it to a testing lab to determine any presence of bed bugs.

Training

Rollins University is a strategic training program that increases its employees’ pest management knowledge and provides Orkin specialists with the skills to better serve their customers. [15] Located in Atlanta, the 28,000-square-foot (2,600 m2) facility provides a state-of-the-art setting to engage employees through interactive distance learning and hands-on and web-based training programs. The facility includes simulated customer environments, including a house and mock grocery store.

Education

O. Orkin Insect Zoo

On September 9, 1993, the O. Orkin Insect Zoo (OOIZ) opened at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. This permanent exhibit, made possible through a contribution from Orkin Pest Control, was created to encourage interactive learning and a better understanding about insects from all over the world as well as those found in the average backyard.[16]

The opening of the zoo marked the first time the Smithsonian enlisted a sponsor for a permanent exhibit in any of their museums. The Smithsonian's popular insect zoo, which annually draws more than one million visitors, is the museum's only exhibit where living creatures can be seen in their natural environments. The insect zoo, located on the second floor of the museum, focuses not only on strange and beautiful insects, but also on the relationships insects have with plants, other animals and humans.[17]

The exhibit features over 300 live insects and arthropods, including giant cockroaches, tarantulas, tailless whip scorpions and walking sticks. Each of the insects in the zoo live in their own natural habitats, which have been painstakingly reproduced under the direction of entomologists and museum professionals. Included in the habitat displays are mangrove swamps, a living bee tree, a desert diorama and a tropical rain forest.

In addition, there are plenty of hands-on activities that encourage the OOIZ visitor—adult or child—to get better acquainted with insects and arthropods of all shapes and sizes.[18] Of particular interest in the OOIZ is the "Our House, Their House" display which shows insects living in and around a giant 3-D home. By pushing buttons in front of the house, visitors illuminate the harborage areas for common household insects such as fleas, roaches, carpenter ants and silverfish.

Junior Pest Investigators

Orkin’s Junior Pest Investigators’ program offers free science lesson plans for teachers.[19] These lessons, for students in grades K-6,[20] focus on common pest identification and environmentally friendly ways to help control pests. [21] The lesson plans are based on the National Science Education Standards and provide resources for assessment such as grading rubrics and quizzes.[22]

Partnerships

Nothing But Nets

In 2008, Orkin created the “Fight The Bite” campaign to help raise money for the purchase and distribution of bed nets in Africa,[23] where 90 percent of malaria-related deaths occur among children.[24] With the purchase of every mosquito service, Orkin donates one mosquito net[25] to Nothing But Nets a campaign started by the United Nations Foundation.[26] Nothing But Nets provides insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent deaths by malaria in Africa. Orkin’s "Fight The Bite" campaign, which also includes donations, has raised more than $435,000 as of May 20, 2010.[27]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Orkin has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on public education initiatives involving pest-related health risks since 2004.[28] The CDC shares their scientific knowledge on pest-related diseases with Orkin employees during bi-annual training sessions. In April and September 2010, Orkin hosted CDC-led training seminars to discuss triatomine bugs (insects that transmit Chagas disease) and insect resistance to pesticides.[29] Orkin’s April 2011 training session featured CDC behavioral specialist Dr. Emily Zielinski-Gutierrez, who discussed emerging mosquito-borne and tick-borne diseases in the U.S. and provided prevention measures for technicians to share with homeowners.[30] During the October 2011 seminar, an expert shared rabies transmission facts and prevention tips. [31]


The seminars are broadcasted via satellite to Orkin branches throughout the country. Field representatives from Orkin’s 400 locations view the live broadcasts or access them later through a video-on-demand feature.[32]

National Pest Management Association

Orkin serves as the presenting sponsor of the National Pest Management Association’s Women of Excellence Award. The international honor recognizes one woman each year who displays outstanding leadership skills and significantly contributes to advancing the pest management industry. [33]

The winners of the NPMA Women of Excellence Award are as follows:

  • 2009- Emily Thomas Kendrick, president and chief operating officer of Arrow Exterminators. [34]
  • 2010- Karie Keown, former director of strategic accounts operations for Rentokil North American Pest Control. [35]
  • 2011- Jennifer Leggett, president of Lindsey Pest Services [36]

Investigations and Lawsuits

Orkin has been the subject of many lawsuits around the country over recent years for alleged faulty service and slipshod practices. Notably, Orkin was investigated in Florida for racketeering in 2004 for its termite contracting practices, with one source citing over 15,000 consumer complaints in the state in a four-year period. This investigation comes on top of multiple lawsuits around that state alleging fraud and poor performance, and similarly around the nation.[37][38][39][40] [41]

Recent revelations by a former high-level Orkin risk manager may serve to bolster those claims levelled against the company.[42] In 2001, NY Attorney General Spitzer instituted measures to reform Orkin advertising and arbitration for its termite services.[43]

Other noteworthy lawsuits against Orkin in recent years can be found at these links, illustrating problems common around the country. Often these cases have gone beyond mere allegations of fraud, deception and poor service to accusations of injury and even death from chemical misuse.

"Another House Destroyed - Another Family Ruined" [44]

"Health and Home at Risk?" [45]

"Toxic Home Costs Orkin Millions" - [46]

Other interesting case histories are linked here, including examples of the numerous class action suits endured by Orkin over the recent past.

"Orkin Man is Super Con" - [47]

"Class Action Granted in Orkin Case" - [48]

"Orkin to reapply termite treatment to Missouri homes under terms of record consumer settlement with Nixon" - [49]

Notes

  1. ^ "Orkin's Uniforms Have Worked Well for a Long, Long Time". Made to Measure. Fall & Winter 2008. http://www.madetomeasuremag.com/issues/fall-a-winter-2008/131-orkins-uniforms-have-worked-well-for-a-long-long-time.html. Retrieved 29 March 2011. 
  2. ^ Elliott, Stuart (21 April 2008). "Memo to Insects: Bug Off". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/business/media/21adnewsletter1.html. Retrieved 18 May 2011. 
  3. ^ "Enormous Orkin pests are pestier than ever". Ad week. 9 March 2011. http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2011/03/enormous-orkin-pests-are-pestier-than-ever.html. Retrieved 18 May 2011. 
  4. ^ "Orkin to roll out new marketing campaign with giant rats, termites". Atlanta Journal Constitution. 4 March 2011. http://www.ajc.com/business/orkin-to-roll-out-860757.html. Retrieved 18 May 2011. 
  5. ^ "Blind Date". YouTube. 9 March 2011. http://www.youtube.com/user/OrkinVideo#p/u/0/ISLJCT0hFE8. Retrieved 18 May 2011. 
  6. ^ "Orkin's giant insects bug people once again". Ad Week. 27 April 2010. http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2010/04/orkins-giant-insects-bug-people-once-again.html. Retrieved 1 August 2011. 
  7. ^ "Orkin commercials - "Delivery" and "Hot Tub"". 25 April 2010. http://www.homadge.com/2010/04/orkin-commercials-delivery-and-hot-tub.html. Retrieved 1 August 2011. 
  8. ^ "Profile: Orkin, Inc.". Light and Medium Truck. 4 May 2009. http://www.lmtruck.com/articles/petemplate.aspx?storyid=464. Retrieved 31 May 2011. 
  9. ^ "Detect Termites and Other Wood-Destroying Insects". National Association of Realtors. 2010-03-09. http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/pest-control/detect-termites-other-wood-destroying-insects/. Retrieved 1 November 2011. 
  10. ^ "Are pests sneaking into your house?". North Jersey Media Group. 2011-08-10. http://www.northjersey.com/news/127502138_Are_pests_sneaking_into_your_house_.html?c=y&page=2. Retrieved 1 November 2011. 
  11. ^ "Prevent Pests From Spoiling Your Outdoor Fun". Health News Digest. 2009-06-27. http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Family_Health_210/Prevent_Pests_From_Spoiling_Your_Outdoor_Fun.shtml. Retrieved 9 March 2011. 
  12. ^ "Pests are ready to party, too". 2009-07-03. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/6510287.html. Retrieved 9 March 2011. 
  13. ^ Petrecca, Laura (2010-08-20). "More offices see bedbug infestations". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2010-08-20-bedbugs20_CV_N.htm. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  14. ^ "Don't let the bedbugs bite!". 2010-08-27. http://www.diylife.com/2010/08/27/bed-bugs/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+weblo. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  15. ^ "Training magazine honors Orkin for 9th straight year". http://www.mypmp.net/events/news/training-magazine-honors-orkin-9th-straight-year-7621. Retrieved 15 Feb 2011. 
  16. ^ "Orkin Insect Zoo". http://www.mnh.si.edu/education/planned_programs/insect_zoo.html. Retrieved 20 Dec 2010. 
  17. ^ "Smithsonian Insect Zoo: Buggy Paradise". Washington Times. 2010-08-28. http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/parent-america/2010/aug/28/smithsonian-insect-zoo-buggy-paradise/. Retrieved 22 Dec 2010. 
  18. ^ "Museum-Quality Cockroaches". Los Angeles Times. 11 September 1993. http://articles.latimes.com/1993-09-11/business/fi-34110_1_o-orkin-insect-zoo. Retrieved 22 Dec 2010. 
  19. ^ "The Oley School". http://www.oleyschool.com/freestuff.html. Retrieved 14 Jan 2011. 
  20. ^ "Junior Pest Investigator". eCoach. http://my-ecoach.com/online/resourcepub.php?resourceid=5294. Retrieved 14 Jan 2011. 
  21. ^ "Science Students Move to Head of Class". The St. Joe channel. http://stjoechannel.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=46491. Retrieved 14 Jan 2011. 
  22. ^ "Environmental Health Curricula". National Environmental Education Foundation. 2010-08-28. http://www.eeweek.org/resources/environmental_health_curricula.htm. Retrieved 14 Jan 2011. 
  23. ^ "Orkin's Fight the Bite Campaign Wages War on Mosquitoes". 2008-04-01. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&refer=conews&tkr=ROL:US&sid=a.Ekg47TkS1k. Retrieved 31 Dec 2010. 
  24. ^ "Learn About Malaria". http://www.malarianomore.org/malaria/index.php. Retrieved 31 Dec 2010. 
  25. ^ "Medical News Today". http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/102733.php. Retrieved 31 Dec 2010. 
  26. ^ "Nothing But Nets". 2008-04-03. http://www.unfoundation.org/our-solutions/campaigns/nothing-but-nets/. Retrieved 31 Dec 2010. 
  27. ^ "Video: Orkin's Fight the Bite Trip to Africa". PCT Online. 2010-05-20. http://www.pctonline.com/Orkin-fight-bite-Africa-trip.aspx. Retrieved 31 Dec 2010. 
  28. ^ "The Orkin Man Answers Government's Call For Help". Tampa Bay Online. 2007-05-24. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/may/24/the-orkin-man-answers-governments-call-for-help/. Retrieved 22 Jan 2011. 
  29. ^ "Orkin Training Seminar Focuses on Chagas Disease". Pest Control Technology Magazine. 2010-04-12. http://www.pctonline.tv/Orkin-chagas-seminar.aspx. Retrieved 22 Jan 2011. 
  30. ^ "Orkin Specialists Receive Training on Emerging Illnesses". Pest Control Technology Magazine. 2011-04-06. http://www.pctonline.com/Orkin-CDC-training-seminar.aspx. Retrieved 24 June 2011. 
  31. ^ "Orkin Specialists Receive Training on Rabies". Pest Control Technology. 2011-10-06. http://66.181.99.28/Orkin-rabies-training.aspx. Retrieved 2 November 2011. 
  32. ^ "Orkin Specialists Receive Training on Pesticide Resistance". Pest Control Technology Magazine. 2010-09-09. http://www.pctonline.com/Orkin-specialists-pesticide-resistance-training.aspx. Retrieved 27 Apr 2011. 
  33. ^ "NPMA announces Women of Excellence award". PMP Magazine. 2011-03-01. http://www.mypmp.net/pest-mgmt-content/news/npma-announces-women-excellence-award-7657. Retrieved 30 Apr 2011. 
  34. ^ "Emily Thomas Kendrick Receives 2009 Women of Excellence Award at PestWorld ‘09". PCT Online. 2009-28-10. http://www.pctonline.com/Pestworld_Kendrick.aspx. Retrieved 12 Sept. 2011. 
  35. ^ "NPMA Names 2010 Women of Excellence Award Recipient". PCT Online. 2010-09-17. http://www.pctonline.com/Keown-women-excellence-award-winner.aspx. Retrieved 12 Sept. 2011. 
  36. ^ "Jennifer Leggett Named 2011 NPMA Women of Excellence Award Recipient". PCT Online. 2011-08-30. http://www.pctonline.com/leggett-women-excellence-award-npma-orkin.aspx. Retrieved 12 Sept. 2011. 
  37. ^ Consumer Affairs
  38. ^ SP Times 10 July 2004
  39. ^ SP Times 10 May 2003
  40. ^ Orlando Sentinel
  41. ^ CBS News
  42. ^ "Former Orkin Manager Says Company Doesn't Do the Work it Promises | Firstcoastnews.com | News". Firstcoastnews.com. http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/news-article.aspx?storyid=15485. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  43. ^ "Termite Control Guarantee Questioned" (Press release). Office of New York State Attorney General. 2001-12-27. http://www.oag.state.ny.us/media_center/2001/dec/dec27a_01.html. Retrieved 2008-09-05. 
  44. ^ "Orkin Pest Control - Another Family Destroyed". Getipm.com. http://www.getipm.com/articles/dursban-enger.htm. Retrieved 2 May 2010. 
  45. ^ "Another victim or Orkin Exterminators". Getipm.com. http://www.getipm.com/articles/orkin-essenmacher.htm. Retrieved 2 May 2010. 
  46. ^ "Toxic home costs Orkin millions". Junkscience.com. http://www.junkscience.com/nov98/orkin.html. Retrieved 2 May 2010. 
  47. ^ "Orkin Man is a super con | Creative Loafing Atlanta | CL Stay Tuned". Georgiamusicdirectory.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927131159/http://www.georgiamusicdirectory.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid:13806. Retrieved 2 May 2010. 
  48. ^ "Class Action Granted In Orkin Case | InjuryBoard Atlanta". Atlanta.injuryboard.com. 1995-10-16. http://atlanta.injuryboard.com/class-action-granted-in-orkin-case.php. Retrieved 2 May 2010. 
  49. ^ AGO[dead link]

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