Polyguard would like to welcome Bruce Jones, Maintenance – Corsicana. Bruce was hired on September 5, 2018. His previous
experience was hotel maintenance where he had on the job training. Bruce lives in Purdon, TX with his wife Cathy and son Cody. Outside of work, he enjoys training horses and ranching. His plans for Polyguard’s future is to “learn all I can about the company”. Welcome to the crew, Bruce.
Polyguard would like to welcome Craig Bo Young, TERM Commercial Development Manager, Atlanta, GA. Bo was 
hired into the TERM Division as their Commercial Development Manager on August 27, 2018. His recent experience of more than 30 years with Modernfold, Pergo and Armstrong make him an excellent candidate for this position. He currently lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife. His plans for Polyguard’s future are to “grow sales volume”. Welcome Bo.
Polyguard would like to welcome Al Marino, Shipping and Receiving, Corsicana – Al was hired on August 6, 2018. His
previous experience was a production tech at JTEK in Ennis. Al lives in Corsicana with his wife Veronica, 1 child, Baylie a 3-1/2 year old Boxer. Outside of work, Al enjoys working in the yard. His plans for Polyguard’s future is to “Do my best as a team member” Welcome to the Polyguard family Al.
ENNIS, TX –
Polyguard is proud to announce that we have added a new employee-owner. Larry Prewitt has accepted the position as our Production Manager and will be joining the Polyguard family in the Corsicana location. Larry has the experience, passion and personality to help us get to our 100 million dollar goal and beyond.
Larry is coming to us from Polyglass USA in Waco where he was the Plant Manager leading and overseeing startup operations.
Prior to that he worked for TAMKO in a variety of roles including Facility Manager, Process Engineer, and Safety Manager.
Larry is a graduate of Texas A&M, a veteran of the US Navy, has a Masters in Science in Engineering Systems Management, and is Six Sigma Black belt Certified.
We look forward to Larry and his family joining Polyguard team. When you see him please be sure to welcome him aboard.
Founded in 1953, Polyguard Products specializes in products which protect surfaces and structures from moisture, water, or other undesired substances. Polyguard is an industry leader in the production self-adhesive protective coatings for engineering and construction. Polyguard is also a 100% employee-owned ESOP with 25 consecutive years of sales growth.
# # #
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact JC Cody at 214-515-5000 or email at Jcody@polyguard.com.
Let’s face it, no one wants to hear the word ‘termite’. It will make us want to either not listen to what the person is saying, or tense up with our eyes widened and want to hear more. Termites are the most invasive of all pests, causing more property damage than most other pests combined. If you have ever been a victim of termite damage or have known someone that has been a victim, typically you know the only way to control these wood-eaters is by calling a Pest Control Professional (PCP).
Once the PCP is at your home, they can offer you a few choices: Termiticides sprayed around your foundation and mixed in with your soil, or Bait Stations that have some termiticide in them and once the soldier termites find the bait stations, carry the termiticide back to the queen to hopefully end the colony.
These choices had really been your only two best answers. Termiticides work, and there are some very good ones on the market, but they are pesticides. I know you are asking me, well, what are my other choices, if any?
Glad you asked. If there was a product without any pesticides and was proven by years of University research, a product that was a physical barrier, and was safe around kids, dogs, and chemically sensitive adults, would you be interested in knowing more about it? Would you say, “That would be a product that I could use at my home or commercial property?”
Particle Barrier maybe your answer. What is that, you ask? Particle Barriers are a physical barrier that have had many years of solid research and gratifying proven results to stopping subterranean termites of gaining access into homes. Particle Barriers of similar types have been used in Hawaii and Australia for over 40 years. They have been proven to work. But shipping basaltic ash from Hawaii just isn’t worth the cost for anyone to want to pay, and don’t even think about shipping costs from Australia! Crikey!
Particle Barrier can be found for sale here on the good ole mainland. It is a precisely sized, weighted, and crushed stone particle, exclusively for the barrier of below-grade termites. Particle Barrier can be used on existing structures or new ones. The only requirement? Yes, there had to be a requirement! To be effective, Particle Barrier needs to be placed around vertical concrete. So, let’s break that down:
Vertical Concrete: slab-on-grade foundation, concrete piers, concrete grade beams
(cannot be used for wood piers)
The Particle Barrier Wedge or Trench
The Particle Barrier is typically installed (poured) into a 4” x 4” trench that is dug around all vertical concrete. You want to protect your structure! Concrete Slab homes have a vulnerable area at every weep hole at the bases of brick homes, and any wood siding homes. You can also choose to install in a “wedge” shaped trench, 6” down on the concrete, 4” out and 5” diagonally. This will provide the same protection.
How do these particles work with no pesticide? This is the cool part. (Cool because it has a terrific track record!) The Particles are too heavy for the termite to move, too hard to chew or bite, and they compact so tightly they cannot crawl between. This provides a physical barrier to your property that does not degrade, allows the passage of water, and looks nice against the structure.
Particle Barriers are precisely sized stone particles
So, what is the downside? Or are you asking the negatives? I want to provide you with all the information that you may be thinking, so let’s add some maintenance items:
Particle Barrier should be installed by a licensed PCP. This allows protection for you and a warranty to be provided.
Annual inspection is necessary by the PCP. Each PCP varies with their warranties and may require additional inspections.
Particle Barrier should not be covered, and needs to remain visible.
Particle Barrier may need additional “topping off” if any is disturbed by animals, landscapers, heavy rains.
If you decide that Particles are the way to go for your structure, or you would like to use them, say just in your backyard, due to pets and/or children, then we have pesticide-free solutions. Particles can always be used in conjunction with Pesticides when needed (think crawl spaces, patios, driveways). And this is considered a limited impact treatment. The less pesticides you use in your structure, the better off you will be breathing in the future. That brings us all some comfort.
Here’s hoping you have a termite-free home and never need us, but for most folks living in the Midwest, South and near the coastline, the chances are pretty high that these buggers are waiting for a new structure to feast upon.
Jill Heidorf RCI, CSI, WWYW
Sales Manager TERM Barrier Systems Division
jheidorf@polyguard.com
Phone: 469-500-8402
www.PolyguardBarriers.com
ENNIS, TX 
Polyguard has announced the promotion of Karen Zambrano to Associate Engineering Specialist for the Mechanical Division. Karen’s primary responsibilities will be supporting Polyguard’s specification effort targeting the engineering community; attending job installations; assisting customers with technical inquires; and introducing Mechanical products throughout the Southern Region and other strategic opportunities in North America.
This new position will help support the growth Polyguard’s Mechanical Division has enjoyed over the last five years.
Karen joined Polyguard in 2016 working as Executive Assistant for the CEO and President. In her time at Polyguard, Karen has shown an ability to master new skills and a willingness to tackle unfamiliar tasks to achieve personal growth and help the company. Karen is most recognized for taking the initiative to learn different aspects of the manufacturing business while completing a wide-range of corporate, manufacturing and sales tasks.
Karen has both a BAAS degree from the College of Science & Engineering and Master of Science in Management degree from the College of Business at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Karen will be working under both Co-Division Managers Nate Brink and Tony Garone. Tony stated that “Karen’s strong interpersonal skills, ability to adapt to changes, being a team player and helpful attitude made her a perfect candidate for us.” The Mechanical Division specializes in anti-corrosion, vapor barriers, weatherproofing jackets and insulation products for different mechanical systems in various industries.
Founded in 1953, Polyguard Products specializes in products which protect surfaces and structures from moisture, water, or other undesired substances. Polyguard is an industry leader in the production self-adhesive protective coatings for engineering and construction. Polyguard is also a 100% employee-owned ESOP with 25 consecutive years of sales growth.
# # #
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact JC Cody at 214-515-5000 or email at Jcody@polyguard.com.
Controlling Cockroaches
Author, Cassie Krejci, Ph.D.
When you ask someone which insect they are most afraid of, I would guess most people will say, “cockroaches”. Spiders may be a close second, but then again, spiders are not insects.
Did you know that the fear of insects is referred to as entomophobia?
I seem to have digressed….
You may be wondering I am talking about cockroaches. Doesn’t the TERM Barrier Division deal with termites? Why, yes! But cockroaches are one of those insect invaders that disrupt the comfort of a structure’s inhabitants. As manufacturers of building envelope materials, Polyguard’s TERM Barrier System not only protects the structure from moisture and energy loss, but insects as well! Talk about double duty!
Not only do these materials block entry of insect pests into the structure as physical barriers, but the waterproofing qualities eliminate a requisite for life from the structure: moisture. Without easy access to it, most insects will find the home uncomfortable.
Here’s another fun fact for the dinner table: termites and cockroaches are actually in the same order of insects (Blattodea). Though they are not very similar anatomically, they were recently found to be close ancestors through genetic studies.
So, what is our primary concern with cockroaches, besides the fact that most people just find the sight of them uncomfortable?
Cockroaches are mechanical vectors of pathogens that cause diseases in humans. This means that the cockroaches will pick up pathogens from the environment on their feet, bodies, or mouthparts, and transmit the pathogen to your food, or food prep surface. This can all happen without anyone ever seeing a roach!
Possible diseases that can result from these pathogens are:
There are many species of cockroaches in the United States that inhibit our homes and structures, but the two most common are the German Cockroach and the American Cockroach.
German cockroach
American Cockroach
Cockroach Control
Integrated pest management is the key to controlling cockroaches. While pesticides are a great tool for immediate relief, there are things that you can do around the home or structure to prevent them from ever coming inside, or eliminate their presence. Remember, IPM is an ecological approach to the control of target pests in which all available necessary control techniques are systematically consolidated into a unified program. The goal of an IPM program is to manage pest populations while avoiding economic damage and minimizing adverse side effects.
TERM Sealant Barrier and TERM Bath Trap Barriers are excellent tools to use when installing barriers, either pre- or post-construction.
TERM Sealant Barrier is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to keep insects out of your home or structure is to protect the plumbing penetrations above the slab. Plumbing and pipe penetrations can provide access to the home or structure through the miniscule openings that occur between the pipe and concrete. I like to refer to this area as a “super highway” for pest intrusion because there is little to stand in the way of a determined pest.
The TERM All-Pest Bath Trap Barrier uses a combination of TERM Barrier System materials to block pests in the slab leave-out. TERM membrane, micromesh, sealant, and particle barrier are installed to block pests that may be seeking entrance into the structure through a vulnerable, yet hard-to-treat, area.
When evaluating a cockroach infestation and your options for control, don’t forget to include barriers in your IPM plan. Barriers like those of the TERM Barrier System are the safest and least expensive form of control.
For additional information on the TERM® Barrier System products, please feel free to email me at ckrejci@polyguard.com.
Integrated Pest Management and Schools by Author, Cassie Krejci, Ph.D.
As we find ourselves in March already, it’s hard not to notice the students getting restless for Spring Break and eventual summer vacation. One thing we don’t want to see students get restless about is the presence of bugs in their classrooms. Schools across the United States utilize school integrated pest management (IPM) programs to combat insects with a balanced approach.
I have written about IPM in the past, in which we outlined the very general concepts of IPM. Integrated pest management is an ecological approach to the control of target pests in which all available necessary control techniques are systematically consolidated into a unified program. The goal of an IPM program is to manage pest populations while avoiding economic damage and minimizing adverse side effects.
Steps to an IPM program include:
While these steps are short and simple, they are integral in maintaining control over a pest population.
The National Pesticide Information Center highlights school IPM well:
Additionally, they list many resources on their school IPM website.
School IPM is a topic covered mostly by agriculture extension services in each state and focuses on pest management after the school is built. However, due to the use of cardboard carton forms during school construction, especially in the south and southeastern United States, problems with insects in schools can be there from the beginning. Cardboard carton forms, or void boxes, are commonly used to form a void space between the slabs and grade beams built on expansive soils. While these are an economic solution, they can initiate issues with insects in the structure from the beginning.
Termites feed on cellulose – not concrete, not paint – just cellulose. Cellulose makes up wood and plant-based products, such as cardboard. When cardboard carton forms are used below the slab it is important to include a barrier that can block termite and other pest intrusion.
TERM Underslab Barrier is the only research – developed and proven barrier on the market for this application.
TERM Underslab Barrier is a strong sheet barrier with n 8.5 mils high strength cross-laminated polyethylene backing topped with a 69 mil thick layer of TERM Sealant Barrier integrated into a high strength non-woven geotextile fabric. Total membrane thickness is factory controlled at 95 mils.
TERM Underslab Barrier functions as the full underslab waterproofing barrier that also blocks termites from coming through the slab.
When building a structure, whether it be a school where children spend their days, or an office where one will spend 40 hours a week, it’s important to think about overall comfort and wellbeing of the occupants from the beginning. A structure built on cardboard carton forms is predisposed to having issues with termite and pest intrusion, unless proper steps are taken in the beginning to disrupt termite foraging. TERM Underslab Barrier complements the building envelope by functioning not only as the required waterproofing barrier, but also as a termite barrier.
For additional information on the TERM® Barrier System products, please feel free to email me at ckrejci@polyguard.com.
Author, Cassie Krejci, Ph.D.
I have written extensively in past TERM blogs about termites and the damage they can do to structures. But why? Besides the fact that I am an entomologist, and bugs are just plain cool, I am part of a team at Polyguard that has worked for many years to bridge the building industry and the pest management industry.
Current building standards require the use of materials that keep air and moisture out of structures. Recent improvements on these building materials and their installation have made it possible to add termite and pest exclusion to the building envelope as well.
Subterranean termites cause an estimated $5 billion in damage to structures in the United States each year (source). Since termiticide pretreatments are not required in all states, that cost has the potential to increase.
Polyguard has manufactured building envelope materials for sealing out water, and for sealing in energy, since 1970. In the TERM Barrier System Division, we have upgraded these same building envelope materials to exclude pests, as well.
By not including pesticides in our products, but instead strengthening them and installing them in the structure, we have created a physical barrier. Physical barriers do not kill pests, like a pesticide or a trap would, but instead physically block pests from movement into a structure. Physical barriers are not a new concept, but recent advances in the use of building materials to effectively exclude pests have made it possible to add new dimensions to integrated pest management strategies.
Implementation of non-pesticide termite and pest barriers into the building envelope can put long-term pest control options into the hands of the architect, builder, and subsequent owner.
Think of Polyguard as an innovator and manufacturer of barriers – not just barriers against moisture and corrosion, but against contaminants like radioactive radon gas, methane, and insect pests. The solution to all of these building envelope offenders lies in the TERM Barrier System.
For additional information on the TERM® Barrier System products, please feel free to email me at ckrejci@polyguard.com.
ENNIS, TX – Polyguard Products Inc. announced this week that 2017 marked its 25th consecutive year of top line sales growth for the company.
“This streak rivals any that I know in the business world,” President Shawn Eastham said. “This is a credit to our diversity, the quality of our manufacturing practices and, most importantly, the employee owners who take so much pride in the work they do every day.”
Polyguard’s streak began in 1992 and has withstood the financial ups and downs of the various markets Polyguard serves, including several nationwide recessions. The leadership in place at Polyguard credits this to several factors that make Polyguard a unique company, highlighted in the company tagline: Employee Owned. Innovation Based. Expect More.
“Employee owners, historically, take a greater sense of pride in what they do, more responsibility for the overall health of the company, and there’s a system of checks and balances that keeps everyone working for the good of the entire company,” CEO John Muncaster, who has been the head of the company since the mid-1980s.
As a result of these increased sales, Polyguard more than doubled its manufacturing capabilities by moving the majority of its manufacturing facility to Corsicana, Texas to keep up with demand.
Founded in 1953, Polyguard Products specializes in products which protect surfaces and structures from moisture, water, or other undesired substances. Polyguard is an industry leader in the production of self-adhesive protective coatings for engineering and construction.
# # #
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Tre Bischof at 214-515-5000 or email at Tbischof@polyguardproducts.com.
