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April 2023
news & updates
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This is a full edition - be sure to read to the bottom for all the latest news | |
Legislative Review
Billy Olesen, WSPMA Vice SPAR
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The Washington State Pest Management Association meets with congressional staff in Washington DC to advocate for the public health and the pest management industry.
The National Pest Management Association organizes a national legislative day for the industry that helps to unite the industry on key issues that are or could affect the way we all do business. This year was a big year as it’s the first time the DC offices have been open to in person meetings since Covid started in 2020. The main issue this year was an issue we’ve been fighting year after year and that’s pesticide preemption. In simple terms it would make one state lead agency(the department of agriculture in almost all cases) that would be in charge of regulating pesticides. This would make it so cities wouldn’t be able to come in and create more regulations. Why does this matter to us? Well Washington currently has pesticide preemption but we’ve seen some other states repeal there’s, with a federal bill that wouldn’t be able to happen. What are we doing? Well we spent last week in DC meeting with legislative staff pleading our cases about why this should be added to the Farm Bill that’s due In September. The good news is all of our meetings went well and I didn’t feel like there was strong opposition but I also didn’t get the sense that this was something their offices would want to champion, but that’s actually not a bad thing. Having Senators and Representatives neutral is a great spot to be in and that’s very promising that we did a good job laying out our case. We will continue to follow the Farm Bill and a few other bills bouncing around in DC and keep you updated on any developments.
A special thanks to Samantha Malone our WSPMA Executive Director and President of Olympia Pest Management, Randy & Trinity Moffat with United Pest Solutions, Luke Rambo owner of Rambo Total Pest Control, and Leila Starwich, Larry and Alfie Treleven with Sprague for taking the time away and helping to represent WSPMA and the industry in DC.
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Upcoming: April Workshop
Pollinator Health
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This workshop will be all about protecting our pollinators while providing pest services. If you're interested in pollinator health trends, how to treat around flowering plants, or how you can protect pollinators, this is the course for you.
Approved for 2 CEUS in WA, OR & ID
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Virtual Webinar
Tuesday, April 11
8 am to 10 am
$25 WSPMA Member / $40 non-Member
REGISTER HERE
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As a member of the Washington State Pest Management Association (WSPMA), you know firsthand the benefits that come with being a part of a professional organization that promotes excellence in pest management services. From access to industry resources to networking opportunities, WSPMA provides valuable resources to support your business and your career.
As your membership renewal date approaches, we encourage you to consider the many advantages of renewing your WSPMA membership. Renewing your WSPMA membership is a simple and easy process. By renewing on time, you’ll avoid any interruption in your membership benefits and continue to enjoy the many advantages of being a part of our association. We value your membership and look forward to continuing to support you and your business.
Thank you for your ongoing support of WSPMA. We look forward to continuing to work with you as we promote excellence in pest management services throughout the state.
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Renewals are due by June 30, 2023 | |
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This week the Pesticide Licensing and Recertification Program launched a pesticide license exam registration request form. Anyone looking to obtain or maintain a pesticide license can use this form to request an exam location, date, and time for your preferred pesticide license type. Once the form is submitted Program staff will follow up to finalize your exam registration.
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VENDOR MEMBERS
Voice For Pest
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FULL MEMBERS
The Ant Sir Pest Inspections, Marysville
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Member News
Sam Dilday, M.SC, WSU Department of Entomology
The odorous house ant (OHA) has climbed the ranks and now sits as one of the most frequent household pests. With ants accounting for nearly $2.1 billion in annual revenue for the structural pest management market, OHA makes up a significant portion. OHA has proliferated in urban environments across the United States due in part to their adaptability, generalist diet, and natural pesticide resistance.
Research into this ant pest has been limited in the Pacific Northwest but I’m looking to change that! I’m asking operators to participate in my research by collecting OHA worker samples from their service area. I will be providing everything you need to sample and ship worker ants to me for further analysis of the differences in their physical characteristics and genetics. If you’d like to participate, please provide your contact information, business name, location, and address to ship supplies to. I look forward to working with you all!
Any questions can be sent to [email protected]
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Voice for Pest is excited to be the newest member and official phone system of the WSPMA!
We are the only phone system designed for the Pest Control Industry.
Our Phone System integrates with most industry CRM’s to provide you with powerful features that will increase sales, improve employee efficiency, and enjoy complete call tracking visibility.
- Automatic screen pop displays the customer record when the call is answered.
- Intelligent Call Routing identifies, and routes calls as the phone rings.
- One-click dialing from within the software.
- Automatic Noting, a note is automatically created after each call with a link to the call recording.
Besides from our software integration, our support team is live Monday to Friday; and we offer powerful system enhancements like After Call Auto Text, Auto-Dialer, Texting, and more.
Watch our Video to Learn More
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Early-Bird Registration is available now!
Register now to take advantage of these discounts.
Discount availble until May 1.
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AUGUST 24-26, 2023
Skamania Lodge
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This 3-day event will offer a chance to work on your business development with over 4 sessions to attend. Along side the classes, there will be a variety of opportunities for you to network while participating in some amazing activities.
More information about this event will come out with your renewal packet and in future emails.
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NETWORKING ACTIVITIES
Golf / Wine Tour / Zip Lining / Aerial Course / Axe Throwing / Hiking
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Session Updates
March 31, 2023
HB 1019- Creates the Pesticide Advisory Board. Establishing the duty of the Pesticide Advisory Board (Board) to be advising the Director of the Department of Agriculture (Director) on any or all problems relating to the use and application of pesticides in the state, except for matters covered by the Pesticide Application Safety Committee. On March 7 the bill passed the House with a vote of 95-0 with 3 excused. The bill had a public hearing in the Senate Ag committee on March 23 and executive action on March 27. The bill was placed on the floor calendar for a vote on March 30.
SB 5143- Changes the name of the Commission on Pesticide Registration to the Commission on Integrated Pest Management. Adds a representative of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, as a non-voting member of the Commission. The bill passed the House on March 24 and is waiting to be signed by the Governor.
SB 5330- This bill is the first step in implementing the modified Washington State plan for certified applicators that was approved by the EPA. The plan increases standards for initial licensing and the continued certification of pesticide applicators to ensure that pesticides are used safely and reduce the likelihood of negative impact to human health and the environment. These changes are important for both pesticide users and those living in areas where pesticides are regularly applied. This bill adds and amends definitions, gives WSDA the authority to revoke licenses that have been revoked by the issuing jurisdiction, and increases the minimum age of all licensees to 18 years of age. The bill authorizes WSDA to conduct rulemaking to require noncertified applicators, working under the supervision of a certified applicator, be qualified as competent to use pesticides. The bill will allow the revocation of out of state licenses in Washington, align the minimum worker age with the state’s worker protection standard, and offer training to unlicensed workers doing work under supervision. On March 6 the bill passed 49-0 out of the Senate. The bill had a public hearing in the House Ag committee on March 21 and had executive session on March 22. The bill is in House Rules committee waiting for a floor vote.
Full Updates from WFFF
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Diversity Corner
Equity and the Size 7 Steel Toed Boots
Luke Rambo, Rambo Total Pest Control
My understanding of “equity” has shifted following the presentation by James Davis of Enterprise Fleet Management at the WSPMA Winter Conference. He asked the attendees what we would think if he gifted us each a pair of size 7 steel toed boots. Well, sure, that might work for some people, but if I wear size 13, and already have a pair of steel toed boots, that gift doesn’t really help me. He showed us that being equitable is not about treating everybody the same, rather it is about treating everybody in a manner which will allow that particular person to be successful in the job they are asked to perform, and in their personal life.
I have always thought of equity as treating all people equally, and having the same rigid set of rules for each person. I’m realizing, however, that there are many different perspectives to consider when applying “equitable” opportunities. Yes, we all have to follow the same basic set of guidelines and each employee needs to have the same set of rules with how the job is done. This is a conversation I will continue to have with myself and with others, but one example for applying equitable solutions is as follows:
At Rambo Total Pest Control, our technicians are generally scheduled to work from 8AM until 5PM. If one employee needs to be off by 4:00 every day because they need to take care of the kids after school, and another one can’t start their day until 9:00 for similar reasons, we might want to be less rigid with our specific guidelines in order to be “equitable” with how these rules are applied in order to allow for success and happiness among our team. That’s what I learned from the size 7 steel toed boot.
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