December 2023

news & updates

December 20, 2023 | Issue 33

Join us in 2024!

The new year has an incredible offerings for you and your staff. We are dedicated to serving our membership through technical courses, business sessions, safety topics, legislative action, discounted rates on products and services and more.

Take a look at our event calendar located to the left and make sure you don't miss out

Upcoming Events

Virtual Meetings

JANUARY 3, 2023

TBD

Education Committee

Rodent Academy Planning

Summer Meeting Topics

Future of Winter Convention

JANUARY 17, 2024

9 AM TO 10 AM

PWIPM

Networking and How to Do It

Melanie Matthews, Modern Exterminating (SC)

A Special Story for WSPMA

Defensive Driving

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

8am to 9am

FREE EVENT OPEN TO ALL!

Trooper John Dattilo's defensive driving course is a comprehensive and engaging program designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the roads safely. As a representative of the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Trooper Dattilo brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the course, ensuring that participants receive valuable insights into defensive driving. The core focus of the course is on defensive driving, emphasizing proactive strategies to prevent collisions and mitigate potential risks on the road. Trooper Dattilo covers a range of topics, including:

Collision Avoidance Tactics: Participants learn practical techniques to anticipate and avoid potential collisions. This includes maintaining a safe following distance, scanning the road ahead for hazards, and recognizing early warning signs of potential dangers.
Adverse Conditions Driving: The course addresses the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and fog. Trooper Dattilo provides guidance on adjusting driving techniques to maintain control and safety in these challenging situations.
Driver Behavior: Understanding and influencing driver behavior is a crucial aspect of defensive driving. Trooper Dattilo delves into the psychology of driving, emphasizing the importance of patience, courtesy, and responsible decision-making on the road.
Traffic Laws and Regulations: A strong emphasis is placed on ensuring participants are well-versed in local traffic laws and regulations. Trooper Dattilo provides updates on any recent changes, helping participants stay informed and compliant with current driving standards.
Emergency Maneuvers: Participants are trained in essential emergency maneuvers, such as evasive steering and controlled braking. These skills are crucial for responding effectively to unexpected situations on the road.
Interactive Discussions: Trooper Dattilo fosters an interactive learning environment, encouraging participants to share their experiences and ask questions. This allows for a more personalized learning experience, as participants can apply the course content to their specific driving situations.

Overall, Trooper John Dattilo's defensive driving course goes beyond basic traffic rules, aiming to instill a proactive and safety-oriented mindset in participants. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills, the course equips drivers with the tools they need to confidently and safely navigate a variety of driving conditions.

Western Washington Ant ID Lab

Saturday, January 13, 2024

8am to 12pm OR 1pm to 5pm

$125 Members

$165 Non-Members

Engage in an immersive and interactive workshop featuring preserved specimens, comprehensive identification keys, and advanced dissection microscopes. Participants will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with a reference collection, enhancing their personal or company-based collections upon the conclusion of the workshop.

4 CEUs approved in WA Only

Spider Identification Workshop

We want spiders!

In 2024, WSU and WSPMA will be teaming up to provide hands on spider identification workshops in both Eastern and Western Washington. In preparation for these events, we are asking for local spiders to be collected so we can identify them during the workshop and create a map of what spiders were collected across the state.

With the support of BASF, we will be able to send out collection kits to those wishing to submit samples. If you are interested, please complete this interest form and we will get your kit mailed out. Collected samples will then be mailed to Todd Murray at WSU to hold until our workshop.

Updates from WSDA

To pesticide dealers and commercial applicators,

This is to inform you that score sheets distributed after a pesticide license applicant takes an exam will no longer serve as a temporary license.

The temporary license language has been removed from score sheets for 2024.

An individual must be issued a license from WSDA.

You can look up the status of a pesticide license on the WSDA website using the License Search tool.

https://agr.wa.gov/services/licenses-permits-and-certificates/pesticide-license-and-recertification/pesticide-and-spi-licensing/license-search

Please contact us if you have any questions.

For licensing questions: 877-301-4555 or license@agr.wa.gov.

For recertification questions: 877-301-4555 or Recertification@agr.wa.gov.

Presidents Final Message

Submitted by: Randy Moffat, United Pest Solutions

Dear WSPMA members,

It is with immense gratitude that I stand before you today to reflect on the remarkable journey we've undertaken in the past year. Together, we have achieved milestones that have strengthened our community and elevated our collective impact.

Our increased committee involvement has fostered collaboration, ensuring a strong future for our Association. The Education Committee growth has created an amazing thinktank where new ideas have spawned new classes and educational opportunities. PWIPM continues to grow with new members to support Women in Pest Management. PestVets' involvement in our industry is instrumental to show our appreciation for military veterans who have given so much to defend our country.

Legislative involvement has continued to defend our industry against special interests. Legislative Days were instrumental in advocating for pesticide preemption, (more info on preemption HERE). WSPMA SPARs have continued to watch state and local legislation and have supported the reinstatement of a State Pesticide Advisory Board to weigh in on local and state legislation concerning pesticides.

The addition of new vendor members has enriched our association, brought fresh insights, and shared profitable ways to expand businesses, or simply save money on products. WSPMA has continued to build robust relationships with WSDA and WSU. These relationships are pivotal in reinforcing our commitment to excellence and innovation.

Collaboration with the Washington Friends of Farms and Forests has secured invaluable lobbyist support in Olympia, amplifying our voice in legislative corridors. This unified effort has propelled us forward, garnering recognition for our industry and the crucial role it plays.

In closing, I thank each one of you for your involvement in our Association. Whether you attended classes, participated in Committees or events, you have helped bring people together to grow our industry. Together, we have not only weathered challenges but emerged stronger, more united. Here's to another year of growth, advocacy, and collective success.

Thank you,

Randy Moffat

WSPMA President

WSPMA | www.wspma.com

January 13, 2024: Western Ant ID Lab

January 16, 2024: Virtual Defensive Driving Workshop

January 23, 2024: Hands-on B&G Rebuild Workshop

February 6, 2024: Virtual Tick Workshop

March 5, 2024: Virtual Rodent Workshop

March 23, 2024: Eastern Ant ID Lab

March 23, 2024: Eastern Spider ID Lab

April 9, 2024: Virtual Pollinator Workshop

August 22-24, 2024: Summer Meeting (Leavenworth)