|
|
|
|
IPCA SPRING CONFERENCE
Join us for our annual Spring Conference, showcasing educational sessions on topics such as growth regulators, labels, perimeter pest management, applicator safety, ant and termite control and chemistry formulations. Continuing education credits have been applied for
in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.
February 23 - 24, 2016
Hilton Garden Inn, O'Fallon, IL
ONLINE REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Special Discounts:
IPCA members receive a discount if attending multiple sessions. Two Segments = $104. Three Segments = $144.
Exhibit Hall
: A one-stop-shop for all of your business needs. Shop for new products, network with vendors and discover the latest technology in the world of pest management. Click here to register online as an exhibitor.
New Silent Auction: IPCA members are raising money and awareness for the Toys-for-Tots charity. Once again, we'll raffle off a prize at this year's event. Be sure to bring a few dollars to support this worthwhile cause. IPCA members generously donated $1,210 to Toys-for-Tots last year!
Hotel Reservations: Contact the Hilton Garden Inn Green Mount/O'Fallon, 360 Regency Park, O'Fallon, IL at 618-624-4499. Mention IPCA when making your reservations. Reserve by January 29, 2016 to receive the discounted rate of $106 per night.
|
On Jan. 6, NPMA
submitted formal comments
to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the proposed certification and training rule. The proposed rule was introduced in August of 2015 and, if finalized as introduced, will have a profound impact on the structural pest management industry.
Initially, the comment period for the proposed rule was scheduled to end on Nov. 24. This deadline was extended to Dec. 23 and then, less than a week before the deadline, another 30 day extension was provided by EPA until Jan. 23, 2016.
Since August, NPMA has engaged our membership in multiple webinars and in-depth conversations about the impact of this rule for our members. In addition to communicating with members, NPMA has also consistently communicated our concerns with EPA about the proposed rule, and plans to continue to meet with EPA before and after the comment period closes.
Considering the impact of this rule, NPMA thanks those members who participated in the constructive conversations that resulted in these comments. We have additionally provided
a draft template
for state associations to submit comments to EPA. If you have additional questions please contact the NPMA Public Policy Team at 800-678-6722.
|
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Preliminary Pollinator Assessment to Support the Registration Review of Imidacloprid. This document evaluates the risk of the registered agricultural uses of imidacloprid to bees. According to the EPA, it plans to issue a revised Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment at the end of 2016 that will consider any comments or information submitted in response to this bee-only preliminary risk assessment; incorporate additional data EPA receives that is relevant to bees; and assess the potential risks of all registered uses of imidacloprid to all taxa.
NPMA has been at the forefront of the pollinator health issue, working with EPA, Members of Congress, and also the general public about pollinators. We will remain engaged with EPA regarding structural pest control uses for all active ingredients, including imidacloprid, and we continue to stress the industry position that structural use patterns pose little risk to bees because pollinator exposure is extremely rare when used in accordance with labeled structural application patterns.
The complete preliminary risk assessment is available
by clicking here.
|
NPMA will offer two webinars on January 22, 2016. The first webinar will focus on residential fumigations and the second will address commodity and food processing fumigations. The two webinars explain NPMA's process around fumigation stewardship efforts and solicit feedback from a broad group of industry representatives. If you have a vested interest in this issue please click on the link(s) below to register and save your seat for the webinars.
The fumigation webinars will take place on January 22, 2016 during the times below:
|
|
REGISTER TODAY: BED BUG FORUM
2016 Bed Bug Forum
Presented by IPCA, GCPMA and NPMA
March 2-3, 2016
Four Points Sheraton Chicago O'Hare
Chicago, IL
The Future of the Bed Bug, presented by the National Pest Management Association, Greater Chicago Pest Management Alliance (GCPMA) and the Illinois Pest Control Association (IPCA), is designed to offer a forward-thinking, strategy-driven experience for pest management professionals, offering the latest legal and technical information. S
ix continuing education credits have been applied for in Illinois and surrounding states. A brochure with session descriptions is available here.
The conference will feature top industry experts as well as vendors from across the country that will be showcasing the newest technology in bed bug control.
Click here for sponsor and exhibitor online registration.
|
Are you planning to take the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) structural pest control exam on January 28? If so, we'e got some helpful tips for you as you prepare!
LOCATION
Dupage County Health Department
111 N County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
PH (630) 682-7400
EXAM TIPS
Test questions come from the General Standards (GS) manual, Entomology fact sheets, and the act and code. These along with a sample test can be found within the IDPH website (or you can Google "IDPH structural pest").
Once you arrive at the site, scroll down the column on the right for the manual, sample test, and act and code - with the fact sheets in the center column.
Dr. Colwell offers these tips to anyone taking the test:
The GS Exam has 75 questions, roughly equally distributed in 6 categories as follows:
- PESTS: study the GS Manual and the entomology fact sheets (those discussing structural pests) listed on the structural pest control page of the IDPH website. Know what an insect is and how to identify various pests
- IPM: study the GS Manual to learn what IPM is and what IPM's methods, principles and goals
- PESTICIDES: study the GS Manual to learn about the various formulations of pesticides and their characteristics
- SAFETY: study GS Manual to learn about Signal Words, PPE, toxicity, hazard and safe handling of pesticides
- LABELS: study the GS Manual and any pesticide label. Know the sections of a pesticide label and what each tells you, and don't forget your mixing math
- REGULATIONS: study the GS Manual, and the Structural Pest Control Act and Code if you have time. Know what's required on service records and the responsibilities of certified technicians
In addition to these tips, here's one more! When you think you've learned it all - take the GS Practice Exam. If you get less than 70%, note the sections where you gave incorrect answers, and restudy the suggested materials for those sections.
Studying with someone who is taking or has taken the test can help too. If you do pass the practice exam, don't stop studying, as the real test will have different questions.
Good luck!
|
COMING IN MARCH: NPMA'S NEW FIELD GUIDE APP
The printed
NPMA Field Guide is the industry's leading resource for pest professionals. Now thanks to NPMA's new
Field Guide App buyers will have access to hundreds of pest photos, biology, behavior and control methods right on their tablet or phone for just $4.99.
Technology has irrevocably changed the way a business works. Today most pest control companies expect employees to use mobile devices to respond to customers quickly. With the
Field Guide App, technicians will be able to use a phone or tablet to email a staff entomologist at NPMA directly with pest identification questions or send a fast email to clients that includes photos of pests. A notes section within the App makes adding protocols, notes and standard operating procedures used for clients simple and efficient. Users can also add their own photos for use as future reference or sales tools
The App can be downloaded by anyone with a need for identifying pests and researching pest problems. Look for more detailed information on purchasing the App in coming months!
|
|
HAVE A HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUE?
Have a human resources problem? Question? Crisis? Do you simply need to brainstorm a problem or a particular employee situation? NPMA members can now call, email or text Seay Management Consultants to speak with one of their HR consultants free of charge regarding any employment issue that arises in your business. The comprehensive menu of services provided include:
- Telephone and email advice, guidance and direction.
- Writing and Revising Employee Handbooks.
- Writing, Developing and Implementing Affirmative Action Plans, where required by Federal regulations.
- Managing OFCCP Affirmative Action Audits.
- Compliance with all of the Employment Regulations that cover pest management companies.
- And MORE!
Click here
to learn more about this benefit and to view the full list of services provided.
|
|
REGISTER FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY:
MARCH 13-15, 2016
Mark your calendars for Legislative Day 2016, March 13-15 in Washington DC, featuring keynote speakers Paul Begala, Political Commentator, CNN, Ari Fleischer, Author and Former White House Press Secretary, and Nicolle Wallace, Political Analyst, New York Times Best-Selling Author, and Former White House Director of Communications, and
SE Cupp, Political Commentator and Writer.
In addition to the fantastic line-up of speakers and educational sessions, this is our annual opportunity to storm Capitol Hill and speak face-to-face with you Federal elected officials. The reality is that no single voice carries more weight with your elected official than your own. While NPMA provides the strength, the vision and the infrastructure to move the industry forward on public policy issues, the biggest part of our collective success is you.
Please click here to view the program and register today!
|
|
IPCA
10460 North Street Fairfax, VA 22030
(800) 678-6722
|
|
|
|
|
|
