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Tar Heel Pest Management News
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I think it's safe to say that this year has brought us new challenges that we never thought we would face. When we were at the 2020 PCT School in Raleigh, we would never have guessed that within 60 days we would find ourselves in a Global pandemic, and life would change forever.
As business owners and managers, we have had to juggle regular duties and responsibilities along with the added concerns of COVID-19. We have had to rethink how we do workplace safety, customer safety, scheduling, training, continuing education credits for technicians, as well as how to handle the onboarding of new technicians. Doing all of this while also concerned about how the virus will affect our families, our businesses and our health has made for a stressful 2020.
As an industry we have been fortunate that early on we were deemed as a necessary service by the state and federal government. This was promoted heavily by the North Carolina Pest Management Association and the National Pest Management Association with help from members like you reaching out to your elected representatives. Together we were a strong voice for our industry, our companies and our livelihood.
During the past several months the Board has worked to make sure our Association stands on firm ground and is meeting the challenges presented by this Pandemic. Our Public Relations Committee has worked hard to make sure the membership has had the best information with regard to the state's COVID-19 policies and rules. They have also monitored and passed along information with regard to PPP loans and provided helpful information to assist business owners in the application process. The Board of Directors has moved, changed or canceled some meetings that were scheduled in the spring and has adapted to using virtual meetings.
Although we gain much from in-person trainings, we are planning our fall training meetings to be held virtually since North Carolina is still currently at Phase 2. This will provide a unique opportunity for companies to have their employees earn credits from their home or office without added travel time or travel expense. Information about the "Virtual Fall Meetings" will be coming soon.
It is my hope and prayer that each of you will remain safe and healthy and diligent in the work that you do each day with a thankful heart of how we have all been blessed.
My best to you and yours,
John Adkins, II
NCPMA President
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Public Policy Update: It's Time to Put the "Public" Back in "Public Policy"
The Public Policy Committee works closely with NCPMA's lobbyist and the NC Structural Pest Control & Pesticides Division, as well as developing relationships with Representatives of the General Assembly in order to stay current on law and rule changes that affect the businesses of our membership.
Over the next several months, Marie Horner, Chair of the Public Policy Committee, will be writing a series of articles about policy process, legislative bills that we are monitoring, why your voice is needed, and why we need to put "public" back in Public Policy in N.C.
The Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA), was introduced in the House and Senate on Aug. 7 and, if passed, this bill would have a devastating impact on pesticide registration and use in general (among other harmful impacts) and would repeal pesticide preemption nationwide.
The committee is also working with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on a bill that was passed into law on Sept. 1, 2019 and will become effective Jan. 1, 2020 regarding Wildlife Control Agents.
In order to have a presence and have our voice heard, we need to develop relationships with the House and Senate members of the North Carolina General Assembly. Whenever a bill is sponsored or co-sponsored by a representative, we want to be able to reach out to them with talking points on how the bill will impact the pest control industry. Some of you already have relationships with representatives and that would be very helpful for us to know.
NPMA has a portal for members to log their connections with policymakers. We do not need the information of any of your connections, we simply would like to know you have them. If we need to reach a policymaker quickly, we want to know what NCPMA member to go to and ask for assistance. While this portal was created for all NPMA members, we are asking NCPMA members to fill this out now so we can help get a sense of what state connections we have and what connections we need to build.
Watch for next month's article on What is Public Policy and Why Should I Care?
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Contacting NCPMA Headquarters
NCPMA's staff is currently working remotely and is available via email and phone to discuss any questions, comments, concerns, or requests you may have (using the same number/email).
To keep you informed, NPMA will continue to update its information page and NCPMA's page on coronavirus. If you have any questions or are concerned about availability, please feel free to reach out and discuss your concerns with our association staff:
Ashley Amidon, Executive Director, 703.999.8463
Ashlee Wilcox, Program Manager, 703.626.3321
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Endowment Update
We have launched the NCPMA Extension Program Endowment in Honor of Mike Waldvogel to support the ongoing work of NCSU, focusing on supporting positions that directly contribute to the education of our industry.
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Mark your calendars for the 2021 NCPMA PCT School, which will be held Jan. 24-28, 2021.
More details to be announced in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned to our website, Facebook and Twitter accounts for more information.
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Marie Horner Receives ESA Award
Congratulations to NCPMA Secretary/Treasurer Marie Horner who was recently awarded the ACE Professional Award from the Entomological Society of America!
The award recognizes superior contributions of an ACE in the field of structural pest management.
Marie, Vice President of Government Affairs and Industry Steward at Arrow Exterminators in Greensboro, received her Associated Certified Entomologist certification in 2013 and spearheaded NCPMA's ACE Prep Course which is now offered during the annual Pest Control Technician's School.
For more information on Marie's award, visit the ESA website.
For more information about the NCPMA ACE Prep Course, visit our website.
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Meet the Board: Marty Roberts
NCPMA Vice President
It's not every day that you get a call to remove peacocks from a house. But, if you ask Marty Roberts, that's one of his favorite stories from his more than 30-year career in pest management.
Marty, of Rid-A-Bug Exterminating Co. Inc. in Hamptonville, serves as the 2020-2021 Vice President for NCPMA. He has been an active member of the NCPMA Board of Directors for six years and has served on numerous committees including Endowment, Financial Advisory, Membership, Public Policy, United We Stand and WDIR. "This year I'm looking forward to getting the membership more engaged, encouraging our fellow pest management professionals and promoting the best industry in the world," he said. Marty is a second generation pest management professional who followed in his father's footsteps. His father founded Rid-A-Bug Exterminating Co. Inc. in 1972. When he's not in the office, you'll find Marty enjoying time with his family which includes his wife of nearly 25 years, three daughters and a son-in-law. He is an active member of Thanks to Calvary Baptist Church.
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NCPMA Award Nominations Now Open
Deadline: Oct. 31, 2020
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Administrative Professional of the Year Award and the 2020 Technician of the Year Awards.
Administrative Professional of the Year: This prestigious award honors an administrative professional who best demonstrates outstanding service, superior performance, exceptional efficiency, integrity and dedication to his/her fellow employees and their companies.
Technician of the Year: The NCPMA Technician of the Year Award is designed to recognize an individual who exemplifies those qualities that best define an outstanding service technician in the pest management industry of North Carolina. Two awards are presented each year to a W-Phase and P-Phase technician.
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Register Today: Premier Technician Courses
Courses to be held Nov. 5-6
Register today for our next Premier Technician Courses. Join us Nov. 5-6 in Raleigh for the next two courses in our Premier Technician Training Program.
Thursday, November 5, 2020 Occasional Invaders: What Are They & What To Do? (earn 7 CCU credits) Presenter: Marie Horner, ACE - Arrow Exterminators In this course participants will learn biology & behavior for boxelder bugs, centipedes, crickets, earwigs, ladybugs, millipedes, pillbugs, silverfish, slugs, springtails, and stink bugs. You will learn treatment and exclusion options as well as information to educate homeowners about them. Friday, November 6, 2020Bed Bugs: Everything About Bed Bugs from A to Z (earn 7 CCU credits) Presenter: Dini Miller, Ph.D. - Urban Pest Management Specialist Virginia Tech This course will cover everything from Bed Bug Biology & Behavior, Bed Bug Prevention Methods, How to Identify a Bed Bug Infestation, Bed Bug Treatments using Insecticides, non- chemical methods such as using heat (including how to put together and use a heat machine) as well as how to set up protocols to do bed bug work.
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Sign up for NCPMA Texts!
NCPMA has a new text service to help our members stay informed.
If you are not already receiving text updates from us, simply text NCPMA to 833-961-2348. You'll receive a confirmation once the registration process is complete.
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Upcoming Events
Don't miss these upcoming events:
Fall Workshops Details TBA  Nov. 5-6 Raleigh, NC Jan. 24-28, 2021 Durham, NC
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