September 2019
The Inspector
Registration Live for 2019 State Annual Meeting
Online registration is now live for the 2019 Annual State Conference! We hope you can join us November 12-14 at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, PA!
This year, we will kick off with an opening reception at the Atrium Bar. We'll also be hosting a dinner Wednesday evening in the arcade! We hope you can join us! Click below for the full schedule and to download a registration form. Credit information will be kept updated at www.papest.org.
2019 Platinum Partners
Continuing Education
Technical Spotlight
Look Out for Mothball Misuse!

Written by Techletter. Reprinted with permission. www.techletter.com.

We tend to not think of mothballs as pesticides. Yet, mothballs, moth cystals, moth flakes, or moth cakes contain almost 100% active ingredient: either napthalene or paradicholorobenzene. Both chemicals are solid fumigants that volatize, slowly changing to a toxic gas. They are labeled for use clothing or fabric protestants against fabric pests such as clothes moths and their eggs, or carpet beetles.

Mothballs, and similar products, are pesticides and their use is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. As such, the label, directions, by law, must be followed as for any other pesticide.

Mothballs are not Labeled for Use as animal Repellents.

You've no doubt seen customers place mothballs or moth crystals around their home or in their attic to repel mice, snakes, raccoons, bats, and other pests. This is an illegal and potentially dangerous use of the product -- and not very effective either. Mothball labels allow their use against fabric pests like clothes moths, not against raccoons, squirrels, snakes or even other insects such as cockroaches.

Likewise, mothball products are not labeled for outdoor use against insects, voles, deer, garden pests, or any other pest. Application of mothballs outdoors can harm animals and can contaminate soil, plants, and water. Don't recommend that your customers scatter mothballs or crystals to keep animals out of attics or any other site.

Mothballs are not Labeled for Use in the Open Where Vapors Can Be Inhaled -

The label specifies how and where you can use mothballs, moth crystals, and similar products, typically directing users to place them in a tightly sealed container that will usually contain woolens or fabrics, and that will prevvent fumes from escaping into the air. The reason mothballs are often ineffective at protecting fabrics is because people don't use enough and they place them in non-airtight containers like cardboard boxes that allow fumes to escape.

Some customers claim to like the "clean" smell of moth crystals and regularly scatter them beneath doorways -- to keep cockroaches and other pests out. If you can smell mothballs, you are inhaling the pesticide fumes which can lead to headache, nausea, vomitting, eye and nose irritation, and other symptoms. Long term exposure to high concentrations of mothball vapors can cause liver and kidney damage.

In addition to the inhalation hazard, mothballs out in the open are attractive to children, and maybe even pets. They can look like candy but just one mothball can cause serious harm if eaten by a child. Advise customers on the safe use of mothballs.
Small Business Spotlight
Self-employed? Here’s why your retirement savings are falling short

Originally published by CNBC.

If you’re your own boss, chances are you aren’t doing enough to save for retirement.

Just over 1 in 10 of self-employed individuals in a single-person business is currently participating in a workplace retirement plan, according to data from The Pew Charitable Trusts.

In comparison, 72% of employees in larger companies utilized a 401(k) at work, the organization found.

Pew studied a total of 4,269 workers aged 50 to 64 in 2012 and 2014. The self-employed participants were divided into solo and multi-person firms.

Entrepreneurs get so wrapped up in the day-to-day running of their businesses that retirement planning often takes a back seat — until the IRS comes looking for its share.

“That very first tax bill is what spurs them to set up a retirement plan,” said Kelley Long, a CPA and member of the American Institute of CPAs’ consumer financial education advocates.

That’s because entrepreneurs may be able to claim a tax credit for the cost of setting up a plan at work.

“Your CPA will say that this is what you owe, and they’ll suggest from the outset that they set up a SEP IRA [simplified employee pension individual retirement account] or a solo 401(k),” she said.

Upcoming Events
Join us at our upcoming 2019 events!

Annual State Conference – Wednesday and Thursday, November 12-14 (Spooky Nook Sports, Lancaster, PA) Note the date and location change!

The Eastern Division continues to hold its monthly meetings with varying topics of discussion on the second Thursday of every month at the Crowne Plaze in Trevose. For more information on monthly topics and speakers, contact Sue at (215) 331-1121.
Silver Partners
Industry Updates
PA Department of Agriculture and Partners Offer Guidance to Philadelphians Amidst Spotted Lanternfly Intrusion 
Philadelphia, PA – On the heels of Spotted Lanternfly sightings throughout Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer was joined by partners in the fight against this invasive species in LOVE Park to educate Philadelphians about why the Spotted Lanternfly is bad and what they should do when they see the invasive insects.

“To help stop the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly, I encourage everyone to close all car windows when parked, and look before you leave, checking every part of your car,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer. “We need every Pennsylvanian to be vigilant and stand together in this fight. If Spotted Lanternfly are found in your yard or home, we encourage you to destroy them. They will not harm you, your pets or your house, but can be a real nuisance and can harm your plants and trees.”

To demonstrate the devastating impact of the Spotted Lanternfly, the department displayed empty Pennsylvania wine bottles, asking the audience to imagine life without Pennsylvania wine. Pennsylvania’s grape industry is fifth in the nation and our wineries produce more than 1.6 million gallons of wine annually. Vineyards within the current 14-county quarantine zone are quickly losing vines.

“The college of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State is very concerned about the impact this pest can have on our state’s citizens and economy” said Associate Dean of the college of Agricultural Sciences Dr. Dennis Calvin. “We are working hard to help increase awareness about Spotted Lanternfly, generate new knowledge to help effectively manage the pest and educate citizens on sound management approaches.”

Spotted Lanternflies begin laying eggs in masses of 30 to 50, covered in a gray, mud-like substance, in late September or early October. Egg masses may be found on any smooth, flat surface including trees, stones, playground equipment, patio furniture, or vehicles. Because egg masses can sometimes be hard to spot, they pose the greatest risk for accidental transport of Spotted Lanternfly to new areas.

Spotted Lanternflies are excellent hitchhikers. The adult Spotted Lanternfly city-dwellers seen in recent weeks likely hitched rides on commuter vehicles from outside the city and have taken up residence on Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven) and other plants. Since it is currently mating and egg laying season for these bad bugs, Philadelphians are encouraged to squash the ones they see to prevent them from laying egg masses throughout the city to hatch next spring. 

“Everyone has a role in the battle against this pest,” said U.S. Department of Agriculture’s State Plant Health Director Timothy Newcamp. “Look for egg masses and destroy them, check your vehicle before traveling, and when you see an adult lanternfly, squash it. Taking action here helps Pennsylvania—and it will help rest of the country.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences have been working in partnership to educate the public and contain and suppress populations of the Spotted Lanternfly. USDA has been at the forefront of treatment in the Philadelphia area and Penn State has taken the role of research, to understand the biology, lifecycle, and behavior of the Spotted Lanternfly.

In July of this year, Governor Tom Wolf signed the first-ever Pennsylvania Farm Bill which aims to protect Pennsylvania’s agricultural infrastructure through the creation of the PA Rapid Response Account funded at $5 million. This account allows for a quick response to agricultural disasters, which includes $3 million for animal or plant health officials to utilize to contain an outbreak or threat, such as the Spotted Lanternfly. Additionally, USDA recently dedicated more than $7.5 million in new funding to Pennsylvania’s efforts.

Homeowners with questions about treatment, including approved sprays, can learn more through Penn State Extension at http://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly

For more information on Spotted Lanternfly, visit www.agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly .

MEDIA CONTACT: Shannon Powers, 717-783-2628
Vector-Borne Disease Study
From the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences:

Greetings,
 
We need your help! Pennsylvania ranks among the top three states with the highest rates of tick-borne disease. In 2017 Pennsylvania had the highest incidence of Lyme disease cases in the U.S., with 9,250 confirmed cases and an additional 2,650 probable cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
 
Our college researchers and extension educators have established a team of experts to help Pennsylvania address the serious threat of vector-borne diseases, particularly those transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes. They are reaching out to Pennsylvanians to gather information to help inform their work through an anonymous, online survey. 
 
Below is a link to a story with more information and a direct link to the survey. Please consider filling out the survey and passing the request on your association members, public officials, local media outlets, etc.
 
Direct link to the survey:
 
Link to news story on survey:
Spotted Lanternfly
For up-to-date information on the Spotted Lanternfly and the current quarantine zone, visit the PA Department of Agriculture's website at the link below.

Bronze Partners
Legislative Update
The information below represents legislative activity (including bill introductions) that has occurred since the last newsletter. For a full listing of legislation that Versant is tracking for PPMA, please contact us at (717) 635-2320 or cwright@versantstrategies.net. Activity marked HCO or SCO indicates a co-sponsorship memo which precedes the actual introduction of legislation and is designed to secure the support of other legislators prior to introduction as a bill.

HB 21 - Helm, Sue (R) - Amends the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law, providing for the regulation of the practice of home inspection; and making a related repeal.

This legislation is of particular interest to PPMA. The bill has been referred to the House Professional Licensure Committee where it was unanimously voted out of of committee last week. The bill will now go to the House Appropriations Committee to determine any fiscal impacts to the Commonwealth.

HCO 1764 Solomon, Jared (D) - Modernizes and overhauls the Landlord and Tenant Act.

The co-sponsorship memorandum has been filed. We await the filing of the legislation.
REMINDER from NPMA
To update your company's service area, please follow the steps below:
  1. Log on to the Manage My Group area of the NPMA website. Please note: in order to access the "Manage My Group" area of the NPMA website, you must be a company administrator. 
  2. Click on "Company Information" from the drop down menu.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the Service Area section.
  4. Download the excel template found on this page.
  5. Update this template to include all of the zip codes that you service.
  6. Save the file on your computer.
  7. In the Service Area section click Choose File. Locate the excel template file that you just saved. Click open.
  8. Click Upload file.
Once you've completed these steps your service on Find-a-Pro is instantly updated to include these new zip codes. 
If you are having problems accessing please contact NPMA at (703) 352-6762 or  npma@pestworld.org .
Articles of Interest
As harvest time removes corn from the fields and the apples from the trees and the cool evenings hint at the winter to come, outdoor pests — such as the brown marmorated stink bug — look for a warmer home. So now is the time for residents to repair their homes to avoid sharing space with... - Altoona Mirror

  (Press Release)

(Kutztown) — In the Great Spotted Lanternfly War, Pennsylvania’s citizen-soldiers are fighting back with fly swatters and vacuums, dish soap and sticky tape. They’re stomping and spraying and zapping and bragging about their kills on social media. “DESTROY THEM,” a propaganda... - AP

As temperatures began to tick up in May and June, the heavy rains and hot, muggy weather mixed up the perfect recipe for mosquitoes to breed and bite all over the Lehigh Valley. They spilled from their hiding places and seemingly celebrated the conditions favoring their population growth.... - Allentown Morning Call

If you see a spotted lanternfly – an invasive species native to Asia that has spread to 14 counties in Pennsylvania since 2014 – don’t call the police. It’s not something they can do anything about. “Kill it. Squash it, smash it. Just get rid of it,” advises the... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

Traps. Poison. Birth control. Dry ice. And now, what city officials are touting as a high-tech solution: drowning. New York has attempted to eradicate its teeming rat population for 355 years and counting. On Thursday, the latest tactic in the Sisyphean effort... - New York Times

The invasive, foul-smelling, brown marmorated stink bug is about to begin its annual fall assault on homes across Pennsylvania. You may have dealt with a few of the shield-shaped insects in your home or maybe your garden during this past summer, and there may be a slump in the... - Penn Live, Patriot-News