BATTLING TITANS

I get many pest control operators and technicians asking me, "What does PCOC do for me?" Our main function here at PCOC – the main reason why we were created – is to provide legislative and regulatory advocacy for the pest control industry in California. With our joint membership with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), we are involved on the federal level as well. California is oftentimes a pivotal state in regards to environmental issues and pesticide regulation, often affecting the rest of the country.

Environmental groups spend millions of dollars on lobbying and advertising every year compared to the tens of thousands we spend annually. In 2009, environmental groups spent more than $22.5 million in lobbying and increased that spending in California in 2010 to more than $40 million. The Top 25 groups and coalitions spent more than $327 million in ads. Even Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection spent around $300 million in advertising.

"The Nature Resource Defense Council's total annual budget is $125 million," says Steve Hayward of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). "As a political force, it is easily a billion-a-year enterprise," says Steve. "And environmental groups have a common agenda. There is not much diversity among them. So it's sort of misleading to say it's environmental groups versus business groups because business groups are on all sides of this question." The environmental movement has a large set of resources and groups compared with our industry.

However, many outside of our trade have an erroneous view of pest control as being anti-environment. By no means are we anti-environment. All of us have families and children, and we do not wish to ruin the earth for them. What we advocate is decision-making using sound science and research above making rash decisions based purely on emotion and conjecture. Not to paint with a broad brush, but oftentimes many members of the environmental movement jump to conclusions and ask for dramatic action before fully understanding the issue or the causes of a problem.

For instance, a recent issue surfaced regarding second-generation rodenticides. Several agencies were finding animal bodies with samples of second-generation rodenticide in their systems. Some of the deaths might be attributed to the rodenticides, while others only had small amounts, having died from other means. However, this evidence showed that non-target animals were being exposed to rodenticides.

Right away many environmental groups were calling for rodenticides to be completely banned. The problem with this approach is that the cause of the exposure was unknown. The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) performed extensive research to verify the findings and causes of the exposures. The incidents were verified, but the causes were as yet unknown. After much discussion with PCOC, it is believed that unlicensed individuals, along with homeowners that can purchase the materials in hardware stores, are most likely the sources. With our support and their diligent research, DPR decided to make second-generation rodenticides a restricted use material, allowing only licensed individuals to use them. This decision was made through careful research and deliberation rather than rash emotion.

We also have the example of colony collapse disorder. The causes of this disorder are currently unknown. Experts say many factors affect bee health: mites, viruses, bacteria, disease, poor nutrition, bee keeping practices, cross country transportation of hives, habitat loss, genetically modified plants, lack of genetic diversity, weather and pesticides. However, I also hear a new reason it seems every month from cell phones to power lines. Even anti-biotechnical activists initially said it had to be genetically modified organisms – stating such assurances without any scientific proof. With all the uncertainties, pesticides have taken the brunt of the accusations from many groups, especially after an incident in Oregon left thousands of bumblebees dead in a Target parking lot. Many groups were calling to have all neonicotinoids banned, even though there is no firm evidence linking them to colony collapse disorder.

The research on bee colony deaths is dicey – and often political. The science-based view of this issue took a sharp turn in January when the European Food Safety Authority issued three studies raising questions about the potential role of neonics in this latest wave of bee deaths. The studies did not link the pesticides to the collapse of whole bee colonies, but did raise enough issues to lead to a vote for a two-year precautionary ban by the European Commission. The ban was blocked temporarily by Germany, Britain and seven other countries, citing evidence that neonics were not the sole or likely the primary culprit; their impact still unclear. In fact, Canada and Australia use large quantities of neonicotinoids, and colony collapse disorder does not appear to be present in either country. Now I must state here, we are not saying neonicotinoids do not harm bees. If bees come into contact with the material, then obviously it can have dire consequences.

Even history raises questions about the almost exclusive focus on neonics to explain the regional bee crisis. Periodic occurrences resembling what has come to be known as Bee Colony Collapse Disorder have been documented as far back as 1869. In the last half century, the domesticated honeybee population has declined by about 50 percent, with incidents common well before the introduction of neonics, which was hailed by environmentalists because of their comparatively modest environmental footprint. The term CCD was originally used to describe the phenomenon when worker bees suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. The term, with its alarmist ring, was co-opted by environmental activists in the mid-2000s to describe a new development – mass bee deaths.

So looking at sheer dollars and resources, the environmental movement is a monster compared to us. We of the pest control industry and the few associations like PCOC need as much support as possible through membership and participation especially in a state like California. We are typically outnumbered, outgunned and outspent, but through the help and participation of the active members that make up PCOC, we have been able to do incredible things to help protect the industry. So remember, next time you ask, "What does PCOC do for me?" think about what we are up against and all the things we do behind the scenes to help protect the industry while promoting responsible practices, such as integrated pest management (IPM). Maybe even consider asking "What can I do to help the industry?"

LEG DAY 2014

March 26 is almost here. Time for those of us in the pest control industry to go down to the Capitol and have our voices heard. Coming to this event is so important because the more people legislators see in their offices, the more impact it makes. Read the article above in regards to why it is so important for us to get in front of our representatives. This year, we have a very important bill being presented supporting computerized license testing for pest control applicants and showing our support will help make that happen. If you have not signed up yet, please CLICK HERE for the registration brochure. Fill it out and get it back to us.

AFRICANIZED HONEYBEE CERTIFICATION CLASSES

Our two AHB classes we held in Southern California this month were very successful. We will be looking to hold additional classes in October, including in Orange County and possibly another in Lodi. Keep checking the EVENTS tab on the website to see. And I would like to thank Eric Paulsen of Clark Pest Control and David Watkins of Hydrex for making these two classes possible.

SPCB ELECTRONIC TESTING FOR LICENSES

Beginning March 2014, the Structural Pest Control Board will institute license exams for Field Representative and Operator via computer-based testing. Now candidates will be able to schedule exam dates and times from 17 locations in California or 22 locations nationwide to take tests rather than just the two current locations in California. For more information, CLICK HERE for the official notification the SPCB sent.