News Briefs
Member News

PCOC would like to pass on that we have been informed that Vernard Lewis has retired. Vernard was such a big part of our association and the industry as a whole. We are sad to see him go but extremely happy for him and what retirement has in store for him. There is a fantastic article about Vernard and the great things that he has accomplished in his 35-year career. Please click here to view article.


From our San Gabriel Chairman Gilbert Alvidrez:

It is with a heavy heart that I am informing you that John Lemm has passed away. John was the owner of Cal Western Termite and Pest Control, a member of the San Gabriel Valley District for many, many years and a past president of PCOC from 1997-1998. His service was held on 7/15/2017 at The Church of Latter Day Saints in Arcadia. 
                                             

Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) is pleased to announce the winners of the 14th annual Fumigation Banner Bonanza Contest, sponsored by Douglas Products and Vikane® gas fumigant. The contest recognizes the promotion of structural fumigation through job site signage. This year, there were a record 72 banner entries.
Chief Executive Officer's Notes
  

Before we move into the summer, I just wanted to thank all the people that made our Expo a huge success this year at Disneyland. It was an action-packed few days and couldn’t have happened without the leadership of the executive committee and the outstanding work of PCOC staff. Speaking of leadership, a special thank you goes out to Mike Bullert for all his work over the past year, and we wish him nothing but the best!  We also welcome Baron McDonald as our new PCOC President and look forward to his contributions in the coming year. I also hope as you reflect on our Expo, that you’ll share your thoughts with us about how we can make it better in the coming years. What’s exciting to me is we had a terrific group of speakers, including the opportunity to listen to California State Treasurer and leading candidate for California Governor John Chiang, as well as Department of Pesticide Regulation Director Brian Leahy. We are already planning for next year in Lake Tahoe, so hope to see you all there. 

Chris Reardon
PCOC's Executive Vice President

EPIC Brokers
Mega Fume, Inc.
Upcoming Events

PCOC Golf Tournament – September 21, 2017

Riverwalk Golf Club, San Diego, California
Golf Registration Form
Sponsor Registration Form

Schedule of Events that day:

11AM Check In
12PM Stotgun Start
5:30PM Awards Banquet

Board of Directors Meeting – September 22-23, 2017
Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa, San Diego,California
To make your hotel reservations, please visit http://catamaranresort.com/ groups/PEST/ or call (800) 422-8386 and identify yourself with PCOC.

Schedule of Events for Friday, September 22:

10-11AM CE Class (Subject to change)
11AM-12PM Pesticides & Water Quality in California (CE Hours TBD)
1-5PM Committee Meetings, Click here for Schedule (Subject to change)
6-7:30PM Reception

Schedule of Events for Saturday, September 23:

8AM-12PM Board of Directors Meeting


West Coast Rodent Academy – November 15-17, 2017
Registration form to follow

BOD Golf Tournament – December 7, 2017
Information to follow

Board of Directors Meeting – December 8-9, 2017
Hilton Palm Springs, Palm Springs,California
Click here to make your hotel reservations

Affiliate Corner

At LIPHATECH, we're not just scientists, biologists and marketers. We're problem solvers. We understand the issues facing pest management professionals who service the professional, animal health and agricultural markets and use our insight to develop new technologies and solutions. In short, we use our resources to develop bait matrixes specifically designed to achieve maximum control of rodents, slugs and snails worldwide.

LIPHATECH is the world's leading developer of pest control products. We're protecting people and property from unwanted pests. LIPHATECH is a company that uses advanced chemistry, biology and technology to improve the quality of life.

LIPHATECH invests time, talent and resources in the development, manufacturing and marketing of exceptional products - either bringing them to market ourselves or through strategic partnerships - around the world

Liphatech is a worldwide manufacturer and marketer of pest control products. Our state-of-the-art US facility was opened in Milwaukee, WI, in 1987. Worldwide, Liphatech commits substantial resources to the development of premier bait matrixes specifically designed to carry our active ingredients achieving superior acceptance and control of the target pests (rodents, slugs and snails) for which our products are marketed.

Liphatech, known as Lipha in the early days, began in 1946 in as a pharmaceutical company. There, research focused on anticoagulants for the treatment of heart patients and resulted in the development of three active ingredients: 1) chlorophacinone, in the early 1960s, branded as Rozol, a multiple-feed rodenticide that began to replace warfarin as the rodent control product of choice. 2) bromadiolone, in the early 1970s, our first single feed rodenticide active ingredient was developed in the same fashion and 3) difethialone, developed in the late 1980s, is the newest single feed rodenticide active ingredient available.

Liphatech also markets the world's leading slug and snail bait matrix under the Metarex brand name. This product, based on the metaldehyde active ingredient, has opened new and exciting market opportunities in specialty agricultural crops such as artichokes, citrus and grass seed production as well as in commercial nursery and ornamental production.

The most recent development by Liphatech is soft bait, the next evolution in rodenticide. As The Soft Bait Innovators™, Liphatech continues to bring the most technologically advanced rodenticides to market, in a soft bait formulation that’s easy to use, effective and highly palatable. We are always searching for new ways technology can help us assist pest management professionals and agricultural producers in their rodent control efforts.

 

Josh Joyce
West Division Sales Manager
Liphatech
(714) 262-0355

CAPMA Monthly Insurance/Safety Tip

Portable Ladder Safety Plan

Chris Gorham

Loss Control Manager

York Risk Control 

Christopher.Gorham@yorkrsg.com

916-738-9046 

 

BASF
District News

 

July

MONTEREY DISTRICT – July 18 @ 6:00 pm
CHAIR:  Michael Reid – Cardiff Pest Control
cardiff@cruzio.com • (831) 475-4214
El Palomar, 1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz

SAN GABRIEL DISTRICT – July 18 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Gilbert Alvidrez – Downtown Pest Control
downtownpestcontrol@gmail.com • (909) 868-6773
El Sombrero 3550 Santa Anita Ave., El Monte

SANTA CLARA DISTRICT – July 19 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR: Margaret Vargas – SOS Pest Control, Inc.
margaret@sospestcontrol.com • (408) 866-6609
Drying Shed, 402 Toyon Ave., San Jose

VENTURA DISTRICT – July 19 @ 7:00 PM
CHAIR:  Dave Watkins – O’Connor Pest Control
Dwatkins@oconnorpest.com • (805) 482-2782
Marriott Hotel 600 East Esplanade Dr., Oxnard

LOS ANGELES / SOUTH BAY DISTRICT – July 20 @ 6:00 PM
CHAIR: Andi Moreno – American City Pest & Termite, Inc.
andi@americancitypest.com • (310) 542-8622
Alpine Village, 833 Torrence Blvd., Torrence

SANTA BARBARA DISTRICT– July 20 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR:  Dave Watkins – O’Connor Pest Control
Dwatkins@oconnorpest.com • (805) 482-2782
Olive Garden, 1210 S. Bradley Rd, Santa Maria

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY DISTRICT – July 26 @ 6:00 PM 
CHAIR: Tarry Howard – Hydrex
tarry_h@hotmail.com • (818) 437-6584
Presedente Mexican Restaurant, 11451 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills

CENTRAL VALLEY DISTRICT – July 27 @ 6:00 PM
CHAIR: Nathan Metheny – Valley Wide Pest Control
nathan@vwpc.us • (559) 285-8181
Ton Nino's, 5080 N. Blackstone Ave, Fresno

DIABLO VALLEY DISTRICT – July 29 @ 3 PM BBQ
CHAIR: Gordie Zilke – Valley View Termite Control
valleyviewtc@yahoo.com • (925) 787-2118
Contact Moore Home Group at moorehomegroup2009@gmail.com for more information

 

August

SAN BERNARDINO/RIVERSIDE DISTRICT – August 2 @ 6:00 PM
CHAIR:  Brian Swanston – Craig & Sons Termite and Pest Control, Inc.
brian@craigandsons.com  •  (909) 335-1486
Cask & Cleaver 1333 University Ave., Riverside

VINTAGE COASTAL DISTRICT – August 3 @ 7:00 PM
CHAIR:  Rick Johnson – Silverado Termite Control
silveradotermite@yahoo.com • (415) 785-7480
Las Guitarras Restaurant, 1017 Richert Ave, Novato

SHASTA DISTRICT – August 8 @ 4:00 PM
CHAIR:  Shawn McFarland – Trinity Termite & Pest Control
trinitytermite@yahoo.com • (530) 222-6990
Vittles Restaurant 2385 North Street, Anderson

SAN DIEGO DISTRICT – August 8 @ 5:30 PM
CHAIR:  Garrett Thrasher – Thrasher Termite/Pest Control
garrett@thrasherpest.com • (619) 955-5121
Seaside Buffet 8998 Mirimar Rd., San Diego

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT – August 10 @ 6:00 PM
CHAIR:  Heidi Aguilar-Alvarez – Your Way Fumigation
heidi@ywfumigation.com  • (951) 232-2388
Dave & Busters Irvine Spectrum, Irvine

SOUTHERN VALLEY DISTRICT – August 10 @ 6:30 PM
CHAIR:  Patrick Clark – Clark Pest Control
pclarkzapbugs@aol.com •  (661) 635-3535
Chalet Basque, 200 Oak St, Bakerfield

 

Legislative Update

Stewardship! Vigilance!

Product stewardship is one way that we, as the professional pest management industry, can defend our uses of our tools and products. We must use our products in the most responsible manner that we know. This includes following the Surface Water Protection regulations with regards to pyrethroids and properly securing and locking up bait stations when using rodenticides. We comply with these rules even if no one is looking because where these products end up (either in the waterways for pyrethroids or in predators for anti-coagulant rodenticides) is being looked at with great scrutiny. 

AB 1687 (Bloom) is the bill to ban the use of rodenticides in the state of California. This has been extended to a two-year bill, meaning that we should not deal with it in 2017 but we should see it again in 2018. As an industry, we are doing anything that we can to oppose this bill in Sacramento. But there are things that the field can do across the state. We need to ensure that all places where these products are used they are used properly and in combination with monitoring blocks. If you have questions on how to integrate monitoring blocks into your program, do not hesitate to reach out to your distributor or manufacturer representative.

Surface water protection is another place where product stewardship is of the utmost importance. According to DPR, the monitoring detection numbers have not been decreasing, and that is being attributed to the professional’s industry non-compliance with the regulations. Whether we agree with the sentiment, the level of compliance across the industry is not where it should be according to DPR. This part of the conversation can be changed if we, as the professional industry, remove this factor from the argument and get compliance across the board.

We as an industry have had extra attention from our regulators. The more we can comply with the rules that are laid on us, the more weight we have in our discussions with them.

Darren Van Steenwyk, BCE
Legislative Committee Chair
LEED Green Associate
Technical Director
Clark Pest Control 

Comings & Goings

Karen's "Blug"

July 2017

Wow, I cannot believe that I am celebrating my first year at PCOC! I have learned about so many things such as the life cycle of the bed bug and the fact that a rat can fit into spaces the size of his nose. I would like to thank the staff at PCOC for their continued support as I travel throughout the state and for helping me with my "blonde” questions.

Thank you to the many districts that welcomed me with open arms and allowed me to speak at their meetings.  I have met so many wonderful people and have been able to share the many changes at PCOC. As I move forward with my second year, I look forward to working with everyone to help make PCOC a stronger and bigger association. With the help of many individuals, we added 90 new members this last year, and my goal is to add more! We need to continue to work together to relay the message to others the importance of being a member especially now with the issues we are dealing with in the State Capitol.

I have begun my tour of California, and I look forward to seeing everyone at the district meetings. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your membership. Here is to another successful year and learning more about termites, spiders and other creepy crawlers.

From the desk of Karen Grenz, Director of Membership

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https://www.PESTED.COM
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Did You Know???

ATTENTION ALL OPERATORS, FIELD REPS AND APPLICATORS:

Division 19, Title 16, California Code of Regulations has been amended to add Section 1960 and now requires all licensees due to expire on June 30, 2016, or after, who have never been fingerprinted, to complete the fingerprint (Livescan) process as a condition of renewal. The SCPB reported on 7/12/2017 that 350 licensees have not yet completed the mandatory livescan process. Please click here to see the full notice and the form needed. PLEASE NOTE: LICENSING WILL BE CONSIDERED EXPIRED IF THE PROCESS IS NOT COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 2017.

New Members
Name/Company/District
  Member Type
  Join Date
         
Mr. Chris Atchison
Clark Pest Control

Ventura District
  S   5/26/2017
Mr. Chris Burkett
Clark Pest Control
Bay Area District
  S   5/26/2017
Mr. Tyler Merritt
Hitman Termite & Pest Control
Vintage District
  S   5/30/2017
Mr. Jamie Colocho
Pathfinders
Diablo Valley District
  R   5/30/2017
Ms. Vivian Straus
Western Exterminator Comp.
Bay Area District
  S   6/1/2017
Mr. Rob Bowlen
Rob Bowlen Termite Company
Diablo Valley District
  R   6/6/2017
Mr. Andre' R. Hill
Bassi Edlin Huie & Blum, LLP
Bay Area District
  A   6/7/2017
Mr. Gregory Vandeveer
Western Exterminator Comp.
Orange County District
  S   6/12/2017
Mr. Scott Mitchell
Western Exterminator Comp.
Orange County District
  S   6/12/2017
Mr. Allen R. Kanady
Omega Termite & Pest Control
Bay Area District
  S   6/13/2017
Mr. Jake Hannaford
Griffin Pest Management
Orange County District
  S   6/13/2017
Mr. Brian Liang
American Longrey, LLC
Bay Area District
  A   6/27/2017
Mr. Terry Wilson
Valley Pest Solutions
Mid Cal District
  R   6/27/2017
Mr. Scott Bumsted
Dewey Pest Control
San Fernando District
  S   6/27/2017
Mr. Charles Valadez
Dewey Pest Control
LA/South Bay District
  S   6/27/2017
Mr. Joshua Lawrence
Dewey Pest Control
Shasta District
  S   6/27/2017
Mr. Jeff Weier
Sprague Pest Solutions
Southern Valley District
  S   6/27/2017
Mr. Jaime Mercado
First Protection Termite & PC
LA/South Bay District
  R   6/28/2017
Mr. Ismael Rodriguez
Coastal Fumigation, Inc.
Santa Barbara District
  R   7/3/2017
Mr. Dominic Foster
First Select Pest Control
Diablo Valley District
  R   7/5/2017
Ms. Kindra Kernes
HouseCall Pro
San Diego District
  A   7/5/2017
Mr. Daniel Wilbur
Econex Pest Control
Orange County District
  R   7/6/2017
Mr. Nick Chase
Clark Pest Control
Mid Cal District
  S   7/10/2017
Mr. Will Curtis
East Valley Termite Company
Bay Area District
  S   7/10/2017
Mr. Allan Kiddy
Superior Pest & Rodent Mgmt
Big Valley District
  R   7/11/2017

 

Frequently Requested Information

*NEW* NPMA LOGIN FOR JOINT MEMBERSHIP

LOGIN: Email or Personal ID

PASSWORD: npma

 

Frequently Asked For Websites


Department of Fish & Game
www.dfg.ca.gov

Department of Food & Agriculture
www.cdfa.ca.gov

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
www.cdpr.ca.gov

DPR on Facebook
www.facebook.com/capesticideregulation

DPR on YouTube (see "playlists" for videos pertaining to new surface water regulations)
www.youtube.com/user/californiapesticides

DPR on Twitter
twitter.com/ca_pesticides

DPR LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/company/california-department-of-pesticide-regulation

Healthy Schools Act
http://apps.cdpr.ca.gov/schoolipm/

Structural Pest Control Board
www.pestboard.ca.gov

Find Your Legislator
www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html