As the leaves begin to change and days get cooler, I wanted to draw your attention to some important PCOC Events in the coming months. Beginning at the end of October, the Fall Pest Ed takes place in Ontario on October 30th and in Sacramento on November 15th. The West Coast Rodent Academy is in Irvine at the UC Extension office from November 7th–9th and finally 2018 closes with our Board of Directors Meeting in Palm Springs on December 7th–8th . We then kick off the new year with the Winter Pest Ed on January 8th in Montebello and January 10th in Sacramento so there will be plenty of opportunity for Continuing Education. I hope you’ll visit our website at pcoc.org and for specific event information and contact us if we can help you in any way. See you all soon!

Chris Reardon
PCOC Executive Vice President

Fall Pest Ed - Ontario - Registration Form
Fall Pest Ed - Sacramento - Registration Form
WCRA Registration Form

Fall Pest Ed - Southern California, October 30, 2018
Double Tree by Hilton, Ontario Airport, Ontario, California
Ontario - Attendee Registration Form

Fall Pest Ed - Northern California, November 15, 2018
Crowne Plaza Sacramento Northeast, Sacramento, California
Sacramento - Attendees Registration Form

December BOD Golf Tournament – December 6, 2018
Escena Golf Club, Palm Springs, California
Golfer/Sponsor Registration Form

Board of Directors Meeting – December 6-8, 2018
Hilton Palm Springs Resort, Palm Springs, California
Information to Follow

The 6 Warning Signs of a Fake Workers’ Comp Claim

 Only a small percentage of workers’ comp claims are fraudulent but letting them go undetected can cost a lot.

   A woman in Minnesota was suspected of workers’ comp fraud when she showed no signs of injury even though the police report she submitted to substantiate her claim said she had sustained six broken ribs in a car accident that occurred while driving to the airport for a business trip. 

   The employer’s and employees’ suspicions were confirmed and she was arrested for fraud after it was discovered she had used her computer to research accident reports written by the local sheriff’s department, according to a report in the Mankoto Free Press.

   For the most part, the woman successfully avoided committing five of the six warning signs of workers’ comp fraud, which are:

1. Late reported claims. When a claim is reported more than seven days after the event, statistics prove that the likelihood of fraud is much greater. Late reported claims are not only more expensive, they end up in litigation much more often.
   
   
2. Monday morning claims. It’s not known whether this claim was reported on a Monday, but when claims are submitted on Mondays, it’s just common sense to question whether the injury might have been sustained over the weekend.
   
   
3. The incident had no witnesses. A police report that attests to an injury is pretty solid in this regard. (Unless of course it’s fake.) Most injuries probably occur where they can be witnessed and if not, it’s appropriate to question whether the circumstances of the injury are plausible.
   
   
4. The incident is only vaguely described, incomplete as to details or out of the norm of the type of injury that might be expected. A police report is usually detailed enough for most claims examiners. (Unless it’s fake.) Broken ribs are consistent with certain types of vehicle accidents. But what about injuries sustained on the job at your plant or premises? Does the injury seem to fit what could happen to someone performing their normal job duties?
5. The claimant refuses diagnostic procedures. In addition to faking the police report, the woman apparently alleged having hospital records of her injury. In any case, however, even if not fake, these would not have necessarily provoked suspicion of her claim. Quite often fraudulent claimants just want to get into the system, to get treatment, not demonstrate hard evidence of an injury. They will prefer a chiropractor over an x-ray or an MRI. Fraudsters know that soft tissue injuries can be difficult to evaluate.
   
      In terms of the first five criteria, the Minnesota fraudster had concealed her deception pretty well. But on number six she tripped up.
   
   
6. What are other employees saying about this claim? In this case, no one believed a person could sustain six broken ribs and return to work after only a few days rest at home and show no evidence of the injuries. The tip-off caused the employer to investigate. It was found there were no police or hospital records of the accident in spite of the documentation the claimant used to support her claim.

   Although one in ten employers may worry an employee faked an injury, only about 1-2 percent of claims are fraudulent. Most injured employees are conscientious and concerned about the impact of their injury on the business. Follow up when they are injured and let them know that you value them. And only with the best evidence, ever suspect them of workers comp fraud.

   If you have questions about workers comp fraud, contact the EPIC Insurance professionals of the PCOC Insurance Program at: (877)860-7378, or email us at propest@epicbrokers.com.

Paul Lindsay
Senior Vice President 
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

October

SAN GABRIEL DISTRICT
October 16– Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m., Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Gilbert Alvidrez – Downtown Pest Control
downtownpestcontrol@gmail.com • (909) 802-0052
El Sombrero, 3550 Santa Anita Ave, El Monte

MONTEREY DISTRICT – October 16 @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Michael Reid – Cardiff Pest Control
cardiff@cruzio.com • (831) 475-4214
El Palomar, 1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

SANTA CLARA DISTRICT – October 17 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Janet Thrasher – Thrasher Termite & Pest Control
jthrasher@thrashertermite.com • (408) 354-9944
Drying Shed, 402 Toyon Ave, San Jose

LOS ANGELES / SOUTH BAY HARBOR DISTRICT
October 19– Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m., Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Greg Bausch – American City Pest & Termite, Inc.
greg@americancitypest.com •  (310) 542-8622
Alpine Village, 833 Torrance Blvd., Torrance

DIABLO VALLEY DISTRICT – October 23 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Gordie Zilke – Valley View Termite Control
valleyviewtc@yahoo.com • (925) 787-2118
Zio Fraedo's, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY DISTRICT 
October 24 – Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m., Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Tarry Howard – Hydrex
tarry_h@hotmail.com • (818) 437-6584
Los Toros Restaurant, 21743 Devonshire St., Chatsworth

November

VINTAGE COASTAL DISTRICT – November 1 @ 7:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Tyler Merritt – Hitmen Termite & Pest Control
tmerritt@hitmenpest.com • (707) 526-6055 
Cattleman's, 5012 Petaluma Blvd. N, Petaluma

SAN BERNARDINO / RIVERSIDE DISTRICT
November 7 – Social hour starts @ 5:30 p.m., meeting starts @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: John Burnard – Compass Pest Management
jpburnard1@msn.com  •  (951) 688-8066
La Casa Ortega, 1690 Spruce St, Riverside

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT – November 8 @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Heidi Aguilar-Alvarez – Your Way Fumigation
heidi@ywfumigation.com  • (951) 232-2388
Dave & Busters, Irvine Spectrum, Irvine

SOUTHERN VALLEY DISTRICT – November 8 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Patrick Clark – Clark Pest Control
pclarkzapbugs@aol.com •  (661) 635-3535
Chalet Basque, 200 Oak St., Bakerfield

BIG VALLEY DISTRICT – November 11 @ 7:00 a.m.
CHAIR: Sean Bradley – Neighborly Pest Management
sean@neighborlypest.com • (916) 782-3767
Stones Gambling Hall , 6510 Antelope Rd., Citrus Heights

SHASTA DISTRICT – November 13 @ 12:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Shawn McFarland – Trinity Termite & Pest Control
trinitytermite@yahoo.com • (530) 222-6990
Vittles Restaurant, 2385 North St., Anderson

MID CAL DISTRICT
November 13 – Class starts @ 4:00 p.m., dinner is @ 5:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Brad Delk – Delk Pest Control
bdelk@delkpestcontrol.com • (209) 465-5656 
Stockton Country Club, 3800 West Country Club Blvd., Stockton

SAN DIEGO DISTRICT – November 13 @ 5:30 p.m.
CHAIR: David Hinrichs – Llyod Pest Control
david.hinrichs@lloydpest.com • (619) 668-1953
Country Inn & Suites, 5975 Lusk Blvd., San Diego

BAY AREA DISTRICT
November 14 – Social hour starts @ 5:30 p.m., dinner is @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Allen Kanady – Omega Termite & Pest Control
allenrobert@omegapest.com • (510) 544-5913 
El Portal Restaurant, 2028 Lewelling Rd., San Leandro

SANTA CLARA DISTRICT – November 14 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Janet Thrasher – Thrasher Termite & Pest Control
jthrasher@thrashertermite.com • (408) 354-9944
Drying Shed, 402 Toyon Ave, San Jose

VENTURA DISTRICT
November 14 @ 7:00pm
CHAIR: Rudy Ayala – Spearhead Pest Control 
rudy@spearheadpestcontrol.com • (805) 746-4547
Marriott Hotel, 600 East Esplanade Dr., Oxnard

CENTRAL COAST DISTRICT (Formerly known as SANTA BARBARA DISTRICT)
November 15 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Dave Watkins – O’Connor Pest Control
Dwatkins@oconnorpest.com • (805) 482-2782
F. McLintocks, 750 Mattie Rd., Pismo Beach

   Our current legislative session is over, but there is still plenty to report on. First, SB 1481 (Hill) was passed and chaptered. This is the bill that extends the SPCB and implements the rest of the changes from the Act Review Committee. A committee met well over 20 times in the past 4 years reviewing the Structural Pest Control Act working to update the entire document chaired and filled with active PCOC members. There is also going to be a new governor of our great state. At this point, Gavin Newsom is the clear front runner but stranger things have happened, so PCOC is preparing for the change regardless of what happens.
 
   The final point to address is the talk surrounding the RA testing and licensing process. PCOC is engaging with the SPCB and OPES to get questions and concerns addressed. Recently, the SPCB held a test writing session with RA’s. This is when they bring in applicators to write the questions for the RA test. They had enough volunteers to be able to hold this session so thanks to a few companies who stepped up and sent some of their employees (kudos to those of you who did, it was much appreciated). I know there is never a good time of year, but we need to send people to participate in these sessions because it benefits our entire industry.
 
   This was an exciting year with some victories and some challenges, but we are moving in the right direction. Please continue your support for the association with your active participation in local and statewide events. This association would not exist without you!

Darren Van Steenwyk, M.S., BCE
Structural Pest Control Board, President
LEED Green Associate & Technical Director, Clark Pest Control
darrenv@clarkpest.com

_________________________________________________________________________________

As many of you know, there has been great interest in Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) exams. The Structural Pest Control Board has some UPCOMING EXAMINATION DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS. These workshops help the SPCB develop their licensing questions. We know this is a busy time of year for us all, but our input is important, so we hope you can participate or send someone you work with! 
Here is a list of upcoming workshops organized by license type: 

Visit California Structural Pest Control Board website for more information

NPMA update: so, what is PPMA?

The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) is an investor-driven organization that has been successfully marketing the value of professional pest control to consumers for nearly 20 years, resulting in positive exposure for our industry and the growth of our residential and commercial markets.

We ARE making an impact in the attitudes, opinions, and buying decisions of residential and commercial customers. We have increased awareness of the value of professional pest control services and protected our reputation through ongoing national and local media outreach, innovative advertising campaigns, social media engagement, public service announcements and more. It’s work that is only possible because of the generous contributions of hundreds of investor companies who understand that their participation is making a huge impact on the industry.

Our mandate is to:

• Grow the market by encouraging consumers to call a professional
• Counteract activist efforts on both national and local levels by being prepared to instantly respond on behalf of the industry
• Increase awareness of the role professional pest control plays in preserving the public’s quality of life – in terms of health, property, safety and time management

____________________________________________________________________________________

Mark Your Calendar for PestWorld 2018 October 23-26 | Orlando, Florida
 
Every year, NPMA gathers thousands of pest management professionals from across the globe to offer opportunities for information sharing, provide access to the latest products, services, and technologies in the 100,000 square foot exhibit hall, and generate critical thinking in world-class educational sessions.

Join us as we celebrate this year’s PestWorld in Orlando!

WHO ATTENDS PESTWORLD?

• Owners and managers of pest management companies
• Pest management technicians and sales representatives
• Product manufacturers and distributors
• Industry researchers, educators and students

WHO EXHIBITS AT PESTWORLD?

• Manufacturers and Distributors of Products and Equipment for Pest Control, Rodent Control,
• Termite Control, Mosquito Control, Bed Bug Control, Nuisance Bird and Wildlife Control, and Lawn Care
• Mold Remediation Suppliers
• Companies that Provide General Services and Products for Small Businesses such as Cell Phones, Credit Cards, Insurance, Legal, and Security Video Systems
• Vehicle Equipment and Accessory Suppliers
• Computer Systems Technology Vendors
• Human Resource Consultants

Get Connected

Follow NPMA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SnapChat to keep in touch with us before, during, and after the conference.

Joining us in Orlando? Be sure to use the official hashtag #PestWorld2018 and let us know you're coming!

Thank You Sponsors

For more information, please visit NPMA's PestWorld's website

*NEW* NPMA Login for Joint Membership

LOGIN: Email or Personal ID

PASSWORD: npma

Frequently Asked-For Websites

Department of Fish & Game
https://www.wildlife.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

NPMA's QualityPro Accrediation Application
www.npmaqualitypro.org/apply

Alain Parcan, Market Hardware, Inc.
September 2018

Hint: Google may think so…

When it comes to online marketing, one of the biggest and most common mistakes we see businesses making is having an outdated Website. Having a Website that is not current is an easy way to deter visitors and a sure way to ruin your standing on Google.

We understand that all businesses, especially smaller ones, may not have the resources to consistently keep their Website up to date. Therefore, our Web experts at Market Hardware put together a short checklist to help you make sure your website isn’t falling behind.

1. Double check that your contact information is correct – total ‘duh,’ right?
   This one is easy. Go to your Website and find all the email addresses and phone numbers on there. Are all of those still in use and actively checked? It’s amazing how many businesses list an email address on their site that causes an error when someone tries to email it, or is never checked by anyone at the business. Having email forwards set up is a great way to make sure you aren’t missing any communication coming from your Website.
   
   As for phone numbers, many businesses set up separate phone lines to track marketing efforts. This is a useful tactic but can prove detrimental if one of those lines is deactivated and your Website isn’t updated to reflect it.
   
   
2. Keep your certifications and accreditations up to date
   Picture this scenario: A potential customer visits your site and sees you’re certified to use a certain pesticide. They call you to request a specific service only to find out you no longer offer that pesticide as an option. Any credibility you may have had thanks to your professional Website is now out the window because it’s obviously outdated.
   
   It’s always wise to list accreditations and certifications on your site, but it’s important to keep them up to date. If one no longer applies, remove it from your site. While it may seem worthwhile to continue to list them, it’s simply not worth the risk of appearing dishonest.
   
   
3. Does your Website display ‘smartly’ on a smartphone?
   Looking for a way to turn customers away from your Website? Make sure your site is difficult to read on a phone! Your customers will look elsewhere before you know it.
   
   This is a bit of a more complex update than the first two items on this list, but it’s incredibly important. Current estimates show that over 50% of Website traffic comes from smartphones as opposed to computers. Whether you set up a separate, mobile version of your site, or build a responsive site, in 2018, a mobile presence is a necessity. To see an example of a PCOC member’s Mobile site, check out https://www.stanleypest.com/.

And, Google is now drawing attention to sites that are responsive, so if your site doesn’t receive that designation, you’re giving your competitors a leg up in search rankings.

Maintaining a consistent and current web presence may seem like a daunting task, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Depending on how much time and resources are available to you, stick to the basics and work your way up from there. Take some time after reading this to evaluate your Website on each of these three items, and call your Website provider ASAP if you need to fix any of them. Your success depends on it.

Alain Parcan, Director of Marketing for Market Hardware, Inc., contributed this article. Alain brings nearly 10 years of experience in educating businesses so they can market themselves more effectively. Market Hardware helps small businesses compete on the Web and offers special discounts for PCOC members. You can reach Alain’s team at 888-381-6925.