Employees are the life-blood of any business. They can fuel production, improve customer satisfaction, and drive company growth. But, finding and keeping employees that positively impact your business can often feel like an uphill battle. Click the links below to view recordings of NPMA’s latest virtual conference series, Hire Smart & Manage Easy, to learn how to stop the cycle of high turnover and low employee retention, and start hiring employees that last.

Episode One: Recruiting the Best
Episode Two: Qualifying the Best
Episode Three: Keeping the Best

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a new standard on respirable crystalline silica to help protect workers from exposure. This standard became effective on June 23, 2017. OSHA requires that employers have a written silica exposure control plan and limit employee exposure to silica below the permissible exposure limit.

Within the pest management industry, silica exposure may occur during termite treatments when employees drill into concrete. To help members implement the new rule, NPMA has provided detailed information regarding the new standard with an example silica exposure control plan included. Click here to learn more.

A-1 Bee Specialists of Bloomfield Hills, MI
Indiana Mosquito Busters of Winona Lake, IN
Jacob's Pest Control of Los Angeles, CA
Mosquito Pro of Missouri, LLC
Fight The Bite Professional Services of Springfield, MO
Sentry Pest Control of Jefferson, GA

Pentatomid Face

Service technicians are the backbone of any successful pest management firm. For customers, technicians are the standard-bearers for your company’s reputation and its commitment to quality service. They are also your company’s frontline defense against safety and regulatory violations.

Given the vital role of technicians, NPMA has created a New Hire Training Program for Service Technicians. The training program is a comprehensive, nine-part course designed to prepare new structural pest control technicians for a career in pest management. Course completion typically takes eight hours and will provide an overview of integrated pest management. The program also provides an overview of federal laws that govern the pest management industry in the U.S. and will cultivate an understanding of product labels, pesticide application, important pest groups, basic pest control equipment and OSHA/safety practices.

Eastern Conference
Earn recertification credits, browse the exhibit hall, and network with over 300 pest management professionals from your region.
January 18-19
Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, CT
REGISTER NOW
VIEW THE PROGRAM

Wildlife Expo
If you are involved in wildlife management or are considering offering this add-on service, you will not want to miss this year's Wildlife Expo!
January 30 – February 1
Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, LA
REGISTER NOW
VIEW THE PROGRAM

Southern Conference
Hear from industry experts on the latest technical topics focused on pests in your region, while earning recertification credits!
February 5-7
Hilton Memphis, Memphis, TN
REGISTER NOW
VIEW THE PROGRAM

Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators has been entertaining spectators in downtown Atlanta for over 20 years by sponsoring and participating in the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta® (CHOA) Christmas Parade. This year over 300 team members and their families braved the cold to walk in the parade and expertly maneuver the two-story character balloons, the Three Blind Mice, down the route.

The West Coast Rodent Academy (WCRA) held its third academy Nov. 15-17, 2017 at the University of California’s South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine, California. This three-day workshop on urban rodent management was a joint effort between the Pest Control Operators of California, the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Target Specialty Products, Univar and other sponsors.

Kurt Scherzinger, the Vice President of Operations for Scherzinger Pest Control, was elected President of the Ohio Pest Management Association at the Winter Association Meeting last week. Kurt will serve a two year term as President of the Association. He is the first, fourth generation President of the Ohio Pest Management Association and the fifth member from Scherzinger Pest Control to be President of the Association.

Keeping clients' best interests at heart is one reason why Dayton’s Pest Control Services was voted the Best Pest Control Service for the 4th year in a row in the News Sentinel’s Best of Knoxville Campaign.

Reuters
Scientists are working on a next-generation genetic technology known as “gene drive” to control pests, starting with mosquitos, and now adding rodents to the project.

PestWorld.org
Homes across the country are bursting at the seams during the holidays with family, food and fun. As invitations to holiday gatherings are sent out, NPMA is reminding hosts to stay vigilant when preparing and decorating for the holidays to ensure elusive, unwanted pest guests aren’t invited as well.

Phys.org
At the University of California, Riverside, researchers have found a way to access and manipulate taste neurons in the pharynx of the common fruit fly to help control the spread of mosquito-related illnesses.

The Washington Examiner
The White House has ordered renovations to repair a number of issues including a new toilet seat in the Oval Office bathroom and pest control to deal with mice, cockroach, and ant infestations.

The Washington Post
A woman accidentally started a fire inside a multifamily building while trying to kill bed bugs with alcohol, causing three people to be hospitalized and several others to lose their homes.

Leadership Now
Many leaders might be hesitant to gauge their staff’s true feelings towards the company, but asking these questions makes the team stronger and lets all voices be heard.

The New York Times
This author asked 500 leaders to speak on fostering a strong sense of teamwork, and their insights can help you build a highly productive team.

The Globe and Mail
Leadership is partially an inherent skill, but is also something you develop as your career progresses. To learn to be a leader, it’s important to continually challenge yourself.

Forbes
In this interview, Dr. Joshua Spodek, author of Leadership Step by Step, discusses how effective leadership is actually played out in the real world.

Fast Company
You can be much more productive if you keep a to-do list, and then regularly read through your most important tasks–even if you can’t accomplish everything.

Food and Wine
The new product comes hot on the heels of Finland dropping a ban on selling insects as food.

Soul to Work
Managersplaining might be perceived as an act of hubris but it’s really a sign of fear and insecurity.

Inc.
If your ego doesn't get in the way, any one of these 10 phrases is a great way to build trust at work.