Last week, the U.S. EPA Office of Pesticide Programs Pesticide Re-evaluation Division released its Ecological Risk Mitigation Proposal for 23 Chemicals (Pyrethroids and Pyrethrins).  Earlier this year, stakeholders were given the opportunity to comment on draft proposed label changes being considered by the Agency and NPMA provided written comments on the industry’s concerns.  (Read NPMA’s comments here).  Many of NPMA’s suggestions were considered and incorporated into the most recent draft, including an increase in the maximum proposed width of exterior perimeter band treatments from three feet to seven feet, and clarification of mosquito treatment and wind speed language.  Unfortunately, the proposed prohibition on exterior treatment when rainfall is expected within 24 hours remains and a new unclear definition of spot treatment is now included.  NPMA staff has scheduled an appointment to meet with the Agency to discuss our continued concerns and will provide official comments to the docket as well.  To view the new Ecological Risk Mitigation Proposal for 23 Chemicals click here. To view the full docket, click here.

NPMA, NEPMA, and NEPMA SPARs and leadership met with key lawmakers and submitted written testimony for a November 12^th hearing in Massachusetts that considered a pesticide preemption repeal, a bill restricting neonics to professionals only, a bill banning neonics, a bill banning pesticide applications at schools, a bill banning pesticide applications within 150 feet of a school, and several others. NEPMA put in a lot of hard work and the only bill that was on our radar that moved out of committee was H. 763, a neonicotinoid ban that exempts certified applicators. The top priority for our industry is the bill aiming to repeal pesticide preemption (H.776/ S 447), as this would’ve allowed local governments in Massachusetts to regulate pesticides. We are pleased that the pesticide preemption repeal, and others did not advance. Excellent news and hats off to NEPMA, Ted Brayton, Bill Siegel, and Galvin Murphy, Jr.!

 As a membership benefit, NPMA has developed a gallery of 
pest images at My.NPMAPestWorld.org for use by NPMA members.

 

NPMA’s newly redesigned NPMA Forms website, your go-to source for purchasing digital copies of the revised NPMA 33 WDI Inspection form. Completely redesigned from the ground up, this site offers a host of exciting new features and enhancements including:

• Purchase digital forms in quantities of 50, 100, or as an annual UNLIMITED plan
• New safe and secure online purchase options
• Now, at no extra charge, every user can store digital forms online.
• Add up to 5 users per account 
• Advanced document tracking and editing options
• Add your own digital signature
• A comprehensive help section outlining all these features and more. 

The new digital forms site can be accessed through the same website as before, www.npmaforms.com. For questions on purchasing NPMA forms or the new NPMA forms website, contact Michael Bentley at MBentley@pestworld.org. Please direct all questions or concerns regarding the updated NPMA-33 form to Jim Fredericks at jfredericks@pestworld.org.

Congratulations to the Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM) for surpassing their goal of 1,000 Facebook group members! Click here to join their Facebook group.

This meeting was sponsored by Forshaw Inc, New England Pest Management Association, and PWIPM of New England.  This year’s topic was “Women Who Lead” and was run by Marinn Bengel, the Director of Human Resources at Forshaw.

Apartment Therapy
Much of our natural instinct to eliminate the bugs in our homes is unfounded. According to Dr. Brittany Campbell, entomologist with the National Pest Management Association, the odds that the spider lurking in the corner of your room will hurt you are incredibly slim. 

Inc.
The co-founder of Microsoft prescribes a principle that will raise every leader's bar.