Women of Excellence Award 
NPMA is now accepting nominations for the annual Women of Excellence Award, sponsored by Target Specialty Products. This award is open to women across the pest management industry - pest control companies, manufacturers, research organizations, etc. - who demonstrate outstanding leadership and have made notable contributions to the development and growth of the profession, their business, and other women in the industry. Click here for more information and to nominate a candidate. All nominations must be received by August 31, 2020.

Sponsored by

Young Entrepreneur Award 
Do you know a young entrepreneur in the pest management industry? NPMA is currently accepting nominations for the annual Young Entrepreneur Award, presented by Rentokil-Steritech, recognizing young entrepreneurs working in the professional pest management industry who have helped create or develop an industry business and/or those who have stewarded a meaningful industry concept to fruition. Click here for more information and to nominate a candidate. All nominations must be received by August 31, 2020.

Sponsored by

The President signed the H.R. 7010 The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 into law last week. The bill previously passed the House and the Senate. The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act was introduced by Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN-3) and had a relatively easy passage in Congress given the bipartisan support in both houses. This bill makes two significant changes to the PPP loans. The first deals with how much of the money can be allocated to which types of expenses; currently 75% can be used on payroll and 25% towards rent, utilities and/or mortgage payments. Now businesses can use a 60/40 split, with 60% towards payroll and 40% to rent/utilities/mortgage payments. The second major change is it lengthens the time businesses have to use their loans. Currently loans must be used within 8 weeks; the bill extends to 24. While there are many other bills in both houses that would target COVID-19 programs and policies, it is unlikely that many of them will pass independent of a large package.  For questions about Congress or PPP loans, contact NPMA's VP of Public Policy, Ashley Amidon, at aamidon@pestworld.org.  

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an advisory statement addressing concerns surrounding disinfectant products claiming to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The advisory clarified that products making antimicrobial claims in general or specific claims regarding SARS-CoV-2 must submit detailed data to the Agency demonstrating that the product does not cause unreasonable adverse effects to human health or the environment and must be able to demonstrate efficacy against the targeted pathogen.  The advisory notice was prompted by numerous complaints to the Agency about unregistered products being sold that are making false or misleading claims regarding SARS-CoV-2. The statement further advised that EPA is coordinating with the U.S. Department of Justice and other federal partners to bring the full force of the law against those selling or otherwise distributing violative products.

The NPMA Audit Scheme Quick Guide has become an indispensable resource for pest control operators performing services in third-party audited facilities. The new update lists the latest edition of standards from the primary audit programs that perform audits in food processing facilities in the US. Using this guide can help quickly guide companies on pest control practices required for specific programs so that these facilities can pass their third party audits.

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

 

June 17, 2020, 7:45 am – 1:15 pm - Earn credits in 7A, 7B, 8 and 60 in VA, MD, WV & DC

With face-to-face meetings suspended, this live-streaming webinar event has been created to keep technicians trained and to provide an opportunity to obtain recertification credits prior to the new, extended August 29^th VDACS certification renewal deadline.

Learn more.

Prep Course - June 18, 2020 and ACE Exam – June 19, 2020 Hilton Garden Inn, Lynchburg, VA

Attend this course to get your last-minute prep before testing the following day, or use this course to kick-start your self-study preparations for testing in the future!

Learn more.

Residents are noticing rats in their homes in the time of the coronavirus — and seeing snakes and spiders, too. Rat aficionados say there’s a reason for that.

So many mayflies hatched at once near the Mississippi River Sunday night it was picked up on the National Weather Service’s radar.

Officials in Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties are reporting that they are seeing high levels of nuisance mosquitoes after the area was hit with heavy rain and flooding in late May, allowing the local population of the annoying insects to grow exponentially.

The National Pest Management Association cautions travelers as recent hotel and lodging vacancies have emboldened bed bug populations.

According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, 92 percent of people never reach their goals. Lack of motivation, fear, self-doubt and setting unattainable goals are among the hurdles that keep most of us from realizing our dreams.

In a week that focused on “reopening the economy,” everyone has become keenly aware that there is more than one pandemic affecting U.S. lives and local economies.

Here are four tips for motivating employees as they continue to work from home or return to the office.

The “return to work” is more than re-activating the financial system. The health and safety of today’s workers must be at the forefront of this second phase of survivability.