NPMA ePestWorld

Last Chance to Submit Your Application for NPMA Gives Award

Deadline: May 1
Presented by NPMA's Leadership Networking Community, the NPMA Gives Award recognizes NPMA member companies that have demonstrated leadership through their dedication and contribution to the good of the community. As part of its mission, the Leadership Networking Community is committed to honoring those companies that have made a real contribution to their community. The winning company will be featured in the September/October issue of PestWorld magazine and recognized at Academy 2021 in Tucson, AZ. Click here to view judging criteria and to submit your application.

Join NPMA's Workforce Program and Safeguard the Future of the Professional Pest Control Industry

NPMA’s Workforce Development Program was created to address the increasing challenge of attracting and retaining qualified talent to the industry. With our concerted public relations campaign and launch of PestControlJobs.com, a website dedicated to promoting careers in professional pest control and encouraging job seekers to find employment opportunities on its job board, we are even better poised to meet this challenge head-on to help ensure industry growth.

All NPMA member companies are encouraged to take advantage of a complimentary 60-day job posting on Careers.PestControlJobs.com (a $150 value!) to advertise their open positions to qualified candidates.

Heard From the Hill

Vaccination Tax Credit: What You Need to Know

The White House announced earlier this week that a tax credit would be available to small and mid-sized businesses to assist in getting the population vaccinated. NPMA staff participated in a small business call with White House and Treasury staff today, and top-line information on the credit is below.

What companies are eligible? Any company with 500 or less employees who offer paid leave to full and/or part time employees is eligible for this tax credit. The credit is only give between April 1 and September 30, 2021. Non-profits are eligible for this credit.

How much can an employer claim? Employers can receive a tax credit for up to 80 hours per employee, for one of two reasons:

An employer may receive up to $511 per day, per employee with a total cap per employee of $5,110 for time related to a sick quarantined employee, time for the employee to receive a vaccination or to recover from a vaccination, and time for an employee to receive a COVID test.

This employer can receive two-thirds of the employees regular wage, capped at $200 per day for time the employee spent caring for someone in quarantining or to provide care due to COVID school or child care related closures.

How can a business claim this credit? The credit can be claimed on a quarterly basis as a credit against form 941. For advance payments, file form 7200. Speak with your payroll provider for more information.

Are there any other limitations? Businesses can not double dip on this credit and PPP funding; if an organization has a PPP loan it can not double count employee hours for both PPP forgiveness and this credit. Both can be used, just not simultaneously.

Should I document this? Yes! Make sure to retain documentation noting the reason for providing leave for each employee.

Additional questions? The IRS has a help page available here for small and mid-sized employers.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Updates Guidance on Surface Disinfection

CDC recently provided a new science brief indicating that the risk of contracting COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface is considered to be low. Based on the best science available, the primary way that people become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is exposure to respiratory droplets carrying the infectious virus. The CDC science brief did not rule out the possibility of contracting the virus by contacting contaminated surfaces, but they categorized the risk as low. Accordingly, the CDC updated its best practices for cleaning and disinfecting during the COVID-19 pandemic to highlight the effectiveness of routine soap and water cleaning for most situations and registered disinfectant application to high touch areas.

News From National

Are You Prepared for Handling an OSHA Complaint?

Preparedness can make OSHA compliance and handling a complaint as painless as possible. Register today for the Industry Safety Summit on May 6-7 and hear from Richard Spencer, Arrow Exterminators as he discusses how to respond to an OSHA complaint and what you need to have in place to help your company stay in business and meet all regulatory needs addressed by the complaint. Click here to view the program and register.

Join NPMA In Person at Academy 2021!

Start training for the Academy 2021 Olympic Games and join us IN PERSON July 13-15 at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona! If you haven't had the chance to attend in the past, Academy is a unique opportunity designed to advance the professional and business development of emerging industry leaders in a hands-on, interactive environment. This is an exciting team-based event with fantastic speakers that you will NOT want to miss!

Foam Fresh's beneficial microbial spores reduce organic debris and eliminate odors to help provide a safe and clean environment. Incorporate this bio-sanitation service into a regular pest management program for residential and commercial customers. Assess the current maintenance program, then provide follow-up instructions for continuing the use of bio-sanitation products.

New Members

Welcome New Members!

Apex Pest Control Solutions of Anchorage, AK
Keep Clean S de RL of Honduras
Mosquito Shield of Central CT of Glastonbury, CT
Pest Pros Termite & Pest Control of Brodnax, VA
Pro Shield Termite & Pest, LLC of Mobile, AL
Trueshield Pest Control of Riverton, UT
Valor Pest Solutions of Coon Rapids, MN

Pest Pic of the Week

Robin

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

View the image use policy.

Member Benefit Highlight

Pest Control Science Explained in New NPMA Pestology Blog!

NPMA’s Pestology blog was created with the pest management professional in mind. The pest control industry is driven by science, but often the newest scientific discoveries are not easily digestible and not communicated to the end user (you!). With that in mind, NPMA’s three PhD entomologists on staff set off to read the latest pest management scientific articles and translate them into plain English for the non-scientist. Find not only the latest research, but a few pest control tips along the way in condensed articles.

Podium is redefining the way customers interact with local businesses. Through its Interaction Management platform, businesses can message leads and customers, get reviews and feedback, and communicate easily with their teams. Podium was named as one of Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups and powers over 80,000 businesses.

NPMA Education and Events

We invite you to join us for the 2021 Carolinas/Mid-Atlantic Summer Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In addition to the quality education sessions featuring the latest in technical research, we are excited for an array of social functions as we meet IN PERSON!

Last Chance to Nominate a Charity for the PWIPM 5K Fundraiser at PestWorld 2021

Deadline: April 30

The Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM) needs your help choosing a charity for this year’s annual 5k Fun Run/Walk at PestWorld 2021. Proceeds from the PWIPM 5K Fun Run/Walk will benefit a charity nominated by you. Submit your nomination by April 30, 2021. The PWIPM Council will select three of the nominees and let the industry vote on the winner.

Members Make Headlines

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Pest Management Systems, Inc.

Pest Management Systems, Inc. teamed up with their long-time partner Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro on One Community | One House to help a local family get their house back. They also sponsored and particiapted in the Westerwood 5k to support the Greensboro Urban Ministry and BackPack Beginnings and donated to Toys for Tots.

Weekly Headlines

California Study Finds Lyme Disease-Carrying Ticks by the Beach

Smithsonian Magazine
Researchers found as many ticks carrying the bacterium that causes Lyme disease in coastal areas as they did in woodlands.

Biologist Names Newly Discovered Insect After Coronavirus

News Channel 8
Kosovar biologist Halil Ibrahimi believes the pandemic restrictions haven’t all been bad — as a result of them, he completed his research, raised public awareness of the pollution of river basins and named a newly discovered insect after the virus.

North Carolina Wildlife Officials Warn of Increased Snake Sightings with Warmer Weather

WXII
As many humans are excited to get out and enjoy the warm weather, snakes are just as ready to get out in the sun, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission says.

Battling Bed Bugs

PestWorld Magazine

Bed bug infestations continue to be one of the greatest challenges for the pest management industry. Here's how PMPs have gotten creative in the fight against these prevalent pests.

For your Business

What Kind of Leader Are You: Superhero or Human Being?

Three Star Leadership
Some leaders act like they’re superheroes, imagining themselves as superior beings, and others act like human beings doing important work, helping teams be more productive with higher morale.

Staying Connected

PestWorld Magazine
How can you strengthen your company culture and onboarding practices while working remotely? Pest management companies weigh in on steps they took to remain productive and connected.

How Leadership Challenges Can Bring Out the Best In You

Lolly Daskal
Being a leader is a challenge in itself. And every leadership role comes with its own set of specific challenges. Here are some of the most common situations that can give you the opportunity to bring out your best in your leadership and team.

How To Practice Proactive Leadership

Forbes
Being proactive as a leader is one of the best things you can do for your team. The more leaders can stay current with their team, their business, and their competitors, the better they can help their employees plan and implement new strategies.

These 5 Steps Can Help Protect You from Burnout

Fast Company
Your surroundings may lead to your own workplace exhaustion when a culture is low on a sense of control and social connection.

Offer extended! Get $4.00 off 78 oz or $2.50 off 20 oz now through April 30, 2021. NAVIGATOR SC is armed with fipronil — the proven active ingredient in pest control. NAVIGATOR SC helps you address common pests including termites, ants, cockroaches, silverfish, and other listed pests. Maximize your customer satisfaction. Prevent costly callbacks. And stand out from a swarm of competitors.