The 2023 May/June issue of PestWorld Magazine is now available!

Learn about the latest technology in pest control customer service, how to use AI technology to leverage your marketing and communications, and the benefits of remote monitoring by downloading our latest issue.

The Pest Management Foundation Scholarship Program will award up to five scholarships, of up to $2,000 each, to outstanding students at accredited entomology programs at U.S. colleges or universities. In return, scholarship recipients will be asked to provide a letter explaining how the scholarship has helped them in their academic and research endeavors. The application deadline is April 30, 2023.

Engagement around the topic of ticks in New York up 262%

To keep a pulse on consumer pest concerns, the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), the consumer marketing arm of NPMA, uses Artificial Intelligence to accurately assess public opinion on a given topic by generating randomized, controlled samples of the population through online media and using text analytics.  

In its most recent PPMA Update, a monthly newsletter shared with investors, they reported February results. According to PPMA’s AI research, rodents and termites saw the highest increase in engagement out of any other core pest in February at 332% and 80%, respectively. Engagement around the topic of groundhogs saw a staggering increase at 228%, most presumably in connection to the celebration of Groundhogs Day. Notably, there was a stark increase in engagement on the topic of squirrels in Illinois at 4,785%, mice in Indiana at 761%, and ticks in New York at 262%. Additionally, the state of Arizona experienced a strong increase in engagement on the topic of spiders at 5,881% and flies at 4,979%. Across all age and gender demographic breakdowns, flies and rats saw the highest engagement in the month of February.

To learn more about PPMA and its consumer research, contact Jim Fredericks jfredericks@pestworld.org. 

In early January 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a proposal that would ban employer noncompete clauses in almost all employment circumstances, which would significantly impact pest control operators across the United States. The coalition led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and over 240 other trade associations, have signed and submitted joint comments opposing the ban on noncompete agreements.

Thank you to the NPMA Public Policy Committee members who joined our first Critical Issues Work Group focused on FTC’s proposal. Your input provided us industry-specific feedback that informed public comments that were submitted this week. Over the coming months, NPMA will continue to meet with the U.S. Chamber coalition and track any future opportunities for engagement.

The 2023 Women’s Forum is your chance to explore ways you can make an impact in your own company. Explore these breakout sessions:

• A Culture of Care - learn how two companies take care of their people in a personalized way and have the opportunity to share how your company takes care of its people.
• Creating Equality in the Workplace - hear from two HR professionals on how to make your office more equitable.
• Impactful Women Leaders in Pest Management – Listen to a panel discussion with three of 2022’s Impact Award winners- one from technical, one from customer care, and one from sales to hear lessons learned and fresh insights.

National Pest Management Month is an annual observance that highlights the vital role pest control plays in protecting public health, food and property from the threats posed by pests. PPMA investors can utilize the National Pest Management Month investor toolkit on Mainframe to spread the word about the important work that our industry does.

To learn more about Mainframe, powered by PPMA, or how to get connected with PPMA, contact Jim Fredericks jfredericks@pestworld.org.

NPMA's Workforce Development Program helps find and educate newcomers to all the opportunities in professional pest control. Make sure you're ready by adding your web badge, located in the online toolkit.

Nestguard Exterminating of Newport News, VA
Heritage Professional Products Group of McKinney, TX
Serv Pest Solutions of South Yarmouth, MA 

As a benefit of membership, NPMA members have access to discounted collection services from A.R.M. Solutions.

A.R.M. Solutions delivers cost effective and diplomatic programs to maximize recovery rates, retain valued customers, and lower the overall cost of collecting on past due accounts.

If you've tried everything you know to grow your team, consider QualityPro! QualityPro gives you the tools to hire right, and potential employees know to look for companies with QualityPro's high safety standards and comprehensive career pathway.

To learn more, reach out to us at qualitypro@pestworld.org.

The Safety Summit is next week, and now is your last chance to register at a reduced cost.  Pricing will increase onsite next week in Orlando. Register now and grow your network of safety professionals!

Why should you attend PestWorld 2023? Hear directly from past attendees on how the pest industry's largest event allows you to expand your business, grow your career and network, and support your customers.

View our master calendar for a full list of industry events.