Every year the California Pest Control Industry gathers together, in what is the largest annual convention and trade show for our industry in the country, outside of NPMA's PestWorld. This year, we again have a program with increased value and format. Expo 2013 is June 27-29 at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel in Santa Rosa – Gateway to the Wine Country.

Our Expo program is designed to provide interesting and informative speakers, an exhibit hall where PCO's can learn about new products, and also to provide CE hours. Friday is reserved for Continuing Education. Our Keynote Speaker will be terrific! Roger Crawford! Roger has been recognized by Sports Illustrated as "one of the most accomplished physically challenged athletes in the world." He has lived out the principles of perseverance, unshakable optimism and overcoming adversity and eloquently communicates this with the audience. He is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and award winner.

One of the most important functions of this premier event is in the networking that takes place among the attendees: PCOC companies, manufacturers and suppliers. Several manufacturers and suppliers, for instance, take this time to roll out new products because of the high value placed on the Exhibit Hall.

This year's golf tournament is at the Rooster Run Golf Course and is being sponsored by the Vintage Coastal District. Santa Rosa is the gateway to the wine country in addition to a host of other outdoor activities!

The Installation Banquet is a time when we can all be proud of our association: celebrating the dedication and commitment of individuals who provide the leadership in PCOC. By the same token, celebrating what PCOC is all about: our members.

It's not too late to register. Go to PCOC.org/upcoming events.

I look forward to seeing you all in Santa Rosa!

The 2013-2014 Legislative Session of the California Legislature is in progress. Click here for PCOC's Legislative Agenda.

 A SALIVA VIRUS FOR HOUSE FLIES

House flies can transmit hundreds of pathogens like Salmonella, Escherichia coli, anthrax and tuberculosis among many others. Usually, the course of treatment involves finding the source of the flies, mainly areas where fly larvae can feed.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have found a potentially new method of treatment by utilizing a virus that stops flies from reproducing. The Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus (SGHV) is a member of new discovered family of viruses called Hytrosaviridae. The virus reproduces in the salivary gland of the infected insect, preventing the females from laying eggs and preventing males from mating.

Using two different strains, a Danish strain and a Florida strain, they studied the effectiveness of several infection methods. They mixed each strain in water then dipped healthy flies directly into the water. 56 percent were infected with the Danish strain while 50 percent were infected with the Florida strain. Liquid baits produced an infection rate of 22 percent with the Danish and 26 percent with the Florida. When flies were sprayed directly, the Danish strain infected 18 percent while the Florida strain infected 22 percent.

While the virus shows potential house and other filth flies, it is not a stand-alone treatment, but it could be highly useful included in an integrated pest management program for controlling fly populations early in their peak season.

HOSPITALS CONTEND WITH BEDBUGS

According to a survey released by the National Pest Management Association, more than one third of pest-management companies have treated bedbug infestations in hospitals in 2012 which is up from previous years. They have even been found in ambulances.

While bedbugs have never been proven to transmit diseases, they can leave patients susceptible to secondary infections due to victims scratching itchy bites. This can be especially problematic in hospitals where there is a greater likelihood of catching the contagious staph infection known as MRSA. Many hospitals are trying to be vigilant because the increased infections can lead to longer hospitals stays, readmissions, and reduced federal funding under the Affordable Care Act.

But even with strict cleanliness and sterilization protocols, bedbugs still hitchhike on patients and visitors going into the emergency room and waiting areas. This includes the high instance of bedbugs in nursing homes because often times elderly patients are transferred from an elderly care facility to a hospital, carrying bedbugs with them, and many times they do not show the same symptoms that other patients do.

Dr. Dick Zoutman, a professor and infectious disease specialist at Queen's University in Ontario has helped develop a new hospital sterilization system that can kill both highly drug-resistant bacteria and bedbugs. San Francisco based Medizone International has marketed the technology as AsepticSure. According to the company, AsepticSure uses a gas to effectively eradicate 100 percent of bacteria in less than an hour. It also killed bedbugs in 24 hours and their eggs within 36 hours. Zoutman is working to adapt the system to kill bedbugs quicker and more effectively. This system has only recently been distributed to hospitals in Canada, and Medizone is seeking approval to market in the United States.

Welcome to a new section of Newsbriefs! Here we will be giving news from our members: new hires, retirements, etc. If you have some news you would like to share, please send a short sentence or two to jenai@pcoc.org.

NIOSH, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, reports that exposure to stressful working conditions (called job stressors) can have a direct influence on worker safety and health. How can you recognize and deal with employee stress?

NIOSH reports that exposure to stressful working conditions (called job stressors) can have a direct influence on worker safety and health. NIOSH defines job stress as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. It cites the following as possible causes of job stress:

• Task Design. Heavy workload, infrequent rest breaks, long work hours and shiftwork; hectic and routine tasks that have little inherent meaning, do not utilize workers' skills, and provide little sense of control.
• Management Style. Lack of participation by workers in decision-making, poor communication in the organization, lack of family-friendly policies.
• Interpersonal Relationships. Poor social environment and lack of support or help from coworkers and supervisors.
• Work Roles. Conflicting or uncertain job expectations, too much responsibility, too many "hats to wear."
• Career Concerns. Job insecurity and lack of opportunity for growth, advancement, or promotion; rapid changes for which workers are unprepared.
• Environmental Conditions. Unpleasant or dangerous physical conditions such as crowding, noise, air pollution, or ergonomic problems.

Stress-related conditions that could affect your workers' compensation claims include:

• Musculoskeletal Disorders
  On the basis of research by NIOSH and many other organizations, many experts believe that job stress increases the risk for development of back and upper- extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
• Psychological Disorders
  Several studies suggest that differences in rates of mental health problems (such as depression and burnout) for various occupations are due partly to differences in job stress levels. (Economic and lifestyle differences between occupations may also contribute to some of these problems.)
• Workplace Injury
  Although more study is needed, there is a growing concern that stressful working conditions interfere with safe work practices and set the stage for injuries at work.

What About Stress Itself? Is it Compensable?

Although the conditions that stress can cause may be compensable, many states specifically exclude mental stress claims from coverage under workers' compensation. In California, regulations dictate that the job must account for at least 51 percent of the stress in order to be covered.

What Can Employers Do to Reduce or Minimize Job-Related Stress

Individuals under stress often display several symptoms. Managers and supervisors can use these as early warning signals of job-related stress:

· Headache

· Sleep disturbances

· Difficulty in concentrating

· Short temper

· Upset stomach

· Job dissatisfaction

· Low morale

Factors that can help to reduce the effects of stressful working conditions include the following:

• Balance between work and family or personal life
• A support network of friends and coworkers
• A relaxed and positive outlook

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) can help workers address stressors in both their work and professional lives. A quality EAP can provide counseling and referrals on a broad range of subjects, including personal problems such as substance abuse, financial problems and family conflicts that can also affect job performance.

For more information on controlling workplace stress and other factors that can influence safety and productivity, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program department of Jenkins Insurance Services at (877) 860-7378 or, email us @ ProPest@Leavitt.com.

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For an additional charge, you may access a 24-hour hotline providing consultation by qualified medical doctors on pesticide-related medical emergencies. This service is provided free of charge to Peacock Group insureds.