Greetings to all of you!

I want to thank all those who have worked tirelessly to organize the West Coast Rodent Academy, which will take place on October 26-28 at University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) located in Irvine, California. The Pest Control Operators of California along with the University of California Cooperative Extension are hosting a three-day workshop on urban rodent management.

This will be an action-packed three days with leading experts discussing the tasks of managing commensal rodents in urban environments; instruction by local University of California, local agencies and local industry experts; classroom and field demonstrations regarding best management practices and hands-on practical field training at the South Coast Research and Extension Center. As you can see, this will be a tremendous opportunity to participate with experts in the field as well as enhance your skills related to rodent ecology and integrated pest management (IPM).

Because we have limited attendance, this workshop filled up quickly but there is discussion about doing some additional workshops in the near future. Again, I wanted to thank all of our sponsors including our partners in this workshop: UCCE, Target Specialty Products and Univar.

Chris Reardon
Executive Vice President

One of the many great things that PCOC does for our members and our community is offer scholarships and we give out several every year. We were pleased to receive a heartwarming thank you card from one of our Scholarship recipients, Edie Keene:

"PCOC Scholarship Foundation,

I am sincerely grateful for the scholarship you have awarded me. The scholarship will help pay for my textbooks this year and some tuition. I appreciate the support you have provided to me and my family as I continue my college career.

Thank you,

Edie Keene"

Karen's "Blug"

Wow how time flies! I must be enjoying my new job! I cannot believe I missed my August entry to my blog. It has been a crazy first few months of trying to make it to as many district meetings I can. Familiarizing myself with everything, meetings and reaching out to members has been keeping me "buzzzy."

I had the opportunity to visit Southern Valley District and not only meet some amazing members, but also win a pie and tickets to a 49ers game. I was able to drive around the Fresno area and stop by a few non-member shops, hopefully adding some members to that district!

I ventured to the Diablo Valley District and was introduced to subterranean termites. I must have been on a roll from the Fresno meeting because I also left a winner! August ended with a visit to the Central Valley and a class on the Zika virus. We talked about how our Pest Control companies fit into the fight against this new virus. After that meeting, I almost detoured to Vegas because I won another raffle gift.

In early September, I had the opportunity to attend a Branch 2 training. I learned more about bugs and rodents than I thought I would ever need to know. I left very impressed with the amount of knowledge that pest control operators must have about repellent verses non repellants and the difference between long residual and short residual. It astounds me! I learned some entomology and the complete and incomplete metamorphism of insects. I seriously did not know that there were so many different types of ants. I thought there was just the little annoying ones that would get into my house and crawl across my countertops. Now I feel quite powerful being a woman and knowing that the female insect rules the house!

Did I mention how much I am enjoying my new job? My husband isn’t appreciating it so much now that I am telling him we need to move the firewood and we need to get rid of the stump in the yard....sort of acting like the queen bee!

I will be traveling quite a bit the next two months and look forward to meeting members in Southern California along with the coastal area. Please feel free to reach out to me with any advice in regards to preparing for the Branch 2 exam.

Karen Grenz
Director of Membership
karen@pcoc.org

Market Hardware PCOC Fall Webinar: 5-Step Formula for Skyrocketing Your New Leads and Winning More Referrals in 2017

We all remember that feeling of a ‘promising new start’ that the new school year brings. Hard to believe that 2017 is around the corner!

Which means now is the time to start preparing your Web Marketing strategy for next year. Having an effective plan in place for 2017 is vital for any successful pest operator – especially while your competition starts to slow things down this winter. To take advantage, you need the right combination of strategies.

Being successful in 2017 will require a proven step-by-step plan that includes:

1. A 2017-ready website with the latest techniques to turn visitors into callers (Google has made it clear, a Responsive design is a MUST-HAVE)
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) which solves for the one thing that Google cares most about!
3. An informative Email Newsletter that will keep your business in front of your customers, ensuring they call you time and time again!
4. Running your own version of those "Web Ads" that follow you around on the different news, weather and sports sites you visit – It’s called "Banner Ad Retargeting" and converts qualified prospects into new customers.

Who better to explain it than Market Hardware’s team of experts, led by Brian Kraff, Founder and CEO, who will explain a simple process for getting the most out of your Web Marketing. Brian’s engagements are extremely limited, and we are proud to have him return to do this webinar. His energetic delivery and industry experience have earned him a national following. Hop on the call and you’ll learn why!

Please join us on Tuesday, September 27 at 11 AM PST for this special presentation. To register for this member-only webinar, please click here:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1096126608632459521

We’re looking forward to seeing you on the call!

To take advantage of other benefits of the Member Value Program, please click here for more information.

Dealing with an Aging Workforce

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that workers age 55 and older will make up 20 percent of the workforce by 2020, up from 13 percent in 2000. As your workforce ages, what special safety concerns can you expect?

 Most people begin noticing signs of aging at around 40, although some changes can occur earlier. Aging workers generally experience fewer injuries; however, they may take longer to recuperate. Managers should be aware of some of the common changes aging brings and possible responses.  

 If you suspect an aging-related limitation might be affecting a worker’s job performance, do not ask the employee questions on personal health issues — that information might be protected under discrimination and privacy laws. Claims and ergonomic specialists can help you make jobs safer for older workers...and all others.

For suggestions, please contact PCOC Insurance Program Specialists at EPIC Insurance Brokers, at (877) 860-7378 or visit www.pcocinsurance.com.

Upcoming District Meetings – Don’t miss out on the opportunity to attend!

October 5

San Bernardino/Riverside - 6:00 p.m.

Cask & Crew 1333 University Ave. Riverside

October 6

Vintage Coastal– 7:00 p.m.

Location varies – Contact Chair

October 11

San Diego – 5:30 p.m.

East Buffet 8998 Mirimar Road. San Diego

Shasta – 11:00 a.m.

Holiday Market 3315 Placer St. Redding

October 13

Mid Cal – 4:00 p.m.

Location varies – Contact Chair

Orange County – 6:00 p.m.

Dave & Busters – Irvine Spectrum

Southern Valley – 6:30 p.m.

Lorene’s Coffee Shop 1531 23^rd St Bakersfield

October 18

San Gabriel Valley – 6:30 p.m.

El Sombrero 3550 Santa Anita Ave. El Monte

October 19

Big Valley – 4:00 p.m.

Location varies – Contact District Chair

Santa Clara Valley – 6:30 p.m.

Drying Shed 402 Toyon Ave. San Jose

October 25

Diablo Valley – 6:30 p.m.

Zio Fraedo’s 611 Gregory Ln Pleasant Hill

October 26

San Fernando Valley – 6:00 p.m.

Location varies – Contact District Chair

October 27

Central Valley

Location varies – Contact District Chair

Bay Area

Location varies – Contact Athena Diaz

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Department of Fish & Game
www.dfg.ca.gov