News Briefs
Chief Executive Officer's Notes
  

For those of you who follow baseball, August is considered the dog days of the season because it’s a long season and people are tired.  It’s not any different in the legislative world of California because we’re close to the end of the legislative session and we continue to work on AB 1788 as we speak.  This issue had generated great interest and we now we have the Governor’s office engaged as well.  Will keep you informed as we finish out this legislative year.  We’ve also invited Val Dolcini, Acting Director of DPR, to join us for a fumigation demonstration in Southern California at the end of this month.  We have a team organizing this event and look forward to educating our key policy leaders in this state.  We have a great story to tell and appreciate Val’s time and interest in our industry. 

Chris Reardon
PCOC Executive Vice President

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Upcoming Events

Structural Pest Control Board Calendar of Events

FR2 – Exam Construction
September 10-11, 2019

OPR2 – Exam Construction
October 1-2, 2019 

Townhall (Focus Group) Meeting
October 23, 2019 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
SPCB Office, Sacramento
Agenda

FR3 – Exam Construction
October 29-30, 2019

OPR3 – Exam Construction
December 10-11, 2019

For more information, please visit the SPCB website at here.

 

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 September Board of Directors Meeting
September 12-14, 2019
Sheraton Pasadena Hotel
Pasadena, California

Thursday, September 12: Golf Tournament @ Brookside Golf Club
Thursday, September 12: Corn Hole Tournament @ Sheraton Pasadena Hotel

Friday, September 13: Committee Meetings, 1 pm to 5 pm
Friday, September 13: PWIPM Reception, 5 pm to 6 pm; followed by PCOC Reception, 6:30pm 7 pm

Saturday, September 14: Board of Directors Meeting, 8 am to 11 am
Saturday, September 14: UCLA v Oklahoma Football game (Separate Registration required)

Hotel Reservation Info: Sheraton Pasadena Hotel (click here for online reservations)
DEADLINE AUGUST 19!!!!

Golfer Registration Form
Golf Tournament Sponsor Form

Corn Hole Tournament Registration Form
Corn Hole Sponsor Form

UCLA Football Game Registration Form  

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Pest Ed Series

October 24, 2019 - Hyatt Regency Long Beach

November 12, 2019 - Crowne Plaza Concord Walnut Creek

January 14, 2020 - Citrus Heights Community Center

 

Exhibitor Registration Form for ALL locations 

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December Board of Directors Meeting
December 12-14, 2019
Hilton Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California

Thursday, December 12: Golf Tournament (Information to follow)
Friday, December 13: Committee Meetings, 1 pm to 5 pm
Saturday, December 14: Board of Directors Meeting, 8 am to 11 am
Hotel information to follow

ConidioTec
Douglas Products and Packaging
Legislative Update

Topic of the year: AB 1788 (the rodenticide ban bill).  It is still moving through the legislature. At this point, it is in its final committee in the CA Senate. If it passes here, it will need to go through another couple of votes and then it will hit the Governor's desk. As with the rest of the process, anything can happen. We are still working very diligently to either get the process dragged out or have our amendments added.

But even if things go our way and DPR gets involved, the way we use these products will have to change. Second Generation Anti-Coagulants cannot be our go-to in every situation. We will need to start to incorporate the use of non-toxic monitoring blocks or other classes of chemistry on a regular basis. If the legislature doesn’t implement this, DPR will.

On a different note, the Structural Pest Control Board is having an open forum on the applicators test on the morning of October 23rd. This will help clarify the responsibilities of this license and what they are allowed and not to do as part of their daily functions. The purpose of this event is to help guide the test to accurately reflect the knowledge expectations of the applicator. We would highly encourage anyone who as the ability to make it to do so and participate as much as possible.

 

Darren Van Steenwyk, BCE
Technical Director - Clark Pest Control
Legislative Committee Chair - PCOC
darrenv@clarkpest.com

 

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Protect Fumigation 


In 2017, Douglas Products and the fumigation industry in California started a grassroots campaign to voice our concerns with proposed Department of Pesticide Regulation mitigations to the way structural fumigation is done in our state.  With the recent changes in personnel within DPR, in 2019, it is time to communicate our message again.  Some of the proposed mitigation and changes suggested have the potential to significantly reduce the number of residential and commercial fumigations being done. 

We need you to take action immediately.  Please click on the link below and fill out all of the required information. When you click on “submit” the letter will be sent to your state Assemblyperson, state Senator and Val Dolcini, Interim Director of DPR.

This will demonstrate to DPR the negative impact this will have on your businesses. Your action can educate them from making these changes that will discourage property owners from having apartments and homes fumigated, slow down real estate transactions, and add one to two more days to the fumigation process.  Please pass this message and link on to your co-workers, their families, association affiliates, industry members and anyone who you feel could be impacted by these unnecessary changes. 

www.protectfumigation.com

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Comings & Goings
  

PCOC Minute

A new PCOC Minute is here that discusses the upcoming Board of Directors Meeting that will be held on September 12-14, 2019 at the Sheraton Pasadena Hotel in Pasadena California.

The Pest Control Operators of California has created the PCOC Minute to provide updates on the pest control industry not only in California but throughout the United States, PCOC related events and member highlights. The PCOC minute will be available on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month with special periodic episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.

Make sure to check out the Pest Control Operators of California YouTube channel for this new PCOC minute and for past and future PCOC Minutes. 

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Agri-Turf Tournament Raises $75,000 for the American Cancer Society

Tournament Celebrates First Hole in One

Santa Fe Springs, Calif. – August 15, 2019 – Agri-Turf Distributing’s 5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament raised $75,000 for the American Cancer Society. The event was held on July 18, 2019 at the Tustin Ranch Golf Club in Tustin, California. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Agri-Turf tournament committee presents check to the American Cancer Society.  Shown L to R: Rich Records of Agri-Turf Distributing, Aaron Rhoderick of Tri-West Ltd., Kristen of the American Cancer Society, Allen Gage of Tri-West Ltd., and Lon Records of Agri-Turf Distributing.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Rob Van Orsdol of Premium Termite and Pest Control wins the $10,000 cash prize at Agri-Turf’s 5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament.

PCOC Monthly Insurance/Safety Tip

 

 

    

 

It’s not always easy to determine whether workers’ compensation rules apply to job related travel and the rules vary from state to state. 

 

 

 

The “going and coming” rule is not found in any Labor code. It is a case law rule that has developed over the years that says that workers’ compensation benefits do not apply to injuries sustained while commuting to or from work.

But isn’t driving to work coming and going? While you might think you could argue that commuting to work is job-related, the going and coming rule has traditionally ruled against that interpretation

However, there are a few exceptions to the going and coming rule:

Commuting in a Company Car

Of course, someone driving their own car is exempt by the going and coming rule. But what if it’s a company car? In most states, this is covered as workers compensation.

Driving a personal car to work is exempted by the going and coming rule. But commuting in a company-owned vehicle is often covered (in most states). In some states, the worker needs to be commuting to and from a fixed location. But other states define this more broadly. For example, if the car has a company logo on it, it might be argued that it is always being used for work-related activity, since it’s essentially a moving advertisement.

Traveling as Significant Part of the Job

If travel is just part of the normal job duties, then that person is basically always at the work site and in fact, they travel in and with it. This description fits pilots, truck drivers, bus drivers, state troopers, etc. As long as the injury occurred in the course of major job duties, as opposed to driving a personal car to the station for the worker’s shift as a bus driver, it would be covered.

Traveling Between Multiple Job Sites

Using a personal vehicle to go to different job sites within one shift is considered job-related usage under most state workers’ comp laws. For example, consider a computer technician driving from one office building to another or the employee of a landscaping company driving to different job sites.

Commercial Traveler

According to most laws, all of the time spent away on a business trip is considered to be within the scope of employment. So even though the traveling employee attends a conference for only eight hours each day, the entire time spent traveling is considered work-related.

Special Mission

This fits those situations where a manager asks an employee to do something on their behalf. For example, if a manager gives an employee money to stop somewhere and buy coffee and donuts for the staff before work tomorrow, the employee has been asked to perform a “special mission.” Even if it’s completely unrelated to work, such as walking the boss’s dog, employers generally are liable for injuries related to these extra tasks.

For more information, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program professionals of EPIC at (877) 860-7378 or, email us @ ProPest@epicbrokers.com.  Also, check out our website: www.pcocinsurance.com.

Paul Lindsay
Senior Vice President
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

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Member News

Our friend Ronald R. Howard, and former business partner of First Quality Pest Control as well, passed away and below you can find the link to the viewing and funeral services for him.

https://www.dignitymemorial. com/obituaries/north- hollywood-ca/ronald-howard- 8798990

He will be missed greatly.

Bea Salinas
First Quality Pest Control

District News


August

 

LA/SOUTHBAY, SAN GABRIEL and SAN FERNANDO VALLEY DISTRICTS
August 20 - 6:30 pm • El Sombrero, 3550 Santa Anita Ave, El Monte


SAN GABRIEL CHAIR: Gilbert Alvidrez - Downtown Pest Control
downtownpestcontrol@gmail.com • (909) 802-0052

LA/SOUTHBAY CHAIR: Greg Bausch – American City Pest & Termite, Inc.
greg@americancitypest.com • (310) 542-8622


SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CHAIR: Tarry Howard – Hydrex
tarry_h@hotmail.com • (818) 437-6584



BIG VALLEY DISTRICT - August 21 @ 7:00 a.m.
CHAIR: Travis Mickel – Clark Pest Control
tmickel@clarkpest.com • (916) 674-2900
Stones Gambling Hall, 6510 Antelope Rd, Citrus Heights


SANTA CLARA VALLEY DISTRICT – August 21 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Janet Thrasher – Thrasher Termite & Pest Control
jthrasher@thrashertermite.com • (408) 354-9944
Drying Shed, 402 Toyon Ave., San Jose

DIABLO VALLEY DISTRICT – August 27 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Gordie Zilke – Valley View Termite Control
valleyviewtc@gmail.com • (925) 787-2118
Zio Fraedo's, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill

 

September

SAN BERNARDINO/RIVERSIDE DISTRICT
September 4 – Social Hour @ 5:30 p.m., Meeting / Dinner @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Ryan Pena – Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control
ryanp@craigandsons.com • (909) 335-1486
Zacatecas, 3767 Iowa Ave, Riverside


VINTAGE COASTAL DISTRICT - September 5 @ 7:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Billy Gaither – Van Hooser Enterprises
beetleman@comcast.net • (707) 410-7907
Call Chair for meeting location information

SHASTA DISTRICT - September 10 @ 12:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Mike Bullert – Big Time Pest Control
mbullert@bigtimepestcontrol.com • (530) 242-8830
Vittles Restaurant, 2385 North Street, Anderson


SAN DIEGO DISTRICT - September 10 @ 5:30 p.m.
CHAIR: David Hinrichs – Lloyd Pest Control
david.hinrichs@lloydpest.com • (619) 668-1953
Country Inn & Suites, 5975 Lusk Blvd., San Diego


BAY AREA DISTRICT
September 11 – Social Hour @ 5:30 p.m., Meeting / Dinner @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Allen Kanady – Omega Termite & Pest Control
allenrobert@omegapest.com • (510) 544-5913
El Portal Restaurant, 2028 Lewelling Rd., San Leandro


CENTRAL VALLEY DISTRICT
– September 12 @ 4:00 p.m.
CHAIR: John Painter – Dustin Pest Control
john@dustinpestcontrol. com • (559) 275-2253
Call Chair for meeting location information


MID CAL DISTRICT

September 12 – Social Hour @ 4:00 p.m., Meeting / Dinner @ 5:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Brad Delk - Delk Pest Control
bdelk@delkpestcontrol.com • (209) 465-5656
Stockton Country Club, 3800 W. Country Club Blvd, Stockton


ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT - September 12 @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Heidi Aguilar-Alvarez– Your Way Fumigation
heidi@ywfumigation.com • (951) 232-2388
Dave & Busters, Irvine Spectrum, Irvine


SOUTHERN VALLEY DISTRICT
- September 12 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Patrick Clark – Clark Pest Control
pclarkzapbugs@aol.com • (661) 635-3535
Chalet Basque Restaurant, 200 Oak St., Bakersfield


VENTURA DISTRICT –
September 18 @ 7:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Rudy Ayala – Spearhead Pest Control
rudy@spearheadpestcontrol.com • (805) 746-4547
Marriott Hotel, 600 East Esplanade Dr, Oxnard

CENTRAL COAST DISTRICT – September 19 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Chris Atchison – Clark Pest Control
catchison@clarkpest.com • (805) 482-2782
F. McLintocks, 750 Mattie Rd., Pismo Beach

 

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New Members
Name/Company/District
  Member Type
  Join Date
Ms. Julie Campbell
Univar Solutions
Big Valley District
  Z   8/2/2019
Mr. Eddie Rosas
Nissan of Torrance
LA/South Bay District
  Z   8/5/2019
Mr. Sean McGough
Suncoast Pest Management
San Diego District
  R   8/8/2019
Ms. Miriam Medina
The Fume Team
San Diego District
  S   8/12/2019
Mr. Jennifer Gordon
Douglas Products
Bay Area District
  Z   8/15/2019

 

Frequently Requested Information

Frequently Asked-For Websites

Department of Fish & Game
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/

Department of Food & Agriculture
www.cdfa.ca.gov

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
www.cdpr.ca.gov

DPR on Facebook
www.facebook.com/capesticideregulation

DPR on YouTube (see "playlists" for videos pertaining to new surface water regulations)
www.youtube.com/user/californiapesticides

DPR on Twitter
twitter.com/ca_pesticides

DPR LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/company/california-department-of-pesticide-regulation

Healthy Schools Act
http://apps.cdpr.ca.gov/schoolipm/

Structural Pest Control Board
www.pestboard.ca.gov

Find Your Legislator
www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

NPMA's QualityPro Accrediation Application
www.npmaqualitypro.org/apply

One Thing in Web Marketing

Do you remember using the Internet 15-20 years ago? There were dial up modems, pages loading an inch at a time, and certainly no exchange of credit card information online. Nowadays, our mobile devices are able to recognize our faces!

When the playing ground has changed as much as it has, there’s no use in approaching the Web the same way you did years ago. After all, you wouldn’t approach a pest control situation using technology from over 10 years ago. This same logic should also apply to your company’s Web Marketing strategy...

As far as Web Marketing basics are concerned, it’s important to note how important a Responsive, Mobile-Friendly Website is to getting noticed online. You should also know how Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can help you be found on Google. Both strategies are great for capturing potential clients who are searching for your services, but what can you do when these leads step away from Google and onto other sites on the Web?

Picture this: SEO gets users onto your Website, and your site tells them about your services and contact information… what if that visitor just isn’t interested in making a purchase at that time? They didn’t necessarily write you off, but they did close out of your site and move on with their day. Maybe they checked the weather, news, sports scores or more. This is where Display Ad Retargeting comes in.

Here's an example you might be familiar with. Have you ever looked at a pair of shoes or a new piece of equipment online – maybe even just once, and noticed that ads about that product seem to follow you around the internet? That is the magic of Display Ad Retargeting!

There are two components of this strategy, both of which help to increase your leads and grow your business.

Site Retargeting, like the previous example, tracks Website visitors and tags them as “interested customers.” This is good for price-shoppers who are more interested in information up front before they make a deal. While they might not be ready to take action at the time of their visit to your Website, ads for your business can follow them around the Web until they are – or stop appearing once that person is probably no longer interested. Display Ads will make it that much easier for leads to find you once they’ve made up their mind.

Search Retargeting tracks users that are searching for pest control services but aren’t visiting your Website. Whenever they decide to browse other sites on the Web, your ad will appear, letting them know that you provide the pest management service that they need help with.

Both of these tools together make for one unbeatable marketing strategy. The best part of Retargeting is that it’s actually providing small pest control businesses with results. A study found that leads that are being retargeted are more likely to convert by 70%. In other words, there’s a 70% boost in the likelihood that a potential customer will hire you for service!

While most pest control companies are more familiar with the traditional paid search model, Retargeting remains a secret to many. It may seem like such a targeted service might be expensive, but these ads only cost about a penny per ad view. This style of marketing works best with a professional, as the actual implementation and maintenance of this strategy takes a considerable amount of time and expertise. When executed correctly, however, Display Ad Retargeting can help your pest control company truly stand out amongst a crowd of Google results!

Alain Parcan, Director of Marketing for Market Hardware, Inc., contributed this article. Alain brings nearly 10 years of experience in educating businesses so they can market themselves more effectively. Market Hardware helps small businesses compete on the Web and offers special discounts for PCOC members. You can Reach Alain’s team at 888-381-6925.