It’s about that time when the holidays are quickly approaching and the new year is right around the corner. We have completed the first two PestEd workshops in Long Beach and Concord with great turnout in both locations and look forward to the Citrus Heights PestED on January 14 as well. The West Coast Rodent Academy also took place in early November with its usual full house and it’s a model that is rapidly being followed all over the country. Finally, our annual Palm Springs Board of Directors Meeting is December 12 – 14 and there is a lot to talk about before the new year arrives, so I hope to see you all there! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families!

Please go to www.pcoc.org/events or call us if you have any questions.

 Pest Ed Series Citrus Heights Form

Chris Reardon
PCOC Executive Vice President
chris@pcoc.org
(916) 372-4363

Structural Pest Control Board Calendar of Events 

The Structural Pest Control Board is currently in the process of updating its examinations for all licensing types and branches. If you are interested in participating in this process, please find below a listing of the upcoming examination development workshop dates. Should you find a particular workshop, or workshops, that you are interested in attending you may either fill out the Workshop Interest Form and email it to us at pestboard@dca.ca.gov, fax it to us at (916) 263-2469, mail it to us at 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1500, Sacramento, CA 95815, or you can call Dave Skelton in the Administration Unit at (916) 561-8700. Once again, thank you very much for your help, we couldn't do this without you! 

OPR3 – Exam Construction
December 10-11, 2019
SPCB Interest Form 

For more information, please visit the SPCB website here. 
 
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Pest Ed Series

January 14, 2020 - Citrus Heights Community Center
Citrus Heights Registration Form - JUST RELEASED!!

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December Board of Directors Meeting
December 12-14, 2019
Hilton Palm Springs Resort
400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262

Thursday, December 12:

• PCOC Golf Tournament at Escena Golf Club, Check in 9:00 am to 9:30 am, Tee Times start at 10:00 am.
• Karaoke Night (**Subject to change) 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Click here for more information

Friday, December 13:

• Committee Meetings, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Click here for Committee Schedule
• PWIPM Cocktail Hour, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
• PCOC Reception, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Saturday, December 14:

• Board of Directors Meeting, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

CARES is asking for donations from the districts for our Beer Fest Wagon! Check out their flyer HERE.

Our room block is good through 11/20/2019 for the room rate of $139/night, while rooms are still available. If you would like to make your room reservation, click here.

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Looking Forward...
 

PCOC's **NEW** Termite Academy - Late February 19-20, 2020
University of Berkeley
Registration Form Coming Soon!!

PCOC's Legislative Day and 3rd Quarter Board of Directors Meeting
Hyatt Regency Sacramento Hotel - Sacramento, CA
April 13-15, 2020

PCOC's Leadership Academy
Costa Mesa Marriott Hotel - Costa Mesa, CA
April 27-28, 2020

PCOC's Expo
Monterey Marriott Hotel & Convention Center - Monterey, CA
June 23-26, 2020

PCOC's 1st Quarter Board of Directors Meeting
Allegretto Vineyard Resort - Pasa Robles, CA
September 17-19, 2020

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 here 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.

Douglas Products has welcomed Matt Fabry to their team. Matt has been in pest control since 2009. Matt currently has, and has held, multiple licenses in states across the US. Matt has worked in all functions of our industry from sales, service and management. He has sold fumigation jobs, done fumigation jobs, managed fumigation crews and helped multiple people get their applicators license and hazmat endorsements on their drivers license. Matt's territory covers LA county, inland up to Bakersfield, and up the coast to Atascadero. 

In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors. Matt and his wife volunteer at non-kill animal shelters, especially at ones that specialize in pit bulls.

Matt Fabry
Business Development Manager | Douglas Products 
Matt.Fabry@douglasproducts.com
Cell: 408-431-6674

A new PCOC Minute is here

At a recent Board of Directors meeting in Pasadena, Eric Paulsen, from Clark Pest Control, opened up the meeting with a great safety moment. In this PCOC Minute, we get to hear this safety moment from Eric.

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.

Death from an accidental opioid overdose has become one of the top five causes of death in recent years.

The United States is experiencing an epidemic of opioid addiction. The National Safety Council released a report that a person born in 2017 has a greater chance of dying from an accidental opioid overdose than from a car crash. Accidental opioid overdose is now one of the top five causes of death behind heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease and suicide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total “economic burden” of prescription opioid misuse in this country is $78.5 billion a year, which includes the costs of health care, lost productivity, treatment and use of the criminal justice system.

This article addresses the problem of opioids in all aspects of the organization, not just workers compensation. It’s important to limit the use of opioids as much as possible in workers compensation cases (we’ve written about this in previous newsletters). But it’s not always possible to rule out opioids in treating injuries. That’s why it’s necessary to develop a coherent anti-opioid policy that addresses the problem in all aspects of the firm, not just in the workers comp setting. For one thing, by creating awareness of the problem among all employees, an injured employee can hopefully make more informed decisions relating to opioid use. 

What Employers Can Do

Train managers to identify early signs and symptoms of substance use disorders and help employees get treatment. If an employee has been using opioids, there are cost-effective workplace programs that can help employees avoid or manage a drug crisis. Effective programs consist of:

• Written policies

• Employee education

• Management training

• Employee assistance program

• Drug testing

Written Policy

A written policy tells your employees exactly what is expected at work and what options are available should they have a drug problem.

Work with your legal counsel, workers comp risk managers and human resources department to ensure the policy follows federal and state guidelines.

A few topics your policy could cover:

• Prohibited behavior, including possessing or selling drugs or intoxicants

• Employee responsibilities

• Disciplinary actions

• Who to call for treatment
  

Employee Education

Start with management teams and share information with employees through workshops, flyers, emails, videos and social media. When hosting social events, require they be alcohol and drug-free.

Wellness talks can be an opportunity to discuss how easy it is to become addicted to opioids. Tell employees that substance use disorder is a preventable and treatable illness, and your workplace is recovery-friendly.

Review policies about substance abuse affecting hiring, discipline, retention and termination of employees. Encourage employees to use sick days not only when they are ill, but for medical, dental, mental and/or chemical health.

Inform employees that there are alternatives to opioids for pain management, and that opioids are not more effective for most pain. Dr. Don Teater, a medical advisor for the National Safety Council, said that for pain related to common workplace-related injuries, opioids are not any more effective than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) alternatives such as Tylenol, Advil or generic ibuprofen. They also usually are more affordable and safer than opioids.

Management and supervisor training

Train supervisors to convey the company policy to enforce drug and prescription drug policies and that there are programs available to help battle addiction. Supervisors also must know what to do if someone seeks assistance or they see signs that someone is under the influence.

The medication Naloxone temporarily blocks opioid effects during an overdose. Make sure you have Naloxone on hand and supervisors are trained to administer it if an employee overdoses.

Employee Assistance Program

Consider a plan with an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). An EAP assists employees in resolving personal problems, including alcohol or substance abuse; child or elder care issues; relationship challenges; financial or legal problems; wellness matters; and assistance in handling traumatic events. Vendors who are part of comprehensive health insurance plans can provide care over the phone, computer or in person at no cost to employees. 

Drug testing

While drug testing can be intrusive, it also is a valuable tool to prevent drug-related incidents. Drug-testing programs often curb drug abuse because employees fear getting caught. Seek legal guidance before starting any drug testing program to ensure it complies with state law and federal guidelines. Also remember that testing done before an employee starts work will not detect drug use after they begin employment.

Please contact the Insurance professionals of EPIC’s PCOC Insurance Program if you need assistance developing substance abuse guidelines for your firm. Please contact the Insurance professionals of EPIC at (877) 860-7378 or ProPest@epicbrokers.com to email us. Also, check out our website by clicking here.

Paul Lindsay
Senior Vice President
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

Calling ALL PCOC Directors! CARES is requesting each Director to bring a 6-pack or 2- 20 ounce micro brews from your local micro brewery to our upcoming BOD Meeting in Palm Springs. CARES will fill a wagon to be raffled there too!

Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win this Beer Fest Wagon! Tickets are $20 each.

Once the wagon is full, secondary winners will receive the overflow beer!

See the flyer HERE!

November

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - November 20 @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Tarry Howard – Hydrex
tarry_h@hotmail.com • (818) 437-6584
Los Toros Restaurant, 217433 Devonshire St, Chatsworth

SANTA CLARA DISTRICT - November 20 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Rudy Ayala - Thrasher Termite & Pest Control
jthrasher@thrashertermite.com • (408) 354-9944
Drying Shed, 402 Toyon Ave, San Jose

VENTURA DISTRICT - November 20 @ 7:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Janet Thrasher - Spearhead Pest Control
rudy@spearheadpestcontrol.com • (805) 746-4547
Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 600 East Esplanade Dr., Oxnard

CENTRAL COAST DISTRICT - November 21 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Chris Atchison - Clark Pest Control
catchison@clarkpest.com • (805) 478-9900
F. McLintocks, 750 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach

SAN GABRIEL DISTRICT - November 19 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Gilbert Alvidrez - Downtown Pest Control
downtownpestcontrol@gmail.com • (909) 802-0052
El Sombrero, 3550 Santa Anita Ave, El Monte

DIABLO VALLEY DISTRICT – November 26 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Gordie Zilke – Valley View Termite Control
valleyviewtc@gmail.com • (925) 787-2118
Claim Jumpers, 1981 Diamond Blvd, Concord


December

SAN BERNARDINO/RIVERSIDE DISTRICT
December 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
La Casa Ortega, 1690 Spruce St, Riverside

VINTAGE COASTAL DISTRICT
December 6 - Social Hour @ 6:00 p.m., Meeting / Dinner @ 7:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Billy Gaither – Van Hooser Enterprises
beetleman@comcast.net • (707) 410-8117
Palms Grill, 100 South McDowell, Petaluma

SHASTA DISTRICT - December 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 - December 10 @ 5:30 p.m.
CHAIR: David Hinrichs – Lloyd Pest Control
david.hinrichs@lloydpest.com • (619) 668-1958
Country Inn & Suites, 5975 Lusk Blvd, San Diego

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

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

Web marketing is a common solution to many business problems. Customers don’t know what you offer? Build a good services menu. Need to build relevance in your target markets? Run an SEO campaign.

But, there’s another solution that web marketing can provide, and it’s for an increasingly common business problem for pest control companies ... finding new employees.

Regardless of industry, it’s become more and more difficult for business owners to find good help these days. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released findings that indicate that there are more job openings than unemployed job seekers. This puts businesses in an uncomfortable position where they are unable to support their pest management services with a properly staffed team.

Enter web marketing. A pest control business that’s well-marketed online is more likely to find and keep better employees. The principles of web marketing lend themselves greatly to recruitment efforts. And seeing that our country’s unemployment rate is almost at its lowest since the 1960s, small pest control businesses need to use all of the tools in their toolbox!

To help with your hunt for quality team members, here are some guiding principles:

In a competitive job market, you need to make candidates want to work with you.

Employers are not in a position of power these days. When businesses are fighting over a small group of applicants, it’s key to make your company look like an appealing place to work. Your website is a great place to start. Just like customers take to the web to find pest control providers in their area, job hunters will head online to find out more about potential employers. Regardless of where they find your job listing, it's likely that they will head to your website to decide whether or not your company would be a good fit for them.

Your website needs to clearly outline how your company is different and who youare. Take your company website’s “About” page as a chance to not only introduce yourself to customers, but future team members as well. Lay out your company’s values, and you’ll give applicants a chance to decide whether they can relate. You should also feature photos of your team, office and service trucks, which will further illustrate your company as a great place to work.

If you want candidates to find you, your company and its job openings must be visible.

Pest control companies that run SEO campaigns know how important it is to show up where it matters. An SEO campaign matches people looking for a service with companies that offer that service. Take this idea and apply it to your recruitment efforts. Set up a job form on your website and feature prominent “We’re Hiring” buttons to guide users to this form. Make sure your Google listing is up to date, so that applicants can find you easily online (an experienced pest control technician will probably search for pest management companies near them). Don't make the mistake of waiting for candidates come to you ... make sure you're meeting them halfway.

Before you look for applicants, find out who your target applicants are.

You know you need more employees, but you can’t hire just anyone. In marketing, it’s key to understand who your audience or ideal customer is before you spend any money on a program. So when searching for new hires, make sure you know what you’re looking for. It may help to look inward at your existing team. Who are they and how did they find you? If you’ve found good workers on sites like Indeed and Monster in the past, start posting on those sites again. Remember that job listings aren’t “set it and forget it,” either – they require maintenance and some sprucing up to stay on top of applicants’ minds.

Don’t let the tight job market get you down. If you run a great pest control company that provides excellent service, quality candidates will want to work with you. The trick is to make sure you’re getting in front of these applicants before other companies do. A good web marketing strategy can help you achieve any goal!

 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.