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December 2019
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Chief Executive Officer's Notes
Upcoming Events
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! OPES is working on the Occupational Analysis (OA) for the Applicators examination. We are looking for some Applicators (possibly 2-3 of your RA’s) who would be willing to do a telephone interview with OPES. The telephone interview will last roughly about an hour and can be scheduled at their convenience during state working hours. They will be asked questions about what an Applicator does on job daily. If you can spare a couple RA’s for this process it would be greatly appreciated! All SPCB will need is their name, license number, email, and a telephone number.
For more information, please visit the SPCB website here. Pest Ed Series - Northern CaliforniaJanuary 14, 2020 - Citrus Heights Community Center Spots are going fast!! Sign up today!! ____________________________________________________________________________ Termite Academy - SOLD OUT
Submit your registration form for Waitlist status February 19-20, 2020
Day 1:Lite Breakfast & Check in
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As we close out 2019, I just wanted to thank all of you for your help and participation in making PCOC the preeminent statewide pest control association in the country. I especially want to thank all of those who volunteer their time and efforts in chairing districts, committees and serving in leadership positions on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. We all know there will challenges in the future, but the outlook is bright with the talented men and women of PCOC who understand the need to protect people, property and our food supply. So, on behalf of your staff at PCOC, we wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you all next year!
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A new PCOC Minute is here
In this PCOC Minute, we discuss the Pest Ed Series that will continue in January with the final event being held on Thursday, January 14, 2020, at the Citrus Heights Community Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive Citrus Heights. Registration Form.
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.
The expansion of presumption laws is just one of the predictions made by speakers at a recent workers’ comp conference.
Medical billing fraud, presumption laws, drug formularies, medical marijuana, magic mushrooms and opioids are expected to command the attention of various state and federal legislators in 2020, according to speakers at the recent National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference in November 2019 in Las Vegas, Neveda.
Medical Billing Fraud
The medical billing coding error rate in 2018 was 8.1%. While not all errors are related to fraud, many have a fraud element to them, including miscoding for lack of proper documentation and invalid diagnoses, up-coding to increase payouts, making up codes and mismatching services.
Presumption Laws
In many states, presumption laws, such as cancer presumption laws, exist to benefit first responders, such as firefighters, police officers and EMTs. They shift the burden of proof of medical causation so that the disease is “presumed” to be work-related in absence of compelling evidence to the contrary. These laws, thought by some to be more the creation of politics than science, are typically the largest cost drivers of workers compensation for public employees.
Now presumption laws are starting to expand into other industries and professions, such as fire truck mechanics, school teachers and jail guards.
One new trend, implemented in Georgia and Colorado, for dealing with public employees is to offer a lump-sum payout to offset medical costs rather than treating their occupational cancer or PTSD through the comp system.
Drug Formularies
More states are creating, refining and updating their drug formularies. CompPharma estimates $1.1 billion has been saved using drug formularies over the past eight years, as a result of (1) specifying that only certain drugs should be prescribed, (2) using set time frames, (3) enforcing dosage limitations and (4) restricting dangerous interaction with other drugs.
Marijuana
There are several issues facing legislators throughout the country:
• States continue to expand legal access, including looking to allow marijuana for all medical uses.
• Research continues on medical uses and side effects.
• States are reviewing the legality of home cultivation and deciding on open container laws.
• Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.
Magic Mushrooms
Petitioners and some legislators in several states, including California, Colorado, Iowa and Oregon, are trying to legalize magic mushrooms, psilocybin and ibogaine and ecstasy. While unclear about its use for treating anxiety and depression, research has shown that magic mushrooms can be used successfully in smoking cessation programs.
Opioids
Prescribing rates for opioids have dropped, according to the CDC and the Workers Compensation Research Institute. The number of prescriptions per 100 patients fell from 81.3 in 2012 to 28.7 in 2018 while the cost of opioids decreased from 22% to 13% from 2015 to 2018.
Several state legislatures have bills pending relating to minimizing opioid prescriptions.
At the federal level, in the Senate’s Judiciary Committee, the pending John McCain Opioid Addiction Prevention Act will “establish registration requirements for practitioners who are licensed to prescribe controlled substances…. Specifically, a practitioner must agree to limit the supply of opioids prescribed for the initial treatment of acute pain, as a condition of obtaining or renewing a registration through the Drug Enforcement Administration. An opioid that is approved and prescribed for the treatment of addiction is not subject to the limit.”
For more information, please contact the Insurance professionals of EPIC’s PCOC Insurance Program. Call us at: 877.860.7378, or visit us at www.pcocinsuurance.com. Also, check out our website by clicking here.
Paul Lindsay
Senior Vice President
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
Such a fun and productive Board of Directors meeting this last week in Palm Springs. Here is a look into the 3-days that comprised this year's meeting.
Make sure to check out the Pest Control Operators of California YouTube channel for event recaps, PCOC Minutes and much more!!
January
SAN BERNARDINO/RIVERSIDE DISTRICT
January 8: Social Hour @ 5:30 p.m. and 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
BAY AREA DISTRICT
January 8: Social Hour @ 5:30 p.m. and 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 - January 9 @ 4:00 p.m.
CHAIR: John Painter– Dustin Pest Control
John@dustinpestcontrol.com ~ (559) 275-2253
Location varies – contact Chair for location
VINTAGE COASTAL DISTRICT
January 9: Social Hour @ 6:00 p.m. and Meeting/Dinner @ 7:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Billy Gaither – Van Hooser Enterprises
beetleman@comcast.net ~ (707) 410-7907
Location varies – contact Chair for location
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT - January 9 @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Heidi Aguilar-Alvarez – Your Way Fumigation
heidi@ywfumigation.com ~ (951) 232-2388
Dave & Busters, Irvine Spectrum
SOUTHERN VALLEY DISTRICT - January 9 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Patrick Clark - Clark Pest Control, Bakersfield
pclarkzapbugs@aol.com ~ (661) 635-3535
Chalet Basque Restaurant, 200 Oak St, Bakersfield
SHASTA DISTRICT - January 14 @ 12:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Mike Bullert - Big Time Pest Control
mbullert@bigtimepestcontrol.com ~ (530) 242-8830
Vittles Restaurant, 2385 North St., Anderson
MID CAL DISTRICT
January 14: Class @ 4:00 p.m. and Meeting/Dinner @ 5:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Brad Delk – Delk Pest Control
bdelk@delkpestcontrol.com ~ (209) 465-5656
Location varies – contact Chair for location
SAN DIEGO DISTRICT - January 14 @ 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
BIG VALLEY DISTRICT - January 15 @ 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 - January 15 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Janet Thrasher – Thrasher Termite/Pest Control
jthrasher@thrashertermite.com ~ (408) 354-9944
Drying Shed, 402 Toyon Ave., San Jose
VENTURA DISTRICT - January 15 @ 7:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Rudy Ayala – Spearhead Pest Control
rudy@spearheadpestcontrol.com ~ (805) 746-4547
Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 600 East Esplanade Dr., Oxnard
LOS ANGELES/SB HARBOR DISTRICT - January 16 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Greg Bausch – American City Pest & Termite Inc.
greg@americancitypest.com ~ (310) 542-8622
Marie Callendar’s, 15466 S. Western Ave, Gardena
CENTRAL COAST DISTRICT - January 16 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Jeff Adoptante – Clark Pest Control
jeffadoptante@yahoo.com ~ (805) 598-2940
F. McLintocks, 750 Mattie Rd., Pismo Beach
MONTEREY DISTRICT - January 21 @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Michael Reid – Cardiff Pest Control
cardiff@cruzio.com ~ (831) 475-4214
El Palomar, 1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY DISTRICT - January 21 @ 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 - January 28 @ 6:30 p.m.
CHAIR: Gordie Zilke – Valley View Termite Control
valleyviewtc@gmail.com ~ (925)787-2118
Location varies – contact Chair for location
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY DISTRICT - January 29 @ 6:00 p.m.
CHAIR: Tarry A. Howard- Hydrex
tarry_h@hotmail.com ~ (818) 437-6584
Los Toros Restaurant, 21743 Devonshire St., Chatsworth
| Name/Company/District |
Member Type |
Join Date |
||
| Mr. Adam Holt Advanced IPM Big Valley District |
S | 11/17/2019 | ||
| Mr. David Hay First Select Pest Control Diablo Valley District |
S | 11/19/2019 | ||
| Mr. Garrett Thomas Guardian Protection Force, Inc. Big Valley District |
A | 12/5/2019 | ||
| Mr. Ed Whinnie Pest Tech Ready Santa Clara Valley District |
R | 12/5/2019 | ||
| Mr. Marty Verstappe The Mathews Group San Bern/Riverside District |
R | 12/9/2019 | ||
| Mr. Ronald French Bear River Termite Control Big Valley District |
R | 12/9/2019 | ||
| Mr. Kirk Messer Univar Big Valley District |
Z | 12/12/2019 | ||
| Mr. Kirk Messer Univar Solutions Shasta District |
Z | 12/12/2019 | ||
| Mr. Kirk Messer Univar Solutions Vintage Coastal District |
Z | 12/12/2019 | ||
| Mr. Vince Vasquez Univar Solutions Mid Cal District |
Z | 12/12/2019 | ||
| Mr. Vince Vasquez Univar Solutions Central Valley District |
Z | 12/12/2019 | ||
| Mr. Gabe De La Rosa Univar Solutions Mid Cal District |
Z | 12/12/2019 | ||
| Mr. Gabe De La Rosa Univar Solutions Big Valley District |
Z | 12/12/2019 |
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
If the New Year isn’t enough to spark interest in setting lofty goals for the months ahead, a change in the decade surely will. As we welcome 2020 and all of the potential opportunities that lie before us, it’s important to understand what the objectives for your business are and how you plan to achieve them.
When it comes to staying relevant online (where potential customers are looking for your service), there are a few key Web Marketing tactics that every business should follow in 2020. To help you reach greater success this year – and this decade, be sure to implement these 4 tactics:
SEO
We used to say that running a Search Engine Optimization campaign for your pest control business was a great way to get a step ahead of your competition. After hearing that more than 55% of small businesses invested in SEO in 2018 (which is only expected to increase in 2020), it’s clear this is the new standard for getting noticed online.
The main goal of an SEO campaign is to build relevance for your company online in the area you serve. This style of marketing gets your pest control Website on Page One of Google, which gets your phone ringing and your operation moving. A good SEO campaign will help your company keep up with the competition; but a great SEO campaign – which should combine onsite optimization with offsite tactics – will give your company a major upper hand.
A Review Generation Strategy
When your potential customers are in need of a treatment or consultation, they tend to begin their search on Google. Once they find your company and its competitors, they’ll need to choose one provider. Sometimes, the deciding factor that tips the scales is online reviews. Next time you search for your company online, take a look at your Google star rating. Is it close to 5? Do you have more than 10 reviews? In 2020, you want to be able to answer ‘yes’ to both questions.
If you don’t currently have a strategy in place to drum up positive reviews, this is the year to get it going. A good place to start is by putting links to the most popular review platforms (Google, Facebook, etc.) on your Website. You can take it a step further by having review generation be a part of your client’s experience, whether that’s your technicians reaching out after an appointment or a link to your Google listing from your company’s external emails.
Mobile Load Speed
Google doesn’t always make it clear what they’re looking for when they rank Websites in search results, but they did make one thing clear back in 2018: Page One Websites need to load quickly on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. A search engine’s main goal is to give users the best experience possible when responding to a query; providing a Website that takes forever to load, meaning, 5 seconds or more, is not delivering on that goal. Considering the fact that 75% of searches are done on mobile devices, you can’t afford to ignore this trend. In 2020, it’s essential that your site be optimized for the mobile experience.
Focus on Customer Experience
It’s often said that it costs 5 times more to attract a new customer than it does to keep a current one. With this in mind, make sure that your company is doing what it can to keep your customers happy and coming back for more. One strategy we always recommend is posting educational content about your service to your Website. An FAQs page, a blog, or detailed services pages are all opportunities to give potential customers the information they’re looking for while also establishing your company as a reputable business. Customers will begin to look at your company as a resource, which ends up paying for itself…
You see, when you build trust between your customers and your business, customers start to talk. Whether it’s with their friends or in online reviews, happy customers become “influencers” that bring additional prospects to you at no extra cost. While high Google rankings or online ads can do a good job at getting your name out there, nothing compares to good-old-fashioned word-of-mouth advertising. To put this into numbers, Forbes reports that increasing customer retention rates by 5% increases profits by 25% to 95%. Whether you’re offering client discounts, referral perks, or educational content, do your best to make your customer feel taken care of.
There are times where a “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality applies to a situation, but marketing your pest control business is not one of them. In a changing marketplace where more people are taking to the Web to find services that they need, you owe it to your company’s success to keep your Web Marketing strategies current and up-to-date with the latest best practices.
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.
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| Pest Control Operators of California 1510 J Street, Suite 230 Sacramento, CA 95814 
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