The NPMA Board of Directors has ratified the candidates recommended by the NPMA Nominating Committee for the national offices of the Board of Directors. Click here to view the 2020-2021 Board of Directors Nominees. Write-in nominations are due by February 12 to: Dominique Stumpf, CEO, NPMA, 10460 North Street, Fairfax, VA 22030. The Board of Directors election will be held this Spring, from March 15 to April 15, 2020 and, for the sixth year, NPMA is offering online voting. To ensure you have the opportunity to vote, please make sure we have your proper email on file with NPMA’s Membership Department. Contact alindley@pestworld.org if you need to update your information.

Last week, EPA released Proposed Interim Decisions (PID) for five neonicotinoid insecticides that are widely used in the structural pest management industry.  The insecticides included the active ingredients Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam – all of which are registered for structural pest control uses patterns. Of note in the PID are proposed label changes to limit drift and run-off and the cancellation of certain uses for turf pests. NPMA will be carefully reviewing the proposed decision and will provide meaningful comments to the Agency regarding the pest management industry’s recommendations.

Occupational licensing reform is a serious issue for the structural pest management industry. As both Democrats and Republicans aim to reduce barriers to entry for certain licensed occupations (ex. hairbraiders, barbers, social workers, etc.), pesticide applicators are often grouped into the discussion of deregulation. While deregulation might sound good, the ramifications of deregulating our industry are potentially disastrous. The EPA regional office could end-up regulating pesticide applicators in your state instead of your State Lead Agency (ex. DPR) because many of these bills potentially violate FIFRA and the applicator certification agreements with EPA, untrained individuals could be permitted to apply restricted use pesticides, and unscrupulous operators could pose harm to customers and the industry’s reputation. Tennessee and West Virginia are two states that have recently introduced bills to severely weaken licensed pesticide applicator laws.

February is National Pesticide Safety Education Month, a reminder for everyone to review their pesticide safety practices. Everyone must focus on safety to protect themselves, others, and the environment, during pesticide transport, storage, application, and disposal. “There is no ‘downtime’ in the safe handling and use of pesticides," notes Lee Van Wychen, Ph.D., Executive Director of Science Policy for the Weed Science Society of America.

 As a membership benefit, NPMA has developed a gallery of 
pest images at My.NPMAPestWorld.org for use by NPMA members.

 

Nissan presents NPMA members with an exclusive program that allows members to purchase a new Nissan or Infiniti vehicle using incentives established by Nissan. This is another outstanding cost-saving benefit offered to you as a result of your affiliation with NPMA. All you need to do is visit the link below and follow a few simple steps to qualify for instant savings! These savings can result in up to $9,500 off on 2019 models.

Click here for program details and to apply for your certification number.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Pauline Jones Sameth, wife of Richard Sameth who served as President of NPMA in 1996-97.

Click here to view the obituary.

Join professionals from academia (including students), industry, and government who specialize in structural pest control in Mobile, AL on May 17-20, 2020 for the National Conference on Urban Entomology (NCUE). Registration, the hotel block, call for papers, and an opportunity for travel awards are all available now.

The Aust Group is pleased to announce the most recent acquisition of their client, Twin Boro Termite & Pest Control Inc., located in Westwood, NJ to Excel Termite & Pest Control headquartered in River Edge, NJ.

Massey Services is pleased to announce the purchase of Ambush Termite & Pest Control of South Carolina.   

Massey Services is pleased to announce the purchase of Resolve Pest Control of Baton Rouge, LA.