Tar Heel Pest Management News
September 2020



Join us for our upcoming Virtual Fall Meetings!

All meetings are FREE for NCPMA members. 

DateTopic/SpeakerRegistration
Tuesday, Sept. 29
8 a.m.
"Cockroach Management"
-Joe Barile, Bayer
 
Training offered FREE to NCPMA members using the discount code "FREE2MEMBERS"

Register Here
Tuesday, Oct. 6
8 a.m. 
"Rodents and the Impacts of COVID-19"
-Kevin Moran, Forshaw
Registration Opening Soon

 Thank you to our event sponsors!





Public Policy Update: What is Public Policy and Why Should I Care?
Guest Post by Marie Horner, Chair of NCPMA Public Policy Committee



"Public Policy" is made by individuals working for regulatory agencies, elected officials, engineering societies, trade and advocacy organizations, and private companies and individuals.
 
The development of recommended practices and the results of public policy deliberations become the codes, standards, and regulations that all of us use in our work. It's important to care where these rules come from and how they are made.
 
If we want to be active rather than reactive, if we want to shape the future of codes and standards, instead of just having our business shaped by them, then we must do something!
 
The best way to make a lasting impact on public policy is to change public opinion. When you change the beliefs of the people, politicians and political parties change with them.
 
Successful Public Policy = Good Policy + Good Politics
 
Good Policy - occurs when it is concluded that the policy will produce a measurable and positive outcome.
 
Good Politics - happens when no one is expected to criticize the policy or individuals and organizations behind it.
 
Current Issue that we Care About:
 
Wildlife:  North Carolina House Bill 597 passed into law on 8/27/2019 and will be effective 1/1/2021.  This bill makes various changes to the Wildlife Resources Commission's (WRC) laws, licenses, and fees.  Section 6 of this bill makes various license changes, including fee adjustments and the creation of new licenses.  Specifically In Section 6.(l) changes were made to establish a wildlife control agent license for individuals who engage in wildlife damage control or removal (including bat work) for compensation.  This license in the amount of $50.00 is an annual license beginning January 1 each year through December 31.  This section of the bill reads as follows:
 
Wildlife Control Agent License - (formerly Wildlife Damage Control Agent) Any individual who engages in wildlife damage control or wildlife removal activities, including bat eviction, for compensation, including reimbursement for the cost of materials, shall first procure a wildlife damage control agent license.  This is an annual license issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission for fifty dollars ($50.00). This license shall not be required for licensed trappers taking wild animals during the established trapping season for that species.  The Wildlife Resources Commission is authorized by rule to set the standards for and to license wildlife control agents.
 
Any person who currently holds an active Wildlife Damage Control Agent Certification (WDCA) should have received a letter from the Wildlife Resources Commission stating that on January 1, 2021 all current WDCA certifications will expire.  In December 2020, a notice will be sent out from the WRC on how to purchase the new WCA license for 2021.
 
This new law requires anyone who is working on a job doing wildlife damage control or removal (now includes bat work) will need to be licensed.  Annual re-certification credits/training will be required for renewal of annual license. This will create a burden (financially and otherwise) for our members.  Because of that, your NCPMA Public Policy Committee has been working with the WRC to add technical language to this bill that would create a Wildlife Control Technician classification.  This classification would have yearly training requirements but would not be required to hold a Wildlife Damage Control license.
 
Currently this technical edit has been included in two different bills and both are sitting in committees until the next session starts in the General Assembly.  We are continuing to meet with WRC members to push these changes through as quickly as possible but, at this time, we are not expecting any action before the end of the year.  We will continue to update our members on these changes as they happen.


In This Issue
Contacting NCPMA Headquarters

NCPMA's staff is currently working remotely and is available via email and phone to discuss any questions, comments, concerns, or requests you may have (using the same number/email). 
 
To keep you informed, NPMA will continue to update its information page and  NCPMA's page on coronavirus. If you have any questions or are concerned about availability, please feel free to reach out and discuss your concerns with our association staff:
 
Ashley Amidon, Executive Director, 703.999.8463
Ashlee Wilcox, Program Manager, 703.626.3321

Endowment Update

We have launched the NCPMA Extension Program Endowment in Honor of Mike Waldvogel to support the ongoing work of NCSU, focusing on supporting positions that directly contribute to the education of our industry.

Contributions are being accepted by visiting
this site  or  downloading the contribution form.







Mark your calendars for the 2021 NCPMA PCT School, which will be held Jan. 24-28, 2021.


 

More details to be announced in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned to our website, Facebook and Twitter accounts for more information.


     
Due to restrictions imposed by COVID-19 and the continuing uncertainty surrounding the disease, we have made the difficult decision to move United We Stand to 2021. We are working with the hotel to secure dates for the 2021 event and are planning an excellent lineup of speakers and topics to ensure that our attendees have the best experience possible.

NCPMA continues to follow state and federal guidelines in regard to COVID-19 and wants to ensure the safety of all of our meeting attendees.

Please stay tuned to our websiteFacebook account and Twitter account for updates.

NCPMA Award Nominations Now Open
Deadline: Oct. 31, 2020

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Administrative Professional of the Year Award and the 2020 Technician of the Year Awards. 

Administrative Professional of the YearThis prestigious award honors an administrative professional who best demonstrates outstanding service, superior performance, exceptional efficiency, integrity and dedication to his/her fellow employees and their companies. 

Technician of the YearThe NCPMA Technician of the Year Award is designed to recognize an individual who exemplifies those qualities that best define an outstanding service technician in the pest management industry of North Carolina. Two awards are presented each year to a W-Phase and P-Phase technician.

Register Today: Premier Technician Courses
Courses to be held Nov. 5-6

Register today for our next Premier Technician Courses. Join us Nov. 5-6 in Raleigh for the next two courses in our Premier Technician Training Program.

Thursday, November 5, 2020
Occasional Invaders: What Are They & What To Do? (earn 7 CCU credits)
Presenter: Marie Horner, ACE - Arrow Exterminators

In this course participants will learn biology & behavior for boxelder bugs, centipedes, crickets, earwigs, ladybugs, millipedes, pillbugs, silverfish, slugs, springtails, and stink bugs. You will learn treatment and exclusion options as well as information to educate homeowners about them.


Friday, November 6, 2020
Bed Bugs: Everything About Bed Bugs from A to Z (earn 7 CCU credits)
Presenter: Dini Miller, Ph.D. - Urban Pest Management Specialist Virginia Tech

This course will cover everything from Bed Bug Biology & Behavior, Bed Bug Prevention Methods, How to Identify a Bed Bug Infestation, Bed Bug Treatments using Insecticides, non- chemical methods such as using heat (including how to put together and use a heat machine) as well as how to set up protocols to do bed bug work.


Sign up for NCPMA Texts!


NCPMA has a new text service to help our members stay informed. 

If you are not already receiving text updates from us, simply text NCPMA to 833-961-2348.

You'll receive a confirmation once the registration process is complete.

Upcoming Events

Don't miss these upcoming events:

Sept./Oct. 2020  calendar

Nov. 5-6

Jan. 24-28, 2021