IPM in Schools - Getting the News Out

GETTING THE NEWS OUT – PROPER TREATMENT OF IPM IN SCHOOLS TRAINING – JUNE 16, 2008

It’s been at least a year and even with the efforts of both Associations, CPCO of GA and GPCA, there is still confusion about who, what, where and when of IPM service.  At the recommendation of the Structural Pest Control Commission, and through education to bring industry and regulatory enforcement together, a unique training program is under development on the proper treatment of schools.  You have an opportunity to be a part of this unique training with representatives from the Industry, the Structural Pest Control Commission, University of Georgia and the Department of Agriculture.

            Date:               June 16, 2008

Time:               10:00 am – 2:30 pm (Doors open at 9:00 – Seating limited to 280 people - with a break for lunch)

Where:             Capitol Education Center (Near Capitol)

                                    180 Central Avenue

                                    Atlanta, GA

Topics: IPM in Schools

                                    Safe Applications

                                    Industry Perspective

                                    Regulatory

                                    The Label

                                    Panel Discussion – Q & A

These programs will be presented in six 30 minutes sessions by those in the know – Dr. Dan Suiter, Dr. Brian Forschler, and Dr. Paul Guillebeau with the University of Georgia; Mr. Jim Harron, Department of Agriculture; Chairman of the Structural Pest Control Commission, Mr. Jimmy Allgood and Commissioner Rick Bell; and Cook’s Pest Control.

No fee.  No Pre-registration.  3 hours of IPM.  Open to both members and non-members of the Associations.  Remember, seating is limited to 280 people on a first come-first serve basis and you must bring a photo ID for admittance to the Center.

If you cannot attend, the program will be archived and made available for viewing or downloading from the internet.  Please help get the word out – tell your peers.

Dow AgroSciences News Release -May 22, 2008 Atlanta Workshop

For Immediate Release

'The Winner's Summit' To Help Georgia PMPs Build Business, Leadership Skills

INDIANAPOLIS--Mar. 11, 2008--Marty Grunder, author, business consultant and owner of an extremely successful service business, is conducting 'The Winner's Summit: Creating the Business of Your Dreams," an informative series of workshops devoted to building leadership, marketing and business management skills for pest management professionals. A workshop will be held in Atlanta on May 22, 2008.

The daylong workshops are designed to provide attendees with a "road map to success" for building their businesses and exceeding customer expectations. Starting with company ownership and management on down to the entire team. Grunder will focus on helping pest management professionals gain skills in four areas critical to a successful business:

1. "The Power of Teaching the Old Dog New Tricks"--How owners and top management must bring meaningful change to their companies.
2. "The 11 Essential Traits of Great Teams"--Proven ways to build, motivate, train and maintain a winning team.
3. "Offering Services that Excite Customers and Prospects"--How to evaluate a company's service mix, gain a competitive advantage and make new services succeed.
4. "57 Fun, Cheap, and Different Marketing Ideas to Grow Your Business"--Grunder shares 57 ideas he has used in his own business, Gunder Landscaping Co., to help creatively sell services.

"As entrepreneurs, we sometimes need to be reminded that success starts with us," Grunder says. "Through 'The Winner's Summit' seminars, I'll try to help business owners rekindle the enthusiasm they had when they first started their companies and give them new tips and tools they can use immediately to foster that same energy in their teams."

'The Winner's Summit' workshop, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences and Halo^tm Electronic Termite Detection, is scheduled for Thursday May 22, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter NW. For more information and to register, visit www.BusinessIdeasToWin.com. For more information on Grunder, visit www.MartyGrunder.com.

Swarm Season: Where have you gone?

Since we have not had a true Swarm season over the past few years, it seems that termite jobs have decreased drastically. Have Swarm calls become non-existent? Improved chemical technology, changes in weather? What is causing this change?

The change in the Real Estate Contract over the past year...not requiring Wood Infestation Inspection Reports (WDI aka WDO reports) to close the sale of a home has also contributed to the decrease in Termite work for our industry.

We have definitely seen a dramtic decrease in the number of termite jobs being performed. As a result, we are asking for a little help from our CPCO members. We need your help in researching this phenomenon in the Pest Control Industry throughout Georgia. We are asking that you please let CPCO know if, and when, you receive Swarm calls. To adequately determine cause and effect we also need to know if these calls pertain to structures that were sold without a WDI Report being issued.

To report your information, please email Lara@cpcoofga.com or email Eric Shaw at aandepestcontrol@aol.com or you can call Eric at 770-867-7085. We really appreciate your help and will publish the results in a future article.  

UGA Griffin Campus Training

From Dr. Suiter

Termite Workshops

1- Two-Day Termite Workshop. March 13-14 (11 WDO certification hours or 6 WDO registration hours)

2 - One-Day Pre-Treat Workshop. March 20. (5 Pre-treat hours for both certified and registered employees)

Pest Management Certificate

3 - Ten-Week, Evening Pest Management Certificate Program begins April 3. (27 hours for both certified operators and registered employees; lectures can also be taken piecemeal). Take the Pest Management Certificate Class and get any termite workshop for just $20.00 (that's a $105.00 savings).

Contact Dr. Suiter @ 770-233-6114 (email  dsuiter@griffin.uga.edu). Ms. Val Schott @ 770-228-7220 (email  vschott@uga.edu). Or visit the UGA Griffin Campus' Urban Pest Management Program website at www. gabugs.uga.edu

2008 NEW YEAR

We at CPCO just wanted to take a few minutes and let you know that we are working hard for you!!! We are always open to suggestions as to what we can do to better serve you, and look forward to a wonderful "PEST" year in 2008.

We are in the process of trying to build up the committees that help run this association. If you want to be a part of the largest (and best) Pest Control Association in the state of Georgia, let us know, along with the area you want you help in, and we will get you started!!!

Please feel free to email the Education Committee members below.

combspestcontrol@bellsouth.net

pintexextermination@msn.com

NEW WEBSITE -Still UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Members, We hope you enjoy the new and improved CPCO of Georgia Website. Please note that this site is still under construction. We are adding new items daily so please keep checking back frequently for ALL the latest. Thank you, Kelly

CPCO ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is of the UTMOST importance! The DOA is focusing on IPM in Schools. Mr. Jim Harron stated at the April & May 2007 GSPCC meetings that his inspectors are focusing on IPM in school Rules and Regulations and the PAPERWORK for treating schools. He also let both Associations know that they should get the following information out to ALL members:

If you treat schools:

Rules and Regulations as of 2007: (af) School--means any school, public or private, or child daycare center. A school does not include colleges, universities, home schools, trade or adult education facilities.

You should do a self-audit immediately. If you see where you have made mistakes in your paperwork – even NOT designating a.m. and p.m. then call the DOA and let them know that you found the problem and have fixed it. Mr. Harron has stated that if you bring the problem to them you will have to sign a consent order but if there is a fine it can be suspended. However, if they come to you and find a problem then he will take it VERY seriously and there will NOT be any suspension of any fine imposed. Mr. Harron and his Department are very firm that any issue involving children will not be taken lightly. He is offering this opportunity for operators to self-regulate so PLEASE do your self-audit now! And, if there is an issue … correct it and notify the DOA.

For more detailed information please see the MAY and JUNE issues of PCO Pro magazine. There is a very helpful article from Mr. Jim Chase of Terminix along with a copy of the IPM in School Rules and Regulations.

Georgia Department of Agriculture switches to computer exams.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Structural Pest Control Commission, in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE), is implementing a computerized administration of the Structural Pest Control Examinations. This computer-based exam is replacing the current paper and pencil exam and has many benefits for the structural pest control industry. Now exam applicants can go online to select a location and schedule an exam date and time at their convenience. Additionally, examinees will receive their exam results instantly and have access their exam history. There is a $45.00 exam fee collected by the technical college for this service. Go to www.GeorgiaPestExam.com for participating locations.

For more information go to:
http://agr.georgia.gov/