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President's Message
 

The 2015 Spring Conference was a huge success this year.  We had one of the largest turnouts in the history of the association.  Your association has been working hard to bring in top speaking talent and great vendors over the years.  Based on the attendance in the past few years, we are giving members what they want.
 

We need to thank our vendors for their support and great feedback on our conference this year as well.  It just isn't possible to have a large training program like this without their support.  Be sure to thank your suppliers and vendors when you see them.
 

Dr. Roger Gold and Dr. Stuart Mitchell were the highlighted speakers for our conference.  They provided solid content and some great humor in their presentations.  I heard a number of you quoting the Doc's "stupid will get you dead."  He is a great mind, and becoming quite the entertainer as well.  I'm sure none of us will look at those "mayhem" commercials the same again.


 

Even though we had 200 pest management professionals, our association membership is less than 50 companies in Colorado.  While the association is healthy and able to provide the training that our state requires, we would love to have more involvement.  The association only grows and improves on what we as PCO's do with it. 
 

We have a fall conference in early October that offers solid content for owners and management.  It is a great time to get away for a day to have conversations with others have similar challenges and successes.  If you have never attended, block October 2 on your calendar this year and check it out.


 

Have a great season out there!
 
Sincerely,

Kevin Lemasters


Colorado S. 119, Reauthorization of the Colorado Pesticide Applicator Act


On Wednesday, April 22 the Colorado House Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources passed S. 115 with several amendments.  The amendments include; adding 2 additional members to the Advisory Committee, additional training requirements for applicators, internet access to finalized enforcement actions against pesticide violations, and shortening the Sunset review provision from 9 to 7 years.  Coming out of the House Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources was a significant hurdle.  On April 27 S. 115 passed the full House and has been sent to conference between the Senate and House, which is expected to be contentious.  S. 115 originated and passed the Senate earlier this legislative cycle and finding a compromise between the Senate and House versions of S. 115 may be difficult.   CPCA and NPMA have been and will continue to work closely with key stakeholders on the passage of S. 115 before the end of the Colorado legislative session May 6.


CPCA Fall Conference - Save the Date!
 

The CPCA Fall conference will be held Friday, October 2 at the Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa in Black Hawk, CO. Registration and program information coming soon!

CPCA Bob Hand Scholarship Program

Deadline June 1, 2015

 
The Program
The CPCA has established a scholarship program to provide 
assistance to member company employees and their children in continuing their education in college or vocational school programs. This scholarship program will be administered by the CPCA scholarship committee. Awards will be granted without regard to race, color, creed, gender, religion, disability, or national origin.

 

Awards
As of now, two (2) $2000 scholarships will be awarded this year. A student who was previously awarded a scholarship may apply again each year for up to three years. An award is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in a full-time course of study and the continued employment of the student or student's parents at a pest control company who is an active member in good standing with the CPCA.



Click here to download an application.

Simpler Nanoscale Bioreplication of Beetle Decoys
 

Nano Werk, April 26, 2015
 

Ash trees in 22 eastern states of the U.S. are being decimated by emerald ash borers (EABs), an Asian beetle that arrived in Michigan more than two decades ago. The pest has even spread westwards into Kansas and Colorado. 


Nothing seemed to be effective against EABs, until decoys designed to mimic female EABs were found in 2012 by a group of researchers at the Pennsylvania State University to be successful in enticing male EABs for mating. Last year, the same researchers found the decoys could be used to electrocute and kill the seduced males.

 

Click here to read more. 

Does Foraging Age Contribute to Colony Collapse Disorder?  
 

A team of scientists, led by Dr. Clint J. Perry of Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, has been investigating possible mechanisms for colony collapse disorder, a so-far unexplained problem that has sporadically plagued managed bee colonies since it was described in 2006.

 

In this research, the demographics of the colony were manipulated so younger bees would have to forage; something that may happen in a stressed colony when older and more experienced foraging bees die at a high rate (due to parasites, pathogens, and other stressors). 
This paper was published in the most recent volume of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences under the title, "Rapid behavioral maturation accelerates failure of stressed honey bee colonies." 

 

Causes of Pharaoh Ant Nest Relocation 
 

A pair of entomologists from the University of Science in Penang, Malaysia, led by Dr. Jia-Wei Tay, recently published research about how pharaoh ants, Monomorium pharaonis, respond to a variety of disturbances to a nesting site.

 

This paper will be published in the upcoming volume of the Journal of Economic Entomology, "Induced disturbances cause Monomorium pharaonis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) nest relocation." 


Mark Your Calendar for Academy 2015 

 

Join us for the 20th Anniversary of NPMA's Academy, July 15-17 at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa in Henderson, Nevada, for a unique opportunity to gain the information you need to develop a vision for your business in a hands-on, interactive environment. Click here for more details and registration.

 

PWIPM Now Accepting Nominations for the Professional Empowerment Grant    
 

PWIPM is now accepting nominations for its annual Professional Empowerment Grant, which will be awarded to one female who is interested in advancing or securing a career in pest management. A minimum of $1,000 will be granted to the recipient to defer costs related to advancing her career or education in the pest management industry. Additionally, up to $500 towards travel expenses to attend the National Pest Management Association's PestWorld in Nashville, TN in October 2015 will be provided. Click here for more details and requirements.

 

  

CPCA 

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