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NPMA/CPMA Lead Canadian Effort to Preserve Metal Phosphides and Phosphine Gas
We previously reported that the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has reevaluated aluminum and magnesium phosphide and phosphine gas. In the reevaluation, PMRA concluded that there are unacceptable risks to workers and bystanders and has imposed buffer zones ranging from 50 to 500 meters around the treated structure. NPMA and the Canadian Pest Management Association (CPMA) are working furiously to reverse the decision, arguing that:
- The decision will have a devastating impact on the pest management, food production, storage and transportation industries,
- There are often no alternatives available,
- PMRA failed to consult with key stakeholders before making the decision, and
- More than half century of real world data without adverse impact of bystanders our workers outside of a treated structure.
The phosphine manufacturers have filed a Notice of Objection with PMRA and CPMA.
Update: On November 11, representatives of NPMA and the Canadian Pest Management Association met with senior officials at the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency regarding it's decision to impose buffer zones of 50 to 500 meters. Later in the day, registrants met separately with PMRA. Though not committal in our meeting, registrants report that PMRA advised them that they would not extend a deadline to submit data and that unless product registrations are amended by November 22nd to comply with the new buffer zone requirements, the registrations will be null and void on December 31st of this year. The decision will have a devastating impact on Canadian agriculture, food production and international trade. NPMA and CPMA continue working with registrants and downstream customers to explore regulatory, legal and political options.
Click here to view CPMA letters objecting to the decision and supporting the manufacturers' objection.
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Lighting the Path to Improved Pest Management
It's a well-known fact that light attracts pests, and yet, most facility managers don't consider pest management when designing and installing lighting systems in and around their properties.
Many nocturnal flying insects are drawn to exterior lighting around buildings - pests such as moths, flies and beetles. Why? There is no definitive answer, but one theory is that they evolved to use the natural light of the sun or moon to navigate. Keeping this natural light on one side of their body helps maintain a straight, steady flight path. When they come across artificial light, they mistake it for the sun or moon and try to use it as navigational aid, but because it emits light in multiple directions, they become confused. Now, keeping light on one side of their body leads them to fly endlessly around the light source.
When lighting attracts insects to a building, there's a greater chance they will find a way inside through unscreened windows, doors, cracks and crevices. What's more, insects can attract other pests to a property: insect predators including rodents, birds, bats and raccoons.
The good news is that proper lighting systems at strategic locations can be used to minimize pest problems. Here are some tips to keep pests from creating more pest pressure on a property.
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Mosquito Discovered in Western Canada for the First Time
A mosquito species capable of transmitting disease vectors, Aedes japonicus, has been discovered living in British Columbia for the first time. This invasive species from Asia was first detected in eastern North America in 1998 and has since spread widely across North America but the latest findings, and comparisons of A. japonicus populations in OR and WA, suggest that West Coast populations represent a different introduction from Asia than eastern populations. This species has been demonstrated to be able to carry several noteworthy pathogenic agents, including those that cause West Nile virus, dengue fever, St. Louis encephalitis, and earlier this year, La Crosse encephalitis.
Aedes japonicus adults are fairly large and resemble other Aedes mosquitoes (aegypti, albopictus) but are differentiated by having yellowish scales on the thorax. Eggs are commonly laid in containers, storm drains, and tree holes.
This paper was published in the most recent volume of the Journal of Medical Entomology under the title, "The first record of Aedes (Hulecoeteomyia) japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) and its establishment in Western Canada."
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Save the Date for Pest Management Canada 2016
Pest Management Canada 2016 will be held April 13-15 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront. To make your hotel reservations, call 800-943-6760 to receive the discounted rate of $166. Registration coming soon.
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Have You Logged Into the New NPMA Website?
The NPMA website, www.npmapestworld.org, has gotten a facelift and is more user friendly than ever! Here are the top five things you can do as of today...we'll be adding a lot more features over the next few months!
- You can update your own member profile
- You can tell us what you want to hear about
- You can print your membership certificate (but only if you are the primary contact for your company)
- You can add new staff to your membership listing (but only if you are the primary contact for your company)
- You can update your company information (but only if you are the primary contact for your company)
You should have received an email in the last few weeks which included your login information, if you have any questions or need assistance, please contact NPMA at 800.678.6722 or [email protected].
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QualityPro: Making the Most of Certification
Standing out from the competition is never easy. QualityPro certified companies not only have an edge over competitors with their trained and professional staff; they can display the elite QualityPro credential. QualityPro will customize letters for certified companies for proposals, websites, and on-site service logs. The letter describes what QualityPro certification says about a company's professionalism and why choosing a certified company is a wise choice. To take advantage of this resource, e-mail [email protected]. For more ways to market your certification, visit www.QualityProTools.org/marketing.
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PestTech 3.0 2016, Wildlife Expo, and Regional Conferences
This winter NPMA will pull together professionals from throughout the country for a series of meetings to keep you current on the latest in the industry. Join us at PesTech3.0 2016 from January 5-7 in San Jose, CA for a mix of business management sessions and interactive breakout groups featuring up-and-coming information/digital technologies for the pest management industry. "The changes in technology in the past five years have been extraordinary," stated NPMA CEO Bob Rosenberg.
"During PesTech3.0 2016, companies will have the opportunity to learn about advances in mobile technologies, business automation, big data, security and other technologies on the horizon that will improve their efficiencies and create opportunities for financial growth."
The conference will feature technology thought leaders and provide a forum for attendees to learn from each other about their technology experiences as well as the current technologies used to enhance daily practices within their pest management businesses. Hotel information and registration forms for the conference are available on NPMA's website. Professionals who are involved in wildlife management or are considering offering this valuable add-on service will want to join the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) for the Wildlife Expo 2016, January 15-17, Las Vegas, NV. The educational program will provide both technical and business-related information. Hotel information for Wildlife Expo 2016 is available here.
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We are always looking for fun and interesting articles to include and would love to hear your suggestions for articles for this newsletter. If you've seen an article you would like for us to include, please submit it via email to Dominique Stumpf at [email protected].
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