The California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) recently held its annual conference in Anaheim. CAPCA President and CEO Ruthann Anderson shared some insights into the current state of the pest control industry, shedding light on the pivotal role Pest Control Advisers (PCAs) play in maintaining balance and sustainability in agriculture.
CAPCA’s 2,700 members have steadfastly advocated for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for nearly five decades. The focus remains on nurturing crops through a holistic approach, considering factors alongside pest control such as soil management, irrigation, and nutrient amendments. Anderson emphasizes that the buzz around IPM resonates strongly, reflecting the industry’s commitment to sustainable practices.
However, PCAs often find themselves under public scrutiny, facing misconceptions about their role in pesticide use. Anderson acknowledges the need to reshape this perception and highlights CAPCA’s efforts in securing a grant for a groundbreaking pilot project. This initiative, set to commence in 2024, aims to track and report not just pesticide use but also the myriad aspects of IPM that often go unnoticed.
“One of the only things that we report to the state of California is our pesticide use,” Anderson explained. “We’re excited about this partnership with CDFA, which will allow us to paint the complete picture of what happens in the field.”
The pilot project aligns with the industry’s proactive response to the Sustainable Pest Management roadmap. By providing a baseline of practices, it seeks to initiate a constructive dialogue on the multifaceted efforts undertaken by PCAs. According to Anderson, it is important to acknowledge that sustainable practices are already in place, and they hope to ensure that PCAs receive due credit for their contribution to soil health and land preservation.
