NPMA Celebrates National Pest Management Month

FAIRFAX, Va. — As it has for the past 30 years, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), designates April as National Pest Management Month. Annually dedicated to increasing public awareness of pest professionals’ commitment to protecting public health and property, this year’s observance serves as especially noteworthy, as NPMA celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Although three-quarters of a century is most worthy of celebration, NPMA is encouraging pest professionals to look forward rather than back. For this year’s celebration, the Professional Pest Management Alliance, the consumer outreach arm of NPMA, has developed a program to encouraging pest professionals to “give back” to their community, whether locally or, in some cases, nationally. More and more companies, varying in size from global billion-dollar corporations to locally-owned businesses, have placed an emphasis on community service and taken strides to communicate these important initiatives to their employees and their customers.

According to Cindy Mannes, NPMA vice president and PPMA executive director, “Community service has grown to be a critical part of a business’ role, particularly as younger generations are raised with a greater focus on “giving back.” Further, consumers seem to be taking a greater interest in seeking out and engaging corporations that make concerted efforts to perform community service. One example of this is Microsoft, which has garnered noticeable media praise for its charitable work. By recognizing other corporations who have made significant efforts within their communities and taking strides to emulate these practices, pest control companies can not only support worthy causes but also demonstrate their civic commitment. In turn, this can potentially generate public interest in their professional services.

In celebration of the 75th Anniversary, NPMA is providing a starting point for pest professionals to proactively guide them towards contributing to their community’s well being. In developing a list of “75 Ways to Give Back to Your Community,” NPMA offers myriad ways in which pest control companies can serve their customers outside of the profession and still solidify their role as protectors of public health and property. Whether a pest control company is new to public service or simply looking for a new way to give back, this list provides unique ideas for companies to implement.

Available online at www.npmapestworld.org, the “75 Way to Give Back” ranges from alliances with well-known non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and World Wildlife Fund, to more grassroots initiatives. Regardless of scope, pest control companies of all sizes can use any one of these 75 suggestions to make a difference in their community.

Below are just a few examples of community service recommendations included on the list:

Organize an employee letter-writing campaign to U.S. soldiers abroad.
Reach out to your local military base (often the National Guard) and ask for a list of local soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan that your employees can write to as a way to send them a piece of home. Consider it a way that your business can support local heroes in a personal way.

Donate old business computers to local schools.
Businesses tend to upgrade technology more often than schools. If you are buying new computers for your business, consider reaching out to a local school and asking if they are in need of computers. This may fulfill a tremendous need and offer your business an opportunity to make a green charitable donation.

Sponsor movies in the park.
Many communities nationwide hold “Movies in the Park,” a great event to sponsor to raise community awareness and business visibility. Contact your local municipality or check out your community calendar to see if such an event exists in your area.

Collect used cell phones.
Women’s shelters are in need of cell phones to give to battered and abused women. Go to www.shelteralliance.net for more information on how you can start a cell phone collection drive in your own community and give help to those in dire need.

These 75 suggestions represent only a handful of the many helpful acts of community service that one can do. For the complete list of ideas, as well as detailed plans for five of the 75 suggestions, visit www.npmapestworld.org.