The GPCA Leadership Program is designed to foster both personal and professional growth by providing:
Networking opportunities within the Pest Management Industry.
Participation in small group activities and projects that contribute to the strategic vision of the GPCA.
Program Expectations:
A commitment from each participant to actively pursue personal and professional development.
Full engagement is required in all aspects of the program, including:
Attendance at every session.
Completion of all assignments, including presentations, team projects, and team-building exercises.
A minimum two-year involvement in a GPCA committee, starting July 2025.
Mandatory attendance at three in-person meetings, tentatively scheduled for:
Athens, GA in May
Hilton Head, SC in September
Atlanta, GA in November
Fee: $2000/person Includes tuition, food and lodging.
Application Deadline: March 10, 2025. Also, provide a letter of recommendation for your participation in the Leadership Program by emailing it to glenda@gpca.org.
GPCA Executive Team will attend NPMA Legislative Day March 9-11, 2025 in Washington, DC
Visiting both Senators & Representatives from GA to discuss the importance of Pesticide preemption so that the designated state lead agency (i.e., Georgia Department of Agriculture) continues to be the regulator of sales and use of pesticides, preempting special interest groups in localities.
We are voicing the importance of legislation to support the industry to best serve the citizens of GA.
GSPCC Rules & Regulations Due to requirements by the EPA Certification & Training Rule, the Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission (GSPCC) will be updating the Rules & Regulations this year. Once all changes are made, there will be a public comment period.
If there are items within the Rules that you would like the Commission to make changes or clarification to, please submit these by clicking on the link below. GPCA will present these to the Commission on your behalf.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Office of Communications 404-656-3689
Georgia Department of Agriculture Asking Georgians to Report Embryo Nests to Limit the Spread of Yellow-legged Hornets in the State
ATLANTA, GA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper is urging Georgians to stay vigilant for Yellow-legged Hornet (YLH) embryo nests, the initial stage of hornet nest formation, as we approach spring, when Yellow-legged hornets will emerge from overwintering. Early detection and control of embryo nests is critical, as targeting them now prevents YLH queens from producing workers, ultimately reducing the formation of secondary nests later in the year and making future control efforts more challenging. It is vital that the queen is controlled along with the nest.
“We are continuing to ask for the public’s help in our effort to eradicate the Yellow-Legged Hornet from our state,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “By reporting sightings of embryo nests early, we can stop the queens from spreading and minimize the damage they cause. It's crucial that we work together to protect our state’s #1 industry—agriculture.”
Note on YLH Embryo Nests: Early detection of embryo nests is key to preventing secondary nests from establishing and limiting the spread of YLH in Georgia. Mated queens overwinter (similar to hibernation) and emerge in the spring to find food, establish an embryo nest, and begin producing workers. Embryo nests range in size from a ping-pong ball to a tennis ball and are often found in sheltered spots, such as the eaves of buildings.
What Georgians Can Do:
Stay Alert: Look out for embryo nests, which are typically smaller than primary and secondary nests. Embryo nests can be found in trees, shrubs, or other elevated locations.
(Embryo nests are typically found in early spring, between March and April.)
(Primary nests are typically found between April and June in late spring and early summer.)
(Secondary nests are typically found in late Summer, between June - December.)
Report Sightings: If you believe you've discovered an embryo nest, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Contact the GDA Plant Protection Division at yellow.legged.hornet@agr.georgia.gov or a licensed pest management professional to ensure the queen is properly eradicated.
