Serving and protecting the California Consumer has been one of the main goals of Pest Control Operators of California is to protect the public.

Consumer Affairs Agency:

The first laws governing the practice of pest control, and the first regulatory agency formed to regulate the pest control industry and protect the public was formed in California more than 50 years ago as a result of lobbying by Pest Control Operators of California.

In 1994 PCOC sponsored legislation to form a special enforcement program for fumigation in the counties where 90% of the state’s fumigations are performed. Through self imposed fees and a cooperative program involving the State and Local Government working with PCOC we have more "police" (County Agricultural Biologists) in the field to ensure the safety of the work performed.

Chem-Safe

The top causes of poisonings for children are household medicines and chemicals. In 1987 Pest Control Operators of California started our Chem-Safe campaign to educate consumers how to handle and store pesticides properly. This campaign includes an award winning Public Service Announcement for television called "Baby". More information and the video are available on our Chem-Safe page.

Med-Net

Med-net is a program developed by the Pest Control Operators of California to provide consumers with information about the products we use. Members of PCOC have access to a 24 hour a day 7 day a week hotline they can provide to their customers. This hotline links our members customers to a medical clinic in California with physicians who are familiar with the products we use and can answer consumers questions about pesticides and pesticide applications. Frequently our Med-Net physician’s work with consumer’s physicians who have questions about the products we use. Ask your pest control company for the Med-Net phone number. Since it’s inception, the Med-Net program has provided thousands of consumers with valuable information on questions related to pesticide applications. If you want this opportunity be sure that you hire a member of the Association.

Arbitration

Every company that is a member of the Association agrees to participation in arbitration. Each District of the Association has an arbitration committee that will intervene between the consumer and a company when there are questions relative to inspections and or treatments. This service to the consumer is just another reason why the general public should only use members of PCOC.

Research

We contribute $100,000 a year for research into better, safer and more effective pest control. In 1986 PCOC sponsored legislation to raise money for research through an annual industry assessment.

This self-imposed assessment raises $100,000 a year, which provides grant funding for research and development of new pest control technologies and products.

PCOC members also participate in federal and university studies assessing the safety and effectiveness of new pest control technologies.

Efficacy

The PCOC sponsored legislation in 1998 that requires that all devices used for treatments of Wood Destroying Organisms must be registered with the Department of Pesticide Regulation. That registration must be done on a basis of safety and efficacy. The legislative date for registration is July 2001. PCOC felt with the advent of several alternative technologies that consumers had a right to know that the technology has been approved on the same basis as pesticides.

Consumer Information

The Pest Control Operators of California fields’ dozens of telephone calls daily from consumers relating to services provided, complaints, concerns and questions. We are happy to answer your questions via phone or e-mail! This site has been created with you in mind, so we can provide you with informational resources. We plan on expanding these on-line resources for consumers as time goes by.