Structure & History of PCOC
Main Purpose of PCOC
The purpose of the Pest Control
Operators of California (PCOC) is to
provide structural pest control licensees
throughout the state with representation,
advocacy, education and services that
can positively affect their operations.
The first
modern
firms
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The first recorded California pest
control firm to emerge was Barden’s
Pest Control in Long Beach.
Barden’s did pest control, new home
construction and home repairs.
Early pioneers in California
structural pest control focused on
cockroaches, mice, rats, and
bedbugs.
Earthquake Key to Development
of the WDO Industry
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In 1932 there was an earthquake that
shook southern California houses off
their foundations. Pest control
companies and contractors attempting
to repair the damage caused by the
earthquake found that the homes with
the most severe damage from the
earthquake also had termite damage.
Earthquake & Banks
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This earthquake became the key events
which not only lead to the development of
companies who specialized in inspecting
for termites and other wood destroying
organisms but also to many of the rules
governing it’s practice. In 1938 San
Francisco Bankers began insisting on
termite inspections for any home they
loaned money on.
The Industry Unites for
Consumer Protection
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During the early 1930s there were three
pest control associations in California;
The termite association, fumigators'
association and the general pest control
association. In 1934 these three groups
merged to form the state association of
pest control operators for the purpose of
driving fraudulent pest control firms from
the industry.
The First Structural Pest
Control Act
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State association of pest control operators
felt that the industry needed rules to ensure
consumer were not cheated by the
numerous charlatans who were loose
within the state, tainting the whole industry.
They lobbied the legislature and convinced
them to establish the structural pest control
act and regulatory board.
January 1, 1936
… The structural pest control act became
law. The first conviction under the new
structural pest control act came in March
of 1936 when R.W. Broadsman was
sentenced to 30 days in jail, and fined $50
for operating in Pasadena with out a
termite control license.
The Association Started With Five
Districts and 112 PCO's
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Los Angeles District
Santa Barbara District
San Diego District
Fresno District
San Jose District
….today the Association has 20
districts statewide and a
membership of 1,300
Standardization a Key
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From the late 1930s two of the key
areas of interest to the pest control
industry were:
1: Standardization of Enforcement
2: Standardization of the Wood
Destroying Pests & Organisms
Reports
More Teeth to the SPCB
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1978 SPCB Members
The industry was not
satisfied with the level of
enforcement from the SPCB,
so the Association voted to
lobby the legislature to
establish a $25.00 annual
fee to further fund the SPCB
and to ensure they had full
time staff to investigate and
enforce their laws.
Government Affairs
While our governmental affairs
program serves the interests of all
operators in the state regardless of
their affiliation with PCOC and
each respective district, these
efforts are only possible with the
support of these same operators.
Legislative Advocacy
Regulatory Advocacy
Regulatory Advocacy
PCOC continually works very closely with various state
agencies to monitor their activities and provide PCOC
members with up-to-date information. Some of these
agencies include: Structural Pest Control Board
County Agricultural Commissioners
Association
Department of Consumer Affairs
Department of Transportation
Cal-OSHA
Department of Pesticide Regulation
Fish & Game, and many others.
PCOC Subsidiary
Organizations
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Political action committee
PCOC cares charity
PCOC scholarship foundation
Peacock group insurance/PCOC insurance
PCOC members and Special
Olympics kids on the Field
at Dodger Stadium.