28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Silverfish

A cigar-shaped, silver-grey, wingless insect about 12mm long, found in damp areas commonly in kitchens and bathrooms. Nocturnal in habit, but often trapped in baths, basins or chinaware as it cannot climb the smooth surfaces. Moves quickly and h.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Slugs

A well-known garden pest, Slugs will eat vegetation and are only occasionally found indoors, in damp areas such as cellars. Despite their appearance, Slugs are harmless and is only a minor agricultural/amenity pest. How to get rid of Slug.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Snakes

In the UK snakes are not dealt with as pests by an average pest control company as problems are not common and dealing with snakes requires particular skills. As stated in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is illegal to kill, injure or se.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Sparrows

Rarely a problem in domestic situations, but frequently an issue in commercial premises such as bakeries and warehouses. Sparrows can enter buildings through tiny gaps and, once in, are very difficult to remove. Remedy Proofing with ne.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Spider Beetles

A group of beetles with globular abdomens and relatively long legs, superficially resembling small spiders, 3-4mm long. General scavengers of all sorts of animal and vegetable debris and stored food, and frequently associated with old birds&rsqu.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Spiders

In the UK, native spiders are not considered dangerous, or a threat to health but some households suffer from ‘nuisance’ house spiders, and because of common fears (arachnophobia), many require pest control. If you require t.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Stable Flies

Closely resembles the Housefly, but this fellow bites. Uncommon indoors but breeds in long grass, straw or grass cuttings where there are horses or other animals. Remedy Apply an insect repellent to bare skin, especially legs, before g.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Starlings

Although a native to this country, our permanently resident starling population is swelled every autumn by migrants arriving from the Continent. Starlings may roost in their thousands on ledges on buildings and in trees in city centres. Their dr.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Termites

Social insects which may live in communities of many millions of individuals. In tropical and sub-tropical countries they are major pests of timber buildings. Not presently found in the UK but global warming may allow them to establish in the so.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Thrips

Also known as “thunder-flies”, tiny (1.5mm) insects, black with narrow, hairy wings. They feed on plant sap and on humid summer days they may occur in huge numbers on window sills and get into clothing and hair. Mainly an ag.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Ticks

Closely related to the mites, but much larger and reliant on vertebrate blood. They are occasionally brought into the house on domestic animals and can be picked up by humans after walking through long grass in an infested area. Ticks are implic.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Voles

Usually confused with Brown Rats, these small, blunt-nosed rodents can occasionally enter buildings, but normally live in outdoor burrows. Not regarded as a household pest, and in fact, some species such as the water vole are a protected species.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Wasps

Are you worried about wasp stings? Have you found a wasps’ nest? Learn all about wasp nest treatments in our ultimate wasp pest control guide. Get rid of wasps for good. If you’ve spotted lots of wasps and you’re worried.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Weevils

A term frequently misused to describe beetles in general, but is applicable only to a distinctive group of beetles with long, pointed “snouts” which they use for boring into whole grains, hard processed cereals such as pasta, and tim.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Wharf Borer

A brown beetle, about 1cm long, with pronounced antennae and a tendency to emerge from damp basements and fly about near rivers or estuaries in early summer. The grubs live in very decayed wet timber such as old jetties or wooden piles. These be.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Woodworm

A term used for the destructive larvae of the Common Furniture Beetle. The first sign of woodworm is the appearance of neat round holes, 2mm across, in wooden surfaces, often accompanied by tiny piles of wood dust beneath them. Fresh holes sho.... More

28 November 2017

Pest Advice for controlling Woodlice

Woodlice are one of the few land crustaceans. They have oval, grey, segmented bodies 10-15mm long, with 14 legs and prominent antennae. Common names include ‘slaters’, ‘sow-bugs’ and ‘pill-bugs’. Ther.... More

28 November 2017

Pest Advice for controlling Woolly Bears

The small hairy larvae of the carpet or fur beetles are known as "woolly bears". These small, oval beetles have outstripped the clothes moths as the major British textile pest. The larvae are small (about 4mm long), covered in brown hairs, and t.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Worms

Parasitic worms are a veterinary or medical problem but they are included here because some may be transmitted by rats, mice or certain insects. Threadworms are relatively common in dogs, cats and children. They are thin whitish wrigglers about.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Yellow Swarming Fly

One of the species collectively known as Cluster Fly family. A small yellowish fly with black stripes on its back which sometimes invades attics or rarely-used rooms to hibernate in autumn. For more information, including control techni.... More

20 November 2017

PPC89 out now

Professional Pest Controller issue 89 is out now. The BPCA member and industry magazine is packed full of all the latest pest control news and features (November 2017). PPC magazine is made for our members, pest control professionals an.... More

20 November 2017

Everything changes but you

President foreword | PPC89 November 2017 What a year for BPCA! I guess this is why they say the only real constant is change.  The biggest ever PestEx, the first-ever industry awards (complete with our 75th year celebratio.... More

20 November 2017

Some final words, and a new chapter for BPCA

Cheid Exec viewpoint | PPC89 November 2017 Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you will know I’m leaving BPCA and the sector early in 2018 to take up a role with the National Association of Jewellers. (In answer to the two m.... More

20 November 2017

Seven years of Simon

Interview feature | PPC89 November 2017 After a hugely successful tenure as Chief Executive of the British Pest Control Association, Simon Forrester will be leaving his role with the Association in January of next year. We thought.... More

17 November 2017

Recruit a pest controller: From posting a job to hiring a new employee

Your business feature | PPC89 November 2017 Looking at bringing a new pest management technician on board but don’t know where to start? We’ll go through the whole process and tell you all about the tools we offer to help you.... More

17 November 2017

New York Rat Safari

Urban environment feature | PPC89 November 2017 Andy Beckmann organises one of the largest pest management trade shows in Europe, Pest-Protect. While researching other trade-shows around the world, Andy has seen many weird and wonderful.... More

17 November 2017

Don’t get replaced by a robot pest controller!

Technology feature | PPC89 November 2017 We’ve been talking about new technology in pest management lots over the last few issues. BPCA Technical Manager,  Dee Ward-Thompson investigates how we best protect our profession.... More

17 November 2017

The death of the Yellow Pages and the rise of Shirley Temple

Marketing and promotions feature | PPC89 November 2017 Telephone, telephone table, family address book, pen pot (complete with an assortment of random pens) and The Yellow Pages. These are what greeted most people entering their ho.... More

17 November 2017

New member benefit: Printshop

UPDATE The print shop is now open. Visit it here (main contact login required).  Marketing and promotions feature | PPC89 November 2017 Print is very much alive, but it has to be used in the right way. Print is potent.... More

17 November 2017

Quick marketing audits for every pest management company

Marketing and promotions feature | PPC89 November 2017 We get a lot of questions about how to market your pest control business. Content and Communications Officer, Scott Johnstone, spends more time looking at BPCA member’s web.... More

16 November 2017

Controlling reputation – we can’t help if we don’t know!

Marketing and promotions feature | PPC89 November 2017 A first lesson of public relations is to take control of potentially bad press. Being part of a trade association is a useful, but often forgotten, mechanism to help preserve r.... More

16 November 2017

Pest control while protecting our bats

Pest control feature | PPC89 November 2017 All UK bat species eat insects and as such do play a part in insect pest control in the UK – a single bat can eat thousands of insects each night. Bats are also considered to be one.... More

16 November 2017

PPC Live 2018: Your questions answered

Events feature | PPC89 November 2017 With a busy diary, it’s hard to make time for attending tradeshows and events, let alone having to choose which events you should attend. BPCA Events Manager, Lauren Day, has been to her fair sh.... More

16 November 2017

PPC Live: Seminars, outdoor demonstrations and exhibitors

Events feature | PPC89 November 2017 The full PPC Live seminar and outdoor demonstration programmes have been released! Take a look at what we've got planned.  CPD points available 1 CPD point per seminar 2 points for att.... More

16 November 2017

Back to basics: effective control of stubborn mouse infestations

Feature pest control | PPC89 November 2017 Many of us will have come across those stubborn, hard to control infestations. Chris Cagienard from Pest Solutions Glasgow makes the case for getting back to basics with mouse control. .... More

16 November 2017

Pest control in space

Extraterrestrial environments feature| PPC89 November 2017 Pest controllers are no strangers to alien invasive species. With Star Wars: The Last Jedi due to hit our screens in December, we’ve received some amusing requests for.... More

16 November 2017

Ask the Technical Team November 2017

Feature technical | PPC89 November 2017 Being the leading association for pest management in the UK means that you get a lot of professional pest control questions piling up in your inbox. When you’re a BPCA member you can get.... More

16 November 2017

Norwegian, Wood – isn’t it good? Pest management in Norway

Meet the member feature| PPC89 November 2017 What happens when you take a Norwegian pest technician out with you on your rounds? James Wood, a technician from Beaver Pest Control, took Rune Bratland, owner of Skadedyrservice AS, Ber.... More

16 November 2017

Pestwatch: Technical help for professional pest controllers

Feature technical | PPC89 November 2017 Our technical team is out and about all over the country, and they always have their ear to the ground. This is what they think you need to look out for between November and February. SQUIRREL.... More

16 November 2017

Your Association: Get involved with PPC magazine

Your Association | PPC89 November 2017 A considerable amount of time and resources get dedicated to creating PPC magazine. Content and Communications Officer, Scott Johnstone, looks to what the future holds for PPC and how you can be inv.... More

16 November 2017

‘Spotlight’ on Kent pest control firm after 12 months’ membership

Meet the Member | PPC89 November 2017 5 in 5 with David Lacey, Director, Spotlight Pest Control (Kent) Why did you choose to get into pest control? After being involved in property development for some years, I decided it was.... More

16 November 2017

Meet the Servicing Committee Chairman

Committee in Focus | PPC89 November 2017 Howard Taffs, Managing Director and owner of Good Riddance Pest Control in Bristol, took over as Servicing Committee Chairman in September.  We caught up with Howard to pose a few questio.... More

16 November 2017

Look back: North West Regional Forum

Feature events | PPC89 November 2017 After our summer break, the BPCA events calendar is back in full swing as we head out on the road again for the rest of 2017 – beginning with the North West Regional Forum in Manchester. .... More

16 November 2017

Our shouting is being heard! BPCA visits BRC

Feature where we've been | PPC89 November 2017 As you would have read in the last edition, we are now in a great position to tell everyone about the high standards that our membership is assessed against, and what it means to be a BPCA m.... More

16 November 2017

Is professional pest control training your competitive advantage?

Feature training| PPC89 November 2017 How do you promote competitive advantage, particularly in a sector where most companies do the same thing? BPCA Training Development Manager, Karen Dawes, tells us her thoughts on how training c.... More

09 November 2017

BPCA shortlisted for four awards at Association Awards

BPCA has been nominated and shortlisted for four awards at the upcoming UK Association Awards 2017. The winners will be announced at the UK Association Awards Ceremony, taking place in Manchester, UK, on 14 December. The awards we'v.... More

08 November 2017

Infographic: What does a good association do?

We've produced an infographic for Institute of Association Management's first ever Associations Week. You can join in with Associations Week by using #AssocWeek on Twitter. More about Associations Week Scott Johnst.... More

08 November 2017

New benefit: Online legislation register for Affiliates

At the request of our Servicing Committee, the voice of the servicing membership, BPCA has compiled a register of UK legislation associated with delivering pest control services. Indexed by animal and group, the register allows affiliat.... More

08 November 2017

New rules in Ireland greatly curtail continuous use of rodenticides in ‘Permanent Baiting Programmes’

Following the recent EU Review of anticoagulant rodenticide active substances, new rules on the use of the permanent baiting technique have been adopted across Ireland. These new rules require that the continuous use of toxic bait can n.... More

08 November 2017

BPCA responds to rodenticide public area use consultation

BPCA has been consulted on the thorny issue of public area use of rodenticide, and the contentious requirement to signpost the area to bystanders. As the UK body with responsibility for rodenticide authorisation, Chemicals Regulation.... More