Today (6th June 2017) is the very first World Pest Day. The worldwide campaign aims to increase awareness of the important role pest management plays in protecting public health.

"World Pest Day" was initiated by the Chinese Pest Control Association, and is co-sponsored by the Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers' Association (FAOPMA), the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), and the Confederation of European Pest Management Associations (CEPA).

Earlier this morning (08:00 GMT), a ceremony has been held at the Beijing Hotel in China with up to 300 guests attending, including members of the media, industry leaders and academia.

World pest day aims to:

• Increase public, government, and media awareness of the important role pest management organizations plays in protecting public health
• Project the professional image of the pest management industry
• Promote the use of professional pest management in a scientific and socially responsible way
• Call attention to the big threats caused by small pests  
• What is happening in the UK?

In order to raise awareness of pest control in the public domain and promote professional pest management, BPCA today published its 2016 National Survey, which presents a comprehensive analysis of Local Authority Pest Control Services in the UK.

The report which reviews Local Authority services, resources and activities consists of over 50 pages, and for the first time incorporates budget metrics, analysis relative to population and uses historical trends to forecast future services. The report also presents a national and regional analysis by pest service, and lists Local Authorities that have reported high call out rates relative to population.

BPCA has also renamed its former Pest Prevention Week, Pest Awareness Week and scheduled it to coincide with the worldwide campaign. Throughout the week BPCA members up and down the country will be visiting local causes to offer free pest control support and guidance. Yesterday BPCA's staff team visited a local animal shelter to volunteer some onsite training, a survey and support with yard chores.

All BPCA members and supporters are invited to share their experiences of World Pest Day and Pest Awareness Week through social media using #PestAware or emailing hello@bpca.org.uk.

What are other Associations doing for World Pest Day?

Around the world related trade associations have joined in with World Pest Day in different ways. Elsewhere in Europe, the German Pest Control Association DSV (DSV - Deutscher Schädlingsbekämpfer Verband) has produced a chilling video to power a national media campaign, while the Italian Association (Disinfestazione) has activated a visual public focused advertising campaign.

Links

BPCA 2016 National Survey
DSV - Deutscher Schädlingsbekämpfer Verband
Disinfestazione