PPC110 | Technical

Glue boards, product storage, bat droppings, field mice and Ficam all feature in this issue of Ask the BPCA technical team.

SPEED VIEW:

• We're in the middle of a two-year lead-in period for a glue board licensing system
• Storage needs for each business will be different, just follow codes of best practice for safe storage
• The crumble method is the most common test for bat droppings
• A guidance document for field mouse control is available for BPCA members
• Ultimately, the cost and complexity of wasp control might go up, but is that a bad thing?

Can I still use glue boards?

We’re almost halfway through a two-year lead-in to allow for a licensing system to be created and rolled out. Defra is working on a draft licensing scheme as we speak, and we expect to be given the opportunity to review it and provide feedback.

And as you can see from the article Glueboards in Wales and implications for the rest of the UK, the situation is precarious in Wales and Scotland, although Northern Ireland remains unchanged.

For now, you can carry on using glue boards in England (following the correct code of best practice) until that licensing scheme has been finalised and the lead-in period ends. 

Once this period has been completed, new guidance will be in place regarding the licensing procedure, purchasing and use of glue boards.

Do I need to have a storage unit?

No, you don’t need a storage facility to run a pest control company from. 

The storage requirements for each business will be different and this largely depends on the type of work you undertake, and the equipment and products required for that job.

In recent years, with the improvement of faster delivery options from suppliers and the changes in product labels, the need to store lots of pesticide has been removed.

For companies that mainly carry out general pest control and small proofing work, a van has enough space to store what is needed on a day-to-day basis.

The important thing to remember with all stored items, both in a van and a storage space, is that the products are stored safely with the required bunds, spill kits and first aid equipment and COSHH assessments in place.

How do I know if I’ve found bat droppings?

When working in a small dark loft it can be very difficult to positively identify the difference between bat droppings and mouse droppings. They are very similar in size and shape, being 3-7mm long and often a spindle shape.

You can sometimes have a large pile of bat droppings in one particular spot in the loft or even find them in spiders’ webs inside, and also outside around the windows and gutters. 

The key identification technique is the crumble test. Simply rub the dropping between your gloved fingers. Mouse droppings will normally smudge if they are fresh but with bat droppings they will crumble into a fine dust.

Within these dust fragments you can sometimes find little bits of fly wings and insect exoskeletons. Yum!

What can I do if I find field mice on my site?

Field mice are not a protected species and can be controlled in situations when they are deemed to be a pest. As with all pest infestation, the root cause should be identified before a treatment is carried out. 

At present, no rodenticide has approval for field mice and treatment should be tailored to follow all legal requirements by using non-toxic means. 

It’s rare to carry out mouse control outdoors and it’s recommended that all non-lethal options are undertaken to make the site less attractive to mice, before any lethal control options are considered.

A guidance document is available for BPCA members.

Why can’t we use Ficam anymore? Won’t it make wasp control really expensive?

Products come and go. While we know Ficam is incredibly effective, other products with different actives will remain available.

None of us get much say on which products get re-registered, however we do know it’s a costly process, and manufacturers have to make tough business decisions. 

Although we’ll still have access to Ficam until 2024, we suggest you spend some time trying out different products and techniques this summer to prepare you for the change. 

Ultimately, the price and complexity of wasp jobs might go up. However, this could be a good thing for pest professionals. We’ve all previously complained about the window cleaner that also does wasp work or the £30 wasp man advertising on a local roundabout.

As the complexity increases, fewer unqualified chancers will pick up cheap wasp work, which can only be a good thing for our sector. If you’re worried or just want to be prepared for wasp season 2024, contact your distributor to better understand the products you still have access to.

Who you gonna call?

The members of our technical team are happy to come out to visit sites with BPCA members who are struggling with a tough infestation and need hands-on advice. Get in touch!

technical@bpca.org.uk