OPINION | PPC112 September 2023

James Wood, Head of Training and Compliance at Beaver Pest Control, reacts to the complicated political landscape for pest management and speculates on what professionals can do to explain toolbox changes to customers.

As pest managers, our primary concern has always been resolving pest issues effectively and quickly. However, in recent years the industry has come under increased pressure regarding the questions it must consider when carrying out its role.

For the last several years, CRRU rodenticide stewardship has had a massive impact on not only the way we work but also on the mindset with which we must approach it, and rightly so. CRRU is just one example of how the industry has been shaped by the powers that be. 

Rodenticide residues in the environment are something we should all be trying to prevent, and Beaver remains dedicated in its efforts to limit environmental impact.

You could be forgiven for thinking greater (yet much-needed) restrictions on the use of SGARs and FGARs will result in the promotion of more environmentally-friendly, physical control methods such as trapping, but I’m afraid you’d be wrong.

The Glue Traps (Offences) Act (introduced by MP Jane Stevenson) has received Royal Assent and is currently in its implementation phase. Although there are provisions for professional use, it’s another example of the pressures that PCOs face when deciding how to attack an infestation.

The purpose of the Act? To reduce the suffering of rats and mice and to protect the non-target animals (both already offences punishable under other Acts of Parliament).

This is what Jane has to say about her act: “When pest control is needed, we have a responsibility to use the most humane methods in order to prevent unnecessary suffering. A rodent stuck in a glue trap will suffer a slow and painful death, which isn’t acceptable when other pest control methods are available.”

As we can see, humaneness is currently a political hot-button issue. A recent study suggested that, contrary to the beliefs of Ms Stevenson, alternatives to glue trapping didn’t fare much better in terms of humaneness: “The greatest welfare impacts were associated with three baiting methods, anticoagulants, cholecalciferol and non-toxic cellulose baits (severe to extreme impact for days), and with capture on a glue trap (extreme for hours) with concussive killing (mild to moderate for seconds to minutes); these methods should be considered last resorts from a welfare perspective”.

Source: An assessment of animal welfare impacts in wild Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) management, SE Baker, 1 January 2023.

Many in the sector have pointed out the flaws in this research paper. However, we are the ones that have to navigate a political minefield. 

The public is increasingly influenced and often misinformed by TV personalities and politicians, who often (and rightly) emphasise concerns for animal welfare but also gloss over the nuances and conflicts surrounding the issue, often omitting impacts on public health or ecological concerns.

One of the potential impacts of this trend was observed in 2019 when a legal challenge led to the almost overnight withdrawal of the general licences. In essence, pest controllers the country over were suddenly prevented from being able to help their clients where lethal measures were required. 

“Worryingly some customers will often request, and sometimes demand, that a pest management service is conducted to their own specification, based on misinformation.”

Usually, a pest issue can be resolved without inhumane or even lethal means, but generally, this will require a level of site management the customer usually doesn’t have the spare time to implement. The end result is usually predictable: an out-of-control infestation and a dissatisfied customer. 

To prevent this, we need to take control of the narrative. Indeed, we have a responsibility to our clients to impartially inform them of the risks pests present, and help them to make the right decisions to protect their health, homes and businesses.

To do that, we need to understand the services we provide. We need to invite clients to become part of the process and explain the reasoning behind our methods, demonstrating the point for each step taken. This relies on a well rounded understanding of pest behaviour and biology.

We need to be able to balance the pest risk faced by our clients against issues such as humaneness and any environmental considerations. If we don’t, we risk offering ineffective solutions and alienating customers.

Remember, you are the expert! You have years of experience, you’ve had the training and studied the topic. Information is power, use yours wisely.

Share your thoughts in PPC

We’re always looking for new opinion pieces. Send your ideas in now!
hello@bpca.org.uk