21 February 2023

Pest control contract specifications: a checklist for food clients

PPC 110 | Technical Grahame Turner, from BPCA Consultant member company PestAcuity, is back! He’s put together a checklist of items you might need to include for your food clients when working on a pest control specification. .... More

21 February 2023

Preventing insect damage in dry food storage

PPC110 | Technical Mike Kelly presented this article at the International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) Conference 2022 in Zanzibar. Fumigation is a simple technique designed to alter the air a target species breathes to.... More

09 January 2023

Hybrid resistance: anticoagulant resistance in rats and mice

PRESS RELEASE Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK has published a new summary of anticoagulant resistance data for rats and mice in the UK, including 2021 and 2022 data. The report includes details on hybrid resistance (.... More

21 December 2022

Guest blog: Don't let pests spoil your Christmas!

PESTAWARE The festive season is upon us and while we're drinking mulled wine or wrapping presents, the last thing we're thinking about is the possibility of letting pests into our grotto, right?  Well that doesn't mean you can't a.... More

01 November 2022

Dealing with dead rodent odours

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 Our clients are often confronted with horrible odours from dead rodents. PPC asked Bill Vaughan from Earth Care to talk us through the approaches available to deal with those nasty smells. “....... More

31 October 2022

Ask the technical team October 2022

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 Speed view Some animals and plants may have been transported here a long time ago and are considered ‘naturalised’, but these are still non-native species Disposing of waste should be part of yo.... More

31 October 2022

5 basics for pest control success

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 We asked BPCA Technical Support Officer John Horsley to tell us his top five steps, big or small, to improve pest management outcomes. When we’re carrying out pest control we occasionally fin.... More

31 October 2022

How to professionally control wood pigeons – pest advice for professionals

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 What's up woodie? Dave Archer is an expert on wildlife management and rural pest control. In this issue of PPC, he tells us all about his experience of dealing with wood pigeons.  The wood pi.... More

31 October 2022

Non-native species - do you know your obligations as a pest controller

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 The team at Scotland-based Pest Solutions encountered a traveller recently, so we asked Managing Director Chris Cagienard to explain the process when dealing with an imported non-native species. As.... More

07 October 2022

Confirmed Asian hornet sighting in Dover

PEST NEWS Enhanced surveillance is now underway in Dover, following confirmation of an Asian hornet sighting. A photo, taken by a member of the public this week, was sent to the National Bee Unit (NBU) which later confirmed the i.... More

27 September 2022

Call your GP or vet to remove ticks say pest experts

PESTAWARE An upsurge in ticks could follow a long hot summer, according to experts at national trade body, British Pest Control Association (BPCA). Ticks, which are implicated in the spread of Lyme disease, can be inadvertently p.... More

24 August 2022

Why the vacuum cleaner is your best weapon against fleas

PESTAWARE Cleaners are best placed to spot possible flea infestations and to take action quickly, say experts at national trade body, British Pest Control Association (BPCA). BPCA’s Technical Manager, Natalie Bungay, says c.... More

17 August 2022

Research reveals farmers aren’t aware of resistance issues on UK farms

PRESS RELEASE Over three quarters of farmers in the UK are not aware if their farm is in an area of known rodenticide resistance, a survey by pest control solutions company, BASF, has revealed. The research, which aimed to gain a g.... More

17 August 2022

CRRU asks could delinquent minority restrict rodent control options for responsible majority?

PRESS RELEASE Another year of “stubbornly static”, and in some cases rising, rodenticide residues in barn owls has prompted an uncomfortable question about the use of poison baits: could irresponsible practices by a delinquent m.... More

10 June 2022

How to identify ‘things that go buzz’

PESTAWARE As summer approaches, and ‘sting season’ sets in, experts at a national trade body are urging gardeners to learn more about ‘things that go buzz’. British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has produc.... More

06 June 2022

Daera reopen Northern Ireland Wild Bird Licence Consultation

BIRD CONTROL Daera/Northern Ireland Environment Agency is currently considering the wild bird general licences for 2022/2023 and beyond. Similar consultations have already occurred in England, Scotland and Wales following legal c.... More

23 May 2022

Monkeypox, rats and pest control – should we be concerned?

HEALTH  Twenty cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the UK. News publications have pointed at rats as a vector for the disease. Photo credit: NIAID/Flickr  What is monkeypox? Monkeypox is a viral infection so.... More

06 April 2022

Rare UK eagle’s rodenticide death shines spotlight on need for responsible rodent control

PRESS RELEASE | Stewardship A poisoned white-tailed eagle found in Dorset is dramatic and regrettable evidence of the need for universally responsible use of rodenticides, states the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use. "Whe.... More

28 February 2022

Check for bed bugs before season starts, says BPCA

PRESS RELEASE Hospitality businesses are being urged to get the 2022 season off to the best start, by making sure their accommodations are free of bed bugs. National trade body British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is advising.... More

23 February 2022

Pest professionals can help contain viruses, says BPCA

PRESS RELEASE More research is needed into the role of pest management in protecting the public health, a national trade body has said. Experts at British Pest Control Association (BPCA), have been examining studies around rats a.... More

20 January 2022

Glue Traps (Offences) Bill passes committee stage without amendment

LEGISLATION On Wednesday, 19 January, a committee of MPs gathered to scrutinise the Glue Traps (Offences) Bill line-by-line. Although two hours were scheduled for the meeting, it took only 45 minutes for MPs to decide to pass the.... More

20 December 2021

Daera issue amended interim general licences pending consultation

Daera is currently actively considering the Northern Ireland general licences process. A previous public consultation on this matter was withdrawn on 29 July 2021 due to “a technical error”, but it is anticipated that a more com.... More

08 November 2021

Glue boards in England will be licenced rather than banned completely

LEGISLATION UPDATE If the proposed Glue Traps (Offences) Bill becomes law, their use will be licenced rather than completely banned. UPDATE: The Bill (as introduced) has now been published and is available to read on the .... More

28 October 2021

False Black Widow sightings on the rise

PRESS RELEASE A seasonal spike in sightings of False Black Widow spiders is likely to be caused by males in search of a mate, a national trade body has said. The British Pest Control Association (BPCA), is urging people to avoid.... More

02 September 2021

Six signs fleas have moved into your home

PRESS RELEASE Pest experts at a national trade body are urging householders to watch out for the six signs of fleas. The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is advising householders to take action quickly if they suspect flea.... More

24 August 2021

Top tips to prevent problem mosquitoes

PRESS RELEASE Top tips to stop a surge in mosquitoes have been issued by a national trade body as Britain’s warm, wet weather continues – providing ideal conditions for them to thrive. British Pest Control Association.... More

04 August 2021

Choose professionals to protect wild birds, says trade body

PRESS RELEASE Bird deterrents used on buildings, such as spikes and netting, must be installed by a professional to protect both wild birds and property, a national trade body has said. British Pest Control Association (BPCA), is.... More

17 June 2021

UK government confirms plans to ban rodent glue boards completely

The UK government has issued details on the Glue Traps (Offences) Bill to crack down on “inhumane rodent traps”. In a government press release it states: “Glue traps are a widely available and cheap method of pe.... More

12 May 2021

Defra look to restrict glue traps for pest control in action plan for Animal Welfare

Today (12 May), the government has published an action plan for animal welfare which includes the promise to support legislation to restrict the use of glue traps. The Action Plan for Animal Welfare was launched today by Environment S.... More

01 April 2021

Almost half of feral pigeons carry infectious disease, BPCA warns

PRESS RELEASE Up to 49 per cent of feral pigeons could carry an infectious disease that can be passed to humans, a trade body has warned. British Pest Control Association (BPCA), has issued an online guide to tackling proble.... More

31 March 2021

Postponement of approval expiry dates for renewals of 8 active substances

HSE has agreed a postponement of the approval expiry dates for eight active substances which were due to lapse within the next six months.  Under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation, where for reasons beyond the control of the applican.... More

01 March 2021

Brown marmorated stink bug spotted in UK for first time

This week the Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) has been officially reported as present and active in the UK, prompting calls for pest controllers to keep an eye out and report any sightings.  The bug is an insect .... More

03 February 2021

COVID-19: A great time to help Britain's bees

PRESS RELEASE BPCA member PGH Beegone says the UK's bee population has been given a fighting chance as a result of lockdowns and reduced travel this last year. Wildflowers on road verges have been left to grow and a reductio.... More

30 November 2020

BPCA calls for rodent control as part of Avian flu measures

PRESS RELEASE A national trade body is calling on poultry farmers and other bird keepers to step up rat and mouse management as part of measures to halt the spread of Avian flu. An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was decla.... More

26 November 2020

Survey shows dust formulations preferred by pest controllers

TECHNICAL | PPC101 DECEMBER 2020 Tim Peeling, product manager at BPCA member Bayer, takes a look at the findings of their summer wasp study. The loss of actives and increased label restrictions continues to affect pest contr.... More

09 November 2020

BPCA warns of second spike in rodent activity

PRESS RELEASE Householders and businesses should be on the look-out for signs of an infestation as rats and mice head indoors for winter. British Pest Control Association (BPCA) warned people to remain vigilant as new Covid.... More

09 November 2020

Defra publishes 2021 general licences for wild bird control

Today (9 November 2020), Defra has published three new general licences for wild bird control which will come into effect in England on 1 January 2021. The licences published are: Conservation licence GL40 (currently GL34) Read &.... More

04 November 2020

Check for clusters of cockroaches as heating goes on this autumn

PRESS RELEASE Heating ducts and pipes can be prime spots for cockroaches as the heating goes on in the autumn, a national trade body has warned. British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has issued a guide with advice on preventing.... More

20 October 2020

Surprise resistance surveillance results prompt wake-up call

The spread of rats against which some rodenticides don't work has taken a "surprising and troubling" turn, according to Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use chairman Dr Alan Buckle. New 2019-2020 survey results show not.... More

14 October 2020

Pest Advice for controlling Cockroaches

Got some uninvited dinner guests? Is the back of your fridge home to a colony of creepy crawlies? If you find your building crawling with cockroaches, you’re in the right place. Discovering there are cockroaches in your home or busine.... More

07 October 2020

BPCA launches new digital event PestExtra as PestEx postponed until 2022

British Pest Control Association is launching a brand new digital event following the tough decision to postpone PestEx 2021.  Given the most recent government guidance surrounding events, BPCA has made the difficult but necessar.... More

30 September 2020

Take steps now to stop squirrels entering your home

SQUIRRELS on the hunt for food during the autumn months can become a ‘destructive’ pest if they get into homes and businesses. We're urging people to take preventative measures to stop squirrels getting into your roof.... More

10 September 2020

SURVEY: Help us change licences for gull control in 2021 and beyond

After a challenging year for gull control in England, BPCA is asking the pest management community to help us make the process for getting a licence better. BPCA has the opportunity to positively influence Natural England regarding wha.... More

28 August 2020

NEW customisable pest advice leaflets for members

A range of pest advice leaflets are now available for members to download, customise and print on the BPCA PrintShop (login required).  Our pest advice leaflets are a great tool for you to use when explaining the i.... More

06 August 2020

Rodenticide resistance survey appeal to farmers

Rats resistant to rodenticides are breeding in the UK and more information from farmers is needed to reduce their numbers. A new survey will compile data to establish the extent to which resistance is understood and what methods farmer.... More

04 August 2020

Caught out in the countryside: Practical rabbit management:

TECHNICAL | PPC100 August 2020 Following on from his popular outdoor demonstration at PPC Live 2020 in Harrogate, this is the first in a two-part series of articles from Dave Archer, rural pest management expert. In this article, Dave.... More

04 August 2020

Invasive pest fears for British Museum due to Covid-19 lockdown

Priceless exhibits risk being damaged by invasive insects, due to an absence of visitors during lockdown, the British Museum has warned. Experts at the museum have warned that the lack of tourists visiting the institution du.... More

24 July 2020

Free rodenticide resistance testing service resumes: Appeal to pest controllers for samples

Free DNA testing for rodenticide resistance in rats and mice has resumed with the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use. Chairman Dr Alan Buckle calls for tail samples of freshly killed rats and mice from pest controllers, farmers.... More

09 July 2020

BPCA helps put auditors straight on insecticide usage requirements for public health pest management

BPCA has had reports of auditors asking pest professionals for Pa1 Pa6 pesticide training certificates. The use of insecticides for public health pests does not require the user to have Pa1 Pa6 pesticide training and therefore a NRoSO.... More

26 June 2020

Identify the differences between wasps, hornets, bees and more

Not everything that buzzes is a pest! Everything that buzzes around your garden is potentially a pollinator. These fascinating insects are incredibly useful; not just in the garden, but also in agriculture, with many crops dependent on poll.... More