07 December 2024

Pests in the press: July to September 2024

PPC117 | Pests in the press Over the summer months, BPCA has enjoyed a healthy mix of coverage in print and digitally as well as broadcast appearances on radio and TV. As June moved into July, planned press releases were paused b.... More

07 December 2024

Pests in politics: July to September 2024

PPC117 | Pests in politics The past few months have seen notable changes in England's pest control landscape, particularly surrounding the introduction of the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022, which took effect on 31 July 2024.   .... More

06 November 2024

CRRU UK prepares rodenticide users for 2026 certification requirements

PRESS RELEASE CRRU UK confirms that from 2026, sellers of professional-use rodenticides will only accept two forms of proof of competence at the point of sale. Depending on the type of user, requirements vary slightly to reflect.... More

08 August 2024

Ask the technical team August 2024

PPC116 | Ask the technical team Pesticides, auditors, assessments and wasp treatment alternatives all feature in this issue of Ask the BPCA technical team.  Should I refrigerate the pesticides in my hot van? All product lab.... More

07 August 2024

ICUP 2025 – Call for abstracts

PRESS RELEASE All those keen to present a paper or poster at the forthcoming 11th International Conference on Urban Pests (ICUP) are invited to submit an abstract of their proposed presentation, via the ICUP 2025 website at icup.org.uk.... More

31 July 2024

TAKE PART: CEPA bed bug survey

SURVEY The European pest association, CEPA, has prepared a survey to assess the bed bug situation across Europe today, as experienced by our industry.  In 2023, considerable media attention was given to apparent increas.... More

31 July 2024

Paris 2024 athletes first to use new rapid bed bug detection technology

PRESS RELEASE Athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics are among the first users of the consumer BugScents™ Sentry product for early detection of bed bugs. This product allows athletes to rest and recover without the worry of being bitten.... More

18 July 2024

Samples needed for research project on urban foxes

Researchers at the University of East Anglia are launching a research project on urban foxes, and are looking for pest controllers who would be able to provide samples for DNA analysis. By analysing the DNA of urban foxes using state.... More

06 June 2024

Minister Pow changes mind on glue board licensing scheme (England)

LEGISLATION As a result of BPCA’s lobbying efforts, Minister Pow has asked for changes to the glue board licensing regime in England.  Defra has told BPCA that Minister Pow has asked for the following changes to the li.... More

06 June 2024

Manifesto for Pest Management released on World Pest Day

POLICY With the General Election a few weeks away, the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has released its Manifesto for Pest Management, detailing our policy demands of the next government.  The launch coincides with W.... More

30 May 2024

New client document explains Glue Traps (Offences) Act available for members

DOCUMENT BPCA has released a document explaining the implications of the Glue Trap (Offences) Act 2022 to clients.  The document was created with the support of Orkin UK and is now available to download in the member library.... More

17 May 2024

Scientists ask pest professionals to help find mosquitoes in Scotland

PRESS RELEASE Pest controllers in Scotland are being asked to record mosquito activity on a new website called mosquito-scotland.com. A collaborative project between the University of Glasgow, the MRC-UofG Centre for Virus Resear.... More

16 May 2024

Food prices and public health at risk from ‘ill-thought-out’ pest control legislation

PRESS RELEASE A national trade body says public health across England is under threat from pests due to an ‘ill thought out’ licensing scheme being pushed forward by Government. British Pest Control Association says t.... More

03 May 2024

Drainage inspections for rodents

PPC115 | Technical Darron Pearce from BPCA member company, Rattraxs Pest Control, has over 30 years of industry experience in both pest control and drainage. He carries out surveys for insurance and mortgage companies, and domestic customer.... More

03 May 2024

Permanent vs long-term baiting - What's best?

PPC115 | Technical Laurence Barnard, Country Business Manager at BASF Pest Control Solutions shares his advice on best practice, as well as outlining important considerations for safe and effective pest control. When it comes to.... More

24 April 2024

Defra announces key principles and dates for glue board licensing in England

LEGISLATION Defra has released an overview of the key principles for the new licensing regime for rodent glue boards, as required by the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022.  The Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 allows pest professionals.... More

05 April 2024

OCS acquires Abate Pest Management Services to expand UK pest control business

PRESS RELEASE OCS, a global facilities service provider, announces that it has acquired BPCA member company Abate Pest Management Services (“Abate”), an independent provider of pest control solutions based in Norfolk. .... More

31 January 2024

Glue Traps (Offences) Act will likely take effect in July 2024, says Defra

LEGISLATION Defra has confirmed that Natural England has been appointed as the regulator for glue trap licensing in England. The appointment was made by Minister Rebecca Pow, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Depa.... More

18 January 2024

Pest-related diseases report sparks call for collaboration between pest management and public health

RESEARCH The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is calling for closer links between pest professionals and public health bodies off the back of the UK Health Security Agency’s report on animal-associated infections (England) (Dec.... More

02 January 2024

Professional rodenticide users have two years to prepare for changes

PRESS RELEASE All three user groups of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) covered by the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime – pest controllers, gamekeepers and farmers – have two years to prepare for a significa.... More

11 December 2023

Wade Legacy Programme continues for 2024

MEMBER NEWS BPCA member company Wade Environmental will once again sponsor a son or daughter in a family-based team through their RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management. This will be the third year of the programme being in effect. .... More

29 November 2023

Check loft for pests when you’re getting the decs

PESTAWARE Experts at a national trade body are urging householders to check attics for signs of pests when getting decorations down ready for Christmas. British Pest Control Association (BPCA) says old nests, droppings and gnaw m.... More

29 August 2023

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

12 June 2023

Ending use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides bromadiolone and difenacoum away from buildings

PRESS RELEASE | CRRU The following press release was posted by the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime (CRRU) on Monday, 12 June 2023. The legal authorisation is being withdrawn for open area and waste dump use for the only two second-ge.... More

06 June 2023

Ants and their control for pest management professionals

PPC111 | Technical In this article Natalie Bungay, BPCA's Technical Manager, writes about common ant species, treatment options and making the most of the summer ant season. Jump to ant species. We’re sure a lot of you.... More

05 June 2023

Proof is in the pudding: Fundamentals of pest proofing

PPC111 | Technical John Horsley, BPCA’s Technical Officer, looks at pest control proofing fundamentals, and the tools and materials he wouldn’t be without on every job. SPEED VIEW: • Learning basic maintenance ski.... More

05 June 2023

I spy, my little drain fly: an in-depth look at drain fly control

PPC111 | Technical BPCA’s Technical and Compliance Manager, Natalie Bungay, gives an overview of drain flies, their biology and control. Drain flies (Psychodidae) are small, dark-winged, non-biting gnats. Their wings are cove.... More

05 June 2023

Ask the technical team June 2023: Codes of Best Practice special

PPC111 | Technical Woodworm treatments, bed bugs, ULV, and mole traps all feature in this issue of Ask the BPCA technical team.  Do I need to have insurance to be able to guarantee woodworm treatments? Yes, we recommend that.... More

05 June 2023

Global Pest Management Coalition Celebrates World Pest Day: United in Care – A Standard of Excellence for Professional Pest Management

PRESS RELEASE The Global Pest Management Coalition, comprised of leading pest management organisations worldwide, has announced the annual observance of World Pest Day on Tuesday, June 6. Originating in 2017, this significant event bri.... More

06 April 2023

Scottish Bill to ban the sale and use of rodent glue boards published

The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill has been published, which includes legislation banning the use and purchase of glue traps. Despite BPCA’s efforts to influence legislators, the Bill’s current form conta.... More

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