01 November 2022

Pests in the press: July to September 2022

NEWS | PPC109 October 2022 Press activity ramped up with appearances on television and radio for BPCA as a long hot summer drifted into autumn, while seasonal pests including wasps and maggots generated plenty of headlines in print and online.... More

01 November 2022

Pest in politics: Autumn 2022

NEWS | PPC109 October 2022 A new Prime Minister means a whole host of new government ministers to start making relationships with. British politics is still incredibly turbulent. However, BPCA’s lobbying work continues. Stay up-to-da.... More

01 November 2022

The wonder of rats - the incredible and sometimes disgusting things they do

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 Rats are fascinating. We spend so much of our time around them, chasing them and tracking them, but when was the last time you stopped to truly watch them, in order to appreciate how, or even why, they act in.... More

01 November 2022

Rodent baiting for pest controllers and environmental impact

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 In this article, BASF’s competent pest consultant, Oliver Madge, gives an overview of the purpose of baiting strategies and how environmental surroundings should inform a pest controller’s choice.... More

01 November 2022

PestWatch: Ship rats in Britain

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 Ahoy there! Professor Stephen Harris has studied British mammals for nearly 60 years. His interest in ship rats began in the 1970s when, as a student at Bristol University, he obtained specimens of ship rats.... 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

CRRU update for 2022 – how is rodenticide stewardship going?

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 Dr Alan Buckle is Chairman of the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK. He gives an overview to PPC on where the stewardship scheme is at and where it’s going.  Jump to fig.... 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

New Code of Best Practice - drain surveys

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 BPCA teamed up with drain survey experts Davy Brown and David Lodge, to provide a new Code of Best Practice on carrying out drain surveys for pest activity. In this article, Davy Brown gives an overview of w.... 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

Sustainability and dynamic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for professionals

TECHNICAL | PPC109 October 2022 Dynamic integrated pest management (IPM) is a more sustainable approach to pest control. Here, Envu explains how it minimises the impact on the environment, reduces the risk to non-target species and lowers t.... 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

Meet the members: 25 years of Bounty Pest Control

MEET THE MEMBER | PPC109 October 2022 This year, Kent-based Bounty Pest Control celebrated 25 years in business. We spoke to Elaine and Martin Rose-King about their pest control journey. The challenges The challenges of running.... 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

31 October 2022

Corporate social responsibility: what kind of impact can a pest management company create?

BUSINESS | PPC109 October 2022 When we hear the phrase ‘corporate social responsibility’ we often think about mega organisations and their box-ticking; things that companies do to make themselves look good for a PR opportunity. .... More

31 October 2022

Owning a pest control business - when do you break-even?

BUSINESS | PPC109 October 2022 Starting a new business can be a daunting and costly venture. We asked the owner of Blu Bookkeeping, Julie Holland micb, to give new business owners an overview of the importance of knowing initial business co.... More

28 October 2022

Developing your pest control skills with BPCA

TRAINING AND CPD | PPC109 October 2022 In this article, BPCA’s Training and Professional Development Manager, Karen Dawes, explores why continuing professional development (CPD) can be a great tool for a pest professional’s deve.... More

27 October 2022

Pest control industry flocks to Boston for PestWorld 2022

PRESS RELEASE The professional pest control industry was out in force at this year’s PestWorld 2022 event held in Boston, Massachusetts, USA over the four days of 11-14 October 2022. For most international delegates it had.... More

21 October 2022

Cinven acquires Bayer Environmental Science

PRESS RELEASE Bayer has completed the sale of its Environmental Science Professional business to the international private equity firm Cinven, after the two companies had entered into a corresponding agreement in March. The condi.... More

18 October 2022

New appointments at Pelsis Group

PRESS RELEASE Global pest control manufacturer and distributor Pelsis Group has appointed Scott Gammon as General Manager for its UK and Nordics operations. Scott joins Pelsis from Rentokil Initial where he was Area Operations Ma.... More

14 October 2022

Sri-Lankan based Exterminators are Carbon Neutral for 7th year running

PRESS RELEASE BPCA Observer members, Exterminators PLC, were successful in gaining the globally recognized Carbon Neutral certification for the seventh consecutive year, further demonstrating their continuous commitment towards the environm.... More

10 October 2022

VIDEO: Rodent behavioural and physiological resistance

CPD VIDEO To be able to successfully control rodents we need to understand their behaviour and how they will react to the environment around them.  It's important to remember different areas of the UK will also have resistance issues t.... More

03 October 2022

Engineering company fined for amateur pest control accident

HEALTH AND SAFETY An engineering company has been fined after one of its employees fell through a roof while installing bird deterrent spikes. On 13 May 2020, a man working for Craven and Nicholas (Engineering) Ltd on St John&rsq.... More

29 September 2022

Ready, aim, fire! Scientists build cockroach killing laser

PRESS RELEASE Cockroaches are famously resilient - for years people believed they could even survive a nuclear bomb.  What they can’t survive is the new laser and artificial intelligence system designed by a scientist at Her.... More

28 September 2022

Avian flu control zones in force across East England

PUBLIC HEALTH Following a number of cases of bird flu in across the east of England, a regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was declared on 27 September in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex. Pest controllers in this area s.... 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

23 September 2022

Nanogreen acquires Krypton Environmental Services

PRESS RELEASE Nanogreen acquires BPCA member Krypton Environmental Services to round off their Soft Facilities Management offering. Following entry into the Soft Facilities Management space since 2020, Nanogreen announced their a.... More

22 September 2022

David French elected RSPH Fellow

David French, from BPCA member company 5 Star Pest Control, has recently been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH).  A fellowship is awarded to individuals who can demonstrate a career commitment to th.... More

15 September 2022

National Pest Awards 2022 winners announced

The winners of the National Pest Awards were announced last night in an unforgettable ceremony in Central London. BPCA members secured the majority of the awards on offer.  The Awards were a prestigious showcase of professional pest co.... More

09 September 2022

HM Queen Elizabeth II: 1926-2022

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, on Thursday, 8 September 2022. BPCA joins everyone in the United Kingdom and across the world in sending our condolences to the Queen's family, and to all those whose.... More

08 September 2022

Professional Pest Controller issue 108 (PPC108) out now

CONTENTS | PPC108 September 2022 PPC108 is out now, with a focus on wellbeing, mental health and hobbies. We have articles on staff wellbeing, plus a round-up of things BPCA members and our staff team like to do in their spare time. We.... More

07 September 2022

Pests in politics: Summer 2022

NEWS | PPC108 September 2022 With pest management under the spotlight, particularly regarding glue boards, BPCA has spent more time than ever monitoring what’s happening in the UK parliament and the devolved administrations. PPC.... More

07 September 2022

Pests in the press: April to July 2022

NEWS | PPC108 September 2022 Our regular PPC magazine feature, taking a look at public relations and how BPCA works with the press to educate the public about pest awareness. Landlords Engagement with landlords has been a recurr.... More

07 September 2022

ICUP 2022 - 7 key takeaways

NEWS | PPC108 September 2022 Held at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain from 27-29 June 2022, it had been a long time coming for this event. Here Frances McKim gives a rundown of the seven main talking points from the conferenc.... More

07 September 2022

Hobbies in the pest control industry

WORK-LIFE BALANCE | PPC108 September 2022 We asked PPC readers, “what’s your hobby?” and boy did you all deliver! Take a look at what the professional pest control community does for fun. Who knows – you could discov.... More

07 September 2022

Healthy habits for pest control professionals

HEALTH AND SAFETY | PPC108 September 2022 Our industry is one of talent, passion and dedication, yet we’re not celebrated for our physical prowess. Regular contributor Michael Coates from Combat Pest Control shares his simple ti.... More

07 September 2022

Investing in health and wellbeing for pest management companies

HEALTH AND SAFETY | PPC108 September 2022 In 2020 and 2021, 822,000 workers in the UK experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety, according to a report by The Health and Safety Executive. With that in mind, how can employer.... More

07 September 2022

Beekeeping for pest controllers: things you should know

TECHNICAL | PPC108 September 2022 Could you be a beekeeper? You should have a better idea once you’ve read this article. Andy Lee, from BPCA member company AML Pest Control shares his experience of starting this exciting hobby.&.... More

06 September 2022

The lifecycle of a wasp

TECHNICAL | PPC108 September 2022 What’s the queen up to in her down time? How are wasp nests built? And what happens if the queen dies?  The wasp life cycle is a fascinating process. Read all about it in this article from M.... More

06 September 2022

Know your formulations

TECHNICAL | PPC108 September 2022 How well do you know your insecticide formulations? Regular contributor Alex Wade helped us put together this handy little formulations guide. (Text view) EC  - Emulsifiable Con.... More

06 September 2022

Pest control folder contents for food clients

TECHNICAL | PPC108 September 2022 Regular contributor Grahame Turner from BPCA Consultant member company PestAcuity is back! This time he’s turning his attention to your pest control folders. What should be in your folder? Wh.... More

06 September 2022

Meet the member: Social media success for pest companies

MEET THE MEMBER | PPC108 September 2022 Kelly Farrant is the owner of Pest-Tech Ltd in Maidstone, Kent. From a career in the military to starting Pest-Tech eight years ago, Kelly’s business is going from strength-to-strength. He.... More

06 September 2022

TV, literature and games for pest controllers

HEALTH AND SAFETY | PPC108 September 2022 Do you love pest control so much that you want to carry on in your downtime? We’ve got you covered. These are our favourite television, books and video games for pest professionals. Love, D.... More

06 September 2022

New BPCA member benefits for Summer 2022 – a wrap up

YOUR ASSOCIATION | PPC108 September 2022 Discounted waste service and advice line from Reliance BPCA member company Reliance Service Solutions is offering fellow members 8% off waste services and a free waste advice service. Alex Whel.... More

06 September 2022

Meet the member: Success and challenges as a franchising business

YOUR ASSOCIATION | PPC108 September 2022 Sean Taylor talks about Pestforce, how the franchise business model works and the ups and downs of running a business. We've had quite a journey over the years, we’re proud to be par.... More

05 September 2022

Why pest controllers should join the airsoft community

HEALTH AND SAFETY | PPC108 September 2022 Adam Shenton is Head Marshall at PTC - Airsoft Warrington, owned by Bomb Up Airsoft. He gives PPC a quick rundown on what airsoft is and how you can get involved in the hobby. Many of you.... More

05 September 2022

What's the future for pest control qualifications?

TRAINING | PPC108 September 2022 At Digital Forum 14, BPCA’s Training and Development Manager, Karen Dawes, gave a short presentation on a volunteer-led project to review the qualifications and development pathway available to the pes.... More

01 September 2022

New professions able to issue fit notes

HR New legislation to allow a wider range of healthcare professionals to certify fit notes has been introduced by the UK government. Nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and physiotherapists are now all able to legally c.... More

01 September 2022

VIDEO: Mouse control best practice and tips for management

CPD VIDEO Apart from humans, the house mouse is one of the most prolific animals on earth and they can create some real challenges and problems when they are in the wrong place!  With this in mind, it is important that we have man.... More

01 September 2022

Cockroaches: Understanding behaviour and best treatment 

PRESS RELEASE When a cockroach is spotted scurrying across a kitchen floor, whether it’s a domestic home or business, it can understandably be a cause for alarm. Here, BASF’s Helen Hall advises on some simple steps to comba.... More