Pest control sector news and updates

Latest industry news for the UK pest management sector by British Pest Control Associaton (BPCA). Professional Pest Controller (PPC) online is packed with up-to-date business and legislation updates for pest management professionals, pest technicians and business owners. See the latest press releases from across the sector. Got a press release that should be here? Send it to us now!

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  • 19 May 2020

    Ficam W: sell-out deadline for pest control product approaching

    BPCA member Bayer is reminding pest professionals that the sell-out date and use-up period for insecticide Ficam W is approaching.   Back in December, Bayer announced that Ficam W is to be removed from the market, following a vote.... More

  • 18 May 2020

    Becoming Covid-19 secure: guidance for pest management companies

    In light of recent government announcements regarding the reopening of many businesses and an easing of lockdown restrictions, BPCA has put together some guidance for pest management companies. Using the government.... More

  • 15 May 2020

    Tools for the Covid-19 secure pest management company

    BPCA has teamed up with print provider Stirland Paterson, to give our members access to Covid-19 health and safety back-to-work signage. The signage includes social distancing graphics, hygiene advice, and rules for keeping staff.... More

  • 06 May 2020

    Health and safety: returning to work after lockdown

    The government may announce an end to some of the lockdown restrictions this Sunday (10 May 2020). This will mean some businesses which had closed could be encouraged to reopen. It's good to be prepared, so BPCA technical and compliance officer.... More

  • 05 May 2020

    Natural England begins issuing individual licence decisions

    Natural England has now started contacting pest professionals in relation to applications for individual bird control licences. An update issued recently by the public body suggested that the number of applications received.... More

  • 05 May 2020

    Why wasps sting

    There's not a lot of love for wasps out there and it's not hard to see why. Their erratic behaviour and threatening presence can ruin many a beer garden or picnic.  But wasps are not just an annoyance - they're a public health pest. .... More

  • 04 May 2020

    GET INVOLVED: Proud to protect video for World Pest Day - win pest control goodies

    For World Pest Day this year (6 June), BPCA want to produce a video about the brilliant work members do to protect public health and safety. And we need members help!  We’d like you to record a 20-second video of yours.... More

  • 30 April 2020

    PPC99 out now

    Professional pest controller magazine issue 99 is out now and available to read online for free. The magazine can be read online or downloaded as a PDF  or you can join our Affiliate Scheme and request a hard c.... More

  • 30 April 2020

    INFOGRAPHIC: Covid-19 impact survey results

    Health, safety and business| PPC99 May 2020 BPCA surveyed pest professionals on the impact Covid-19 is having on the sector. Over 900 people answered the survey. Here are the initial findings. . More

  • 30 April 2020

    Keep rats out of the attic: mental health resilience for pest pros

    Health | PPC99 May 2020 We all know that we have to look after our physical health when we’re working, but how often do we stop and think about our mental wellbeing? BPCA Marketing and Communications Officer, Kat Shaw.... More

  • 30 April 2020

    Meet the members: Rising to the challenge

    Membership| PPC99 May 2020 PPC talked to the membership at large, about the proactive steps taken to meet the Covid-19 crisis head-on. Your responses are still coming in, but here are a just a few collated at the time of publicati.... More

  • 30 April 2020

    Floods! Work study and opportunities for pest professionals

    Technical | PPC99 May 2020 Back in January and February much of the UK was underwater. Homes, businesses and public spaces were flooded, bringing with them a wave of pest-related issues. BPCA member, Killgerm, has produced a hand.... More

  • 30 April 2020

    I wish I could fly! Pest control surveys with drones

    Business feature | PPC99 May 2020 We asked PPC Live speaker, and drone pilot, Clark Smith-Stanley from Profile Drone Services to give us an insight into what it is to fly drones for commercial survey work.  Drones.... More

  • 30 April 2020

    Sharps! Needlestick injury awareness for pest professionals

    Health and Safety | PPC99 May 2020 Katie Martinelli from High Speed Training talks us through mitigating the risks of needle stick injuries when carrying out pest management work. Around 100,000 needlestick injuries are.... More

  • 30 April 2020

    Friendwatch: Water voles

    Technical | PPC99 May 2020 The water vole population in the UK has fallen dramatically since the 1960s, from around eight million to the most recent estimate, from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, of 875,000. .... More

  • 30 April 2020

    Member benefit in focus: Find a pest controller

    Membership | PPC99 May 2020 Rated as the second-best member benefit, beaten only by the BPCA logo and the doors it opens, our Find a pest controller tool is trusted across the country. The tool has changed a lot over the.... More

  • 30 April 2020

    Dear CPD Diary

    Training | PPC99 May 2020 In this article, we asked our BPCA Registered team to provide some continuing professional development inspiration for pest professionals. BPCA Registered has been up and running for.... More

  • 30 April 2020

    Learn to fight pests in cyber space

    Training | PPC99 May 2020 BPCA is no stranger to digital pest management training. With award-winning eLearning, free online webinars and now digital pest forums, we asked BPCA Training Manager, Karen Dawes, what’s next.... More

  • 30 April 2020

    Free overdue invoice reminder support for businesses

    Debt recovery specialists Direct Route are offering an invoice reminder service for the price of a £1 donation to the NHS, to help pest management companies keep cash flow steady during the pandemic.  These are difficult ti.... More

  • 29 April 2020

    New legal helpline and video calls for BPCA members

    BPCA has teamed up with top law firm Shakespeare Martineau to offer a free legal helpline and video chats for members who are concerned about the impact of Covid-19 on their business. Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Coro.... More

  • 28 April 2020

    SURVEY: Bayer on wasp control

    BPCA member Bayer are looking for pest management professionals to complete their survey on wasp control.  Wasp season is upon us, as the queens have begun 'waking' and seeking out spots to build their nests.  Soon, pes.... More

  • 24 April 2020

    Covid-19 testing for key workers

    On 23 April the UK government announced that key workers who are showing symptoms of Covid-19 will be eligible to apply for a test. The test will enable essential workers to find out whether they have the virus, meaning.... More

  • 23 April 2020

    BPCA releases CPD assignments for pest professionals

    To give pest professionals a new way to keep up with their continuing professional development (CPD), BPCA is now issuing downloadable CPD assignments. Karen Dawes, BPCA Training manager, said: “Conducting research and comp.... More

  • 22 April 2020

    HSE issues workplace social distancing warning

    The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned employers it will hand out enforcement notices to those who do not comply with the two-metre social distancing rule in workplaces that remain open during the coronavirus outbreak. .... More

  • 22 April 2020

    Natural England: Update on individual licences for the control of gulls

    Natural England has issued an update ahead of issuing individual bird control licences this month, with suggestions that the number of applications exceeds the level of lethal control allowed while still maintaining conservation of these sp.... More

  • 21 April 2020

    GVS talk RPE for pest professionals and Covid-19

    Since a pandemic was declared in early 2020, GVS, the Anglo-Italian filtration specialist, has been playing their part in the battle against Covid-19. Danny Barr, one of GVS' UK RPE specialists, talked us through the work GVS has been.... More

  • 20 April 2020

    Surge in pest activity in Covid-19 shutdown

    PRESS RELEASE British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is keeping a watching brief on pest issues after a survey revealed a significant spike in rat and mice activity in the Covid-19 pandemic. 51% of pest professionals polled by B.... More

  • 14 April 2020

    Dealey's Martin Cobbald appears on Leaders Council podcast

    The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland invited Martin Cobbald, from BPCA member company Dealey, onto an episode of their podcast to talk about leadership qualities.  The podcast features leadersh.... More

  • 14 April 2020

    Scottish Natural Heritage: gull licence process reminder

    Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are urging pest controllers to double check they're sending the correct information when applying for licences for gull control, in order for applications to be processed without delays. At th.... More

  • 13 April 2020

    Key worker status confirmed by UK government

    Pest management has been confirmed as an essential sector during the Covid-19 pandemic by George Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). According to Defra, pest management is covered in the key worker l.... More

  • 09 April 2020

    Metex Nordisk Rat Blocker Achieves WRc Approval

    BPCA Manufacturing and Distributor members, Metex, were given approval by the Water Research Centre (WRc) for their drain proofing product, the Nordisk Rat Blocker. The Water Industry within the UK recognise the WRc as a ben.... More

  • 06 April 2020

    Pest professionals: continue to go to work if it's safe, says Gove to BPCA

    Today (6 April 2020), the UK Government confirmed that pest management professionals can continue to go to work when it's safe to do so. BPCA wrote to Government ministers, asking for pest management professionals to be considered ess.... More

  • 03 April 2020

    Make Covid-19 Small Business Grant Fund work for pest companies, says BPCA to Chancellor

    Today (3 April 2020), BPCA has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP, asking him to make the Small Business Grant Fund work for our sector.  The Small Business Grant Fund requires a business to be regist.... More

  • 03 April 2020

    CEPA Covid-19 Open letter: Pest management is essential

    CEPA has published an open letter, citing pest management as an essential industry for protecting key workers and calling for it to be recognised as such.  CEPA Open Letter: With the Covid-19 crisis forcing many industries into s.... More

  • 02 April 2020

    Anne Godfrey to leave Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

    The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has today announced that Anne Godfrey is to leave the membership body following four successful years as Chief Executive. Anne supported BPCA with several projects including helping to.... More

  • 01 April 2020

    BPCA hit the airwaves on LBC radio show

    Yesterday (31 March) our campaign to make councils reconsider reducing bin collections featured on LBC radio.  LBC, which stands for 'Leading Britain's Conversation', has more than 2 and a half million listeners each week.&n.... More

  • 01 April 2020

    [SURVEY] We think you’re essential – help us tell the world

    Pest management is essential for protecting public health and safety. You know it. We know it. Now it’s time to tell the world. Take the survey now . More

  • 01 April 2020

    Natural England: updates on licences for bird and stoat control

    Natural England (NE) is continuing to receive large numbers of applications for individual licences for gulls and other bird species. On 30 January Natural England released details of changes to the individual licences for the control.... More

  • 30 March 2020

    CEPA update: European pest management amid Covid-19

    CEPA, the European Pest Management Solutions Professional Association, has launched several initiatives this week, to keep pushing for more recognition for the pest management industry's valuable work during the Covid-19 crisis. Pe.... More

  • 27 March 2020

    FAQ: Pest management and Covid-19

    Frequently asked questions for pest management professionals amid the Covid-19 pandemic Q: Why is BPCA saying I should go to work when the Government says we shouldn’t leave home? We’re not. It’s up to you (and your emp.... More

  • 27 March 2020

    Scottish general licence changes coming

    Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has announced that the new general licence will, from 1 April, only cover two species – Canada Goose and feral pigeon. All wild birds, their eggs and nests are protected by law. General.... More

  • 27 March 2020

    BPCA calls for parking charges to be scrapped amidst Covid-19 pandemic

    BPCA has written to all 33 local authorities in London, asking for parking charges to be scrapped during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The open letter reads: RE: Parking Enforcement in London FAO: To all Chief Executives of L.... More

  • 26 March 2020

    BPCA release free microlearning courses for members

    To help support members and their employees during the Covid-19 pandemic, BPCA has release eight microlearning courses to all members for free. The courses will remain free for three months. The eight, short online lear.... More

  • 26 March 2020

    BPCA position statement of Covid-19 disinfection

    BPCA is aware that many members have begun to offer disinfection services for Covid-19, and we recommend you proceed with extreme caution. Before offering these services, you should: Check that the technicians carrying out these.... More

  • 26 March 2020

    Pest management professionals formally key workers in Northern Ireland

    We can confirm that pest management professionals are formally recognised as key workers in Northern Ireland. This response confirms that pest controllers in Northern Ireland will have the choice to continue working if or when we enter.... More

  • 25 March 2020

    Pelgar warns of increase in pests during lockdown

     Pest control is already on the front line of public health around the world; given the situation we now find ourselves in it could prove even more essential. Animals are always quick to adapt and, as a result, BPCA member P.... More

  • 25 March 2020

    Pest control critical to sustain public health during Covid-19 crisis

    PRESS RELEASE 25 March 2020 The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is calling for urgent action to ensure pest control management can continue to be administered in the Covid-19 pandemic. According to BPCA, the activity remains a.... More

  • 25 March 2020

    BPCA key worker lobbying on BBC radio

    BPCA got a big mention on BBC Radio yesterday, when hosts spoke to a caller about pest management during the Covid-19 lockdown.  The whole section is a phone-in segment and listeners are discussing whether pest control can c.... More

  • 25 March 2020

    VIDEO: Advice for pest professionals during Covid-19 pandemic

    This video will help pest management businesses understand how the pandemic will affect their work, and offer suggestions for mitigating risks involved in doing pest control work. This webinar covers: Should I keep trading/go out on a.... More

  • 23 March 2020

    Can I go to work? Guidance for pest management professionals

    Last night (23 March 2020), the Government announced further measures to stop the spread of Covid 19.  The announcement means that UK Citizens can only leave home for one of the following four reasons: “Shopping for ba.... More