24 January 2024

Pre-register for PestEx for a chance to win a Meta Quest 3

EVENTS Anyone who pre-registers to attend PestEx in March will be entered into a prize draw to win a BRAND NEW Meta Quest 3 VR headset. What: PestEx 2024 When: 13-14 March 2024 Where: ExCeL, London REGISTER Each year BPCA o.... More

23 January 2024

Anglian Pest Control win regional business award

PRESS RELEASE BPCA member Anglian Pest Control was named Trade Small Business of the Year at The Peterborough Small Business Awards. The Peterborough Small Business Awards were held on Saturday 7 October, in Thorpe Wood, Peterbor.... More

23 January 2024

NEW Trainee pest technician job template available

LIBRARY BPCA has created a brand new job template for member companies to use when hiring trainee pest controllers.  Recruitment is a hot topic in the industry right now, and many BPCA member companies have suggested they're.... More

23 January 2024

Scotland spring trap changes come into force for 2024

LEGISLATION The Spring Traps Approval (Scotland) Amendment Order 2023 came into effect on 1 January 2024, with changes to the categories of trap which are approved for use, and to the target species of certain traps approved for use. .... More

22 January 2024

PestFix warns of disruption to pest control supplies

PRESS RELEASE PestFix warns customers to plan their pest proofing jobs early due to global supply disruptions from the Red Sea Crisis.  80% of container fleets have been sent on longer journeys than normal. The risk of attac.... More

20 January 2024

NEW PestAware presentation template for BPCA members

LIBRARY BPCA has designed a slide deck for member companies to use, to help educate the general public about the vital role that all pest professionals play in protecting public health.  Members told BPCA that they'd like to.... More

19 January 2024

Twelve years of monitoring barn owl breeding by CRRU UK

PRESS RELEASE Writers: Dr Alan Buckle, Dr Colin Prescott, Colin Shawyer. References can be found at the end of the article. The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK has monitored barn owl breeding in collaboration with th.... More

18 January 2024

LNPS helps out hospice in Essex and families in East Greenwich

PRESS RELEASE BPCA member company London Network for Pest Solutions finished off 2023 with a flurry of charitable giving. Firstly, LNPS answered a cry for help from a local community group that runs a Saturday club for children a.... More

18 January 2024

UPDATE: 33-year-old woman charged with manslaughter over aluminium phosphide death

SECTOR NEWS UPDATE (19 Jan 2024): At an Old Bailey hearing on 12 January, Jesmin Akter entered a 'not guilty' plea to charges of manslaughter and importing a regulated substance. It is alleged Akter used an imported substance to contro.... More

16 January 2024

Which? Trusted Traders new year discounts for BPCA members

Which? Trusted Traders, the go-to place for consumers looking for reliable services, are offering discounts on fees. BPCA teamed up with Which? to provide members with a BPCA membership benefit; a fantastic opportunity to get your bus.... More

15 January 2024

Barrettine hit the ground running with new product launches for 2024

PRESS RELEASE As we start the new year, BPCA member Barrettine are giving pest controllers a look at some new, innovative products in the market. Barrettine’s new MoBe Ant and Roach insecticide gel baits are available now.... More

09 January 2024

PestFix helps cancer charity campaign reach its target

CHARITY PestFix's own Strategic Business Executive, Anna Mollins, has been working tirelessly since February 2023 to raise money for her best friend's little boy, who was diagnosed with an aggressive childhood cancer. Terry Burro.... 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

17 December 2023

BPCA offices closed over Christmas and new year

OFFICE CLOSURE BPCA's office will be closed for the holiday period and the Staff team will be unavailable from 1pm on 22 December 2023 - 8.30am 2 January 2024.  If you need a pest controller during this time, please use bpca.org.u.... 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

11 December 2023

The pest that could point to problems with damp

PESTAWARE A harmless pest could indicate damp problems in the home that may need attention, according to pest experts at a national trade body. British Pest Control Association (BPCA) says Silverfish don’t bite or spread di.... More

05 December 2023

Pesticide mix that caused death of holidaymakers not legal in UK

PESTAWARE The practice of mixing pesticides – which resulted in the death of a Burnley couple who were on holiday in Egypt – is not legal in the UK, says British Pest Control Association (BPCA).  John and Susan C.... More

05 December 2023

New data suggests that 74% of rats and mice sampled were resistant to anticoagulant rodenticides

RESEARCH New data released by The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK shows that 73.7% of the Norway rats they sampled were anticoagulant rodenticide resistant. You can read the full paper here. 122 rodent tis.... More

30 November 2023

CEPA welcomes draft committee decision on AVK rodenticides in Europe

PRODUCTS Confederation of European pest management associations (CEPA), has welcomed the European Commission's draft decision not to impose a ban on the use of anti-vitamin K (AVK) rodenticides for indoor control of mice.  I.... More

30 November 2023

Syngenta launch SecureChoice remote monitoring

PRESS RELEASE Syngenta introduces SecureChoice™ remote detection system, for smart rodent monitoring in the UK. Remote digital monitoring systems allow pest control businesses to monitor multiple customers and sites from an.... More

30 November 2023

Defra preparing new bird licences for 2024

The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) are renewing the general licences for bird control in England, with no changes expected yet.  The new bird control general licences (known as GL40-42) will come into force.... 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

27 November 2023

Professional Pest Controller issue 113 (PPC113) out now

PPC113 kicks off with a look at overwintering animals, pest and non-pest alike, plus one of our rare FriendWatch articles, this time on friendly neighbourhood hedgehogs! Alex Wade, Managing Director of Wade Environmental, poses a thought-pr.... More

27 November 2023

Pests in the press: July to September 2023

PESTS IN THE PRESS | PPC113 November 2023 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. While the coverage figures reflect a stro.... More

27 November 2023

Pests in politics: November 2023

PESTS IN POLITICS | PPC113 November 2023 BPCA’s lobbying work continues. Stay up-to-date with all things pest in the UK parliament and devolved administrations. PPC helps keep you firmly in the loop. Welsh glue board open let.... More

27 November 2023

Ask the technical team November 2023

TECHNICAL | PPC113 November 2023 The technical are back and this time we're talking about glue boards, bed bugs from France and much more! SPEED VIEW It's not illegal to have possession of glue boards in Wales, just setting.... More

27 November 2023

Opinion: Game on! Throwing down the resistance gauntlet

TECHNICAL | PPC113 November 2023 Is resistance our biggest challenge in 2024?  Alex Wade, from Wade Environmental, asks, “what’s stopping us?” As 2023 seems to evaporate into a cloud, my mind turns to next.... More

27 November 2023

Don't open that trap door! Pests and non-pest species that could be lurking in your loft this winter

TECHNICAL | PPC113 November 2023 In this seasonal special, Paul Westgate, from Veritas Pest Consultancy, takes a look at what or who could be lurking in our lofts during the winter.  To humans, the loft is just a storage place.... More

27 November 2023

FriendWatch: Hedgehogs

FRIENDWATCH | PPC113 November 2023 Contrary to popular belief, pest controllers love British wildlife. Julia Pittman, from Beaver Pest Control, is a particular fan of hedgehogs. She explains how perilous the current situation is in Britain.... More

27 November 2023

Grey's anatomy: The modern grey squirrel dilemma

TECHNICAL | PPC113 November 2023 Grey squirrels went from an imported ornament for stately homes to an invasive species that threatens our own ecosystem. Dave Archer talks about the problem with grey squirrels, modern attitudes to invasive sp.... More

27 November 2023

Opinion: No more glue boards in Wales

OPINION | PPC113 November 2023 Martin Harvey, Managing Director of Harvey Environmental Services, tells PPC why he thinks the glue board ban in Wales shows a lack of respect for the professional pest control industry.  The ban.... More

27 November 2023

Optimise your pest control website for Google

BUSINESS | PPC113 November 2023 Ben Sisson, Managing Director of Targeted SEO, gives PPC113 the lowdown on getting pest control websites seen by as many people as possible. If you’re serious about increasing enquiries fo.... More

27 November 2023

Social notions: tips for using social media for your pest control business

BUSINESS | PPC113 November 2023 BPCA’s Marketing and Communications Officer, Kat Shaw, gives PPC readers a run down of her top tips for social media use in your business. It’s 2023 and as a very online society, we&.... More

27 November 2023

Tired of the rat race: Selling your pest control company

BUSINESS | PPC113 November 2023 Henry Mott is a seasoned veteran in the pest management industry. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has held many senior positions in national companies, as well as owning and managing his private busi.... More

27 November 2023

Meet the member: Ian Adamson, Precision Consulting

MEET THE TECHNICIAN | PPC113 November 2023 Ian Adamson is General Manager at Precision Consulting, based in Yorkshire. He spoke to PPC about his love of science, career pathways for young and mature people, and how he hopes to shine a spotl.... More

27 November 2023

Meet the member: 3Way Pest Control

MEET THE MEMBER | PPC113 November 2023 PPC spoke to Helen Dockrill and Albie Tyler from Essex-based 3Way Pest Control, about the company’s charitable ethos and the way they support Mind, the mental health charity. PPC First.... More

27 November 2023

The children are our future: making the pest control industry appealing to young people

OPINION | PPC113 November 2023 A main aim of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is to address the issue of recruitment in the pest control industry. Julia Pittman, Beaver Pest Control, is the Chair of the EDI Committ.... More

27 November 2023

Reflective learning: harvesting CPD points on the go!

TRAINING | PPC113 November 2023 BPCA’s Head of Technical and PPC Editor, Dee Ward-Thompson caught up with Training and Professional Development Manager Karen Dawes, to talk about reflective learning, unstructured CPD and how you might b.... More

21 November 2023

Scottish glue board ban "needs more information" before going ahead, says Committee

LEGISLATION AND LOBBYING BPCA has successfully lobbied for further scrutiny of the proposed glue board ban in Scotland.  The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, first published in April 2023, includes legislati.... More

15 November 2023

Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use seeks new chairperson

STEWARDSHIP A new chairperson is being recruited by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) to take up the role early next year on retirement of Dr Alan Buckle, chairman since CRRU’s inception in 2004. CRRU&rsqu.... More

14 November 2023

Sri Lankan-based Exterminators recognised at Entrepreneur Awards

PRESS RELEASE BPCA Observer member Exterminators PLC and its founder and managing director, Marlon Ferreira, have been recognised for their outstanding entrepreneurship at the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Held on 7 Novem.... More

14 November 2023

Change of direction for Barrettine Environmental Health

PRESS RELEASE The Barrettine Group, a UK-based manufacturer with a strong history in the environmental health sector, is embarking on a slight change of direction. The company will now focus on manufacturing and supply, offering.... More

09 November 2023

New flying insect monitoring system launched by Pelsis

PRESS RELEASE Global pest control manufacturer and distributor Pelsis Group has launched an intelligent monitoring system to help manage the public health risks associated with flying insects. Initially available with the Cobra L.... More

02 November 2023

BASF on reducing the risk of anticoagulant poisoning to non-target species 

PRESS RELEASE Here, Laurence Barnard, Country Business Manager, Professional  and Specialty Solutions for BASF Pest Control discusses the importance of reducing the risk to non-target species, and shares some top tips to encourage resp.... More

25 October 2023

Flock Off bird control innovations to feature at PestEx 2024

PRESS RELEASE Conventional bird control methods, while effective to some extent, have often fallen short in providing long-term and comprehensive solutions, say US-based business Flock Off.  But the Flock Off system harnesses the.... More

24 October 2023

Lottery boost to the grey squirrel fertility control programme

CONSERVATION The UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA) is excited to announce the Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN) is including an important trial in their exciting new project backed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. UKSA will work with.... More

24 October 2023

PestFix bring IK sprayers to the pest management industry

PRESS RELEASE  PestFix are launching the addition of the IK Sprayers brand to their range, with the intention of offering solutions that provide high quality without the accompanying price tag.  This international brand.... More

24 October 2023

Top honour for pest control insurer Cliverton

PRESS RELEASE Norfolk-based specialist insurance cover provider, Cliverton, has been named Schemes Broker of the Year at a prestigious awards ceremony. The company, which has a client base of pest controllers, animal-related trad.... More

24 October 2023

APHA appeals to pest controllers for fox research support

RESEARCH Researchers at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are looking to increase their network of UK pest controllers who carry out fox control in urban areas.  Dr Alex Kent is leading the National Reference Laborat.... More

24 October 2023

BPCA Rules amended by Executive Board

GOVERNANCE  The BPCA Executive Board has signed off some small amendments to the BPCA Rules, which are now available in the Member Library (login required). The changes in the Rules are designed to clarify BPCA’s existing po.... More