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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  • 06 June 2023

    Winners announced for the BPCA Member Awards 2023

    AWARDS The BPCA Member Award winners were announced at the World Pest Day Digital Forum on 6 June 2023.  The Awards celebrate positive contributions made by members to the Association and the wider pest management sector. .... More

  • 06 June 2023

    Professional Pest Controller issue 111 (PPC111) out now

    PPC111 is out now, with a focus on summer insects. BPCA's Natalie Bungay and BASF team up to look at ant control and Predator Pest Solutions' Sam Thorpe talks about the alternatives to relying on wasp management revenue. We a.... More

  • 06 June 2023

    Pests in the press: January to March 2023

    PPC111 | Public relations 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. In 2023, PR priorities for BPCA include continuing to wor.... More

  • 06 June 2023

    Pests in politics June 2023: the state of play for glue boards

    PPC111 | Pests in politics Losing track of where glue board legislation is at? This chart contains everything we know at the time of publication!  Jump to a section: England  |  Scotland  |  Wales ENG.... 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

  • 06 June 2023

    Tackling summer ant infestations

    PPC111 | BASF on summer ant infestations As we approach key ant infestation season, BASF’s Laurence Barnard advises on some simple steps to prevent ants from taking over, whether your client is a hospitality venue or a residential pro.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    World Pest Day 2023: BPCA urges graduates to protect public health with career in pest control

    CAREERS On World Pest Day (June 6), British Pest Control Association is highlighting careers in the industry to school leavers and students planning their next steps for September. Pest professionals have a key role to play in pr.... 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

    How to write perfect pest management field biology reports

    PPC111 | Technical What are field biologists? What do they do? And how is their professional expertise and experience communicated meaningfully? Regular PPC contributor Alex Wade from Wade Environmental gives us a look at what should b.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    Blocking strategy: An essential part of rodent control? 

    PPC111 | Technical Laurence Barnard, from BPCA member company BASF, talks about non-toxic rodent monitoring blocks and how they fit into an IPM programme. Every professional pest controller will be familiar with the challenges of.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    Opinion: Don't put all your eggs into one wasps' nest

    PPC111 | Opinion Sam Thorpe, Managing Director of BPCA member company, Predator Pest Solutions, dares to think the unthinkable: the potential for declining wasp management revenue. The old saying ‘don’t put all of you.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    Member benefit in focus: BPCA Quest business support

    PPC111 | Member benefit BPCA has partnered with Quest to provide members with comprehensive new benefits, available to access free of charge. Here’s everything you need to know about the enhanced business support offering! J.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    Member benefit in focus: WowNow equipment hire

    PPC111 | Reach new heights with WowNow Last year, WowNow began a partnership with BPCA to offer members a discount on equipment hire. Mike Annett, WowNow Hire’s Director of Business Development, talks about why they decided to partner.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    Meet your BPCA assessor: Kristian Nettleship

    PPC111 | Membership As part of your BPCA membership, you have an assessment every year and it sounds much scarier than it is. Kristian Nettleship is our Member Support Officer and one of the people carrying out the assessments. Here he.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    New pest control best practice codes: consumer rights and health and safety

    PPC111 | New BPCA codes of best practice A host of new BPCA Codes of Best Practice have been released. We’ve printed the key points from only two: ‘Customer Services and Consumer Rights‘ and ‘Health and Safety for Pe.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    Meet the member: London Network for Pest Solutions

    PPC111 | Meet the member PPC magazine interviewed Paul Cooper, MD of BPCA member company London Network for Pest Solutions. He tells us about what it’s like to work for a company owned by a local authority and why his BPCA membership.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    Meet the pest industry's newest master technician

    PPC111 | Meet the member Carl Hoult is Head of Technical Operations at Abate Pest Management, based in Wymondham in Norfolk.  Carl recently achieved Master Technician status, making him part of a very small cohort of people alongs.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    Meet the member: Intercleanse Pest Control

    PPC111 | Meet the member In PPC111 we caught up with West Sussex-based Technical and Operations Director Charles Murahwa, to talk about his background and the challenges of running Intercleanse Pest Control. PPC| First off, the e.... More

  • 05 June 2023

    Opinion: does CPD need to change?

    PPC111 | Opinion “...CPD should be meaningful and not simply a box-ticking exercise.” Martin Rose-King is a long-serving member of the BPCA Executive Board and is the current chair of BPCA’s Professional Standards Committee.... More

  • 26 May 2023

    BPCA to give evidence at Scottish parliament on rodent glue boards

    POLITICS BPCA will give evidence as a witness on behalf of the pest management industry in front of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in the Scottish parliament. BPCA has been invited to answer questions regarding our conce.... More

  • 25 May 2023

    World Pest Day 2023: Careers in pest management survey

    WORLD PEST DAY This World Pest Day, we want to promote the amazing opportunities that come with a career in pest control. And we need your help! FILL IN SURVEY Several of BPCA's Committees and Groups have been looking at rec.... More

  • 24 May 2023

    MEMBER VOTE: Changes to BPCA Articles of Association and Rules

    ASSOCIATION NEWS BPCA members are being asked to vote on an updated set of Articles of Association and Rules at the BPCA Annual General Meeting (16 June 2023). This page has been designed to give BPCA members everything they need.... More

  • 24 May 2023

    BPCA teams up with Direct Line in radio rat interview blitz

    MEDIA British Pest Control Association was asked by insurance giant Direct Line to be the expert pest control voice for their rodent infestation media push. New research conducted by Direct Line shows there has been a significant.... More

  • 19 May 2023

    Orkin expands into Thames Valley with acquisition of Vermatech

    PRESS RELEASE US-based Rollins Inc., best known for its subsidiary pest control brand Orkin, has again expanded its presence in the UK. In May 2023, one of the company’s UK subsidiaries finalised the acquisition of Vermatech Pest Cont.... More

  • 17 May 2023

    SURVEY: Anticoagulants and snap traps to control house mice indoors

    SURVEY UPDATE: The deadline has now been extended to 22 May 2023.  Pest professionals are being asked to complete a survey to be used as evidence to the European Commission on house mice control.  In January 2023 t.... More

  • 27 April 2023

    Be wary of gulls as breeding season in full swing, says BPCA

    PESTAWARE As families across the UK head to the seaside during the school Easter holidays, a national trade body is urging people to be wary of gulls as their egg-laying season gets underway. During the breeding season, gulls hav.... More

  • 26 April 2023

    BPCA Member Awards shortlist announced

    BPCA MEMBERSHIP The shortlist of finalists has been announced for the BPCA Member Awards 2023.  The awards celebrate positive contributions made by members to the Association and the wider pest management sector. The aw.... More

  • 26 April 2023

    Warning as Asian hornets spotted in Kent and Dorset

    A warning has been issued for the public to remain vigilant after sightings of invasive Asian hornets in Kent and Dorset. The sightings come after an Asian hornet was spotted in a cauliflower delivery in Northumberland.  The inva.... More

  • 26 April 2023

    Two new best practice codes released by BPCA

    PROFESSIONALISM BPCA has released two new best practice codes: Drainage inspections for rat activity and Fogging and ULV treatments for insect control. A BPCA Code is a set of written rules which explains how people working in ou.... More

  • 26 April 2023

    Update for BPCA's Using Rodenticides Safely online course

    TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS Following an update implemented in conjunction with the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use UK (CRRU), training providers offering courses approved for the purchase and use of professional grade rodenticides.... More

  • 26 April 2023

    Alex Wade elected as Chair of BPCA Outreach and Communications Committee

    Association news Pest consultant and director of Wade Environmental, Alex Wade, has been elected chair of BPCA’s Outreach and Communications Committee.  As chair, Alex will lead the Committee, which sets the direction.... More

  • 21 April 2023

    UKRI and Defra invest £7 million to fight vector-borne disease

    PUBLIC HEALTH UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) invest £7 million to fight the growing risk of vector-borne disease in the UK. It is hoped that the investme.... More

  • 20 April 2023

    Selontra now suitable for use on field mice, says BASF

    PRESS RELEASE Award-winning cholecalciferol rodenticide Selontra is now approved for usage on field mice (also known as wood mice), BASF has announced. The label re-launch means that Selontra is the only professional rodenti.... More

  • 20 April 2023

    PestFix launch their in-house label printing services

    PRESS RELEASE BPCA member PestFix is excited to launch their in-house label printing service at low prices for all pest management professionals.  PestFix has taken the time to listen to its customers' needs and can now offe.... More

  • 20 April 2023

    Introducing BPCA Quest: HR, Health and Safety, Tax and Legal advice service

    BPCA has partnered with Quest to provide BPCA members with comprehensive new benefits, available to access free of charge.  BPCA members now have unlimited access to: Four advice services (HR, Health and Safety, Tax and Legal) Th.... More

  • 14 April 2023

    CRRU warns of alarm bells for all who use professional rodenticides

    RODENTICIDE STEWARDSHIP The latest surveillance in barn owls, together with recent intelligence from the government-run Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme, ring alarm bells for professional-grade rodenticide users, according to the Camp.... More

  • 11 April 2023

    Asian hornet sighting in Northumberland

    PestWatch National Bee Unit (NBU) has reported a credible sighting of an invasive Asian hornet in a vegetable delivery in the north of England.  On Wednesday 5 April, NBU received a "credible triaged report" of an Asian horn.... More

  • 31 March 2023

    Pest photograph competition winner announced at PPC Live 2023

    PPC Live 2023 BPCA were pleased to announce the winner of the #BestPestPic2023 competition at PPC Live in Harrogate. Justin M Lisney, owner of Eden Pest Control based in Kent, took the £500 prize for his photo of a mouse stuck in.... More

  • 30 March 2023

    BASF talk preventing and treating ant infestations this summer 

    PRESS RELEASE As we approach key ant infestation season, BASF’s Laurence Barnard advises on some simple steps to prevent ants from taking over, whether your client is a hospitality venue or residential property. Controlling.... More

  • 30 March 2023

    Four statutory pay increases in the UK in 2023

    HR AND PEOPLE If you own a pest control business and have a staff team, there are four statutory pay increases in the UK that you need to know about this year.  National minimum wage rises All rates of the national minimum.... More

  • 30 March 2023

    Pest control sector praise for Laser Industrie sprayer range

    Press release PPC Live first-timers Laser Industrie enjoyed warm feedback from pest controllers, who praised the professional quality of the sprayer range. Launched into the sector at the one-day event on 22 March, Laser Industri.... More

  • 29 March 2023

    Rokill acquires Pest Pro Environmental Services Ltd

    PRESS RELEASE Royal Warrant holder and BPCA member company Rokill Pest Control, part of the Nurture Landscapes Group, completes the acquisition of Durham-based Pest Pro Environmental Services Ltd. Founded by Dave Graham and Steve.... More

  • 29 March 2023

    BPCA Registered launches app for iPhone and Android

    Training and development BPCA has released an app for its continuing professional development scheme, BPCA Registered. A beta version of the app is now available in the Apple App Store for iPhones and the Google Play Store for Android.... More

  • 27 March 2023

    Pest industry out in force for PPC Live 2023

    EVENTS The UK’s biggest pest control event of 2023, PPC Live, saw huge numbers of visitors when it landed in Harrogate, Yorkshire last week. 528 visitors came along to the British Pest Control Association’s event on Wed.... More

  • 24 March 2023

    PestFix scoop two awards in the Home and Garden Awards 2023

    PRESS RELEASE BPCA member PestFix are proud to announce that they are the winners in two categories at the BUILD magazine Home and Garden Awards 2023. After a rigorous research and judging process using independently gathered evi.... More

  • 22 March 2023

    BASF announces phaseout of its difenacoum range

    PRESS RELEASE Pest control product manufacturer and distributor BASF has announced the withdrawal of its difenacoum rodenticide range including Neosorexa® Gold, Neosorexa® Gold Ratpacks, Neosorexa® Bait Blocks, and Sorexa® D.... More

  • 15 March 2023

    Shield Pest Control donate to help Bromley food bank

    Press release BPCA member Shield Pest Control and the Royal Warrant Holders Association Charity Fund have donated a generous cheque sum of £4,000 to Bromley Borough Foodbank. The cheque was presented to the charity on Thurs.... More

  • 13 March 2023

    VIDEO: Digital Forum 17 | Misapplication of IPM and German cockroach infestations in the US

    CPD VIDEO In this video Dr. Dini Miller, from Virginia Tech in the United States, discusses how the misapplication of integrated pest management (IPM) has impacted German cockroach infestations in the US, and gives a case for assessment-bas.... More

  • 13 March 2023

    VIDEO: Digital Forum 17 | Time flies when you're catching flies

    CPD VIDEO In this video, Sophie Thorogood from Edialux talks about why insect identification is important and gives an overview of fly monitoring.  The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) hosts these free events so everyone in.... More