The Invasive Garden Ant 36

MAY 2017 PLUS

WINNERS! The British Pest Management Awards Staying motivated in the pest control industry Ouch: Britain’s best bites and stings PPC87 BPCA’s governance structure The UK’s premier pest control event the invasive ...re garden ant viewed! 36

6 Image: G Brovad ZMUC zoologi.snm.ku.dk

33 30 40 46 Global Summit of Putting the tech Working BPCA’s Contract Pest Management into technician at height Sharing Network Services

ISSN 2046-5025 Professional Pest Controller the journal of the UK pest management industry 2 CPD points Work in pest control? Your Yes – it’s important for us to understand the needs of our opinion company members, but it’s equally as important for us to understand counts! the needs of their staff and other professionals working in the pest control industry.

The ‘Your Industry Survey’ aims to understand your needs and challenges so we can help you in your daily routines and support your professional development. What is What you think of BPCA? Does BPCA need to do more the survey for individuals? about? How can PPC magazine improve? What’s your opinion on your CPD scheme? What one thing do you find to be a constant challenge?

WIN! Fill in our industry survey to Have enter a free prize draw for an your Apple Watch Series 2 say!

Complete the survey before 16 June 2017 and automatically enter the prize draw.

Check out your new BPCA website in the process! www.bpca.org.uk/your-industry PRESIDENT | foreword Change is the lifeblood of our sector

BPCA President Paul Rodman discusses BPCA’s quality of response to an ever-changing pest management sector. 5-11 JUNE Pest It’s been a busy time for me personally as it was, I’m the last few months. Work continues to be grateful for that Awareness very busy despite losing some key staff. My early experience week voluntary work with BPCA has expanded and because it taught me I’ve been busy helping look after a sick that, actually, nothing relative. In spite, or maybe because, of this, I really stays the same. was looking forward to attending PestEx, Epictetus was a Greek-born 6 JUNE which fulfilled my expectations – slave of Rome in the first World Pest congratulations to the BPCA staff team and century. He became a great Awareness Board for a well-run event. philosopher and teacher and Day I’m also very pleased to say the 75th was eventually granted his anniversary dinner was a huge success and a freedom. One of his teachings great opportunity to network. We welcomed was this: “It’s not what happens to you, but guests from a wide range of major clients, how you respond to what happens that sister associations from across the globe, and matters.” We can be proud of BPCA – of what government stakeholders. The event was it has achieved and the high standards it well-supported by the industry from small promotes. I’m sure that the demand for our pest control companies through to sponsors services will always exist. But how much will from our supplier community – my thanks to depend on how we respond to changes – in everyone for making it such a success. pests, legislation and customer demand. Just 24 months ago we launched Pest You and I can only respond properly and Prevention Week, where we work alongside effectively to the changing business charitable organisations to raise the profile environment through our active involvement of the need for effective pest control – with our trade body. something I hope you all can take part in We can proudly acknowledge that our this June. Information on how to get involved Association is a success. The hard work of is on page 39. the membership and staff team have made it Of course, we are working in a changing a success. world. I sometimes wonder what will be the And in the future, if we stay strong ‘Uber’ or ‘AirBnB’ of the pest control together, and respond to every challenge and industry. At PestEx I saw many advances in change together, we will forge an even technology and new products, speakers greater success. extolling different ways of working and met hundreds of pest controllers from across the globe, all of whom wanted to improve how they did their job. This change is the lifeblood of our sector, and change spurs us to adapt. I learned this very early on. When I was very young, my family lived in Kenya, although I was actually born in Libya. (I’m hoping Donald Trump doesn’t find out!) Later our family moved to Germany and eventually, of course, we came to the UK. PAUL RODMAN Dealing with new friends, hearing new BPCA President languages, experiencing new food can be Operations Director, Monitor Pest Control quite challenging to a child. But disruptive [email protected]

MAY 2017 PPC87 3 Contents www.twitter.com/britpestcontrol https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ british-pest-control-association-7834195a BPCA PESTEX... REVIEWED! 6 www.bpca.org.uk British Pest Control Association 4a Mallard Way, Pride Park SEMINAR ROUND-UP 7 Derby DE24 8GX 01332 294 288 Pestex in numbers 10 [email protected] NEW PRODUCTS, NEW SERVICES, New exhibitors! 12 PPC FLASH BANG WALLOP, WHAT A picture! 16 Professional Pest Controller ppconline.org Bristol and Beaver take Published quarterly by BPCA home company BPMAs 18 © 2017 BPCA

Editor At the first ever British Pest Management Simon Forrester Awards (BPMAs), two longstanding BPCA [email protected] member companies are featured.

Content team news 20 Natalie Bungay Kevin Higgins Scott Johnstone Ben Massey stuck in the headlines 21 11 pages of PestEx: the lowdown Lorraine Norton 6 Dee Ward-Thompson We talk about best practice, codes of conduct and staying within the letter of the law all the Advertising time in PPC – but what happens when [email protected] something goes wrong? Design Ken Davidson, Davidson IGD www.davidson-igd.co.uk New surgery ‘bolt-on’ for CEPA Certified® members, and those ready to make the jump 28

Dangling Media frenzy CPD for 2017: 2 points BPCA’s governance structure 29 21 30 danger BASIS reference: PC/49814/17/g PROMPT is a registered trademark Modifying the governance structure to engage of BASIS (Registration) Limited. more expertise within the membership. www.basispestcontrol.co.uk

It’s tough at the top 30 BPCA provides at least one article in every issue of PPC as an Colin Chatten from the Health and Safety online CPD quiz. Look out for the Executive (HSE) takes us through the risks of logo on the relevant page, and in working at height so you can keep yourself and the contents list. At least three points are given for each quiz, your team safe. and we even pass your results to BASIS for free within a few days. To access this unique benefit, putting the tech simply join the BPCA Affiliate into technician 33 Scheme via www.bpca.org.uk/affiliate With all the new technology available to pest control technicians, we asked Savvas Othon to talk tech with us – where we have come from and where we are likely to go.

Lasius neglectus the invasive garden ant 36

A proper look at one of the newest pests on the block: Lasius neglectus. What is the impact on the environment, how do you spot them and can we Say hello to your new tech tools! treat them? 33

4 PPC87 MAY 2017 CHIEF EXEC | viewpoint

www.facebook.com/Britishpestcontrol

www.youtube.com/user/BPCAvideo what are doing for pest awareness week? 39

An opportunity for pest control professionals to Bigger, better, bolder showcase the importance of pest management by working together with community partners. Our recent PestEx brought together over 2,600 people from the UK and further afield to share best practice, learn it’s here... BPCA’s contract about new products, and network with colleagues from SHARING NETWORK 40 across the globe. My heartfelt thanks to all of you who helped make the event such a success, whether by The network was launched at PestEx 2017 with a seminar presentation. For PPC readers who were organising, exhibiting, sponsoring or attending. We all unable to attend the exhibition we pulled together played a part in making this the biggest and best UK key questions from the audience on the day. industry event yet. The week before PestEx, BPCA exhibited at the Cleaning PESTWATCH 42 Show, again at London ExCel where I spoke at a seminar. I was amazed at the lack of knowledge about pest control, and how most visitors were confused about where to find a Ouch: Britain’s best pest professional pest controller in the event of a pest issue. Rest NY USA summit bites and stings 43 assured we gave out information on BPCA and its members 46 to several hundred cleaning companies – why not ring one Every job comes with its own set of risks, and near you and ask if they’d like to form an alliance? getting the occasional nip is part of working in pest control. One of the challenges facing any company is to make sure it is organised correctly in order to deliver the best return on investment. Whether that’s having the right COMMITTEE IN FOCUS MEET THE MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS people in the right jobs or a structure fit for purpose, it’s CHAIRMAN 44 crucial to step back and look at where you can improve. BPCA is going through one of these periodic reviews, and Rupert Broome, Group Managing Director of the BPCA Board have identified some changes that they Neglect at Killgerm, took over as Manufacturers and your periil Distributors Committee Chairman in February. think will improve our Association. We’d like to know your 36 views on these proposals, and also invite you to consider getting more involved in leading the direction of our WHERE WE’VE BEEN Global Summit of industry. See page 29 for details. Pest Management Services 46 I have just returned from New York where I was invited to attend the second Global Summit for Pest Management Services, which brought together around 200 delegates ask the technical team 49 from five continents to discuss the challenges our industry We’re often the first point of reference for faces, and hear from a range of clients and specifiers. pest professionals, media, government and Interest is definitely growing in adapting CEPA Certified the general public requiring assistance with into specifications, and I’m pleased to see this month we Ouch! Gerrof! pest issues. 43 surpassed 300 Certified companies across Europe, with around 90 from the UK. MEET THE MEMBER Staying motivated Finally, my hearty congratulations to the winners of our in the pest control industry 50 first BPMAs – it’s great to see large and small companies acknowledged, along with some individuals who help We asked Chris Cagienard, Director of Pest Solutions, about how he keeps himself and his make this such a great sector in which to work. team motivated. . BPCA EVENTS 52

training programmes in focus 53 Simon Forrester 50 Engage interest BPCA training calendar 54 BPCA chief executive [email protected]

MAY 2017 PPC87 5 feature | PESTEX REVIEW

VISIT www.bpca.org.uk/PestEx

EMAIL [email protected] CONNECT 22-23 March 2017 / ExCel, London #PestEx2017 75 years ago, the formation of BPCA marked what PestEx 2015 was was possibly the the biggest it’s ever been, first... and many commentators ...significant meeting of pest said that was the largest a management trade show for UK pest professionals control could get... in the UK But they were wrong!

The show grew by 20% in terms of visitor professionals from around the world. numbers, making it the largest event in the I’d like to thank BPCA’s staff team UK pest control calendar – whichever way and Dewberry Redpoint for delivering a you measure it. The two-day event, held world class, international tradeshow.” on March 22-23, featured a vast array of Many visitors have commented on the innovative products alongside an extensive expansive range of new technology, products range of 21 technical and business seminars. and services being showcased this year. PestEx extended the strong international Exhibitor Angela Bigwood from A&M Hawk flavour of previous events, with 22% of UK said, “We’ve had a steady flow of people visitors coming from outside the UK. coming to see us, but what’s important Most visitors were still the decision- is that they all seem genuinely interested makers for their company in terms of in what we have to offer. So we’ve had product choice, but we grew technician some really meaningful conversations and numbers with some excellent practical some great leads over the last few days.” seminars coupled with great giveaways, Growing network opportunities has been competitions and prize draws. a key goal for BPCA and the staff team. BPCA President Paul Rodman said, “75 BPCA Chief Executive Simon Forrester said, years ago, the formation of BPCA marked “Getting numbers like this, despite London what was possibly the first significant being on high alert because of the terror meeting of pest management professionals attack in Westminster, really goes to show in the UK. 20 people sat round a table to the resilience of our sector. After a busy first talk about the future of public health pest day, we were worried that numbers would control. Over 2,600 people came together fall short on the second day. Instead, the pest at PestEx to do exactly the same thing, management community came out in full marking our continuing commitment to force and we’ve had plenty of feedback saying excellence and professionalism. Dozens of strong connections were made on both days.” visitors, exhibitors and speakers approached Visitors commented on the range of me during the show to congratulate BPCA interesting new technologies, products on its efforts. The quality of the exhibitors and innovations that are coming and speakers has really drawn a crowd, through (see pages 12-15). For statistics including the opportunity to network with about the show see pages 10-11.

6 PPC87 MAY 2017 PestEx REVIEW Seminar round-up

On the seminar front, PestEx provided a wide range of presentations on business, technical and practical topics. We can’t do justice to them all but we’ve identified a few key points.

Those signed up to BPCA’s free AffiliateS cheme can it’s worth access the presentations educating and audio recordings of most speakers – see clients that gulls the BPCA website news always return to and blog section. the same nesting Urban Gulls – Keeping within the Law sites www.bpca.org.uk/affiliate MARK WENMAN Mark, a bird control expert from Pelsis, kindly delivered the talk as Jess Chappell, RSPB Nature Policy Officer, had to cancel. Know the law: every single bird is protected Mark reminded us that gulls naturally nest on cliffs, or wide open spaces but Herring gulls and lesser black-backed stated: “Why would they bother living a gulls are protected throughout the UK natural life when there’s an easy-to-target Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: McDonald’s just down the road?” illegal to kill or take any bird, eggs Birds learn where it’s best to nest and or nests where they can get food easiest. Mark Exceptions may apply in specific reminded us that it’s worth educating circumstances and are based on clients that gulls always return to the where you are in the UK same nesting sites: “A gull is for life, not just for Summer!” Lethal control permitted by Mark’s talk went through the various wildlife licences types of damage gulls can do including Moving to the Next Step: This talk focused on what types of gulls we passing on diseases via guano, ruining Taking on your first Employee have in the UK including herring gulls, paintwork and buildings, slips and trips, Phil Halpin Chairman of the BPCA lesser black-backed gull and common gulls and even the potentials for drain Servicing Committee (affectionately described as the terrier of blockage and flooding. He also looked at the gull world) and their behaviour. More the various types of bird license, local Common challenges, concerns and and more gulls are coming inland moving laws and regulations, and how to be the planning ahead with vision us away from the traditional view of the ethical pest controller: scare a bird, Understanding the numbers and ‘sea gull’, probably because of the remove the food, educate the client – bridging the gap from 1 to 2 abundance of food, bi-weekly bin lethal methods should be employed as a Types of employment and future collections and safer nesting spaces. last resort. employment options Recruitment tips and minimising risk Employers responsibilities and Biting the Bait – a selection of continuous professional development bite-sized talks Dr Matthew Davies Divisional Technical Advisor, Killgerm Chemicals Adding Value to your Pest Anticoagulant rodenticides and Control Contracts reproductive toxicity Pest Control and Food Allergy No amateur use of reprotoxic kevin higgins Membership Manager, rodenticides BPCA Peter Littleton Technical Director, Klenzan/Allergy Action Brown dog tick: biology Are you making the most of your existing customers? Food allergic reactions – an overview Grey silverfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata) Types of added value service you Allergen legislation could be offering Reasons for allergen control Ivy bee (Colletes hederae) Why go running around the How can pest control activities have country when the work is already any bearing on allergic reactions on your doorstep? from food? continued >

MAY 2017 PPC87 7 feature | PESTEX REVIEW

In the US, a pest controller can give 24 hours’ notice and get into any property to treat bed bug problems

Tailoring your pest control for a farming environment Dr Kai Sievert Technical Services Manager, Sygenta Farm pest control in a nutshell Rodents: their biology and behaviour Diseases transmitted by rodents Basic principles of rodent control An Overview of Bed Bug Treatment in the US – Rodenticide efficacy in the field Creating Progressive Protocols Responsible use of rodenticides Jeffrey White Jeff comes across the containing three bed bugs – what’s the pond from a US company called Bed Bug chances of bringing back a reproducing Rodenticide Stewardship Central. He’s developed procedures and pair from a hotel? Progress Report training for bed bug control and now But that leads to the biggest question travels around the US and the world – if they’re not coming from hotels like Dr Alan Buckle Chairman, CRRU UK sharing his knowledge. the media would like us to believe, where A brief summary of progress Bed bugs are going to increase in the do they come from? What HSE says about stewardship next five years Jeff puts ignorance at the centre of his so far argument. With the aid of some photos People won’t report problems and a video of some very bad infestations, Show you the targets we have We need more resistance data it became increasingly clear that one been set and the timelines for person with 10,000 bed bugs, refusing to achieving them We need to consider non-chemical options see that they had a problem could easily Clear up any misunderstandings cause a problem for a whole community. Post-World War Two saw the near If that one person used public transport, eradication of bed bugs from developed goes to see friends, sits in communal Improve your Google Ranking Western countries, probably due to a spaces, they are potentially infesting completely different mindset when it thousands of properties. And most of the Rose Judson Independent SEO and comes to pesticides. Jeff showed us a people with infestations this bad aren’t online marketing professional photograph of a woman in the 50s saying anything – that’s the biggest issue. How did we get here? spreading pesticide around a sleeping baby In the US, a pest controller can give Search engines dominate advertising to really show the difference in consumer 24 hours’ notice and get into any property attitudes today. With 30% active to treat bed bug problems. Jeff said that You need to be visible – the options ingredients in the products, Jeff said, “You the problem for the UK is, “If people How spiders index your website couldn’t find a bed bug.” want to say no – no is the answer. And Five red flags when hiring an Fast-forward to 2006, and Jeff’s company it won’t work long term. If you can’t get SEO professional was working 50 hours a week on bed bugs in, how do you ever get over the alone, and nowadays they have three community problem?” full-time teams. This was a comprehensive talk Controversially, Jeff said he does not with interesting information including Revisit the seminars via inspect the bed when he stays in a hotel! information about bed bug life cycles, the BPCA website... With statistics saying only around one in egg laying and treatment options. a hundred hotel rooms have bed bugs, Missed it, or just want to watch the www.bpca.org.uk plus the average infested room only presentation again? Visit bpca.org.uk

8 PPC87 MAY 2017 PestEx REVIEW

Image: CC David Perez

Customer Complaints: a Bug in your Business? David Quinton Head Assessor for Which? Trusted Trader Alexandra Dobocan Head of Communications and PR, Dispute Resolutions Ombudsman You can’t please all the people – no matter what the size of the business a complaint will surface at some stage Why is there a complaint in the Invasive Species – Should we run or fight? first place? Clive Boase Pest Management Consultancy Making a meaningful and available What are invasive pests and their impact? complaints policy A changing attitude to invasive pests Tips for dealing with complaints and keeping on top of communications Dealing with invasive pests in the UK

BREXIT – The impact on the UK Pest Management Sector PANEL Simon Forrester; Julie Girling MEP; Malcolm Harbour CBE; Oliver Bretz; Euclid Law The people have spoken How likely is it that the UK government will stick to its timescales? Amend, repeal or improve: where Insecticide Stewardship do we start with incorporating European laws? Richard Moseley Technical Manager, Bayer CropScience Ltd What’s likely to happen to European Standards? What would the drivers for insecticide stewardship be? Should we expect a Scottish exit from the UK? What are the environmental impacts of insecticide usage? What could an insecticide stewardship scheme look like? The Field Biologist – More than a technician in a tie Labelling and insecticides Paul Westgate Managing Director, Westgate Pest Control Retention vs. Recruitment Revolutionising Fox Snaring Technical knowledge Thirst for knowledge Barry Nicol Stallard Kane Associates Dr Mike Swan Head of Education, The Game and Why do we recruit? Wildlife Conservation Trust Mentoring Effective recruitment – attracting Independent Working Group on snares IT skills talent The IWGS/Defra Code of Practice Attitude Barriers to retention Avoiding entanglement Employee engagement GWCT breakaway snare Top tips – make it happen today! GWCT position on fox snares

MAY 2017 PPC87 9 feature | PESTEX REVIEW The biggest meeting of pest management professionals ever in the UK, in numbers...

PestEx 2017 90% 93% 95% as rated by rated rated rated visitors and 7. 3 good / excellent good / excellent good / excellent exhibitors... / range of quality and range 10 exhibitors of seminars the venue

Very informative about new products and new legislation in the pest control industry. UK vs Peter Butcher, Service Manager, 78% international Van Vynck Environmental Services visitors

Who attended 10% UK OVERSEAS PestEx 2017? 22% 22%

35% senior managers Top attended seminars supervisors 5 3% 6% 1 Pest control in the food service 107 attendees 24% Directors 2 An overview of bed bugs 102 field Tailoring your pest control 93 biologists 3 others technicians 4 Adding value to your pest control contracts 84 5 Biting the bait 83

20% 22% 10% 7% 14% 2013 2,369 1,923 446 2,400 91 2015 2,209 1,755 454 2,684 95 2017 2,641 2,143 498 2,860 108 attendees visitors exhibitors show size m2 total stands

The development of PestEx since 2013

10 PPC87 MAY 2017 PestEx REVIEW Many thanks for your excellent support to not just the big Pest control 1,400+ CPD POINTS CLAIME companies but us little ones too. 4% 1% D! Wayne Bird, Chelmsford Pest Control

Mean 19% How likely is it that number of 42% you will attend visitors per 139. 4 PestEx 2019? stand... RANGE:30-510 34% definitely VERY likely not unsure 3% 2% Top 5 ways to hear about PestEx 1 Word of mouth 22% 17% 32% How likely is it 2 BPCA website 14% 4 Pest Control News that you would www.bpca.org.uk 13% recommend PestEx? 46% 3 PPC eBulletin 14% 5 Pest magazine Extremely VERY fairly slighlty not 12%

How did you rate the exhibitors? Why did people attend?

29% To discover new 61% AVERAGE products and services 74% excellent To keep up-to-date with Good 9% Industry developments 67%

To NETWORK 46% POOR 1%

Did you ...great to meet and Dates for your diary make it into greet faces from the the final edit? past and to see so

many much younger PPC Live 2018 faces that are coming 14 March Check out the Three Counties PestEx 2019 PestEx 2017 video into this industry, they Showground, 20-21 March www.bpca.org.uk/ Worcestershire ExCel, London PestEx all seemed so genuinely interested. www.bpca.org.uk/events Richard Bone, Des Bone Ltd

MAY 2017 PPC87 11 feature | PESTEX REVIEW New products, new services, new exhibitors! With over 100 exhibitors this year at PestEx, we thought it was worth pulling together some of the headline stories from around the exhibitor TRAPPER Hidden Kill – from Bell Labs hall – just in case you didn’t manage to get around everyone! The Hidden Kill Mouse Trap is an economical choice for PMPs looking for a Tech company and first-time Over 200 visitors for discreet option for trapping mice. The exhibitors, Service Tracker, PestScan! trap is designed for a show off their pest quick, no mess management software capture and kill mechanism that is an upgrade from the unsightly kill ServiceTracker of outdated wood traps, all at an exceptional value. attended their first With a stealthy, low-profile design it blends into a ever PestEx this year, variety of surroundings. Built with a fully enclosed showcasing their capture area, it keeps the captured mouse hidden inside. cloud-based software- The Hidden Kill is a premium quality trap that is built to as-a-service, aimed specifically at withstand a variety of environments, yet is a comparable pest controllers. price to wood traps. The software is a complete end-to-end Other features include: solution, combining CRM systems with Easy, no touch disposal contract management, work scheduling, Two-way entry allows mice to enter from field mobile, customer portals, invoicing either direction and analytics. ServiceTracker mobile Having been in the market since Innovative design for optional corner placement. can work offline and capture everything 2009, PestScan are always adding new www.belllabs.com about the job including photographs, functions to their Customer Portal, quotations, signatures, actions, EFK mobile app for Android and iOS and analysis, waste, materials and Office Application. Jan Smits from preparations which can then be sent PestScan said: “The visitors liked the Can a sole trader get something out of automatically to the customer app because it is so easy to use, exhibiting at an international event? electronically via a PDF report. allows technicians to take photos of Steve from Pest - Go thinks so! www.servicetrackersystems.com issues and create or upload new floorplans. The Customer Portal was popular for its real time, clear data presentation. Seconds after a visit, ‘Hot off the press’ new model all information is available online in Fly-Shield Solo Plus from Bower trends and charts for the customers to see. Our Office Application is Both the Fly-Shield gradually maturing into a complete and the new Fly-Shield CRM package, but continues to be a Solo Plus were absolute good choice even for small and winners at PestEx. medium sized PCOs, because it can They told us orders be purchased on a per-module basis.” from current suppliers Also new this year are the A one-man band at a global Pest prevention exhibition? flowed in with many new enquiries following features: Steve thinks it makes total business sense. from both UK and overseas distributors. The integration with the Looking to speak to Pest Professionals working Constructed from anodised permanent monitoring systems in and around London that don’t currently aluminium both models are simple eMitter, Xignal and Green offer urban fox treatments such as control, to clean and maintain as well as easy Trap Online proofing and exclusion, Steve was offering his and light to handle. The Fly-Shield An extensive Audit tool allowing services on a sub-contract basis. Steve said: Solo could well be overtaken by its PCO staff to map all issues at a site “The exhibition is held every two years for just two younger counterpart the Solo Plus. using an interactive map days. This is a great opportunity to re-affirm my position David Bowerman, Bower’s Export The Invoicing module. It allows in the London Urban Fox Management marketplace Director said, “For us, PestEx was users to auto generate invoices for and meet not only new prospective clients but meet really successful. Great footfall all contracts or on the basis of a and greet my existing clients, without whose continued and loads of interest and orders. single visit. support, trust and help, I would not be at the exhibition.” Definitely one of the best.” www.pestscan.eu www.urbanfoxcontrollondon.co.uk

12 PPC87 MAY 2017 PestEx REVIEW

A change of tactics for Unichem exhibits New Addict Cockroach gel and Black Pearl Detia Degesch GmbH EFFECT brand paste shown off by LODI UK insecticide This year, Detia Degesch took products from their Consumer Line, rather than To control the heavy just their professional metal phosphide infestation of crawling insects, Unichem products (like PHOSTOXIN). R&D team developed micro-encapsulated This consumer line product, the Detia insecticide with a prolonged effect. The Ant Bait Tin with active ingredient membrane of the microcapsule protects Spinosad, can be considered as a the active ingredients against different biotechnical baiting method for the weather conditions though some actives simple, reliable, safe and clean control are not inside the microcapsules and of ants, along with their larvae, in the provide an immediate effect. house and on balconies and patios. EFFECT MICROTECH Norbert Wieder said: “We’ve had a UK microcapsules stick to an insect’s registration for a couple of months, so body, meaning they carry the product PestEx was an excellent opportunity to around, spreading it all the way to LODI UK showcased a number of show this product to potential their nest. The active ingredients are new products including a new customers. This product is also available slowly released over time and ensure a active ingredient at PestEx. The as a private label under a customer’s controlled effect, meaning it’s effective all new Addict Cockroach gel is a preferred brand name. The feedback with fewer applications. bold new product with a new from potential customers in the UK, and For controlling flying and crawling active ingredient coupled with the rest of the world was fantastic and insects, such as Flies, Ants, Cockroaches alluring formulation for fast encourages us to move more and more and Bed bugs, Unichem developed a acceptance by both gel-averse in this direction.” non-systemic insecticide with contact and non-gel averse cockroaches. Norbert told us he plans to increase action and fast knock-down effect. It is formulated with their stand size again for the next EFFECT ULTIMUM works residually Dinotefuran – a leading PestEx so they can show even more and is effective against a wide range of active in US cockroach products and information in 2019. pests. The product is also stable under control that acts on both sunlight and can be used for indoor and contact and ingestion. outdoor treatment. Independent test data www.unichem.si highlights the speed of New Edialux app control with over 50% killed within 14 minutes and 100% in less than an hour. The new Black Pearl paste formulated with alphachloralose to control mice is now available in a 270g caulking tube. The soft formulation allows pest controllers to target mice that might not readily take bait. In addition to the above they launched a new anti-rodent spray to protect cabling and insulation material against rodent and squirrel attacks. www.lodi-uk.com Vermend’s RatBlocker www.vermend.co.uk Displayed on a giant iPhone at PestEx, the new Apple iOS Edialux app is designed to support Edialux customers, The show has been very good indeed. First time out for LAPA Canine Search allowing them to place orders at any We were very busy yesterday and today time of the day or night. To purchase seems even busier which is fantastic. LAPA Canine Search dogs are externally assessed by a rodenticides or insecticides you still Lots of interest and positive feedback. member of the Bed Bug Foundation Canine assessment need to provide certification in line A lot of our existing customers have team, ensuring that you are getting a professionally with UK stewardship guidelines, been to see us, providing positive and trained and qualified search team. Their dogs and meaning the app complies with all handlers regularly carry out continuation training to constructive feedback, which we love and maintain the team’s operational effectiveness. the CRRU guidelines. helps us make our products even better. www.edialux.co.uk www.lapacaninesearch.co.uk Helen DatTa, VermEnd

MAY 2017 PPC87 13 feature | PESTEX REVIEW

Pelsis show off new domestic New first-generation flykilling unit hoping it will rodenticide launched at add value to their client’s PestEx by Bayer pest management contracts Racumin® Paste will join the hugely popular Racumin® Foam - the innovative foam-based rodenticide, that’s seen unprecedented sales since its launch in 2014. “This new first generation anticoagulant has a lower risk to both primary and secondary poisoning for non-target animals in most situations,” says Bayer Technical Manager, Richard Moseley. The new launch from Bayer offers open area is an an alternative product to a diminishing urban, suburban or rural space that is Popular flykiller brand ‘toolbox’ of control measures. “Products not directly associated with a building, Insect-O-Cutor have been withdrawn from the market at a and there are currently a limited introduced its first ever rapid rate since about 2008,” says Richard. number of products available for use in retail product, Prism, “This new product will help fill the void and these spaces. Racumin® Paste, therefore, building on an extensive add another tool to the armoury for pest offers a real opportunity for pest heritage and technical controllers going forward.” controllers,” says Richard. expertise in the The product is approved for use in and www.environmentalscience.bayer.co.uk/ professional pest control market. around buildings, and in open areas. “An Pest-Management Claire Larcombe, Marketing Manager, said “Awareness of pest hygiene in the home is currently at an First-time exhibitors, Show favourites, Jones and all-time high, driven by threats such as Xcluder, show rodent and Son showcase new range the Zika virus. In addition, market pest defence tools of spikes research and consumer insight have highlighted the need for a premium Jones and domestic flykilling unit, making Prism Son were the ideal product for the retail market.” showing their www.insect-o-cutor.co.uk new Defender™ Solar Panel BASIS PROMPT successfully Bird Spikes launch feedback survey and giving Xcluder was showing a range of products away lots of that focus on keeping pests out of a fudge to building. Available for residential and visitors. Back commercial applications, Xcluder Door at PPC live Sweeps and Seals feature reinforced 2016, they rubber gaskets lined with Xcluder won best rodent-proof fill fabric. Xcluder’s sharp, stand at the coarse fibres are virtually impenetrable show, and at PestEx they had an equally to rats, mice and insects, and its patented good stand, again featuring a solar Stephen Jacob, CEO of BASIS said, “We combination of stainless steel and panel complete with (stuffed) pigeon. signed up 35 new members, recorded poly-fiber will not rust or degrade. With the UK installing more and well over 300 delegates from the Dave Colbert, VP Sales, told us: “It’s more solar panels year-on-year, this new PROMPT register and had over 100 been a brilliant show. Yesterday was product attracted a lot of interest from participants of our survey (final figures absolutely mad here. Very high quality visitors. The panel spikes purposely do and trends to follow soon). Additionally, customers. Everyone is a part of the not touch the actual panel, which the exhibition provided excellent industry so there’s no wasted time. means there is no chance of the networking opportunities and lots of PestEx is a very high profile, highly Defender™ Solar Panel Bird Spikes leads to follow up.” appreciated tradeshow.” invalidating the panel’s warranty. www.basis-reg.co.uk www.getxcluder.com www.birdspikesonline.co.uk

14 PPC87 MAY 2017 PestEx REVIEW

Romax Venom Paste from Bristol based Octavius Barretine Hunt exhibition stand more than just smoke and mirrors

Octavius Hunt were first-time exhibitors at PestEx 2017 but are far from Home Smoke new - they’ve been established as a which uses mint oil to repel company since 1870. They have been fleas; and a Mole Smoke involved in the manufacture of pesticide which uses lavender oil to and disinfectant smoke generators and repel moles. Octavius Hunt’s pellets at their Bristol factory for over 40 disinfectant smoke is a years and export their products worldwide. general surface disinfectant The latest addition to the ROMAX Venon Octavius Hunt’s Permethrin and containing 2Phenylphenol and has recently Brodifacoum range was exhibited at Cypermethrin smoke generators are well been registered for sale in the UK. PestEx which includes Lipogel, Wheat known and proven within the industry to Many visitors to the Octavius Hunt and Pasta formulations. treat crawling and flying insects including stand were interested in possible future High water activity bedbugs, cockroaches and mosquitoes. collaboration on new product Rapid absorption into soft tissue There was much interest in both their development. With a strong technical Control rats and mice around natural range and their newly registered team and well-equipped laboratory, the buildings. disinfectant smoke. The natural BioFume Octavius Hunt team are excited about The expansion combines the potency range includes a Greenhouse Smoke based working with future partners to grow their of Brodifacoum within the range of on garlic which boosts plant’s natural product range. several formulations giving defences and fights off insect attacks; a www.octaviushunt.co.uk professionals the scope to control both rats and mice in and around buildings. www.barrettineenv.co.uk Exhibitor Awards Hardest working exhibitor best PestEx stand MouseStop Claire from RatPak This was MouseStop’s second trip to PestEx The RatPak stand had a A&M Hawk UK offer at their and they went all out to impress. With a constant stream of inaugural PestEx display desk, colourful banners, a widescreen visitors, probably due to TV and a giant, inflatable version of their the sheer volume of product - MouseStop proved that you don’t products they had on need to spend a fortune to make the most out show! Claire was spotted of your exhibition space. by BPCA Chief Exec, MouseStop is a sealing paste used by the Simon Forrester, who pest control community for many years. Once said she managed to applied the barrier is immediately active. The keep up a sunny surface hardens smoothly, but the inside stays disposition throughout soft. When rodents breach the hard surface, the two-day event. He its soft inner immediately blocks them. said: “It doesn’t matter A&M Hawk were talking about their BPCA President Paul Rodman presented a how impressive your hawk flying services for bird dispersal, bottle of fizz to congratulate them on their stand is, if your staff which works well for other pest lovely stand design. aren’t warm and controllers as an add-on service without www.mousestop.com knowledgeable - you’re all the headaches associated with not going to make the looking after birds of prey. most of your time at We caught up with Angela Bigwood at PestEx. We spotted Claire talking to various the show, and she said: “We’ve had a visitors from around the world, and it was steady flow of people coming to see us, clear that she was very knowledgable about but what’s important is that they all the products and knew how to hold the seem genuinely interested in what we attention of an audience.” have to offer. So we’ve had some really In appreciation of her running around meaningful conversation and some and being on her feet all day, Simon great leads over the last few days.” presented Claire with a well-earned www.amhawk.co.uk footcare package. www.ratpak.co.uk

MAY 2017 PPC87 15 feature | PESTEX REVIEW Flash bang wallop, what a picture!

Don’t forget! Listen to the PestEx 2017 seminars online www.bpca.org.uk

16 PPC87 MAY 2017 PestEx REVIEW ...and a taste of BPCA’s 75th anniversary dinner

MAY 2017 PPC87 17 feature | EVENTS

Bristol and Beaver take home company BPMAs PPC’S At the first ever British Pest Management Year’, respectively. After the glitter had settled, editorial Awards (BPMAs), two longstanding BPCA we caught up with the two winners to find out team would like member companies – Bristol Pest Controller what the award means to their companies, to congratulate all and Beaver Pest Control – scooped ‘Small and more importantly, what they do who were either Company of the Year’ and ‘Company of the differently that makes them ‘award winning’. nominated or shortlisted, as well as award winners themselves!

Beaver Pest Control drive service levels. We check staff happiness British Pest Management Award winners levels on a six-weekly basis when carrying BEAVER Timeline Company of the Year 2017 out quality checks because we know that Graham Lodge sets up Beaver Based: Tooting, South London happy and conscientious staff equals happy 1990 House Services Set up: 1990 customers. All our staff, from sales through Staff: 52 customer service to management, are Take on contract for Alistair’s 1991 Café in Crystal Palace, who are committed to our tough target of zero loss of still clients today contracts due to poor service. This target keeps our teams focused on our customers.” David Lodge joins Beaver House 1992 Services

Thanks, really useful. Now the award has 1993 Take on a first employee, Colin fully sunk in, can you share with us what it Sexton, who is still with the means to Beaver to win this award? company today “Being recognised by our industry and peer 1995 Take on first admin person group is especially important to us. There are Move into first premises in many good pest control companies out there 2004 Tooting so to be named ‘Company of the Year’ is a £1million turnover great honour for us. The award has given our 2006 teams the recognition we believe they 2007 Start dedicated bird control deserve and a great feel good atmosphere division throughout the company. Everyone is over 2008 Start to make our name known the moon. We are also aware that we have to Beaver Pest Control in further education with work even harder to achieve ‘pest free’ University of Greenwich because customers will expect even more Promote a number of Beaver Pest Control prides itself on providing from us.” technicians into sales roles excellent training to staff to ensure application Win contract with London of innovative pest management techniques Oh yes, expectations of customers are sure 2009 School of Economics and excellent customer service, as well as to be enhanced now! We detect that the maintaining due care for the environment. award represents something of a milestone 2013 Become Beaver Pest Control LLP The South London-based company was set for Beaver. What’s next for you guys? Existing employee Rafal Brymer up in 1990 by current partner Graham Lodge, “Over recent weeks we have been busy (head of bird division) becomes and over the last 27 years has continued to planning our strategy for the next five years. partner develop at an impressive rate. This year the We want to grow but only if we can maintain/ 2014 £2million turnover company is on target to expand by over 13% improve our current service levels.” Julia Pittman joins as partner which will make it one of the ten largest pest “We will stay regional and look to double and head of sales control specialists in the UK. our turnover in the next five years. This will PPC spoke to Julia Pittman, partner at give us a staff team of approximately 70-80 2015 Win contract with Kings College London Beaver Pest Control... people by 2021. We will need new offices and new systems so that we can continue to look 2016 Achieve CEPA accreditation Congratulations again and thanks for taking after our staff and customers to the highest 50 staff the time to answer a few questions for PPC possible level.” 2017 readers. We want to start with the big one… “We have also applied to be a training Launch five-year growth strategy to staff what makes Beaver different? centre, so we will continue to develop our “Our people are our greatest asset and are in-house training facilities. We have some Win BPMA Company of the Year treated accordingly, so we pay above average very well-known customers, so it’s critical £2.8million turnover salaries with performance related bonuses to that we continue to deliver and innovate.”

18 PPC87 MAY 2017 EVENTS | feature

THE Bristol Pest Controller Yes, we can’t agree more. No matter British Pest Management Award Winners what size company, it’s so important Small Company of the Year 2017 to champion excellence! Perhaps you Based: Easton, Bristol can share with us the feelings of the Set up: 2002 staff team on winning the award? Staff: 4 “We were overjoyed just to be shortlisted so when we were The Bristol Pest Controller has been announced as the ‘Small Company of controlling and eliminating vermin and pest the Year’ we were in complete shock. infestations in Bristol, Bath and surrounding We have never felt more rewarded, it areas in the South West for 15 years. has made all the hard work, late The staff team at the independent pest nights and studying worthwhile. I control company prides itself on high service think we all have been bursting with levels, and attention to detail and is pride since, we can’t thank our committed to reliable and ethical humane Giles Sharley and Laura Nangreave, customers enough.” The Bristol Pest Controller pest control and eradication services. We caught up with Laura Nangreave, office It’s a great story and we wish you manager at Bristol Pest Controller... “As a small team, it is both our passion every success. What’s next for The and determination to get to the bottom Bristol Pest Controller? Well done again Laura, fully deserved! Can of pest problems, and we think that “We are going to continue driving you share with PPC readers what makes The tailoring our services to the individual’s excellence with development for the Bristol Pest Controller different to any other needs sets us apart from any other pest team. Marketing will also have a big pest control company out there? control company. We wanted to push with a new website coming “Pest issues can be distressing for some end advocate [in the BPMAs] for the small soon, we need to let the City of Bristol users and this is why we focus on achieving companies working in the pest control know we are here! Part of this will be quick response rates and promise a discreet industry, as like so many others we are to take part in raising the profile of service. We also excel in customer service, proud of the service we work in and pest control in our planned events for supported by our exceptional reviews.” also of our achievements.” World Pest Awareness Day on 6 June.”

A look at the the other BPMA winners We caught up with the other award winners and asked them what winning the award meant to them.

Chris Davis, Cleankill Alan Buckle, CRRU Ian Dudley, Ecolab British Pest Management Award Winner British Pest Management Award Winner British Pest Management Award Winner Charles Keeble Award 2017 Unsung Hero 2017 Technician of the Year 2017

“I’m very “Well I have “I’m proud to to say it’s very overwhelmed have received nice for me to be this national personally to recognised recognition get the award, by the pest from the but I really industry pest control do recognise and This industry and to be chosen out of all it’s not just for me. As I’ve said before, receive this award. This award award my peers was a real surprise and an 34 stakeholder organisations are part of represents the pinnacle of represents the pinnacle of 20 honour. I am grateful to my employer CRRU and they all have 20 years of service. A huge years of Cleankill who put me forward for the people that work very thank you to the Ecolab service award. It is a brilliant company to hard to do what They all technical and support team.” work for in all aspects but I’ve CRRU needs have people particularly appreciated the I’ve to do, so it that work very MISSED OUT on 2017’s AWARDs? freedom and flexibility to particularly recognises hard to do what develop the staff training appreciated the all the CRRU needs Register your interest in the next British programme, which freedom and work that to do Pest Management Awards. contributed towards flexibility to goes into develop the staff [email protected] Cleankill receiving the training the scheme.” prestigious Investors in programme @PestAwards People Silver Accreditation.”

MAY 2017 PPC87 19 news

Obituary: Innovate in Harry E Wainman Barcelona On 29 and 30 May, the Association of Pest Control Companies of Catalonia (ADEPAP) We are sad to report the passing of Harry organises the third edition of the Barcelona Wainman, who for many years headed the Pest Control Innovation Forum (BPCIF). storage pest fumigation research team at The event promises expert-led seminars the Government’s Central Science to seek advanced ideas for possible future Laboratory in Slough, working alongside solutions to the challenges of our industry, Bishu Chakrabarti, Ed Allan, Adrian Meyer combining technology and research with the and Mike Kelly. Harry helped develop safe development of traditional solutions. fumigation systems to protect human BPCA has secured a discounted health and the food we consume. attendance fee for all PPC readers. Simply Bishu said of Harry, “I spent many years tick the ‘partners and collaborators’ box to working alongside Harry, and took over receive a discount. from him on his retirement. He was a true www.barcelonapestinnovation.org gentleman, an appreciator of good food, and a real Liverpudlian.” In 2009 Harry was awarded Life Chris posts top time Membership of BPCA in honour of his BPCA defends contributions to the industry. But on at PestEx retirement he was also decorated with the insect monitoring Queen’s Imperial Service Order for his long civil service career, spanning over 25 years. HOT-LAP Working alongside manufacturing and Mike Kelly, who worked alongside Harry C distributor members, BPCA has written to in the 1970s said, “I had known Harry since HAMP! the European Commission to protest at a I joined the old MAFF in 1967, based at our proposal to class attractants used in insect Liverpool Infestation Control Division’s Port monitoring traps as biocides. The change Office, to look at imported foods. I was sent would mean huge costs and the likely loss of to Slough for intensive training under Bishu most products of this type, causing and Harry, and even then I realised that increased use of biocides and potential Slough was not the nicest place to be, well harm to public health and property. before the Office existed.” BPCA Technical Manager Dee Ward- Ed Allan another long-time colleague of Thompson said, “The loss of, for example, Harry’s said, “Harry Wainman gave me my moth pheromones would cause significant first break in pest control when I joined as harm to our sector, and affect a wide range an Assistant Scientific Officer at the Pest of things like food security and museum Infestation Control Laboratory (known as exhibits. This short-sighted proposal shows PICL or Pickle!!) in 1973. In those days we the need for government to consult with had many products to fumigate our food professional trade bodies such as BPCA stuffs, all of which are banned now; before ill-considered decisions are taken. aluminium phosphide was new on the My thanks to our M&D Committee market. We did field trials around the members, in particular Dave Avery of B&G country and spent many a night away in Equipment who helped pull together the various pubs during these trips. Harry, as response.” well as being a fantastic boss, was also very We also lobbied HSE's UK representative good company and I look back on these Christopher Bennell, Service Technician from on the Biocides Committee. More than 20 time with very fond memories. I worked RDS Partnership Ltd walked home with a brand BPCA Members plus a host of other closely with Harry for three years before new Xbox One after setting the best lap time on associations and organisations supported moving to the Regional Pest Service in the BPCA stand at PestEx. The hot-lap challenge our initiative, including: London but still saw him regularly at was to drive around a virtual Top Gear track in Food and Drink Federation conferences and field trials. I regard Harry quickest possible time. Chris smashed the leader Grain and Feed Trade Association as the guiding light who set me on the road board with an impressive time of 01:05.523. (GAFTA) to my career in the pest control industry Chris said to us: “Thanks to BPCA for putting International Biocontrol Manufacturers and will be forever grateful for the help he on a great PestEx. It was my first time there and Association (IBMA) gave me, and I feel very privileged to have it was fascinating. I wasn’t going to have a go at National Trust known and worked with him.” the hot-lap game but the other techs I was with Nestlé UK. The funeral took place on Thursday 13 twisted my arm, and fortunately I posted a good Read the full text at www.bpca.org.uk/news April at Chilterns Crematorium, Amersham. time so I must say thanks to them for making me have a go!”

20 PPC87 MAY 2017 news

CEPA hits 300! BPCA online makeover We’ve been working hard to remove the last of the bugs and so we’re almost ready to launch the brand new BPCA website. The site was due to go live before this magazine landed on your desk, but when you’re working on a site as large as ours, there are always going to be hiccup, so please bear with us. New features of the site include: New Training Improved ‘find a pest controller’ tool – now with Servicing Member Administrator joins Mid-April saw the three hundredth pest control Profile pages BPCA staff team company in Europe awarded CEPA Certified®. Better Members and Affiliates areas This milestone was reached by Integrated Pest – more information and easier to navigate We’re happy to announce Tracey Neal Management Ltd of Enfield Lock in Middlesex. Improved news and blog section – has joined the staff team as Training MD Gareth Turner said, “We’re very proud to join the place to be to get pest management Administrator. Tracey will be working this elite band of European pest control news first. closely with Danni Bromley until 2 June companies, and we’ve already started promoting The website should be up and running and then will take over Danni’s duties our success to our existing and potential by the end of May. We’ll be contacting while she’s away on maternity leave. customer base across the South East of England. member organisations about how they can Tracey joins BPCA having left OCS Alongside our other accreditations such as BPCA take advantage of the new site and all of its Cannon where she worked as their Membership, SafeContractor, ConstructionLine enhanced features. Admin Manager for Pest Control dealing and ISO 9001/14001, we think CEPA Certified® will with a varied role to provide support to unlock doors for us, and allow us to benchmark BPCA Servicing Member? Managers within pest control. Prior to against other professional pest controllers in this, Tracey worked for Arla Foods where tenders and specifications.” You need to update your BPCA profile page she was part of the milk collections team Currently there are over 90 UK pest control so you can maximise the amount of ‘find a dealing with farmers, exports and companies accredited to the standard, with all pest controller’ referrals you’ll get from the production of milk supply. She hopes to BPCA Members going through a free third-party improved tool. It’s super simple. Visit the bring her previous skills of multi- audit to BS EN16636 (the standard underpinning website to find out how to set up the perfect tasking, prioritising and time CEPA Certified®) by the end of June this year. profile page. management with her into the role. www.cepa-europe.org www.bpca.org.uk/whats-new www.ipmpestcontrol.co.uk

Brain-invading parasite spreads through Once rat lungworm disease moves into the brain it can cause meningitis and its symptoms include climate change Health officials in Hawaii have been warning tremors, pain, and inflammation; it is often fatal. residents not to touch snails or slugs with The severity of the disease can vary wildly, there’s their bare hands because of an increase in no known treatment, and it’s notoriously difficult cases of a rare parasitic infection known to diagnose. as rat lungworm. Experts are blaming its Locals say that they’ve become increasingly sudden spread across the United States paranoid about eating produce and they line on climate change and globalisation. their yards with slug bait. And for an area that In the last two decades, there have only been thrives on tourism, paranoia about eating the two documented cases of rat lungworm infections local food can be an economic nightmare. A 2004 in Hawaii. But in the past three months, six more World Health Organisation report warned that cases have occurred in rapid succession, with “most new infections seem to be caused by more across other states. Believed to have spread pathogens already present in the environment, to the US by way of rats in cargo ships, rat which have been brought out of obscurity, or lungworm is a parasitic nematode given selective advantage, by changing ecological (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) that begins its life or social conditions.” as an infection in rat’s lungs, blood, and brains. While this particular pest isn’t currently a From there, the rats defecate worm larvae that are concern in the UK, it shows that climate change spread to other creatures like snails, slugs, and plus globalisation are likely to increase the freshwater shrimp. Humans might eat one of importance of public health pest control in years these infected hosts or food contaminated by one. to come.

MAY 2017 PPC87 21 news

DON’T 5-11 JUNE The death of diesel? FORGET! Pest 6 JUNE Awareness You can’t fail to have seen recent news reports The European Commission has also World Pest week on air quality concerns. It’s alleged that some threatened enforcement which could see the Awareness of our cities have such poor air quality that it UK pay millions of pounds in fines if the Day contributes to the early deaths of some 40,000 Government does not take immediate steps to UK citizens. bring 16 UK zones within legal pollution limits. Recently the government has lost two UK Reports of the death of diesel may be Killgerm appoints court cases on plans to tackle the key pollutant exaggerated, but despite reports that the new business nitrogen dioxide (NO2), with the High Court Government are willing to help compensate development manager ordering publication of a draft new clean air diesel vehicle owners encouraged in their plan to tackle NO2 by 31 July. A joint enquiry is purchases (e.g. the 2001 tax exemption), many Killgerm, the UK’s largest also looking into the scale of the harm caused cities are now likely to impose charges. One pest control product and the action necessary to tackle it. example is the London ultra low emission zone supplier, are proud to Louise Ellman MP, Chair of the Transport where from April 2019 some drivers will pay announce the appointment Select Committee said: “The UK economy £24 a day to enter the area. of Brady Hudson as depends on an efficient and flexible transport PPC advises all readers to consider the likely Business Development system but emissions from vehicles are a long term impact of future legislation on diesel Manager. significant problem and the standards that vehicles, and also their impact on those With over 11 years’ experience governments have relied on have not delivered around you. After all, we’re here to preserve working as Market Manager for Bell the expected reductions. We will be asking public health! Laboratories, both in the UK and overseas what more can be done to increase the use of in Europe and Africa, Brady arrives at cleaner vehicles as well as to encourage the Killgerm with an extensive knowledge of use of sustainable modes of transport.” the pest control industry and has become a familiar face in the BPCA community. In this newly created position Brady will be taking on a leadership role for selected key customer relationships and product categories, as well as helping Killgerm to increase its presence in different markets. Commenting on the appointment, Rupert Broome, Managing Director of Apprenticeships update Killgerm, said, “I am delighted that Brady is joining the Killgerm family. She is very BPCA’s drive to create the first apprenticeships in Chairman of the Employers’ Development dedicated and has a track record of taking pest control has achieved another key milestone. Group, Paul Rodman said, “We’re very pleased that on new challenges and succeeding. All of The Pest Control Technicians standard for the our proposal has been accepted by the us at Killgerm are looking forward to Trailblazer apprenticeship has been approved. government. The next stage is to establish an end welcoming her on board and we wish her This standard was created by a range of pest point assessment (i.e. set out how to assess the best in her new role.” control employers, and is designed to meet the apprentices) with work starting by late May.” needs of our sector. www.bpca.org.uk/training

Are you a registered BASIS PROMPT professional? PROMPT is an independent industry-recognised register of suitably Show your qualified people who can genuinely claim to be professionals in customers that public health pest control and related activities. you’re a true professional. Members make a commitment to lifelong learning through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) which all professionals in leading industries are expected to make. www.basispestcontrol.co.uk Supported by

22 PPC87 MAY 2017 news

Members embrace CRRU Code of Referrals on Best Practice and get amazing results track. Again.

14 acre test site 30 acre test site Our popular ‘find a pest controller 120 300 tool’ continues to deliver out more Permanent baiting Toxic and non-toxic Permanent baiting Toxic and non-toxic referrals for servicing members than ever before, with an increase of 13% this year so far. The first quarter of 2017 saw our

ctivity ctivity website and call handling system A A make a total of 11,936 referrals to domestic and commercial end users, against 10,587 in 2016. 2016 itself represented a record breaking year

0 0 with nearly 77,000 referrals handed out, a 10% increase against 2015. Sep 2014 Monthly checks Mar 2017 Jun 2014 Monthly checks Oct 2016 The ‘find a pest controller tool’

50 acre test site 100 acre test site works by taking into account where

140 250 registered offices of member Permanent baiting Toxic and non-toxic companies are, and the distance in which members are willing to travel to respond to referral requests. To bring up a shortlist of BPCA members, end users simply type in their postcode, ctivity ctivity A A whether they are a domestic or commercial customer, and finally, what pest service they require. In addition to the website, calling 01332 Permanent baiting Toxic and non-toxic 294288 will take end users to a 0 0 professional answering service who

Sep 2013 Monthly checks Sep 2016 Jul 2013 Monthly checks Nov 2016 will search current members in the same way as the website. Both services run 24 hours a day, every day of the Back in 2016, Matt Garwood and his team at MG consequently moved all year – BPCA is the only association Pest Control switched over their sites to be fully their contracts from ...they’ve that does this for its members. compliant with the CRRU Code of Best Practice eight visits to 12 achieved Ben Massey, Marketing and and started to monitor pest activity to see what visits a year, Communications Manager said, “We’ve impact this would make on pest activity. meaning they could quicker more worked hard on our SEO to keep BPCA To be fully compliant with the CRRU continue to use sustainable at the top of ‘organic’ search rankings guidelines, they put non-toxic monitoring blocks FGAR or SGAR bait levels of in order to generate more referrals for into sites with no activity and then only in accordance with control... our members. With publication of the administered FGAR or SGAR rodenticides where CRRU guidelines. A new website, we expect to take a short there was confirmed rodent activity, or in a by-product of this seems to hit while content is indexed, but we high-risk area, for example, bin stores, receiving be that they’ve achieved quicker more sustainable should be back to business as usual areas for large warehouses and cavity bait lines. levels of control. before you know it.” Matt then continued to monitor the rodent activity “If you haven’t already moved over to a CRRU Our new website enables members levels of some of his largest contracts. The end of compliant service practice – then you need to. It’s to build up a personalised profile to the shaded area indicates where the change to the law by means of the label conditions. As well give more information about their complete CRRU compliance takes place. as significantly reducing the risk to non-target company, what services they cover Matt said, “If you look at each graph, you can animals there’s a sales opportunity, as you’ll need and also what additional benefits each clearly see that the CRRU Code of Best Practice to visit sites more often to be able to use FGAR or member company has as an advanced delivers better rodent control when managed SGAR bait. We’ve saved money as we don’t use as filter (e.g. CEPA Certification). Make case by case [compared to pre-stewardship much SGAR or FGAR, thereby reducing costs, and sure you update your profile as soon methods]. The peaks of activity are not as high, crucially it’s better for the clients as they’re seeing as possible to attract more referrals, and the activity period is not so prolonged. better control of rodents.” and don’t forget a good photo! Activity is controlled more quickly when being More details on how to maximise CRRU COBP compliant.” BPCA has guidance for your clients on your referrals: www.bpca.org.uk/ MG Pest Control spoke to clients and explained changes to rodenticide use. See the whats-new why rodenticide stewardship was necessary and BPCA website Member zone for details.

MAY 2017 PPC87 23 “Our birds are housed across 50 acres of orchard and we want to do everything to keep them safe from infection. Once we heard about the Agrilaser Autonomic it seemed like an ideal solution to complement all of our other biosecurity measures.” Daniel Hoebrichts Owner of Orchard Eggs

For more information please call: +44 (0)1903 538 488 [email protected] www.pestfix.co.uk

Pestfix, Unit 1d, Littlehampton Marina, Ferry Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5DS. United Kingdom 24 PPC87 MAY 2017 news

Pest management no more effective than education for Prince Charles backs reducing pediatric mouse contraception with allergen-related asthma Nutella Gilchrist Jason Image:

Intensive year-long professional pest on pest management strategies, management combined with education including demonstration of the on reducing exposure to mouse materials needed to set traps and seal allergens did not significantly reduce holes, as well as written material. asthma symptoms compared with Maximal symptom days were education alone among mouse- counted at six, nine and 12 months. sensitized children. These numbers included the days of “Mouse infestation is endemic in symptoms in the previous two weeks many low-income, urban when participants experienced slowed neighborhoods in the United States,” activity due to asthma, waking from It is understood that Prince Prince Charles is said to Elizabeth C. Matsui, MD, MHS, from sleep with asthma symptoms and days Charles has backed a have approved the plans at a the Johns Hopkins University School of of coughing, wheezing and chest government plan to sterilise meeting with members of the Medicine, and colleagues wrote. tightness. Other symptom outcomes grey squirrels using traps UK Squirrel Accord. “Previous studies found that mouse- were also analyzed, including rescue filled with Nutella and oral Previous tests have found sensitized children and adolescents medication use, asthma–related acute contraceptive, with the aim of that the hazelnut spread is with asthma who are exposed to mouse visits, mouse allergen levels and lung protecting their red cousins. good for attracting the grey allergen have greater asthma morbidity function. The invasive pests will be squirrels. Controlled trials than similar children and adolescents According to study results, there was lured into eating a have confirmed that red who either are not sensitized or not no statistical difference demonstrated at contraceptive, which the squirrels, voles and mice will exposed to mouse allergen, but it is any assessment for the primary government’s Animal and be too small to open the bait unclear if reducing mouse allergen outcome of maximal symptom days Plant Health Agency (APHA) boxes, leaving the exposure results in a reduction in between the two groups. The secondary believes will humanely reduce contraceptives for their asthma morbidity among sensitized outcome, which included the instances their numbers by up to 90%. intended target. children and adolescents.” of rescue medication use and asthma- To determine the impact of related acute care visits, also professional pest management on demonstrated no statistically significant asthma morbidity among mouse- difference between the two groups at BPCA sweeps up at sensitized children, the researchers any assessment. Cleaning Show conducted a randomized clinical trial of “It is possible that the integrated pest children aged 5 to 17 years (n=334) with management intervention was not previously recorded asthma and mouse superior to education alone in reducing sensitivity. The researchers randomly asthma symptoms and other markers of assigned one group to receive combined asthma morbidity because it was not pest management and education associated with substantially larger whereas the other received education decreases in home mouse allergen on pest management alone. levels than education alone,” Matsui and Pest management included colleagues wrote. rodenticide, sealing holes, trap “The education group had placement, targeted cleaning, the use of decreases in home mouse allergen allergen-proof mattresses and pillow levels of approximately 65%, which is cases and portable air purifiers. larger than that observed in previous In March BPCA exhibited at 1,000 visitors attending the Residences were assessed every three home intervention studies among the the Cleaning Show, the trade seminar programme. months for possible mouse active intervention group, and exhibition for the UK cleaning BPCA Events Officer Lauren infestation. All approximately 40% had at sector. Our presence there was Day said, “The event proved a participants in the least a 90% decrease in designed to raise awareness of real success for us in our study were mouse allergen. This the importance of using mission to raise the profile of educated degree of reduction professional pest control in the BPCA within associated does not appear to be event of a problem. Simon markets. In 2019 we’re explained by changes in Forrester spoke at the event co-locating PestEx alongside allergen assay about the close links between the Cleaning Show (19-21 performance over time.” prevention of pests and proper March) to showcase the best Katherine Bortz cleaning and hygiene regimes. in pest control to this Matsui EC, et al. JAMA. 2017. doi:10.1001/ The event saw 5,500 attendees important audience.” jama.2016.21048 over the three days, with over www.cleaningshow.co.uk

MAY 2017 PPC87 25 feature | MEDIA NEWS

SPEED VIEW • Incorrect glueboard led to bad press and court case he • Damage minimised by admitting fault and protecting client Stuck in t • Internal comms, solid technical background and PR experience all hea dlines essential to deal with bad press We talk about best practice, codes of conduct and staying within the letter of the law all the time in PPC - but what happens when something goes wrong?

All it takes is a single error of judgment, triggered from a single technician, to put a the light company into the limelight. We’ve sensors. always been dubious of the adage “any The birds had publicity is good publicity” – particularly learned to do the same, so they Dagbladet, when it comes to pest management. could enter the restaurant whenever Aftenposten, and several Back in 2016, Norwegian pest control they wanted. national TV-stations and radio stations company, Anticimex, hit the headlines After some months without any success, were talking about it. The Sun in Britain for all the wrong reasons. They spent one of our technicians put up glueboards reported on the story. After the mainstream a significant amount of time in the meant for rats on the ledge the birds media were finished, the story was active centre of a media frenzy and ended would sit on. One morning there were on Facebook for quite some time. up in court. Stein Norstein from two birds trapped in the glue boards. In the first press release McDonald’s Anticimex generously offered to talk Two customers saw what happened, was criticised, but as Anticimex took to PPC’s Scott Johnstone about how to took the glue boards with the still living full responsibility for what happened as handle bad publicity so PPC readers birds and went to a veterinarian to soon as we heard the story, the focus was could benefit from their experiences. determine if they could be rescued. The quickly directed towards Anticimex. birds obviously could not be rescued, so The Norwegian authorities took the Can you tell us a bit about the they were killed by the veterinarian. technicians Pest Control Licence, and background of the job? The customers then took Anticimex was taken to court by animal pictures and contacted the local welfare organisations in Norway. Anticimex had a contract with a newspaper, Fædrelandsvennen. McDonald’s restaurant which included bird What were the reactions like control. Sparrows (Passer domesticus) had But the story didn’t stay in the from your customers? entered the restaurant and picked food local newspaper for very long… from tables and the floor. They were Anticimex had comments from our sitting above the door on a ledge. The door No, the story was picked up by all the customers, some negative and was automatic, opening when people major newspapers in Norway. VG, some positive.

26 PPC87 MAY 2017 MEDIA NEWS | feature

BPCA tips for avoiding bad press Create a culture of Don’t let a complaint Don’t lash out on best practice turn into a piece of social media bad press Keep yourself and your team up Be careful with your responses to date with our industry’s Codes It’s almost impossible to deal with when confronted on social media. of Best Practice. Have mini-tests a complaint in the heat of the Having an argument on your and regular refresher sessions. moment or in the field. It’s good Facebook timeline is like having Stress the importance to your practice to ask for complaints an argument in your front garden. colleagues that breaking the rules in writing so you can respond Everyone can see it, and if you do it exposes you to negative attention. properly and with a cool head. badly, you’ll never be able to look your Create a workplace culture where You can set up an email address, neighbours in the eye again. Keep doing things correctly is more such as ‘manager@’, specifically to responses brief, factual and avoid important than results. Take time address complaints. All staff should any dodgy hashtags – no matter how out to go to events and invest in your be aware that complaints are a top cunning you think you’re being! own and your team’s development priority. Anyone who deals with and education. You’re only as good as a complaint should have enough your least competent team member! authority to resolve them completely. “The reactions from social media were new to us. They were much more aggressive and direct. We had to look at how to improve how we handle this type of media in the future.”

The positive reactions came because corrected and would not happen again. collecting the information, try to some customers felt that Anticimex We decided that I’d be the only person to calm the people involved as things could handle itself in a professional comment officially on the case. I’ve done like this can be very distressing. way, and seemed to appreciate that training in handling media, and I have 20 Third, be open to the possibility that the client was protected, although years’ experience talking to the press, your company may have done something we had a few customers that did not having been involved in many cases, some wrong. The media love to press the people want our services afterwards. very serious. who deny everything, making them slowly Anticimex technicians experienced The reactions from social media were new admit more and more. If you acknowledge many comments from their private to us. They were much more aggressive and that you may have been done something customers and also in social direct. We had to look at how to improve how wrong from the start and that this has situations in the following months. we handle this type of media in the future. to be investigated (either by police, as in this case, or by an internal investigation), When the events started to unfold, What advice would you give then the press will lose interest faster. how did you as a team decide to readers about dealing with Also, it’s important to take care to tackle the bad publicity? negative media attention? of your employees. Give internal information to the employees so they Anticimex admitted that the glue board should First, never let the person directly involved have enough information to understand not have been used and took all responsibility meet the press. Always lift the case up to what happened so they know at least from the first day. Because of this, the media a person that is not personally involved. as much as the general public. lost interest after a week or two. The person you choose should be Every comment we received on Facebook, experienced in handling the media What were the eventual outcomes our website (and also on my personal and preferably have some technical of the incident? messages and Facebook) was answered background to understand the details. politely, apologising for what had happened Second, before talking to the press, The case has now been through court. and admitting this was illegal. We explained get as much detailed information The technician lost his pest control that what the technician had done was about what happened from the people licence and was fined 20,000 NOK (~£1,900) against Anticimex procedures, has been directly involved as possible. When and no longer works for Anticimex.

MAY 2017 PPC87 27 feature | certification

New surgery ‘bolt-on’ for CEPA Certified® members, and those ready to make the jump

Following the South Wales Regional As part of the bolt-on, pre-registered Forum on 25 May, we will be offering attendees to the surgery (as part of Five reasons for non-CEPA an optional ‘bolt-on’ two-hour surgery Regional Forum registration) will also certified® companies to attend for existing CEPA Certified® companies, get lunch provided and a selection of and servicing companies interested useful documents to improve their 1 See the benefits to your business in adopting the certification. business and assist with reaching 2 Understand and prepare for your Guided by members of our expert the EN16636 British Standard. audit, including surveillance audit team, each surgery will facilitate Jessica Morgan, Bureau Veritas (audits to BS EN16636 are a criteria small breakout groups exploring CEPA Product Manager for UK and for servicing membership of BPCA) professional practice and generating Ireland said, “A surgery is a great way ideas on topics such as ‘Achieving to continue to add value to companies 3 Decide if CEPA Certified® is relentless customer service’, ‘What who already hold CEPA certification right for your business good looks like’, ‘Marketing in the in an enjoyable atmosphere. It also 4 Get helpful advice and guidance year 2020’ and ‘After-selling: is it means companies who are interested really speculate to accumulate?’ in the certification can learn about 5 Lunch is on us! Breakout groups will also discuss its benefits and processes from other (pre-registration only) the impact CEPA certification has members, not just the staff team.” made to their business, feedback on the CEPA certification process (audit day, paperwork) and have the opportunity to identify topics of ...each surgery will facilitate small breakout discussion in ‘any other business’. groups exploring professional practice. BPCA Technical Manager Dee attendance Ward-Thompson said, “Following the Pre-register nowis free to ! success of our CEPA Roadshow 1 guarantee your place! programme last year, where over 80 companies attended, we have decided to Achieving relentless extend this programme across the UK customer service Communications; difficult customers; while being aware of how time-limited 2 3 many members are. Therefore, our managing expectations CEPA Surgeries are shorter and more After selling: is it really informal get-togethers, giving you Marketing in the year 2020 speculate to accumulate? the tools to achieve the standard Websites; SEO; print; branding Sub-contracting; products; and a chance to share best practice.” Example Round additional premises Tables 4 5

What Good Looks like: Any other business ® CEPA certified Forum table for attendees Benefits; audit; timescales to identify subject

CEPA Surgery bolt-on schedule Outline Agenda CEPA Surgery Thursday 25 May / Swansea 8.15 Registration with refreshments Pre-registration required Tuesday 20 June / Leicestershire and breakfast rolls 13.05 Lunch, welcome and introductions Thursday 28 September / Manchester 9.00 Welcome and introductions About CEPA Certified® Wednesday 18 October / South East 9.05 Presentations Identify topics of discussion for Thursday 2 November / South West 11.00 Refreshments and networking ‘any other business’ 11.10 Presentations Approach to next two hours 12.50 Association news (visit three out of five roundtables) 13.00 Thanks, close and departure 13.15 Roundtable session 1 13.45 Roundtable session 2 14.15 Roundtable session 3 14.45 Thanks, close and departure

28 PPC87 MAY 2017 YOUR ASSOCIATION | feature BPCA’s governance structure BPCA will this year begin to modify its existing governance structure in order to engage more expertise within the membership. Three Reasons to Change The planned restructure, which has been set “As an industry we are in a state of 1 BPCA can react faster, and as a strategic priority by BPCA’s Executive flux where we are moving away from take the lead on issues Board will, it is hoped, see the emergence being generalists to specialists, and of new committees alongside Servicing, pest controllers to pest managers. Our 2 Improved engagement Manufacturers and Distributors and FaCE structure needs to reflect these drivers with the membership – the most representative the Forum. In the long run the plan is to shrink in order to keep pace with the needs of, Association has ever been the existing Executive Board and create four and voices within, our membership.” sub-boards with specific remits for each BPCA President Paul Rodman said, 3 Brings together experts and around areas of activity. The management “2017 is a significant year for BPCA. practitioners from every corner of of the rejuvenated committee structure will We look back over the last 75 years the membership under one roof be administered by a group specifically and celebrate the successes of set up for the task – the Remuneration reaching the milestone anniversary, More INFO OR WANT TO CoMMENT? and Appointments Committee (RAC). but we also acknowledge the need to [email protected] Current Structure: prepare for the next 75 years, which Around 50 Members engaged starts with addressing a long overdue www.bpca.org.uk/membership issue – our governance structure.” EXECUTIVE BOARD “The need to evolve the committee 15 members structure is further evidenced by an increasing level of engagement at regional REVISED Structure: forums, longer waiting lists to join existing SERVICING M&D Around 100 Members engaged FACE FORUM committees and ongoing feedback in COMMITTEE 6 members COMMITTEE 20 members 12 members recent membership surveys. Following discussions at the existing committees COMMITTEES BPCA Chief Executive Simon Forrester and PestEx, I am pleased to see there is FaCE Forum, Servicing, M&D, plus others said, “While we understand governance is already lots of interest from members (e.g. Bird Management, Scotland etc.) not the most exciting of subjects, it’s vital in being part of this new direction.” for the continued success of BPCA that we The restructure will require changes to move to a structure that brings in more the Association’s Articles to be passed S CO expertise from more of our members. through a vote at a future general E M TE TRAINING AND M There’s a lot of untapped knowledge and meeting. Leading up to this, T I EDUCATION BOARD IT experience out there, and we need to BPCA will initiate a selection of M T M 9 members E create a structure to help you influence the member-led special interest O Supported by E C S direction of your trade association (and, groups in areas such as Training Manager in turn, the industry), bringing together bird management, future the best minds on a subject. The aim is to leaders, and pest control create smaller, faster-reacting groups that technicians. Following EXECUTIVE TECHNICAL AND will eventually get upstream of major issues a positive outcome, the LEGISLATIVE President, 4 Member DEVELOPMENT such as Brexit and the impact on specific organisation will then Directors, 2 non-Member BOARD BOARD Directors, BPCA CEO laws, our role in insecticide stewardship, set about division of 9 members 9 members From these select Supported by and the future of pest control technology.” its Executive Board. Supported by Chairman and Treasurer; Marketing Manager Technical Manager supported by

Operations Manager

E PROFESSIONAL

E STANDARDS BOARD T

Bring more expertise to each table from a broader 9 members I

ENGAGE T

Supported by T

base to ensure committees effectively represent all M

O Membership Manager S C areas of membership

Specialise focus committees on topics of relevance, moving away from general repeated discussion, drilling RAC deeper into issues where required Chairman (non-Member, paid position), 4 others COLLABORATE Make better use of resources available through a No direct staff more efficient way of working to deliver outputs team input

MAY 2017 PPC87 29 feature | HEALTH AND SAFETY It’s tough at the top A practical guide to working at height

SPEED VIEW Colin Chatten from • There were 5,956 injuries and the Health and Safety 37 deaths from working at Executive (HSE) height in 2015/16 takes us through the • The prevention of falls begins risks of working at with a thorough risk assessment height so you can keep yourself and your • The right choice of equipment team safe. is essential

Without putting too fine a point Preventing falls on it, working at height can be Initially, organisations need to ensure there a killer. Take last year (2015/16) for are suitable arrangements in place to manage instance. In the UK, falls from height health and safety and for this HSE suggests were the biggest cause of workplace adopting a Plan, Do, Check, Act approach fatalities and accounted for some of to achieve a balance between the system(s) the most serious non-fatal injuries. In and behavioural aspects of management. It total 37 workers died and just under also treats health and safety as an integral 6,000 suffered non-fatal injuries. part of good management generally, rather Work at height means work in any place than as a stand-alone system. HSE’s free to where, if there were no precautions in download guidance on ‘Managing for health place, a person could fall a distance liable and safety” www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/ to cause personal injury. For example, hsg65.pdf provides a framework to help you are working at height if you: businesses do that effectively, in a way that � Are working on a ladder or a flat roof can be developed to suit their circumstances. � Could fall through a fragile surface To prevent falls, employers and those � Could fall into an opening in a in control of work at height must first floor or a hole in the ground. assess the risks. Before work starts, they must follow these simple steps: The most common places Avoid work at height where it is where accidents occur reasonably practicable to do so when working at height Where work at height cannot be In addition to falls from ladders, roof work is easily avoided, prevent falls using also high risk. Falling from a roof is one of either an existing workplace that is the most common causes of workplace death safe or the right type of equipment and serious injury. As well as in construction, Minimise the distance and these accidents can also occur on roofs of consequences of a fall, by using factories, warehouses and farm buildings the right type of equipment where when roof repair work, cleaning or pest the risk cannot be eliminated. control is being carried out. The following Ideally, the aim should be to: are likely to be fragile and work on or near Do as much work as possible them needs to be undertaken with care: from the ground Roof lights Ensure workers can get safely to and Liner panels on built-up sheeted roofs from where they work at height Non-reinforced fibre cement sheets Ensure equipment is suitable, stable Corroded metal sheets and strong enough for the job, Glass (including wired glass) maintained and checked regularly Rotted chipboard Not overload or overreach Slates and tiles. when working at height

30 PPC87 MAY 2017 HEALTH AND SAFETY | feature

An online CPD quiz based on this feature is now available on the Treating Asian BPCA website. Each quiz is hornets – at worth three PROMPT CPD points – register to take part at height! www.bpca.org.uk/affiliate Take a new, invasive species. Add a nest potentially 20 meters in the air, plus a tad Take precautions when working sufficient measures to make sure no one of uncertainty, and you’ve got a recipe for a health on or near fragile surfaces can be injured, e.g. use exclusion zones and safety disaster. We ask pest control consultant, Provide protection from falling objects to keep people away or mesh on scaffold Clive Boase to give our readers a step-by-step Consider emergency evacuation to stop tools and materials falling off guide for treating the newest kids on the block. and rescue procedures. Store materials and objects safely The Asian hornet is an invasive species that was However, a lot of health and safety is about so they won’t cause injury if they first found in Europe in 2004. Since then it has spread taking a sensible approach when considering are disturbed or collapse rapidly, arriving in the UK, in Gloucestershire, in precautions for work. There may very well Plan for emergencies and rescue, e.g. September 2016. Although the Gloucestershire nest was be some low-risk, straightforward, situations agree on procedures for evacuation and eventually found, treated and destroyed, this is unlikely where common sense tells you no particular make sure employees know them. to be the end of the story. Others are bound to follow. precautions are necessary, and the law Nicola Spence, Defra Deputy Director for Plant recognises this. Further information about Work at height and competency and Bee Health, described their potential impact: “It how to control and minimise risks at work The question of competence isn’t as daunting is important to remember they pose no greater risk can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox as it sounds. Basically, you should make sure to human health than a bee, though we recognise that people with sufficient skills, knowledge the damage they can cause to honey bee colonies.” How to comply with the law and experience are employed to perform the What can UK pest controllers do to prepare themselves The law on working at height is primarily task, or, if they are being trained, that they for a potentially wider outbreak in 2017, and beyond? covered by the Work at Height Regulations work under the supervision of somebody Pest controllers should familiarise themselves with 2005 although there is other health and safety competent to do it. More on competence 1 the Asian hornet – there are good descriptions and legislation that will also come into play, e.g. can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/competence images available at www.nonnativespecies.org The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In the case of low-risk, short duration www.nationalbeeunit.com The purpose of the regulations is to prevent tasks, competence requirements may be no death and injury caused by a fall from height. more than making sure employees receive 2 Be vigilant, especially in southern and The regulations apply to employers and instruction on how to use the equipment eastern England – Large ‘wasp’ nests in trees, or seeing numbers of dark-coloured those controlling work at height (for example safely (e.g. how to tie a ladder properly) and hornets, would be very suspicious. facilities managers or building owners who appropriate training. Training often takes may contract others to work at height). place on the job as well as the classroom. 3 Collect samples of the hornet if safe to Employers and those in control of any When a more technical level of do so, and positively identify them. work at height activity must make sure competence is required, for example drawing 4 If it is an Asian hornet, then report it to the GB work is properly planned, supervised and up a plan for assembling a complex scaffold, Non-Native Species Secretariat alertnonnative@ carried out by competent people. This existing training and certification schemes ceh.ac.uk Depending on the situation at the time, includes using the right type of equipment drawn up by trade associations and industry other government agencies may then become and carrying out a risk assessment. is one way to help demonstrate competence. involved, such as the Animal and Plant Health A sensible and pragmatic approach when Agency. The 2015 Infrastructure Act may be considering precautions for work at height Minimising the distance and used to access land and carry out treatments. can pay dividends. Factors to weigh up consequence of falls 5 Some nests are in buildings, but many are include the nature of the task, the height of The first step should always to be to 5-20m high in tree canopies, so treatment the task; the duration and frequency; and the consider measures that protect everyone needs to be carefully risk assessed. condition of the surface being worked on. who is at risk (collective protection) before measures that protect only the Working at heights, unstable surfaces, hornet Other factors to consider individual (personal protection). stings, and insecticide use are all potential issues. The following are all requirements that Collective protection is equipment Pest controllers in France have tried drones to also need to be considered when planning that does not require the person working access nests, but with limited success. More and undertaking work at height. You must: at height to act to be effective, for typically, long-reach dusters are used, sometimes Take account of weather conditions example a permanent or temporary operating from hydraulic platforms. In the UK, that could compromise worker safety guard rail. Personal protection is bendiocarb dust will be the preferred option, Check that the place where work at height equipment that requires the individual as was used successfully in Gloucestershire. is to be undertaken is safe. Each place to act to be effective. An example is In France, pest controller Etienne Roumailhac treats where people will work at height needs putting on a safety harness correctly and up to six nests a day: “Eighty percent of my calls are to be checked every time, before use connecting it, via an energy-absorbing now in cities or towns or right nearby. It’s going wild.” Stop materials or objects from falling lanyard, to a suitable anchor point. This is one invasive species that UK pest controllers or, if it is not reasonably practicable to can really help prevent becoming established. prevent objects falling, take suitable and continued >

MAY 2017 PPC87 31 feature | HEALTH AND SAFETY It’s tough at the top A practical guide to working at height

The right equipment for in a dangerous situation, should work at height be inspected at suitable intervals When selecting equipment for work appropriate to the environment and at height, employers must: use. Carry out an inspection every Provide the most suitable equipment time something happens that may appropriate for the work affect the safety or stability of the Take account of factors such as: the equipment, e.g. adverse weather working conditions (e.g. weather) and accidental damage. There The nature, frequency and is also a requirement to carry duration of the work out thorough examinations The risks to the safety of everyone where of certain types of lifting equipment. The the work equipment will be used. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment attitudes and Work equipment, for example scaffolding, Regulations and associated guidance behaviours of people in needs to be assembled or installed according provide more information www.hse.gov. the organisation. This means engaging to the manufacturer’s instructions and uk/work-equipment-machinery/loler.htm everyone involved because they all have a in keeping with industry guidelines. role in managing risk and preventing injury Where the safety of the work equipment And finally to themselves and others and the business. depends on how it has been installed or Although there are clearly defined roles, assembled, an employer should ensure it responsibilities and requirements under MORE INFORMATION is not used until it has been inspected in the law, health and safety should be an that position by a competent person. integral part of everyone’s role. It would be Any equipment exposed to conditions wise for companies to have a much broader www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height that may cause it to deteriorate, and result ownership of the issues and a focus on the

32 PPC87 MAY 2017 technology | feature

SPEED VIEW putting • Smart devices allow experts to spend less time blindly checking bait boxes the • Contract cost is mostly based on the time spent on-site, which encourages tech haste over skill • Technology should lead to quicker detection, faster riddance, reduced intotechnician call-outs and less chemical use With all the new technology available to pest control technicians, we asked Savvas Othon smart to talk tech with us – where we have devices come from and where we are likely to go. herald a golden age for pest There can be no doubt that technology were controlled by how often the controllers and has finally reached the world’s (second?) technician called into a service servicing oldest profession, with the number administrator, who passed over of smart devices in the marketplace the customer calls for a response. companies growing each month – just look at the At this time technology was just range of new products on offer at PestEx. starting to creep in and, at Rentokil, this From smart snap traps to talking bait was in the form of a handheld device boxes, the investigation of technology called a Psion Organiser which was used Savvas Othon is the Innovation and the possibilities it brings to our by technicians to record Deployment Manager for Service and industry seems to be in full swing. information including Science Innovation at Rentokil, and sits This should be an exciting time for us visit and infestation on the BPCA Executive Board. He’s all, however, there are mutterings that activity. Then came the regularly asked to appear on TV it is only a matter of time before the pagers which increased as an industry expert. technicians’ role becomes redundant. response rates and started I do not subscribe to this view. I the trend of ‘being on call’. believe that the inclusion of technology The time before technology in service models does not kill off the may have been anecdotally better technician role – far from it. In the new for technicians who could operate connected world the inclusion of smart without the distractions of call-outs devices heralds a golden age for pest and multiple customer specifications, controllers and servicing companies, but was it better for pest control which allows trained experts to conduct companies and, more importantly, their business of pest management our customers and their needs? unimpeded by having to spend time Throughout the world, the pest control walking around sites blindly checking industry operated to roughly the same Then an bait boxes because of prescriptive service model of infestation monitoring amount is added on specifications which, in most instances, through toxic baits and traps. These are to this price to account take no account of pest history, then periodically inspected by a service for the likelihood of the building integrity or time of year. technician at a chosen frequency usually call out requests that I started in our industry in 1995 as determined at point of sale. If, during would be made by the a technician for Rentokil. These were a scheduled service visit, an infestation customer. This meant simpler times for a technician, with is discovered then the technician can that a site which is work routes self-administered from deploy a control programme in line more likely to suffer a box of customer cards which gave with the severity of the infestation and from infestation is the address and contract specification the customer Service Level Agreement priced higher than a details of each customer along with (SLA). If, between scheduled service site which was less likely the visit frequency which was also visits, the customer spots an infestation, to have infestation, based denoted by the colour of the card. they can log a call with their pest on risk factors such as building White equalled eight, Blue equalled control provider for a visit and the condition and the environment. A four – and a curious colour termed as technician would attend to the SLA. nominal amount, in comparison to ‘buff’, signalling six visits per year. The cost of the contract is mostly labour, would then be added to cover Back in the 1990s, even mobile based on the amount of time a technician materials such as bait boxes and bait. telephones were not common in the needs to spend per visit on-site, industry and technician call-outs multiplied by service schedule frequency. continued >

MAY 2017 PPC87 33 feature | technology

Thanks to technology, we An online CPD quiz based on this feature is finally have the opportunity now available on the BPCA website. to reinvent our industry and Each quiz is worth three PROMPT CPD points turn the tide of low margin, – register to take part at low value service. www.bpca.org.uk/affiliate

This sales model meant that the rodent has entered. Some of these devices a technician-led service model will give majority of the cost and subsequent are also designed to kill rodents with snap significant upside to detecting infestations profit has historically been based on traps or electrical currents. The advent of before they become established, including sending a technician to site and managing crowdsourcing websites such as Kickstarter, faster riddance times, reduced call- infestations fast and effectively. In this stable communication methods and the outs and less use of toxic chemicals. world, if a technician could get around the low cost of technology has given even the Assuming that a site can be fully site faster than the allocated time then smallest PCO a way into ‘owning’ (and even monitored to a confidence level of, say, the pest control servicing company made selling) their own remote alert system. at least 90%, then the industry and its more profit – as long as infestation did not Given today’s ease of access to information customers could expect to see a new occur. This model promoted technicians and the birth of the Internet of Things service model. This would rely on devices racing around sites, opening and shutting (IoT), it isn’t a huge leap of faith for people for triggers and a technical expert, in bait boxes quickly to get a signature as to assume that the technician’s routine the form of a technician, to interpret the evidence of attendance before shooting work could be completed by making the data and deploy a control programme off to the next site to repeat this cycle. bait boxes and insect monitors self-report bespoke to the environment, time of This is a crazy situation as many of the through to a central control system that year and the target pest species. traditional skills of pest detection have been alerts when activity is detected. At this The race is now on to develop a set of lost. No longer do technicians spend time point, a technician could then be deployed sensors which will signal an end to ‘eight looking for spent ootheca, smear marks to commence a control programme. visits a year’ and hail the re-emergence of or urine pillars. Technicians have instead Here lies the problem – this view is the pest control technician as the expert become attuned to follow site plans, simply incorrect but could be believable to many and the centre of a pest management moving from one bait point to the next. should a technology company or pest control service, rather than the bait box. How many undiscovered, off-the-plan voids company start to actively change the service Rather than the sales model of charging for have harboured pests missed by technicians model, swapping high-cost technician visits ‘time on site’, a reclassification of terminology whose eyes are glued to a site map? for low-cost technology, thus driving down would be needed which informs customers Technology companies from outside the price of an annual contract and devaluing that technicians are still needed on-site but our industry have also started to look at the role of a technician in the process. time is redeployed to other tasks rather than remote monitoring with the primary focus Technology should be embraced within checking bait stations. A new definition could on developing a bait station or trap that the pest control service model. There is be ‘effective time on site’ where the technician’s can alert the PCO and customer when a no doubt that the right devices bolted into time is spent on key tasks including:

34 PPC87 MAY 2017 technology | feature

Why we won’t be replacing technicians with technology any time soon

Prevention is better Pest Behaviour than cure It is proven that pests will not always Technicians do not visit sites just to go into bait boxes and insect check bait boxes. A large part of pest monitors. In many documented prevention is to think ahead of pests circumstances, rodents will avoid bait and identify potential causes and boxes completely meaning reliance entry points of infestation before they just on a bait box for detection of pest presence will not always give you the The race is occur. The recommendations from a now on to trained technician make a difference. alert when infestation occurs. To put If implemented by customers their it simply, a mouse could live on top of develop a set of site can remain pest free. a bait box, and the remote system sensors which will would erroneously indicate that the signal an end to ‘eight premises are pest free. visits a year’ and hail the re-emergence of the pest control technician...... as the expert and the centre of a pest management service, rather than the bait box. Attending to trigger alerts to find the root cause of the infestation. forced evolution by Checking building integrity Customer retention and the ability legislative changes and against pest ingress to operate via a different model will be enforced specifications. Thanks to technology, Client relationship and tested by the amount of ‘added value’ that we finally have the opportunity to reinvent our account management. pest control companies can achieve for industry and turn the tide of low margin, low A technician in this ‘Brave New World’ customers. It is thought that a new service value service. Innovative technology has the would have a profile more suited to today’s model which is completely different from potential to deliver new insights to technicians customer account managers with a skill- the current model will have to have a at an affordable cost, allowing us to offer our set for formulating effective and efficient strong added value to both parties. Some customers a better service and lower their risk. infestation control strategies. This means, facets of value-added service may be: However, what we must avoid is the use of to get to a sustainable operational model, The offer of free, or low cost, online this same technology simply as a substitute for technicians would undergo a significant training around pest awareness; safety, our technicians. Some technology companies skill-set upgrade not just driven by health and environment; and food safety are starting to promote their products as a way legislative pressures as we find today. Faster response times to call-outs – we of lowering the cost of pest control and even The upgraded training could will not have to wait for a customer cutting out the role of technicians altogether. include topics such as: to see a pest before attending This is a false economy and will ultimately be a Infestation planning and management Increased customer satisfaction from disservice to our customers and our profession. Report writing the perception that we are managing We must rise to the challenge and emphatically Effective communication and listening skills the site free from pest risk demonstrate the value of what we do. Emotional intelligence Increased site intelligence based on real- Will technology replace technicians or free Account management time data. The richness of data in itself them up to control pests? It is up to us to show Technology and data communication opens new possibilities not least of which the value we bring to this new world. Data analysis. could be dynamic service specifications The technician’s arsenal must also be Faster control of infestations due to DO YOU agree with this vision? upgraded to enable a rapid first-time fix to remote alerts – meaning an infestation reduce the propensity for repeat visits. It is should not become established and, in Put your views across. Email us! envisaged that the cost of this equipment may turn, it should be easier to control. be relatively low and would centre around Over my past 22 years in our sector, I have [email protected] inspection tools to enable the technician seen pest control be continually subject to

MAY 2017 PPC87 35 feature | PEST CONTROL

An online CPD quiz based on this feature is now available on the BPCA website. Each quiz is worth three PROMPT CPD points – register to take part at www.bpca.org.uk/affiliate This image: CC antweb.org All other images: Phillip Buckham-Bonnett

Lasius neglectus is a highly successful Lasius neglectus forager, collecting honeydew from a range of insects and the invasive garden ant exploiting other We thought it was time to have a proper look at one of the newest pests on the resources such as block: Lasius neglectus.What is the impact on the environment, how do you spot plant nectar them and can we treat them? Phillip Buckham-Bonnett from the University of York shares some of his research with PPC.

Background and Ecology towards native ants. Lasius neglectus Lasius neglectus readily invades The invasive garden ant (Lasius neglectus) will often form very dense columns buildings in large numbers, and while is a widespread invasive pest in Europe, when foraging on trees, a behaviour that the workers don’t sting or spray formic most likely originating from Asia-minor. marks it out from native ant species. acid, and are too small to bite humans, It is known to be established at seven the sheer abundance of ants can cause locations in the UK as far apart as Impacts significant distress to the building’s Yorkshire and East Sussex and is probably Lasius neglectus has severe local occupants. The ants are very happy under-recorded. Unlike the native effects on the diversity of invertebrate living under paving slabs and in cavity garden ant where a colony consists of a communities. Native ants are excluded walls but will also nest in plug sockets single nest with a single queen, Lasius from the core regions of colonies and and electrical goods. The build up neglectus colonies can have multiple ground-foraging groups including of ants in these places can lead to queens per nest and many nests per beetles and woodlice are also negatively short circuits damaging the electrical colony. This allows colonies to spread affected. Conversely, the abundance equipment. Over time this can result in over huge areas (12 hectares for the of plant sap-feeding insects such as thousands of pounds worth of damage. largest known UK colony) and be made aphids tends to increase dramatically up of thousands of cooperating nests as these taxa are farmed by the ants Spread and hundreds of thousands of queens. for honeydew and in return receive ‘Flying ant day’ is probably familiar to Lasius neglectus is a highly successful protection from ladybirds and other most pest controllers. This is the period forager, collecting or ‘farming’ honeydew predators. There is some evidence in late summer when queens of many from a range of insects and exploiting that the presence of Lasius neglectus native ant species disperse through flight other resources such as plant nectar. can result in an abundance of aphids, to found new colonies, alarming people It will readily form mutualisms with which in turn damages plants. across the country. However, unlike many native and other non-native honeydew Large aphid colonies are certainly native ant species, the queens of Lasius producing insects but is highly aggressive extremely frustrating for gardeners. neglectus rarely fly. The morphology of

36 PPC87 MAY 2017 PEST CONTROL | feature

SPEED VIEW • A new invasive pest, Lacius neglectus is active in seven sites right across England, but spread is slow • Colonies are massive, with multiple queens, forming dense columns when travelling • If allowed to thrive, Lacius neglectus can short-circuit electrical machinery • Invasive garden ants farm nectar Foraging on a silver birch Queen and worker tending the brood and honeydew, and are aggressive to other ants and ground-foraging insects • Lasius neglectus is usually found in disturbed, urban areas or places with a high level of plant exchange such as botanic gardens, rather than natural sites

Other invasive ants in the UK

While currently not as abundant as Lasius neglectus, other non-native ant species are found in the UK some of which have the potential to have even Aphids are farmed by the ants for honeydew more serious impacts. The Argentine ant (Linepthema humili) is native to South America and is invasive on several continents. Colonies have queens suggests that they are capable of high level of plant exchange such as botanic been reported from the London flight, but this is rarely observed (I’m only gardens, rather than natural sites. Most of area. These ants also look very aware of two instances). Instead, new the UK records are from urban/ semi-urban similar to the native garden ant but colonies are usually founded through a areas, and pest controllers have played a vital are slightly smaller and rather process called budding. When a colony role in detecting many of these colonies. than having a round acidopore buds, a queen (or queens) and some at the tip of their abdomen, the opening workers from an existing nest depart on Pest Control Response is a slit and is not encircled by hairs. foot to found a new nest. Fortunately, from The sheer size of Lasius neglectus Ants from the Tapinoma nigerimmum a human perspective, this means that the colonies and the number of queens group are native to Mediterranean Europe spread of the species via natural means is they contain makes controlling them a but are invasive at several countries in very slow (only a few metres per year). significant challenge. Eliminating a few northern Europe. One species in the group However, Lasius neglectus often turns queens or even a few nests will not solve (Tapinoma ibericum) is invasive in the UK up at a novel location far from existing the problem. No eradication attempts and currently known from the Isle of Wight. colonies, and this is due to accidental of well-established colonies have ever These small dark ants can be identified human-mediated dispersal. The ants will been successful, but it is possible to from their deep clypeal notch and have two readily nest in the soil around potted reduce ant populations in and around worker casts (large and small individuals). plants, and the movement of these from an buildings. The treatment of affected Many other non-native ants species can infected site can easily transport workers areas with a 0.03% imidacloprid ant gel be found in the UK, but these tend to be and importantly queens to a new site. The can result in up to a 90% reduction in species that can only survive in buildings movement of large quantities of soil, building ant numbers (see Boase, 2014). Granular or very warm environments such as material and potentially even garden products may be less effective due to a low glasshouses. Examples include: pharaoh waste could also contribute to dispersal. palatability resulting from the species’ ants (Monomorium pharaonis); cork ants As a result of these dispersal patterns, preference for liquid food sources. (Crematogaster scutellaris); white-footed Lasius neglectus is usually found in ants (Technomyrmex albipes); and ghost disturbed, urban areas or places with a continued > ants (Tapinoma melanocephalum).

MAY 2017 PPC87 37 feature | PEST CONTROL

Lasius neglectus the invasive garden ant

Lasius niger (left) compared to L neglectus

identification sheet

https://goo.gl/jpqYwS L neglectus with a supply of nectar Attending a scale bug

The Non-Native Species Identification Secretariat is producing an ‘advice The invasive garden ant is superficially for homeowners’ leafletwww. similar to the native garden ant (Lasius nonnativespecies.org, and this can be niger) and, unfortunately, this means used provide information for people it is easily overlooked (hence the name living or working in affected areas. ‘neglectus’). However, workers of the It is also vital to inform the relevant invasive species are slightly smaller and authorities if a suspected case of slightly paler brown. When encountering What to do if you think you Lasius neglectus is detected. The any ants that match this description or have found Lasius neglectus feasibility of a national eradication are unusually abundant or persistent in programme is currently being a location at least five specimens should Please report any suspected cases of considered, and the abundance of be collected, and their identity checked. Lasius neglectus (or other non-native Lasius neglectus in the UK will directly An identification sheet is available on the ants) by emailing... affect this. Knowing where colonies Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society are is also important for implementing (BWARS) website or contact the author [email protected] strategies to reduce their spread. who is very happy to check specimens.

38 PPC87 MAY 2017 feature | pROMOTION

What are you doing for... 5-11 JUNE Pest Awareness ? week 6 JUNE World Pest Awareness Day This year Pest Awareness Week takes place between Monday 5 and Sunday 11 June and is an opportunity for pest control professionals to showcase the importance of pest management by working together with community partners.

In previous years members have the organisation they are volunteered with not-for-profit working with.” organisations such as the Trussell “Therefore, our advice Trust to safeguard food bank stores, on this campaign is to by offering free pest control services work with organisations and fundamental on-site pest control or community groups training for staff. that you believe in, At the Global Summit for Pest Management Services, 15 and are emotionally associations agreed to support Pest Awareness Week Why should I take part in driven by. It might be Pest Awareness week? an environmentally Pest Awareness Week is an focused group or an organisation which Pest Control Associations agreed to opportunity for companies to supports social welfare development. support the activity. The day was educate end users and associated It might be a nearby homeless shelter launched by the Chinese Pest Control groups outside of the industry that or even just the local scout hut!” Association earlier this year and is sometimes underestimate the vital Pest Awareness Week allows members also supported by the World Health role pest management plays in to give something back to society, and Organisation (WHO), and the three public health. demonstrate the skillset and interesting global pest management confederations Ben Massey, BPCA Marketing and career of a pest control professional (NPMA, CEPA and FAOPMA). Communications Manager said, “We - and remember, make use of the have found many local community PR opportunities in local press! Volunteer your team’s time to trusts to be receptive to voluntary something worthwhile! advice and training from our And for the first time… Once you have your volunteering or pest members. However, campaigns like Pest Awareness Week will for the awareness activity in place, email hello@ Pest Awareness Week are so much first time incorporate Global Pest bpca.org.uk with the subject ‘Pest Awareness more powerful when individuals have Awareness Day (Tuesday 6 June) where Week 2017’ to register in the campaign. a vested interest in pest control professionals all over the After you have carried out your ‘pest world will come together to showcase awareness’ activity, we invite members to the importance of pest management. send in photographs and comments (from The goal of the day is to create public organisations) for us to build up a national awareness of how professional pest map of where awareness has been raised. managers provide protection for their file of food, their home, their family, and Get involved! Raise the pro the environment in which they ! live against public health risks. Confirmed at the recent Global UK pest control @britpestcontrol #PESTAWARE2017 Summit for Pest Management www.facebook.com/Britishpestcontrol Services, hosted by NPMA in New York on 3 and 4 April, [email protected] 15 National and International

MAY 2017 PPC87 39 feature | MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

It’s here...

The network was launched at PestEx 2017 with a seminar presentation ‘Contract Sharing Network (CSN) launch – is this the game changer?’, from Ben Massey, BPCA Marketing and Communications Manager with What is the Contract Sharing Why should BPCA members David Lodge, Partner, Beaver Pest Control, and Network all about? join the network? Inaugural Chair of the CSN Management Committee. ben massey The Contract Sharing Network DL Essentially, the CSN is for member For PPC readers who were unable to attend the (CSN) is a free member benefit that brings companies who want to attract more work, exhibition we pulled together key questions from the together a community of our membership particularly through subcontracting to or audience on the day... companies that follow a strict Code of from other BPCA members. Being on the Conduct for fulfilling contractual pest CSN will mean your company: management activities. Appears on an enhanced member-to- member search through specific filters DAViD LODGE The Contract Sharing Network such as location, pests covered, services The CSN is a fantastic opportunity is something we have needed in the industry offered and certifications for some time. The whole network is focused Appears as an advanced filter on BPCA’s for smaller companies like mine. on delivering a quality service to the end public ‘find a pest controller’ referral It means that the phone won’t client through professional collaboration. tool, meaning end-users can find We at Beaver Pest Control have been stung members who can offer an extended just be ringing from my clients, in the past by subcontracting work out when coverage through the network there hasn’t been a code of conduct in place, Is able to post adverts and/or respond to but also other BPCA members and personally I’ve also wasted a lot of time adverts set out by who need a pest controller in my on the internet trying to source companies primary contracted area because they haven’t got in different parts of the UK. The CSN ...focused members (due Management Committee does have on delivering a Autumn 2017). someone local. an important role to play in assuring quality service to quality, but our initial focus is the end client Adrian Gough, AG Pest Management making it easier for members to through Servicing Committee Member find each other and set minimum member of the initial CSN working group professional expectations when working together. collaboration

40 PPC87 MAY 2017 MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS | feature

‘Pl aying ball’ BPCA members can ONLY subcontract to other CSN Code of Conduct v1.2 members as per BPCA’s Code of Conduct

In addition to standard BPCA membership criteria (i.e. operating by BPCA Codes of Best Practice and to BS EN16636):

1 All subcontracting work will be 6 Invoicing and payment schedules must 13 All works carried out by the administered through a Service be agreed at the point of quotation subcontractor must be recorded on a Level Agreement (SLA) (or enhanced template set out from the primary All communication between the main alternative) 7 contractor, and signed off by the client contractor and sub-contractor will take 2 Contract costs must be agreed with the place between a nominated single 14 Each primary contractor and primary contractor before the start of contact (e.g. Account Manager) subcontractor must complete a quality the contract and should be reviewed assurance (feedback) form within the All subcontracting companies agree not every year 8 initial 6 months, and annually to poach shared contracts from the thereafter, for each contract they are primary contractor 3 Both parties must agree on the involved in (via the CSN members accepted products and methods of Additional sales to satellite sites must only webpage) control at the point of quotation, 9 be agreed with the primary contractor and the subcontractor must provide 15 All members of the CSN agree to a facilitate a quality assurance visit from relevant H&S documentation for 10 Confidentiality must be maintained by products specified by the primary both parties either the primary and/ or external contractor representative at short notice (i.e. 11 Price increases from the subcontractor mystery shopper) 4 Call out response times must be agreed must be agreed with the primary with both parties prior to quotation contractor before being implemented 16 Subcontractors will ensure all feedback (positive or negative) is 5 Additional visits, follow up frequencies 12 Subcontracting organisations are passed back to a relevant contact at the must be specified and be agreed prior required to carry out tasks directly, and primary contractor as soon as possible. to quotation not further subcontract duties CSN members appear through an How does the CSN assure quality? What happens if a company does not How do members advanced filter on follow the Code of Conduct? join the CSN? the public ‘find a bM To join the network members have to pest controller’ and agree to follow a strict Code of Conduct DL Failure to follow the Code of Conduct bM Members can join (above) which includes things like agreeing by either the primary or subcontracting the network by visiting new member-to- not to poach the contract, or further company must be reported to the CSN their members area on member referral subcontracting works out. Management Committee. To ensure the new BPCA website search tool. confidence in the network we have to and look for the ‘Contract DL Also, the network is managed by the remove any companies not ‘playing ball’ – Sharing Network’ tab. Members CSN Management Committee which feeds something the management committee has can also signal their interest in joining into the BPCA Servicing Committee (as a the power to do. It is important to state at the network by emailing [email protected] sub-committee). We meet four times a year this point that removal from the network and are responsible for the ongoing doesn’t affect your BPCA membership. DL We hope to hold a networking development of the network and assuring event next year ahead of PPC Live all of its constituents follow the Code of for all members of the network so Conduct that Ben refers to. people can make connections with other companies operating in different parts of the UK, or who offer different The attraction for me, representing a slightly larger services to what’s in-house. company, is to be able to take on more contracts Members! directly and find other companies to subcontract to register your interest... with greater confidence and ease. [email protected] Martin Rose-King, Bounty Pest Control

MAY 2017 PPC87 41 feature | TECHNICAL

White-shouldered house moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) A very common moth in domestic Pestwatch HOUSE premises but seldom the cause of BPCA’s technical team has put together some serious damage to fabrics and textiles. tips for the pest problems you’re most likely to MOTHS Mainly it is a scavenger for food encounter in the coming months. residue, causing contamination by larval silk and droppings. This moth could be a sign of poor hygiene. Development requires temperatures of 10°C and above, so Common Housefly and Lesser they appear more often in the Spring and Summer. Found in birds’ Housefly (Musca domestica and nests, grain stores, feed mills, food residues, dust and old rodent Fannia canicularis) baits. The damage, as with most moth species, is only caused by Houseflies are widespread throughout the larval stage. the world and are found wherever HOUSEFLY suitable breeding conditions exist, usually rotting, fermenting or at least CONTROL Spilt foodstuffs and other waste material should moist organic matter, usually of high protein content. They are be cleaned up. Where birds’ nests are present, they should be disease transmitting, they spoil food and are a considerable removed and burnt. Where necessary, residual sprays may be nuisance for businesses and domestic situations. A local applied to the structure, but proper surveys must be done first enforcement officer can serve notices under the Clean for the possible presence of bats which are protected under the Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 where flies cause Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In domestic premises, the problems for neighbouring properties, usually caused by waste sites frequent use of a vacuum cleaner around carpet edges should and/or livestock housing. The lesser housefly differs slightly on its reduce the risk of infestation. size, colouration and egg shapes, however, their preferred habitats and the potential for disease spreading is almost the same.

Wasps (Vespula) CONTROL Physical and chemical methods are available. Generally, The queen wasp emerges from her the physical should be applied first by preventing or inhibiting over-Wintering around mid-April in breeding in organic matter. These breeding sites should be search for a suitable nesting area for removed or covered to prevent access by adults seeking an egg her colony. She builds her nest from laying site. Fly screens on windows and doors will prevent access WASPS chewed bark and dried timber mix into buildings, and electronic fly killers (EFKs) will protect constructing the initial cells to lay her sensitive areas from the occasional fly entering its vicinity. first 10-20 eggs. She will tend to these larvae by feeding them with insects and other invertebrates until they pupate and emerge as the working adults. The workers are always female and will take over the running and building of the nest and care of the queen Varied (VARIEGATED) Carpet while she lays more eggs. By late Summer, nest sizes will contain Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) 3,000-5,000 individuals. During the latter part of Summer, males Found commonly in Britain, the adult and young queens will emerge to mate, fertilising the new queen CARPET beetles fly freely feeding on pollen and ready for over-Wintering to start the process once more. Old nests nectar on flower heads during summer are not reused, but in favourable positions, nests are sometimes BEETLES months. The larvae need a high constructed alongside the old one. animal-protein diet and occur naturally in dry birds’ nests. They are common in domestic situations infesting carpets, clothes, animal furs and skins. This species can CONTROL You should consider if a wasp nest is in need of be a serious pest of museum specimens. Egg laying usually occurs destruction at all. They are beneficial insects which feed on many in the Autumn and cold conditions, the larvae will hibernate and small fly species and also pollinate our flowers. If destruction resume feeding in the Spring. is necessary due to health and safety concerns, then direct nest treatment is required. Depending on the location of the nest, dusts or liquid insecticides should be directly ‘injected’ into the nest to CONTROL If materials are heavily infested they should be removed ensure full destruction. A risk assessment should always be done and destroyed. Infested areas should be cleaned thoroughly using taking into consideration the pesticides being used, the risk to the a nozzle vacuum cleaner concentrating on removing debris and occupiers of the premises and potential working at height issues. larvae from cracks and crevices. Residual insecticides can be used (as per the label instructions) concentrating on the cracks and crevices. Dusts, including desiccant dusts, can be effective but Why not tag us with your tips on Facebook and Twitter? must be vacuumed away in subsequent cleaning.

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42 PPC87 MAY 2017 TECHNICAL | feature

Ouch: Britain’s best pest bites and stings Mosquito Every job comes with its own set of risks, and getting the (culicidae) occasional nip is part of working in pest control.

After an informal poll at PestEx, we put 4 together the ‘definitive’ list of Britain’s five Horsefly worst ouchies, based purely on which pest (tabanidae) technician made the most fuss at the time. In reverse order... 3

Although tiny, a mosquito has a most impressive set of tools False black widows for hurting things. That long straw-like snout is actually a (steatoda nobilis) fully flexible toolkit of pain. The bit you can see is the labium (or protective casing). Inside, there are six mouthparts that can bend at nearly right angles. Once you’ve been bitten, the labium buckles allowing a pair of mandibles and a pair of 5 maxille to pierce the skin. The maxille are like tiny toothed blades that grip the flesh so the mosquito can drive their other mouthparts deeper. The last of the torturer’s tools are the hypopharynx and the labrum; the hypopharynx sends saliva down, and the labrum pumps blood up. It’s the clever anticoagulant saliva that causes the horrible itching. While the real deal could ‘kill you dead’, Literally designed to eat a horse, the horsefly You’d think with such a professional set of tools the false black widow spider will usually bite is both impressive and painful. Unlike the mosquitoes would at least be efficient – but no. Often they just make you cry a bit. As with many false widow, the Horsefly is a sanguivorous take several attempts to find your blood vessels, and in examples in nature, only the female insect and therefore wants to bite you. They controlled tests, 50% of mosquitoes failed to get a single bites.The false widow is the most can persistently chase you at a flying speed of drop of blood. That doesn’t mean they suck at sucking – in venomous spider known to be in the UK around 15 mph, and it’ll bite right through fact, if they do get a vessel, they suck so hard that red blood and is believed to have arrived in crates your clothes. Oh - and once again, only the cells actually collapse from the pressure. And just in case of fruit from the Canary Islands around a females bite. you were wondering – only female mosquitoes bite. hundred years ago. Our very own Technical Manager, Dee The bites themselves don’t hurt at all Ward-Thompson has been bitten by a horsefly. Hornets - however, give it 20 minutes and you’ll She affectionately described the bite as “a (vespa) start to feel a burning sensation and a sharp sting followed by tingly feeling (not the heap of radiating pain. Just like the true nice kind) then extreme pain. The horse fly black widow, the Steatoda delivers a has mandibles that can rip and tear flesh neurotoxic venom that interferes with the apart”. Interestingly, in a similar list created nervous system. You’ll see some pretty by Horseflies, Dee was listed as their #4 worst dramatic tabloid headlines about false bite or sting. widow bites - which you should take with a pinch of salt - however symptoms can include cramps and breathing problems. 1 Wasps (vespula) 2 Described affectionately as “similar to getting your hand mashed in a revolving door” the hornet sting tops our list of Stings are designed to make you feel British pest stings and bites. Just like wasps, a hornet can sting as if you’ve been hurt by something far bloodstream, you again and again without having to worry about their larger than the insect itself - that’s why a wasp meaning the body stingers being pulled out of their body and decapitating sting is comparable to being on fire or attacks the foreign invaders causing themselves to death. The big difference between a wasp sting attacked by a bear. Wasps drive away inflammation. It’s worth mentioning and a hornet sting is the hornet’s venom contains a huge predators by injecting venom through their that the risk of a sting is more than just amount of acetylcholine (a powerful neurotransmitter). stingers, however unlike bees, wasps don’t excruciating pain and an ugly welt - people Toxicity varies from species to species, however a single have the common courtesy of dying after can go into anaphylactic shock if they’re sting from a European hornet is unlikely to be fatal unless stinging you and therefore can sting you particularly sensitive to wasp stings, so if you you’re particularly allergic. Asian giant hornets (Vespa multiple times and still be back home for feel dizziness, difficulty breathing, throat or mandarinia) are thought to cause up to 50 human deaths a year dinner. Surprisingly, only female wasps can tongue swelling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea in Japan. Just like every other pest on this list - only the release their venom into their prey. or loss of consciousness, it’s probably time to females sting, thereby proving that the term “the gentler sex” Wasps release histamines into a victim’s dial 999 and get yourself to the waspital. doesn’t apply to the world of pest control.

Images 1 to 5: CC Alvesgaspar; Dennis Ray; Alvesgaspar; Fir0002/Flagstaffotos; Richard Bartz MAY 2017 PPC87 43 feature | YOUR ASSOCIATION

COMMITTEE IN FOCUS RUPERT’S Timeline 1989 Graduated from Meet the Manufacturers Manchester University Started as a Graduate Trainee and Distributors Chairman with Albright & Wilson Held a number of progressive Rupert Broome, Group Managing Director of Killgerm, roles over 13 years including took over as Manufacturers and Distributors Committee Sales Manager, Market Chairman in February. We thought now would be a great Manager, Group Key Account time to see how he’s getting on. Manager, and Vice President of Sales Recently the M&D Committee As M&D Chairman, you also take a 2003 Joined Bell Laboratories as elected a new Chairman in Rupert seat on BPCA’s Executive Board, which Director for EMEA and Asia Broome, Managing Director for Killgerm represents the wider membership. How 2012 Joined Killgerm Group as Group Chemicals. In this edition of Committee in much are you looking forward to joining Managing Director Focus, we ask Rupert about what he hopes to the Board, and what do you see as the achieve as M&D Chairman and also learn a main difference between your role on 2017 Became M&D Chairman and joined BPCA’s Executive Board little more about his personal development in the M&D Committee and on the Board? the industry. “I am very much looking forward to shaping the work of the Executive Board. Thanks for agreeing to talk to PPC Among my colleagues on the Board are Courage to stand up and be Rupert, can we start by asking why you some hugely experienced and passionate counted when others sit down wanted to become M&D Chairman? advocates for our industry, and I relish the A willingness to make mistakes, but “Killgerm has been a longstanding opportunity to work with all the Board to always coupled with the ability and supporter of BPCA. With a change in further the interests of all BPCA Members.” confidence to admit when you are wrong personnel within Killgerm over recent “When I consider my role as a Member Respect for your peers and years due to retirement, the timing was of the Executive Board, rather than as M&D your staff, while setting and right for me to offer my support to M&D Chairman, I recognise I am accountable to maintaining high standards Members. I was delighted to have been all BPCA Members, not just manufacturers Treating your staff as you would chosen by M&D Members as the new M&D and distributors. As such I intend to approach wish to be treated yourself Chairman, and also to have my candidacy this role as an advocate for any and all A strong sense of enjoyment in what you do endorsed by BPCA’s Executive Board.” Members, and I will welcome direct contact Recognition that no one is indispensable and feedback from any BPCA members on – myself included – and as such working There are some really warm personalities matters of interest and concern to them.” to build a resilient team around you, on the Committee, representing some of and delegating responsibility.” the UK’s best-loved suppliers – what do You benefit from extensive experience you think are the Committee’s key areas in the pest control industry. For We hope that your new roles on the to explore over the next 12 to 18 months? professionals looking to emulate your M&D committee and Executive Board “Personalities are important, but so personal development in the sector, can (on top of ‘the day job’) won’t impact is listening and responding. My focus you share any advice or guidance? on your home/work life balance. How for the M&D Committee is to become “There is no magic formula – what has do you keep the balance in check? more representative of the interests worked for me might not work for others, “When I find out, I’ll tell you! Joking of M&D members within BPCA.” and this is partly down to differences in apart, however hard I work, whether at “Also, I will be looking to build closer personality and in terms of opportunity.” my ‘day job’ running Killgerm, or when relationships and interaction with the “That said, I have found that my managing my many other industry roles Servicing Committee in particular, progression over the years has been closely which now include M&D Chairman and in order to ensure that matters of linked to a combination of a number of Executive Board member, I try very importance to both committees are things, some of which include the following: hard to set aside quality time for my progressed swiftly and efficiently.” Hard work family. Quite simply, I could not do what “Regulatory matters will be one of the Honesty I do without their support, and from items where I expect there to be much focus.” Belief in yourself and in what you do day one they’ve all been behind me.”

Who are BPCA’s Manufacturers and Distributors (M&D) Committee AgriSense...... David Avery Lodi UK ...... Ross Goodman the M&D constitutes 15 of the 24 suppliers in membership. The Barrettine Environmental Health. . Charles Phillips PelGar International ...... Alex Wade Committee Committee has been a longstanding forum for an influential BASF ...... Sarah Bull Pelsis...... Tom Holmes and valued segment of the UK pest control industry. Bayer Cropscience ...... Richard Moseley members? Rat Pak Engineering...... Jim Butcher The M&D Committee comprises: Bell Laboratories ...... Arnaud Del Valle 1Env...... Trevor Green Pestfix ...... Dan England Rentokil...... Jim Kirk ADH Baseline ...... A. David Himsworth Killgerm ...... Rupert Broome (Chairman) Syngenta Crop Protection ...... Daniel Lightfoot

44 PPC87 MAY 2017 Earn vital 50+ CPD points exhibitors

Prizes and giveaways

VISIT www.bpca.org.uk/PPClive

EMAIL Professional pest control together [email protected] 14 March 2018 / three counties SHOWGROUND, malvern CONNECT #PPClive2018

Designed for professional UK pest control technicians, managers and company owners. WHAT? PPC Live 2018

Why attend PPC Live? Variety of WHEN? PPC Live is one of the UK’s most seminars Wednesday 14 March 2018 delivered by popular single-day pest control industry WHere? events. PPC Live is completely free for experts Three Counties anyone to attend and has a seminar The Showground and practical programme unrivalled Practical Malvern by any other event in the UK. outdoor Keep Worcestershire product up-to-date WR13 6NW PPC Live brings the whole sector demos with the latest under one roof to share and learn news, products from each other to make a stronger, and industry safer pest control industry. changes Network with like-minded REGISTER professionals NOW! www.bpca.org.uk/PPClive events | BPCA

Where we’ve been Global Summit of Pest Management Services

The BPCA staff team has been out and about representing you and your interests at events around the world.

In early April, BPCA’s Simon Forrester attended the second Global Summit of Pest Management Services in New York, an initiative that aims to bring together pest control companies with big-name clients to discuss the future of pest management. Here’s three reviews from his favourite presentations, plus the take- we sell on home-tips for our readers. putting bait into You can see more presentation boxes rather than reviews at bpca.org.uk/news-and-blog on the use of brainpower

Henry Mott, CEPA’s that FSMA applies to 85,000 US food sites recent case involved a breach where a 28 Conference Vice-Chairman, opened and another c.300,000 non-US companies year prison sentence was handed down the conference with involved in producing, packaging or to a premises owner – food for thought! opening a slide featuring a shipping products to the US, quite a few The success of any Integrated Pest lime – to point out that of whom work via the UK. Dr Hugo Management (IPM) process depends on this particular ‘limey’ had 25 years in pest presented a worrying statistic: that around good maintenance, proper sanitation, and control, and his aim as the next CEPA 90% of food product recalls in the States robust operational methods and personnel Chairman is to move public perception relate to contamination, 44% from potential practices. Firms fail where records are of our sector from ratcatchers and killers allergens and another 42% from listeria/ weak – they need to show the actuality to protectors of the environment and salmonella, both of which are entirely of the pest issues. If they do not appear guardians of public health. In his speech, avoidable, and the cause of over 3,000 deaths to show the real-life conditions, ‘it’s a Henry singled out for criticism those clients a year. The US Food & Drug Administration fail’. Similarly, any entrance where pests who bought pest control as a commodity, is looking to your customers to ensure may enter a building are an automatic and also admitted that our sector is often its prevention of unsanitary environments. violation, whether a gap around a door own worst enemy, when we sell on putting With sweeping new powers, FDA inspectors or a screen left open. Catching pests bait into boxes, rather than on the use of will look at the production environment is no longer enough – we must take brainpower to solve complex problems. much more closely to check for violations, every step possible to exclude them. Dr Cornelius Hugo, AIB’s Global in order to prevent ‘SAHCODHA’, (serious Dr Hugo singled out one particular Manager for Food Safety Services adverse health consequences or death to common-use material for his disdain – Innovation, discussed the new Food Safety humans or animals). expanding foam. Not only is it no barrier Modernization Act (FSMA) – the Investigators will be able to look at to pests, but it also deteriorates after a few overarching legislation that affects all food any records from any aspect of the years, causing additional contamination. and its supply chain in the United States and food supply chain (including storage, In summary, FSMA offers pest beyond. The new law sees a shift of focus distribution and packaging), and shut controllers an opportunity to be from responding to contamination to them down with immediate effect in the seen as more than simply a cost, to a preventing it, and while you may think ‘so event of a potential breach, so pressure partner in reducing overhead – a model what’s that got to do with me?’, remember is on to make them ‘audit-proof’. One that can be used in any country.

46 PPC87 MAY 2017 BPCA | events

Large and small-scale don’t have the tools to do the job, they Rodents and rodent control: eradication programmes aren’t allowed to use them to best effect, present problems. or they don’t understand what they are getting the food safety House mice are seen as looking at challenges in proportion the poor relation in the Rodents haven’t read the rule book! rodent family – they We have fewer tools available to us – it’s Dr John Simmons, Acheta Consulting don’t get the glamour as a ‘no’ to contact dusts, most contact gels, the smaller, less and one of the two non-anticoagulant noticeable rodent pest, but they cause actives). Also, outdoor rodenticide use is problems of their own. now strictly restricted, further restrictions Companies buy pest control for one are likely following the introduction of reason: to avoid the mouse in the loaf of reprotoxic labelling, and use of traps and bread. Data is weak in terms of statistics glue boards is becoming more difficult. concerning the proportion of food On top of this, the food industry itself premises with rodent infestation present. imposes restrictions on, for example, use Acheta contacted their food-sector client of toxic baits in production and storage base (180 sites) to review rodent areas, use of tamper-resistant bait stations, activity over 12 months. They and limits on use of break-back traps. All Five tips from 4 put the data into four these restrictions impact adversely on the (22%) categories: efficacy of rodent control. this talk 1 No activity Acheta’s own research shows rodent bait 1+2 3 (5%) (75%) 2 Occasional activity doesn’t work, but tracking systems do. 1 3 Regular/recurring due Electronic monitoring has benefits, but Find out from your client where is it to importation onto site only works where the mice don’t have to OK to accept pests, and where not 4 Regular/recurring due to do anything but run under it. Mice avoid – use predictive analysis to help mice in building structure. baits/trap stations, including non-toxic bait differentiate between acceptable Even being generous, this shows one out of bait stations. The old adage about and unacceptable. in ten food sites have an ingrained mouse mice being inquisitive random feeders infestation. Of all the potential threats to without neophobia is not backed by 2 food safety, rodents are the most scientific research – so is our model of Swiftly deal with repeat issues – unpredictable. mouse control fit for purpose? you can’t keep seeing the same House mice are an extremely important Dr Simmons asked the question: comments on reports – and rodent pest species and probably the most are our activities self-selecting mice encourage compliance. important species in the food industry, that do not go into traps? And are we and their importance is increasing. now at the point where some mouse 3 The three reasons Dr Simmons populations may no longer be controlled suggested for this are: using the products available? Be prepared to defend Food manufacturers aren’t fulfilling Since the Rentokil Birmingham trials ‘programmed’ preventive their obligations with regard to which produced the term ‘behavioural biocidal applications. building design, standards of sanitation resistance’ it’s been known that pests 4 and maintenance adapt to the area in order to survive. Pest control companies aren’t fulfilling Maybe we’ve helped create a monster – the Make your records legible, their obligations, perhaps because they mouse that avoids traps and bait. available and indelible. 5 Demonstrate the value of prevention to the food business – move the client from ‘pest control = overhead cost’ to ‘prevention = investment with a direct return’ by calculating the total compliance cost function of the IPM programme.

FOR DETAILS Rodents haven’t read https://goo.gl/i5vPCt the rule book! [email protected]

MAY 2017 PPC87 47 events | BPCA

Think we should be representing you at an event somewhere? Tell us about it, email [email protected]

Reviews of other presentations are available at... The ‘smart’ www.bpca.org.uk is in the technician’s head, not in the PANEL DISCUSSION box itself. John Carter, VP Quality Dairy, Danone; Dr Randal Giroux, Cargill VP Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs.

Challenges and Solutions in Food Distribution and Retail Facilities introduction of biocides – see the Panel Discussion Taking the pulse of Association for the American Healthcare Brett Gardner, Target Programme Environment (AHE), which produced an Manager, Food Safety; Larry PM services in IPM business case for Environmental Harrington, WAWA Food Markets; Services (worth looking up as a template). Hank Hirsch, President, RK healthcare facilities Get our interactions right, and hospitals Environmental Services; Michael Håkan Kjellberg, Anticimex Stockholm can be loyal long-term customers. But they Robertson, Director of Corporate Dr Zia Sidiqqi, Director of expect us to deliver ‘wow’ service levels and Quality Assurance, Publix Quality Systems, Rollins US demonstrable value for each pound spent. Supermarkets. The health sector is going through tough Consumers are well educated (sometimes times, and we must be aware of this. Overcoming Obstacles and via fake news), and hospital staff are also Collaborating for Success in better educated on environmental factors. 10 Steps to implement an Food Facilities We need to be able to write, talk, IPM Programme LeAnn Chuboff, Senior Technical communicate, understand the reaction of 1 Understand IPM and its advantages Manager SQFI, Food Marketing clients, and respond to it. Perceptions of Institute, Illinois, USA; Dominique pest control are changing, slowly from ‘rat 2 Identify implementation team – who’s Sauvage, ACE, Director – Field going to do the work? (joint venture) man’ to using lasers, smart boxes, EFK Operations and Quality, Copesan, cameras and the like to show trends 3 Decide on scale of implementation Wisconsin, USA. (numbers, not species). 4 Set goals and measurable The danger of becoming reliant objectives for your IPM plan Urban Pest Management’s role on technology is that technicians 5 Analyse current housekeeping, in protecting Public Health give up control. The ‘smart’ is in the maintenance and pest control practices Kevin Sweeney VP Governmental and technician’s head, not in the box Regulatory Affairs, Landis 6 Establish regular system of inspections itself. We need to understand how to International, Washington DC; analyse. All customers have 24/7 access, 7 Define policy for treatment selection Randolph Carter VP Marketing, (using the risk hierarchy) which brings its own problems. Rentokil Steritech. We are moving from ‘bait jockey 8 Establish communication protocols - who problem-solvers’ to data analysts, who look talks to who, how often and when? The Challenge of Managing at data and predict using root cause 9 Develop worker training plans Rodent Populations Around the analysis. Online monitoring can find out and policies for both the facility Globe for Improved Health issues at an early stage and avoid use of staff and the pest technicians Outcomes biocides by nipping it in the bud. The US 10 Track progress, promote case Dr Bobby Corrigan, RMC Pest healthcare industry allows for minimal studies, and reward success. Management Consulting, New York

48 PPC87 MAY 2017 TECHNICAL ISSUES | feature

BPCA EMAIL [email protected]   X Ask the technical team As the leading trade association for the pest management industry in the UK, we’re often the first point of reference for pest professionals, media, government and the general public requiring assistance with pest issues. Technical Manager Dee Ward-Thompson and Technical Officer Natalie Bungay touch on some of the common questions they have received in their inbox.

INBOX ARE YOU A BPCA SUBJECT: Bees’ Nests SUBJECT: MONITORING MEMBER WITH A How soon after treating a bees’ nest must Which is recommended for external SENT TECHNICAL QUERY? I block up the entrance? monitoring, traps or non-toxic blocks? Get in touch... ARCHIVE NATALIE REPLIES: As soon as it is safe to NATALIE REPLIES: This decision should [email protected] do so. You must prevent the potential for be based on site-specific assessments, BIN robber bees to take contaminated honey considering its history with pests, its 01332 294288 from the nest and transfer it to their environmental location and frequency of SPAM hive, causing potential destruction. A visits. If you are using break-back traps, @britpestcontrol return visit is recommended 24 hours you may need to visit to inspect more after the treatment to carry out the works frequently than non-toxic monitoring needed to seal entrances, as far as is blocks. You can refer to the CRRU COBP reasonably practicable. This must be either via the BPCA website, member’s discussed and considered with your area or, visit the CRRU site direct. customer BEFORE any insecticidal treatment. If sealing is not possible, you must not use insecticide. See the Pest Management Alliance COBP. SUBJECT: Non-target specieS Can I treat rats in an area where voles are active?

DEE REPLIES: If rats are present in an SUBJECT: REPORTING area that is causing a detrimental effect Am I required to leave a written report on public health, then yes. However, you for every job or treatment I make? must acknowledge that a non-target species is present and so put treatment NATALIE REPLIES: Yes. It is a legal strategies in place that will not harm the requirement to do this as your customer voles that are present. Live capture traps SPEED must know what chemicals have been can ensure that any captured water voles VIEW used in the event of an emergency or can be released unharmed. This may be accidental poisoning. COSHH regulations take more time but it is a legal • Block treated bees’ and HASAWA would both expect this requirement under the WCA. nests as soon as kind of information to be available. possible • External monitoring should be conducted only after a site- specific assessment SUBJECT: INSECTS start to see what pests they have had in the Should I monitor for insects? past. You would typically add these to a • Written reports are contract for monitoring. Also, talking with mandatory DEE REPLIES your customer could flag up concerns, for • Be careful where voles As with any pest control inspection based on example, a risk of insects being brought in may be present routine checks, you should be monitoring on deliveries. This may be an opportunity to for the pest species that the site is at risk of evaluate which types of insects and then • Insect monitoring experiencing. The history of a site is a good implement monitoring. may be indicated depending on a site’s history

MAY 2017 PPC87 49 feature | YOUR ASSOCIATION

Meet the Member Staying motivated in the pest control industry

Regardless of the industry or how rewarding someone might find their work, now and then, everyone’s motivation wanes and the quality of work suffers. Pest control is no different – however when technicians lose motivation it can have a detrimental impact on a small business. We asked Chris Cagienard, Director of Pest Solutions, about how he keeps himself and his team motivated.

The pest control industry provides an An unhealthy obsession We move from exciting, fast-paced, ever-changing with service metrics workplace that eclipses most other In some ways, it is no surprise that this site-to-site looking at careers for the sense of fulfilment happens in our industry. In our day-to-day and freedom that it offers. service some of the metrics we record are: the same bait stations, At Pest Solutions, we believe that Bait point checklists, label dates keeping our team motivated is the or barcodes the same paperwork, most important thing; it ensures Service reports the same folders, and that we deliver quality services State of service to our customers every day. Time sheets. often having the same When heads start to go down so These are important metrics and does service quality. It can be easy to the information they present is vital conversations. After a lose focus and become demotivated for managing our service delivery and in the world of pest control. ensuring quality. These measurements while, the sites start to provide the evidence and the audit trail The enemy of motivation to demonstrate that we delivered our look the same and you and quality service is the service to the best of our abilities. can be tempted to ‘bait checker’ mentality It is easy for pest controllers to start If we are not careful, the repetitive, giving more importance to the collection switch off. cyclical nature of routine pest control of the metrics than the delivery of inspections can overtake us. It is easy to an actual pest prevention service – fall into the mindset of a ‘bait checker’. especially when there is pressure to work We move from site-to-site looking quickly. Doing this is the first step on at the same bait stations, the same the road to becoming a ‘bait checker’. Take the lead on being motivated paperwork, the same folders, and often We need to help our service teams Staying motivated in the pest control having the same conversations. After a have a healthy respect for service industry is about making sure you avoid while, the sites start to look the same metrics while remaining focused on the trap of becoming a ‘bait checker’ and you can be tempted to switch service delivery. I think this is an area and taking the lead in learning, having a off. Service becomes about ticking of training that is not given enough positive attitude and being service minded. checklists or scanning barcodes. attention in the pest industry. Working in the pest control industry Before you know it, you are no The ‘bait checker mentality trap’ can be one of the most interesting longer delivering a professional is the biggest factor leading to the and rewarding career choices. pest control service. demotivation of service staff, and it You get demotivated, and then it’s is important to keep asking ourselves hard to get that motivation back. how we are doing in this area. The ‘bait checker mentality trap’ If you are struggling with this, ask Choose to make the most of it is tricky to spot, just like the ones your service manager for help. They Would you like your guest article to we use every day at work. However, will be more than happy to assist appear in PPC magazine or on our many great pest controllers have you with some further training. website? Tell us your idea for a story. fallen foul this particular trap. Avoiding becoming demotivated is Why is this the case and how can it great. But what can we do to become more [email protected] be avoided? motivated and productive in our job role?

50 PPC87 MAY 2017 YOUR ASSOCIATION | feature

SPEED • The repetitive, cyclical nature of • Be wary of valuing service • Invest in your learning, keep VIEW routine pest control inspections metrics more than the your knowledge fresh and means we can fall into the delivery of an actual pest pass on skills to colleagues to mindset of the ‘bait checker’ prevention service keep yourself motivated

The ‘secrets’ to staying motivated...

Choose to have a Become the ‘helpful expert’ Never stop learning positive attitude Being a helpful expert is a simple thing The best way to keep your job in I’m passionate about people having to do, but it can be one of the most pest control interesting is to invest in the right approach. For me, this is obvious ways to make your work much your learning. We work in an ever- the most important choice a person more fulfilling and enjoyable. Working changing industry with so many pest can make in almost any workplace to in the pest control industry, we have species and specialist treatments boost their drive and motivation. opportunities to help people who may that it is impossible to know it all. You may not be a positive person be distressed or upset by the presence Keeping your knowledge fresh will by default - I am certainly not. If you of pests in their home or business. keep you interested in your personal already feel demotivated at work, you It is important that we do not development. Studies show that when we may not feel like being optimistic. forget just how helpful and reassuring develop our knowledge consistently, it is That is why the word ‘choice’ is so we can be in these interactions easier to stay motivated about the subject. important here. as pest control professionals. How are you doing with your BASIS We choose every day how we behave It is our privilege to be able to help Prompt CPD? Are you using the CPD and communicate. It is incredible people in this situation, and as in training in the BPCA Affiliate portal how uplifting it can be just to make most service industry professions, to gain extra points and learn more? the decision to be positive; to have it can be incredibly rewarding to Have you asked your service manager a positive outlook on the day; to help people restore people’s peace of about what training courses you communicate in a positive way. mind or protect their businesses. could go on? How about attending a When we make this choice something When we are optimistic, service- Regional Forum or BPCA event? amazing happens - people start to minded and looking for ways to help For the experienced guys in the respond to us in the same way. We have our customers, we will discover industry, have you considered mentoring a more encouraging interactions and issues quicker, give proactive pest less experienced colleague and passing on our working day becomes more fun. prevention advice and deliver your skills? Doing this can be rewarding When we invest in ourselves an all round better service. for your colleague and yourself. in this way, it has a positive and upward effect on our sense of fulfilment in the workplace. When we have a positive attitude, Working in the pest control industry, we we can be a positive influence. Have you We all know how a negative person have opportunities to help people who may asked your can suck the life out of a room. So often service manager people will wait to have something put be distressed or upset by the presence of about what in front of them to be positive about pests in their home or business. It is training courses – this is a myth and will not happen, you could at least not in a sustainable way. important that we do not forget just how go on? The choice of a positive attitude starts with you. helpful and reassuring we can be...

MAY 2017 PPC87 51 events | BPCA weds 11 oct 2017 Glasgow BPCA on the road – talking to your clients!

Part-and-parcel of being the UK’s leading weds 22 nov 2017 Northern Ireland trade association for public health pest control means that we need to get out there and stay involved in the international pest weds 22 feb 2017 management community. We’re always out Yorkshire and about, seeing what’s happening around the UK and further afield - meaning we can THURS 28 SEP 2017 always keep you in the loop. Manchester If you think we should be attending or Get along to exhibiting at a show - let us know, and we’ll a Regional do our best to squeeze it into the schedule. tues 20 june 2017 [email protected] Forum! + BPCA 2017 AGM Leicestershire Barcelona Pest Control Innovation Forum (BPCIF) 2017 29-30 May 2017 BOOK tues 5 dec 2017 YOUR Thurs 25 may 2017 Eastern Counties The Born Culture and Memory Centre, NEAREST Swansea FORUM Barcelona, Spain NOW! barcelonapestinnovations.org

BPCA WEDS 18 OCT 2017 IS A International SPONSOR South East Conference on Urban Thurs 2 nov 2017 Pests (ICUP) 2017 9-12 July 2017 South West

Aston University, Birmingham, UK www.icup2017.org.uk

PestWorld 24-27 OCTOBER 2017 With PestEx done and dusted, there’s still

plenty going on with BPCA events for the rest Baltimore Convention Centre, Maryland, USA of the year. We’ve an action-pack Regional npmapestworld.org Forum schedule, so there’s still an opportunity for you to come along to a more intimate event PestTech 15 NOVEMBER 2017 and make those meaningful connections. The Forums give you an opportunity to meet Ricoh Arena, Coventry, UK BPCA some members of the BPCA team, hear some exhibiting pesttech.org.uk talks from industry experts and our Manufacturing and Distributor Members, as well as get a free breakfast roll and those all REGISTER Why go to a Regional important CPD points! Every Regional Forum is FOR FREE Training Forum? NOW a bit different so be sure to check out the events section of the BPCA site to see what the Get those all important PPC LIVE 2018 14 MARCH 2018 agenda is for your local event. CPD points Remember, all the Regional Forums are free Keep up-to-date with the Three Counties Showground, to attend for BPCA Members and those on the latest news, products and Worcestershire, UK Affiliate scheme. industry changes bpca.org.uk/ppclive Network with like-minded professionals Enjoy a free breakfast roll and refreshments

MORE INFO

20-21 March 2019 / ExCel, London View the agendas and register for your Regional Forum

52 PPC87 MAY 2017 www.bpca.org.uk/events TRAINING | feature Programmes in focus

New for all managers, prospective or existing: if you’re already managing or are soon to become a manager, and you would like the qualifications to demonstrate this, why not book on our new Manager Essentials course? NEW Certificated Technical Inspector (course and exam) Manager Essentials

Level Pathway Duration CPD Level Pathway Duration CPD Advanced Technical 1 day course + 8 Core Plus 4 days 8 2 hour exam 25% off if booked in May!

Suitable for Pest technicians or technical inspectors with at Suitable for Team leaders and supervisors, potential managers least two years’ experience who have passed the Level 2 Award or anyone who wants to learn and understand management in Pest Management and Advanced Technician in Pest theories and techniques before starting their management Management. career. Existing managers who have recently started in their roles or managers who have been promoted because they were Overview Retailers are placing increasing demands of pest really good at their jobs but don’t have a management control service companies to provide service above the level background may find this course particularly useful. of technician. A technical inspector is someone who can provide this role. To be successful, a technical inspector will Overview The Manager Essentials course considers leadership need specialist knowledge of the retail environment and good and management, key issues of leadership, delegating, technical knowledge of their specialist work environment. objective setting and considers the main skills of management. At the end of each course, learners will have defined their What is covered? This exam will test your knowledge of a pest personal goals and created a 12-month learning plan. control technician’s work, your ability to create technical inspection reports, provide customer service and explain What is covered? The management programme offers individual audit standards. short courses to enable individuals to determine what areas they need to concentrate on and to study those areas in detail. The Assessment and accreditation The exam is two hours long and programme subjects include negotiation skills, delegating, in two sections. Part A will consider a scenario and require a presenting, interviewing and more. detailed inspection report. Part B will require detailed answers to a number of questions. Assessment and accreditation Assessment is continuous throughout the course with immediate feedback given. Pre-requisites For those who decide to achieve an accredited qualification, Level 2 Award in Pest Management they will produce and submit a portfolio. Level 2 Award in Health and Safety (within the last three years) Level 2 Award in Food Safety (within the last three years) Awarding body Pre-requisites Study options Advanced Technician in Pest Management HABC None Classroom Two years’ current pest control experience Membership of a recognised CPD scheme Dates NEXT STEPS 23-26 October 2017 / Derby Dates NEXT STEPS Technical pathway 23-26 April 2018 / Derby 24 May 2017 / Swansea Technical pathway Certified Technical Inspector 24 May 2017 / Derby Becoming a Field Biologist #Pesttech2016Plus programmes 9 June 2017 / Derby and take the Certificated Field Biologist Fees From £799 (exc. VAT) 14 June 2017 / Reading Level 3 Award in Education Plus programmes and Training 23 June 2017 / Glasgow 5 July 2017 / Dewsbury Level 3 Award in Food Safety; Level 3 Award in 13 July 2017 / Bristol Education and Training ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS 21 July 2017 / Yarnfield 28 July 2017 / Bristol 10 August 2017 / Scotland www.bpca.org.uk/training Fees From £155 (exc. VAT) 10 August 2017 / Derby [email protected] 24 August 2017 / Derby 15 September 2017 / Yarnfield 01332 225113 22 September 2017 / Bristol

MAY 2017 PPC87 53 events | TRAINING

BPCA’s training courses and examinations are run throughout the year Training calendar all around the UK. The full training calendar is at www.bpca.org.uk/training C = course E = exam B = both

Date Programme Location Cost CPD Duration Type 10/08/2017 Multi exam day** Glasgow Various* - Various* E Practical Vertebrate 10/08/2017 Multi exam day** Derby Various* - Various* E 23/05/2017 Falkirk £150 12 1 day C Trapping 22/08/2017 Certificated Field Biologist Derby £305* - 3.5 hours E 24/05/2017 Using Rodenticides Safely Falkirk £125 12 1 day B Advanced Technician in 23/08/2017 Derby £245* - 2 hours E 25/05/2017 Practical Insect Control Falkirk £150 12 1 day C Pest Management 24/05/2017 Certificated Field Biologist Swansea £305* - 3.5 hours E 24/08/2017 Multi exam day** Derby Various* - Various* E 24/05/2017 Multi exam day** Swansea Various* - Various* E Starting and Managing 05/09/2017 Your Own Pest Stafford £150 2 1 day C 24/05/2017 Multi exam day** Derby Various* - Various* E Management Business Becoming a 26/05/2017 Falkirk £150 8 1 day C Level 3 Education Multiple Technical Inspector 06/09/2017 Derby £450 8 B and Training days 31/05/2017 Bed Bug Control Reading £150 12 1 day C Certificate in 06/09/2017 Stafford £150 20 1 day C 01/06/2017 Insect Identification Reading £150 12 1 day C Bird Management 08/06/2017 Certificated Field biologist Derby £305* - 3.5 hours E 07/09/2017 Practical Insect Control Stafford £150 12 1 day C 09/06/2017 Multi exam day** Derby Various* - Various* E Practical Vertebrate 08/09/2017 Stafford £150 12 1 day C Trapping 13/06/2017 Sales Skills Reading £150 2 1 day C General Pest Control 14/06/2017 Multi exam day** Reading Various* - Various* E 10/09/2017 Stafford £980 24 6 days B (Level 2 Award) Pest Management 14/06/2017 Derby £150 12 1 day C 15/09/2017 Multi exam day** Stafford Various* - Various* E Without Pesticides 19/09/2017 Becoming a Field Biologist Woking £150 8 1 day C Level 2 Emergency 15/06/2017 Reading £70 2 1 day B First Aid at Work 20/09/2017 Level 2 Health and Safety Woking £70 6 1 day B Certificate in 19/06/2017 Edinburgh £150 20 1 day B 21/09/2017 Level 2 Food Safety Woking £70 6 1 day B Bird Management 22/09/2017 Multi exam day** Bristol Various* - Various* E 19/06/2017 Level 2 Food Safety Peterborough £70 6 1 day B Safe Use of Aluminium 20/06/2017 Level 2 Health and Safety Peterborough £70 6 1 day B 26/09/2017 Phosphide for Management Derby £300 10 2 days B 20/06/2017 Bed Bug Control Edinburgh £150 12 1 day C of Vertebrate Pests 21/06/2017 Insect Identification Edinburgh £150 12 1 day C Advanced Technician in 22/06/2017 Edinburgh £245* - 2 hours E ** a combination of the following exams can be * Cost dependent on whether candidate is Pest Management taken on a multi exam day: taking a full exam or unit resit. 23/06/2017 Multi exam day** Glasgow Various* - Various* E RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management All costs are members-only and exclude VAT. 04/07/2017 Sales Skills Dewsbury £150 2 1 day C Certificate in Bird Management Venue details are provisional and may change, 05/07/2017 Multi exam day** Dewsbury Various* - Various* E Certificated Technical Inspector please check the BPCA website before booking. Level 2 Emergency RSPH Level 2 Award in Safe Use BPCA reserves the right to cancel a programme if 06/07/2017 Dewsbury £70 2 1 day B First Aid at Work of Rodenticides insufficient bookings have been received. Starting and Managing RSPH Level 3 Award in Safe Use of Fumigants for Delegates will be offered an alternative date or a 11/07/2017 Your Own Pest Stafford £150 2 1 day C the Management of Invertebrate Pests – Unit 1 full refund of the programme fee. BPCA will not Management Business Full details at bpca.org.uk/training be liable for any costs incurred by the delegates. 11/07/2017 Certificated Field Biologist Woking £305* - 3.5 hours E Practical Vertebrate 12/07/2017 Stafford £150 12 1 day C Online learning Trapping The flexible approach to pest control training, Advanced Technician in learn at your own pace at times to suit you 12/07/2017 Woking £245* - 2 hours E –winner– Pest Management www.bpca.org.uk/online 13/07/2017 Practical Insect Control Stafford £150 12 1 day C Member cost Non-member Individual modules 13/07/2017 Multi exam day** Bristol Various* - Various* E £100 £150 Introduction to Pest Management: Health, Safety per module per year per module per year Certificate in and Legislation; Invertebrates; Vertebrates 14/07/2017 Stafford £150 20 1 day B Bird Management Using Rodenticides Safely £70 £100 Becoming a Online course and exam 14/07/2017 Stafford £150 8 1 day C Technical Inspector Foundation Certificate in Pest Management £50 £75 General Pest Control 16/07/2017 Stafford £980 24 6 days B (Level 2 Award) 21/07/2017 Multi exam day** Stafford Various* - Various* E ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS 25/07/2017 Level 3 First Aid at Work Derby £200 6 3 days B 2017 www.bpca.org.uk/training 28/07/2017 Multi exam day** Bristol Various* - Various* E dates 08/08/2017 Certificated Field Biologist Falkirk £305* - 3.5 hours E available ONLINE [email protected] Advanced Technician in 09/08/2017 Falkirk £245* - 2 hours E 01332 225113 Pest Management www.bpca.org.uk/training

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