Pest control sector news and updates

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

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  • 01 April 2020

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

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

  • 01 April 2020

    Natural England: updates on licences for bird and stoat control

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

  • 30 March 2020

    CEPA update: European pest management amid Covid-19

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

  • 27 March 2020

    FAQ: Pest management and Covid-19

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

  • 27 March 2020

    Scottish general licence changes coming

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

  • 27 March 2020

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

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

  • 26 March 2020

    BPCA release free microlearning courses for members

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

  • 26 March 2020

    BPCA position statement of Covid-19 disinfection

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

  • 26 March 2020

    Pest management professionals formally key workers in Northern Ireland

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

  • 25 March 2020

    Pelgar warns of increase in pests during lockdown

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

  • 25 March 2020

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

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

  • 25 March 2020

    BPCA key worker lobbying on BBC radio

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

  • 25 March 2020

    VIDEO: Advice for pest professionals during Covid-19 pandemic

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

  • 23 March 2020

    Can I go to work? Guidance for pest management professionals

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

  • 23 March 2020

    Pest professionals are key workers - here’s why

    Those who work in pest management and control are considered key workers in the Covid 19 pandemic. Last week, the UK Government released a list of key workers who could continue to send their children to school during the pandemic. .... More

  • 20 March 2020

    BPCA writes letter to schools to allow pest management to continue during Covid-19 pandemic

    In light of the Government not explicitly adding pest management to the list of crucial sectors in their guidance, BPCA has produced a letter template for members to help ensure their employees' children can continue to go to school. .... More

  • 19 March 2020

    BPCA writes to Prime Minister to ask to be designated as key workers amid Covid-19 pandemic

    Today, BPCA has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking that pest management professionals be designated key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government announced measures yesterday so that "key workers" would be a.... More

  • 17 March 2020

    Tetramethrin classification changes

    Tetramethrin, the active ingredient in some insecticidal products, has been classified as a category 2 carcinogen. This will impact formulated products in which the level of tetramethrin is equal to or greater than 1%. Such produ.... More

  • 16 March 2020

    ICUP 2020 conference postponed

    The organising and executive committees for the International Conference on Urban Pests (ICUP) have made the decision to postpone the 10th ICUP Conference. The event was planned to run from 29 June to 1 July 2020 in Barcelona, Spa.... More

  • 13 March 2020

    BPCA shortlisted for memcom award

    BPCA is delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for Membership Organisation of the Year in the memcom Membership Excellence Awards.  The memcom Membership Excellence Awards showcase the great work coming out of t.... More

  • 13 March 2020

    How to apply for gull licence as deadline approaches

    BPCA is advising all members that they should apply for their individual licences for gull control in good time for breeding season. On 30 January Natural England released details of changes to the individual licences f.... More

  • 12 March 2020

    Record visitor numbers at PPC Live 2020

    British Pest Control Association’s travelling tradeshow, PPC Live, saw record numbers of visitors when it took a trip to Harrogate, Yorkshire this week. 516 people came along to the UK’s biggest pest management event of 20.... More

  • 12 March 2020

    Pest photograph competition winner announced

    BPCA were pleased to announce the winner of the #BestPestPic2020 competition at PPC Live in Harrogate this week. Mark Horrocks, a pest management technician from Gloucestershire, won the Association’s competition to find th.... More

  • 09 March 2020

    Syngenta to launch new bait station at PPC Live

    BPCA member Syngenta will be launching a new, ready-to-use ant bait station at PPC Live on 11 March. Outcast Ant Bait Station is a new self-contained ready-to-use delivery system for Syngenta’s ant control gel bait. .... More

  • 05 March 2020

    Scotland: three new general licences announced

    Following a review of the general licensing system, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has released three new general licences for bird control, to come into force from 1 April 2020. What's changed?  From 1 April 2020 there ar.... More

  • 05 March 2020

    MIDS to host pest control event

    An event for pest management professionals, organised by MIDS Pest Control, is taking place in Letchworth on 25 March. Date: Wednesday 25 March 2020 Time: 9am - 4pm  Where: Jackmans Community Centre, Ivel Ct, Letchworth G.... More

  • 04 March 2020

    Guidance for pest management companies on Covid-19 Coronavirus

    Correct at time of publication (4 March 2020) The outbreak of New Corona Virus 2019-nCoV, commonly known as Coronavirus or Covid-19, in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei Province, has had a major impact across the globe.  .... More

  • 04 March 2020

    CRRU study appeals for tail tip samples

    An appeal for pest control technicians, farmers and gamekeepers to collect tail samples from freshly killed rats and mice has been issued by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU). In the past two years, new hotspots of r.... More

  • 04 March 2020

    Membership criteria change for Consultant and M&D membership

    Effective immediately, BPCA is removing the requirement for Consultant and Manufacturing & Distribution members to have been trading for 12 months before they can apply for membership. The BPCA Executive Board voted to change the member.... More

  • 04 March 2020

    Killgerm to showcase new products at PPC Live

    BPCA member Killgerm will be showcasing a range of new products on their stand at PPC Live next week. Among the products on display will be the latest addition to the popular AF range, the AF Multis. This multi-pur.... More

  • 03 March 2020

    Pest management in the EU: where do we stand post-Brexit?

    Until the future relationship with UK and the EU is determined, we need to remain aware of what is going on in Brussels with regard to any legislative changes that might affect the pest management sector.  Europe's Green.... More

  • 03 March 2020

    #BestPestPic2020 shortlist announced!

     The shortlist for the #BestPestPic2020 competition has been announced! There were an incredible amount of entries and our first set of judges found it so difficult to choose between them all.  As a result the shortlist.... More

  • 28 February 2020

    PestFix launch new bird control product

    BPCA member PestFix will unveil their newly-registered 3-Way Surface Mount Base, for use in bird-proofing applications, at PPC Live 2020 in March. PestFix explained, "Traditionally, a pest technician would have to bend posts or drill.... More

  • 28 February 2020

    Storms will drive pests into homes says PelGar

    BPCA member PelGar says that the back-to-back battering of the UK by storm fronts and widespread flooding is likely to drive pests into human areas. The storms will also have negative effects on other non-pest species of Bri.... More

  • 27 February 2020

    Social media mix ups: when internet pest advice goes wrong

    In this guest blog, Mark Butler and Martin Rose-King ask if the pest management advice you're getting on the internet is legit.  We've all been there: an urgent call from a customer panicking about the ‘deadly’ bug they.... More

  • 27 February 2020

    PPC Live 2020: Online showguide

    Welcome to the PPC Live showguide: your definitive look at what’s happening at the biggest pest event of the year. On 11 March, we’ll be in beautiful Harrogate for our one-day trade exhibition designed for pest control technicia.... More

  • 27 February 2020

    PPC98 out now

    Professional pest controller magazine issue 98 is out now and available to read online for free. The magazine can be read online or downloaded as a PDF or you can join our Affiliate Scheme and request a hard copy.&n.... More

  • 26 February 2020

    2020 Vision: New era for insecticides

    Pest control | PPC98 March 2020 With fewer insecticides available than in the past, keeping informed about insecticide product options is more important than ever for all parts of the pest management industry. Richard Moseley, Ba.... More

  • 26 February 2020

    If you can make it here: Rat detection on the streets of NYC

    Your association | PPC98 March 2020 Davy Brown and Tom Naden run BPCA Associate member company, RatDetection.com, a specialist drain inspection and repair company. Started in 2007, they work solely in the UK pest control industry, fin.... More

  • 26 February 2020

    Come on Board!

    Your association | PPC98 March 2020 We’re always looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to volunteer their time with us here at BPCA, whether that’s on one of our Committees or on the Association’s.... More

  • 26 February 2020

    Designed for Committee?

    Your association | PPC98 March 2020 Leaving the Servicing Committee after almost 13 years, Jenny Humphrey joined after her father, who had been an active member of the BPCA for some years, passed away. She spoke to us ab.... More

  • 18 February 2020

    Bayer to launch new gel bait at PPC Live

    A new cockroach gel, which is the first product ever which claims to also control grey silverfish, will be unveiled at BPCA's pest management event of the year, PPC Live, in March. Bayer say the multi-use gel contains a.... More

  • 13 February 2020

    GENERAL LICENCES: six licences reissued for control of wild birds

    Defra has announced that six general licences for the control of wild birds in England will be reissued on a temporary basis ahead of new licences coming into force on 1 August 2020. Following a legal challenge by Wild Justi.... More

  • 06 February 2020

    BIG BIRD WRAP-UP: General and individual licences for bird control in the UK

    Since April 2019, we’ve had many updates on general licences for bird control in the UK. This quick view page will give you all the headline information and latest updates on general and individual licences in England, Northern Ireland, S.... More

  • 05 February 2020

    Coronavirus: advice for employers

    Cases of Wuhan novel coronavirus have been confirmed in a number of countries other than China including Thailand, Singapore, Japan, the USA, Canada and France. The first cases of the coronavirus have also now been confirmed in the UK, so a.... More

  • 03 February 2020

    BPCA launches #WeAreBPCA campaign

    After the success of the Be Protected. Professionally. campaign, BPCA has launched a new pest awareness message and is asking members to get involved.  All BPCA Servicing members will be receiving a USB stick packed full of useful tool.... More

  • 30 January 2020

    FAQ: Lesser black-backed and herring gull licensing

    An FAQ regarding the Lesser Black-Backed Gull and Herring Gull bird control licensing changes. Why are there changes to the number of gulls that can be controlled? Herring gull and lesser black-backed gull have been excluded from the.... More

  • 30 January 2020

    Natural England releases details of new bird control licensing arrangements for herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls

    Natural England has today [Thursday 30 January] set out changes to licences for the lethal control of herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls in England. Owing to their poor conservation status, herring gulls and lesser black.... More

  • 29 January 2020

    New licences for Lesser black-backed and Herring gull released tomorrow – England

    Natural England (NE) has confirmed that new bird licences for the control of the Lesser black-backed gull and Herring gulls will be released tomorrow (30 January 2020). This is a breaking story, and BPCA will publish more details as they co.... More

  • 29 January 2020

    BPCA members team up to deliver bee removal workshops

    Beegone, a part of BPCA Servicing Member PGH Pest Control, and BPCA Manufacturer and Distributor member Killgerm are partnering up to offer training on feral bee removal. The training will be delivered by Beegone Managi.... More