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Pest management confirmed as key workers

Pest management has been confirmed as an essential sector during the Covid-19 pandemic by George Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

According to Defra, pest management is covered in the key worker list under the “food and necessary goods” section, specifically concerning hygiene.

This confirmation means that pest management professionals in England can continue to send their children to school during the pandemic. The Northern Ireland government has already confirmed pest management is an essential service.

This also likely means that if the UK was to go into further lockdown measures, pest management companies would be able to continue to protect the nation.

While BPCA has already confirmed that pest management workers could continue to provide essential services. This is the first time that a government official explicitly acknowledges pest management to be on the list of key workers.

The news comes after the sector has lobbied for confirmation that pest management appears on the list – including BPCA and CEPA.

Henry Mott, president of CEPA, received confirmation from his member of parliament, Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland and Melton, that she has had approval from Secretary of State, George Eustice MP.

BPCA is pursuing confirmation directly from Defra to support the letter Henry has had from Alicia Kearns MP.

We want to thank everyone that has taken the time to write to their MPs on the subject. It’s taken a substantial collaborative effort for our relatively small sector to get the ear of the UK government.

Image of our British Pest Control Association membership badge

BPCA membership

Regional Pest Services is a member of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) – the trade body for the pest management industry in the UK.
 
Our members logo is earned and we’re proud to display it because membership is a sign of professionalism and a mark of quality.
 
BPCA promotes best practice and being part of the organisation provides independent proof that we’re committed to excellence in every part of our business.
 
We’ve been Full Servicing Members of BPCA for [number] years.
 
What our BPCA membership means for our customers
 
Membership is recognition of our expertise.
 
It shows we abide by industry Codes of Conduct and Practice and pass regular audits against British Standard EN 16636 – the benchmark of quality for pest management operators across Europe.
 
Membership also confirms that we’re able to provide detailed advice on pest prevention measures and will carry out a proper survey before starting any work.
 
It’s evidence that we protect staff, customers and members of the public through risk and COSHH assessments, it means we only employ technicians who meet or exceed the industry standard qualifications and shows that we’re committed to Continuous Professional Development.
 
Being part of BPCA also confirms that we hold the proper insurances.
 
Our membership also gives us access to technical support, business guidance and help with documentation and legislation – which means we’re always ahead of the game.
 
In short, it’s independent affirmation that our customers will be protected professionally – and that we’re fit for the fight!
 
You can always check our membership status at bpca.org.uk/check
 
Who are BPCA?
 
BPCA represents organisations with a professional interest in the management of public health pests to provide safe and healthy environments. 
 
It’s the role of the Association to: • Highlight the risks of inadequate control • Offer guidance in what to look for when searching for a pest control contractor • Provide general pest advice and guidance documentation • Provide advice on how to select an appropriate pest control professional.
 

Photos of huge rats immune to normal rat poisons in the Milton Keynes area

Super rats

Plague of mutant ‘super rats’ infests Britain

An increasing number of Britain’s rats are mutating to become immune to commonly sold poisons, scientists have warned.
Yahoo! News – 17/10/2012

Yahoo! News UK – A plague of mutant rats resistant to most poisons have been found in areas of the UK (Image: Rex)An increasing number of Britain’s rats are mutating to become immune to commonly sold poisons, scientists have warned.
Research from Huddersfield University found 75 per cent of rats in Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, had built up a resistance to the poisons. The most serious mutations have affected rats in Bath and Wiltshire. Experts say the rise is down to an incorrect use of poisons, where people have used dosages that are too low. Rats which are resistant to the poison are fattened up by the bait, with survivors going on to mate with other resistant rodents.

This allows a generation of rats that are resistant to existing poisons to build up. Dr Dougie Clarke, head of biological sciences at Huddersfield University, said: “Some pest control companies are still using the same rodenticides -Bromadiolone and Difenacoum – in areas where there are resistant rats and things need to change.
“We’re wiping out the normal susceptible rats and we’re going to be left with resistant rats only in this area so alternatives have to be found so we’re not using these poisons.”
Wildlife experts are also concerned about the risk to other animals -especially cats – which may hunt the rats.
Andy Beddows, a rat catcher from Gloucester, said poison inside the rat could be passed on to animals, including birds of prey, which eat the rodents.
He said: “If you’re putting poison down and it’s one of the mutant strain, if it takes a belly full of rodenticide you may as well be giving it sugar puffs.”
The study aims to survey 25 councils across the country and test samples from 600 rats. So far researchers have tested around 300 rats.
Dr Clarke said that all rats in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bath could be resistant to poisons within 10 years.

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