The National UK Pest Management Survey provides plenty of opportunity for those taking part to express their own opinions and concerns. Unlike much of the survey these cannot easily be turned into statistics and trends. But this doesnt make them any less interesting nor less valid. Read on for a selection of the best…
The annual UK pest management survey conducted by Pest in association with Research Engine provides a unique insight into the challenges, structure and mood of the UK industry. In the latest edition of Pest magazine, Issue 63: June & July 2019 there was a four-page summary of the key findings and in the forthcoming Pest 64: August & September there will be a further report. Both of these focus on the statistically significant findings which can be taken as indicative of the UK industry in general.
Within the survey however there is opportunity for those taking part to add their own personal comments and raise their specific concerns. Here are some that caught our eye – If you would like to add your comments then do get in touch.
- It’s a bit like Groundhog Day. Nothing much changes. Same grumbles about pesticides, same grumbles about qualifications & CPD, same grumbles about customer demands. It’s a great industry, with nice people, engaging clients and good profitability, yet we seem hell-bent on tying ourselves in knots. Oh, and who thought more than one professional register was a good idea…? Bah, Humbug!
- The industry needs to be licensed to stop the cowboys we spend our time doing the right thing all the time only to see other companies flout the rules. They are reported and nothing happens.
- CPD points. Why have more than one organisation? Self certify? Abuse springs to mind.
- Compulsory qualification for insecticide users. Removal of one-day ‘online’ rodenticide qualifications.
- The CRRU regs are causing major concern. I have found moving my larger customers to 12 visits per year not particularly difficult, but try explaining the cost implication to a smaller outlet. To many of my customers pest control is like car insurance, a necessary evil for the cheapest possible price! I fully understand why the industry is changing but changing systems and procedure that have been in place for many years will take time.
- We need to educate the public and businesses! There is an expectation that everything can be solved by chemical application and ideally in one visit. The public has little understanding of how treatments should be undertaken professionally and are easy prey for ‘white van man’ found via Facebook. I’d like to see the industry group currently developing wildlife aware training and safe use of pesticides training for pest control providers, to promote the same to the public and business – telling them what they should expect from the profession and the actions they need to take. As in medicine, you can’t keep training doctors and building hospitals – at some point someone needs to tell the patient that they need to take responsibility for their health and lifestyle choices!!
- What has the HSE got against Ficam D? It’s been on the market since I was in short trousers and is the first choice of 95% of technicians.
- Local authority pest control/environmental health departments are really suffering after a decade of austerity. Good news for the private sector but bad news for the poor and for public health in general.
- I am old school and my techniques and applications and knowledge and professional approach has improved 100% since becoming a member of NPTA. Training and ongoing development is vital for our industry.
- I am generally optimistic for the future of pest management. As an industry, the integrated approach to pest management is the way forward. Fewer products and more restrictions on usage will require higher calibre professionals to overcome pest activity.
- Ban the use of all rodenticide and let’s get professional.
- Constant label changes and change of use for products is an absolute nightmare. It’s frustrating to buy product for say open area use then it becomes restricted to in and around buildings! Also whoever has come up with these silly labels we now have to stick on rodent boxes identifying contents needs a good slap!
- Be informed faster regarding rodenticide and insecticide regulation changes.
- Large companies ‘cowboying’ jobs whilst simultaneously overpricing the work. Even if/when they are reported nothing is done but if I was reported I’d be closed down.
- There should be no rodenticide products allowed for sale to the public. People who attempt DIY control are in my opinion the main cause of rodent bait shyness. Restricting the amounts available for the public to buy will make matters worse, as incorrect amounts will be employed i.e. not enough to make up a lethal dose.
