Many thanks to all members that have renewed their AEPMA membership for the 2017-18 membership year.

Unfortunately, as at 1 May 2017, all members who have not renewed their membership will no longer have their company details visible to consumers via the AEPMA website.  Hurry for your last chance to renew and not miss out on this valuable benefit of AEPMA membership.

If you have not received your renewal notice or a membership kit, please contact the AEPMA national office immediately on 1300 307 114 or via email on info@aepma.com.au.

Not a member of AEPMA and interested in joining?  Click here to join online or contact the AEPMA National Office on 1300 307 114. 

A meeting was held at AEPMA head office in Brisbane on the afternoon of Tuesday 28th February to discuss the new licensing laws.  In attendance were representatives from Queensland Health who gave a detailed presentation to the Queensland members who were present.

The meeting was well attended and many questions were posed to the team from Queensland Health.  All thought it was a very informative and useful session.
AEPMA has since put in a detailed submission to Queensland Health regarding the changes and we await their response with interest.

Stephen Ware
Executive Director

• Two new Fendona® insecticide formulations provide rapid knockdown and broad spectrum control. 
• A 1 litre bottle of the new low dose Fendona 60SC Plus formulation can internally treat up to 50 average size homes. 
• Fendona Pressurised Insecticide perfect for use within cracks and crevices.  

Melbourne, Australia – February 13, 2017 – BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions has launched two new high performance residual insecticides with rapid knockdown, Fendona® Plus 60SC Insecticide and Fendona® Pressurised Insecticide.  

The first choice in synthetic pyrethroid spray, Fendona Plus 60SC is a treatment for insect pests. A high performance, residual insecticide effective against a broad spectrum of insect pests, including ants, cockroaches, spiders, mosquitoes and bed bugs, the unique formulation provides superior surface adherence though the formation of micro-crystalline particles.  

Click here to read full article

Rapid Solutions would like to invite you to attend its conference at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th August 2017.

The 2017 conference will be bigger and better than ever. With over 30 presentations from key figures in the pest management and building inspection industries, and an exhibition hall filled with the most exciting products available on the market, we’ve got something for everyone in your business.

Kicking off the social activities is the Welcome Reception drinks sponsored by Syngenta. After registering for the conference, head over to the Hydrate Bar for a few drinks.

The conference will begin with our keynote speaker, Allan Pease (Mr Body Language). Allan is an expert on relationships and communication who is known worldwide for his ability to engage, inspire, entertain and motivate his audiences.

The Gala Dinner will be held on Friday night. Sponsored by BASF, the event will include the announcement of the AEPMA Pest Manager of the Year award, followed by entertainment from comedian, Dave Thornton.

On Saturday night, we have a number of social activities, including bumper soccer, laser clay target shooting and Segway Olympics. Sponsored by FMC, this is a great way of winding down and having a laugh with your peers.

On Sunday morning, we will once again be playing 4-man Ambrose golf. Play 18 holes at the world-class Royal Pines course.

FMC is also offering a prize of 4 night’s accommodation onsite for one lucky delegate who registers before 31st May. REGISTER NOW by visiting rapidsolutions.com.au/conference to secure the discounted early bird price.

Remember, the conference is open to all. You do not need to be a Rapid Solutions client to attend.

Thanks to all our sponsors and exhibitors who help to make this conference a success. We look forward to seeing you there!

Even where a termination occurs because the employee has been absent without any advice or notification, it is the employer’s action of wrapping up the relationship that actually creates the termination – and that means the employee can still claim unfair dismissal. 

In what has to be one of the more perverse outcomes of the system, an employee who simply disappeared from work has been given the go ahead to claim unfair dismissal. This is despite the relevant award providing for an abandonment of employment protocol (albeit one which this case now says is invalid), and the employer’s multiple efforts to find the employee (including notifying the police). 

Click here to read full article

As voted by readers of the Independent Pest Magazine of Europe, the Australian innovation Pestie Dotz came in 2nd place for the illustrious Best Product Award 2016.  Pestie Dotz was shortlisted against 14 products competing for this prestigious annual event.

“Against a field of products from multinationals, new technologies, chemistry and tools, we were very humbled to have had our Pestie Dotz nominated, let alone win a place in the top three,” exclaimed Mr David Priddy, CEO Sundew Solutions.

Click here to read full article. 

In what appeared to be the very first case of its kind in Canberra, a pest controller has been fined $14,000 after failing to provide a termite barrier certificate to two homeowners.

It meant the homeowners could not sell or refinance the properties, which also decreased in value from when they were built in 2015.

Click here to read the full article

A report from Dr Don Ewart - Chairman Standards Committee AS3660.2

Nobody really looks forward to a new Standard. This one is potentially more disruptive than most. We've had the meeting to work through the public comments. Thanks to the many AEPMA people who sent in comments. It is such a shame that these inputs weren't made through the two AEPMA representatives on the Committee during the actual drafting process. I would remind all those who took the time to comment to also help with AEPMA's Codes of Practice.

In the original 2000 version of AS 3660.2, literally every provision was just a guideline that you could choose to follow if it suited. That isn't allowed any more so in the updated Standard, if you want to be in compliance, there are things that you now 'shall' do. These are generally common tasks and the things that everyone agreed were necessary, like inspect, follow up and explain things to your client. It is still a very flexible Standard. 

Click here to read full article.

Agserv’s Pestech series for 2017 kicks off in July and this year is shaping up to be their best series yet.

Pestech has proven to be an industry favourite – an event not to be missed.  Featuring great guests speakers, new and innovative products, latest industry updates and much, much more, lock in the dates and book your place now.

Over the coming month, the Pestech website will be providing updates and releasing the full program for the 2017 events.  To register early, please contact your local Agserv representative or branch today.

In Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane, the first announced speaker is Theo Evans.

For more information, please visit the Agserv website.

Nominations for Pest Manager of the Year 2017 will be closing soon.  The competition is kindly sponsored by BASF.  Don’t miss the opportunity to put your entry in – AEPMA members and non-members are welcome to enter.

The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner at the Rapid Solutions Conference in August 2017.  

Entry forms and guidelines are attached or can be found on the AEPMA website.   Entries close by COB 28th April 2017 and can be sent via mail, fax (07 3268 4213) or email to info@aepma.com.au. More information is available on the AEPMA website.

Just a reminder that daylight saving ends in Vic, NSW, SA and Tas on Sunday 2 April 2017.

This leaves WA two hours behind and QLD on the same time as the rest of the East Coast (with the exception of SA).

It was brought to the attention of the Association recently, that a number of past member and non-member pest control firms were illegally using the AEPMA logo. Membership of the Association confers on its members a commercial advantage and use of the Association’s logo is misleading to consumers and potentially financially damaging to bona fide members of the Association.

Misuse of the logo can be in one or more of the following formats (but not limited to);
(a)    Display of the Association’s logo on vehicles;
(b)    Display of the Association’s logo on websites;
(c)    A company’s advertisement in Telstra’s Yellow Pages directory, displaying the Association’s logo;
(d)    Advertising material or stationery displaying the logo.
AEPMA will be paying particular focus to companies misusing the AEPMA logo and may take legal action against any company found to be misrepresenting their membership with the Association.

If anyone knows of a past member or non-member using the AEPMA logo, please contact the AEPMA National Office on 1300 307 114, or email to info@aepma.com.au.

AEPMA welcomes any contributions or suggestions for articles that you feel are relevant to the industry. Simply forward to info@aepma.com.au.

Or do you have something to say about an article you’ve read in the Newsletter? Why not leave your feedback on our Facebook page.

• Pest Manager of the Year 2017 Nominations - now open till 28th April 2017 
• Pestech 2017 - July - September 2017
• Rapid Solutions Conference - 11-12 August 2017
• SAVE THE DATE!  AEPMA 2018 National Conference on the Gold Coast - 19-21 September 2018