Welcome
Welcome to the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association September 2019 edition. Please scroll down for more details or visit our website for the online version.
 |
BASF - Progressive Pest Management | Dawson's Australia
Starting out in the Pest Management industry when he was just 14, Troy Dawson has held a range of roles from working in his family’s business, to experience in a multinational through to working with an industry manufacturer. His experience led him to start up his own Pest Management company, Dawson’s Australia, which services the Melbourne Metro area from Geelong to Mornington and can reach customers across Victoria.
And while Troy has had some great milestones throughout his career, being named the winner of the 2019 Pest Manager of the Year at the EduCON Rapid Conference is one of the major highlights. For Troy and the team at Dawson’s Australia, it’s been their professionalism that has really helped to set them apart.
“We pride ourselves on providing a high level of service and we target the premium end of the market. We are quite unique in that we can get out to our customers within two hours,” Troy explains.
“I would credit a lot of our success to having the right people. It’s a different environment for hiring new people today, we do a lot of digital advertising and we usually prefer to train from scratch. It’s important that we find someone who’s trustworthy, willing to learn and has honesty and integrity”.
Now a team of 39 people, Dawson’s Australia is really embracing the potential of digital technology.
‘We’re constantly evolving, trying new technology and implementing new systems so we can stay up to date. You can’t grow if you don’t have the right systems behind you, it will fall over at some point,” Troy says.
The Pest Manager of the Year Awards recognise the most progressive pest management firms who keep up with the latest innovations and focus on professional development and responsive customer service.
“BASF are proud to be supporting the Pest Manager of the Year awards for its 9th consecutive year,” David Elmouttie, Business Manager for BASF’s Professional & Specialty Solution says.
“Troy and the team at Dawson’s Australia really embody the progressive values of the award, always looking at new and innovative ways to improve and grow their business. The level of professionalism and dedication to their customers is raising the standard of service within the Pest Control industry,” David adds.
Troy has been a long-time customer of BASF and says he values both the support and quality products the company provides.
“We appreciate the support and training BASF have provided us with over the years, our phone calls are always followed through and we always get a response to any questions we ask.
“This award will provide us with another point of difference and gives us new recognition with our clients and potential clients. It reinforces to us that we are doing the right thing,” Troy adds.
More BASF articles can be found here.
|
 |
Fire Ant Training
The next training days are on 8th and 10th October 2019.
It will be held at the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication (NRIFAE) Program Office, 145-147 Wayne Goss Drive, Berrinba.
|
 |
Agserv Pestech 2019
Pestech was held across Australia over the last two weeks of August 2019. Patrick Legey has kindly provided an overview of the NSW Pestech event.
Pestech 2019
The Agserv Pestech was held on Monday 26 August 2019 at the Bankstown Sport Club and didn’t disappoint. As usual speakers and presentations were excellent and was well attended. For the purpose of this newsletter I will focus on AEPMA related speakers and presentations.
Firstly, Kylee Enwright of CPR Pest Management Services and winner of the new Professional Women in Australian Pest Management (PWAPM) Excellence Award.
Kylee said the PWAPM acts as the ‘voice’ for women in pest management, she believes the idea behind the association is to bring women in the industry together. And its aim is to encourage confidence and inspire ambition amongst women entering or already involved in the industry, it recognizes the hard work, often behind the scenes, that women contribute.
There are more women in the pest industry than ever before, working in customer service, as field technicians, marketing and sales managers. Through an active Facebook group and website created by PWAPM and through events such as Pestech, women within the pest industry are able to connect and engage with each other. The sharing of ideas, networking and offering support all help to grow and cultivate this industry, which benefits everyone in the Pest management Industry, not only the women.
Professional Women in Australian Pest Management (PWAPM) is affiliated with Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA).
Kylee says she has found it comforting to be able to speak with other women who face the same challenges that arise in pest management, particularly in those early years when they were establishing CPR Pest Management Services. At that time, Kylee had very little business experience and knew nothing really about pests. There were few avenues available to her to ask the questions that needed answers, particularly avenues where Kylee felt she would be encouraged and supported in her endeavors to learn.
It is also her belief that mentoring by individuals who have been successful in the pest industry can make a big difference to the professionalism of the industry as a whole. The PWAPM now provides this opportunity for women.
Women are valuable assets in any business. THE PWAPM is recognizing women in our industry and by so doing, more women are likely to believe being in the pest control industry is a worthwhile endeavor.
Congratulations to Kylee and PWAPM for filling this void in our industry.
Our NSW /ACT National Board director and AEPMA Vice President Gary Stephenson did a presentation on why Pest Managers should be members of the Australian Environmental Pest Manager Association.
What do you get from being a member?
Pest Manager of the Year 2020, nominations will be open from 8 July 2020 and closing on 9 August 2020. Sponsored by BASF winners and runners up promote their businesses to the marketplace as leaders in the industry.
AEPMA Conference 2020 16-18 September 2020, The Star, Gold Coast ‘Pest Management in the Digital Age’.
Membership Benefits
- Referrals: 10,000 per week public inquiries to AEPMA website.
- Customer recognition: consumers seek professionals and reassurance through professional membership
- Marketing: allows member to nominate postcodes to identify customers for your business
- A good number of government and not-for-profit organisations require a tenderer to be an AEPMA member - this includes many schools and universities
- In fact, the APVMA recommends that such organisations use AEPMA members.
Dispute Resolutions
No matter how successful a pest control operator is, there will always be instances that require some form of mediation process. The alternative for consumers is to take action through Consumer Affairs and/or legal action. Both of these alternatives are expensive, time consuming and tarnish the credibility of the pest company involved.
The AEPMA mediation process is an incredibly cost-effective way of dealing with disputes and this process is supported by Consumer Affairs or equivalent.
AEPMA Based Industry Training
- Work on the national review of Urban Pest Management Competency Units (Cert 3 & Cert 4)
- Certified Field Biologist Course and Institute of Field Biologists
- Certified training to support all AEPMA Codes of Best Practice
- Education and Training at AEPMA conferences and seminars
- Pestcert review/restructure
AEPMA Codes of Best Practice
Technical excellence and the best available science. The Codes of Best Practice are available to Industry and general public to download for free.
The Codes educate and inform the general public about the complexity of modern pest management, which creates confidence in you and your business when you are a signatory.
- AEPMA Code of Best Practice for Prior to Purchase Timber Pest Inspections
- AEPMA Code of Best Practice for Pest Management in the Food Industry
- AEPMA Code of Best Practice for Bed Bug Infestations in Australia
- AEPMA Code of Best Practice for Rodent Control
On 14 September 2017, the Australian Competition and Consumer Authority (ACCC) accredited and granted authorisation to AEPMA for the two codes:
- AEPMA’s Industry Code of Best Practice for Termite Management
- AEPMA’s Industry Code of Best Practice for Termite Management During Construction
The Codes provide a marketing edge for pest control companies who use them as they have been authorised by the ACCC and, unlike Standards Australia, are freely available to customers
Over 100 volunteer members from our Industry have worked on our Codes of Best Practice:
- Under development: AEPMA Code of Best Practice for Training in Pest Management
- Coming soon: AEPMA Timber Pest/ termite reporting templates
Projects Across the states
- New licensing legislation in Queensland
- A review of Pesticide usage in Western Australia
- New South Wales new trainee documentation
- Fire Ants Queensland
- Reviewing PestCert
- Victorian review of Animal Welfare
Communication with you by AEPMA
- Electronic monthly newsletter, State Branch Meetings, AEPMA Conferences, FAOPMA Conferences, Social media
- AEPMA is involved in so many more matters across the whole of Australia
- AEPMA is the voice of the Pest Management Industry and we cannot afford to not be a member
Again, thank you Eris and his team for the Pestech event.
- Patrick Legey -
|
 |
QLD Branch Meeting Update
The branch meeting was held on 20 August, and members discussed the issue of the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication (NRIFAE) Program and also received a briefing from Mr John Murray, in respect of proposed changes to the Australian Training Framework and units of competency. A summary of John’s presentation can be viewed here.
|
 |
Proposed Changes to WA Pesticides Regulations
The WA Department of Health has issued a Discussion Paper for Public consultation on options for changes to pesticide regulation. A copy of the Discussion Paper can be found here. The Association will be providing a submission on the Discussion Paper.
WA branch members are invited to comment on the options in the Discussion Paper in relation to alternative proposed changes. AEPMA will be making an official submission. We would like member comments in time for our draft submission to be submitted to WA branch members by Friday, 30th August 2019.
Three options have been proposed. Initial thoughts and comments sought on them are:
Option A – Repeal the existing regulations without replacement. Without action, the existing Regulations would be repealed without replacement and individual local government authorities would become responsible for
determining pesticide chemical application safety within their jurisdiction. Local government would have the potential to draft and publish local laws to regulate the use of pesticides with their jurisdiction boundary.
This would lead to a regulatory vacuum which would allow local governments to impose the regulatory framework. Questions to be answered are:
• Would local government adopt a uniform standard across the state or impose their own specific changes on a template regulatory framework?
• Have there been problems with the WA Department of Health regulatory framework that is encouraging them to absolve themselves of all responsibility in setting standards and enforcement?
• Do Councils have the resources to undertake such a function?
• If they currently do not, but have to undertake the function in future, how will it be financed?
• Could they impose additional charges on either pest managers or homeowners?
Option B – Retention of the existing regulatory regime by making new regulations under the Public Health Act 2016 identical to those in force under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911.
This would maintain the current status quo. Is there knowledge of the WA Department of Health not wanting to maintain its current role?
Option C – Develop new, updated regulations to manage public health risks to uphold the current regulatory requirements including suggested changes in Proposals 3 and 7-9 listed below:
- Proposal 1: Continue registration under the new Public Health Act
- Proposal 2: Continue licensing under the new Public Health Act
- Proposal 3: Licensing exemption criteria for individuals
- Proposal 4: Pesticides in public places
- Proposal 5: Safe fumigations
- Proposal 6: Management of registered pesticides
- Proposal 7: Local government as the enforcement agency
- Proposal 8: Multi-year validity for registrations and licences
- Proposal 9: Introduce substance management plans
This would appear to be the preferred option of the WA Department of Health as they have provided a series of proposals on changes to the current arrangements, indicating that work has been undertaken within the Department on these possible changes. All comments are welcome.
Again, we ask members provide comments by 6th September 2019 to allow time for a draft submission to be sent to members.
The Department has also set up a survey questionnaire on the issue. We encourage members to participate. The online survey is available via: https//consultation.health.wa.gov.au/ and click on ‘See All Open
Consultations’.
The closing date for submissions is 10th October 2019.
|
 |
Industrial Relations Update
Say It, Don’t Text It
Twice recently in unfair dismissal cases, senior highly experienced Fair Work Commission members delivered scathing judgments on employers who effected dismissals by text message.
In one matter, the FWC said it was likely only in rare circumstances that dismissals should not be conveyed in person. The decisions are replete with strong language condemning the behaviour as “unnecessarily callous”, “a repugnant process”, “unconscionably undignified” and “disgraceful and grossly unfair”.
Unless there is genuinely held personal safety fears, or the employee can’t be found, employers should avoid modern communication methods and do the business face to face.
|
 |
Ant Solutions from Sundew
“With the weather warming up soon, ants are going to be making their presence felt in and around homes in Australia.” explained Rowan Gregson, Technical Solutions Advisor at Sundew Solutions.
“Excluding termites, ants are considered to be the number one pest in Australia and it’s no wonder considering how widespread they are and how persistent they can be. They are also the most likely pest to result in a call back for pest managers, so getting it right the first time is vital.” said Rowan.
There are a number of pest species of ants, but mostly they tend to be classified as “black ants” or “brown ants”. Some might take it further and classify black ants as sugar or sweet feeders and brown ants as oil/fat or protein feeders. This of course, doesn’t identify the species and is somewhat simplistic, but ant identification is not easy owing to the similarities between some species and their small size making distinguishing features difficult to identify without a microscope.
The most commonly found species in houses are black house ants (Ochetellus glaber) and white footed house ants (Technomyrmex albipedes) which favour sweet foods. Then there are coastal brown ants (Pheidole megacephala), and Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) which are regularly encountered and considered to be protein or oil/fat feeders. Nothing is that clear cut though, as all these species are opportunistic and can be observed feeding on food other than what is their normal diet. For example, insect bodies would be made largely of fat and protein and the black ant species are commonly observed feeding on these. Conversely, if you put down a sugar or honey-based liquid with the brown ants they will often feed on it as well.
“What all this means is that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to ant management,” explained Rowan.
No single product can achieve control both indoors and outdoors. To combat ants, Sundew Solutions has developed a suite of products named ‘Sundew Ant Solutions’; four products which cover all aspects of ant control inside and outside the house.
Ants usually become a problem when they invade the house in search of food and/or water. This may occur in drier times or when food sources outside are scarce. Ants will often trail into the kitchen and feed on food scraps or crumbs or seek out water. The trails can be tracked back to an entry point, but they are often difficult to find outside the house as the trail may disappear into a wall cavity and emerge somewhere away from the point they disappeared inside.
An inspection of the exterior will identify more trails and nests which may not be the same colony or even the same species that is invading the house. However, ant activity outside is not usually welcomed by clients, due to the perception that these are the same ants invading the house. The outdoor ants often trail around the outside of the house and will find food sources (e.g. pet food bowls and garbage bins) and swarm over them to feed. Some ant species may excavate soil or sand from under pavers leading to their subsidence. Therefore, it is usually necessary to treat for ants both indoors and outdoors.
The first step is to lay out a trap for the ants in the form of AttractANT PRO. Utilising Sundew’s original ANTstripz, place lines of bait gel adjacent to trailing ants. Avoid using the gel directly on the trail as this may disrupt their pheromone markers. The ants will quickly find the gel and commence feeding recruiting more workers to the new food source. ANTstripz allow easy placement of gel and later inspection of the location to see whether the ants have consumed the bait.
To complete the treatment of the interior, the next step is to apply EnsnarePRO, the first suspension concentrate formulation of indoxacarb. Spray along skirting boards, around windows and doorways and inside kitchen cupboards with EnsnarePRO. This creates a deadly zone, acting slowly enough to allow movement of the active to the nest. As EnsnarePRO is non-repellent, it can be confidently used in conjunction with ant bait gels. While AttractANT PRO cleans up the existing infestation, EnsnarePRO helps prevent future colony incursion and establishment indoors.
Outdoor ant management requires a different approach, given the harsher conditions that are present. Rainfall, ultraviolet (UV) light and difficult pH levels mean that the treatment must be tough to endure outdoor conditions. For this reason, Sundew has another solution, ANTagonist PRO. Developed specifically for ants under the toughest conditions, and now registered for general pests, ANTagonist PRO provides the most reliable, hard-working perimeter treatment you can get. Containing polymer-enhanced bifenthrin, ANTagonist PRO acts as a non-repellent and is designed to last longer than any other synthetic pyrethroid spray. Applied around the perimeter on hard surfaces, it acts as an invisible barrier to ants and other pests. Rain or hard UV light does not cause the product to lose its effectiveness quickly. In fact, ANTagonist PRO has been shown to re-activate after rain as more of the active ingredient is released from the polymer, extending the life span of the treatment.
For areas away from the house perimeter there’s the fourth product, SAS Pro. Specially developed in Australia for ant treatments, SAS PRO is a fipronil based granule that can be spread on lawns, rockeries, gardens and paved areas to control trailing, foraging and nesting ants. SAS PRO works well on its own, but rain or watering will activate the fipronil and provide even better control. The silica-based granule is applied at 7.5g - 15g per square metre, SAS PRO gives long lasting control of ant colonies. Scattered on trails, nests and foraging areas, SAS PRO will see ant activity decline and disappear within days.
Utilising Sundew’s Ant Solutions, professional pest managers have four products to ensure that ants are no longer a callback worry. Our four-pronged ant management plan includes:
- AttractANT PRO Ant Bait Gel – internally around ant trails in common foraging areas
- EnsnarePRO SC – internal treatment of surfaces to provide an invisible barrier for long term control
- ANTagonist PRO – external polymer enhanced bifenthrin perimeter treatment for control in the harshest outdoor conditions
- SAS PRO – external scatter granule treatment for broad areas applied to trails, nests and foraging areas providing fast knockdown of ant populations.
|
 |
National Invasive Ant Biosecurity Plan 2018-2028
The Department of the Environment and Energy has published the biosecurity plan, which provides a nationally agreed approach to enhance Australia’s capacity to manage the ongoing threat of invasive ants establishing in Australia and the impacts caused by those species already established.
The plan covers the biosecurity spectrum, specifically broken into the stages of prevention, detection, response, containment and asset-based protection/ongoing management. It describes the actions required to best address the biosecurity threats posed by invasive ants offshore, at the border and onshore. It includes the elements of a national approach to prevent, prepare for and respond to invasive ants, including surveillance, and how this could be achieved. An implementation plan is appended to the back of the biosecurity plan.
The national Environment and Invasives Committee has been asked to have oversight of the implementation of the plan.
|
 |
NPMA's Mosquito Multiplier Shows Just How Quickly Mosquitos Multiply
NPMA's Mosquito Multiplier Shows Just How Quickly Mosquitoes Multiply
Mosquito Multiplier is a new video project that shows just how quickly mosquitoes are able to multiply.
The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), which serves as the public outreach arm of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), released the results of its new video project – Mosquito Multiplier – to show just how quickly mosquitoes are able to multiply right in your own backyard. By recreating ideal conditions that allow mosquitoes to thrive, researchers were able to capture the true breeding power of mosquitoes, and the results are a must-see.
“The Mosquito Multiplier project is a visual simulation that’s designed to show homeowners exactly how mosquito populations can explode under the right conditions,” said Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association. “Our team of experts took mosquito eggs and hatched them under controlled conditions that mimic those you would find in a typical backyard, and in less than a week, we had over 5,000 mosquitoes.”
Found all across the country, mosquitoes thrive in warm, wet areas and only need as little as half an inch of water to breed, turning seemingly innocent items such as kiddie pools, wheelbarrows and overturned frisbees into potential breeding grounds. “To reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes breeding on your yard, conduct a survey of the property at least once a week and eliminate any areas of standing water,” said Fredericks.
Able to spread West Nile virus, malaria, dengue and Zika virus, mosquitoes are considered the deadliest animal on earth. According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes are responsible for several million deaths and hundreds of millions of cases of vector-borne diseases every year. With over 150 different species of mosquitoes found in the U.S. alone, vigilance is key to preventing an infestation.
The link to the article and video can be found here.
|
 |
Newsletter contributions/comments
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.
|
 |
Upcoming Events
- Bayer Excellence Awards 2019 (Melbourne) –18 September 2019
- Fire Ant Training (Brisbane) – 8 October 2019
- FAOPMA Pest Summit 2019 (Daejeon, Korea) – 24-27 September 2019
- AEPMA 2020 Conference (The Star, Gold Coast) – 16-18 September 2020
|
You are receiving AEPMA e-newsletters. If you are not interested to further e-newsletter from AEPMA, please click here to unsubscribe. |