Over the next few editions of the AEPMA eNewsletter we will be introducing you to the winners from each category of the recent Pest Manager of the Year competition – sponsored by BASF .

This month it is the winner of our Micro Business Category – Termitrust Dubbo (Andrew Murphy Jenny Murphy & James Sutton)

Tell us a little about Termitrust Dubbo – 

Termitrust Pest Control (Dubbo) is a locally owned and operated company based in Dubbo NSW. We service a vast area of regional NSW covering all aspects of residential, commercial & industrial pest control needs.  We pride ourselves on our core values of Reputation, Consistency, Accountability & Winning. Over the past twelve months Termitrust Pest Control (Dubbo) begun the journey of creating a succession plan and took the first step in October 2019 with James Sutton becoming part owner. 
This will ensure future success and sustainability of our business in the pest management industry.

Why did you decide to enter the competition?  Is this your first time in the competition? 

We took the opportunity and applied for the Pest Manager of the Year to gain recognition for the professional and quality service we provide. We first entered the competition in 2019 and after receiving the feedback we were encouraged to apply again in 2020.

How was the judging process?  

With the judging process being two part, it allowed our different personalities, skills and qualities to shine. The written submission allowed the judges to gain an idea and understanding of our company before the phone interview. The phone interview is challenging being put on the spot however between our personalities, field experience and business knowledge the phone interview second time around was easier.

Share your secrets!  How did you win this competition?  What was the strategy involved? 

Our strategies that we believe lead to our win include, the visual appeal of our submission with the layout / colours / photos.  Written content including examples and the linking of documents to back up our responses. The strategy for the phone interview was to have both James to answer the field related questions and Jenny to provide the business management responses. We tackled each question with genuine answers and confidently backed each others responses. Also, don't be afraid to clarify what exactly the question is asking.

Has winning helped your business? 

The process of applying for the award has definitely helped our business by documenting our values, plans and questioning what we see in the future for our business. We use parts of our submission when tendering jobs and have found our success rates have increased. With the pest season just starting to kick off now we have added the win to all our marketing material and look forward to a successful season.

What tips would you give potential entrants for next year? 

Create a submission that is eye catching and memorable. Be genuine, open and honest in your phone interview responses.

This year’s theme, Work Health and Safety through COVID-19, acknowledges and reflects the wide-reaching impacts of COVID-19 on Australian businesses, employers and workers. 

Workplaces have had to quickly adapt their practices and procedures to reduce the WHS risks arising from COVID-19 and to manage the psychological effects of the pandemic on workers. 

The National Safe Work Month theme highlights the WHS challenges, as well as the positive outcomes brought on by the pandemic and the significant role WHS plays in keeping workers safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Read more here 

South Australia 

The South Australian AEPMA branch held their meeting via Teams on the 16th September. 

Thank you to all who attended. 

The minutes from this meeting can be found here 

Queensland

The team from the National Imported Fire Ant programme joined the Queensland AEPMA branch meeting.  Austin McLennan and German Perlaza Rua provided an update regarding the current measures being undertaken to eradicate fire ants in QLD.  

National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program Update

On 10 September 2020, the program’s Austin McLennan, Senior Scientist, and German Perlaza, Senior Engagement Officer, presented an updated on the program’s activities relating to their 10 year eradication plan. 

The key updates were:

• The program is currently on schedule for eradication by 2027.
• During the 2020-21 treatment season, the program will begin eradication treatment in Area 2, covering suburbs from Somerset (Lowood), Ipswich (Rosewood, Peak Crossing) and surrounds.
• The goal is to conduct four treatment rounds across Area 2 this season. 
• The science team has carried out trials to test efficacy of half, full and double rates of various bait products when applied as individual mound treatments on monogyne fire ant nests. The results supported the use of registered bait label rates per mound.
• Additional bait trials are underway into the effectiveness of different bait products and regimes when targeting polygyne fire ant infestations, aimed at finding solutions for faster eradication.
• The program is working to mobilise residents and some industries to start managing fire ant risks of their own properties, either by treating themselves or hiring a pest manager. 
• The program has now trained more than 341 pest managers. Work is underway to improve the content of the training and modernise delivery methods. The program recognises that AEPMA recommends hands-on training for its members. 

New South Wales / ACT 

The New South Wales / ACT AEPMA branch held their meeting on the 24th August 2020. 

Below is an update from Patrick Legey Chairman of NSW / ACT branch

A virtual AEPMA NSW ACT Branch meeting was held on Microsoft Teams on Monday 24 August 2020.

Like everyone else in Australia, we have had to adapt to the Pandemic time we are living with. Virtual meetings will probably be the norm for the foreseeable future. While it is not perfect, we hope as we progress, to get better at it. One great thing is that we don’t have to drive to the meeting, which for some delegates was hours on the road. 

We had a turnout of 8 delegates out of 13 which is not a bad number. Some of the contents are now old news as we have informed members immediately through the National Office.

It is good for members to know what their State Council delegates are doing.
We were also pleased to have Life Member Greg Moon in attendance at the meeting.

Read more here

The Western Australia AEPMA Branch meeting will take place on the 7th Oct at 3pm - Agserve Offices Boulder Rd Malaga RSVP

The FAOPMA virtual pest summit will take place online on November 18th & 19th. 

Presentations will focus on the future of Covid-19, the economic impacts to the pest control industry and how to survive these challenges.  There will be more than 30 speakers and virtual booths for opportunities to learn about the latest products.

More information can be found here

Bayer is running a National Promotion from 1st September through to 30th November, 2020.  The promotion will be available at all distributor outlets and prizes include:

1ST PRIZE: Sony 65” LED TV, Bose Surround Sound, PS4 + 2 games, Samsung Galaxy Tab

2ND PRIZE: PS4 + 2 games and speaker

3RD PRIZE: Nintendo Switch + 2 games

To enter, purchase a minimum of $250 on participating* Bayer products in a single
transaction and log-on to gearup.comp.com.au to enter for your chance to win. Spend
$250 for 1 ticket, $500 for 3 tickets and spend $1,000 for 8 tickets.

* Participating products include: Aqua-K Othrine® 1L, Coopex® Dusting Powder 10Kg, Cislin®25 1L & 5L, Maxforce® Gold 35g, Maxforce® Fusion 30g, Maxforce® Activ 3 x 30g, Maxforce® Quantum 3 x 30g, Starycide® 1L, Suspend®Flexx 500mL & 3L, Temprid®75 1L & 5L. 

Terms and conditions apply

Competition is open to all Bayer customers aged 18+ and runs through from September 1st to November 30th, 2020.  Customers must upload their receipts at gearup.comp.com.au as proof of purchase as well as retain receipts.  Prizes will be drawn on 7/12/20 and winners contacted via email.

Good luck from the Bayer Pest Team!

Bayer Webinar – Commercial German Cockroach Control

The German Cockroach presents one of the more difficult jobs in professional pest management.  A combination of factors needs to be in the PCO’s favour to be successful in gaining initial and ongoing control.

In this webinar, the Environmental Science team from Australia will discuss the most common formulations recommended for German cockroach control and how to get the most out of your treatment.

Watch a recording of the webinar here 

Neville Hedge (pictured) has joined the Greenzone Team.

Greenzone looks forward to Neville assisting Stewart Paterson, Greenzone Business Development Manager.

Neville has 55 year’s Pest Management Industry experience.
Some would be well aware of his involvement over these years with Neville now commenting “I am too young to retire”

Briefly, Neville started in Toowoomba, his home town, as a one - man operation with Amalgamated Pest Control in 1965.

After developing this business to an operation with 42 personnel, in 1982 he moved with family to Caloundra with the role of Development Manager with the Amalgamated Group.

In 1986 saw the family move to Sydney his role being Southern Zone Director.

“We had a very small footprint in Sydney at that time but with a consistent effort we managed to increase the team to 24 personnel which included Newcastle and Canberra”

In 1998 the call to ‘get back to Queensland’ was loud and clear when he resigned from the Amalgamated Group and commenced as the Queensland Territory Manager for AgrEvo Environmental Health who incidentally launched Kordon to the building market a couple of years before then. His role included advice to the Pest Control industry including application procedures of the full range of pest control products, including termiticides. 

In 2001 AgrEvo merged with Rhone Poulenc Rural to form AventisEnvironmental
Science.

He was appointed to the position of National Training Manager, Termite Products with the responsibility to train the Kordon Termite Barrier Installer network and provide advice to those involved in the post construction termite market.

In 2002 as it happens in the Global Pest Management Industry Bayer Crop Science ‘took over’ Aventis Environmental Science with his appointment as the NationalTraining Manager Kordon / Termites.

Neville said “my involvement with Bayer ceased on 31st December 2018”

“Over the years I had the pleasure to spend three terms as the New South Wales Chairman & National Board Member of the Australian Environmental Pest Manager’s Association.  I was a board member of the New South Wales Industry Training Advisory Board as the Pest Management Industry Representative I resigned from this position due to relocation to Queensland in 1998”

“My years in the industry to date have included 33 working in the private sectors, 20
within the Corporate World and more recently back involved in the private scene and really looking forward to working with the Greenzone Business” 

You can contact Neville on 0488 082 656

Happily married for 33 years, Menai locals Jodi and Colin aren’t just partners in life; they’re also business partners and the founders of Drop Dead Pest Control in Sydney’s south. 

Their ‘over the dinner table’ work conversations have resulted in a truly family-run business. Syngenta interview this dynamic duo to find out what makes this unique duo such an effective team and stronger than they would each be on their own. 

This Dynamic Duo is brought to you by: DEMAND DUO Insecticide.
 

Read more here

Have you considered insuring your pest business? Do you have the right insurance endorsements? Or, maybe it’s time to review your insurer. Getting covered is easy. As the go-to insurer for the pest management industry, Rapid Solutions has got your back when you need it. 

With a tailored approach to professional indemnity and general liability insurance, you will receive the right cover to suit your business needs – not to mention the total peace of mind you deserve. For over 25+ years, Rapid’s fine-tuned offering has saved thousands of pest professionals time, money and stress.

Now could be the right time to give them a try. And here is a bonus – the Rapid Solutions Refer a Friend program. Could you be a friend who shares the love? Or, maybe you have generous friends? Read on…

There is a great reward for new clients who are referred by an existing Rapid Solutions policyholder. When you purchase a new insurance policy with us, you will receive a $25 VISA e-giftcard. Your policyholder friend will be rewarded too, with a $50 VISA e-giftcard.

Click here to learn more. T&Cs apply.

In place of our Environmental Biosecurity Roundtable events for 2020, we are excited to invite you to the new Environmental Biosecurity Webinar series. Many of you would have received the information sent out earlier this month regarding the series which began on Tuesday 28 July.

Each webinar will feature three keynote speakers and explore a particular theme relating to environmental biosecurity.

REGISTER HERE to receive speaker info and your digital invitation and joining details for each webinar as they are confirmed. 

27 October: Biosecurity risks in focus - Contaminants and commerce

24 November:  Biosecurity in our backyard

*Webinar dates are subject to change pending presenter availability.

With squadrons of butterflies gracing Mackay this week, locals could be forgiven for thinking there'd been a major hatching event.

But the creatures are winter survivors that toughed out the cooler, dryer months and are now emerging with warmer weather.  Read more here

Credit – ABC   

It's 2:00am and you feel something like the jaws of a hairclip on your forehead.
It's not a hairclip.

Emily Hinds was having an early night after celebrating a win in social netball with a glass of wine on Tuesday night.

"I woke up in that slumber feeling like I've rolled onto a hair clip on my head and was thinking 'Why did the kids put a hair clip on my head'?" the 42-year-old mum said.

"Then I thought the clip would have to open and close.

"Then I felt it and it was smooth and long and I said 'It's a snake!'.

Read more here

Credit - ABC

• WA Branch Meeting 7th Oct @ 3pm. Agserv Offices, Boulder Rd. Malaga
• FAOPMA Virtual Pest Summit 18th & 19th November 2020
• SAVE THE DATE!!  AEPMA Conference Pesticon 2021 22nd - 24th September 2021

Newsletter contributions/comments

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