Termites love Queensland homes.

In a few months the prolific pests can cause expensive damage, with the average repair bill around $7,000.

But there are ways of building a new home that can help prevent termites from chewing through your house and your wallet.                          (Read more) 

The plague of rats in the city and eastern suburbs is among the worst Gordon Simms has seen in more than 30 years in the pest control business.

The Bugs Be Gone operator and AEPMA member said the surge in rodents could be for a number of reasons, including rubbish bins being left out for longer.

“There’s a lot of building going on, there’s a lot of road digging up, if a lot of construction is going on close by that adds to the activity and they’ve got to go somewhere,” Mr Simms said.    Read more

Tougher workplace drug testing methods received backing by the Fair Work Commission (FWC), when it ruled in favour of combined urine and saliva sampling.

In arbitration between a coal export company and a union, FWC supported the company’s proposal for random drug testing, using either the oral fluid or urine sampling method.

The FWC said that it is ultimately a “choice between private lives or saving lives” when determining the most appropriate workplace drug testing method. In this decision, FWC opted for “saving lives,” arguing the lapse of time between consuming and detecting the drug is irrelevant if such consumption creates a recognised risk to the safety of an employee and others in the workplace.   (Read More)

FMC Australasia has launched the HomeGuard FlexiCollars as part of their extensive HomeGuard Precision Termite Management system range.      

The HomeGuard FlexiCollar is an innovative easy to use termite collar that is designed to integrate with the concrete slab and suit the needs of the large volume installer.  It is constructed as a preformed single layer polymer that includes the termiticide Biflex.

The HomeGuard FlexiCollar is adjustable and will suit multiple sized penetrations.  It is easy to install and designed to fit on all pipes, over plumbing caps, “U” bends and bell housings.   (Read more)

Bayer has just launched its new and innovative Maxforce® Fusion Cockroach Gel. Maxforce Fusion is the next generation gel against cockroaches, both large and small.  Incorporating for the first time, a patented fusion technology, known as TLC control (Total Life Cycle Control), incorporating a feeding stimulant and capsule technology within the gel matrix (blue beads). 

Jeff Einam, Technical & Regulatory Affairs Manager at Bayer, said “This unique feeding stimulant has been proven to dramatically decrease the percentage of nymphs in the population.  The reduction is due to an increased direct consumption of bait by nymphs, resulting in a long term inability for populations to recover.”  (Read more)

It’s time to introduce our next exceptional Life Member…..

Barry Collins came to the pest management industry in 1989 and started his own pest control company in 1993.

Since 1993, Barry has been active in both TAFE pest control courses: marking papers for the correspondence course and teaching sections of the live course.

Barry was part of the group that developed a list of questions to ask applicants to ensure standardisation of assessment as many were put through by Recognition of Prior Learning.

Barry has been a member of the Queensland Industry Training and Advisory Board for Pest Management.  He has served as the Chair of this group.  He has also served on the executive of the overall Asset Maintenance ITAB.         (Read More)

The first meeting for the review of 3660.2 was held in Sydney in March, the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the outline of the standard, address current work practices, write the standard so as not to stifle new products or technology.

Sub committees will be formed to break the standard into several areas, so the project can make headway in multiple areas at the same time. The process will be relatively slow with a target of 12-18 months for completion.

Anyone wishing to contribute ideas, or concepts please forward to the AEPMA National Office – Attn: John Graham via email (info@aepma.com.au).

Are you an avid photographer?  Entries are now open for the 2015-16 AEPMA Photography Competition.   

The competition is for the best photograph of Australian Pests.  Entries must relate to pest management and could include (but not be limited to):
Urban Pest Species, Pest Management Situations, People involved in pest management, damage caused by pests, etc.

Entries close on 31st March 2016 and winners will be published on the AEPMA website, with an Exhibition to be held in September 2016.  For more information, see the attached flyer or visit the AEPMA website. 

The Australian Government Department of the Environment has released a new draft Threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats for public comment. 

The plan establishes a national framework to guide and coordinate Australia’s response to the impacts of feral cats on threatened species. The plan focuses on effective control of feral cats in different environments, developing alternative strategies for threatened species recovery, and increasing public support for feral cat management.

Key priorities for the plan include:
•    having a feral cat bait available for use across all conservation areas in Australia
•    researching how fire and grazing practice can change native vegetation and impact on feral cats’ ability to hunt effectively
•    investigating further the role of diseases, including toxoplasmosis, on feral cats and how they might pass them on to native species
•    eradicating feral cats from islands and establishing more fenced reserves free from feral cats to protect threatened species under pressure from feral cats.
The draft threat abatement plan is open for public comment until 8 July 2015.  The plan and instructions on how to comment can be found on the Department’s website at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/threat-abatement-plans/drafts-open  

Article from Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre

Many thanks to the many members who have renewed their AEPMA Membership for 2015-16.

Unfortunately as at 1 May 2015, 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, please contact the AEPMA national office immediately on 1300 307 114 or via email on info@aepma.com.au.

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AEPMA welcomes any contributions or suggestions for articles that are relevant to the industry.  Simply forward your article or suggestion to kirsten.winlaw@aepma.com.au.

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