AEPMA’s conference, Pesticon 2021 is fast approaching and now is the time to register and secure your place for this exciting event.

Attractive early bird rates are only available until 16th July 2021. Full delegate packages start at $450 for members and $475 for non-members with further savings for 2 or more delegates.

Take advantage of the special discounted accommodation rates at The Star Gold Coast.  These can be found on the conference website. 

To book, click on the link on the Accommodation page of the conference website. 

But don’t delay - places are filling fast!

Secure your place today -BOOK NOW & SAVE!!  For more information, and to register, simply visit the AEPMA Conference Website.

Pest Manager of the Year, kindly sponsored by BASF will be awarded at this year's AEPMA conference.

Nominations have been extended in the following categories:

• Micro Business
• Pest Management companies employing more than 10 people

Nominations for these catagories will close on the 9th July 2021 with winners being announced at Pesticon.

Further information, nomination forms and entry guidelines are available here

Nominations for the 2021 PWAPM Excellence Award are now open.

The 2021 PWAPM Excellence Award seeks to recognise and highlight the achievement of a woman who has advanced in the pest management industry. 

Nominations are now open for inspiring women within the industry who embody leadership qualities and embrace the principles of corporate social responsibility. 

The PWAPM Excellence Award winner will be recognised as a woman in the pest control industry that has not only shown outstanding leadership but has dedicated her time and energy in making notable contributions to the development and growth of other women within the industry. 

The nominations will be open to women working in upper management, sales representatives, manufacturers, technicians, insurance and research organisations. 

Entries will be provided by a nomination. You do not have to be a PWAPM member to enter. 

Nominations and completed applications to be provided by 26th July 2021, closing time 5pm. 

The winner will be announced at the gala dinner held at the National Pesticon Conference on the 23rd September. 

Thank you to BASF for sponsoring the Excellence Award.

To nominate please click here

Hear what the 2020 Excellence Award Winner - Michelle Downs from Lethal Pest Control has to say about the award in her interview. 

The AEPMA Annual General Meeting was held via Teleconference on Thursday 24th June 2021 at 8am (AEST) 

The 2021 Financial Reports and minutes from the AGM can be found here 

Thank you to all who attended. 

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NSW AEPMA Branch Update - Patrick Legey 

The last time the AEPMA NSW ACT State Council met was the 1st of March 2021.

At the last meeting, it was suggested to discuss with NSW EPA the possibility of another meeting with AEPMA NSW delegates.

Three of our state delegates (Mr Patrick Legey, Ms Kylee Enwright and Mr Gary Stephenson) met with Mr Martin Bowles, Ms Patricia Fabiano, and Mr Luke Formosa from NSW EPA on 29 April 2021.

We discussed the progress in implementing Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) for licenses, including NSW Pesticides Licences – with the next steps being changes to Commonwealth and NSW legislation and proposed upgrading of EPA systems to allow online notification by interstate licensees wanting to work in NSW.

Scrolling through some of the Government websites, it seems that some things may have already happened and it looks like this item was passed by both houses of parliament on 23 June 2021. We will keep you posted when we have analysed and digested it.

Other licencing matters discussed

We have also discussed the possibility of a Pest Management Technician (PMT) Timber Pest Management License or some endorsement on the existing licence in NSW.

NSW EPA will work with NSW AEPMA on this matter and again we will keep you updated.

Read more here

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 QLD AEPMA Branch Update 

A meeting of the QLD AEPMA branch took place via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 30th June.  Thank you to all who attended.  

The next meeting will take place at the AEPMA National Office on 25th August at 7.30am.  If you would like to attend the meeting please RSVP by the 24th of August by calling the AEPMA National Office on 1300 307 114  or via email at info@aepma.com.au 

Victorian Health has recently advised changes to licencing in Victoria in the June edition of their newsletter.

A further explanation of the Victorian Government changes is available here 

Please note this will only affect people that were licensed on and before 2002. 

You may be eligible for funding under the “Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers” program and “Skills & Training Incentive”

Should you seek further clarification on this matter please do not hesitate to contact the AEPMA National Office info@aepma.com.au 

Pesticide Training & Licensing: CPPM30119 Certificate III in Urban Pest Management

 On the 13 February 2020 the Department of Health WA notified all interested parties of Skills Service Organisation, Artibus’ support for the teach out period for CPPM30119 Certificate III in Urban Pest Management from the Property Services Training Package. The teach out period was granted and extended until the 29 September 2021.

Based on legal advice and changes to the approval processes for the provisional pest management technician licence, the Department has arrived at a compromise which allows delivery of the new training package in compliance with the Health (Pesticide) Regulations 2011.

Trainee students undertaking this training package must apply for a Provisional licence prior to conducting any supervised pest management treatments offsite from the educational facility. This requires the currently enrolled trainee student to submit an application for a provisional licence with the following information:

A letter or confirmation (or email) from the registered training organisation the student has successfully completed the theory portion of the respective unit(s),
A letter of employment (or email) from their employer or prospective employer, a registered pest management business who will be providing direct and personal supervision of the student until they complete their training course.

Once the provisional licence is granted the trainee may complete the practical portion of the unit as part of their practical assessment. The provisional licensee must continue to complete the remaining units to attain their full technician licence.

The Department has contacted the respective registered training organisations and the affected registered pest management businesses of the changes. In addition, the Department is updating guides, application forms, Frequently Asked Questions and releasing an industry newsletter.

Please contact Amy Tran, Chemical Hazards on (08) 9222 2000 or by email: doh.chemicalhazards@health.wa.gov.au for further information.

Further information can be found here

Rudduck is small Melbourne-based company that manufactures, sources, develops and distributes a range of specialty pest control products.

Rudduck offers two unique and highly effective rodent control products.

The first, and particularly relevant at this time, is Alpha Rapid mouse bait. Alpha Rapid is very specific to mice, having relatively low toxicity to other, larger mammals. It works as an anaesthetic, causing drowsiness to the mouse, resulting in loss of consciousness within 15 minutes with death following quickly through hypothermia. It is a unique mode of action, with no secondary toxicity and no build up in the environment.

Several PCOs have tested and used the product to control some of the massive mouse populations currently invading Central Western NSW. Feedback has been absolutely outstanding.  “I am picking up about 200 dead mice per day around my home”; “My best night with Alpha Rapid I picked up 805 mice in the morning – from just 25 rat bait stations”; “I’d estimate that each small block kills between 40 and 50 mice”; “I find that I must place stations in easily accessible locations because mice die within 4m”.

The second product is the Rodenticide Paste which is very highly palatable rodent bait formulation containing attractive, high energy fats. The active ingredient is the single feed bromadiolone which is used and accepted widely in many rodenticides, the difference being the uniquely attractant properties as well as the application. Rudduck Rodenticide Paste is supplied in a 300g cartridge to fit a standard caulking gun, so bait application is quick, clean and easy – and it requires no direct contact with the product.

Want to win either a VISA card worth $500 or an 8th gen iPad (32GB)?

Read on…

Although Rapid Solutions is 25+ years in business it always strives to better understand how pest professionals like to do their report writing. Why? Because more effective and accurate reporting helps you be more efficient and compliant in business. Which in turn helps you can avoid expensive, stressful insurance claims.

This is why Rapid launched its free pest and building inspection reporting tool, Rapid Inspect, 18 months ago. Since then, it’s been downloaded more than 1,000 times and updated on several occasions since for improved functionality and features. It’s also why the team has launched a new industry survey that aims to explore your experience with pest and building report writing.

Take 5 minutes to enter the survey competition now and go into the draw to win the above prize of your choice! Competition ends 31 July 2021. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HT9Y5JW

The formulation chemists at Sherwood have nailed it again. We are excited to inform you about some significant improvements to the product FipForce HP (High Performance) Termiticide & Insecticide that delivers an increase of up to 50% in hole spacings when drill and inject is required.

In May 2021 we introduced FipForce HP Termiticide & Insecticide (which is a significant upgrade and investment in FipForce Aqua) using the latest high performance polymeric surfactants to deliver up to 33% time savings compared to standard fipronil products in the Australian market.  FIPFORCE HP (as in ‘High Performance’) sets the new benchmark in non-repellent Fipronil soil treatments in Australia in particular for drill and injections through concrete.

FipForce HP has been approved to inject at up to 300mm hole spacings in sand and 250mm in loam, which reduces the number of drill holes required and brings a fipronil drill and inject treatment up to an inline with bifenthrin and imidacloprid label rates. Not only does a new fipronil job become faster to prepare and complete you now get the benefit of not having to drill an extra hole in between existing plugs when retreating older bifenthrin or imidacloprid treatment zones.

Read more here 

AEPMA has partnered with QuickFee to offer exclusively to AEPMA’s members, a flexible payment solution for your clients. Offering payment plans are one of the fastest ways to scale your business, without having to invest another cent in sales or marketing, and offer your business a key differentiator against non-AEPMA members. It is also a great way to reduce friction when it comes to the customer’s buying decision, making it easier for your clients to say yes faster.

QuickFee empowers your clients to pay their pest control fees in 4 interest-free instalments using the credit they already have with no credit risk to your business.  It’s the first-ever payment plan designed specifically with service providers such as pest controllers in mind.

QuickFee can:

• Make your fees more appealing to prospects
• Add compassion to the payment discussion when it comes to unexpected costs
• Be used as a friendly collections alternative
• Enable you to sell more of the services your existing clients need
• Streamline your entire payment and invoicing process

Unlike other “buy now, pay later” solutions, QuickFee Instalments doesn’t create any new debt to the user. Instead, it leverages your client’s existing credit card, removing the need for formal credit checks and applications – ensuring there is no detrimental impact on your client’s credit file.

By adopting QuickFee as a flexible payment option, you will be offering your clients a responsible, smart way to #beatthebank, accumulate credit cards benefit points and reduce credit card merchant costs for your business.

With QuickFee Instalments, you’re adding another valuable financial tool to your business’s toolkit – and improving cash flow for your clients and your business at the same time.

Best of all…as an AEPMA member you get the first month for free – no transaction fees.

Get started in 2 minutes at no risk at all – There are no monthly fees or long-term contracts!

Find out more 

Bed bugs can be a major problem for homeowners and hoteliers. They are a source of great irritation and even disgust and have economic impacts and create privacy issues for your customers. Your client may expect a magic and quick solution to their bed bug woes, but you and your colleagues know that bed bugs are probably the most difficult pests to eradicate.

Some great reference and training tools on bed bug management are available to pest managers, including the AEPMA Bed Bug Code of Practice. One of the best and most comprehensive tools I continually call upon is the Bayer Amplify bed bug treatment and control training course. It continues to be one of the most popular training courses in the Amplify pest program.

In my role, I regularly find that pest managers have issues with bed bug management. The lion’s share of the problem comes back to the lack of follow through on a bed bug management plan, by either the pest manager or the customer. What’s needed is a solid bed bug management plan.

Read more here 

FMC Australasia is excited to announce the launch of Biflex® Mikron, a revolution for sprayable concentrates for professional pest control. With a new formulation of microemulsion and a new active ingredient, Acetamiprid, Biflex® Mikron introduces two new innovations to the market.

The microemulsion particles are 200 times smaller than suspension concentrate particles, meaning there is no residue that can build up in sprayer tanks or filters. There is no need to worry about blocked nozzles or issues when spraying. Liquid concentrate mixes clear, sprays clear and dries clear.

Acetamiprid is non-repellent and fast acting on difficult pests such as cockroaches, ants, and spiders. When acetamiprid is combined with the trusted performance of bifenthrin, pest managers get the added benefit of residual control with the fast knockdown.

With the powerful combination of these two active ingredients in a cutting edge microemulsion formulation, you get;

• Lightning fast control and enduring residual protection
• Microemulsion providing clear results with excellent surface coverage.
• Bifenthrin, the trusted active ingredient in Biflex® Aqua and Biflex® Ultra.
• Acetamiprid a NEW active ingredient for the Australian pest management market that improves speed of kill

For more information visit fmcaustralasia.com.au or contact your local representative

The registration page is now open for the 2021 Environmental Biosecurity Webinar Series – Knock Knock, Who’s there? Drawing attention to our most unwanted visitors.

The series of seven monthly webinars and discussions will focus on the recently released National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases (EEPL) and explore the list’s purpose, its development and how it will help manage risks to Australia’s biosecurity. Each webinar will be 90 minutes, including three speakers and 30 minutes of facilitated discussion.

The first webinar ‘Biosecurity. A weakness in one is a vulnerability to all’ will provide an introduction to the series and highlight the importance of managing biosecurity risks across the spectrum of human, agricultural, environmental and marine health. We will hear from three experts who will provide their latest insights on biosecurity and the transdisciplinary approach to one health.

2021 Environmental Biosecurity Webinar Series:

Knock Knock. Who’s there? Drawing attention to our most unwanted visitors

• Pests & ecosystems - exploring risks to marine environments. 5 August 2:00-3:30pm(AEST)
• Pests & ecosystems - exploring risks to freshwater environments. 2 September 2:00-3:30pm(AEST)
• Opening the toolbox. Tools and technology for detection, control and eradication. 7 October 2:00-3:30pm(AEDT)

To register for the webinar series and for more information, visit the Eventbrite registration page.

Once registered, you will be emailed the Microsoft Teams joining link and program for each session as they become available (approximately 2 weeks before each webinar).

If you would like to watch recordings from last year’s webinar series, please visit the Environmental Biosecurity Webinar Series information page.

An application to use controversial poison bromadiolone to fight NSW's relentless mouse plague has been knocked back.

In May, the NSW government made an urgent application for the poison to be made available for perimeter baiting.

Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall described the poison as being like "napalm for mice".

There have been major concerns from the public about the anticoagulant's high secondary poisoning rate and the risk of killing other animals, birds, and even fish.

The independent authority, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) notified the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) of its intention to refuse the application.

Read more here – Credit ABC news

If you're a rattlesnake looking to avoid to scorching heats and bitter chills of California's Mojave Desert, the wheel well of a A380 plane is a welcome shelter.

But if you're a Qantas technician looking to keep the idle jumbo jets in tip-top shape, a rattlesnake is the last thing you want to deal with.

A substantial part of the Qantas fleet is currently sitting idle in the Mojave Desert because of reduced demand from the pandemic.

Read more here – Credit 9 News 

SAVE THE DATE!!

• AEPMA Conference Pesticon 2021 22nd - 24th September 2021
• AEPMA QLD Branch Meeting 25th August 2021 - National Office @ 7.30am 

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

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