President's Report

Spring’s around the corner and with that the anticipation of another busy season which I am sure we are all looking forward to.  Winter is often a time to review our operations, implement new processes or procedures and also research trends.  There is no better way to do all of this than attending industry conferences, and the Rapids Risk Management Conference on the Gold Coast was an absolute winner this year - if you didn't attend you missed out.  The presentations from the speakers were inspiring and informative, the exhibition hall had everything you could imagine to spark ideas and the functions were perfect to catch up with friends you haven't seen since the last industry gathering or an opportunity to meet new friends.  In my experience the friendships you build at these conferences are the most valuable thing I take away, the conversations I have with our fellow industry colleagues drive me to be better in my business and also in my role within AEPMA.    (Read more)

Pest Manager of the Year 2015 Announced

A fantastic night was had by all at the Pest Manager of the Year Awards dinner, held on 14th August 2015 at the Rapid Solutions’ National Conference on the Gold Coast.  

Congratulations go to Pestec who won National Pest Manager of the Year for 2015. Pestec also took out prizes for NSW Pest Manager of the Year and Pest Manager of the Year – More than 5 employees.  Other winners on the night were:

Australian Pest Manager of the Year : PESTEC PTY LTD
Pest Manager of the Year - More than 5 Employees : PESTEC PTY LTD
Pest Manager of the Year - Less than 5 Employees : QUALITY PEST & WEED SOLUTIONS PTY LTD
Pest Manager of the Year - Specialised Business Area : SPECIALIST TERMITE CONTROL PTY LTD
Pest Manager of the Year - NSW : PESTEC PTY LTD
Pest Manager of the Year  - VIC : EXOPEST
Pest Manager of the Year – TAS : FLICK ANTICIMEX PTY LTD
Pest Manager of the Year  - QLD : BOB GUNN TERMITE SOLUTIONS
Pest Manager of the Year - SA: SOUTHERN SUBURBS PEST CONTROL
Pest Manager of the Year - WA : TERMITRUST PEST CONTROL & TERMIMESH WA
Pest Manager of the Year – Pacific Islands : FASTKIL PEST CONTROL SERVICES

The night also saw the launch of a new Pest Manager of the Year logo by Stewart Paterson from BASF. Thank you once again to our major sponsor BASF for sponsoring the awards and their continued support.    (Read more)

The Rapid Solutions Risk Management Conference at Jupiters Hotel & Casino on the Gold Coast held during mid-August “Was the best attended conference we have organised, with 370 delegates registering and attending the event,” said Chris Murphy, Marketing Manager for Rapid Solutions.

“The conference is only held once every two years so the fact that we had so many delegates attended is an indication of how much value pest managers place on being there to take advantage of the depth and breadth of knowledge, information and experience that is available.

“It was a great success and we would like to thank all our exhibitors and sponsors, particularly our Gold Sponsor, Ensystex, for their support.”  (Read more)

Do you still have Lebaycid or other fenthion products in your shed? Use of products containing fenthion is not permitted after October 2015, when the 12-month phase-out periods for all products will end. 

The APVMA’s final review of fenthion concluded the use of products containing the chemical may, in most situations, pose undue risks to human health and the environment. 

Regulatory action was taken in 2014 including the cancellation of products and variation of some product labels. A 12-month phase-out period from October 2014 allowed people to use up existing stocks. In addition at the request of the holder, the active constituent fenthion was cancelled on 3 November 2014 which resulted in the cancellation of all remaining products.   (Read more)

Next month the AEPMA WA Golf Day will be held at the Collier Park GC on the 17th September 2015.

The golf day is always a great opportunity for the industry to mingle on a social basis and catch up with old friends.

The day begins with lunch and then 18 holes of golf “carts included” which includes a drink cart to keep players hydrated, concluding with refreshments and presentations.
They day is always well supported and enjoyed by all. The WA council would like to thank all sponsors for their continued support.  

For further details and to register – click here.

FMC have launched Fury 120 SC General Household Insecticide into the GHP market which is set to provide a new standard in the industry.
  
Fury is an optimised patent protected combination of alpha-cypermethrin 40 g/L and bifenthrin 80 g/L formulated as a suspension concentrate (SC). Fury combines the knockdown power of alpha-cypermethrin with the sustained residual qualities of bifenthrin.  This combination provides a powerful effect that is not achieved when using the individual active ingredients alone.

FMC are leaders in the research and development of synthetic pyrethroids and were the original developers of bifenthrin and alpha-cypermethrin for pest management.  (Read more)

Funnel-web spiders usually hide away in winter, but not at one Castle Hill resident’s home.

Rod Byers found five funnel-web spiders in his Castle Hill yard at the end of July, with one measuring about 40mm in length.

Hills Guardian Pest Control’s Jim Harvey said while the deadly spiders did not usually surface in the cooler weather, July’s heavy rains may have flushed them out.

“We’ve had extended rain periods and that will be flooding them out of their lairs,” he said.

“They wander around looking for a new place to reside.”

Mr Harvey, an AEPMA member said the average funnel-web grew to around 25-30mm in body length, but females were larger in size.   (Read more)

A coal mining company is up for serious back-pay, after an appeal in the Federal Court found the correct payment for employees’ unused annual leave on termination includes all aspects of their pay, including bonuses and shift allowances.  

The case hinged on the proper interpretation of the Fair Work Act where it provides the National Employment Standard (NES) for annual leave. The legislation refers to when an employee actually goes on annual leave, and directs employers to pay holiday pay “at the employee’s base rate of pay for the employee’s ordinary hours of work in the period”.     (Read more)

Thai toads hitch a ride in luggage

An increasing number of travellers have been surprised to discover black spined toad stowaways in their luggage when arriving back in Australia from Thailand. 
Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, said that there has been a significant rise in detections of hitch-hiking toads and stressed the importance of keeping exotic pests out of Australia. 

"These toads are active at night and often feed on insects in well-lit areas before seeking to rest in dark, moist areas during day. Shoes and equipment left out overnight make great shelters for toads," Minister Joyce said.    (Read more)

It’s time to introduce the next of our exceptional Life Members…..

In 1961, Doug was appointed to the Wood Preservation Section of the CSIRO Division of Forest Products. Being involved in all aspects of timber treatment, wood borers and termites, he was responsible for CSIRO’s work associated with the importation of the Sirex Wood Wasp and the European House Borer.  In 1968, this led to the award of a 10-month Churchill Fellowship “An International Study of the incidence, distribution and economic significance of certain wood-destroying insects having the potential ability to establish in Australia”. (Read more)

Have something to you want to add to the Newsletter?

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.

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.