The year has certainly started with a bang within our industry, from discussions of changes to licensing in New South Wales and Queensland, to issues with Pre Construction Treatments in Western Australia and Codes of Practice about to hit the press for Pre Construction Termite Control.  The drafting of codes for Termite Control in Existing Buildings and Training in the Industry are in full swing, not to mention membership renewals and the organising of the FAOPMA Conference on the Gold Coast. Have faith, our Executive Office will as always tackle these tasks with professionalism and support from the Board, State Councils and working parties.

The issue of applying a product not registered for termite control in Western Australian has generated a lot of discussion and record levels of enquiries to our National Office. Whilst the news story has been negative, there is a positive dimension to this as our industry has been well represented by our Western Australian State Council. The National Office has become a consumer resource for people looking for answers.  This tells me that we are well on our way to becoming more recognised within the public arena. Also having the Code of Practice up our sleeves and ready for publication means this document should get some good traction within the market as consumers, builders and members are looking for answers. I am sure there will be more to come on this matter and as this information comes to hand we will keep you updated either through our emailed newsletter, direct email to members or through this report.      (Read more)

The program for the forthcoming FAOPMA Conference, hosted by AEPMA and held 14-16 September 2016 at the Sea World Resort and Conference Centre on the Gold Coast, Australia, is now available to view on the conference website.

AEPMA is pleased to announce that Mr Paul Hanna, one of Australia’s leading motivational speakers on developing potential in individuals and organisations will be presenting the Keynote presentation at the conference.      (Read more)    

PelGar International acquired a UK based agro-chemical company called Agropharm in May 2015.  Agropharm’s range include unique NATO approved products which are used by emergency services and militaries around the world.

These products are now being introduced into the pest control industry in Australia, with the first one being a NATO approved Personal Decontamination Kit for use as part of a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear) program.

How does this relate to the pest control industry?  Essentially the function of the kit is to remove contaminant from the user, such as pest control chemicals.     (Read more) 

The termite control treatment used on thousands of new homes in WA is under scrutiny after the Health Department confirmed that a major pest control company applied the “incorrect” insecticide.

Registered to combat bugs and worms affecting farm crops and orchards, the insecticide was used to target the threat of termites across the State until November, when an industry insider blew the whistle.

“The outcome was that users of this product were made aware of the incorrect usage of the product and have ceased this practice,” the department said.

But the department does not know how long the insecticide was used or how many new houses were incorrectly treated.   (Read more)

The boundaries for the Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area have been revised.

Changes are made to the Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area to reflect changes to the risk status of suburbs and localities in Queensland as new infestation is detected or areas are cleared of infestation following completion of all required treatment and surveillance activities.

A declaration notice appeared in the Courier Mail and Northside Chronicle on 15 February 2016 detailing the suburbs and localities that are now within the high risk and low risk restricted areas.   (Read more)

The AEPMA NSW ACT State Council meeting was held in Hawks Nest, NSW on Saturday 6th February, 2016. The Council thanked Mr Stephen Ware for his attendance at the meeting and taking the minutes.

Discussions took place on many topics such as Pest Manager of the Year awards for 2016.  The entries are now open. Stephen Ware indicated that the award was growing and that those who had won the award in the past had done a great deal to publicise AEPMA to the wider community and the wider community had a better idea of the Pest Management industry. There were great marketing benefits for the businesses who have won the Awards.    (Read more)

A public consultation is being undertaken in relation to the management of the West Indian drywood termite.  To provide comment please visit http://www.qld.gov.au/termitesurvey.  Public consultation closes 29 February 2016.

A meeting of the QLD Industry was held last Tuesday, to consider possible changes to the Pest Management legislation in QLD.

A great turnout of industry members attended the AEPMA Natioanl Office and a letter has been sent to the QLD Government about Industry’s views on the possible changes.

Wild goannas have been successfully trained by researchers to avoid eating potentially deadly cane toads, as the invasive species makes its way south from Western Australia's top end.

Research published in the Royal Society's Biology Letters showed the training had vastly improved survival rates of goannas trained in the Kimberley.  Large predators like yellow-spotted monitors and sand goannas were highly vulnerable to the toxins produced by cane toads.  The study's lead author, Georgia Ward-Fear from Sydney University, said the research involved feeding the reptiles baby cane toads, to discourage them from eating the dangerous, more toxic adults.   (Read more)

Are you an avid photographer?  Don’t miss your opportunity to enter the AEPMA Photography Prize 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, click here to download the flyer or visit the AEPMA website.

You would be all aware of how much mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases are in the news of late.

Think of all the major media stories just over the last year or two; largest outbreak of Ross River virus in Australia, major Zika virus epidemic in the Americas, the emergence and global spread of Chikungunya virus, growing detections of exotic mosquitoes at major Australian airports, the rising number Dengue disease cases worldwide, the threat of introduction and establishment of the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus); and climate change and the potential spread of mosquitoes and mosquito borne diseases.

Plus we have the ongoing threat of our local viruses such as Murray Valley Encephalitis and Barmah Forest virus, as well as whole suite of local mosquitoes that can spread disease or make our life miserable through pest biting.

Thus wouldn't it be nice to have new publication that deals with mosquito issues in Australia?

Well great news, there now is!                    (Read more)

The AEPMA National President, Vasili Tsoutouras, recently welcomed the birth of his second child - a daughter, Olive Somaly Tsoutouras.

Olive was born on 9th February 2016 at 12:36am, weighing a healthy 7lb 5 oz or 3.32kg.

We congratulate Vasili and Sok on the birth of their daughter.

AEPMA Membership - Can you afford to miss out?

A big thank you to all who have promptly renewed their AEPMA membership.   Remember for your details to remain on the web site you need to process your renewal ASAP.  If you have not received your renewal notice please contact the office immediately on 1300 307 114 with your details or login to your account portal on the AEPMA website.

There is the option of receiving your membership kit either electronically or hardcopy via mail.  If you are not renewing online, remember to tick your membership kit option (electronic or hardcopy) on your renewal notice and return, along with your payment to the National Office via email to info@aepma.com.au.

Not a member of AEPMA and interested in joining?  Click here to join online or contact the AEPMA National Office on 1300 307 114.

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.

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