Theres a full programme of seminars and technical workshops at this years PestTech. The programme starts at 10.00 and runs right through to 15.30. We review whats on offer down in the Ballacraine Suite and also outside.
The first thing we should point out is that the times of some of the presentations and outdoor demonstrations have been changed since we published the current edition of Pest magazine. So, download the new timetable to make sure you arrive in the right place, at the right time. And don’t forget to leave plenty of time to get around the exhibition.
Among the technical workshops the sessions on the Asian hornet at 10.00, spring traps at 13.30, heat treatment for bed bug control at 14.30 and no-kill pest control at 15.00, look particularly interesting.
Outdoors will see a re-run of the popular airgun range and Simon Whitehead of Pakefield Ferrets will again stage two demonstrations at 10.00 and 14.30 plus a drone flight at 14.00.
The outdoor demonstrations are always popular – let’s hope it doesn’t rain!
| If you’re involved in bird management then get along to the demonstration by Wide Horizons on how drones can be used to great effect in surveying for bird work. With the venue being so close to Birmingham Airport, the original plan for two flights had to be changed – another headache for the organisers – but the airport finally agreed that one flight could take place, at 14.00, so don’t miss it!
It is anticipated that the Pest Control News workshop at 10.30 will be very popular. On the agenda is rodenticide stewardship; a topic that is close to the hearts of many pest professionals. Topics that are likely to be discussed include how stewardship will be policed and, in particular, how a purchaser’s qualifications will be checked, especially for over-the-counter sales, what the other sectors (gamekeepers and farmers) are doing to ensure compliance and what restrictions, if any, will be placed on amateur use. It promises to be a lively debate. Technical workshops The Back to trap session from John Bryan of Fourteenacre Traps is particularly timely as, with the introduction of the Rodenticide Stewardship regime, John predicts a renewed interest in rodent trapping. Relatively recent experience following the removal of strychnine for mole control has certainly seen a surge in trapping as a means of control. He will also be referring to the new international agreement on humane trapping standards (AIHTS). Whilst the use of heat treatment for bed bug control in not new, Jeremy Smith from Secomak will be outlining a novel approach to portable heat treatment. The company has been providing ‘enclosures for heat treatment’ to the hospitality sector for some time, but it now has a new improved system with patents pending to allow pest control companies to offer a simple heat treatment service. Last on the workshop programme, but by no means least, is John Bryant, author of the thought provoking book, The Mouse Stranglers. John advocates a no-kill approach to bird and animal pest management. His presentation entitled No harm done! Is no-kill pest control the future? will look at how pest control problems can be managed without resorting to toxic chemicals or lethal control products delivering a poison-free environment. Also in the technical programme is a session on legislation and practical solutions to badger problems, as well as a presentation by PestTrain‘s Oliver Madge on how NPTA is linking with Lantra training to provide more choice for pest professionals in the way they can train and keep up-to-date. Members of the Pest Management Alliance will also be outlining the future for the organisation. |
Asian hornert – the next headache?
Trapping – back to traditional ways?
A novel aproach to bed bug heat treatment from Secomak
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Come and watch the one and only drone flight at 14.00 
