Bigger & better workshop programme at PestTech 2012

Simon works for Taunton Deane Council, so has no particular commercial axe to grind. His theme will be the benefits of integrated gull management. He will illustrate his talk with practical examples, including some first-hand experience with JJ Bio’s Birdfree Optical Gel. Speaking to Pest⁺Simon said: “I want people to think about gull management in a joined-up way. It’s no good trying one method and then if it doesn’t work 100%, just ditching it. Different methods work in different situations.”

Also on the workshop agenda is a presentation by Mark Astley from Trust K9 on the use of bed bug detection dogs. Mark will explain how useful and accurate bed bug detection dogs can be, searching 150 hotel rooms a day, for example, when most pest controllers would, as he says: “Give up the will to live after doing three or four!”

His session will include a live demonstration with Lola, the dog which has become the face of Trust K9, searching the conference room for some well-hidden and sealed vials of live bed bugs. Mark’s presentation/demonstration begins at 10.30.

Senior pest control officer, Stephen Simmons, from Northumberland County Council kicks off the afternoon session at 12.30 with a presentation on a new computerised system – the GPA Geographical Pest Application which has been developed by the Council’s own IT department, in conjunction with Stephen and the rest of the pest control team.

By using remote cloud computing it allows pest control officers/technicians to access their day-to-day work direct from their van, via their Blackberry. This minimises the need to return to the office, reducing travelling time and fuel costs.

Simon Moon will kick off the workshops
with his talk on gull management

The face of Trust K9, Lola, at work hunting for bed bugs

It also offers a text messaging reminder service to home customers that a visit has been booked and gives customers 24:7 access to make bookings and pay bills. From a management perspective the system captures real time information and provides useful management and financial reports.

Last, but by no means least, at 15.00 is David Fisher, apprenticeships manager from Asset Skills. Asset Skills has received government funding for the development of a new Level 2 Apprenticeship in Pest Control, and it is David’s brief to explain what’s involved.

This new, 12 month minimum training programme (assuming no recorded prior achievement), includes a RSPH Level 2 Diploma in Pest Management. It addresses the much discussed need to add a practical element to the standard RSPH BPCA Level 2 Award. The programme is in the final stages of development, with a March 2013 scheduled launch date. Find out how it’s been put together and what it offers over and above the Level 2 Award.