Close Menu
Pest MagazinePest Magazine
  • News
    • National Pest Awards
    • BPCA
    • NPTA
    • Companies
    • Local Authority
    • Natural England
    • HSE
    • People
    • Products
    • Best Practice
    • Brexit
    • COVID-19
  • Species
    • Rodents
    • Insects
    • Birds
    • Mammals
  • Magazines
    • June/July 2025
    • April / May 2025
    • Feb / March 2025
    • Dec 2024 / Jan 2025
    • Oct / Nov 2024
    • Aug / Sept 2024
  • Library
    • Inserts
    • Supplements
  • Professional Development
    • BASIS
    • Research
    • Stewardship
    • Training
  • Pest Test
  • Jobs
    • View All Jobs
  • Key Supporters
    • Bábolna Bio
    • Bell Laboratories
    • Pelsis
    • Envu
    • Lodi UK
    • PelGar International
    • Russell IPM
    • Syngenta
X (Twitter) LinkedIn
  • Sign-up for weekly news emails
  • Subscribe to Pest Magazine
  • About Us
    • Technical Advisory Board
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
X (Twitter) LinkedIn
Pest Test Log-In
Pest MagazinePest Magazine
  • News
    • National Pest Awards
    • BPCA
    • NPTA
    • Companies
    • Local Authority
    • Natural England
    • HSE
    • People
    • Products
    • Best Practice
    • Brexit
    • COVID-19
  • Species
    1. Rodents
    2. Insects
    3. Birds
    4. Mammals
    5. View All

    Helping a luxury car showroom eradicate an infestation and steer clear of rodents

    25 March 2024

    Case Study – Freeing a pig farm of a severe rodent infestation in just 10 days

    11 May 2023

    Chinese takeaway issues apology after video of rats and raw chicken emerges

    14 July 2021

    Republic of Ireland rodent callouts jump 35%

    25 June 2021

    13 confirmed sightings of yellow-legged hornets so far in 2025

    13 May 2025

    Red Spider Mites on the hunt for spaces to hibernate

    3 December 2024

    Rentokil encourages vigilance as wasp activity increases ahead of the early autumn nesting period

    25 September 2024

    Rentokil warns of a surge in biting insects as humid weather continues

    3 September 2024

    Worcester City Council increases budget to control gull numbers by £35,000

    26 October 2022

    BPCA urges householders and businesses to seek professional advice if birds are becoming a problem

    3 May 2022

    NatureScot restricts the use of general licences on Lochan Estate in Perthshire

    7 February 2022

    Natural Resources Wales confirms Welsh general licence extension until June 2022

    17 December 2021

    Conservation charity warns of need for joined-up approach and a fast-track to effective grey squirrel controls

    30 May 2025

    Squirrel charity welcomes new legislation on use of gene editing

    14 June 2022

    Ferrets to be removed as permitted target species for the DOC 250 spring trap

    13 April 2021

    Charity says planting of 30,000 hectares of trees must be matched by grey squirrel control

    10 February 2021

    Conservation charity warns of need for joined-up approach and a fast-track to effective grey squirrel controls

    30 May 2025

    13 confirmed sightings of yellow-legged hornets so far in 2025

    13 May 2025

    Red Spider Mites on the hunt for spaces to hibernate

    3 December 2024

    Rentokil encourages vigilance as wasp activity increases ahead of the early autumn nesting period

    25 September 2024
  • Magazines
    1. June/July 2025
    2. April / May 2025
    3. Feb / March 2025
    4. Dec 2024 / Jan 2025
    5. Oct / Nov 2024
    6. Aug / Sept 2024
    Featured

    Pest 99: June/July 2025

    By Simon King10 June 2025
    Recent

    Pest 99: June/July 2025

    10 June 2025

    Pest 98: April / May 2025

    8 April 2025

    Pest 97: February / March 2025

    12 February 2025
  • Library
    • Inserts
    • Supplements
  • Professional Development
    • BASIS
    • Research
    • Stewardship
    • Training
  • Pest Test
  • Jobs
    • View All Jobs
  • Key Supporters
    • Bábolna Bio
    • Bell Laboratories
    • Pelsis
    • Envu
    • Lodi UK
    • PelGar International
    • Russell IPM
    • Syngenta
Pest MagazinePest Magazine
Companies

Mitie takes a stance on permanent baiting

Helen RibyBy Helen Riby8 April 2015No Comments4 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

It might not have been what Mitie clients in the North West were expecting to hear but, Peter Trotman, managing director of Mitie’s pest control business, made it abundantly clear that, by the end of 2014, the technique of permanent baiting will no longer be used at Mitie protected premises.

Peter was speaking at the National Museum of Football in Manchester last week at the second of two special client seminars on the theme of Knowing the pest risk – the first was held at London Zoo earlier this year. His presentation addressed the regulatory changes that are currently impacting the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). As media partner Pest was pleased to attend.

“Regulation drives change and our ability to manage your risk,” he said. He went on to explain how SGARs are cropping up in predatory bird species like barn owls and red kites. The principle reason for this is the long term use of toxic rodenticide baits in perimeter boxes. These baits are being taken by non-target rodents, such as field mice, which are then caught by predatory birds.

The pest control industry is currently developing a stewardship scheme for second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGARs) but in advance of the scheme Mitie has already taken a lead. By the end of this year the 200,000 or so premises Mitie protects will no longer employ permanent baiting with toxic bait.

“All perimeter bait boxes will be converted to break back traps and boxes that can’t take traps will be replaced with boxes that can,” explained Peter.

Because each bait box will only kill one rodent this change will also alter the way boxes are deployed. He said that clusters of boxes will be used in high risk areas. “The continued protection of customers’ premises will require the upskilling of staff in detection, proofing and hygiene. There will also need to be greater involvement of clients’ staff – pest control will no longer be exclusively the pest control contractor’s responsibility,” he said.

National training manager for Mitie, Grahame Turner, looked at how pests can be spread by human movement and trade, highlighting the potential threats to the UK from introduced species including the edible dormouse, which seems to be enjoying a surge in numbers. In the same premises, the company had trapped 1729 in 2013, up from 445 the previous year. His talk also covered mosquitoes and West Nile virus, tropical ants, herring gulls and false widow spiders. Later, Grahame also outlined the various means available to manage bird problems.

Mitie sales director Danny Ashton reprised his presentation from the London event on the resurgent bed bug problem. In particular he outlined how Mitie has developed an integrated solution – an approach which the company has so much confidence in that they even offer a guarantee!

Paul Butt from Natural England gave a re-run of his presentation on the use and abuse of pesticides. Pointing out that there was a reluctance to change in many pest control businesses he applauded Mitie for taking the lead in stopping permanent perimeter baiting. “We need to retain the option of perimeter use of rodenticides but only when it is needed,” he said.

  

Mitie Manchester speakers
The pre-coffee break speakers, left to right: seminar chairman Mitie’s Norman Smith, Grahame Turner,
Danny Ashton and Peter Trotman

Mite Manchester speaker group
The late morning speakers with chairman Norman Smith. Left to right: Mike Taylor, Paul Butt and Tim Howell

Mitie Manchester venue
 Delegates take their places 

In a change from the first seminar two additional speakers addressed the audience.

Tim Howell managing director of Mitie’s landscapes business widened the event to include plant pests and he pointed out that his people also have to deal with weeds and diseases! A lot of biological controls are employed.

As pest controllers know there is a link between landscape and pest control with poorly designed landscaping simply providing harbourage for rodent pest. Tim pointed out that whilst bare flagstones might deter pests they don’t look good so there has to be a compromise.

Finally, and appropriately, for the National Museum of Football, diehard Manchester United fan Mike Taylor talked about the synergies between pest control and waste management. Mike is managing director of Mitie’s waste management business. He drew some parallels between what has happened in the waste industry and what’s happening now in pest control.

“When the first waste legislation came in there was very little sanction on those who ignored it, so most people did,” he said. “But, once the landfill tax arrived it focussed people’s minds. Now, more and more companies are seeing waste as a resource. The legislation is leading to cultural change and he suggested that this process will be repeated in pest control.”

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleSee for yourself what ServSuite can do for your business
Next Article Food industry and wildlife topics at PestEx
Helen Riby

Read Similar Stories

BASF unveil #SelontraCertified

Killgerm to host two Breakfast Meetings in September

Killgerm hosts another successful “On the Farm Day” at Hurcott Farm

Latest Stories

BPCA Digital Forum 33 – Young pest professional special 

30 July 2025

New sustainability guidelines help pest control companies stay competitive in a carbon-conscious market

29 July 2025

National Pest Awards 2025 – book your place at the industry event of the year

28 July 2025
Key Supporters
© 2025 Lewis Business Media. All Rights Reserved.
Lewis Business Media, Suite A, Arun House, Office Village, River Way, Uckfield, TN22 1SL

Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions

  • National Pest Awards
  • OvertheCounter
  • Pet Business World

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.