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It is a requirement of the BRC/IoP
Packaging Standard to have a formalised preventative pest control
programme in place for all manufacturing and storage facilities. If you
don't have the expertise in-house you will have to employ a competent
company to carry out your pest control programme.
In the UK the recognised trade body for pest control companies is the
British Pest Control
Association (BPCA). To become a BPCA member, organisations have to
meet a range of criteria which includes having competent trained staff
and adequate public and product liability insurance cover. Members must
also agree to abide by the BPCA Codes of Practice and the BPCA Code of
Conduct.
A list of BPCA registered pest control companies can be found in the Buyers
Guide.
| Good
practice tips |
| • |
Make sure your pest control contractor puts shatterproof
tubes in the Electric Fly Killers (EFK's) and get them to change them
in the spring to ensure that they are at full strength for summer
and the busy bug months. |
| • |
Position EFK's strategically so that freshly frazzled
insects don't ping off into the packaging. |
| • |
Get the pest control contractor to use non-toxic
baits especially on internal bait points. |
| • |
Try to accompany both the Field Biologist and the
Technician on at least one of their inspections each year. |
| • |
Ask your pest control supplier if they can take
digital photographs of problems they find (e.g. stacking / proofing).
Photographs are great way of grabbing attention and can be circulated
very easily. |
If you have an infestation
problem visit the Insect Gallery and
identify the enemy.
Links
The
British Pest Control Association
The BPCA promotes high standards of professionalism within the UK pest
control industry through training courses, examinations, publications,
exhibitions and conferences.
The National Pest Technicians
Association
The NPTA describes itself as the No1 pest control association in the UK.
Buginfo
Seeing the 'creatures' on this US site makes one thankful for the cold
and inhospitable climate of good old Blighty.
Earthlife
It's not strictly pest control, but the site does give some interesting
and colourful insights into the lives of our tiny friends. The author
describes the site as "one chapter in an online encyclopedia of life
I am writing".
Pestweb
A US site, worth a visit if only for the 'tip of the week'.
Pestcenter
Paradise for the DIY pest controller. The site has images and descriptions
of some of the common pests (in the US).
Jun Fan's
insect portal
Be warned, if you enter this site you may lose several years of your life!
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