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President’s Pen – Steve HunnHello Members,

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2016 and compliments to all for the New Year. As I type this, sitting on my desk next to me is the Draft for Consultation Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2016 document, all 524 pages! MBIE is seeking specific feedback on Approved Handler certification, Storage, Controls, Segregation requirements etc. This is a big task that the council will be working on over the next month or so (especially our test certifiers). The Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) is now upon us and shifts the focus from monitoring and recording health and safety incidents to proactively identifying and managing risks. This might not necessarily mean major changes to your day-to-day operations, but it’s the business’s duty to think about who may be affected by its business. This includes workers, contractors, customers and visitors. A lot of this information and much, much more is included in the workshops that will be conducted by Peter Barry in Mar/Apr 16. I urge you all to take this opportunity to attend; to refresh your knowledge in the domains of legislation, Codes of practice, Health and Safety, IPM etc. It is also a chance not only to possibly learn what’s new but to comment and seek guidance on what frustrates you the most! Throughout the rollout of the HSWA, council will be tasked to update our industry codes of practice/guidelines to ensure that you, the members, have the latest information as it relates to our industry. This follows on from recent updates on our Pesticides Disposal guidelines and use of rodent glue-boards (updated by Shane Byrne-King), so more to follow on these. Just for your interest, there have been 18 enrolments into the upgrade from Level 2 NCUPM to NZCPO Level 3 so far. Again as a reminder, PMANZ will refund $200 to technicians after successfully completing the upgrade to assist with off- setting of costs. For enrolment details please contact Ben Parker at Careerforce. (Ben.Parker@careerforce.org.nz). Best wishes

Steve

Bi-Monthly Newsletter

February 2016 Volume 9 No. 1

Rentokil Acquires Oliver Exterminating Corp.

MIAMI — Rentokil has acquired Oliver Exterminating Corp., which includes entities Arizona Exterminating, Guarantee Floridian Pest Control and Oliver Exterminating of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The deal closed on Nov. 1; terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition of Oliver Exterminating Corp., a $32.5 million business, greatly expands Rentokil’s footprint in Arizona and Florida and marks the company’s first entry into the Caribbean. Oliver has 16 offices — including four in Florida, five in Arizona, six in Puerto Rico and one in the Dominican Republic — and employs 371 people.

Source PCT

Journal of the Pest Management

Association of New Zealand

WHAT’S BUZZING?

IN THIS ISSUE President’s Pen 1 From the Editor 2 FAOPMA Conference 3 Control of Small Flies 4 The Economic Impact of Pests 10

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News Bites New Zealand News Technical Hints Canterbury Today Article PMANZ Officers

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From the Editor Email:.peter@pestconsultancy.co.nz

Humane Society call for ban on rodent glue traps in the UK New Zealand was not singled out when the debate around the continued use of glue boards took place. The UK is now considering that same debate. In a recent release from the United Kingdom, the UK arm of animal welfare charity Humane Society International has launched an “Unstuck” campaign to highlight the cruelty of rodent glue traps, and to call for a UK sale ban on the devices. Although widely marketed and used around the world, these glue traps are designed to capture, but not kill the target animal. In the UK, glue traps are widely available online as well as in retail outlets. Claire Bass, executive director for Humane Society International/UK, said, “Rodent glue traps are hideous devices that can cause extended and extreme suffering, which we wouldn’t dream of inflicting upon other animals. Rats and mice may be tiny in size but they still have a great capacity to suffer. We’re heartened to see the majority of the British public support a ban and, until we get that ban in place, we’re asking people to join us in calling on wholesalers and retailers to take these barbaric devices off shop shelves.” The British Pest Control Association in principle supports the ban for public use. BPCA Chief Executive Simon Forrester said, “HSI’s research shows that misuse of rodent glue traps by the public is of serious concern, and one shared by the British Pest Control Association. BPCA Members are fully trained and qualified, and are bound by a code of practice for the safe and ethical use of glue traps. Our members take their ethical and legal responsibilities seriously. Rodent glue traps are a ‘last line of defence’ when dealing with rodent infestations, and professional pest controllers will use a variety of other methods under Integrated Pest Management before considering their use. Glue traps are not for everyday use, particularly where non-target species may be exposed to risk. Widespread sale to people with neither training nor knowledge of humane dispatch methods must cease. The BPCA view is that rodent glue traps should only be sold to or used by technicians who have been given adequate training and are competent in the effective and humane use of this technique. We would recommend their immediate removal of sale to anyone except professional pest controllers, and we would join HSI in supporting prosecutions under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.” The Law Commission is due to publish its review of UK wildlife legislation and its proposal for a new and simple wildlife law, including provisions governing the management of pest species. HSI/UK has submitted a robust case for a glue trap ban to be included.

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Control of Small Flies The presence of small flies in a processing plant can be a major public health concern. The flies will feed, breed, and live in contaminated areas then fly to land on food or food surfaces, transporting pathogens and increasing the risk of foodborne illness in humans. Two of the most common small flies are the fruit fly and the drain fly. To find out why these pests are such a problem and what can be done to prevent and eliminate them, QA questioned experts from the pest product industry.

Following are their responses.

1. Why are small flies a problem in plants?

“Fruit flies and drain flies need certain conditions to thrive, including an available food supply and moist, warm conditions for breeding,” said BASF Global PSS Product Education Manager Thomas Nishimura. “Most food processing plants have these conditions readily available.”

Facilities that process and store liquid foods are very susceptible to fruit fly and drain fly infestations, said Syngenta Professional Pest Management Technical Services Representative Nicky Gallagher. “Food facilities can provide all the resources that these flies need, whether it is accumulated moist food, drains in need of sanitation, garbage receptacles, unmaintained floors with cracks and crevices, broken food containers, or even employee break rooms.”

Fruit flies have many attractants, said Aunt Fannie’s CEO Mat Franken, including colour, scent, yeast content, fermentation, sugar, and others. They most frequently come into a plant by their “hitchhiking” on the foodstuffs brought into a facility, but they also can come in from the outdoors, he said.

Additionally, said Rockwell Labs Founder and CEO Cisse Spragins, fruit flies feed and breed in fermenting material, even very small amounts. So when food and moisture collects in a crack or crevice and remains undisturbed, fermentation can occur and the area can become a breeding site.

Drain flies, on the other hand, tend to originate from filthy sources that contain sewage, rotting food, or other organic materials, Gallagher said.

This is because, Spragins said, drain flies lay their eggs in organic gunk that builds up in drains, particularly drains that are actively used and kept moist. Such drains are prevalent in food processing areas, and food particles contribute to the organic build-up, creating the ideal environment. Additionally, she said, “the wash-down cleaning used in many food plants can make matters worse, regularly pushing moisture and food particles into cracks and crevices.”

Small flies—and their eggs—hide very well in shipping cartons and in drain pipes, said Sea Hawk Systems Consultant Robert Benson. “Drain flies are particularly difficult to eliminate because they are protected by the biofilm that resides on the walls of the drain pipe.” Ordinary spraying of insecticides only attacks the exposed surfaces that are sprayed. Covered areas and drains are unaffected, and this is where the insects and their eggs survive.

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Additionally, Benson said, insect larvae leave residues that putrefy food and leave unsightly contamination, and insects leave dead insect bodies and body parts. This can be a major problem because both FDA and USDA have very specific rules on how much insect contamination may be in food.

One of the problems of small fly control is that there are a variety of species, so, as with any pest, proper identification is critical. Frequently, Baumann said “small flies are categorized as fruit flies or drain flies, and further investigation shows that they are not related to fruit or drain flies at all.” Because they all have distinct biology and habits, effective control is dependent on proper identification.

2. Why are fruit/drain flies attracted to food plants?

Different fly species have different favourite attractants. Some like fermenting sugars, decaying vegetative material, or decaying proteins; all like fats, oils and grease; and moisture and carbohydrates of any sort can be strong attractants, said MicroSpring International Entomologist Jerry Hatch. Understanding these attractants enables a good inspector to look for where the flies could go and eliminate those areas before the flies get there—so you always stay ahead of the fly. “Most people look for where the flies are, so they focus on areas the flies have already been. But the key to control is to look for the attractants,” he said.

Both fruit flies and drain flies use decaying organic matter for food and breeding purposes, Nishimura said. Drain flies, as their name implies, can be found in floor and sink drains, as well as water traps of plumbing fixtures, sewage filters, and disposals. Such sites are often out of reach and difficult to keep clean, enabling them to become excellent, undisturbed harbourage sites.

Fruit flies are attracted by ripened fruit, fermenting products, and sugary substances such as are found in many basic manufacturing ingredients, soda, and recyclable containers, he said. Additionally, “their small size makes them difficult to locate and they are often transported inside through product deliveries or through exterior entry areas near outside breeding sites.”

3. What can plants do to prevent small flies?

“Prevention is really the key to any successful small fly elimination in food manufacturing facilities,” Franken said. “It only takes two fruit flies to mate, and fertilized females can lay up to 500 eggs per fertilization.” As a result, fruit fly problems can get out of hand quickly. Fortunately, he added, new technologies allow plant management and personnel too efficiently and cost effectively prevent small fly blooms from occurring. Additionally, pest management professionals (PMPs) should have standard prevention protocols in place that utilize technological advances in fruit fly-prevention products. “Prevention is the only way to adequately inhibit fruit fly reproduction in your facility.”

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Fruit and drain flies are both found in moist environments, but there are differences between these two types of flies, Gallagher said. Fruit flies feed and breed in yeast found in rotting and fermenting fruit, vegetables, and other organic materials. Drain flies develop in moist organic environments or polluted shallow water. They are typically found in the gelatinous film of drains, sewage disposal beds, septic tanks, and moist compost. So controlling these can help prevent small fly infestations.

Plant personnel are the eyes of the PMP as they are there each day, said Nisus Vice President of Technical Services and Regulatory Affairs Greg Baumann. “Any pests should be reported and noted in the Pest Sighting Log. If possible, samples should be collected for the PMP to examine on the next service visit.” Additionally, he said, sanitation is vital for prevention: Keep things clean and dry; look in hidden areas for spilled food including sweet materials; and pay close attention to the mop area. “Many times floors are mopped, but the wet mop with donut filling is left propped against a wall where it ferments and leads to infestation,” he said.

“Sanitation is paramount, to remove the organic build up,” Spragins said. Bio-sanitation (cleaning products that contain microbes that digest organic matter) are most effective in the moist, high organic-load environments encountered in food plants.

Because insects eat microscopic bacteria and mould, good housekeeping, cleaning with disinfection products, and vigilance are the key elements to good insect control, Benson said. However, he added, two distinctly different protocols are required for the prevention and control of fruit flies and drain flies.

For fruit flies:

• Upon receipt of fresh fruit, empty the shipping cartons, and remove them from the premises.

• Wash the fruit and store it in a manner to prevent contamination.

• Have the premises regularly sprayed and or fogged in a manner appropriate for flying insects.

• Focus daily cleaning on the elimination of potential food sources for the insects.

For drain flies:

• Clean all drains with heavy-duty cleaner that will cut through biofilm.

• Scour the inside of drain pipes with a heavy-duty brush above the water trap.

• Apply an approved foam insecticide so that it clings to the pipe walls to give it sufficient contact time to penetrate fly eggs.

Following GMPs and SSOPs also helps in small fly prevention. Following are a few particular practices that Hatch recommends, but the most important, he said, is “to have someone responsible for making sure the cleaning is done at the end of each shift.”

• If something is spilled, clean it up, and keep all wet or used wipes in a covered bin.

• Use only self-closing garbage can lids.

• Wash out cans and bottles that will be recycled.

• Don’t allow windows or doors to be propped open.

• Keep exterior garbage cans at least 25 feet from any entrance.

• Reduce lighting above exterior doors.

• Don’t stack, store, or plant anything next to an opening to the facility.

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4. What should be done if an infestation is detected?

“Jump on the problem immediately,” Benson said. It is critical that the source of the infestation be found.

Additionally, Franken said, it is important that plant personnel notify management immediately if small flies are seen anywhere in the plant.

The first control measure should then be to remove/correct the breeding site(s), Nishimura said. “For drain flies, this would mean the physical removal of the organic detritus blocking the drain, and treating drains with effective products labelled for the prevention and control of drain flies,” he said. “Drain cleaners used alone in this instance would be of little use.”

For fruit flies, thoroughly inspect areas used for food storage/disposal of fruits, vegetables, and sugary food sources, including their empty containers that may attract fruit flies and provide breeding areas. “If contaminated products are detected, remove them from the premises and dispose of them properly,” he said.

“Personnel should focus on thorough sanitation, paying particular attention to cracks, crevices, and voids where moist food can collect and be undisturbed, and drain areas,” Spragins said.

When working with a pest control provider, you should ensure that they install monitors and regularly check them, Hatch said. Following each service, any concerns should be brought to your attention, and non-chemical corrective actions should be performed as the first choice of action.

“Look to reduce the attractants by using bio-remediation materials,” he said, explaining, “Bacterial products can quickly reduce the breeding media and fly populations, if applied correctly, by removing the gelatinous breeding matter. This doesn’t mean pest products can’t be applied, but judicious and careful choices should always be made before applying a pesticide.” Although inspections can be conducted by facility management, professional training and knowledge really is needed to know what, where, and how to apply control measures, he said.

To accomplish all this, Benson recommends that plants have a written insect-treatment protocol in place along with a written protocol focused on cleanliness and control of trash and clutter. It is also helpful to use disinfecting cleaners and approved water-based, non-odour insecticide; train staff; regularly audit plant procedures; and bring in an outside expert initially and once a year thereafter.

5. How can small flies be eliminated?

Fly management can be complex and challenging, Gallagher said. Flies can fly or be carried along wind currents, so the location of the breeding source may not be close to where adults are found. In other situations, breeding sources may be so inconspicuous that only the eyes of a trained professional can find them.

“An effective fly management program should first involve the development of a plan based on the unique requirements of the plant, as it may be organic certified or use complex equipment,” he said. “However, regardless of the type of plant, the potential for pest conditions should be understood and a plan implemented that involves inspection, sanitation, non-chemical and chemical control methods.”

Pest management professionals can apply IGRs and/or boric acid powder as a dust, a liquid or as a foam application to breeding sites, Spragins said, adding, “These products can be blended with a bio-sanitation product for application as well.” Traps and fogging also can provide relief from existing adult flies.

The most effective means of maintaining control is through Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Nishimura said. These include: • Inspection. For both an initial response to a pest infestation and follow up, ongoing inspections should be conducted. This is crucial for evaluating the results and effectiveness of a program, as well as revealing infestation/breeding sites that go unnoticed in routine pest control inspections.

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REMINDER - PMANZ will be running a series of free half-day training during late March early April 2016, in Auckland, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch for registered members that will incorporate the following aspects:

1. The Health and Safety Reform Bill (effective 4 April 2016) what’s going to change? 2. Food Act 2014 (effective 1 March 2016) what’s going to change? 3. HSNO Reform Bill 4. General Principles of Food Hygiene 5. Risk Management Programme – What is it? 6. Food Safety Programme – What is it? 7. HACCP – Why? 8. COP - Pest Management in the Food Industry in Australia & New Zealand 9. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 10. Designing a Pest Management Programme

Please register your interest for this course, by 12th February giving venue and name of member(s) attending direct to the Executive Secretary, Denise Faulkner on 0800 4760269 of email info@pmanz.nz

• Exclusion. Keep doors and windows closed, and conduct scheduled maintenance for repairs. On the exterior, look for breaks in caulk sealants, screens, weather stripping, and mortar joints that may allow pest entry.

• Sanitation. Ensure that food/breeding areas are removed and breeding conditions corrected. These areas can be as small as food debris collected in wheel castors, table supports, etc., or as large as garbage can contents, dumpsters, and large drains.

• Mechanical. Mechanical measures can include use of insect light traps (ILTs), glue traps, and air curtains. ILTs must be placed away from competitive light sources and window and door sight-lines to avoid attracting flying insects from the outside. Some flies are not highly attracted to UV light traps, so pheromone and other types of traps can be helpful.

• Biological. After physically scouring drains with a stiff brush, use microbial drain cleaners to reduce the organic wastes which are food and breeding sources.

• Chemical. As a last resort, a minimal amount of pesticide can be directed at the target species at specific locations within the plant. Areas such as trash dumpsters near building exteriors are sites where judicious chemical use can help with fly control. Use only when necessary and strictly according to label directions and precautions. Ensure the label is in alignment with the use site; and always read and follow the label.

The key to small fly management in food and beverage plants is going back to the basics, Baumann said. “Find the source; control the pest; and take steps to prevent further infestation.”

The author is Editor of QA magazine, Lisa Lupo

PMANZ TRAINING MARCH/APRIL 2016

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The Economic Impact of Pests To gain insight into the challenges and issues pest infestations can present, the pest management company Rentokil commissioned independent research agency Opinion Matters and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) to identify trends impacting businesses and pest control. Following are some key findings from that research based on 2014 figures and responses from businesses in the U.S., U.K., France, Australia, and Italy:

Disruptions caused by pest infestations resulted in an increase of $9.6 billion in operating costs in the

countries surveyed.

Revenues declined by an estimated $19.5 billion (gross) because of pest incidents.

The costs to the businesses have been primarily caused by impact on staff morale (30%) and

contamination of raw materials leading to replacement costs (28%).

In the U.S., the primary concern of businesses varied by region:

75% of Western U.S. businesses cited compensation as a high or moderate concern.

55% of Midwest businesses cited loss of reputation as a high or moderate concern.

74% of Southwest businesses cited damage to reputation as their greatest concern.

84% of businesses reported net impact on revenue by a pest infestation across a five-year period.

52% of businesses in the Southwest fear loss of stock the most.

56% of North Eastern businesses see impact on staff morale and health as a big issue.

65% of all U.S. firms cited a loss of reputation as a concern or a high concern.

The research also showed a direct correlation between having a proactive approach to pest control and

reducing the disruption to business:

36% of businesses that have had an infestation reported that it took more than two weeks for the

disruptive period to end and for them to get back to a normal routine.

42% reported losing at least one working day per year as a result of infestation.

The French and U.K. businesses were the least proactive on pest control, with 65% and 68%,

respectively, claiming they only respond to problems when infestations actually occur. These two

countries also reported some of the highest number of working days disrupted due to pest infestation

per year—an average of six days.

In contrast, 82% of U.S. businesses said they were proactive in pest control, and the average number

of working days lost per year was the lowest: around 4.5 days.

In the U.S., the West, Midwest, and Southwest were the least likely to be proactive in their approach

to pest control.

One of the greatest negative impacts suffered were business costs, which were reported to have

increased after pest infestations. This was primarily due to negative impact on staff morale and

damage of finished goods, leading to replacement cost rather than a loss of reputation.

Source: Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR)

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NEWS BITES

Bed Bugs Top List of Most Searched Pests in 2015 The National Pest Management Association shares consumers’ top 10 pest concerns

FAIRFAX, Va. (January 4, 2016) – When it comes to the most searched pests in 2015, it’s a bloodsucker that takes the cake according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). The NPMA announced today its list of the Top 10 Pests of the Year, and bed bugs ranked #1. Spiders and stinging insects were also at the top of the list.

“Bed bugs continue to cause significant problems across the country due to their uncanny hitchhiking abilities and elusive habits,” said Cindy Mannes, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “So, it makes sense that people are looking for information about them. No one wants to encounter bed bugs and they certainly want to find out how to protect themselves from an infestation and how to get rid of them, fast.”

The NPMA analysed the top 100 pages per session on its consumer website, PestWorld.org, from January 1 through December 14, 2015 to determine which pests generated the strongest content interest within the United States. The following pests were identified as the most searched in 2015:

1. Bed bugs

2. Spiders

3. Stinging insects

4. Cockroaches

5. Ants

6. Stink bugs

7. Mosquitoes

8. Ticks

9. Termites

10. Rodents

A deeper analysis of PestWorld’s geo-data found that visitors to bed bug-related pages on the website were specifically interested in general biological information, unique bed bug facts and photos of bed bugs.

Source - The NPMA - For more information, visit PestWorld.org.

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NEW ZEALAND NEWS

German technology at centre of community project Specialised German technology is being used in a world’s first as part of the Bay of Plenty Community Cat Project to ensure wellbeing of owned cats and native wildlife in the region, making sure each and every movement of the project is humane and has the cats’ welfare in mind.

The Bay of Plenty Community Cat Project (BOPCCP) is a collaborative effort between the Rotorua SPCA and Tauranga’s ARRC Wildlife Trust with backing by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Department of Conservation; and hopes to see a dramatic decrease in unowned and stray cat populations around the region within three to five years.

BOPCCP co-founder and Rotorua SPCA manager, Eve Johnson says the project is about working in a humane way to manage the community’s frustration around unowned cat population and the ongoing effects of the colonies on owned cats and native wildlife.

Once colonies are registered, then the project team will set up special traps to capture the cats.

Rotorua-based Alpeco Ltd is supporting the project through the use of eMitter, an electronic monitoring system for pest control widely used throughout the world by some huge names in exportation of food, including Nestle. As the New Zealand distributor, Alpeco Ltd managing director Heiko Kaiser saw the chance to utilise the technology in yet another way to gain the results needed for the project.

The wireless trapping technology, often used for mice, rats and other rodents, is now being used to alert the BOPCCP co-ordinator to when a cat is trapped at locations that have been registered as being home to the unowned cat colonies.

Heiko says the technology is some of the world’s best in pest control.

“We designed new cat cages and a monitoring system just for this project. The eMitter App will assist to collect the data what is an extra bonus as well the NARA Lure. When I asked my German team for a cat lure they said ‘sure let’s do one and get fishy’. The specialised lure is on its way as I speak and 100 percent non-toxic and long lasting,” he says.

Once the cat is collected from the trap, they will be given a health check, treated for any conditions, de-sexed and micro-chipped; and then rehomed. Unowned cats who are suffering due to ill health or are not able to be rehomed due to wild or feral behaviour will be humanely euthanised.

“Alpeco Ltd is about supporting the local community with this important initiative. We have the technology so why re-invent the wheel.

Alpeco Ltd and eMitter are proud to be involved – this project is in need of financial support and this is our way to do our part,” he says.

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Facts about BOPCCP: www.bopcats.co.nz

BOPCCP is a collaboration of council, animal and conservation organisations. Their aim is to manage the cat population in the Bay of Plenty Region over the next 24 months, so that the unowned cat population becomes significantly reduced in areas;

• where cats pose a significant threat to wildlife through predation. In particular, where this involves endangered species or where a wildlife population is approaching a critical threshold beyond which it cannot recover.

• where welfare of the cats is compromised

• where cats present a public health risk to humans, either through the transmission of zoonotic disease (e.g. toxoplasmosis) or contamination of the environment (through urine, faeces)

• where cats cause a public nuisance e.g. fighting, scavenging for food (at rubbish dumps, restaurants, hotels)

• where cats present a risk to other cats through the transmission of disease (e.g. viruses)

How many cats are unowned in Rotorua? Numbers are yet to be confirmed, but many thousands are in the city, with many more around the wider region. How much does the project cost? Approx $180 per cat. The bigger costs lay in the time and resources required to gain control of the colonies and work with the community to ensure a better understanding of the issue. How much funding has the project received form the Bay of Plenty Regional Council? The regional council has committed $110,000 over two years. How much more funding is required? Lots more! We have started a Givealittle page plus we are looking for more funding from our stakeholders and other organisations that will be affected by this project.

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Facts about eMitter:

What is it? Alpeco Ltd, based in Rotorua, is the New Zealand distributors of eMitter, specialised German technology that is leading the world in non-toxic pest control.

How does it work? The technology used within its traps and cages signals to those responsible for monitoring the cages and traps that an animal has been caught. The technology is connected to a server via a radio, and works in combination to alert the controller, ensuring the welfare of the animal, in accordance with animal welfare laws. This technology has been used around the world by large companies, including Nestle, with great success.

How does the bait work?

The traps will be utilising NARA lure baits are specialised bait that is not food-based and is an allergen-free attractant. It is 100 percent non-toxic bait, and a new one has been designed specifically for use with in the BOPCCP.

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Wasp control programme in Abel Tasman National Park Wasps are not endemic to New Zealand and have a significant impact on the country's economy.

By Gary Farrow

Photo / Getty Images

An extensive wasp control programme will take place in Abel Tasman National Park over the summer to try and hold back the invasive species.

The operation will stretch along the 46km of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, include around 17 campsites and four huts, and account for 110 ha at Pitt Head and another 736 ha in the Falls River Block.

The Department of Conservation are conducting the push thanks to funding from Project Janszoon and the Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve Fund, which in turn draws money from foreshore concession fees.

A protein bait called Vespex will be used to combat the wasps. Importantly, it contains a commonly used insecticide called fipronil, which does not impact on crucial bee populations.

The wasps gather the bait and return it to their nests, feeding it their larvae and destroying entire colonies thanks to a single bait station.

Vespex was developed by Nelson company Merchento with help from DOC.

Project Janszoon director Devon McLean says a similar anti-wasp operation in February 2015 was successful, and took place as part of a pilot campaign by DOC.

"The pilot reduced wasp activity by more than 95% so this extended control programme should greatly improve visitors' experience of the Abel Tasman over summer and also provide substantial bio-diversity benefits," says McLean.

Recent studies have found that wasps cost the New Zealand economy over $130 million per year. Wasps are not endemic to the country, and provide stiff competition with native birds, insects and honey bees for limited food supplies.

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Chris Golding, DOC's Motueka Biodiversity Operations Manager, says this latest campaign will begin in the second half of January.

"We need to wait until the wasps are feeding on protein which could be any time from mid January. We will be using single lines of bait stations along the coastal track and around campsites. This is expected to reduce the nuisance to visitors who might see the odd stray wasp, but not experience the annoyance of past summers."

The operation in Abel Tasman will only cover public conservation land, but Merchento says the Vespex wasp bait can now be used on private land by people who take an online training test.

Source – NZ Herald Element news sign up to our newsletter. They are also on Facebook and Twitter.

Hunt on for importer of NZ’s 'worst animal' Orokonui Ecosanctuary's stoat problem came to an end in November after 10 months, spending of $10,000 and up to 50 saddleback bird deaths.

That does not mean the sanctuary can rest on its laurels, as an estimated 200,000 more stoats roam the countryside. But there is hope for Otago's native birds and a stoat expert is visiting Dunedin this week.

Prof Caroline King of the University of Waikato's School of Science is in town on a week-long mission to find the source of New Zealand's stoat problem. Prof King has been researching the pests for more than 40 years and said they were smart, savvy and cautious.

"They are programmed to kill what they can, catch what they can't eat and come back to it,'' Prof King said. "They were the worst animals to have been brought into New Zealand.''

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If a stoat penetrated a kiwi chick enclosure, it could kill up to 30 birds in a week.

"We know from remote cameras that stoats just cruise up and down these perimeter fences, looking for a way in.''

Orokonui introduced 10 kiwi chicks to its creche programme yesterday.

Prof King had only limited information on how stoats came to be imported but was particularly interested in hearing from anyone with information involving the importation and use of stoats and weasels for rabbit eradication in the 1870s.

She has already visited Toitu Early Settlers Museum, the Hocken Library and the Dunedin City Council Archives.

Professor King can be contacted at cmking@waikato.ac.nz.

Source – Rhys Chamberlain, Otago Daily Times

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Bay's War on Bugs Heats Up

Connor Smart, Bugs or Us exterminator. Photo / George Novak

The Bay's bug businesses are booming as cockroaches and other pests bask in the damp, humid weather, exterminators say.

Bugs at Bay owner Stuart Marshall said the industry had grown year on year because of consecutive warm winters.

People were being forced to call in the professionals with regular clients opting for six-month treatments instead of once a year, because shop products were not strong enough to kill off the insects, he said. Everybody has got Gisborne cockroaches from Katikati to Maketu. They will live anywhere and eat anything including each other.

Stuart Marshall "They are not effective anymore as the regulations are very strict on how much active ingredients you have in the products because they have no control over it when it's sold."

Gisborne cockroaches were making a big appearance in the Bay of Plenty alongside flies and spiders, he said. "Everybody has got Gisborne cockroaches from Katikati to Maketu. They will live anywhere and eat anything including each other."

Rising temperatures also caused insect population explosions, he said while Papamoa East had a major issue with spiders.

A1 Pest Control owner Terry Hayward said flies "come out of the woodwork and invade the place," when hot weather followed rain. "That is when they take off."

Bugs or Us owner/manager Duncan Kerr said it was absolutely flat-stick, "we have six guys out on the road every day during the summer period".

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An American cockroach. Photo/file

He agreed Gisborne cockroaches were the most common and although they were not usually found in huge numbers one client found 90 in his garage and stopped counting.

The insect breeding cycle usually kicked off in November and he said the German cockroach was the nasty one which liked to live inside appliances, benches and in the hot water cupboard. Exterminators used bait and gel technology to kill them, he said.

Entomologist Dr Cor Vink said he would not waste money on exterminating spiders and said there was zero medical evidence that white tail venom was dangerous.

"That does get trotted out all the time and people worry about the white tails. It's just a painful bite but it doesn't cause anything else other than that.

"Spiders eat flies and pests around the house and live in their webs and don't do any harm." However, you needed to get rid of German and American cockroaches as they could spread nasty diseases, he said.

The hardy species could endure a fair amount of radiation and were great survivors, he said. Flies had an amazing sense of smell and could be on a dead carcass in the middle of nowhere within minutes.

A Tauranga City Council spokeswoman said cockroaches were occasionally found in restaurants and were dealt with using sprays and baits.

Its environmental health officers were called to investigate fly complaints often arising from poorly stored domestic refuse and occasionally restaurant refuse bins in alleys, she said.

"They also investigate calls relating to overgrown sections and the possibility that rodents would be living in the long grass."

Meanwhile environmental services officers were called to deal with aggressive bee and wasp nests on council-controlled land.

Source: Tauranga City Council- Bay of Plenty Times

Editor’s Note: None of the aforementioned pest control companies or owners mentioned or quoted in this article are members of PMANZ

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TECHNICAL HINTS

Cockroaches - Using All Your Tools Cockroaches continue to be difficult to control. Often, a cockroach control program fails when there is an overreliance on a single control method or only a single product is used during each service. Whether the infestation is located within a customer’s home or in a local restaurant, it is important to remember to build your program using multiple tools within the IPM toolbox.

Insect Monitors Insect monitors, or glue boards, are one of the most overlooked and underused tools in the IPM toolbox. This low-cost item often can be the difference in the success of your cockroach control program. Monitors, when used correctly, can provide the pest professional with a wealth of information needed to control a cockroach infestation. They can act as an extra set of eyes between normal service visits. Monitors can help to identify not only the type of cockroaches in an environment, but also the size and make up of a population, the direction in which the insects are traveling and how close to the harbourage you may be. Nevertheless, proper placement and maintenance is critical! Insect monitors should be placed in areas where either evidence of an infestation exists, or in areas where a suspected infestation may exist. In environments that may be dusty, damp or wet, placing these monitors into protective containers, such as multi-catch traps or monitoring stations, is a must.

Cockroach Baits Cockroach baits continue to be the tool of choice when combating a cockroach infestation. The challenge, when relying on cockroach baits exclusively, is the potential for the development of behavioral resistance, especially when relying on a single bait product. For years, PMPs have stressed the importance of bait rotation to improve upon the effectiveness of their baiting program. Over the years, this has become less challenging, with manufacturers offering a greater array of bait options. There is such a wide variety of both active ingredients and attractants that there is no need to rely on a single product for all of your baiting needs. Take time evaluate your products and create a schedule that allows for a seamless rotation of products within your service schedule. It is also important to identify those baiting products that should only be used for specific purposes, such as for a clean-out or a heavy infestation. By doing this, you can work to minimize the potential for product or service failure, and the dreaded call-back.

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Insect Growth Regulators As cockroach baiting became more popular as the primary tool for cockroach control, the use of insect growth regulators (IGR) became less frequent. However, they are, arguably, the easiest to use, and can greatly increase the effectiveness of your control strategies. When used correctly, the addition of an IGR to your cockroach control program can help to more quickly reduce the cockroach numbers in a population than the use of an adulticide alone.

Dusts The use of dusts to treat cockroach infestations is a lost art. Using dusts to treat in voids is a great way to provide long-lasting protection in areas where cockroaches may harbour. While early dust formulations were susceptible to moisture, limiting where the material could be applied, newer formulations are more moisture and water resistant. These new technologies have allowed for greater flexibility for pest professionals to apply these materials in areas that could not have been treated in the past.

Communication & Sanitation Lastly, when discussing an IPM strategy with your customer, you must always take into consideration general sanitation within a home or structure, especially when dealing with a cockroach infestation. Developing a rapport and communicating with your customer is an essential part of the service. Working with the customer to identify concerns and to develop a sanitation plan can go a long way in solidifying your success. In addition, by communicating with your customer, you develop a partnership that allows you to identify potential problems and identify solutions before an infestation gets out of hand. Always remember, when developing a control program, don’t get stuck in a rut. Analyse your situation carefully and utilize as many tools in your IPM toolbox as necessary. Your success depends upon it!

Source PCT Magazine - Author: Kim Kelley-Tunis, Technical Services Director, Rollins Inc.

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Cockroaches and ants, spiders and beetles… there are lots of advertisements on the radio right now about how to give these creepy crawlies the “heave ho” when they invade our homes during the summer months. Using products bought from a home store may be all very well for an insignificant infestation, but more than that does require the services of a professional pest control firm.

Pest control refers to the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest, usually because it is perceived to be detrimental to a person’s health, the ecology or the economy. Many pest control firms operate in the built environment, such as residential homes, hospitals, commercial premises, hospitality outlets, warehouses and storage areas, as opposed to rural locations.

Advising the public about the role of this industry as protectors of food, health and property is the Pest Management Association of New Zealand (PMANZ).

Acting in much the same way as the Motor Vehicle Traders’ Association or the Master Builders’ Association do for their area of expertise, PMANZ is a volunteer association run by pest managers, for pest managers, with more than 290 members.

The association was formed in 1976 – 40 years ago next year - to provide a unified voice when important issues arose that required the industry’s input. An example would be technical advice given to the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee in relation to the use of glueboard traps (and subsequent banning of their use or sale unless approved by the Ministry of Primary Industries), for the capture of rodents and identifying alternatives to glueboard traps for rodent control and monitoring.

The association has also been involved with promoting the review of all pesticides in New

Initatives | Pest Management Association of NZ

Setting an industry’s standards

Zealand, as well as providing input to standards and codes of practice for various industries, such as the food and maritime sectors.

From its beginning PMANZ has been a clear, consistently positive voice for the industry, providing support services, consumer information, access to technical information and educational training material for its members. PMANZ membership or evidence of a professional qualification is often used as a means of facility auditing, and contract specification by the client.

It demonstrates that the technician is qualified in pest management and has the relevant expertise for the specific contract. The PMANZ website (www.pmanz.nz) is available to members of the public where they are able to identify professionally qualified technicians within their location and access common pest fact sheets.

A Full Technician member of PMANZ has attained the New Zealand Certificate in Pest Operations (or equivalent), holds current Public Liability Insurance, has an Approved Handler Licence for chemicals and/or Controlled Substances Licence, completed First Aid Training and has a Health & Safety Policy in place.

Many local authorities, companies and government departments now require that pest management companies they employ are members of PMANZ.

The use of the association logo on pest management firms’ advertising identifies full membership of a recognised group of professionals whose members provide pest management services carried out safely and efficiently in keeping with good practices, to a code of ethics, as well as maintaining high business standards.

Although there are some significant employers within the sector, the majority of technicians are sole traders, registered one-director companies and franchisees who have completed formal training provided by and through Careerforce and Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd.

This training meets all the aims of the pest management industry, PMANZ values and expectations and is a means to achieving national standards and industry best practice.

PMANZ investigates and takes appropriate actions in regards to complaints from the public, regulator agencies and other members if the event involves a PMANZ member.

It does not investigate complaints against non-members, but will offer technical advice and guidance if required when the complaint is referred to agencies such as Worksafe or local territorial authorities. CT

Pest Management Association of NZPO Box 133215EastridgeAuckland 1146T 0800 476 269 (0800 4PMANZ)E: info@pmanz.co.nzwww.pmanz.co.nz / www.facebook.com

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23

This article about PMANZ appeared with supporting advertising in the magazine "Canterbury Today" - January edition - this same article will also be published in March, in its sister magazine "Auckland Today" - Editor

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Articles provided in "What’s Buzzing" are drawn from a number of sources. The source of the item is quoted, either by publication or organizations, in line with the practice of fair reporting.

The information contained in this newsletter is for member information only and does not necessarily reflect the official views or opinions of the PMANZ Council and/or its members.

FLY THE FLAGMany local authorities, companies and government departments now require that pest management companies they employ are members of PMANZ. The use of Association Logo on advertising identifies full membership of a recognised group of professionals whose members provide services carried out safely and efficiently in keeping with good practices,

to a code of ethics, as well as maintaining high business standards.

PMANZ OFFICERS PRESIDENTCampbell Perrin campbell@keyindustries.co.nz

VICE-PRESIDENTSteve Hunn steve.hunn@nzdf.mil.nz

COUNCIL MEMBERS Peter Barry peter.barry@pestconsultancy.comSandra Charlton sandra@pestawaynz.comMike Collins mike@ajetservices.co.nzMike Hermansson kwikill@paradise.net.nzBill Paynter bill.paynter@rentokil-initial.comEric Van Essen eric.vanessen@ecolab.com

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTRowan Washer rowan.washer@gmail.comTREASURERBill Wills billw@clear.net.nz SECRETARY Denise Faulkner info@pmanz.nz

Pest Management Association of New Zealand PO Box 133215 Eastridge Auckland 1146 New Zealand Free phone: 0800 476 269 0800 4PMANZ Email: info@pmanz.nz Website: www.pmanz.co.nz Facebook: www.facebook.com/www.pmanz.co.nz