Educating end users about the value of pest control continues to be a big-ticket agenda item for BPCA. 2018 will see BPCA scale up its campaign to demonstrate the value of pest control to the wider world.

This year we witnessed the pest control community reincarnate Pest Awareness Week through volunteering activities, media campaigns and also support the launch of the very first World Pest Day, which now holds a firm place in BPCA’s, and other Global Pest Management Coalition members’ calendars.

Alan Morris, BPCA Vice President said: “It’s all about making the world more pest aware. Demonstrating how professional pest control positively protects our everyday life, health, surrounding environment as we know it and its importance to our customers and the public at large.”

The first activity of the 2018 Pest Aware programme is Pest Awareness Week.

Unlike last year when it shared the stage with World Pest Day in June, in 2018 it will start on Monday 27 February.

Now the Pest Awareness Week will run in parallel with Keep Britain Tidy’s “Great British Spring Clean,” which takes place on the March bank holiday (3–5).

The Great British Spring Clean inspires people to get out there and improve the environment they live in. Cleaner streets, parks, and beaches all provide the backbone for healthy communities. As pest management professionals, we can play an educating role in what pests look for in these environments, and the potential problems that can arise if litter takes hold.

Simon Forrester , BPCA Chief Executive

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton said:

“Pests like rats and urban foxes feed on the litter and rubbish we leave behind – without the litter problem, these pests would be less of an issue. So our message is simple – ‘keep it clean, don’t feed the rats’.

“During the Great British Spring Clean, we encourage and support an army of #LitterHeroes to get active and clean up their local patch.

We want the whole country to get involved because, together, we can make a difference, not just by picking up litter but also by inspiring others not to drop it in the first place.”

As part of Pest Awareness Week, supporting the Great British Spring Clean, BPCA members can find an activity in their area via the spring clean events programme, join in and show volunteers and local media the proofing techniques available to guard against pests in unwanted areas.

Simon continued:

“Of course, there is plenty our members do already in support of local causes, which is great. If each of our members and affiliates educates just one person on each day of Pest Awareness Week, as a community, we would have spoken to enough people to fill Derby’s Pride Park Stadium.”

How can you be a part of Pest Awareness Week?

• We encourage any pest management company to commit to making the British public a bit more pest aware. You could: 
• Join your local Great British Spring Clean event
• Offer some free audits, proofing, and guidance for local causes
• Send an email and social media message to all your customers and supporters on the importance of pest control
• Head into regional networks such as chambers of commerce, festivals and other community groups to talk about the importance of pest control
• Use a template article from BPCA (available on request) to issue to local press, in support of Pest Awareness Week and the activities you have been doing as a BPCA member.

BPCA Marketing and Communications Manager, Ben Massey said: “Pest Awareness Week is by no means all of our Pest Aware campaign for 2018. We’ve got a range of other activities planned, including the National Survey, World Pest Day and one or two other things we have up our sleeve.”

Members and supporters who want to join the Pest Aware campaign are encouraged to subscribe to the mailing list through the BPCA members’ area, as well as use the hashtag #PestAware on their social media accounts.

What is Pest Aware?

Pest Aware is BPCA’s client-facing campaign with a simple but ambitious goal: to explain the vital role of pest control in today’s society and its benefits to public health.

Pest Awareness Week is just a small part of it. You’ll be hearing plenty about Pest Aware – and more importantly, how you can get involved, in upcoming issues of PPC.

Overview: the Great British Spring Clean

The Great British Spring Clean is a campaign run by Keep Britain Tidy with one simple ambition.

To bring together people from across the country to clear up the litter that blights our towns, villages, countryside and coastline.

In 2015, one enthusiastic individual – Melissa Murdoch – had an idea to get people from all walks of life together in cleaning up the rubbish that surrounds us.

Together with Adrian Evans, Keep Britain Tidy, Country Life Magazine and a range of supporting partners the Clean for The Queen campaign inspired 250,000 people to get involved in local cleanups through March 2016.

We’re calling on individuals, community groups, charities, sports clubs, business, local authorities and many more to sign up and take part.

You’ll join an ever-growing band of people who have had enough of other people’s litter, are willing to donate their time to help clear it up and want to see an end to littering.

Ben Massey
Marketing and Communications Manager

7 November 2017  |  BPCA Online

Source: Online