As the popularity of the Tree Bee Society increases and we gain more and more exposure it was fantastic that the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) invited us to speak at their Technical Theatre at PestEx, the largest UK trade exhibition and conference for the pest control industry, on the 26th of March.

At this international convention, anyone and everyone involved in the pest control industry comes together to discuss things from women in pest control to the best way to kill wasps. As the event is only held every two years it’s important to meet with pest controllers from both local authorities and private companies to explain the importance of not killing bumblebees and instead educating members of the public on why we should push for conservation.

Our communications officer Abigail was giving the presentation and the audience she attracted was a varied one, with professionals from all over the country sitting to attend the event. After she gave the presentation (which is available at our Education Centre) she was interested to see that other professionals and pest controllers were happy to remove nests and place them somewhere else, however it was noted that some companies were still advocating dusting the nest if it was inaccessible to be removed.

“It was wonderful to hear from companies who had the same mind set as ourselves and do not wish to bring harm to the Bumblebees. However, it was upsetting to know that companies are still killing off nests when in cavity walls instead of educating members of the public on the Bees and their life cycles.

“If the Bumblebees are left in their nest, even if in an inaccessible place, they will not take interest in humans or interact with them unless they feel threatened. The nests last for a very short season and the Bees will die off naturally at the end of this period.”

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