Are traditional bed bug insecticides becoming less effective, and could desiccant dusts offer a different approach to managing resistant bed bug populations?

Welcome to another episode of Pest Perspectives | In Focus, where we revisit some of the most interesting and educational conversations from Pest Perspectives Podcast.

In this 21-minute discussion, host Shaun Muller revisits Episode 74, Bed Bug Control: Does ChinChex Really Work? | Expert Roundtable, featuring Dr Richard Naylor, Francisco Pazos and Sarah Spratt.

The conversation explores the science behind desiccant dusts, including independent testing, insecticide resistance and the factors that can influence treatment effectiveness.

We also look at the differences between silica-based products and diatomaceous earth, the effects of humidity, exposure considerations and questions surrounding UK product regulation.

Topics covered include:

• Are traditional bed bug insecticides becoming less effective?

• Understanding insecticide resistance in bed bug populations.

• How desiccant dusts work against bed bugs.

• Silica versus diatomaceous earth – what's the difference?

• What independent testing tells us about desiccant performance.

• How humidity can influence treatment effectiveness.

• Exposure considerations when using desiccant dusts.

• Questions surrounding UK regulation and product approval.

• What the research could mean for professional bed bug management.

This discussion offers pest management professionals an opportunity to explore the scientific evidence behind alternative bed bug control methods and consider how resistance, product selection and environmental conditions influence treatment decisions.

This conversation is taken from Episode 74 of Pest Perspectives Podcast. Watch or listen to the full expert roundtable for the complete discussion about ChinChex and its potential role in professional bed bug management.

About Pest Perspectives Podcast

Pest Perspectives Podcast is an independent, CPD-approved UK pest management podcast hosted by Shaun Muller, featuring conversations with pest control professionals, researchers, manufacturers and industry specialists.

Subscribe for more educational discussions covering pest control, pest management, industry research and professional development.

Website: www.pestperspectivespodcast.co.uk

Proudly Sponsored By

Powered Now – Business Management Software

Helping pest control businesses and other trades manage their day-to-day operations, including scheduling, quotations, invoicing and administration.

Dan Traynor – Periscope CFO

CFO and author of Pest Control by Numbers, helping pest control business owners better understand their finances, improve profitability and build stronger businesses.

A big thank you to both sponsors for supporting Pest Perspectives Podcast and helping us continue bringing independent, educational conversations to the pest management industry.

#PestPerspectivesPodcast #BedBugControl #InsecticideResistance #DesiccantDusts #PestManagement

Can rats really come through toilets? How do they travel through drainage systems, and could hidden defects be allowing them into properties?

Welcome to another episode of Pest Perspectives | In Focus, where we revisit some of the most interesting and educational conversations from Pest Perspectives Podcast.

In this 18-minute discussion, host Shaun Muller is joined by drainage specialist Darron Pearce from RATTRAXS, revisiting part of Episode 69.

We explore how rats use drainage systems to access buildings, why flexible toilet connectors can be vulnerable and how damaged or poorly connected pipework can create hidden entry points.

Darron also shares a fascinating real-life case involving rats reaching a fourth-floor property, showing just how capable these animals are when it comes to navigating drainage systems.

Topics covered include:

• How rats travel through drains and soil pipes.

• Why flexible toilet connectors can be vulnerable to rodent damage.

• A real case involving rats reaching a fourth-floor property.

• How building extensions can create hidden drainage problems.

• The difficulties caused by buried or inaccessible inspection chambers.

• Why investigating drainage defects is important when dealing with recurring rat infestations.

It's a practical discussion for pest control professionals, drainage specialists and anyone interested in understanding how rats find their way into buildings.

Sometimes the source of a recurring rat problem isn't immediately visible, and understanding what's happening beneath a property can be an important part of finding a lasting solution.

About Pest Perspectives | In Focus

In Focus brings you selected conversations from previous full-length episodes of Pest Perspectives Podcast, concentrating on individual subjects, industry knowledge and real experiences from professionals working in pest management.

This conversation was originally featured in Episode 69 with Darron Pearce from RATTRAXS.

Proudly Sponsored By

Powered Now – Business management software helping pest control companies manage scheduling, quotations, invoicing and day-to-day business operations.

Periscope CFO – Dan Traynor ACA – Chartered Accountant, CFO and author of Pest Control by Numbers, helping pest control business owners understand their finances, improve profitability and build stronger businesses.

Thank you to both sponsors for supporting Pest Perspectives Podcast and helping us continue sharing independent conversations and educational content with the pest management industry.

Follow Pest Perspectives Podcast

Enjoyed this discussion? Follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and other major podcast platforms.

Listen to the full interview with Darron Pearce and explore more episodes at:

https://www.pestperspectivespodcast.co.uk/

How can a small, independent pest control company compete for bigger commercial contracts and grow into a successful business?

Welcome to Pest Perspectives | In Focus, a new series bringing you some of the best conversations, advice and industry insights from previous episodes of Pest Perspectives Podcast.

In this 16-minute discussion, host Shaun Muller revisits Episode 19 with Mark Porter from Porter's Pest Control UK.

Mark shares his experiences of building a family-run pest control business, developing industry relationships and finding opportunities to win larger commercial contracts.

We also discuss how smaller pest control companies can stand out from their competitors by offering additional services, investing in technology and building trust with customers.

Topics covered include:

• Building relationships that lead to commercial pest control contracts.

• Growing a family-run pest control business.

• Winning commercial work as an independent pest controller.

• Digital rodent monitoring and camera technology.

• Offering premium pest management services.

• Customer expectations and the challenges of business growth.

Whether you're running your own pest control company, looking to expand into commercial pest management or considering starting a business, there's plenty to take away from this conversation.

About Pest Perspectives | In Focus

Pest Perspectives | In Focus takes selected discussions from our full-length episodes and brings them together as shorter, topic-focused podcasts.

Real conversations, practical experience and knowledge shared by people working in the pest management industry.

This discussion originally featured in Pest Perspectives Podcast – Episode 19, featuring Mark Porter.

Proudly Sponsored By

Powered Now – Business management software helping pest control businesses manage their day-to-day operations, including scheduling, quoting, invoicing and customer management.

Periscope CFO – Dan Traynor ACA – Chartered Accountant, CFO and author of Pest Control by Numbers, helping pest control business owners better understand their finances, improve profitability and build stronger businesses.

A huge thank you to both sponsors for supporting Pest Perspectives Podcast and helping us continue bringing independent industry conversations and educational content to pest management professionals.

Follow Pest Perspectives Podcast

Enjoyed this conversation? Follow, subscribe and share the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and your favourite podcast platforms.

Listen to more episodes and explore the full podcast archive at:

https://www.pestperspectivespodcast.co.uk/