Industry News
Read the latest news from the pest industry.
Solving Bedbugs Issues
Find a suitable pest management company in our directory.
Notice for Vector Control Operators
Enhanced Registration Requirement for New Vector Control Operators, valid as of 1 October 2023, click here for the NEA announcement.
ADVISORY ON HANDLING OF PUBLIC HEALTH PESTICIDES AND REPELLENTS IN SINGAPORE
7 July 2023
Click here to download the advisory.
COVID-19 Update From SPMA
Click here to download the latest update regarding COVID-19, published by SPMA.
Code of Practice (COP) for Vector Control Operators, Technician and Worker
National Environment Agency (NEA) has published a Code of Practice (COP) for the Vector Control Operator, Technician and Worker in October 2020, developed in consultation with Singapore Pest Management Association (SPMA). The objectives of this COP are to:
Provide a guide to individuals working in the vector control industry
Promote safe and professional practices when carrying out vector control work
Minimise detrimental impact to humans, animals and the environment arising from vector control work
Define best practices of a professional vector management programme.
This COP will also guide practitioners to comply with the Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act and its subsidiary legislation, as it spells out the roles and responsibilities of a Vector Control Operator and its personnel (Vector Control Technician and Worker). All Vector Control Operators, Technicians and Workers are encouraged to adopt the guidelines and best practices, stated in the COP, when carrying out vector control works.
We encourage our members as well as other pest management companies to refer to the COP, available for download here. All pest management companies are also encouraged to share this COP to their staff for their reference.
For further assistance or clarifications, you may contact SPMA via our email or Feedback Form, and NEA via this page and the myENV app.
SPMA PRESS STATEMENT ON STOMP ARTICLE OF PYTHON
Date: 14 September 2020
We refer to Stomp article dated 9 September 2020 titled Acres calls handling of python at Jurong West by pest control company “horrific” accessible at https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/acres-calls-handling-of-python-at-jurong-west-by-pest-control-company-horrific
Singapore Pest Management Association (SPMA) is disappointed to have read the derogatory comments that Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) and Herpetological Society of Singapore (HSS) have made about the Pest Management Industry. SPMA is particularly disappointed that both organisations chose to go to the media first before expressing concerns directly to SPMA, representatives of the Pest Management Industry in Singapore. Such unsavoury statements not only affect the interests of SPMA members but also the reputation of this industry and the collective efforts for wildlife management.
SPMA is also a member of Wild Animals Legislation Review Committee (WALRC) to amend the existing Wild Animals and Birds Act (WABA) to better protect Singapore’s wildlife. WALRC is represented by various Government Agencies, associations and groups with common interest, including ACRES.
To further improve our professional’s abilities to handle wildlife, SPMA is working closely with Government Agencies including NParks to conduct basic, elective and advanced courses on wildlife handling to ensure that our pest management professionals are trained to handle wildlife animals, including reptiles. This course, named Animal Management Professional Certification Programme, was launched this year to ensure that pest management professionals can properly handle wildlife in all situations and meet the requirements set out by the Wildlife Act. Pest management professionals who have attended this course and/or will be attending this course will receive additional certification from NParks accordingly and be required to be present when handling such cases.
As an association, the SPMA would like to stress that we need a spirit of common interest and understanding from our sibling organisations like ACRES and HSS to achieve the long-term objective of safe and professional handling of wildlife animals. In order to achieve this objective smoothly, SPMA simply asks ACRES and HSS to reach out to us before making sweeping statements that can tarnish the reputation of the Pest Management Industry, which plays a vital role in environmental health protection in this country including wildlife handling.
SPMA has since reached out to ACRES and HSS to communicate our stand. SPMA has also reached out to the pest management company that is not a member of SPMA that is featured in the STOMP article.
Update from Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force (IADTF)
As of 29 August 2020, dengue cases at E-week 35 was at 1115 with cumulative cases count total at 27,280.
We are still in the midst of the traditional dengue season.
We urge all members of the pest management industry to take extra care during their mosquito management services to their clients and to provide adequate and documented advice to reduce the occurrence of mosquito breeding in these premises.
Attached table is the areas of concerns highlighted by National Environmental Agency (NEA) in the Inter Agency Dengue Task Force (IADFT) which SPMA actively participates in and shares information with.
Areas of concern (Listed alphabetically)
1 Adis Road area
2 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 / 10 area
3 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 area
4 Balam Rd area
5 Balmoral Crescent area
6 Bartley Road / How Sun Walk / Serangoon / Chiltern Drive / Braddel Road / Lor Chuan / Jalan Chermat Drive
7 Bedok North Avenue 1 Area
8 Begonia Drive / Jalan Jarak area
9 Bishan Street 11 area
10 Brighton Crescent / Kensington Park area
11 Broadrick area
12 Bukit Batok East Avenue 5
13 Bukit Panjang Ring Road / Senja Road area
14 Desker Road / Birch Road / Bristol Road area
15 East Coast Road / Butterworth Lane / Changi Road / Ceylon Road / Dakota Crescent / Sims Avenue area
16 Eaton Place / Da Siva Lane
17 Eunos Crescent area
18 Geylang area
19 Hougang Avenue 5 area
20 Jalan Baiduri area
21 Jalan Chengam area
22 Jalan Kemajuan / Vernon Pk area
23 Jalan Kukoh area
24 Jalan Sempadan area
25 Kaki Bukit Industrial Terrace / Bedok Reservior area
26 Kim Yan Road area
27 Lentor Crescent area
28 Lorong 1 / 4 / 7 Toa Payoh area
29 Lucky Crescent / Garden area
30 Marine Crescent area
31 McNair area
32 Mei Ling Street area
33 Potong Pasir / Leicester Road / Woodleigh Close area
34 Tampines Street 23 area
35 Toh Tuck Road area
36 Woodlands Drive 40 / 50 area
FAOPMA-SPMA Survey on Impact of COVID-19 on the Pest Management Industry in Asia-Oceanic Region
In a short time, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many uncertainties. Most Pest Management companies around the Asian & Oceanic region (including Singapore) have faced disruptions in business, while some were presented opportunities at the same time.
With so many rapid changes, FAOPMA together with SPMA and other countries' pest management associations deem it appropriate to conduct a survey on the impact of COVID-19 on the Pest Management industry in member countries. The results will help FAOPMA and SPMA better understand how COVID-19 is affecting Pest Management businesses and how we can best support the members during these challenging times.
This survey takes 5 minutes with only 18 short questions. Please click here to begin the survey.
This survey ends on 14 September 2020.
The summary of survey findings and outcomes will be presented at the FAOPMA-Pest Summit 2020 Virtual Conference in November 2020.
All survey participation will be kept confidential by FAOPMA and SPMA. No identifying personal information will be collected in this survey. Information from the survey will not be sold or passed onto any other party than FAOPMA and SPMA. For more information on Confidentiality and other Policies, please click here.
SPMA thanks all members for participating in this survey.
Singapore’s Dengue Fight On Two Fronts by Pest Management Companies
Together with the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore has also seen the largest dengue outbreak recorded in its history. There have been multiple collaborative efforts with relevant government agencies such as the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Pest Management Association (SPMA) to address the outbreak with utmost urgency. The main reason for the high number of dengue cases is multifactorial, with one of relevant factors being high mosquito breeding due to the disruptions of mosquito management treatments.
Dengue Cluster Map. National Environment Agency (NEA), 2 July 2020. Retrieved from https://www.nea.gov.sg/dengue-zika/dengue/dengue-clusters
Like most countries around the world, Singapore stepped into an island-wide lock down with companies forced to reduce their operations. While the Singapore government categorised pest control companies as essential services to allow continuation in vector control service provision, the frequency of treatments were heavily disrupted due to two main issues:
1. Large pool of manpower stuck in Malaysia and unable to cross the borders.
When Singapore and Malaysia implemented border control measures in March, many Malaysian who commutes daily between Singapore and Malaysia, found themselves unable to cross borders for work. Furthermore, despite of essential service status, pest management companies were forced to reduce their operating headcount under Safety Distancing Measures, and hence were unable to provide vector control services with the same clockwork efficiency as before.
2. Closures of establishments that require vector control services.
During circuit breaker measure, most businesses such as restaurants, factories, construction sites, malls were ordered to cease or limit operation – mostly are clients of pest management companies. Consequently, these clients would request to withhold vector control services during the circuit break period, citing either loss of income due to business disruption, or lack of personnel available on site to monitor the treatment and to act on the housekeeping advise recommended by the pest management professionals for their sites.
This was a challenging time as pest management companies were unable to enforce the requirement of carrying out vector control at client premises. Vector control remains the key to eliminating potential mosquito breeding habitats and adult mosquitoes to break dengue transmission. With more than 13,000 dengue cases and over 200 dengue clusters island-wide, our local agencies have launched an urgent collective community effort to prevent the situation from worsening. Public service announcement and community outreach via mass media and social media platforms were disseminated around the island to stress the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding at homes. It is also critical that the public learns that dengue vector control need not necessarily be entirely the responsibility of pest management professional and that each member of society has a part to play in eliminating mosquito breeding in personal space.
Now that Singapore has entered Phase 2 of circuit breaker cessation, establishments have started to allow pest management companies to resume vector control treatments to full frequency. It is no secret that Singapore is largely dependent on Malaysia for labour pool and many pest management companies are anxiously waiting for the borders to re-open to recover manpower needed for vector control post-circuit breaker.
Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force Meeting
During Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force Meeting on 16 July 2020 attended by SPMA, NEA has briefed on the increase in composition sums for mosquito breeding offences. This increase takes effect from 15 July 2020. Please refer to the table for the breakdown of the composition sums.
SPMA reminds all members and professional pest management companies to stay vigilant in a united effort to manage mosquito population to minimise dengue transmission.
DENGUE SITUATION UPDATE: AREAS OF CONCERN AND AREAS WITH HIGHER AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQUITO POPULATION
Nov 2019 - As of 22 November 2019, the total number of reported dengue cases is 14,617. The number of dengue cases has steadily increased over the past five weeks. There are now 79 active dengue clusters, with the 5 largest clusters located at Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2, Elias Road, Jurong West Street 61, Jalan Chermai and Begonia Lane.…see full update
World’s Ant Forum Bangkok
Nov 2019 - The World’ Ant Forum was held at The KasetSart University, Faculty of Forestry, Thailand. Both the President and Vice President of SPMA were invited by the Thailand Pest Management Association (TPMA) to attend the Forum…read full update
Addition of LAMBDA-CYHALOTHRIN as Hazardous Substance
Sep 2019 - Addition of LAMBDA-CYHALOTHRIN as Hazardous Substance Controlled Under the Environmental Protection and Management Act and Environmental Protection and Management (Hazardous Substances) Regulations…see full update
NATIONAL Environment Agency: DENGUE CASES
Sep 2019 - A total of 11,164 dengue cases have been reported this year (as of 31 August 2019). 417 cases were reported in the week ending 31 August 2019. As of 2 September 2019, there are 140 active dengue clusters in Singapore…see reported dengue cases
NATIONAL Environment Agency: DENGUE Clusters
Sep 2019 - Operationally, a dengue cluster indicates a locality with active transmission where intervention is targeted. It is formed when two or more cases have onset within 14 days and are located within 150m of each other (based on residential and workplace addresses as well as movement history). The clusters are categorised according to their current status.…see reported dengue clusters in Singapore
Zoos offer people the chance to name a cockroach after their exes
Feb 7, 2019 - Looking for a Valentine's Day gift? Perhaps here's an idea that will arrive in time for next week. Several zoos in the United States and England are offering patrons the opportunity to name cockroaches after their former girlfriends and boyfriends. One of them, the El Paso Zoo in Texas, is not only naming a cockroach after your former love interest but will also feed the cockroach to a meerkat…read more
NEA to ramp up dengue research after success in field tests
Jan 31, 2019 - The population of dengue-carrying mosquitoes in Nee Soon East and Tampines West has been cut by at least half after the release of sterile male mosquitoes, which leads to eggs that cannot hatch. And this success will see the scheme, labelled Project Wolbachia, expanded to wider areas in the two estates…read more
3m-long python shocks passers-by in Orchard
Jan 30, 2019 - Some people outside Tang Plaza in Orchard Road were in for a slithery shock yesterday morning. A python, about 3m long, was spotted under a stone bench outside the Orchard Road MRT station exit near Tangs. Housewife Tess Fernando, 49, said her son saw it on his way to school at around 8.20am, and sent her a photo of the snake…read more
Dengue cases surge, with 455 in two weeks
Jan 20, 2019 - Dengue cases have increased over the past four weeks, with 455 seen in the first two weeks of this month. This was thrice the number reported over the same two-week period in January last year, said Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor yesterday. Over the past year, dengue cases have climbed as well. There were 3,285 incidents last year, almost 20 per cent more than in 2017…read more
