Women In Pest Management (WIPM) November 2022 Newsletter

What a year! It is with much pride I present the last President’s report for 2022. Face-face networking and pest conferences worldwide has brought some excitement back into the industry, but just because we came to an end of the lockdowns it didn’t mean the end of COVID-19. For most of us 2022 was still a challenge. It’s very normal to feel nervous or even scared travelling and interacting with other people again. Many small businesses are struggling. Soaring energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and labour shortages are all signs of a weak economy. Many of us are not sure how to proceed because we are either operating on a month-to-month basis, or we are breaking even, or we are in a really good business position but nervous that things could change. WIPM has had its own share of challenges, but we have come out of 2022 with some outstanding projects and events.

WIPM has become a platform for connections, inspiration, and empowerment, and most importantly, we are bonding and creating new friendships. We have reinforced our commitment to become the association of positive change in the pest industry by

promoting equality, empowering other women, and raising awareness on important topics surrounding diversity and inclusion, and career paths for women in pest management.

Registrations for the Termite Professional Conference are now open. Our committee is very excited to be included in this conference and will be hosting the National Big Networking Breakfast, the Coast to Hinterland High Tea Partners Event, a stream of Leadership Workshops and announcing the winners of the WIPM Recognition Awards. I think most of us agree it is so nice to have a change of location for such a large event with the conference being held on the Sunshine Coast in July next year. The exciting program is focused on termite biology, termite behaviour, and termite management and it is great to see so many industry manufacturers and suppliers getting behind it.

In closing for the year, I would like to thank the committee for not only their ongoing support of WIPM members, but all the hard work that

Year &

they put into the association. Many forget that this is a voluntary contribution, most who are also Mum’s and are also running their own business, yet still find the time to give back to this industry. It is a privilege –and a joy – to be in the presence of these incredible women who share the same vision as myself, and we continue to drive positive change in the careers of women in pest management.

We will be open throughout Christmas and the New Year. If you are struggling and finding it difficult to cope, please reach out for support, for there is always hope. Remember we have accredited Mental Health

First Aiders on the committee who have completed the training course, giving us the practical skills needed to listen, connect, and offer support to any of you who are experiencing a mental health problem. Support is always a phone call away, don’t suffer in silence, you are not alone.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and look forward in continuing my role as President in 2023.

Nicky Turner President

WIPM RECOGNITION AWARDS

FEMALE LEADERSHIP AWARD (Australia)

FEMALE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD (Australia)

FEMALE OFFICE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD (Australia)

NEW ZEALAND WIPM EXCELLENCE AWARD

SOUTH PACIFIC WIPM EXCELLENCE AWARD

Over the coming years we are going to see continued migration of women in the pest management industry. Recognising, celebrating, and showcasing outstanding winners’ talents bringing greater awareness of the skills and capabilities women have in our industry.

These awards will reflect the values we share as an industry, where collaboration, integrity and outstanding business acumen are all recognised and acknowledged. They provide a platform from which outstanding women can shine and set the benchmark for others to follow. These awards will recognise many impressive women in the pest management industry and will be announced at the Termite Professional Conference dinner on Friday 7th July 2023. Full details on each award and nominations will open in January 2023.

PRODUCTIVITY TIPS

One of my colleagues, also a working mum, recently asked me for some productivity tips: What do you do to manage your time and keep your work and family life running smoothly? It’s a great question. Of course, there’s no single productivity hack or time management app that will organise your life, but it’s worth thinking about (and sharing) tools and tips that can help. Here’s what’s working for me

PRODUCTIVITY MEANS BEING PRESENT AND EFFECTIVE

“Productivity” is one of those buzz-words that can mean different things to different people. In this context, I’m not talking about workplace performance metrics, but how to feel more present and effective in all areas of your life. This is challenging for anyone, but especially so for female who are often balancing their business “baby” with real life children and family commitments.

In my 20+ year entrepreneurial journey, I’ve been through patches where it felt like my wheels were spinning, especially when MyBudget and my kids

were young. I’ve run the full gambit of emotions, from hyperdrive to feeling exhausted.

In the process, I discovered that the antidote is usually not to do more, but to pause and step away from the fray. I’ve learned to trust others and to give myself space and time to survey the entire battlefield. This has been especially important during Covid with the ground constantly shifting. I’ve also learned that the battlefield is bigger than just work. It includes my health, family, finances, relationships, personal growth—everything.

Stepping back, planning, prioritising, and organising chews up time when you could be doing the do, but it

grounds you in what matters; it focuses your attention and energy. This is so important for navigating a world filled with shiny objects. That’s why I’m all for embracing tools, methods, and little tricks that free up time, reduce mental load and enhance focus.

Here are some productivity and time management tips that have been working for me:

DIARY MANAGEMENT

My Outlook calendar used to be reserved for work meetings and deadlines. I now use it to plan my entire life. I code activities in different colours so I can tell at a glance if the activity is business or personal and I schedule literally everything—birthdays, school excursions, kids’ sports, reminders, fitness, hair appointments, grocery shopping, date nights, and so on. (I have a friend who also schedules specific housework, like changing the sheets and other chores.) Yes, it feels kind of regimented, but 1) it reduces my mental load, 2) stops work from taking over my entire schedule and 3) allows me to be more ‘in the moment,’ wherever that may be.

FITNESS COMES FIRST

Fitness used to be something I squeezed in when I could. But health being the first wealth, I decided to turn that around. For the last couple of years, I’ve been getting up early and making fitness the first thing I do. To make it easier, I also set up a little home gym. The result is that I’m more energised and focused throughout the day. Again, all of this is in my calendar so that my colleagues and family know that I’m not available at those times.

DRIVE TIME IS FOR LEARNING

Like fitness, learning is another one of those goals that used to fall down the totem pole of priorities. These days, I make it a priority to read one new book every two months. To make this possible, I use my drive time for listening to podcasts and audiobooks. I also buy a paper copy of the book and spend five to 10 minutes a day highlighting and recapping any points of interest.

DIGITAL NOTES AND DEVICE SYNCING

I used to keep handwritten meeting notes in books. The trouble was that I had to remember which book the notes were in or I wouldn’t have a book with me, so I’d scribble notes on loose paper and lose them.

These days, I take my iPad to meetings and type directly into the Notes app. Should I forget my iPad, I use Notes on my iPhone (which I never forget) and both devices automatically sync. Digital notes are also easier to search and share.

HAIR APPOINTMENTS IN WORK TIME

I do a lot of events and media work, which means looking professional, and I’ve found that the most productive solution for hair appointments is to schedule them during work hours. The key is to work while your hair is being done. I generally take my laptop or catch up on phone calls. I’ve even done video calls while foils are processing!

MEAL PLANNING

I do the weekly meal planning, my husband does the weekly grocery shopping and we share the cooking between us. This means there’s no time lost during the week wondering what to cook or running to the shops. When it comes to lunches, we cook enough for dinner so there’s always enough for leftovers. (Meal planning is good for your budget too!)

IF IT’S NOT A HELL YES, IT’S A NO

Will you come to this meeting? Speak at that event? Attend this conference? I’ve been guilty in the past of saying yes to everything and then feeling resentful that my life is hectic. These days, I’m learning to say no. Aside from treating my time like the precious resource it is, when I do say yes, I’m now more present and enthusiastic. With a “hell yes,” you take everything in, sit in the front row, ask questions, participate, work hard, take action and grab life with both hands!

Tammy Barton Founder of MyBudget and Personal Budget Expert

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

WHY IS SELF-CARE IMPORTANT WHEN HELPING OTHERS?

When offering support or helping others it may be tempting to ignore our own self-care. This is especially true if you’re working, family or social life includes regularly caring for others. In our desire to always be there for the people we care about, we can forget to turn that compassion inward.

However, self-care is a vital part of maintaining our ability to care for others. This is particularly important if you are a parent, carer or someone people regularly rely on.

Here are some of the many reasons why self-care should be a part of your overall care strategy.

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

You may have heard the saying you can’t pour from an empty cup. We often talk about self-care. To effectively take care of others, we must first take care of ourselves. We all need time to replenish the emotional, intellectual, and psychological stocks. Instead of viewing self-care in isolation, reframe it as

a healthy part of life. Imagine yourself as a tree in a forest and that forest as the family, friends, colleagues, and community around you. A tree pulls together water, carbon dioxide and the energy of the sun for its own self-care. The healthier the tree, the more it can provide life-saving oxygen, nourishment, shelter and comfort to the people, plants and creatures that surround it.

The same is true of the people in your life. The more you practice self-care and tend to your needs, the better placed you’ll be to offer support to the people around you.

KEENER EYE FOR SMALL CHANGES

The indication that someone we know may need support can come in many subtle forms, including increased isolation, decreased interest in a favourite hobby or pastime, a loss of appetite, lowered patience or tolerance for people or situations, avoiding friends and family, or a change in mood that might not seem significant by itself. However, if these changes combine or persist, it may be signs you need more than a moment to recharge. Often when we’re caught up in the busyness of

everyday life, we can invite stress into our lives. Stress can block our awareness of our own situation may affect our ability to notice some of the subtle changes in those around us.

Whether you’re a parent trying to reach a reluctant teen or a friend noticing changes in a friend, the earlier we can recognise these shifts in mood, speech, or behaviour, the quicker we may be able to listen, connect and offer support to that person.

Having a conversation has the potential can make a world of difference when it comes to helping the person and their outcomes.

AVOIDING THE SELF-SOOTHING TRAP

It’s only natural that in helping others, we may drain or deplete our own bank of emotional resources. The problem isn’t necessarily the act of offering help or support but rather what we do to rejuvenate ourselves and replenish our bank and when we’re feeling emotionally, psychologically, or physically drained from helping others it may be more tempting to turn to self-soothing behaviours over self-care. While the odd bit of self-soothing behaviour such as watching tv, having a drink, shopping or comfort eating can be part of a well-rounded self-care plan, it should not replace healthy activities such as exercise, sleep, mindfulness, healthy eating or connecting with friends – all of which help us rejuvenate and provides greater resilience for longer periods.

IT SETS A GREAT EXAMPLE

Helping others can be a source of joy. It can give us pride in the work we do, what we’re able to accomplish and even a sense of purpose. However, like any form of productivity and action, it has the potential to become a little addictive, which may skew our perception of the payoff we’re receiving from giving our energy.

All humans need time to themselves to function. Constantly living with a feeling of obligation to others and never having finished your responsibilities is not healthy.

We all need to experience the sense of accomplishment that comes from finishing a task. We also need to understand that in any helping situation, there are no prizes for going it alone. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes many different people and resources to give each individual person the help and support they need.

It’s not uncommon for a person who loves to help or is in a primary support role to feel guilty when their focus shifts from other people to themselves. But that doesn’t mean that shift is an act of selfishness or one that doesn’t fit within the parameters of helping.

Helping yourself to be the best version of you that can be makes you a better friend, lover, parent, colleague and professional. Giving yourself permission to attend to your needs also sets the example for those who rely on you for your support to do the same.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14

• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

• Headspace on 1800 650 890

TERMITE PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE

IF YOU’RE A TERMITE PROFESSIONAL, THIS IS THE CONFERENCE FOR YOU!

Customers expect termite professionals to “be the expert” and to feel assured that you can deal with any termite issues that present and provide the necessary services to protect their home.

Women In Pest Management is excited to be involved with the inaugural Termite Professional Conference. The Termite Professional Conference is aimed at pest managers who want to improve their understanding of termites and further their termite management skills to win more business and deliver improved services. The conference aims to help you to “Be the Expert”. The conference is going to be held in the 2023 July school holidays in Queensland on the Sunshine Coast. Perfect location and time for that working holiday getaway.

What to expect:

• Learn from the experts on termite biology and behaviour with presentations from leading Australian and US researchers

• Educational sessions on termite management techniques

• Latest information on termite management products, software and insurance

• Great opportunity to meet and socialise with fellow termite professionals

• Perfect time to combine with a winter holiday on the great Sunny Coast!

Make sure you book by the end of the year to get the early bird prices and being school holidays accomodation goes quickly.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER PLEASE CLICK ON THE REGISTER BUTTON NOW.

LEADERSHIP

DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

- TERMITE PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE HOSTED BY WOMEN IN PEST MANAGEMENT

The WIPM Committee has been busy organising workshops featuring speakers from the pest management industry who will provide invaluable presentations on leadership and wellbeing. The aim of the workshops is to inspire attendees to find new, innovative ways of developing and managing people and to improve mental resilience, as well as looking after the mental wellbeing of employees. Details to be released shortly…

PARTNERS EVENT - TERMITE PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE

COAST TO HINTERLAND HIGH TEA

HOSTED BY WOMEN IN PEST

FRIDAY JULY 7TH 2023

MANAGEMENT

While hubbie is attending the Termite Professional Conference we have arranged the perfect way to spend your day. This event is open to all conference delegate partners and any women who work in the pest management industry. Join us for a coast to hinterland drive to Montville for High Tea. Montville boasts glorious views of the Sunshine Coast & Hinterland while providing visitors with a unique shopping and dining experience. History and architecture buffs will marvel at the fine buildings which run along and around Main Street. This is a great opportunity to see one of the best places the Sunshine Coast has to offer. You will have time to do a bit of sightseeing and shopping in the main street before heading over to Secrets on the Lake for High Tea.

Secrets on the Lake is the Sunshine Coast’s Best Kept Secret. It is also home to the award winning restaurant Dining On the Deck, and a unique art space showcasing local artists. It is a truly special place, situated in the rainforest on the shores of Lake Baroon with panoramic views of the water, mountains and rainforest.

$125pp. Includes travel and high tea for lunch with champagne.

Pick Up: Maroochy RSL Event Centre 9:30am - Return 3pm.

To book this event please click here now.

REGISTER NOW

WIPM NETWORKING BIG BREAKFAST - TERMITE PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE

HOSTED BY WOMEN IN PEST MANAGEMENT

FRIDAY JULY 7TH 2023

The National WIPM Networking Big Breakfast is a free event that will be held at the inaugural Termite Professional Conference. The breakfast will include a keynote speaker and female speakers from within our industry. The breakfast invite is open to all women who work in the pest management industry and men who are attending the conference. You will have time to network with like-minded people after the

breakfast and the speakers conclude. Although this breakfast is Free and is part of the conference, you must register to attend.

To register please click here.

REGISTER NOW

AUSSIE TERMITE TOURS

(Darwin - Kakadu - Litchfield)

WE ARE GETTING EXCITED!

Bookings are coming in. Spaces are limited. Please click here to book in your spot and make payment.

(Darwin - Kakadu - Litchfield)

A tour not to be missed. Great tour, best guides!

A guided tour with Jay and Nicky Turner is the best way to discover Australia’s famous Cathedral and Magnetic termite mounds in luxury and style. Find and learn all about the ecology of many of the Top Ends local termite species. This is the best working holiday that also offers pub crawls, crocodile touring, Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, walking, cruises, birdlife, fish feeding and finishing off the tour with a bang for Territory day.

HERCULES MOTH

- THE MOTH THAT DOESN’T EAT

Thought all moths fantasised about munching on your newest knit cardigan? Think again! Today we are debunking this one-fits-all moth myth with one of Tropical North Queensland’s native moths: the Hercules Moth. If you thought the newest fad diet was hard, spare a thought for the Hercules Moth. Although it is the largest moth in the world, an adult Hercules Moth doesn’t actually eat! Why do you ask? Well the Hercules Moth doesn’t actually have a mouth! The adult Hercules Moth survives on food stores from when it was a caterpillar.

These magnificent giant moths only live for 10 to 14 days and have the main goal of finding a mate and reproducing. Interestingly, female Hercules Moths emit a pheromone that can attract male suitors from over 2km away. Now that’s what we call strong perfume! Humans are unable to smell this pheromone, however male moths certainly can. The male moth does all of the chasing and will fly to the female emitting the pheromones.

WHAT DOES A HERCULES MOTH CATERPILLAR EAT?

Hercules moth caterpillars live on food plants such as Omalanthus populifolius, which is more commonly known as the bleeding heart tree. Caterpillars can also feed on Dysoxylum muelleri (red bean), Glochidion ferdinandi (cheese tree), Timonius rumphii and Timonius singularis. It also sips on plain water droplets off the host plant. The caterpillar stage is the longest part of the Hercules Moth’s life. It will live for about 3 months in this stage before retreating into a cocoon. Incredibly, these caterpillars grow up to 12 cm in length and are dotted with yellow spikes. Such a huge caterpillar makes sense when we consider how large the moth itself is. The largest ever Hercules Moth had a wingspan of 36cm!

Article credit - Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

EMPLOYER TIPS

6 MUST-HAVE HELPFUL POLICIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

By Stephen Roebuck – Head of Operations (Employsure)

Australia is home to over 3.5 million small businesses. They employ half the workforce in Australia. They also make significant contributions to the economy, collectively accounting for one fifth of Australia’s gross domestic product. Clearly, small businesses form an inherent part of the economy and community and are vital for our growth. However, these small businesses face common challenges in understanding employment relations or implementing HR policies.

The workplace is changing dynamically. Workplaces need to reflect the shifts in attitudes. Understanding these attitudes and addressing them by updating HR policies and manuals can help set clear standards, support your employees, and protect your business.

WHAT IS A HR POLICY?

Human Resources (HR) policy is the key document guiding employees, leaders, and employers about what’s expected of them. A HR policy is a guideline for hiring, leave, training, onboarding, probation, promotion, work environment, termination, and workplace health and safety. HR policies ideally outline how a business should treat its employees and how employees should treat each other.

HR policies are usually outlined in the Employee Handbook.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A HR POLICY?

When things go wrong in a business, and they usually do, you need some protection. This protection often comes in the form of HR policies. They act as a fallback for employers should they need support. They also offer a framework for a company so employers and managers can make consistent decisions and treat everyone fairly.

HR policies give your business the structure it needs in employment relations. Other purposes include:

• Communicating the company’s mission, values, and goals

• Establishing conditions of employment

HR policies also help you meet the laws and regulations set by government and legislative authorities.

HR POLICIES AND SMALL BUSINESS

Small businesses grow organically, usually without addressing internal policies or implementing systems. As a small business owner, you may be overwhelmed by the daily challenges of administration and compliance. You may be struggling with recruitment and keeping up with obligations as the end of the year approaches.

If you are a small business owner, you end up trying to manage everything on their own. You are personally involved in handling staff disputes, managing employees, providing customer service, and knowing the correct wages. If your business does not have HR policies and procedures, you can end up getting involved in potential legal situations or claims.

Small business owners in the US are spending 25% of their time handling payroll and workers’ compensation, according to the US Small Business Administration. This is time that can be used somewhere else constructively if they have policies and procedures in place.

https://employsure.com.au/

A BASIC GUIDE TO SPRAY – GRAZING

(WESTERN AUSTRALIA)

This time of year, we often get asked about alternatives to just applying herbicides for broadleaf weed control. Sometimes people have left it too late in the season to get an effective treatment or perhaps they want to limit the amount of herbicide they apply to their paddocks. One alternative way to treat broadleaf weeds in pasture is to use a combination of grazing and herbicide application.

This type of weed control is perfect if you have sheep or goats and we would suggest trialling it in one area at a time until you get the hang of things. Spray grazing involves applying a ‘light’ or ‘sub lethal dose of herbicide to basically retard the growth of the plant, rather than kill it completely. Then when the plant gets to rosette stage (about the size of your hand) the plants are intensively grazed.

This technique means that you use less herbicides but can also use the weeds you have to feed your stock. It is most effective on annual broadleaf plants like capeweed & dock. The best herbicides to use are ones that contain the active MCPA Amine – there are a lot of products on the market with this active so do your research on which one is the best/most cost effective for your property. When applied at low rates it actually stimulates the cell division in the plant, making the plant grow upright. Always remember to read the label and apply exactly as directed. The plant reacts by drawing sugars up from the roots into the leaves – which

makes them more palatable for grazing. This method is a little time dependant, however, as this effects only lasts for about two weeks.

The aim is to apply the herbicide early in the growing season, so the plants are smaller, and less herbicide is required. You then leave the paddock for 7-10 days, so the herbicide has a chance to do its thing. Again, remember to follow the label for your particular product in relation to withholding periods. When introducing your stock to the paddock you should be aiming at two weeks grazing – so the amount of stock should be chosen accordingly. You don’t want 400 sheep in a 1-acre paddock.

Once the weeds have been removed and the area grazed the natural pasture grasses and clovers will begin to recover. You have grazed the weeds before they have had a chance to flower and re-seed back into the paddock – giving all the plants you want to grow a much better chance to strengthen and multiply each year – giving these weeds less chance to become established and your pastures can flourish.

RHIANNON BROWN Western Envirapest & Weed Solutions.

FAOPMAPEST SUMMIT 2022 – KYOTO, JAPAN

PEST MANAGEMENT IN THE EVER CHANGING, BORDERLESS WORLD.

A review of the very first Hybrid FAOPMA-Pest Summit ever held.

In the past six months I have been collaborating with several women who own businesses in the pest management industry from Philippines, Pakistan, India, and Thailand, all who were attending the FAOPMA-Pest Summit. I was scheduled to attend PestWorld Boston in October, but due to my heavy schedule and with the opportunity to be able to attend a FAOMPA conference for the first time outside of Australia and get to meet with these lovely ladies in person, I packed my bags and headed to Japan.

FAOPMA – the Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers Association is a non-profit organisation meant to promote and develop the industry of professional pest management with the aim to unite national pest control organisations in Asia and Oceania. The association was established in 1989 by members from the Asian and Oceanic countries.

In 2020, the global COVID 19 pandemic put a halt to the FAOPMA-Pest Summit, that was supposed to be held in Manilla the Philippines, forcing the conference to go virtual. In 2021, face-to-face was put on hold again and the conference opened to only virtual

delegates. The Japan Pest Control Association (JPCA) were granted the annual event this year, offering a hybrid conference which gave delegates joining the event the option to attend the Kyoto International Conference Centre in person or choose to attend online.

This year’s conference included 37 exhibitors and 33 presentations showcasing some of the greatest industry speakers in the world. It also showcased a symposium focusing on the impact of Climate Change and Urban Pest Management. All talks and the symposium were live broadcast and translated into numerous languages for the online delegates.

It was a jammed packed conference and as usual there is always two talkers you want to listen to who are presenting at the same time in two different streams. The two stand out presentations for me was Dr. Dini Miller whose research work I have followed for many years and Taro Kanazawa – President-ElectFAOPMA and CEO HYSIA, Managing Director Dynamic Sanito Inc, Founder and CEO of Dynamic Sanito SEA Pte. Ltd. Presentations included topics from Building a Successful Pest Management Company $200 to $20M, to Pest Management in Post-COVID environment, and Building a Pest Management Business Sustainable for

President - Nicky Turner

Generations. What I noticed about this conference that was a stand for me, was that there were virtually zero termite products, and the technology was next level. It opened my eyes to how behind we really are here in Australia when it comes to pest management. Taro Kanazawa was the last speaker at the conference and one of his closing words were:

FAOPMA should be a platform where members can find “purpose” in pest management, and where members can keep inspiring and reminding each other, to pursue their purpose, through difficult times.

Taro Kanazawa is going to make a great FAOPMA president, and I hope his drive and passion for the pest management industry passes over here to Australia. There is a write up in this newsletter on Keiko Kanazawa, Taro’s grandmother - an inspirational story of a true leader in the Japanese Pest Management Industry.

This conference was not what I was expecting, but one I highly recommend attending if given the opportunity. Pest Management is classed as a professional career over there. They were all very proud to be in the pest management industry. I have been lucky to have attended so many pest conferences worldwide and each one of them are very different to what we experience here in Australia. For me personally, I take back much more into my own business and own selfgrowth with these overseas conferences than I have here in Australia.

To wrap it up, I was super excited to be able to attend FAOPMA-Pest Summit under the Women In Pest Management (WIPM) banner and was busy with

scheduled meetings

different

all over the world while I was there. I also got to meet many new ladies I have never spoken to before. I can confirm we will be introducing new chapters to WIPM next year.

Japan is one of the oldest civilizations and has a beautiful and diverse history. Kyoto is one of the bestpreserved cities in Japan where there are literally thousands of Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, preserved castles and tea houses. I couldn’t believe how clean, organised, vibrant and fun as well as being serene and a place where you can find some space to take in the amazing Japanese culture. If you are wanting to experience traditional Japan, then visit Kyoto. The people could not be friendlier and one of the politest and welcoming I have ever experienced when traveling. Nicky Turner.

many

with other women from

countries

Big drone with Mozzie Blaster Dini Miller and Nicky Turner

KEIKO KANAZAWA

AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF A TRUE LEADER IN THE JAPANESE PEST MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY

In 1950 in Odate, a small city located 500km north of Tokyo, a young woman named Keiko married into the Kanazawa family who owned a candy wholesale business in northern Japan. Keiko came from Hinai, a small farming village south of Odate, and was the youngest of 13 children. As a housewife, she had a busy life caring for her own three children, as well as looking after some of the employees of the wholesale business who lived with the family.

Keiko was also in charge of keeping the candy storage building clean. If ever anybody spotted a rat, she was the one who took the blame for not cleaning the building properly. This is what prompted her to start up Dynamic Sanito, which is now a widely respected pest management business in Japan. Keiko Kanazawa founded Dynamic Sanito Inc. in 1969 when she was 40 years old.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The warehouse where the candy was stored had a rodent problem. Every day Keiko was told off and scolded by her mother-in-law for not keeping the building sufficiently clean. Her harsh attitude towards Keiko was typical of mothers-in-law in Japan of that generation. Keiko felt lonely and was often reduced to tears as she went about her daily cleaning duties. Then one day, she decided that she had had enough of feeling miserable and that something needed to be done. It was time to take action against the rodents!

As an ordinary housewife, Keiko had no knowledge of rodent biology or how best to deal with the infestation (and, obviously, no access to Google!). There were no reliable pest control companies in the area either. The first thing she did was to put down the common

rodenticides used by the local farmers. This seemed quite effective at first. However, she soon realized these rodenticides were highly toxic (they probably contained active ingredients such as sodium fluoroacetate or zinc phosphide). This meant that dead rodents often ended up rotting inside the storage space. Also, the infestation was not eliminated partly because the rats’ consumption of the poison was quite low (since the warehouse was full of alternative food sources) and partly because the remaining rats became increasingly cautious of eating the bait. In addition, the rotten carcasses posed a food safety hazard, which was a further problem for Keiko since she was responsible for the hygiene of the building.

Keiko did not give up. She observed the rodents’ behavior carefully and noticed that that they tended to groom themselves with frequent licking of their feet and fur. She realized that if she placed powder-based poison on rodent pathways, this would result in the pests consuming the chemicals repeatedly via their feet and fur. After further research, she determined that warfarinbased products would be effective for this purpose. So she created her own rodenticide recipe mixed with various food powders to make the bait more enticing. Several years later, Keiko named this product, “Ratmit.” She patented the production process, registered the product with the Ministry of Health as a quasi-drug and released it for general sale.

The creation of “Ratmit” changed the game. Keiko successfully eliminated the infestation in the candy warehouse and turned her attention to helping other local businesses with similar rodent issues. She shared her product for free and even started offering

a complimentary rodent control service to these local businesses.

A COMMERCIAL BUSINESS IS BORN

In the beginning, Keiko never intended to start her own business. In those days in Japan, a woman’s place was commonly thought to be in the home: it was very rare for a woman to start a business (especially a married woman). Moreover, pest control was considered to be something of a lower class/unhygienic profession to be involved in – certainly not a woman’s job!

However, things changed when one of the customers of her voluntary rodent control service asked her, “How can we rely on you to be fully committed and provide us with a reliable service if you’re not getting paid for it?” Keiko was a very genuine person and considered what she had been told very seriously. She came to see how much people were depending on her services and realized she had a responsibility to continue what she had started. Her family’s financial situation was also a growing concern. The original family candy wholesaling business was under pressure from the supermarket industry; it was laboring under an unsustainable level of debt and was on the brink of closing down.

After registering as a company, Dynamic Sanito became the first business in the area to supply rodent control services on a commercial basis. Keiko carried out the treatments in person and trained up employees from the candy business to help her. She always promised her customers a good outcome and never compromised on quality. The company’s reputation grew, and the business started to develop rapidly via word of mouth recommendations. Once the company’s growth prospects became clear, the family decided to close down its original wholesaling

business. Nevertheless, despite selling its personal assets and property, the family was still saddled with millions of dollars in debt. In normal circumstances, a company in this situation would declare itself bankrupt in order to clear its debts.

However, Keiko was reluctant to let this happen. She thought that if local banks and customers were forced to write off the debt, this would create bad feeling in the community and might undermine the development of her new business. Instead, she boldly decided to transfer all the debt from the wholesale business into her new company and to pay it off over a period of time.

OPENING THE TOKYO BRANCH

One day, Keiko received an inquiry from Haneda International Airport about a rodent infestation problem on the airport premises. She wondered

why an international airport would contact a small rodent control company located 500km away from Tokyo. At that time, her company didn’t have an office anywhere near Tokyo. So Keiko made the 12-hour road trip to Tokyo to meet the managing director of the Haneda Terminal Building. She was told that the airport’s current supplier in Tokyo had been unable to resolve the problem; Keiko was the airport’s last resort. She asked the family nanny and her husband to look after her children, stayed at a hotel near the airport and set about carrying out an intensive program of treatment at the airport over several weeks. The results were spectacular, and the airport management was thrilled. This led to Keiko being awarded an annual rodent and cockroach control contract for the entire terminal building. She decided to set up a Tokyo office. However, she had absolutely no experience of dealing with cockroaches. Therefore, she asked other pest control companies and suppliers for their help in how to combat cockroaches and thus began to diversify her services to other pests than rodents.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE INDUSTRY

With six branch offices including Tokyo established, Keiko’s business grew to 50 people and sales of USD$5 million. That was a significant achievement for a pest control start-up company. Keiko Kanazawa remains the first and only example of a female entrepreneur in the Japanese pest control industry.

Keiko was passionate about working with industry associations to develop and raise the pest control profession’s standing and perception in society. She established the Akita Pest Control Association and also served as a committee member of the Japan Pest Control Association and as the Tohoku (Northeastern)

regional chairperson. She regularly attended NPMA conventions as a delegate to keep up to date with best practice in the industry, and to expand her knowledge of pest control skills and methodologies. She also devoted a significant amount of time to supporting female entrepreneurs in the Akita region.

DYNAMIC SANITO INC. TODAY

Following Keiko’s retirement, her sons, Yoshihiro and Akira, took over the management of Dynamic Sanito as Representative Director and Senior Managing Director, respectively. In addition to pest control, they established a new Department offering a comprehensive range of hygiene solutions, including consulting services on HACCP/food safety, and bacterial and microbial control, as well as training and education initiatives. As the third generation manager, Taro, Yoshihiro’s son, initiated the company’s expansion into Singapore and Taiwan and became the Representative Director in January 2019. Nowadays, the company supplies comprehensive hygiene solutions and IPM services across the whole of Asia.

WHAT KEIKO TAUGHT US

Keiko was not a business person; she was a pest controller. She had a true passion for the profession and took great pride in it. She believed that pest control will always play a vitally important role in our society and that it therefore deserves a higher level of recognition and respect.

In addition to her tremendous contribution to the industry and to building the foundations of our current business, her legacy also includes these guiding principles:

• We should always be proud of what we do.

• Passion is the most powerful resource we have.

• We should never underestimate our own abilities.

• Persistence can make anything possible.

• We are never too old to start a new venture.

• Circumstances should never be an excuse for inaction.

• Our fundamental philosophy should be to create solutions rather than making a short-term profit.

In recognition of her life-time contribution to society and to public health, Keiko received the medal of The Order of the Sacred Treasure and was awarded the rank of “Jurokui” (Junior Sixth Rank) by the Emperor of Japan.

Keiko passed away peacefully on 3rd January 2012 at the age of 83, two days after celebrating the New Year with her family, including two of her greatgrandchildren.

Taro Kanazawa is Director of Hysia Singapore and grandson of Keiko Kanazawa.

Article written by Taro Kanazawa

PESTIE CONNECTIONS

Women In Pest Control (WIPC) with Bobby Terry and Lisa Myers-Botts. In this episode of Pestie Connections Nicky has a chat with the Women In Pest Control (WIPC) Founder Bobbie Terry - The Bug Lady (Austin, Texas) and her offsider Lisa Botts - Peacock Pest Prevention (Houston, Texas). Two great women who give back so much to the pest management industry in the United States. The ladies compare WIPC in the United States to WIPM in Australia and discuss why WIPC has such a large following. The key factor is the group being a safe place for women to ask a question, get an answer and not be put down for it. All three discuss the benefits of running an independent women’s association/council that does not come under the umbrella of a national body. What started out to be just a face-to face meet and greet networking event turned into the very first women in pest conference ever held not only in the United States, but worldwide.

PESTIE PROFILES

JANELLE MCKIBBIN

WHERE DO YOU WORK? Discreet Pest Control

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE? Administration Manager.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO PEST CONTROL? I fell into it when my ex-husband wanted to start a business.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS Friendly.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT PEST CONTROL? I love interacting with customers, developing friendships, and building a strong business that my family can be proud of.

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO KARAOKE SONG? The Gambler by Kenny Rogers.

WHAT’S THE LAST DREAM YOU REMEMBER? Not so much a dream as a memory - a family holiday to Sydney a few years ago. Best holiday ever!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SNACK FOOD? Monte Carlo Biscuits or Allens Snakes.

ARE YOU AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT? A little of both - enjoy socialising; however, I need to have my ‘downtime’ to do it.

WHAT’S THE BEST DISH YOU CAN COOK? Scrambled eggs.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PEST PEEVE? There, their, they’re.

IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ONE PERSON (LIVING OR DEAD), WHO WOULD IT BE? My grandmother.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? I have a favourite child - Toy Moodle called Bentley.

WHAT WAS THE WORST PHASE IN YOUR LIFE? Divorce a few years ago.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? Share the love with close family / friends then purchase a place at Caloundra for family weekends.

WOULD YOU PREFER TO GO CAMPING OR CHILL AT A RESORT?

Definitely chill at a resort.

WHAT’S THE MOMENT YOU WOULD LOVE TO BE A FLY ON THE WALL FOR? When my kids move out and discover that food shopping / basic living is expensive.

WHAT SCRAMBLES YOUR BRAIN EVERY TIME YOU THINK ABOUT IT? Anything to do with accounting.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST DETERMINED TO ACCOMPLISH? Cooking roast pork with crackling.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO SPEND A DAY OFF? BBQ and a few drinks with friends at my house or reading in my hammock.

HAVE YOU EVER READ A BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

Yes- Pride and Prejudice would be my all time favourite book.

IF YOU ENDED UP IN JAIL, WHAT WOULD YOU FRIENDS AND FAMILY THINK YOU DID?

I’m too much of a goody two shoes to ever end up in jail.... family/friends would think I had an evil doppelganger somewhere.

IF YOUR LIFE WERE A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE MOVIE BE CALLED?

Woman with a vacuum.

WHAT EMBARRASSING MOMENT HAS STUCK WITH YOU OVER THE YEARS?

First ever date in grade eight and I fell in the water feature at the New Zealand Pavilion at Expo 88. Lights were turned on, I was fished out of the water and never got a second date!

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST FEARS?

Huntsman Spiders and failure.

WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO THE MOST? AND WHY?

My Grandmother. She was a powerhouse. Her husband died and left her with three young children. She became a very shrewd and successful business woman over the years, yet always had time to spend with us. A fabulous female role model.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?

Hopefully, I’m still running a successful business and enjoying it as much as I do now.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF AND WHY?

My family and friends and the circle of support that we all have together. Everybody needs to have that support in order to survive and thrive.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Apparently, I am too much of a clean freak (according to my kids, I clean before the cleaning lady arrives).

WHAT’S ONE OF THE MOST FUN CHILDHOOD MEMORIES YOU HAVE?

Travelling to Fraser Island with my family for Dad’s 40th birthday and getting really bogged!

WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH? Jason Momoa.

WHAT’S THE WILDEST THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE? That is printable...... taking over and growing the business significantly with a new business partner, when I divorced my ex-husband.

WHAT’S YOUR WORST BAD HABIT? The amount of rubbish that I eat.

IF YOU COULD LIVE A DAY AS ANY TYPE OF ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

My dog - he is spoiled rotten and called ‘the favourite child’ by my family and friends.

IF YOU COULD REDO ONE MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I don’t think you should redo any part of your life. Each experience is a chance to learn / grow. There is positivity in everything.... sometimes it just doesn’t present itself until much later on.

WHAT IS A PRODUCT YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT? Acrylic nails.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE YOUR NAME, WHAT NEW NAME WOULD YOU PICK? Bethany.

WHAT COUNTRY WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT? England.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE INVISIBLE FOR A DAY? Stalk my children.

TOILET PAPER, OVER OR UNDER? OVER!

HAVE YOU EVER SENT A TEXT MESSAGE TO THE WRONG PERSON? Absolutely.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FUNNY OR SECRET TALENTS YOU’D BE WILLING TO SHARE? No - I am quite a boring person.

HAVE YOU EVER DROPPED FOOD ON THE FLOOR ACCIDENTALLY AND THEN PICKED IT UP TO EAT IT? Isn’t it a 15 second rule?

DO YOU DOUBLE DIP? I do

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF? It will change... buckle up, Buttercup and just enjoy the ride.

PESTIE PROFILES

RENEE MARINO

WHERE DO YOU WORK? Discreet Pest Control.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE? Business Owner Finance Admin.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO PEST CONTROL? Business opportunity with my best friend. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS Honest, reliable, hard working.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT PEST CONTROL? Problem solving for customers, learning new things every day about the pest world.

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO KARAOKE SONG? INXS, Never Tear Us Apart.

WHAT’S THE LAST DREAM YOU REMEMBER? I don’t dream …

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SNACK FOOD? Wine.

ARE YOU AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT? Introvert until I’ve had a couple of drinks.

WHAT’S THE BEST DISH YOU CAN COOK? South African Chicken curry. I love cooking.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PEST PEEVE? Customers calling for a retreat just before they are due.

IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ONE PERSON (LIVING OR DEAD), WHO WOULD IT BE? My Nana.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? Yes 2 Labradors ( they are my favourite children haha) chickens, one loud rooster and a 11 year old Green cheeked conure.

WHAT WAS THE WORST PHASE IN YOUR LIFE? Living in Canberra when I was 19 away from all my family.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? Pay off debts, live down the Gold Coast closer to family. Have an actual holiday and maybe work part time.

WOULD YOU PREFER TO GO CAMPING OR CHILL AT A RESORT? Camping - we are on our way now to Kirra beach to camp.

WHAT’S THE MOMENT YOU WOULD LOVE TO BE A FLY ON THE WALL FOR? There isn’t a time that I feel the need to listen to others. If I need to know something it will always come out eventually.

WHAT SCRAMBLES YOUR BRAIN EVERY TIME YOU THINK ABOUT IT? How people can be so stupid…

WHAT ARE YOU MOST DETERMINED TO ACCOMPLISH? A long happy life with my family by my side.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO SPEND A DAY OFF? Camping, walking along the beach, sitting around a fire with good friends and family with wine. Reading a book.

HAVE YOU EVER READ A BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

50 Shades of Grey made a bit of an impact haha.

IF YOU ENDED UP IN JAIL, WHAT WOULD YOU FRIENDS AND FAMILY THINK YOU DID? Drunk and disorderly.

IF YOUR LIFE WERE A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE MOVIE BE CALLED? Women in the kitchen.

WHAT EMBARRASSING MOMENT HAS STUCK WITH YOU OVER THE YEARS?

Having toilet paper stuck in my pants and I didn’t realise.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST FEARS? Snakes and spiders and clowns.

WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO THE MOST? AND WHY?

My Nana and Pop and their generation. Pop is 99 years old now and has gone through war and hardship. I really respect their outlook on life. Their generation went through so much that we have never had to.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS? Hopefully sun tanning on a beach with a pina colada in my hand.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF AND WHY?

My 3 kids and my 22 year marriage with my husband. I’m so lucky to have them in my life. My husband Adam is my best friend and my rock. I’m so lucky to still be with the love of my life and get to experience life with him. Our 3 kids are amazing and I love watching them grow (it’s happening so fast, sometimes I wish time could stop for a while).

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Stop being such a worry wort and relax more.

WHAT’S ONE OF THE MOST FUN CHILDHOOD MEMORIES YOU HAVE?

Going on holidays to Fraser Island every year with my family. Camping on the beach, fishing, watching the sun rise and sun set and the whales and dolphins.

WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH? Chris Evans.

WHAT’S THE WILDEST THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE? That’s for me to know and you to find out haha.

WHAT’S YOUR WORST BAD HABIT? Drinking red wine.

HOW WOULD YOUR BEST FRIEND DESCRIBE YOU? Tells the truth, good taste in wine, good cook.

IF YOU COULD LIVE A DAY AS ANY TYPE OF ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY? My dogs because they are spoiled rotten.

IF YOU COULD REDO ONE MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I don’t want to redo anything. Everything happens for a reason.

WHAT IS A PRODUCT YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT? Eyeliner and mascara.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE YOUR NAME, WHAT NEW NAME WOULD YOU PICK? Wonder Women.

WHAT COUNTRY WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT? New Zealand.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE INVISIBLE FOR A DAY? Walk around nude haha or go into a bank vault and steal the money.

TOILET PAPER, OVER OR UNDER? Over.

HAVE YOU EVER SENT A TEXT MESSAGE TO THE WRONG PERSON? Yes.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FUNNY OR SECRET TALENTS YOU’D BE WILLING TO SHARE? Yep

HAVE YOU EVER DROPPED FOOD ON THE FLOOR ACCIDENTALLY AND THEN PICKED IT UP TO EAT IT? Yes, 5 second rule, but only at home.

DO YOU DOUBLE DIP? When no one is looking.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF? Travel more before having kids.

WIPM LAUNCHES SOUTH PACIFIC CHAPTER

FIRST AUSTRALIA……….. THEN NEW ZEALAND……….

AND NOW WE BRING YOU THE SOUTH PACIFIC CHAPTER…

Sneak peek behind the scenes on the launch of Women in Pest Management - South Pacific. Nicky Turner flew into Suva to meet with South Pacific WIPM Representative Asita Devi Deo from Fastkil to officially congratulate her on her new role and to discuss career paths for women in pest management in Fiji. While there she got to meet some of the Fastkil team:

Asita Devi Deo - South Pacific Representative The future for Women in Pest Management.

While Nicky Turner was in Fiji she got to work alongside Asita Devi Deo for a week and officially opened the new WIPM South Pacific Chapter. Fiji Times was there for the celebrations and Nicky announced Asita Devi Deo as the South Pacific chapter representative. A big thank you to Asita and her team at Fastkil who organised the opening.