REVIEW

PPC Live returned to Harrogate on 19 March 2025, once again bringing together the UK pest industry for a day of networking, learning and expert insights. 

As always, BPCA has been listening to your feedback, analysing the data, and reflecting on what made this year’s event special. Whether you came to connect with suppliers, sharpen your skills, or catch up with familiar faces, PPC Live 2025 had something for everyone. 

So, what were the highlights? BPCA’s Jordan McCay rounds up the key moments, standout sessions, and biggest takeaways from the UK’s leading one-day pest control trade show. 

A hands-on experience 

Leading up to my first PPC Live, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Having attended PestEx last year, I thought PPC Live was its smaller counterpart. However, PPC Live had a very different atmosphere and purpose.  

It was clear very quickly that PPC Live is much more rooted in the practical aspect of technician work, with interesting demonstrations, both indoor and outdoor, for attendees to get stuck into.  

My favourite area was the outdoor demo area, maybe because the sun did us a favour by shining all day. The beautiful backdrop of the Great Yorkshire Event centre certainly helped drive people outside, but the captivating speakers kept them there.  

Image: Darron Pearce, Rattrax, gives his outdoor demonstration on pest control in drains

Simon Whitehead and his demo on ferreting for rabbit control was a stand-out. It was interesting to hear about more about rabbit management in sensitive sites and meet the ferrets that help him in his work.  

Darron Pearce from Rattrax Pest Control gave a highly engaging demonstration on rats in drainage systems, drawing a large crowd. His insights were incredibly valuable and reinforced the importance of the connection between pest control and the built environment. 

Inside the event centre, the roundtable area generated very interesting discussions on topics like recruitment and break-back trap regulations. The input from attendees in those discussions has given the BPCA staff a lot of food for thought on the projects we are working on.

Our very own John Horsley's roundtable on the new Qualifications Framework provided a great opportunity for people to feed into his work. The roundtables also encouraged conversation between professionals who may not have time to join BPCA committees. 

Image: BPCA EDI Committee Chair Julia Pittman leads a roundtable on recruitment in the pest control industry

"I’m pleased with the way BPCA are developing the framework and I’m fully on board with revamping the qualifications," said Mandy Haggar, at Tudor Pest Control. "We all come from different backgrounds with perspectives from larger companies compared to sole traders, so it was good to hear a conversation about this. I enjoyed feeling part of the discussion rather than being lectured to, which made me feel more involved.” 

There were also plenty of indoor demos, and as always Elaine Bliss drew quite the group for her hands-on session, showing technicians how to safely fit bird netting. 

In the Indoor Seminar theatre, Dr Vicky Caulfield drew a bigger crowd than Taylor Swift to her presentation ‘Rodents without rodenticides: Are we headed for Rodentageddon?’. The 100 seats provided weren’t enough, with lots of people standing to hear what she had to say. I was happy to see such a big crowd for this one, as it shows the industry is aware and looking ahead at future threats to the toolkit. 

Image: Dr Vicky Caulfield presents her seminar to a packed Technical Theatre

It was amazing to see so many important stakeholders at the event, such as TrustMark, HSE and CRRU. HSE brought staff from their WIIS and BPR teams, which proved useful for the industry to pose question and get immediate answers. Having key stakeholders at our events reinforces industry professionalism, fosters collaboration, and provides pest professionals with valuable opportunities to engage directly with regulators and stay informed on best practices. 

PestFix win the award for best freebies for me, providing fresh popcorn throughout the day, while giving attendees a chance to prove their athletic skill in a basketball challenge on their stand.  

However, the bright yellow sunglasses from Powered Now, who also sponsored the sausage baps, have also made me rethink my summer wardrobe. In fact, the whole Powered Now team were incredibly coordinated, right down to their yellow shoes. 

And as always, the Defender Bird Spikes plush gulls and pigeons went down a treat, along with their ice sculpture drinking fountain.  

Image: Pestfix brought their A game and challenged attendees to do the same

All the exhibitors brought new and interesting products to our attention, and stands like BJ Sherriff,  WaspPole Pro, BASC and Barrettine looked busy – not surprising, as Barrettine were giving away mini eggs! 

Rhino Pest Management’s Ben Hunt drove from Derbyshire to be at the event. He said:  

“It’s a great excuse to put down the tools for the day and catch up with some of my industry pals, and other pest folk I haven’t met in person before.  

“PPC Live has better seminars than any other pest control event in the UK. I particularly enjoyed the ‘life after bendiocarb’ talk by Paul Westgate and the outdoor demo by Darron Pearce from Rattrax, on rodents in drains.  

“I’m not there for the free pens, I’m there to learn stuff, and to have a coffee and chat with other professionals. On that score, PPC Live delivers. The pens are just a bonus!” 

Image: The Best Pest Pic winner being crowned by BPCA Events Manager Lauren Day

The winner of the Best Pest Pic 2025 competition was announced on the day, with the gong going to Rentokil’s Lizzi Mills for her fabulous picture of a gull, titled ‘Where’s my bloody chips?!’ 

She commented, "I'm thrilled to have won Best Pest Pic 2025 - I've spent years losing chips to these winged bandits - feels good to finally get something back from them, and against some great competition too! Thanks again!" 

Overall, I give PPC Live a very unbiased A*. I loved the friendly and collaborative atmosphere and learnt even more about this amazing industry. 

Congratulations to our Events team, Lauren, Sarah and Beth! They pulled off another amazing industry event, and I know they’ll pull out all the stops again for PestEx 2026.  

Speaking of which! As there’s never a moment’s rest here at BPCA HQ, they’ve already started planning PestEx. If you didn’t manage to get to PPC Live and this review has given you major FOMO, make sure you mark your diaries: 18 and 19 March 2026! 

Source: Online