PPC118 | Pests in press
Our regular PPC magazine feature, taking a look at public relations and how BPCA works with the press to educate the public about pest awareness.
Rats and mice were the main topics of press coverage in the last quarter of 2024, with BPCA’s annual advice to ‘check for pests when you get down the decs’ featuring across multiple news websites in December.
Rodent season hit the news early, as the Daily Star sought to maximise the ‘ratflation’ press release from earlier in the year, adding fresh opinions and the headline ‘Super rats could be invading our homes even earlier than we think, expert fears’.
Advice on rats and mice continued to gain traction in the news in November, with an article entitled ‘Have you found rats in your house or garden? What to do if you see rodents’ featuring a direction to source professional pest control via BPCA’s website.
Other coverage gained in the autumn and early winter included articles about fleas, spiders, silverfish and moths.
In the last three months of 2024, as well as featuring on BBC local radio, BPCA press releases, comments and advice were included in local news platforms across the UK, from Warrington to Worcester, Devon to Derbyshire and South Wales to Stirling.
BPCA also hit national titles and websites including The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, The Mirror, Which, Yahoo! News UK, Ideal home Magazine and The Daily Star.
BPCA worked with sector-specific titles to highlight the importance of professional pest management to decision-makers in the public and private sectors.
Policy and Campaigns Officer Jordan McCay discussed BPCA’s work in relation to social housing for Government Business, Niall Gallagher featured in a piece on rats for Tomorrow’s Cleaning, as well as a discussion of key topics for Cleaning Matters and advice on winter pest proofing for Thames Valley Business Voice.
Top 3 headlines
Grab a glass to deal with spiders says BPCA - The Pembrokeshire Herald (link)
Nocturnal pests that could be lurking under the sink
Glasgow rats 'could kill' as attacks leave over 100 in hospital amid population booms - Glasgow news (link)
Total articles in 2024: 2,341
Total circulation in 2024: 264,547,290
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