International Pheromone Systems’ Technical Director Dr Sam Jones DPhil, MSc, BSc, BSc Hons will be giving a talk as part of the next Digital BPCA Pest Management Forum on Tuesday 29^th November.

The title of Dr Jones’ talk is ‘Enhancing monitoring and management of insect pests’ during which he will be talking about the importance of monitoring before control and the various ways in which traps and attractants can be designed and used to improve performance.

The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) hosts these free events so everyone interested in pest management can learn, share and connect.

Dr Jones explains: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to take part in this webinar series for the BPCA and its members. The importance of pest monitoring was identified by one of Britain’s most eminent entomologists and ecologists, the late Sir Richard Southwood FRS, who succinctly stated that Monitoring is the cornerstone of IPM. It is therefore important to understand how pheromone lures and traps can be successfully implemented into a pest management plan by professional pest controllers.

“If any pest control professionals are interested in working with us we are looking for suitable trial sites for wasp trials next year.”

Dr Jones is an entomologist with a keen interest in insect taxonomy, chemical ecology and behaviour. His academic achievements include a PhD in Chemical Ecology from the University of Sussex, a Masters in Entomology from Imperial College and Undergraduate degrees in Zoology and Chemistry from the Universities of Leeds and Leicester, respectively.

His role at International Pheromone Systems enables him to use his knowledge of chemistry and insect behaviour to develop new and improved products for the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) market. Much of his work involves collaboration with commercial partners and Research Institutes to develop novel solutions for the IPM market and resolve emerging pest issues.

Passionate about wildlife and its conservation; in his spare time Dr Jones works within a team surveying insect diversity at protected sites and reserves and is currently adapting his large garden to maximise the variety of plant and animal species that inhabit the space.

Cheshire-based International Pheromone Systems offers a nature-based approach and specialist knowledge for natural and safe solutions to monitor and manage pests in agricultural and domestic environments.

The company’s highly skilled entomologists find solutions from nature itself. Together with Universities, scientific partners and growers, the IPS team works to find natural solutions to help reduce pesticide use and support Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in agriculture, horticulture and forestry businesses.

A healthier, safer and more productive environment is achieved by using the natural behaviour of pests and finding the right pheromone combination and trapping solution specific to a particular species.