EP 66: Bee Removal, Business & Industry Networking with Martyn Belcher

In this episode of Pest Perspectives, Shaun Muller is joined by Martin Belcher from ABM Pest Control in Mansfield for a wide-ranging discussion covering professional bee removal, pest control networking, trade bodies, TrustMark, NPTA membership and the value of continued professional development in the pest management industry. Martin shares how he first entered pest control after previously working as a coal miner, before moving into hospital-based pest management and eventually developing his own specialist pest control work. His story highlights the importance of opportunity, learning, resilience and building a career through practical experience. A major focus of the episode is professional bee removal. Martin explains the difference between a beekeeper collecting a simple swarm and a trained bee remover dealing with bees inside chimneys, roofs, voids, listed buildings and difficult access areas. The discussion explores why bee removal is not always straightforward, why old colonies can be more complex, and why equipment such as drones, chimney cameras and pole cameras can be essential for safe inspection and planning. The episode also covers important bee health topics, including dirty comb, disease risk, quarantine, colony strength and varroa mite. Martin explains why “saving the bees” is not always as simple as people think, especially where there is a risk of disease, contamination or aggressive colonies. Shaun and Martin also discuss the value of networking in pest control. Rather than seeing every local pest controller as direct competition, Martin explains how sharing work, passing referrals and building trusted relationships can help customers receive a better service while supporting other pest professionals. This section is especially useful for sole traders, small pest control businesses and technicians looking to build stronger local industry connections. The conversation also touches on the role of the National Pest Technicians Association, including member benefits, CPD resources, risk assessment tools, TrustMark registration and the importance of trade bodies in raising professional standards across UK pest control. This episode is ideal for pest controllers, bee removal specialists, beekeepers, pest management business owners, technicians, trainees and anyone interested in professional pest control, bee work, industry networking and continued professional development. Pest Perspectives Podcast is a UK pest control podcast hosted by Shaun Muller of Oakham Pest Control Ltd. The show features practical conversations with pest control technicians, business owners, suppliers and industry experts, covering rodent control, drainage investigations, bee removal, bed bugs, wasps, commercial pest management, compliance, business growth and wider pest industry topics. Listen, watch and learn more at: https://www.pestperspectivespodcast.c...