Ficam D Withdrawal: Why the Government’s Decision Puts People at Risk

In a move that has stunned pest control professionals across the UK, Ficam D (bendiocarb) has been permanently withdrawn from the market. Bayer, its manufacturer, was told there was little chance of the product receiving a licence renewal, leading to an immediate halt in supply.

For decades, Ficam D has been the gold standard for wasp nest treatments, particularly in hard-to-reach areas where safety and thoroughness are critical. Now, we’re left with a second-rate alternative: permethrin-based dusts. And the truth is, they simply don’t compare.

Why Ficam D Was So Effective

Ficam D’s ultra-fine powder worked in a way that made treatments safe, efficient, and reliable:

• Non-repellent: Wasps didn’t detect it, meaning they carried the dust deep into the nest before succumbing.

• Comprehensive spread: Its light formulation coated the nest thoroughly, ensuring full eradication.

• Decades of safe use: No major incidents, no history of harm when used correctly.

When used by trained professionals, it was fast, predictable, and safe, especially for properties with vulnerable occupants such as children or allergy sufferers.

The Problem with Permethrin

Now, pest controllers are forced to rely on permethrin-based products. These behave very differently: • Heavier and clumpier, meaning less penetration into the nest.

• Repellent to wasps, making them agitated and more aggressive.

• More likely to result in incomplete treatments, often requiring a second visit.

For pest controllers and homeowners, that means higher risk and higher cost. In cases involving people with severe allergies to stings, these shortcomings could be life-threatening.

Increased Risk to the Public

Every summer, wasp stings send thousands of people to hospital. For those with allergies, one sting can cause anaphylaxis, a rapid, potentially fatal reaction.

• Without Ficam D, treatments are less reliable, meaning:

• More live wasps after “treatment”

• Greater chance of stings to homeowners and pest controllers

Increased likelihood of nests rebuilding This isn’t an inconvenience, it’s a public safety issue.

Increased Risk to Pest Control Technicians

It’s not only the public who face greater danger - pest control professionals are now at significantly higher risk while carrying out treatments:

• More requirements for ladder work, as nests that Ficam D once penetrated from a safe distance may now need direct access.

• Increased entry into enclosed spaces, such as lofts and roof voids, where angry, agitated wasps pose a serious hazard.

• Higher chance of stings, since the alternative products irritate wasps and cause them to become more aggressive during treatment.

These risks don’t just make the job harder - they raise the likelihood of injury, accidents, and lost working time for technicians across the country.

Why the Government’s Decision is Dangerous

The official reason for withdrawal? Ficam D no longer met modern safety standards. Yet it has a long, proven record of safe use in professional hands.

The irony? The “safer” permethrin alternative can cause more aggressive wasp behaviour during treatment, arguably making the job more dangerous.

The government claims to prioritise environmental protection, but in this case, they’ve left homes, businesses, and vulnerable people less protected.

The Financial Consequences

With treatments now less predictable and more likely to fail, the only outcome is an increase in expected follow-up visits. For homeowners and businesses, that means a rise in costs, paying more for treatments that are less effective. For pest controllers, it means added time, risk, and strain on resources during the busiest months of the year.

What Needs to Happen

The pest control industry urgently needs a like-for-like alternative to Ficam D, one that matches its effectiveness without compromising safety. Until then:

• Treatments will take longer

• Costs will rise

• Risks will increase

At GEM Services, we will continue to adapt our methods to keep people safe, but we cannot ignore the fact that the tools we’ve been left with are inferior.

Bottom line

The withdrawal of Ficam D is not just a blow to pest control, it’s a direct risk to public safety. The government must re-evaluate decisions like this, or they will leave people unnecessarily exposed to danger.