Pest control is the effort to manage pests that damage crops, livestock, or property. It involves monitoring pest populations and making threshold decisions about spraying, trapping, or baiting. Contact Seaside Pest Control now!
Mechanical and physical controls kill or block pests or prevent them from entering, such as traps for rodents and weed barriers. Biological controls leverage natural enemies, like parasites or predators, or use manufactured pheromones or juvenile hormones.
Professional pest control technicians work to protect buildings and their occupants from harmful organisms. Their job responsibilities include identifying, assessing, and eliminating pest infestations, applying pesticides safely, cleaning infested areas, and educating clients on prevention. Unlike other trades that require years-long apprenticeships or degrees from community colleges, many pest control companies provide on-the-job training and can have new employees working within a matter of months. Pest control technicians are also required to undergo continuing education classes throughout their careers to stay abreast of industry developments and evolving regulations.
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) offers a six-hour course that provides foundational training for new pest control professionals. The course covers integrated pest management principles, federal laws that govern the industry, label directions on all types of pesticides, important pest groups, basic equipment, and safety. It also includes customer service training that can help prevent pest control employees from being overwhelmed by stressed and angry customers.
Commercial pest control services must adhere to strict state and federal laws on how they handle pesticides and apply them to their customers’ property. They must ensure all field technicians and applicators have the appropriate licenses for where they operate, and that their company adheres to all pesticide regulations. This is particularly crucial for commercial pest control services that utilize restricted-use products.
Investing in employee training can improve your team’s performance, increase customer satisfaction, and help you grow your business. Taking a strategic approach to creating a robust training program is critical, and it starts with understanding what current skills your team members have and where the gaps are. This will allow you to customize training programs that give your employees the tools they need to succeed in their roles and contribute to the growth of your pest control business.
Specialty Equipment
When it comes to pest control, the right tools make all the difference. This industry often involves working with chemicals and navigating tight spaces, so having the right equipment is essential to ensure the safety of technicians and clients alike. Additionally, using the best equipment can help reduce expenses by minimizing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
Pest control companies typically use a variety of specialty equipment, including insect traps and baits, sprayers, and pesticides. When choosing chemicals, it is important to consider their safety and efficacy ratings, as well as environmental impact. For example, many pest control companies are now incorporating more organic and natural methods to minimize the need for harmful chemicals.
In addition to chemical treatments, pest control services often require inspection and monitoring. This can be done with the help of specialized equipment such as moisture meters and infrared thermometers, which allow technicians to identify areas with high moisture levels that may indicate the presence of pests or conditions conducive to their growth.
Rodent tracking powder is another specialized tool that allows technicians to monitor rodent activity and movement patterns in the field. This non-toxic product adheres to rodents’ fur or feet and reveals their movements when exposed to ultraviolet light. Having this and other specialized gear on hand can allow for faster, more efficient inspections and treatment services.
Technicians also need a range of other miscellaneous tools and equipment to complete their work, such as ladder racks, which prevent technicians from having to constantly move or reposition equipment when climbing. Having the right equipment can also improve efficiency and productivity, which helps to reduce labor costs and increase business profitability.
Lastly, it is important for pest control businesses to invest in quality equipment that is easy to maintain and keep clean. This will minimize downtime and repair costs, as well as reduce the risk of accidents or injuries caused by worn-out or poorly-functioning equipment. When selecting equipment, it is recommended to choose reputable brands with a good track record of quality and reliability, as well as manufacturers that offer warranties, customer support, and service agreements.
Chemicals
Pest control professionals use a variety of chemicals and pesticides to treat unwanted organisms. These can be synthetic or natural and are designed to target specific types of pests. Insecticides kill insects; herbicides destroy or control weeds; and fungicides are used on plants or other surfaces where fungi grow. Each type of pesticide works differently and has its own set of benefits and risks.
The most common pesticides are insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, plant growth regulators and wood preservatives. They may be sprayed or applied to the ground, in granules, liquids, foams or dusts. Some work in a direct manner, attacking the nervous system of the targeted pests. Others are more indirect, acting by disrupting normal functions, or by repelling the pests.
All pesticides have a chemical called an active ingredient that gives it its killing or controlling effect. This chemical is usually listed on the label in a shorthand formula that is easy to understand. The label also lists the specific instructions for use and disposal, as well as any precautions that must be taken.
Different pesticides have varying toxicity levels, so choosing the right one requires knowledge of how each works and its effects on the environment, human health and animal safety. To help manage the risks of pesticides, they are often categorized according to a schedule that lists their toxicity and intended usage.
Homeowners often have concerns about the impact of pest control chemicals on the environment and their family’s health. These fears are legitimate, but can be managed with proper precautions and responsible application.
To limit the amount of chemicals used around your home, ask your pest control professional to spray or apply pesticides only where necessary and try to minimize the amount of spray drift outside. In addition, request that they keep treatments away from flowering plants during the day to avoid harming pollinators.
Be sure to clean your home thoroughly after a pest control treatment. Follow the recommendations for cleaning provided by your pest control professional or specified on the product label. This may include removing or covering food, cooking utensils and other personal items during the treatment and waiting for the recommended time before returning to the treated area.
Safety
While pest control companies may use a variety of chemicals to combat various infestations, it is also important that these chemicals are used safely. Government regulations and industry programs help to ensure that pesticides are manufactured, transported, applied and stored in ways that protect employees and the public. This includes reducing transportation accidents, preventing off-target pesticide movement, demonstrating proper use of personal protective equipment, and avoiding financial losses and injuries from accidental pesticide spills or usage.
Professionals will have the knowledge and the expertise to properly deploy pest control chemicals without endangering their clients, their employees or anyone else on the job site. They will know how to use specialty equipment and be able to identify the specific pest they are working with so they can create a targeted and effective treatment plan.
Clutter and other debris provide places for pests to breed, hide and gain entry into buildings. Professionals will work to clear away any cluttered areas, caulk cracks and crevices, and use steel wool to close off any spaces that might allow pests to enter or escape. They can also offer tips for prevention, including storing food and trash in sealed containers, keeping doors and windows closed and using screens on all ventilation spaces.
There are different goals when it comes to pest control: prevention, suppression and eradication. Prevention is the best course of action, as it helps to keep pests from gaining access to areas where they are not wanted or needed. Suppression is the next step, and it involves reducing the number of pests to an acceptable level. Eradication is a last resort, and it is used when the population of a particular pest becomes uncontrollable.
It is always a good idea to consult with a pest control company that has experience and is known for providing quality service. Often, word of mouth is the best way to find a company that can provide a specific service. It is also a good idea to ask for references and read reviews of pest control companies before hiring one. It is a good idea to have specific safety meeting topics that can be repeated throughout the year so everyone stays informed about the issues and risks associated with their work in the pest control industry.