If you know anything about the chemicals used to take care of pest infestations, then you’ll also be aware that humans and pets can also be affected by the process.
Fatalities are known to occur in industrial-type accidents, but did you know they can also happened due to the misuse of chemicals in the pest control industry (an example is countries such as Sri Lanka) by untrained unprofessional uers?
By using the incorrect product for a specific problem, accidents can also happen, and this is why we are moving towards an approved product list which has been vetted and tested by our expert Technical team.
South Africa is infested with pest control operators (pardon the pun) who are neither properly trained nor qualified. This is a huge problem as this ignorance can have a detrimental or negative effect on you, your family or your pets. Every customer with a need for pest control must be informed of the potential dangers of irresponsible pest control and how we follow recommended standards and practices when using pest control products. Small things like evacuating your premises whilst being treated by a pest control technician are often overlooked or not followed.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who knows of poor examples of pest control practice like this. Do you have any horror stories you could bear to share?
Share this page...
5 Comments
An interesting post.
In the UK pest control technicians are not licensed so to speak i.e. we dont have to be registered with one central body who oversee’s our competence.
Do you think the time has come for licenesed and registered pest control technicinas in the UK?? Would this weed out the cowboy operators? Would it increase the safe use of pesticides??
PS I’m thinking of schemes like the CORGI/Gas safe register for gas plumbers in the UK for an example
I am sure the vast majority of current professional pest control operators would be happy to see a licensed industry in the UK. This can only be good news for consumers and providers alike. It would reign in the professional product market and stop the current swathe of companies who start up in March and disappear in October once the wasp season is over.
There are a few ‘pest control companies’ out there who think because they have attained BPCA or NPTA membership that this makes them a professional company but professionalism runs much deeper. Each and every service technician should be made accountable for the professional status of their company and this can only be achieved by individual licensing rather than licensing an entire company.
Consumers have the right to expect that when they call upon a pest control company, the technicians of that company will carry out the correct control for the correct pest in a safe manner using legal preparations.
Savvas
Do you have any info on why our industry is not licensed or if the question has ever been raised or debated with Government?
Would be interesting to know why this has not happened or maybe even why they may not want it to happen.
Thanks
There has been talk about the UK pest control industry being regulated for many years.
Since rejoining Rentokil nearly 3 years ago I have had many conversations with the various associations (in particular the BPCA) about the professionalism in the industry and bringing in a “license to practice”.
The BPCA seem to be in favour too and more importantly they are a member of CEPA “Confederation of European Pest Control Associations” and in support of a CEPA document called the Roma Protocol. This protocol is a commitment to raising awareness, at government level, and to implement professional standards across Europe which may in effect bring in a regulated industry within the medium to long term.
This is a very interesting read, me and some fellows colleague were discussing this recently.
Pest control should be more closely monitored, technicians should be properly trained before being let loose on the general public.
I have recently been more called out on inspection / treatments where poor pest control techniques have been carried out, this is becoming more regular.
I trained with Rentokil nearly 13 years ago, I still believe it was the best decision learning that way, I have carried out refresher courses through suppliers and completed my BPCA level 2.