What does a pest control specialist do in Singapore

We see technicians and specialists dressed in their uniforms with tools and machines from place to place. From the first impression, their role is clear, to eliminate pests by carrying out pest eradication services at the premise. However, is this all a pest control specialist do as a professional? Their role is more than just dealing with pest infestation but protecting the health and safety of the public through innovation solutions. Rentokil shares more on the role of pest control, how they help us in enhancing our lives better.

The role of pest control specialist

Specialists undergo professional training and certification

It undertakes hours and months of training and has one licensed and certified by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in order to carry out the role of a pest control specialist. Firstly, training includes the biology and facts of pests, their habitats, risks and signs of presence. Secondly, they need to know how to operate the equipment and deal with the correct dosage and dilution of active ingredients. Thirdly, it is not about spraying or placing baits at any possible locations but applying professional knowledge around targeting at hot spots. This means spots with either high risk of pest infestation or have an existing pest activity. Finally, they will be able to advise on pest concerns, pre and post treatments and recommendations.

Performs site risk assessment and pest signs inspection

Not all premises or conditions are suitable to carry out pest treatment. Some of the considerations include work at safety if the treated area is of work at height risk, any hazardous or dangerous items or furnishing around that compromise public’s safety and other safety concerns such as item sensitivity, elderly or kids and food presence.

In addition, they are trained to detect presence of pests and identify their signs of infestation, and in the event, pest identification is unsuccessful, medical entomologists are referred to do a technical study. They are also aware of where to seek the nesting sites and root source of the infestation as compared to randomly inspecting any locations they deem necessary. Where visibility and reach is compromised, tools such as detection technology or sensing gadgets are utilised to heighten the detection accuracy.

Receive regular and field coaching and refresher training

Learning and development is an ongoing process and in terms of pest management, treatment and control evolves due to changes in environment, pest’s resistance and immunity and activities. Techniques and refresher, together with field coaching and consistent quality audit takes place regularly, to ensure they maintain the efficacy and effectiveness of pest control at the optimal standards.

Provides expert education and pest recommendations

Like doctors, they give education and expert views on managing pest problems that are different in all premises. This means, pest advice may not be a one-size-fits-all for all users. For example, some premises are prone to pests due to poor sanitation whereas some premise is mainly due to pest entries and inadequate proofing. Depending on the pest situation and premise condition, pest prevention is recommended base on a case-by-case basis, and uniqueness of the space.

Pest expertise and professional technical knowledge

Sound pest and technical knowledge

All pests breed differently and undergo different life cycle, stages and reproduction processes. While most feed on similar food sources and require shelter and water, there are vast differences in terms of pest facts and its treatment requirements.

• There are underground driven pests such as termites that feed on wood uniquely and require termiticide to control the colony. It’s application is different by injecting entry points to inject the solution around the home perimeter
• Flies trap are installed on wall rather than a unit placed on the ground level, and require LED light attraction to lure and trap the adult flies with glue board
• Cockroaches and ants are commonly fixed with regular residual spraying, use of gel baits and placement of lure traps at strategic corners
• Baiting stations with a lure within are typically used to detect and trap rodents, usually placed along the way or their crawl space at both internal and external compound

Strong understanding on where to treat and detect pests

Ever struggled to find out where do the pests exactly come from and where are the nests? Despite spraying at the entire premise or placing several baits and traps but to no avail? This is because you may have missed out targeting at the key risk areas or areas that pests’ hideout. Pests have specific nesting areas and some are nocturnal that surface at night. Rats for example, lurk along false ceilings, roof attics and underground burrows whereas cockroaches hide amongst dark and damp corners, deep within cabinets and back of appliances. Hence, proper pest detection is the first step in ensuring your pest elimination regime is on track. Here is a list of common areas prone to pest infestation:

• Pantry, kitchen and canteen
• Washroom
• Meeting and conference room
• Common office workspace
• Server room
• Reception and entrance
• Production, processing and packaging
• Warehouse and storerooms
• Outdoor and garden

Good understanding of solutions and chemical applications

All solutions carried out are different, and this includes the dilatation rate, mode of application, frequency or treatment and combination of methods. Here are some examples of how solutions differ and only understandable by the experts.

• Bed bugs require three treatments across an internal that covers that life cycle, and integrated with both residual spraying and steam treatment. Utilising either options will compromise the efficacy and control effort, due to neglecting either adult bugs or eggs.
• Rats treatment involves bait alternation to manage their immunity to the lure and due to their smart nurture and sensitive, trap placements are planned with accurate rat activities detection through digital manner
• Flies control not only utilises the insect light trap but in certain conditions, small flies foaming is applied at breeding grounds to eliminate flies larvae. This includes gully, grease traps and trolleys.

Professional specialisation in disinfection service

Do you know another critical safety treatment pest control company performs is carrying out disinfection service? It does not eliminate pests per se but it addresses disease transmission through pathogens such as bacteria and viruses around us. Particularly with the pandemic of COVID-19, there are ongoing coronavirus cases not just locally but globally.

At high human traffic areas with active interactions and regular activities, multiple contaminated touchpoints with pathogens will take place. For example, table tops, chairs, machineries and door handles to name a few, has to be disinfected regularly with sanitisation. Commercial pest control performs disinfection misting in properly trained and regulated manner. This includes putting on proper and adequate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and undergoing structured decontamination protocol. They utilise Ultra Low Volume (ULV) misting equipment with regulatory registered disinfectant to eliminate pathogens with 99.99% efficacy. Find out more on Rentokil Surface Shield Sanitation with wipe down service.

What do pest control service covers?

Integrated pest management solutions

There are many individual and standalone pest treatments targeting all various pest species. However, they do not apply specifically alone as most premises tend to have a combination of at least one or more pests. For example, most environments would be disturbed with common pests such as cockroaches, ants, mosquitoes and rats. Hence, pest control services usually perform on targeted pest concerns or in an integrated pest management manner. Here is what involves in an pest integration programme:

• Treating more than one pest type in the premise
• Utilises a few combination of treatment solution
• Complements with prevention recommendations
• Offers beyond pest control such as hygiene and drainage services
• Optimising with digital pest control and online reporting
• Value add with pest monitoring and trend analysis
• Consider environment and site assessment
• Partnership and regulatory compliance support
• Answering to pest concerns and queries

Pest awareness and useful prevention tips

Majority seeks the internet and researches online for pest queries’ answers, however some sources might have variances or we could be swarmed with multiple information. There is also a good vast information around DIY pest remedies or using natural ingredients for pest deterrent. However, it is important to cross check these solutions with your pest control specialists in terms of safety and efficacy. Some remedies deter pests and relocate them, while some worsen the current pest infestation. In addition, some rectify some results in a short term but not addressing the root cause. Finally, this self-help approach might put users at health and safety risks such as incorrect usage and application or exposure to chemicals and toxic.

However, there are some useful pest prevention tips that alleviate the pest problems:

• Ensure regular and consistent housekeeping and sanitation maintenance regime
• Remove any water leaks, spills and moisture that attracts most pests
• Food scrapes and trash should be covered in bins or disposed immediately
• Deny entries for pest due to structure integrity or facility usages such as entrance
• Conduct regular and proactive pest detection and site inspection

For businesses, end users’ habits and activities will affect the pest control efforts. While we maintain diligent pest management efforts, it is important to complement the treatment with our users’ effort. Pest awareness and training is conducted among end users to have adequate pest knowledge and exercise proactive pest prevention culture. For example, Rentokil Initial offers training on detecting bed bugs among housekeeping teams, to identify where the hotspots in the hotel room are and what signs of infestation to look out.

Pest monitoring and trending analysis

It is critical to monitor the current infestation condition and pest population, including any improvement and surge and at which particular location. For instance, some pests are seasonal such as mosquitoes particularly during warmer climates. However, for pests that are ongoing all year round, it is an alert to question in event of a surge in pest activities. Some factors impact sudden surge in pest infestation includes surrounding environment conditions, weather, user habits or cross infestation. Some business sectors also require regular reporting and regulatory compliance audits. Trending reports and documentation is necessary to support the audit exercise, including service recommendations, follow-ups and actions taken.

Keeping people and environment safe

Imagine the world without pest control where pests are on the loose and making their invasions in homes and offices. Besides freaking us out while resting or working, pests' presences cause more than just emotional stress. Firstly, they will compromise the food safety causing food contamination problems. Secondly, pests spread harmful diseases such as dengue cases in Singapore and Salmonella. Thirdly, damages to property and goods may take place due to their feeding and gnawing habits. Fourthly, there are financial consequences relating to operation disruptions, goods recall and penalties. Finally, intangible damages such as negative customer reviews, ruined reputation and brand image.

Call Rentokil Singapore at (65) 6347 8138 for a pest control solution today.