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When it comes to pest control, using the right tools goes hand in hand with using the right chemicals. Pest control jobs often require technicians to climb ladders, squeeze into crawl spaces, and display extraordinary stamina and dexterity. That’s why it pays to provide them with all the tools and resources necessary to keep them safe. Many pest removal and remediation jobs involve rodents and stinging insects, both of which can pose significant threats to the safety of your technicians.
Essential Tools Every Pest Control Technician Needs
- Pest control software
- Respirator
- Other Safety Equipment
- UV Flashlight
- Foamer
- Termite Baiting Tools
- Duster
- Gloves
Pest Control Software
Before we dive into the nuts and bolts, let's discuss something quickly becoming a necessity in the field: pest control software. The right mobile pest control software app increases the efficiency of your technicians, giving them the schedules, customer information, and forms they need to get their jobs done. This will enhance company communication, reduce trips back to the office, keep techs prepared for every job, and ultimately drive revenue by allowing techs to tackle more work every day. Click here to request a free demo of the award-winning pest control software Smart Service.
Respirator
Pest control technicians have to abide by the safety rules listed on the labels for pesticides and chemicals. This becomes especially important when the situation requires lengthy exposure to said materials (during fumigations, for example). For these jobs, you'll want to invest in professional protective equipment, like respirators. These fall into two categories: air-purifying and atmosphere-supplying. Their usage depends on the situation and the pesticide, so ensure your team has the range of respirators they need for every job.
Other Safety Equipment
Pest control technicians often come into close contact with harmful chemicals. This necessitates the use of protective gear such as gloves, bump caps, safety glasses, bee suits, and coveralls. The right equipment can protect your technician from protruding nails in attics and crawl spaces, while also keeping them safe from any rodents that may suddenly want to attack. Good gear keeps your business insulated from injured employees, insurance claims, and hefty medical bills.
UV Flashlight
Pests, especially nocturnal creatures, can be hard to locate and exterminate. But a UV flashlight gives your staff the power to track them down by pinpointing urine and droppings. Techs can use UV light to follow the trails and identify areas frequently visited by the pests. Under a blacklight, urine stains appear blue or yellow, making them easy to see. (Note that you'll need to provide the right eye safety gear for UV light, as this can cause harm to human eyes.
Foamer
Getting pesticides and chemicals into tight spaces often poses a challenge. Pests and rodents usually hide in hard-to-reach spaces, so you need the ability to reach them where they live.Enter foamer. Just fill up the sprayer with the pesticide solution, add a foaming agent, and shake the apparatus to activate the foam. Then, simply use the fine nozzle to spray the pesticide behind cabinets, under the floor, and in other hard-to-reach areas. Not only does this equipment work wonders, it signals to the client that they have a real professional solving their problem.
Termite Baiting Tools
Termite baiting tools come in handy when managing large termite infestations, and often prove more effective than traditional chemical barrier treatments. A basic baiting system consists of substances that termites love to eat (cardboard and paper, etc) combined with a slow-acting yet lethal poison that can eliminate entire colonies over time. The system also includes concrete drill bats, concrete plugs, trench shovels, and other bait tools to ensure thorough pest elimination, so make sure you outfit your technicians with all of these as well.
Duster
Sometimes you'll want to use pest control chemicals in powder form. For this, you'll need to have a bulb duster on hand. This nifty little tool should go in every pest control tech’s arsenal. All they have to do is add the powder and squeeze or pump the bulb to get the pesticides into cracks, crevices, and other problematic areas. This helps eliminate all kinds of flying and crawling pests, and also represents a great way to get deep into scorpion infestations, bee nests, and other types of insect infiltrations. There are several different types of dusters, from hand-held models to large tanks. Make sure you have an assortment on hand to facilitate a multitude of challenges.
Gloves
Ordinary gloves deteriorate relatively quickly when they come into contact with pesticides and chemicals. Moreover, they need to be regularly checked for disintegration, especially between the fingers (the primary contact point when mixing chemicals). Supply your staff with gauntlet-type PVC gloves. These go all the way to the elbow and cover the arm completely. This way, you can ensure their safety and compliance with the law, as these gloves double as a legal requirement for pest control teams.
Ensure the success of your pest control team with the right tools.
Your pest control techs regularly tackle far-reaching spots and handle potent chemicals, so they need the gear to handle a wide variety of challenges. Additionally, decked-out staff in full professional gear with all the right tools makes your company look good. It helps clients rest easy knowing that they've hired a real team with top-of-the-line tools. Take the initiative to get your team the right tools so they can serve your clients the right way.
