Preface
Pest
management and control is a matter of using the right technologies. To be
successful, it must be effective and not adversely effect people or the
environment.
The purpose of this training manual is to provide a sound foundation
for studying technical aspects of pest control. Its emphasis is on urban and
industrial pest problems household and structural pest control. It will discuss
control and management of insects, other arthropods (such as spiders and ticks),
and vertebrate pests (such as mice and rats), in homes, businesses, office
buildings, and industrial plants.
This
manual is a valuable source of information for persons preparing for
certification under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state programs
for pesticide applicators. Pest control workers in urban and industrial sites
not only apply pesticides but use many other activities and recommendations to
suppress pests. These other practices increase the effectiveness of the control
program, and often reduce pesticide use or make such use a secondary operation
of the program. . In recognition of the many tasks individuals in pest control
must perform, the title technician is used in this manual to denote
a pesticide applicator, a pest control operator, and other individuals with
titles that refer to the job of suppressing or exterminating pests.
Written for technicians, supervisors, owners, and others involved in
the control or management of pests, each chapter covers material considered
essential to the proper understanding and carrying out of pest control or urban
pest management. The training modules contain basic scientific information as
well as guidelines for practical solutions to pest control problems. The manual
is divided into four basic sections: a general discussion of pest management and
control followed by three subsequent modules on specific application in terms of
insects commonly found in urban structures, insects that invade structures, and
urban vertebrate pests. Study questions may be found at the end of each chapter;
answers, a supplementary reading list, and a glossary of terms are found at the
end of the book.
Technicians will learn that proper integration of management and
control depend on the pest, its habits,
An important area addressed throughout the manual is communication.
Pest management and control is a service; technicians must not only know their
job, but they also must be able to communicate confidently with their clients so
clients will understand basic procedures and be satisfied that the technician
can successfully meet their needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES
OF SUPERVISORS AND TECHNICIANS
Prior to undertaking this training, commercial applicators should have
received regionally specific basic orientation in pest control. To train
technicians to deal with pests correctly, this orientation should include
recognition
of pest species, and
awareness
of the importance of safety.
The goal of training is the development of a technician who possesses the basic pest control scientific information, can act to control pests after making judgments based on that information, and communicates knowledgeably with the client.
Those
who train and manage technicians should be certified supervisors experienced in pest management (preferably
beyond the minimum level required for certification). They should be able to
provide their technicians with
W
reference
materials (see Appendix B),
IN.
scheduled
company meetings with open discussion and timely training,
No.
formal
training sessions that provide information that meets minimal State training requirements,
and most importantly, motivation to perform