FUMAPEST Advice on Pest Control in Nursing Homes

    Nursing Homes often find food and health related pests in their premises and often need to contract pest control companies for professional pest control in the Northern Beaches Council Region.
Glenn DuBois of FUMAPEST Northern Beaches provides expert advice on professional pest control options • NSW Food Act requirements • HACCP Pest Control methods • Follow-up & Pest Inspections.
Glenn DuBois is Technical Director at FUMAPEST • Secretary of Australian Pest Control Association Inc • Bachelor of Arts (Macq) • Master of Commerce (UNSW) • TAFE Urban Pest Control Certificate • served on NSW Govt Pest Licensing Board & Standards Australia Termite Control Committees.

It's far too easy to get a NSW Govt WorkCover Pest Control Licence

NSW Pest Control Licensing is inadequate - unfortunately, it is far too easy to start up a pest control business in NSW, employing people to use the more toxic pesticides who do not have the training or skills to provide a safe and effective service.
NSW Pest Control Licensing system is subject to National "competency" assessment guidelines. Mediocre testing can be carried by private Workplace Assessors (not part of TAFE system). The so-called competency assessment can be a combination of oral, written and visual tests. The assessment can be 1% in writing and 99% oral / visual test, with little audit trail.
Private assessors are given general guidelines in the National competency standards but there is no set standard test or specific knowledge requirements. Once privately assessed as "competent" the relevant State Authority (either Health Dept or WorkCover) will issue a pest control licence. There is no published list of the private Workplace Assessors so it is difficult to gauge the extent of the problem or if the Workplace Assessors are qualified in pest control.
The system is NOT working: Rumours run rife of individuals being assessed over the phone. Such rudimentary "competency" testing appears aimed more at the private assessors getting paid than protection of the consumer. Consumers regularly complain of unskilled ineffective and unsafe practices by licensed pest controllers.
Unrealistic price cutting and resultant inadequate servicing regularly occurs throughout Australia, with some companies operating from a rented residence using a mobile phone number - here today - gone tomorrow.
Using the cheaper more toxic pesticides? BEWARE of very low prices, as this may indicate use of unskilled technicians applying the cheaper old style more toxic pesticides. A hazard to themselves and the general public.

Modern pest control technologies are safer and more environmentally friendly but are more expensive and require a higher level of skill to ensure an effective result.

In most cases a serious pest infestation will require the use of some chemicals, in order to minimise the risk of on-going pest infestation. However, there are modern products and technologies available to suit environmentally sensitive situations.
Firstly - a thorough inspection of the premises particularly likely target pest habitat areas, the pest controller should recommend a range of pest control methods suited to your particular circumstances, with an emphasis on safety and an effective result.
Termites? REMEMBER: home and building insurance does NOT cover termite damage to the structural and other timbers in a building. For most types of construction a chemical soil barrier treatment using Termidor or Premise will provide totally effective protection for over five years.
The most common complaint about some fly-by-night pest controllers is that "the service has not worked - the pests are back" or "the termites are still active in the house" and the business has disappeared.

APCA Consumer Advice on Selecting a Pest Controller

Selecting a professional pest controller to provide an appropriate "value for money" safe and effective service can be a daunting task. The Australian Pest Controllers Association Inc has issued consumer protection advice as summarised below.
Will the business likely be around in the future? Your enquiries should focus on whether the company has a solid reputation. If a problem arises in the future will the company still be in existence.

Review and assess the company's credentials track record, level of staff training and expertise, insurance cover, warranties offered and safety aspects employed.
Obtain several quotes and check out each of the companies First enquire as to how long the business has been established. Do they have a good reputation in the market-place. Are they a member of a recognised Pest Control Association?
Ask questions: about the relevant pests in your premises and the different treatment options the company employs, the chemicals used, their toxicity and safety aspects. Compare notes. Which company seems more professional?
Insured? Make sure the company carries professional indemnity and public liability insurance particularly if you are seeking termite control services and inspection reports.
Be present during the termite inspection: Study the general presentation of the inspector, such as, was the inspector in company uniform, with proper identification? Did he/she arrive in a tidy motor vehicle and use quality equipment, including a moisture meter? Was a thorough inspection carried out? Were you presented with informative documentation regarding the inspection findings and treatment proposals? Did he/she adequately explain the alternatives so you are confident he/she knew his/her subject matter? Were there any other aspects that may indicate professionalism or otherwise? Make notes and comparisons.
Enquire re qualifications and experience of termite inspector: Does he/she have a TAFE Pest Control Certificate and a current NSW Govt WorkCover issued pest control license. Is the technician a Trainee? You should cite his/her WorkCover pest control license, noting name, number and expiry date.
Does the company use employees or sub-contractors: Be wary of companies with sub-contractors as problems may occur as the sub-contractors are obliged to pay for the supply of chemical and other costs but do not assume responsibility if the service proves to be inadequate at a later date.
Ask about any applicable back-up service period: For example, a company may provide you with a twelve month "FREE service period" for a chemical soil barrier treatment where the termite controller is confident a complete barrier is in place around the entire foot-print or perimeter of the building. This annual service period may be extended annually thereafter (at the customers option) provided necessary regular inspections and other essential control measures are carried out as recommended.
Be wary of companies that offer a 10 or 20 year warranty for termite protection as this commits you for that period, so you have to obtain (pay for) regular inspections and other work whether or not you want it. Such a long term warranty offer is usually unrealistic and a sign of short-term intentions.

Books & References on Professional Pest Control

Handbook on Pest Control USA by Arnold Mallis - the leading industry text book in the USA since 1945 - with 1,400 pages.
Termites - Biology and Pest Management by M.J. Pearce - an authoritative text on termites and termite control world-wide.
Termites and other Common Timber Pests by Phil Hadlington. This is an excellent book on Australian Termites and Timber Borers and their control - written by a leading pest control educational expert.
Trueman's Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations - Purdue University Indiana USA - more than 500 pages.

Wood-Destroying Insects, Wood Borers and Termites by J.W. Creffield at CSIRO Australia.
FUMAPEST Termite & Pest Control services the Northern Beaches Council Region
 
Pest Control Advice for Nursing Homes in Local Council AreasAshfieldAuburnBankstownBaulkham HillsBaysideBlacktownBlue MountainsBotany BayBurwoodCamdenCampbelltownCanada BayCanterburyCanterbury-BankstownCentral CoastCessnockCity of SydneyCumberlandFairfieldGeorges RiverGosfordHawkesburyHolroydHornsbyHunters HillHurstvilleInner WestKiamaKogarahKu-ring-gaiLake MacquarieLane CoveLeichhardtLiverpoolMaitlandManlyMarrickvilleMosmanMuswellbrook ShireNewcastleNorth SydneyNorthern BeachesParramattaPenrithPittwaterRandwickRockdaleRydeShellharbourShoalhavenSingletonStrathfieldSutherland ShireWarringahWaverleyWilloughbyWingecarribeeWollondillyWollongongWoollahraWyong
Fumapest services the Northern Beaches Council suburbs Akuna Bay Allambie Allambie Heights Avalon Avalon Beach Avalon Heights Avalon North Avalon Plateau Balgowlah Balgowlah Balgowlah Heights Bantry Bay Bantry Bay Barranjoey Bayview Bayview Heights Beacon Hill Belrose Belrose West Bilgola Bilgola Beach Bilgola Plateau Brookvale Bungan Beach Bungan Head Careel Bay Careel Head Church Point Clareville Clareville Beach Clontarf Coal And Candle Creek Coasters Retreat Collaroy Collaroy Beach Collaroy Plateau Collaroy Plateau West Cottage Point Cromer Cromer Heights Curl Curl Curl Curl South Currawong Beach Davidson Dee Why Dee Why Beach Dee Why North Dee Why West Dobroyd Head Duffys Forest Eastern Hill Elanora Elanora Heights Elvina Bay Fairlight Fairy Bower Foleys Hill Forestville Forty Baskets Beach Frenchs Forest Frenchs Forest East Freshwater Great Mackerel Beach Harbord Harbord West Ingleside Ingleside Ingleside Heights Ingleside Heights Jamieson Square Killarney Heights Little Manly Long Reef Loquat Valley Lovett Bay Mackerel Beach Manly Manly East Manly Vale Manly West McCarrs Creek Mona Vale Morning Bay Narrabeen Narrabeen Narrabeen Peninsula Narrabeen Peninsula Narraweena Newport Newport Beach Newport Heights Newport Plateau North Balgowlah North Balgowlah North Curl Curl North Head North Manly North Narrabeen North Narrabeen North Seaforth North Seaforth North Steyne Oxford Falls Palm Beach Paradise Beach Queenscliff Salt Pan Cove Sand Point Scotland Island Seaforth Sorlie Village South Steyne South Warriewood Stokes Point Taylors Point Terrey Hills The Basin Towlers Bay Tumbledown Dick Turimetta Warriewood Warriewood Beach Warringah Mall Whale Beach Wheeler Heights Wingala Winji Jimmi
Fumapest services the Local Council AreasAshfieldAuburnBankstownBaulkham HillsBaysideBlacktownBlue MountainsBotany BayBurwoodCamdenCampbelltownCanada BayCanterburyCanterbury-BankstownCentral CoastCessnockCity of SydneyCumberlandFairfieldGeorges RiverGosfordHawkesburyHolroydHornsbyHunters HillHurstvilleInner WestKiamaKogarahKu-ring-gaiLake MacquarieLane CoveLeichhardtLiverpoolMaitlandManlyMarrickvilleMosmanMuswellbrook ShireNewcastleNorth SydneyNorthern BeachesParramattaPenrithPittwaterRandwickRockdaleRydeShellharbourShoalhavenSingletonStrathfieldSutherland ShireWarringahWaverleyWilloughbyWingecarribeeWollondillyWollongongWoollahraWyong
Commercial Pest Control - Nursing Homes in Local Council AreasAshfieldAuburnBankstownBaulkham HillsBaysideBlacktownBlue MountainsBotany BayBurwoodCamdenCampbelltownCanada BayCanterburyCanterbury-BankstownCentral CoastCessnockCity of SydneyCumberlandFairfieldGeorges RiverGosfordHawkesburyHolroydHornsbyHunters HillHurstvilleInner WestKiamaKogarahKu-ring-gaiLake MacquarieLane CoveLeichhardtLiverpoolMaitlandManlyMarrickvilleMosmanMuswellbrook ShireNewcastleNorth SydneyNorthern BeachesParramattaPenrithPittwaterRandwickRockdaleRydeShellharbourShoalhavenSingletonStrathfieldSutherland ShireWarringahWaverleyWilloughbyWingecarribeeWollondillyWollongongWoollahraWyong
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