Choosing a pest controller - part two

In my last post, I wrote about a couple of things to look for when choosing a pest controller.

One of the common features of advertising by pest control companies is that they try to convince you that they are qualified to a high standard, by using phrases like "fully qualified".

So are they?

Well usually, no, they aren't.

When I started out in pest control, qualifications where not readily available to pest controllers. The industry leader (yes, them again!) did however, train their field staff to a very high standard and put them through various tests to show just how good they were.

The BPCA part one (or Dip1) was one of the first of the recognised qualifications to be available to those not able to sit the 'in-house' exams available to the industry leader. Also available was the Royal Society of Health Certificate in Pest Control.

In general, the private sector used the BPCA qualification, and local authorities used the RSH.

A few years ago, the old RSH and the BPCA part one were merged and became the RSPH level 2 certificate in Pest Control.

The RSPH level 2 is considered to be an 'entry level' qualification, and a great achievement it is too.

So is someone who has this qualification 'fully trained'? No, is the short answer.

There are several other qualifications that are available to pest controllers, notably, the BPCA DipII (now known as 'Advanced Technician'), the RSPH level 3, and at the top of the tree, the Degree in 'Urban Pest Management' (only 23 in the UK).

Of course there are also lots of other relevant qualifications which can also be important to a pest controller, and will help them to provide you with a better, safer service.

So to get back to the original point, what should a potential customer look for?

Well a good starting point is BASIS PROMPT registration. BASIS® is an independent organisation set up at the suggestion of the UK Government in 1978 to establish and assess standards in the pesticide industry relating to storage, transport and competence of staff.

In order for a pest controller to register on the PROMPT scheme, they have to provide evidence of an entry level qualification, and they have to collect 'CPD' (Continuous Professional Development) points each year to maintain registration.

It goes without saying that all Westcountry field staff are registered on the PROMPT scheme.

In the next part, I'll write a little about trade organisations.