The job of a Pest Control Officer (PCO) at times, involves more risk than one might assume. In their line of work, they are constantly exposed to chemicals and use equipment that requires a certain level of skill to operate.

Though Killem Pest uses environmentally friendly and target pest specific pesticides that are not harmful to humans, proper health and safety measures still have to be adopted to protect our PCOs.

The use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is one of the most important measures.

Table of Contents

• What is PPE?
• Safety Helmet
• Safety Goggles
• Respiratory Mask
• Ear Muffs
• Long Sleeved Shirt and Trousers
• Safety Gloves
• Safety Boots

It is important that all PCOs are equipped with a set of PPE as this protects individuals not only from pesticides but also from work place injuries. Pesticides can come in contact with the PCOs by entering through their eyes, mouth, and skin or by inhalation.

To limit the exposure of these substances, at Killem Pest, our PCOs are adorned with protective gear from head to toe. Its starts with a safety helmet, goggles, ear muffs, respiratory mask, safety gloves and safety boots. They are required to wear long sleeved shirts and trousers during their working hours. They may, from time to time, require additional protective gears depending on the scope of the job assigned. In some cases, our PCOs will be required to wear a bee suit, for protection or a safety harness, when working at height.

(Prevents from head injuries due to falling objects and falls)

In an environment where chemicals, falling of unpredictable objects and impacts to the head come into existence, a safety helmet is mandatory. It prevents head injuries and should be worn at all times. During certain services, PCOs may be at places such as construction sites or places with perilous objects.

To maximise the efficacy of a safety helmet, it should be worn the right way. The headband within the safety helmet should be adjusted such that the helmet sits on each individual’s head perfectly. A chin strap should also be used to prevent the helmet from falling off the head.

(Protects the eyes and surrounding area from chemicals and unwanted particles)

Every PCO is exposed to pesticides, however little to no level of toxicity they contain. Pesticides are used in various ways, one of which is by using a sprayer or mister. In situations where pesticides have to be sprayed or dispersed, there is a risk of getting these pesticides in contact with the eyes.

Safety goggles prevent this and any other unwanted objects from coming into contact with the eyes and the areas surrounding them. They should be worn tight enough and adjusted to fit each individual perfectly.

(Filters out unwanted particles and limits absorption of pesticide vapours and fumes)

Vital organs can be in risk of damage if the right equipment is not used to protect it. The lungs and the respiratory system are some of the important organs that will need protection in the line of work of a PCO. To limit the absorption of pesticide vapours, fumes and other unwanted particles, a respiratory mask should be worn.

Treatment methods such as fogging use petrol and diesel to function and produce fog. Fogging releases droplets smaller than a hair particle that only affects pests (and within a short range). The mask is however a necessary equipment for the applicators as they are in the closest proximity to the fog and are constantly exposed to the particles.

At Killem Pest, the half-mask respirators and filtration cartridges are issued to the PCOs. The half-masks offer protection and coverage of the nose, mouth and chin area. It is adjustable and has a cushioned fit so that it sits comfortably on the face. The filtration cartridges filter out unwanted particles in the air such that the wearer is able to breath in clean and fresh air. The half-masks also protect the wearer from ingestion of the pesticides.

(Noise absorbing pads that protect the ears from excessive noise and foreign objects)

Ear protection in the form of ear muffs is necessary because our PCOs may use equipment that produce high levels of noise as they are affixed with motors. Some of these include foggers, blowers and when carrying out construction soil treatment and drilling. Prolonged periods of exposure to loud noises can damage the ear drums.

Ear muffs should be worn tight enough that it sits comfortably around the top of the head with cushioned pads around the ear and head. The materials absorb the noise and cover the ear from unwanted particles entering. When used together with the safety helmet, the ear muffs are further protected from falling off the head.

(Acts as protection for the skin from pests, pesticides and injuries)

PCOs should always wear long sleeved shirts and trousers as they are prone to exposure of pesticides. When their job requires them to spray pesticide especially, wearing fully covered clothing can help with avoiding contact with the skin. They also help to keep pests from biting or attaching themselves to the skin.

Pests such as cockroaches are quick to find ways to escape during extermination.

To avoid contact with cockroaches, PCOs can tuck their pants into their safety boots and sleeves into their safety gloves such that no entity can find its way through the pants openings.

Sometimes the job requires our PCOs to be constantly exposed to the sun for long hours and wearing fully covered clothing helps keep exposure to a minimum. Treatments such as fogging also releases fog that is of oil-based particles and can distribute itself onto the applicator’s skin. In very rare cases, the fogger can explode or catch fire. The long sleeves and trousers in such cases act as a layer of protection from burns.

(Protects the hands from pesticide contact and injuries from equipment)

Machines or other equipment are usually used during pest control services but the hands should be protected as there are still risks of contact with pesticides. Especially when preparing chemicals during services, safety gloves should be worn to limit exposure to pesticides. Safety gloves also act as protection against injuries when handling equipment. The use of gloves can be maximised by tucking in the openings into the shirt sleeves as this will leave little to no gap for pests or pesticides to enter.

(Protects the feet from pesticide spills, falling objects and punctures from below)

This is one of the most essential PPE that all PCOs should have and wear at all times. Safety boots not only protect the feet from falling objects but also protect the sole of the feet from punctures from below. Pesticides are often sprayed and in such cases, limiting the exposure or protection from spills can be achieved by wearing ankle high safety boots.

PCOs are inevitably exposed to pesticides, different equipment and at times, dangerous environments such as construction sites or work at height. Though they can be careful when performing their duties, the best prevention would be to be in their PPE, at all times.

Schools are places of learning, but that does not mean that students and employees will not be plagued by the same pests that affect other buildings. Ants, cockroaches, rodents, and flies are common creatures whose populations will grow out of control unless curbed.

Table of Contents

• Where can Pests be Found?
• How can Pests Spread?
• How to Control Pests once there is an Infestation?
• How to Prevent a Pest Infestation?

Schools have many places for pests like cockroaches and rodents to hide. Cafeterias are common spots known to become infestation zones because of the abundance of food and the number of hiding places – homes can be established in cabinets, between appliances, and even in the floor and walls.

Lockers are another dangerous area: if a student forgets about snacks left inside, pests can sneak in and then transfer to other lockers in the area or even the student’s home. Gyms, locker rooms, unattended dumpsters, and even buses have hundreds of nooks and crannies that pests would find comfortable.

In a large institution like a school, it can be difficult to identify all the areas that have become infested. Disease can spread quickly from fecal matter, to one human, and then rapidly to many others that cross paths with the infected.

Small children have less developed immune systems and are more likely to contract and pass illnesses to their peers. It is recommended that children be separated by age so that children over the age of 3 are not exposed to their younger peers, who are more susceptible to disease.

Due to being outdoors, children are also likely to bring pests inside.

Even more problematic is that students and teachers can accidentally take pests home in their backpacks and bags, which spreads the problem.

Once a pest infestation is detected, children should be removed from the problematic areas and tested for possible illnesses. Spraying, gelling and misting are quality services that can stop an infestation once it has started, and calling professionals should be the first step rather than school employees trying to use commercial killing products.

Professional pest control providers such as Killem Pest can prevent many of the pitfalls of home treatment. With the experience we have, our pest control providers are able to select chemicals that cause the least amount of harm to both the environment and the population of the school. Many novice users will spread the chemicals too far, use too little, or use too much. In these situations, it is possible to make students and employers sick, or even poison them by accident.

Proper disposal is also important, and professionals have the resources and knowledge to remove toxins safely and effectively.

They are also trained to detect nests and hiding places, ensuring a thorough job that can prevent pests from returning.

Many people make the mistake of only targeting one area, when pests like cockroaches, ants, flies, and other smaller organisms can spread throughout the entire building. Professionals are more capable of conducting a thorough search and solving the problem.

Before a problem begins, schools can also institute preventative measures against pests. Sanitation rules in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as student lockers, can stop the buildup of food that attracts rodents and bugs.

Play spaces should be sanitized each night. Dumpsters and other receptacles should be emptied nightly and stored somewhere away from the building – the garbage is attractive due to its smell and abundance. Sealing leaky pipes and crevices in the walls and floors can reduce water supplies and restrict entrance into the building, making the school an undesirable habitat.

Students should be educated on the pitfalls of storing food in their lockers for excessive periods of time, and designated eating areas can make proper cleanup easier.

As buses are more difficult to treat than buildings, students can be encouraged to not eat their breakfast there, and to clean up after themselves.

Another way to control the spread of pests (especially communal organisms like lice) is to keep children separated into groups and prevent interaction with one another, as mentioned above. According to the Ministry of Health, such actions will also stop infectious and bacterial diseases from spreading.

Like any other building, schools are susceptible to infestation and should be treated accordingly. Before, during, and after a problem, preventative measures and professional help are encouraged to keep students and employees safe.

Believe it or not, the pest control industry can throw up some very bizarre stories and anecdotes.

With thousands of different species considered ‘pests’, there have been times in history when some more unconventional pests have caused problems for the local agriculture and ecosystems.

We profile some of the more unusual forms of pest control below.

Table of Contents

• Killer Snails in Miami
• Vineyard Guard Ducks
• Pigeon Hunting Falcons
• The Great Emu War
• New York Night of Horror
• Ants on the Run
• Pest Control in Singapore

In 2011 the city of Miami, Florida in the United States was plagued by an outbreak of an invasive species: the giant African land snail.

Primarily outdoor pests, these snails are destructive and potential biohazards.

They were able to eat every plant grown in Florida as well as the inhabitants’ walls. They also carried meningitis, the number of cases of which rose significantly.

As of today, the threat has mostly been eradicated with 157,000 snails captured. Because of their numbers, the only way to capture them was for workers wearing rubber gloves to scour the environment and capture the snails in buckets. Today, these same people use plastic bags.

Another control method used was a public information campaign which begged citizens to call a number and report any sightings.

Crops are a golden target for many garden pests, including those in South Africa. Many varieties of pests eat valuable fields of food. The most common are armyworms, caterpillars, aphids, and species of beetle.

With manpower being so expensive, how do farmers maintain their livelihood? In South Africa, some vineyards and large agricultural sectors have turned to ducks.

Thousands of Indian Runner ducks are trained and cared for in large coops.

At the start of each day, workers release them and direct them to designated fields. As time passes, the ducks disperse through the rows, guzzling up any bug that might be unfortunate enough to have tried to find a meal in the crops. Towards late afternoon, workers find the ducks and round them up. When the group is complete, the ducks are herded back into their shelter, where they sleep until morning and can roam the fields again.

Pigeons come in two varieties: feral and domestic. In countries around the world, pigeons are a major problem in cities because of their tendencies to roost in high places, steal food, and leave messes behind.

In order to combat the large pigeon population in the United Arab Emirates, people have begun using trained falcons.

Falcon training has a long history in Arab culture. Due to their excellent vision, they were often used by hunters to spot and kill small prey like mice and other rodents.

Nowadays, as the height and size of cities make it difficult to use traditional pigeon eradication measures, more and more businesses are drawn to falcons. Another reason for its popularity is because falcons hold a high position of status in Arab culture. Being able to afford falcons as laborers demonstrates a business’s wealth and success.

Not all pests are small. Australia took a long time to become populated by farmers during the early twentieth century because of a large and deadly pest: Emus. Emus are the largest living bird species in the world, growing to be between 5 and 6 feet tall. They can also run 30 mph, making them difficult to catch or escape from.

From 1929-1939, farmers in Australia were suffering from the Great Depression and having difficulty selling their wheat crops.

Around this time was when 20,000 emus decided to establish their habitat in the farms, destroying crops and driving many farmers bankrupt.

Desperate, they contacted their government and military assistance came. One commander and two soldiers armed with machine guns tried to kill the emus, but the flocks scattered because of rain and the mission was unsuccessful.

A few months later, a second attempt with slightly more manpower occurred, with an estimated death toll of 986 birds. The overall pest control of the birds was unsuccessful. Many farmers were forced to fend for themselves or wait for wandering patrols to find their way to the farms.

One day in 1979, NY police was called to what appeared to be a simple noise complain about a loud barking dog. When the officers arrived at the scene they could already notice that there were lots of cockroaches in the street. But when they entered the noisy house, they were reported to be ‘ankle deep’ in cockroaches. The roaches were everywhere.

In the end, a local exterminator came to treat the cockroaches. Fumigation treatment in the area was done to prevent further spread. Not surprisingly, the house of the roach infestation had to be demolished due to severe damage.

Pest control can lead to some amusing and unexpected situations, reminding us that even the tiniest creatures can become a source of funny pest control stories. Here one of the funny pest control stories from the internet that we found worth sharing:

One homeowner was trying to deal with an ant infestation for weeks, trying various DIY methods. When the professional pest control service arrived, they were able to trace the ants back to their source – an unattended candy stash in a child’s bedroom.

The ants had built an elaborate system to transport their loot. It was as if the ants and the kids had formed an unintentional partnership, resulting in a “sugar rush” that even the most resourceful pests couldn’t resist. The lesson here: Sometimes keeping your house clean and candies hidden can be the best pest control solution!

No pest or infestation is too strange for Killem to handle. Don’t be shy and feel free to contact us if something is bothering you and we will be sure to find a pest control solution that will work for you.

People have a right to expect that the food and beverages they buy have not been contaminated by pests. Pests of all types need to have sustenance to survive, and when they chance upon a food and beverage outlet, they are not going to give up that land of plenty without a fight.

Table of Contents

• The Law in Singapore
• Why is Pest Control Important in Food and Beverage Outlets?
• What is Good Housekeeping?
• What Types of Pests are Commonly Found in Food and Beverage Outlets?
• Problems Caused by Pests in Food and Beverage Facilities
• How Can Killem Pest Help Your Food Business?

The National Environment Agency (NEA) regulates the food retail standard industry in Singapore and requires all food retail establishments to be licensed in order to operate. A condition of obtaining this license is to have a ‘pest control contract covering the control of rodents, cockroaches and flies during the year-long licensing period. The inspection frequency of the food shop premises covered in the contract shall be at least once a month to detect any sign of pest infestation.’

Food safety is essential. Pests can bring disease with them, and the last thing you need is to have food infested by pests.

It cannot be sold and if it is and makes people sick, it will cause serious problems for your business in terms of loss of reputation.

If the pests get to the point of infestation, it could mean that you have to close down the business while you are having the problem taken care of by pest control specialists.

In any food and beverage establishment, there is always a chance for spills to occur. When those spills, large or small, are not cared for properly and cleaned up, it acts as an invitation to all manner of pests. They will find a way into the facility in a range of ways. They can get through vents, cracks, holes, and areas that you would never even notice.

By ensuring a very clean facility, it helps to reduce the risk of pests substantially.

This does not mean that they will never find their way into the facility. It can and does happen. When this occurs, you will want to contact professional pest control services to help you with your pest problem.

One of the ways that professionals can help is by looking for the various routes that the pests are using to get into the building. They can “close off” those areas to make a recurring infestation less likely.

Many types of pests like to get food in food and beverage outlets. Whether it is a warehouse, a manufacturing facility, a grocery store, or an eatery, pests such as flies, ants, roaches, and rodents can be present.

They smell the food and they want to have access to free meals.

Even birds have the potential to become a problem in these types of outlets, and they can cause some serious damage to the building, as well as the food. It is even possible for them to spread illness, like so many of the other pests out there.

You never want to take chances when it comes to keeping food and beverages safe. If you have a pest problem, get in touch with the professionals as soon as you can. Even if you do not have a noticeable problem, do not forget, that you still need to have regular pest control as required by NEA.

The 6 types of pests common in food facilities are:

• Mice and rats
• Cockroaches
• Birds
• Flies
• Ants
• Spiders

You are running a successful business, but one day you need to close down because of a huge pest infestation. Often, businesses take action too late. When you notice the presence of a pest, contact a pest control company immediately.

The importance of pest control in food businesses cannot be underestimated. Food businesses need to remain alert to any sign of the presence of ants, mice, cockroaches, flies and other pests. These pests are all attracted to food, so make sure to throw out the trash frequently, clean all areas when there is time, seal and store any food you are not using. This can help prevent two of the main problems caused by pests:

• An extension of their uninvited stay
• An expansion of the pest

We are trained and certified to help the F&B industry, including restaurants, bars and cafes. Killem Pest is a known company in various malls across Singapore, and we have helped many businesses remain open or re-open by handling their pest control problem. We also provide recommendations for keeping your premises free from pests.