How to choose the right pest control operator to ensure a safe fumigation job
If you need to hire a pest control service provider, there are some key considerations. Firstly, the two main concerns should be safety and efficacy. In reality, highly harmful toxic substances are used to get rid of pests such as wood borer, and if conducted incorrectly, fumigation can cause death to animals and people.
This article highlights the potential dangers of fumigation and what to look for in a safe pest control operator.
What is fumigation and when is it necessary?
It’s important to note that there are two main types of operators in the pest world; there are pest controllers that deal with a variety of pests such as cockroaches, ants, rodents etc., and then there are fumigators who perform fumigation. Some companies offer both services.
Fumigation is the process of replacing oxygen with a harmful substance in a sealed-off environment to eradicate pests. There are three main types of fumigants used in South Africa, all of which are highly harmful to people if exposure occurs. These products are:
• Phosphine: Often used in agriculture to kill insects such as weevils. There are severe dangers of phosphine fumigant regarding human exposure, including potentially fatal issues related to the heart, lungs and nervous system.
• Methyl bromide: Used in conventional fumigation or “flooding” to kill pests such as wood-destroying organisms (borer beetle treatment, for example). Methyl bromide fumigation can kill an exposed person within 24 hours, with the onset of symptoms kicking in within 20 minutes of exposure.
• Sulfuryl fluoride: The danger of sulfuryl fluoride fumigant is that it is specifically designed to target the nervous system and the lungs, causing seizures and leading to death.
Addressing fumigation safety
You may require a WDO certificate for a property, or maybe your property needs fumigation. In South Africa, it is the owner of the property or body corporate’s responsibility to choose a company that follows the relevant rules of fumigation.
With regard to adhering to basic protocols carrying out specialist fumigation, or even a pest control treatment, there could be various reasons why safety protocols are not followed such as; time constraints, technicians not being qualified, faulty equipment, incorrect dosing or application of fumigant, or even service providers just not placing enough emphasis on precautionary and safety measures.
However, the very first thing one should look out for when choosing a provider is that the company and its technicians are registered with an industry body from the list of governing pest control bodies below.
Here are some of the checkpoints when choosing a registered fumigator:
• Registered with Pest Control Federation SA
• Registered with Pest Control Operators in South Africa
• HACCP compliant
• Are they a SAPCA – (South African Pest Control Association) member?
Safety Precautions & measurements for fumigation:
• Before any fumigation treatment can be agreed to, a thorough site risk assessment (SRA) is completed to identify whether the treatment can be carried out safely.
• The fumigation area needs to be ‘gas-tight’ to prevent any fumigant leakage and to ensure everyone’s safety, and successful fumigation.
• Fumigation areas must be cordoned off and warning signage clearly displayed. Absolutely no one is allowed to enter a structure until it has been certified safe for re-entry by the licensee in charge of the fumigation.
• Fumigation must always be carried out by more than one person.
• The safety procedure should also involve the operator checking the gas levels before the occupant’s return.
If you need to hire a pest control service provider, there are some key considerations. Firstly, the two main concerns should be safety and efficacy. In reality, highly harmful toxic substances are used to get rid of pests such as wood borer, and if conducted incorrectly, fumigation can cause death to animals and people.
This article highlights the potential dangers of fumigation and what to look for in a safe pest control operator.
What is fumigation and when is it necessary?
It’s important to note that there are two main types of operators in the pest world; there are pest controllers that deal with a variety of pests such as cockroaches, ants, rodents etc., and then there are fumigators who perform fumigation. Some companies offer both services.
Fumigation is the process of replacing oxygen with a harmful substance in a sealed-off environment to eradicate pests. There are three main types of fumigants used in South Africa, all of which are highly harmful to people if exposure occurs. These products are:
• Phosphine: Often used in agriculture to kill insects such as weevils. There are severe dangers of phosphine fumigant regarding human exposure, including potentially fatal issues related to the heart, lungs and nervous system.
• Methyl bromide: Used in conventional fumigation or “flooding” to kill pests such as wood-destroying organisms (borer beetle treatment, for example). Methyl bromide fumigation can kill an exposed person within 24 hours, with the onset of symptoms kicking in within 20 minutes of exposure.
• Sulfuryl fluoride: The danger of sulfuryl fluoride fumigant is that it is specifically designed to target the nervous system and the lungs, causing seizures and leading to death.
Addressing fumigation safety
You may require a WDO certificate for a property, or maybe your property needs fumigation. In South Africa, it is the owner of the property or body corporate’s responsibility to choose a company that follows the relevant rules of fumigation.
With regard to adhering to basic protocols carrying out specialist fumigation, or even a pest control treatment, there could be various reasons why safety protocols are not followed such as; time constraints, technicians not being qualified, faulty equipment, incorrect dosing or application of fumigant, or even service providers just not placing enough emphasis on precautionary and safety measures.
However, the very first thing one should look out for when choosing a provider is that the company and its technicians are registered with an industry body from the list of governing pest control bodies below.
Here are some of the checkpoints when choosing a registered fumigator:
• Registered with Pest Control Federation SA
• Registered with Pest Control Operators in South Africa
• HACCP compliant
• Are they a SAPCA – (South African Pest Control Association) member?
Safety Precautions & measurements for fumigation:
• Before any fumigation treatment can be agreed to, a thorough site risk assessment (SRA) is completed to identify whether the treatment can be carried out safely.
• The fumigation area needs to be ‘gas-tight’ to prevent any fumigant leakage and to ensure everyone’s safety, and successful fumigation.
• Fumigation areas must be cordoned off and warning signage clearly displayed. Absolutely no one is allowed to enter a structure until it has been certified safe for re-entry by the licensee in charge of the fumigation.
• Fumigation must always be carried out by more than one person.
• The safety procedure should also involve the operator checking the gas levels before the occupant’s return.
Bugs and Sparks are a registered pest control operator based in Cape Town, South Africa. With years of experience, we will not only conduct highly effective fumigation but be fully compliant with hazardous chemical regulations and Act 36 of 1947.
Get in touch at 087 701 2332 or inspections@bugsandsparks.co.za
Find out more about our pest control treatments and prices
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