With so many pest control equipment being made available in the market, one could easily think that getting rid of pests at home or office can be turned into a DIY affair. However pest management is never a quick job, and you often have to be extremely thorough during the process to make sure that the pests do not go into hiding. It can be a cumbersome task, and this is why it is more preferable to hire pest controlling companies in Singapore.
Pest Control Management companies in Singapore provide professional services in getting rid of pests in commercial and housing areas, thereby guaranteeing maximum safety and a healthy environment for the residents working or living there. If you wish to join their team to provide your community in Singapore a valuable service, you should know that in this profession there is more than what meets the eye.
To begin with, you obviously need to know about the different types of pests in Singapore and their breeding and feeding habits. You need to know how to deal with cockroaches, termites, rodents, mosquitoes and even bed bugs. You must have knowledge about the dangerous diseases they can spread, and remember what types of sprays, repellents, pesticides and traps you need to use to exterminate them. You must be quick, and have enough proficiency to exterminate pests the first time, otherwise the infestation will keep spreading and cause more harm than before.
1. Acquire Certificates for Industry Accreditation.
Knowing a few facts about pest control will not help you to become a pest controller. To be recognized as a professional in this field you need to be licensed, with some years of experience to prove your merit. If you want to be hired, you have to build a good reputation that your target customers can trust. You must have a certified business, or else it might be difficult for you to get hired. In Singapore, it is necessary that you acquire the Vector Control Technician License. To obtain this license, you must:
– Be at least 18 years old,
– Have a high school diploma or hold a GED certificate,
– Posses at least basic information on pest control.
However, your chance of successfully receiving the license will be higher if you have the Joint ITE-NEA Certificate in Pest Management.
2. What is the ITE-NEA Certificate?
This Certificate will help you to apply at NEA (National Environment Agency) for Vector Control Technician License. Without this license, your service will not be recognized as legit. This license is granted to only those candidates who are highly proficient at pest management, and posses the required qualifications. The ITE-NEA Certificate is granted only at the end of the course and after the successful completion of the assessment tasks. During this course, you will learn to:
– Perform inspections to locate and identify pests in the affected site.
– Use pest management tools and equipment carefully.
– Prepare the affected site to start pest extermination process.
– Prepare pesticides on your own.
– Successfully supervise workers hired by the company for efficient pest control operations.
When you complete this course, your knowledge and skills will be put to the test. If you pass, you will be granted the ITE-NEA Certificate. To enter this course, you must either have GCE ‘N’ level or equivalent qualifications. If you do not meet this criteria, you could also complete a Pest Control Course or Vector Control Workers Course and work at a Vector Control company for one year in order to apply.
3. The ITE-NEA course teaches some significant aspects of pest controlling operations:
– It focuses a lot on utilizing safe methods and practices.
– While teaching more about pests and their breeding habits, this course outlines the process of site investigation.
– This course also emphasizes the importance of pest and vector management and supervision.
4. Details of the course:
This course costs around $500 for every person, and includes about 20 sessions that run over 60 hours in total. About 24 hours are spent in classrooms where individuals learn about the theoretical aspects of the job, while 36 hours are dedicated to practical lessons for on-field experiences.
5. Decide on the type of pests you will be exterminating:
If you are targeting small pests like ants, spiders or other insects, you need to acquire a chemical application license from the Government authorities. This is important because you may often have to spray toxins in the affected site to kill these pests.
6. Be Financially responsible.
The relevant authorities will grant you the license to operate as a completely legit pest controller if you can prove that you can handle financial responsibilities. You need to pay a certain amount of cash while submitting your application form. A lot of people get conned easily because they do not ask the right agents. Make sure you go to the right authorities to ask for information regarding the license fees that you need to pay.
7. Decide on a convenient, centralized location for your job:
If you want to work as a pest controller, you need to build a base where customers can contact you. It is better if you choose a central location in Singapore, so that you can spend less time travelling in all directions. You have to be quick in your job, so that your clients will get a better impression of you if you arrive as soon as they call for you.
Once you have received your license, you can officially declare yourself a pest controller! However, remember to keep the record of your pest control application for 2 years. You will retain the right to use pesticides and toxins for 2 years as well, after which you will have to reapply. You need to have a valid permit so as to use materials that are usually restricted.
The process you need to follow to become a pest controller in Singapore might be rigorous, but it will only help you to become successful at your job. Being certified in the pest management business will make a positive difference in your career, as it will help you to earn people’s trust easily while being able to deliver top quality service that everyone can rely on.
