FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Yes. As a licensed pesticide applicator continuing education is needed to earn credits for each category you may be licensed and which is then applied to your license for renewal. In all twelve credits are needed, Core credits count for all categories; however, of the total amount of continuing education credits required for each category a minimum of 25% must be specific to that particular category. The remaining 75% due can be category specific, core, or any combination of the two. For example: An applicator on a 3 year cycle recertifying in category 7A must earn at least 3 credits in category 7A and the remaining 9 credits due can be either all category specific (7A), all core, or a combination of core and 7A. We attend seminars and training to stay abreast of all current application and safety issues regarding pest control and management.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I was working at Veterans Administration Hospital in the Bronx as a Data entry and information processing worker. I was barely making my rent payments when I decided to look for a second job. I found a job at a small pest control company as a customer service worker. Happy with my new job I decided to do research on this field. I said to myself, "If, I was to help someone on the other side of the phone line the least thing I should learn is the basics about pest control". But, then again I was not dealing with just one vermin, so I decided to get educated and within one year I became certified in pest control. Within two years I was licensed. After two years as a customer service worker, few pesticide applicators were absent and I volunteer to go out on the field and ever since is been instant love. I left my Data entry job to concentrate on pest control. I love to help people and love what I do for over twenty three years.
- What types of customers have you worked with?
The eradication of American and German cockroaches, in which infestation can grow rapidly if ignored. The American cockroach is also called a "waterbug", the "Bombay canary", and the "Palmettobug". Despite its name, the American cockroach is not native to North America but was introduced via ships from Africa in the early 1600s. It is worldwide in distribution. The German cockroach is by far the most important and usually the most common of the cockroaches. In addition to being a nuisance, it has been implicated in outbreaks of illness, the transmission of a variety of pathogenic organisms including at least one parasitic protozoan, and allergic reactions in many people. This species has worldwide distribution.