Residential

You must notify the customer beforehand that you are scheduled to do a pest control treatment via phone call or otherwise before you proceed to the property. You must either knock on the front door and ring the doorbell or otherwise, to alert the client that you have arrived on site. If a minor answers the door or intercom, ask to speak to an adult occupant. 

Introduce yourself to the occupant and explain the work order, confirm the client’s request, and ask about the pest problem using a friendly and professional tone. 

You must use the following introduction or something similar:

“Good morning Mr/Ms [Occupier’s last name] my name is [Your name] I am here to treat [inspect] your home for  [pests included in the job allocation]. Is there anything, in particular, you want me to pay attention to?”

Commercial

You must contact the authorised person at the business and notify them that you are scheduled to do a pest control treatment via phone call or otherwise before you proceed to the property. 

Introduce yourself to the authorised person and explain the work order, confirm the client’s request. Use the following introduction or something similar:

“Good morning Mr/Ms [Authorised person’s last name] my name is [Your name] I am here to treat [inspect] your home for  [pests included in the job allocation]. Is there anything in particular you want me to pay attention to?”

Before starting the job, the Pest Controller must:

• Inform the client about treatment details.
  • Inform the customer about the equipment, products, and in what areas you intend to use them.
• Ask if the client has any health risks, e.g. asthma.
• Inform the client of the treatment preparations, e.g. the windows need to be closed, and children and pets should be excluded from any area until any pesticide solution has dried and the room has been ventilated, etc.
• Inform the customer that they must leave the premises during the treatment.
• Explain the Ant (A) warranty.
• Confirm the approval of the client to proceed.

Performing a site risk assessment helps identify potential hazards or risks within the property and allows the pest controller to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

While you go around the property and familiarise yourself with the building structure, access points and utilities, you must be observant and identify potential hazards or risks that could pose a danger during the treatment.  

Some elements to consider before doing a treatment include:

• People
• Children
• Pets (dog/s, cat/s, caged birds)
• Fish tanks/fish pond
• Other animals or pets
• Clothes on line
• Electrical wiring or outlets that can lead to electrical shocks
• Health risks (asthma or respiratory risks)
• Slips and trips
• Temperature
• Spills
• Working at heights
• And other potential risks

Examples of risk and safety considerations you must do before treatment include:

• Exclude occupants, children, and pets for the duration of the treatments 
• Secure pets and make sure they can not escape
• Remove or turn over any pet food or water containers
• Cover fish ponds
• Keep a spill kit on site
• Ensure the ladder is safe to use
• Wear the necessary PPE

Exclusion

• Seal cracks and gaps around foundations and other potential entry points from the outside to prevent ants from entering the building. 
• Focus on entry points along structural features like wires and pipes since ants use them to get inside and move around the building. 
• Avoid planting trees and suburbs close to buildings that host honeydew-producing insects, as ants may be associated with them. 
• Maintain a distance of several centimetres between plants, grass, mulch, and the building’s foundation, as these can serve as nesting sites for ants. 
• Indoors, seal up cracks in kitchens and where food is stored.  

Sanitation

• Store sugar, syrup, honey, and pet food in tightly sealed containers. 
• Clean empty sugary drink containers and either rinse them or take them out of the building.
• Clean grease and spills.
• Always remove and change garbage bags.