Practical Pest Management of Rodents and Insects

Whether you are new to the industry or have been in the industry for a long time, the opportunity to observe rodent behaviour in this way should not be missed.

This course is perfect for:

• Those with experience of pest management who are looking to transform their knowledge into practical skills and competencies
• Those looking to enter the pest sector.

--tab--

Overview

Upon completion of the two-day course, candidates will be able to:

• Recognise the behaviours and characteristics of rodents and insects through observing them in their natural environment
• Perform a site survey in a real-life scenario, selecting appropriate treatment options
• Understand non-chemical control measures, including the implementation of humane despatch methods
• Analyse and assess appropriate health & safety considerations when undertaking pest control activities in confined spaces
• Recognise the behaviours and characteristics of insects through observing real-life specimens
• Use correct spraying methods and sprayer maintenance techniques (practical session, please bring your own spraying equipment).

Level: Core
Prerequisites: None
Delivery: Classroom only
Duration: 2 day
Additional Study: None
Assessment: Multiple mini-exams
BPCA Registered CPD Points: 18
BASIS Prompt points: TBC

While there isn't a pre-course entry requirement for this programme, you may find it useful to study the Foundation Certificate in Pest Management. This BPCA course is open to all.

Minimum age statement

Young persons under the age of 18 years are often exposed to risks to their health and safety when using work equipment as a consequence of their immaturity, lack of experience of absence awareness of existing or potential risks. Therefore, such young people should not be allowed to operate equipment without supervision unless they have the necessary competence and maturity, as well as having successfully completed appropriate training (The Health and Safety (Young Persons) regulation 1997).

After completing the Practical Insect Control programme, you may wish to study:

--halfstart--

Technical Programmes

Technical Programmes

• Advanced Technician in Pest Management
• Level 2 in Pest Management - General Pest Control
• Insect Identification 

--half--

Plus+ Programmes

Plus+ Programmes

• Starting and Managing Your Own Business
• Sales Skills
• Level 2 Emergency First Aid at Work

--halfend--

--tab--

Delivery

Practical classroom programme

This is a two day, classroom-based course. 9 am to 4.30 pm each day.

Day one: Rodents:

Conduct a site survey within a real-life domestic or commercial scenario, completing a report. Your report will be assessed.

The site survey is one of the most important parts of any pest management programme. Getting it right the first time will not only save you time and money but also give enhanced customer satisfaction.

This session will give you the chance to conduct a survey in a real-life setting and learn how to structure a report in a way that not only meets legal requirements, but also demonstrates value for money for your customer.

The session will also give you the opportunity to discuss control techniques including chemical preparations, live capture trapping and kill traps. You will be able to discuss treatment options which will help you to develop control programmes that are both legal, environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Tour the farm’s rodent pens to identify and understand different biology and behaviours.

Church Farm has an extensive rodent population of both Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus.

This session will not only give you the opportunity to see both in their natural environment but will also give you the opportunity to observe and discuss the differences in their behaviours.

Additionally, observing rodents in their natural habitat in large numbers will provide you with an understanding and knowledge of the rodent hierarchy.

The venue also houses a large resident mouse population where you will be able to observe the mice in their natural habitat and have the opportunity to discuss their behaviour.

Study rodent biology and humane despatch

If you’ve never used live-capture traps then learning how to humanely despatch rodents is an essential skill.

This often means that people are apprehensive about using live capture traps which are a beneficial tool to have in your armoury. This session will cover the theoretical and practical elements of humane despatch of rodents (no live rodents will be despatched).

This classroom demonstration and discussion around humane despatch techniques, such as live capture traps for rodent control, will include a refresher on rodents covering all aspects including biology, behaviour and their impacts on public health.

Produce risk assessments

In the pest management industry, working in confined spaces and at height poses the biggest risk for technicians. This session will cover working within an attic environment which will involve both confined spaces and working at height.

You will learn how to conduct both written and dynamic risk assessments, giving you the knowledge and skills to develop safe operating procedures.

Not only will this help to keep you safe within your role but a well-written risk assessment and operating procedure will demonstrate to your client how professional you are.

Day two: Insects:

Conduct a site survey in a real-life domestic or rural scenario.

This session will give you the chance to conduct a survey in a real-life setting and learn how to structure a report in a way that not only meets legal requirements, but will demonstrate value for money for your customer.

It will also give you the opportunity to discuss control techniques including chemical preparations as well as non-chemical controls:

• proofing
• good hygiene
• manufacturing processes
• monitoring techniques (including EFKs and insect monitors).

You will be able to discuss treatment options which will help you to develop control programmes that are both legal, environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Practical spraying session to include spraying techniques and maintenance of sprayers. Candidates are requested to bring their own spraying equipment.

A sprayer is one of the most important pieces of equipment that any technician will have. Keeping your sprayer well-maintained and serviced will not only keep you safe but can also save you money.

This session will take you through all of the maintenance checks you should be carrying out on your sprayers but also train you on the correct nozzles and pressures that should be used on different types of surface. 

Using the sprayers with the wrong nozzles and incorrect bar is the cause of many treatment failures, and can waste a lot of time and money.

Classroom session and tour to recognise identification techniques.

Church Farm has many resident insects including cockroaches, mosquitoes and even spiders. This part of the day will begin with a classroom session focussing on the basic biology of cockroaches and bed bugs.

Following this, you will be taken on a tour of the site’s insect population so that you can see these insects in their natural environment and be able to identify all of the life stages.

Being able to observe these common public health insects in their natural environments, observe their behaviours and see how the different life stages look will bring to life many of the things you have read and seen in textbooks and articles.

Health and safety considerations when using insecticides to control insects.

Unlike many other chemical controls that we use for managing rodents, when it comes to spraying or applying gels for insect control, they are normally in environments where you will have various people, homeowners, office workers, or guests staying in hotels rooms.

The health and safety concerns cover a wider range of people and scenarios. This session will enable you to write a risk assessment and safe operating procedure for spraying or applying insecticide within a domestic setting.

You will be able to discuss all of the hazards and the risks associated with this activity. Not only will this help to keep you and the owners/occupiers safe within your role but a well-written risk assessment and operating procedure will demonstrate to your client how professional you are.

--tab--      

Assessment

Candidates will receive a Certificate of Attendance immediately following completion of the course.

Upon successful achievement of the modular assessments, candidates will receive a “Pest Management of Rodents and Insects” certificate accredited by BPCA. 

You will be assessed on:

Site surveys: Following both sessions, candidates will have their Site Reports (to include treatment options) assessed

Rodent biology and behaviours: Following the session, candidates will undertake a short classroom-based multiple-choice test

Humane despatch: Following the session, candidates will undertake a short classroom-based multiple-choice test

Identification techniques: Following the session, candidates will undertake a short classroom-based multiple-choice test 

Practical spraying: During the practical session, candidates will be observed and assessed on their ability to conduct spraying activity and the maintenance of their equipment

Risk assessments: Following both sessions, candidates will have their Risk Assessment Reports assessed. 

--tab--

Fees

The course fee includes morning and afternoon refreshments, lunch and a resource pack which includes manufacturers’ samples.

Please note: accommodation is not included in this course.

Suggested accommodation sites:

The Wheatsheaf Hotel,
A30, Basingstoke RG25 2BB
Tel: 01256 398282
Travellodge Basingstoke
Winchester Rd, Basingstoke RG22 6HN

Cancellation Terms:

Course cancellations will only be accepted on receipt of written instruction and are effective from the date received by the BPCA.

• More than 15 working days prior to course: No charge
• 15 working days or less: 100% of fee

 --tabend--