In the United Kingdom today, general glue trap use is banned, requiring pest management professionals (PMPs) to secure an official license to deploy them only as a last-resort measure case by case.
This concept is moving ever closer to home. Several cities in California already have passed either total or partial bans on glue traps, and states such as New York are seriously considering similarly strict legislation. Most of these laws stem from public concern over how these traps are being used by individuals who lack professional training. Unfortunately, our industry is squarely under that microscope.
In my 30-plus years as an industry professional, I’ve learned one vital lesson: If we don’t set our own high standards, someone else will set them for us. This is why I’ve joined forces with Susan Masciarelli of Web-Cote Industries on a certification course she designed called the Responsible Glue Trap User (RGTU). It is a proactive tool to protect the businesses and services we provide before new regulations take that choice out of our hands.
The RGTU online course was modeled after practices currently in place in the United Kingdom. Masciarelli designed it specifically for PMPs who want to demonstrate their expertise in ethical practice.
Core principles
The course is built around five core principles every PMP should be following today:
Deploy traps only when there is evidence they are needed. Every placement should be justified.
Label and date every trap — no exceptions.
Inspect traps regularly. In sensitive environments, that may mean daily inspections. These are not “set and forget” tools.
Protect all non-targets by using covers or guards when installing traps, and by disposing of any captured pests in a humane manner.
Document every action you take when glue traps are used. Provide detailed documentation that is easy to understand, and that uses professional words, no slang or acronyms.
Time is of the essence
Now is the time to show the public that you and your company are committed to both public health and humane practices. The certification demonstrates you hold yourself to a higher standard, particularly in sensitive environments like food-processing facilities, restaurants, schools, daycare centers and hospitals where customers demand accountability. It shows you have a clear, professional plan in place every time a glue trap is deployed.
The goal is for customers to begin asking specifically whether your company holds this certification. They will want to hire companies that operate with the most ethical methods. This course also will give you the language to communicate your services clearly and confidently to concerned customers. When you speak
with both facts and empathy, you earn long-term loyalty.
At the heart of the RGTU certification is an ethical decision framework that guides you to assess the risk to health, consider alternatives like exclusion, and then act with care and precision. This level of professionalism transforms a simple adhesive trap into a demonstration of expertise.
We must show we are capable of managing our own industry. Learn more here.
<p>The post Glue trap bans are spreading: Why pest pros need certification now first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>
from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/glue-trap-bans-are-spreading-why-pest-pros-need-certification-now/
Sacramento CA
