Pride and Professionalism Protectors of Public Health and Property

As children, we all dream of growing up to be or do something special, something that’ll make the world a better place; something that’ll make us feel proud, respected and appreciated. When I was a kid, I had visions of growing up to hit a homerun in the big leagues or capturing the Oscar for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. Back then, athletes and celebrities were my heroes. But as I grew up I realized there’s another kind of hero in the world, heroes whose daily exploits may not make them famous, but whose impact on our lives is hard to exaggerate. Nurses, teachers, firemen, paramedics, people in these professions do more to truly make a difference in our world than even the best athletes or actors. As a pest control professional, I’m proud to count myself among these real-world heroes. Our work touches millions of lives every day; making them healthier, safer, and happier. We improve the quality of life of the people we help directly, and countless others throughout the world. Today, public health officials attribute the quality of life we enjoy to three things: better sanitation, better pharmaceuticals and medicine, and better pest control. In order words, pest control professionals are not only protecting most people’s largest investment—their property, but their health as well. In fact, when you consider the worldwide scope of pest-related damage and disease, it’s hard to exaggerate the role of pest control in making the world a healthier, more hospitable place for humanity. Termites and other wood-destroying insects cause billions of dollars in damage to houses and other structures in the United States every year. Pest can also make people sick. Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus, Zika virus, and other serious illnesses. Ticks transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and more. Cockroaches contribute to asthma attacks, spread bacteria, and contaminate food as do rats and mice. And stinging insects send more than half a million people to emergency rooms every year. Can you imagine the destruction, suffering, and loss of life that would result if harmful pests weren’t kept in check? Without pest control, restaurants and other public food places would have to close because of unsanitary conditions. Food processors wouldn’t be able to provide us with clean healthy food. Hospitals would become places where diseases were spread from one person to another instead of cured. When you take all of that into consideration, pest control professionals have rightfully earned a place alongside healthcare, law enforcement, social welfare, and other professionals as protectors of public health. More and more people are seeing pest control professionals in this light and recognizing the vital role that pest control plays in keeping our community safe and healthy. What was once considered a nice-to-have service is now regarded by many as a need-to-have service. Homeowners want to protect their families from pests. They no longer think of it as mere nuances, but as disease carriers. For active pest control is no less important than installing smoke detectors or fastening seat belts. Like the pharmaceutical and medical industries, professional pest control has made great strides in the tools and methods employed to protect the public’s health and property. New techniques like the widely accepted Integrated Pest Management approach help control pests by removing the food, water, and shelter they need to survive. Controlling pests with an intelligent combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools minimizes risk. Like medicines, professional products are comprehensively tested for safety and efficiency by the federal government and improved for safe use. And pest control professionals are trained to follow label instructions, employ sound pest management practices, and work in harmony with the environment to efficiently control targeted pests. Of course, the best technology in chemicals in the world would be useless without the right expertise to take advantage of them. The skill and dedication modern pest control professionals project as they go about their daily work inspire confidence in clients and co-workers alike. They also set an excellent example for younger generations in search of a successful and meaningful career, and future generations of pest control professionals have a lot to look forward to. The pest control industry is thriving and continues to go stronger every year. Becoming a pest control professional is a smart career choice that combines science, health, technology, customer service, and public welfare. When you add it all up, pest control professionals have very good reason to hold their heads high, making the world healthier, protecting homes and structures, safeguarding the world’s food supply, projecting and encouraging professionalism, and improving our overall quality of life. The work we do truly makes the difference in the world, and that is certainly something we can all be proud of. I wouldn’t trade what I do for anything else. Thanks for watching.