Is your Pest Controller actually licensed? Here’s how to check
It’s perfectly reasonable to check that the person turning up to perform pest control is actually qualified to do the job.
FULLY LICENSED AND INSUREDRESIDENTIAL PEST CONTROLCOMMERCIAL PEST CONTROL
9/15/20263 min read
Is your Pest Controller actually licensed? Here’s how to check
When you hire a pest controller, you’re trusting someone to apply pesticides or site toxic rodent baits in and around your workplace or home. You may also need to vacate the premises while a spray treatment is being carried out and for a while afterwards while it dries.
That means you may be leaving a technician alone in your business or home, and trusting them to use approved chemicals and pest control products safely and responsibly. So it’s perfectly reasonable to check that the person turning up with the spray tank or bait box is actually qualified to do the job.
You need to avoid the likes of Dodgy Barry’s Pest Control: “Licence? Nah mate, I’ve been doing this for years.” 😆
In Victoria, pest control operators who use pesticides as part of a pest control business are required to hold an appropriate licence issued by the Victorian Department of Health. Licensing is designed to protect consumers, operators, the public and the environment from the potential harmful effects of pesticides.
It’s the technician who needs the licence
Pest control licences are issued to individual operators, not just to the company whose name is on the van. A licence may also carry different authorisations depending on the work the technician is qualified to undertake. For example, general pest control, timber pest work and even possum control all have different licenses.
Checking only takes about a minute
Fortunately, you don’t have to take anyone’s word for it. The Victorian Department of Health has a searchable register of current pest control licence holders. You can search for your technician and check details including their licence status and expiry date.
If you're booking pest control, ask for the name of the technician who will actually be carrying out the work, then look them up. A legitimate pest controller should have absolutely no issue with you checking their credentials.
You can also ask to see their license. Ask to see the technician's photo ID card issued by the Victorian Department of Health to confirm they have the correct pest management endorsement for timber pests and household/commercial pests.
Check the Victorian Department of Health pest control licence register
Got possum problems?
Possums in Victoria are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. General pest control licences do not automatically cover handling native wildlife like possums. The operator must hold a specialised Wildlife Controller Licence or authorisation issued by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). You can call DEECA at 136 186 or email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au to verify if the controller has a valid wildlife license.
Why does it matter?
Professional pest control involves dangerous products that need to be selected, handled, placed and applied correctly. This includes insecticides used for ant, spider and cockroach treatments as well as toxic rodent baits, which need to be used and secured appropriately to minimise risk to people, pets and non-target animals.
A licensed technician has undertaken training appropriate to their licence and must comply with requirements governing the pesticides they are authorised to use. Victorian pest controllers also have legal responsibilities around safe pesticide use and protecting people, animals and the environment.
There’s another consideration, trust. If you're asked to leave your workplace or home for a treatment, you need to be comfortable with the person you're leaving there. Checking that your technician is genuinely licensed is one very quick piece of due diligence. They should also have police checks, like us.
Reviews, recommendations and price are all useful when choosing a pest controller, but checking they're fully legit means they're also accountable, so its always worth checking that they really are qualified to be doing it.
Button Pest Control
0485 522 559
info@buttonpestcontrol.com.au
PO Box 547, Pakenham, VIC 3810
Licenses: L010955 / L012918
ABN: 52 596 097 818
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Website by Dawn Button - Button Pest Control