To help commercial facility managers in the ongoing battle against pests, Orkin Commercial Services is offering a series of free training videos in the “Orkin University Online” section its Web site. Anyone with an Internet connection may access the videos by selecting the videos from the “What’s New” menu of the site.
The educational series, entitled “ABCs of Pest Habitat Modification,” will illustrate several non-chemical ways to prevent pests.“So much of a successful pest management program’s efficacy is based on habitat modification,” says Orkin entomologist and training director Ron Harrison, Ph.D. “By removing access to certain elements that make a building attractive to pests in the first place, you greatly increase the chances of success – regardless of any chemical strategies. These videos are designed to help facility managers evaluate and improve their current programs and train their staff members on important Integrated Pest Management [IPM] principles.”
Orkin launched Orkin University Online in 2004 to help businesses train their own employees in sanitation and pest prevention. Other free training materials at Orkin University Online include:
•“Five Steps to a Better Audit” Video – Highlights important steps that food processors should take to help ensure high scores on the pest management portion of their third-party audits.
•Sanitation and Storage Quiz – Helps educate or evaluate employees on the importance of proper sanitation and storage and its impact on pest management.
•“Before Your Next Health Inspection…” Checklist – Available in English and Spanish, provides restaurant managers and employees with a task list to help them prepare for health inspections, or simply train employees in best food-safety practices.
•Links to off-site learning materials for health care environmental services and school administrators are available as well. Orkin will post more links and original training materials for free download in coming months.
