Why Training is So Important for Crawlspace Technicians

Every technician spends a good portion of his or her career becoming educated on various topics important to pest control professionals. Starting with the work needed to become licensed to the ongoing continuing education opportunities technicians require, training is the staple of growing as a pest professional.

Just as with so many aspects of pest control, hands-on training is vital to education. According to Billy Tesh, president of Crawlspace Depot, this is the key to learning about crawlspaces first-hand.

“It’s hard to explain certain things, but to do the work with technicians and hold the tools in your hands, that puts everything in a first-person perspective,” says Tesh, whose company is launching a new crawlspace liner that meets R-10 specifications, is easier to install, and is flexible so it’s easy to ship and put in trucks. “It’s sometimes an individual thing but we have training classes [too]. But many do an advanced training in the field, some even for two or three days.”

Tesh also says that understanding “from a mechanical standpoint the stuff like HVAC or a hot water heater, that whole makeup is something you have to deal with” so it’s important to be knowledgeable about basements and crawlspaces.

Skye Bunning works for Building Performance Specialists in Wilmington, North Carolina. He says that training on the job includes understanding the environment you’re in and around and practicing safety.

“So, for a specific job — snakes and other animals in the crawlspace are something to look out for. And if there’s a sign of flooding, you need to get down there to work [and] manage that. And a lot of electrical wires that you need to watch out for too.”

Chad Highley, B.C.E., suggests shadowing other professionals in the industry to learn proper crawlspace techniques. “Naturally there’s a lot of on-the-job training but partnering with someone who has done a lot is paramount. Whether it’s going to work for a larger company and then gleaning what you can and branching out on your own, or partnering with another company outside of your area that’s not competitive later on, [training is key].”

Knowing how to handle a wide range of issues, including drainage, electrical and plumbing issues, and proper pest management techniques, is key. So is having a strong relationship with local professionals (HVAC, etc.) to partner with on crawlspace jobs.