How to choose a pest control company
Pest control means poisons in your home, garden or workplace, so in South Africa the people applying them must be registered. Here is how to check a pest control company before they start, what to ask about the products, and the warning signs.
Registration is required by law
Anyone who applies pesticides for a fee must be registered as a pest control operator with the Department of Agriculture, under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (Act 36 of 1947). Registration is per person and per type of work, such as general pests, wood-destroying insects like termites, or fumigation.
Ask for the registration certificate of the operator who will do the job, check that it covers that type of work, and check that it has not expired.
Ask what they will use
Products for pest control must themselves be registered under Act 36, and a registered product carries a registration number on its label. A professional will tell you what they are using, show you the label, and explain how long people, children and pets need to stay away.
Membership of the South African Pest Control Association (SAPCA) is voluntary, but it is a good sign.
Warning signs
- No registration certificate, or one in someone else's name.
- Unlabelled containers or products decanted into cooldrink bottles.
- No safety advice about children, pets or food.
- A "guarantee" that promises pests will never return, with nothing in writing.
Before you pay
Get a written quote that says what will be treated, with what, and whether a follow-up visit is included. Check the company is registered with CIPC too: a pest control licence covers the person, not the business.
Common questions
Do pest control operators need to be registered in South Africa?
Yes. Anyone who applies pesticides for a fee must be registered as a pest control operator with the Department of Agriculture under Act 36 of 1947, for the type of work they do.
How do I check a pest control company?
Ask for the registration certificate of the operator who will do the work, check it covers that type of treatment and has not expired, ask which registered products they will use, and check the company itself on the CIPC register.
Is SAPCA membership required?
No. Membership of the South African Pest Control Association is voluntary. Registration with the Department of Agriculture is the legal requirement.