Thrasher Pest receives first QualityPro Public Health certification in California

San Diego, Calif.-based Thrasher Termite & Pest Control has become the first company in California to earn QualityPro Public Health certification.

QualityPro is the national credentialing authority for professional pest management. Because mice and rats pose a serious public health risk, QualityPro worked closely with an 11-person task force to develop the QualityPro Public Health service certification standards and established a formal process for earning and keeping the credentials.

The task force included representatives from the  National Pest Management Association, the National Environmental Health Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Entomological Society of America, in addition to participants from vector control, universities and pest management companies. Development of the Public Health credential program was supported by grants from National Center for Healthy Housing and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Garrett Thrasher, co-owner and general manager of Thrasher Termite & Pest Control, said in a news release, “The QualityPro Public Health certification ensures that pest management companies follow science-based standards when controlling pests of public health significance such as mice and rats. The training needed to become certified was both grueling and welcome. It proves that my team has the competence to solve even the most challenging rodent infestations in San Diego.”

“When it comes to managing pests that threaten health and wellbeing, the pest control industry has a tremendous opportunity to do good,” QualityPro Executive Director Allison Allen, BCE, said in a news release. “QualityPro plays a role in the fight against public health pests by providing industry-wide standards and a national exam so that pest management professionals can be sure they are offering the best possible service when a customer calls and health is on the line. We encourage all companies that do rodent work to check out QualityPro Public Health and inquire about steps for certification. The QualityPro nationally recognized certification gives communities an easy way to identify and select professional pest management companies as partners in the creation of healthy homes.”