What should all technicians have in their work vehicles?

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We asked Pest Management Professional’s columnists and editorial advisory board members to name essentials to keep in work vehicles. Here are some of the experts’ responses from our October 2022 print edition.

Please take a minute to answer our latest one-question poll on this topic and let us know how you promote disinfecting and sanitizing services: Reader poll: What should all technicians have in their work vehicles?

PMP’s Editorial Advisory Board and Regular Contributors

Judy Black

Judy Black, BCE: “Lunch. Buying food while you’re out on your route can end up being expensive and is usually less healthy as well. So, pack a lunch and save some money.”

Greg Baumann: “A copy of the NPMA Field Guide from the National Pest Management Association.”

Jerry Schappert, ACE: “Our trucks all have rain gear, essential wrenches for repairs in the field, spare flashlights, batteries and a drill with assorted tips for access to sealed crawlspaces, attics or other voids such as appliances.”

Pete Schopen: “Baby wipes, AA batteries and my latest article in PMP magazine.”

Mark Sheperdigian: “Small kitchen trash bags. You can use them to contain old bait, dead things, infested items and so much more.”

Michael Broder, BHB Pest Elimination

Michael Broder: “A drill and coveralls to use when you go into a crawlspace.”

Foster Brusca: “A complete spill control kit and a written procedure for cleaning up any interior and exterior spills that may occur. There are several items that the spill control kit must have. The kit should include pesticide absorbent material to absorb the spray equipment on your vehicle and all the pesticides/herbicides you carry. For example, if you have a 50-gallon truck-mounted sprayer, a four-gallon backpack, a one-gallon hand tank, and two gallons of pesticides, you need to have enough absorbent material to clean up everything.”

Doug Foster: “We use a ‘pre-flight checklist’ for essential items, including a flashlight, a first-aid kit and a great attitude.”

Dr. Faith Oi

Dr. Faith Oi: “A flat shovel and a spill kit — and know how to use them both.”

Kurt Scherzinger, ACE: “Repair kits to fix their various equipment when out in the field, to reduce downtime spent driving back to the office to fix it.”

Desiree Straubinger, BCE: “So many things! A durable, powerful flashlight and a backup flashlight when your favorite isn’t working — or someone ‘borrows’ it; a spare uniform, just in case you get extra dirty or have a spill; and a first aid kit. Many times, my first aid kit has been used to help someone else. Also, being in Florida, I always have water in a small cooler to drink when I’m in the field. I pack a soft-sided cooler even when I travel. Hydration is very important.”