Pest Control Deemed as Essential Service
The federal government currently does not have a nationwide shelter in place mandate. However, should the President order a nationwide restriction, pest control and extermination services have been deemed essential by the United States Department of Homeland Security in their Memorandum released earlier this week. This means that our industry will likely be deemed essential in any federal order.
Language states: Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
Our Commitment to Your Health and Safety
Wildlife Management Services is committed to safeguarding the health of our clients and team. As we monitor the spread of COVID-19 across the United States through updates issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and state authorities, we want to keep you informed about what we are doing to prevent the spread in our local community.
As of March 25, 2020 Governor Walz issued the "Stay at Home Order for Minnesotans". What this means for our clients and our business: that there will be more stringent procedures in place for all of our staff during the stay at home order. For our current procedures in place, please see section: "Implemented Changes at WMS".
Pest control and extermination services have been deemed essential by the United States Department of Homeland Security in their Memorandum. This means that our industry will likely be deemed essential in any federal order. Please use this link to view the entire memorandum. Exterminators are listed under "Public Works".
Language states: Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
Wildlife Management Services will continue to serve our clients
Pest Management Professionals play an essential role in protecting public health. Pests and critters alike can spread diseases such as hantavirus, salmonelosis, histoplasmosis, etc. We will continue providing control of nuisance wildlife which has the ability to affect the health and safety of the public through direct contact as well as possible zoonotic disease transmission.
At Wildlife Management Services, our number one priority is doing everything we can to keep our employees and the community we serve safe. Due to the current concerns, we are implementing some simple policies.
Implemented Changes at WMS
On many jobs, we can perform our inspection and complete our work entirely from the outside of the home. Although we can do this without meeting the client in person, we think it is very helpful to be able to review the proposal while still on site so we can answer questions, take photos, or make changes as needed. Our recommendation is to be available for a phone call during our arrival window. Our technician will complete the assessment, then email the proposal and call to review.
If entering the home is required to complete the inspection, our technician will not shake hands, and will keep social distancing in mind. Please do not be alarmed if our technician uses a protective mask, or other personal protective equipment if they enter your home. This is for our mutual benefit and protection.
We ask that clients notify the office and/or technician if anyone in the home is, or has been sick, even mildly. If they have, our technician will not enter the home and we will reschedule. This is for the protection of our employees as well as the clients we will be servicing after this stop.
All of our employees have been instructed to stay home if they feel any symptoms, no matter how mild and/or if there is any chance they have been exposed to someone with symptoms. In addition, we will take all precautions currently recommended by the Department of Health and CDC (washing hands, etc.)
Clients can no longer sign proposals on technicians' phones or tablets, we will not accept credit cards in the field, nor will we accept hand written checks while on site. Credit cards can be called in to our office and checks can be sent through the postal service.
In addition, many clients are accustomed to receiving notes on their doors with updates/information about their property. These notes will be discontinued until further notice. Please contact your technician directly via phone call or text message for specific information about your property. Our office staff will be more than happy to provide you with your technician's phone number for communication purposes.
Thank you for your support
Wildlife Management Services remains open to serve our community. We are eternally grateful to our clients who have been supportive of our current procedures. Mutual safety is our goal, and we will never take the trust you place in our staff for granted.
We appreciate your continued support of local business. Please do not hesitate to call us at (763) 424-9111 or email us at christina@wmsmn.com with any questions or concerns.
Click here for more information regarding Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce