Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) is a professional certification granted by the Entomological Society of America (ESA) to individuals who demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and expertise in the field of applied entomology. According to the National Pest Management Association, the ACE program has rapidly become the industry-standard for pest management professionals.
To be eligible to become an ACE, I had to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be licensed by at least one state to apply pesticides in the U.S. (I’m up to 2 now!)
- Have 5 years of pest management experience
- Provide two letters of professional reference to verify professionalism, entomological knowledge, and ethical standards
- Pass a rigorous exam
- Be willing to adhere to the ACE Code of Ethics
- Maintain a minimum continuing education requirement upon passing for recertification
If you’re looking for pest control services, consider choosing our ACE-led company, contact us to learn more today.
Why is This Important to Consider When Choosing a Pest Control Company?
When looking for someone to take care of your pest problems, it can be tough to choose the right professional. You want someone with expertise in entomology and pest management who can provide customized solutions that are effective and safe. That’s where an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) comes in. Despite not having a formal degree in entomology, an ACE has gone through a rigorous certification process that demonstrates their knowledge and expertise in the field.
The ACE program is recognized and respected as one of the best in the world within the pest management industry, so you can trust that you are working with a professional who is committed to staying up to date on the latest developments and research in the field of pest management.
With an ACE-led company such as Berner, you can trust that our team will always be equipped with the knowledge and expertise to identify, prevent, and treat your pest problems in the most effective, safe, and environmentally friendly way possible. This commitment to staying current in the field means that we are always at the forefront of the latest research and technological advancements, allowing us to provide you with the best possible service and the most effective solutions for your pest control needs.
Ready to schedule pest control services? Contact us to speak with an ACE who can provide customized residential and commercial solutions for you today.
What Are You Getting with an ACE?
As I’ve heard prominent rodentologist Dr. Bobby Corrigan say (and I’m paraphrasing here), our work doesn’t require pest control technicians to be equipment droppers, but instead calls them to be observational biologists. An ACE embodies this and will often have a deep understanding of the biology and behavior of common pests, such as ants, termites, and rodents, which allows them to develop effective treatment plans tailored to each client’s specific needs.
ACEs are also well-versed in the latest pest management techniques and technologies, such as integrated pest management (IPM) and green pest control methods, which prioritize the use of non-chemical solutions whenever possible.
In addition to technical expertise, an ACE should be able to effectively educate clients about the nature of their pest problems and the steps that can be taken to prevent future infestations. After all, pest management is often a partnership between the client and professional. What you do when we’re not at your property is often almost as important as what we do while we’re there.
Curious about the biology and behavior of common pests in Lexington, Nicholasville, Versailles, Georgetown, or Winchester? Ask our ACE for more information and how it can determine our treatment plans.
Don’t All Pest Control Technicians Have to be Certified?
Most (if not all) states do require some sort of training requirement for applicators in the pest control industry. For example, in my former state of Florida, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services required new employees to complete 40 verified hours of on-the-job training before they were able to perform services on their own. While in the Commonwealth, Kentucky Department of Agriculture requires our new employees to pass a Commercial Applicator test that demonstrates they have a basic understanding of pesticide safety.
Due to high demand for pest management services from a public health perspective, it’s understandable why government regulators ensure the pest control industry has a relatively low barrier to entry. However, this often puts companies with oversized marketing budgets and understaffed teams in a position to rush training to get technicians out in the field as quickly as possible at the expense of the development of their knowledge and understanding to be able to solve pest issues. In my years of experience in this industry, it has always been the training of field personnel that separates the great pest management companies.
Want to ensure you receive quality service from your pest management company? Reach out to Berner today and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
What Training Does Berner Provide Its Team?
As our customers already know, we’re a relatively new company so we do not have any employees yet, leaving our customers with the benefit of having a very experienced pest control technician performing their services for now until we have a full route.
Regardless of that fact, it is important to have systems in place as our customer base grows. One of those systems includes our training plan for new employees. Berner plans to provide a one-month training program to include on-the-job (field ride along training) as well as some formal classroom-type training. Some of the important factors that will go into this training will focus on company protocols, from how to perform the services we offer, to identifying the many different types of pests we face in Central Kentucky.
One of the many benefits of working with a small business for your pest control needs is having local ownership that is involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. My commitment to our customers will always be to provide exceptional training that exceeds state required minimums and endeavor to encourage and provide opportunities for the professional development and advancement of our future team members as per the ACE Code of Ethics.
If you have any questions, comments or are interested in learning more about what differentiates Berner from other options in Lexington and Surrounding areas, contact us today for more information. In pest management and interested in becoming an ACE? Learn how to become an ACE at the ESA’s website here.
