Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC

  • Home
  • About Stephen M. Vantassel
    • Research Topics
    • Publications
      • Being Kind to Animal Pests rev. ed.
      • A Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats
      • Vertebrate Pest Handbook 2nd Ed
      • Wildlife Pest Control Handbook
      • Wildlife Removal Handbook
    • Media Kit
    • Sermons by Stephen M. Vantassel
    • Contact
  • Store
    • A Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats
    • Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook 3rd edition
    • Rodent Inspection Tool
    • Vertebrate Pest Handbook 2nd Ed
    • Wildlife Pest Control Handbook
    • Wildlife Removal Handbook
    • Being Kind to Animal Pests rev. ed.
  • Training
    • Challenges to the Macro Identification of Wildlife Scat and Feces
    • Living the Wild Life Podcast Shows
    • Glossary
    • Training Presentations
    • Wildlife Photo Gallery
  • Wanted
    • Images Wanted
    • Trapping and Wildlife Control Books Wanted
  • Theology Blog
  • Wildlife Blog
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Archives for hand washing

April 30, 2019 by Stephen M. Vantassel

A simple way to avoid disease and pesticides

Washing your hands is an essential part of avoiding zoonotics, infections, and residual pesticides.
Washing your hands is an essential part of avoiding zoonotics, infections, and residual pesticides.

With all the talk today about eating healthy, exercise, vitamins, meditation and other behaviors to improve one’s wellbeing, one behavior should NEVER be overlooked by a pest control operator (PCO) or a wildlife control operator (WCO). What is that behavior? Washing your hands. Washing your hands is a simple way to avoid disease and pesticides that you are exposed to as a normal part of your job. Is hand washing perfect? No, it’s not a bubble suit, but it will go a long way to reduce your risk.

Hand washing has several key advantages. First, it is low cost. Soap, water, and a towel, preferably disposable and you are good to go. Second, hand washing is effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), handwashing helps prevent the spread of several diseases. The CDC claims that hand washing reduces the number of people who get sick from diarrhea up to 40%. Another fact, important for service providers is that hand washing reduces infections, such as colds, in the general population up to 21%. Third, hand washing is a simple way to avoid diseases and pesticides. Plus, it’s easy to do.

Unfortunately, many people do not wash their hands correctly. So here are the steps.

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
  2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
  4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
  5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

I would add that WCOs and PCOs should wash their hands BEFORE you use the restroom and AFTER too. Keep in mind that we have dirty jobs and are exposed to a lot of germs and chemicals. Add to that the customers who are sneezing, coughing in our presence (and sometimes our faces) and you should be able to easily see the importance of washing your hands.

What about antibacterial soaps and cleaners? Haven’t been proven to be all that effective. Now they are better than nothing if you don’t have access to soap and water. But soap and water are the best because they work on the principle of friction and soap. Friction and soap remove the germs and the running water washes them away. So wash well.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

Filed Under: Safety, Toxicants, zoonotic Tagged With: a simple way, disease, hand washing, pesticides, prevention, Stephen M. Vantassel

Contact Me

  • Home
  • About Stephen M. Vantassel
    • Research Topics
    • Publications
      • Being Kind to Animal Pests rev. ed.
      • A Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats
      • Vertebrate Pest Handbook 2nd Ed
      • Wildlife Pest Control Handbook
      • Wildlife Removal Handbook
    • Media Kit
    • Sermons by Stephen M. Vantassel
    • Contact
  • Store
    • A Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats
    • Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook 3rd edition
    • Rodent Inspection Tool
    • Vertebrate Pest Handbook 2nd Ed
    • Wildlife Pest Control Handbook
    • Wildlife Removal Handbook
    • Being Kind to Animal Pests rev. ed.
  • Training
    • Challenges to the Macro Identification of Wildlife Scat and Feces
    • Living the Wild Life Podcast Shows
    • Glossary
    • Training Presentations
    • Wildlife Photo Gallery
  • Wanted
    • Images Wanted
    • Trapping and Wildlife Control Books Wanted
  • Theology Blog
  • Wildlife Blog
  • Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

  • Truth about Wildlife Control Certifications October 9, 2021
  • Charitable Giving and the WCO October 2, 2021
  • Jordi Segers Canada White-Nose Syndrome September 25, 2021
  • Pest Geek Podcast June 27, 2021
  • Pest Geek Podcast Shows June 12, 2021
  • Xcluder Garage Door Sweeps May 29, 2021
  • Controlling Chipmunks May 15, 2021
  • M-44 Use in Montana May 7, 2021
  • Voles and Pesticide Labels April 29, 2021
  • Retirement planning April 25, 2021

Search

Tags

animal rights AVMA bait baiting bats birds book review Box traps business cage trapping Cage traps canada geese Canis latrans cats coyote deer disease euthanasia Featured feral cats frightening devices house mice inspection mice Mus musculus NWCOA Pest Geek Podcast rabies research rodent control rodents safety Stephen M. Vantassel toxicants training trapping traps wco wcos wildlife wildlife control wildlife control operator Wildlife control operators wildlife damage management zoonotics
  • About Stephen M. Vantassel
  • Animal Rights
  • Blog
  • cancel
  • Home
  • Myths
  • Privacy Policy
  • Research Topics
  • Store
  • success
  • Terms and Conditions of Sale
  • Training Presentations
  • Wanted
  • Wildlife Economics
  • Wildlife Info
  • Wildlife Photo Gallery

Copyright © 2022 · Executive Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in