Pest & Infestation Safety Policy

Identification – What to Look For

Pest	What It Looks Like / Key Identifiers	Where You’d Most Likely See Them
Mice / Rats (Rodents)	Small to medium mammals with fur, long tail (often hairless) Dark, pellet-shaped droppings Gnaw marks on wood, wires, packaging Nesting material like shredded paper or fabric	Behind appliances, inside walls, basements, attics, near trash or food.
Roaches	Flat oval body, light tan to dark brown/black Long antennae, some with wings Tiny pepper-like droppings, greasy or musty odor	Kitchens, bathrooms, under sinks, behind appliances, cracks and damp areas.
Bed Bugs	Small reddish-brown flat oval insects (~5–7 mm) Blood spots or rust-colored fecal stains on sheets Shed skins and eggs in mattress seams or furniture joints	Mattress seams, box springs, headboards, furniture joints, behind baseboards.
Lice	Very small (a few mm), live on hair/scalp/clothing Eggs (nits) stick to hair shaft near scalp Causes intense itching	On scalp, clothing seams, hats, bedding of symptomatic individuals.

If any of these signs are observed, follow the protocol below.

Procedures

What to Do When You Encounter an Infestation

Immediately and discreetly remove yourself from the environment.
Do not alarm or shame the client. Maintain professionalism and confidentiality.
Document all observed signs in detail, including where they were seen and the approximate severity.
Do not use judgmental or shaming language in notes.
Contact your supervisor immediately after leaving the environment.
Submit written documentation of the incident on the same day.

Reporting Contacts

Your Supervisor or Ignite Families Management
Local Health Department
Landlord or Housing Authority (if applicable)
Certified Pest Control Professional

Exposure Confirmation Process

To protect supervisors from risk while still validating legitimate exposure claims, the following process will be used to confirm an exposure incident without requiring physical entry into an infested environment:

The employee must submit a detailed written incident report including date, time, location, and observations.
If safe, the employee may take discreet photos from a distance to support the report.
Supervisors may ask other staff who have visited the same location if they observed similar conditions.
Employees should inspect their clothing, shoes, and car interiors at home for signs of pests and provide photos if found.
Supervisors will review all submitted documentation and determine if a Confirmed Exposure occurred.
Supervisors must not enter infested environments.

Vehicle Cleaning Reimbursement for Confirmed Exposure

If a Confirmed Exposure to lice or bed bugs is determined by a supervisor, Ignite Families, LLC will:

Reimburse up to $150 for one professional vehicle cleaning per incident.
Require supervisor pre-authorization before scheduling the cleaning.
Require a paid receipt from a licensed vehicle cleaning or pest treatment provider.
Require submission of the receipt within 3 business days after the service.
Fraudulent or excessive claims will result in disciplinary action. This benefit is only available for confirmed exposures.

Safety and Legal Considerations

Staff must not apply pesticides themselves unless trained and authorized.
Refer to SDS sheets before using any cleaning or disinfecting product.
Maintain confidentiality and be respectful when discussing infestation concerns.

Pest Identification Visual Reference

This visual guide is provided to help staff identify common pests they may encounter during home visits. Use this only as a reference. If pests are suspected, follow the procedures outlined in the full Pest & Infestation Safety Policy.

Mice / Rats (Rodents)

Small to medium mammals with fur, long tails, sharp teeth, pellet-shaped droppings, gnaw marks, and shredded nesting material. Often heard scurrying or scratching at night.

Roaches

Flat oval bodies, tan to dark brown, long antennae, may have wings, pepper-like droppings, greasy/musty smell. Active mostly at night in dark damp areas.

Bed Bugs

Reddish-brown flat oval insects, apple seed size, leave rust-colored stains and shed skins, hide in mattress seams and furniture joints.

Lice

Tiny insects (few mm), live on hair/scalp/clothing seams, cause intense itching, lay white eggs (nits) attached to hair near the scalp.

Purpose: To protect both staff and clients from pest exposure (rodents, roaches, bed bugs, lice, etc.) during home visits. This policy includes visual identification guides, safety steps, procedures to follow when encountering infestations, and reimbursement guidelines for confirmed exposures to ensure both employees and families remain safe.