How To Start A Fumigation Business In Nigeria

The Business Overview

The existence of pests and rodents almost everywhere in Nigeria has given fumigation business a leverage over time. Pests have great economic importance as they not only destroy valuables but also spread dreaded diseases.

Fumigation, therefore, is one of the best ways to put pests and diseases off. You will make good money if you go into this business, given its ever-increasing need.

Fumigation business requires a minimal startup capital, especially when planned on small-scale.  You can expand the business with time as more money gets to your disposal. However, you need to work hard, be passionate and dedicated to making it work.

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Business Profitability & Target Market

Fumigation operators are needed everywhere. They are needed by industries where packaged foodstuff is made such as dairy factories and confectionaries. Also, factories which deal with perishable goods and raw materials need fumigation operators.

They also find employment in schools and hotels. They are needed by homes and offices as well as modern shopping malls. Yes, farms employ fumigation operators too.

In Nigeria, it is estimated that the average Fumigation operator makes between N600,000 and N900,000. This, however, depends on his location and coverage. To start a fumigation business, you need at least N50,000 to buy tools and equipment.

Of course, you cannot run this business successfully without formal or informal training. So, you need to get trained first before establishing a fumigation business in Nigeria.

Fumigation Business Registration & Licensing

You need to get licensed first before you can start this business. You will get the first license from the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria, CAC. This will register your business as a corporate entity recognized by the government.

For other forms of licensing, visit the Ministry of Environment of your state of residence and get more information on this. Pay the required operational dues and fees as well as insurance fees. All this can incur about N100, 000. Liability insurance is, however, optional in some states of the federation.

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Acquiring The Basic Knowledge & Training

You need to be trained before you can run this business. this will educate you on the various fumigation chemicals, their mixture and handling.

The training will expose you to the acidic and basic level of these chemicals as well as their various functions. You will equally be trained on how to respond to emergencies.

The training will also give you information with which you could advise your clients and customers on pests’ management. Fumigation equipment management and maintenance is part of the training you will receive.

There are various categories of fumigation business. preventive fumigation business, for example, has to do with blocking all the likely entry points in a facility, structure or building

Here, you cut off all the pests feeding channels. It is an effort to make the environment unfavourable for pests to breed. You can also carry out fumigation through baiting, spraying of insecticides and pesticides, and setting of traps.

Conducting A Detailed Feasibility Studies

A feasibility study of this business comes before your business plan. It will help to know how profitable and feasible the business is. From here, you will learn the pricing and marketing strategies and level of competition in the market.

Developing A Working Business Plan

Your business plan is a documentation of your feasibility study outcomes and projections for success. It is arguably the determinant of your business lifespan and survival.

This is where you will document the estimates of the cost of each equipment and material. You will also document materials needed according to the level of importance.

Also, you will document in your business plan how much profits you want to make per time and how to achieve this. You will also document strategies on how to get customers.

Where you cannot develop the business plan on your own, consider hiring an expert to help develop one. This should be done under your supervision. You will feed him with your business’ visions and mission and how to achieve set goals.

Alternatively, there are several free software which you can easily download to develop a business plan in Nigeria. Kindly download them and use and where there is a need for paid ones, go for them.

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Getting Fumigation Tools and Equipment

What are the tools needed to start fumigation business in Nigeria? See them below:

1. Bait guns

2. Coveralls

3. Foamers

4. Fogging equipment etc.

5. Fumigation truck

6. Masks and other safety uniforms

7. Power Sprayers

8. Vacuums pumps

9. Various pesticides and chemicals

10. Etc.

Cost & Price Estimates

The Prices of these materials and equipment vary depending on your location. You can either buy new ones or go for fairly-used equipment.

Sprayers, for example, cost around N30,000; Foamers can be bought for N15,000 while Safety Uniforms are priced around N6,000.

It is estimated, however, that about N200, 000 is enough to purchase these tools and equipment in a typical Nigerian market.

You can also get some of these fumigation tools and equipment from the Ministry of Environment. If you cannot get it there, then, go to the Ministry of Lands and Housing or Ministry of Health. These ministries should have these tools and equipment for sale at highly subsidized rates.

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Advertising & Marketing Strategy

It is pertinent to note that Fumigation businesses need an aggressive marketing or promotions to attract customers. You needs to promote the business directly to consumers, including individuals, the government and the organized private sector.

There are many options for advertising Fumigation business in Nigeria. Some of the adoptable options include advertising in the TV, radio, flyers, local papers and also with business cards.

Sustainability & Marketing Tips

You need to advertise to get the best from your investment. There are many media from which you can get your prospective customers.

This includes but not limited to word of mouth, distribution of posters, flyers and handbills. You can also send bulk SMS to a targeted audience which may need your services. Also, consider running social media adverts.

You can also get customers by hanging banners and large cards on electric poles and road junction. Plan to advertise in the newspaper and environmental magazines.

Summary

A fumigation business is mostly run as a sole proprietorship business. You may consider employing staffs to help with some of the work when the business gets bigger.

You may not get an office space at the initial stage. But as the business grows, consider getting one. As far as pests continue to exist in Nigeria, fumigation business will never diminish. Always offer high-quality services to beat the competition and remain relevant in the business.

See other environmental business tips here

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