Pest Control Technician
What is the work like?
Pest control technicians to get rid of infestations of pests and vermin. They use a range of chemicals and equipment to deal with insect pests and animals like rats and mice, foxes, moles and birds (known as vertebrate pests).
As a pest control technician you could treat infestations anywhere from people’s homes to restaurants, sewers, warehouses or farms. Your job would include:
- investigating and identifying pests
- collecting dead animals and other samples for scientific analysis
- finding out how the pests are getting in
- choosing the most suitable way of controlling the pest
- spraying chemicals to get rid of insects (known as 'fumigation')
- laying poison and traps or using weapons such as air-guns to control birds and animals
- proofing an area to stop pests returning
- advising people how to prevent further infestation
- completing reports and keeping records
- following the correct procedures for handling and storing pesticides and disposing of dead or captured animals.
With experience you might specialise in dealing with one type of pest.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any formal qualifications to become a pest control technician. However, employers may ask for a good general education, and you may have an advantage with some GCSEs including English and maths.You will usually need a driving licence. Some companies may prefer you to be over 25, for insurance purposes.
The job involves working with toxic chemicals, so you should not suffer from asthma or allergies.
Previous experience in the building trade or in handling chemicals may be useful, but you can often get into pest control without experience because training is normally provided on the job.
What further training and development can I do?
You will be trained on the job by experienced staff. Some larger pest control companies run their own structured in-house training programmes.
Your training may include courses and qualifications from the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) or the National Pest Technicians' Association (NPTA).
The main entry-level qualification you can work towards is the Level 2 Certificate in Pest Control, which is jointly awarded by the BPCA and the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health (RSPH). See the BPCA and RSPH websites for more information.
After you have passed the Level 2 Certificate, you can go on to take more advanced BPCA qualifications such as:- British Pest Control Diploma Part 2
- Certified Surveyor in Pest Control
- BPCA Certificate of Proficiency for Fumigation Operators.
See the BPCA's website for more details.
The NPTA offers a range of short courses in particular aspects of pest control.
As a qualified and experienced pest control technician, you can join the Professional Pest Technician Registration Scheme (PPTRS) to prove your level of training and competence. To register, you will need either a recognised qualification in pest control, in-house training from one of the large pest control companies, or the former NVQs in Pest Control. See the NPTA website for more information on the PPTRS.
Where can I go for more information?
38A St George’s DriveLondon
SW1V 4BH
Tel: 020 7630 0121
Gleneagles House
Vernongate
Derby
DE1 1UP
Tel: 0870 609 2687
Hall Lane
Kinoulton
Nottingham
NG12 3EF
Tel: 01949 81133
48 New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4EP
Helpline: 08000 567160
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries can be between £12,000 and £15,000 a year.
- With qualifications and experience, earnings can be between £15,000 and £22,000.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work alone and drive to jobs in a van with treatment equipment.
You could work indoors or outside, depending on the type of pest you were dealing with. You may need to crawl into confined spaces or climb ladders. The work can be unpleasant, but you would wear protective clothing such as overalls, gloves and face masks.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good communication and customer service skills
- practical skills
- the ability to cope with unpleasant sights and smells
- physical fitness and good eyesight
- confidence with basic maths, for measuring and calculating doses of pesticides
- awareness of health and safety and the environment.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for local authority environmental health departments, or a private pest control company. Jobs may be advertised in the local press, in Jobcentre Plus and industry websites and publications.
With experience you could be promoted to supervisor or manager. Alternatively, you could become self-employed.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open new window):
BPCA Job Adverts
LG Jobs
Pest Control Portal
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