Pest control technician
Identify, control and get rid of pests like rodents or insects so they don't live in people's homes or workplaces.
Also known as: vermin controller, pest controller
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£423
Entry level
£577
Experienced
Monthly
£1,833
Entry level
£2,500
Experienced
Yearly
£22,000
Entry level
£30,000
Experienced
Information not available
people are currently employed
Low growth
No change in number of jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would identify, control and get rid of pests so they don’t live in people’s homes or workplaces.
You would deal with infestations of rodents or insects like:
Rats or mice
Wasps
Ants
Cockroaches
Using a range of chemicals and equipment, you’d remove infestations in homes, restaurants, sewers and other places.
You would:
Find out what the pests are and how they are getting in
Choose the best way of controlling the pests
Work out the right doses of chemicals to use
Spray chemicals to get rid of insects
Lay poison and traps or use weapons such as air-guns to control birds and animals
Collect dead animals and other samples for scientific analysis
Proof an area to stop pests returning
Give advice on stopping pests from coming back
Complete reports and keep records
Follow the correct processes for dealing with pesticides and dead or captured animals
You’d need good eyesight and a strong awareness of health and safety issues.
With experience you might specialise in dealing with one type of pest.
Hours
Environment
Travel
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Related industries
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- evaluating
- problem solving
- resourceful
- attention to detail
- developing a plan
- taking initiative
- time management
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Chemistry
Science
Skills for Work: Laboratory Science
Though there are no formal qualification required to enter this job though qualifications at SCQF level 4/5 may be of value.
Qualifications and experience that show an understanding of biology, environmental health / health & safety and customer service skills.
Most employers look for industry-related qualifications from the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) or the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), which are usually gained once in work.
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