Pest control technicians use a range of tools, methods, and techniques to eradicate pests from homes, restaurants, offices, and other commercial buildings. Their work focuses on identifying and removing ants, cockroaches, fleas, termites, and other unwanted creatures from people’s living and working spaces.
The Pros of Being a Pest Technician
A pest control career is one that can be both rewarding and exciting. You will be able to use your problem-solving skills and enjoy working with different people in a variety of environments. You will also be able to earn a good income and take pride in the fact that you help keep people safe from unwanted invaders.
How to Become a Pest Technician
To begin your career as a pest technician, you will need to obtain a license read more about Diamond to apply pesticides. The requirements vary by state, but typically include passing a licensing exam and taking a pesticide safety course. You may also need to complete a course on general pesticide usage and receive on-the-job training from an experienced technician.
You will also need to have a valid driver’s license, which is important for driving company trucks and spraying equipment. The physical requirements of this career are extensive, as you will frequently be required to shimmy into crawl spaces and climb multiple flights of stairs.
What to Look for in a Pest Control Tech
The best pest technicians have strong communication skills and a genuine interest in learning the pest control business. These traits are essential to communicating with customers and working as a team. The ability to solve problems, manage time, and pay attention to details are also desirable.
Your Job Responsibilities
As a pest control technician, your duties include inspecting clients’ homes and businesses to determine the nature of their pest problems and developing a plan to eliminate them. Depending on the nature of the infestation, you will use various types of treatments and chemicals to eradicate pests. You will also remove items that attract pests to the area and create barriers that separate them from the rest of the building.
Typical pests found in residential and commercial buildings are roaches, rats, termites, ants, bedbugs, and ticks. You will use a variety of methods to eliminate the pests, including baiting, trapping, and using chemical treatments.
What to Avoid as a Pest Control Tech
There are some drawbacks to being a pest control technician, such as the danger of being exposed to toxic chemicals or being bitten by insects. You will also need to wear protective gear when dealing with pests, including gloves and goggles.
Your Long-Term Employment Outlook
The BLS projects a 9% increase in pest control technicians over the next 10 years, with more than 40,000 new jobs created across the country. This job growth is likely to be a result of increasing demand for pest-control services, as well as the fact that more and more people are choosing to move into homes or businesses that are less prone to infestations.