Anyone and everyone cannot take up the job of pest control as this needs know-how of certain techniques and methods. Hence the calling of a pest control technician has come into existence.
A pest control technician has to trace the activities of the pest and determine the species and destroy it by employing the appropriate method. The pest control technician's functions are many. He has to collect samples for scrutiny and advise suitable ways to control it. There are a host of methods that they use like fumigation, shooting, laying bait, setting traps, or using poisons and pesticides. They also recommend measures that are to be used in the future to prevent further infestation. They must instruct as to cleaning the area of application before using chemicals. They also see that the collection and disposal of pests that have been killed has been done according to regulation.
There are stipulated educational requirements to be a pest control technician. Recruiters seek a good standard of general education. GCSEs (A-E)/S grades (1-5) in English, math and science are helpful.
There are diploma courses conducted by high schools which comprise coaching classes as well as practical training. These courses cover control of termites or bugs, legislation and health issues as well as safety measures, rodent and invertebrate control, customer care, and many more. Institutions like the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health (RSH) offer level 2 and level 3 certifications. These can give you a good start in this career.
There are some good training courses that are offered by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) and the National Pest Technician's Association (NPTA). These courses can get you a job as a supervisor in fumigation operations or advanced technician.
Skill Set
As a pest control you need to stay abreast of the latest methods of pest control. Knowledge of driving is mandatory and companies prefer candidates who are at least 25 for insurance reasons and have cleared a background check and drug screening.
A thorough knowledge of various fungicides or insecticides used by pest control technician is must. For legal, health and safety reasons, it is vital to have a working knowledge of relevant laws in order to follow the correct procedures for handling and storing poisonous chemicals and keeping appropriate records.
Beside this your physical fitness is important. You need to be free from health issues like asthma, dermal ailments or poor eyesight. You should be literate enough to be able to see to the purchase of right pesticides, insecticides and estimate the costs. Good communication skill is needed as you have to supervise your team. Over all you should have a sense of responsibility and accountability towards the issues of environmental hazards.
Relevant experience in the trade is always helpful for smooth advancement. Experience in the building trade can be profitable for applying for a job concerned with controlling woodworm pests that infest buildings. There are employment opportunities thriving all over the globe. With experience and improved skills, promotion to supervisor or manager level may be possible.
The job scope of a pest control technician is fairly bright. They can be absorbed by a local authority or a private company. Many of them remain self-employed.
Pest control technicians that work for a local authority generally deal with pests like rats, mice, and insects that affect the whole community. These tasks are sometimes seasonal like the removal of wasps' nests.
Technicians that are employed with private companies generally have a specialization in a specific area and deal with woodworm, industrial, or agricultural work.
A pest control technician can earn around $29,000 on an average. For a starter it is around $15,000.
The pest control industry is expected to see good expansion in the future as pest control is essential for happy human existence. So there will be no dearth of pest control jobs. If the job of a pest control technician interests you, good career opportunities are awaiting you.
