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- Work to control pests and invasive species that are affecting the environment
- You'll need to be able to cope with handling pest species, including dead animals
- You could work for a company or set up your own business
As a pest control technician, you'll use chemicals and equipment to deal with insects and animals like rats, mice, foxes, moles and birds. You could work anywhere from people's homes to restaurants, sewers, warehouses or farms.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Investigating and identifying pests
- Collecting dead animals and samples for analysis
- Finding out how pests are getting in
- Choosing a method of control
- Spraying chemicals to get rid of insects
- Laying poison and traps or using air guns to control birds and animals
- Repairing an area to stop pests returningA
- Advising people how to prevent further problems
- Completing reports and keeping records
- Handling and storing chemicals
- Getting rid of dead or captured animals
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work at a client's business or at a client's home. Your working environment may be at height, dirty, and cramped, and you may be required to wear protective clothing.
You'll need
For this role, you'll need customer service skills, thoroughness and attention to detail, the ability to work on your own as well as with others, the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure, patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations, excellent verbal communication skills, and the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning.
You could start by doing a pest control technician intermediate apprenticeship.
Direct application is possible if you have GCSEs in English and maths, and experience in the building trade or in handling chemicals, although this is not essential as many companies will offer training on the job.
You could start by doing an online foundation course through a professional body like the British Pest Control Association. You could then move on to further training to get industry-recognised qualifications.
You'll need to pass enhanced background checks.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience you could be promoted to supervisor or manager. You could also start your own business or specialise in one type of pest.