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Pest control technician

Alternative titles for this job include Pest control officer

Pest control technicians identify infestations and get rid of pests like rats, mice, wasps and cockroaches.

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 45 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm at short notice

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a pest control technician

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • training with a professional body

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a Pest Control Technician Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This can take up to 18 months to complete.

When you have successfully completed your apprenticeship you can apply to become a British Pest Control Association (BPCA) registered pest control technician.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You could apply to companies directly to become a pest control technician. Employers usually look for GCSEs in English and maths.

Experience in the building trade, health and safety, or in handling chemicals may be useful. Many companies will offer training on the job if you have the right qualities.

Other Routes

You could do an online foundation course with the British Pest Control Association. This introduces the basics of pest management and can lead to further training to get industry-recognised qualifications.

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) also runs training courses for people looking to start in the industry, for example the Level 2 Award in Pest Management.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in pest control through the British Pest Control Association.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work on your own
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

A driving licence may be required for some roles.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a pest control technician, you will:

  • do site surveys to identify the cause and scale of problems
  • work out the best way to treat infestations
  • set traps, control devices or use chemicals to clear an area
  • remove dead animals and send samples for analysis where required
  • advise customers on how to prevent further problems
  • complete accurate reports of work carried out

Working 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.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could be promoted to supervisor or technical manager.

You could specialise in site survey work, pest control training or start your own business.

You might also move into environmental health or food safety, with further training.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a pest control technician right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Environmental Science

  • Provider: FELPHAM COMMUNITY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 September 2024
  • Location: Bognor Regis

Environmental Science

  • Provider: CLYST VALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 September 2024
  • Location: Exeter
Find courses near you

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