How To Get Work in Pest Control
Getting work in pest control services does not usually require a degree or education higher than a GED or high school diploma. However, having a degree in some type of environmental science can be helpful in your job search. Even though it is not a requirement, your chances of being hired by a pest control service could greatly increase.
- Get a license to practice pest control. This is a requirement by the government in order to work as a pest control technician. If you don't desire to work in the field, but rather in the office as a manager or sales associate for a pest control company then this license is not necessary. In most states it is required to have at least ten hours of training in order to be licensed.
- Find a job by looking online or in local newspapers. Make sure that the job you find isn't only looking for experienced pest control technicians, as it is required that you undergo at least sixty hours of on-the-job training first as an apprentice before being able to work alone.
- Check with the company you are applying with to see what types of pests they deal with. All pest control companies are different and deal with different pests so you must become certified and familiar to control that particular type of pest.
- Take the test to get your pest control worker's license. Once you are hired by a company and have done your required amount of training, you will be able to take this test. If you pass you are ready to work on your own.
- Be ready for long hours and unhappy customers. Being a pest control technician can be a fun and rewarding job, but because it is customer service you must be ready for complaints no matter how good of a job you do. In many cases technicians work alone and long hours, so it is also important to be prepared for that as well.