Pest control technician

You would identify, control and get rid of pests so they don’t live in people’s homes or workplaces.

You would deal with infestations of rodents or insects like:

• Rats or mice

• Wasps

• Ants

• Cockroaches

Using a range of chemicals and equipment, you’d remove infestations in homes, restaurants, sewers and other places.

You would:

• Find out what the pests are and how they are getting in

• Choose the best way of controlling the pests

• Work out the right doses of chemicals to use

• Spray chemicals to get rid of insects

• Lay poison and traps or use weapons such as air-guns to control birds and animals

• Collect dead animals and other samples for scientific analysis

• Proof an area to stop pests returning

• Give advice on stopping pests from coming back

• Complete reports and keep records

• Follow the correct processes for dealing with pesticides and dead or captured animals

You’d need good eyesight and a strong awareness of health and safety issues.

With experience you might specialise in dealing with one type of pest.

• National Pest Technicians Association - Membership organisation for people working in pest control

• Royal Society for Public Health - Multi-disciplinary charity offering training and support for pest control and management

• Porperty Care Association - Promotes professionalism and sets standards for this work

• British Pest Control Association - Trade association representing organisations working in pest control