Pest control technicians get rid of infestations of pests and vermin. They use a range of chemicals and equipment to deal with insect pests and animals like rats and mice, foxes, moles and birds (known as vertebrate pests).

As a pest control technician, you could treat infestations in all kinds of places such as people’s homes, restaurants, sewers, warehouses and farms. Your duties could include:

• investigating and identifying pests
• collecting dead animals and other samples for scientific analysis
• finding out how the pests are getting into the premises
• choosing the most suitable way of controlling the pest
• fumigation - spraying chemicals to get rid of insects
• laying poison and traps or using weapons such as air-guns to control birds and animals
• proofing an area to stop the pests returning, and advising people how to prevent further infestation
• completing reports and keeping records
• following the correct procedures for handling and storing pesticides and disposing of dead or captured animals.

Many pest control technicians specialise in one type of work.

Hours and Environment

As a pest control technician you will usually work Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. You may sometimes need to work overtime in the evenings or at weekends. The work can vary according to the time of year, as there are usually more pests to deal with in the summer.

You will usually work alone and drive to jobs in a van with treatment equipment. 

Depending on the type of pest you are dealing with, the work could be indoors or outside. You may need to work in awkward or confined spaces, or at heights. Working conditions can be unpleasant, but you will wear protective clothing such as overalls, gloves and face masks.

Skills and Interests

To be a pest control technician you should:

• communicate well with all kinds of customer
• have good practical skills
• be able to cope with unpleasant sights and smells
• be physically fit and have good eyesight
• not suffer from asthma or allergies
• be confident with maths, for measuring and calculating doses of pesticides
• conscious of health and safety and the environment.

Entry

You do not need any set qualifications to become a pest control technician. However, employers may prefer you to have some GCSEs/S grades including English and maths.

You will usually need a driving licence. Some companies may prefer you to be over 25, for insurance purposes.

Previous experience in the building trade or in handling toxic chemicals may be useful, but you can often get into pest control without experience because training is usually provided on the job.

Training

You will usually be trained on the job by experienced staff. Some larger pest control companies run their own structured in-house training programmes.

Your training may include courses and qualifications from the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) or the National Pest Technicians' Association (NPTA).

The main entry-level qualification you can work towards is the Level 2 Certificate in Pest Control, which is jointly awarded by the BPCA and the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health (RSPH). See the BPCA and RSPH websites for more information.

After you have passed the Level 2 Certificate, you can go on to take more advanced BPCA qualifications such as:

• British Pest Control Diploma Part 2
• Certified Surveyor in Pest Control
• BPCA Certificate of Proficiency for Fumigation Operators.

See the BPCA's website for more details.

The National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) offers an entry-level Practical Certificate in Pest Control and an Advanced Certificate in Pest Management.

As a qualified and experienced pest control technician, you can join the Professional Pest Technician Registration Scheme (PPTRS) to prove your level of training and competence. To register, you will usually need BPCA or NPTA qualifications, in-house training from one of the large recognised pest control companies, or the former NVQs/SVQs in Pest Control. See the NPTA’s website for more information on the registration scheme.

You can find information about training for treating woodworm from the British Wood Preserving and Damp-Proofing Association.

Opportunities

As a pest control technician, you could work for a local council or a private company. Jobs are available all over the UK.

Jobs may be advertised in the local press, in Jobcentre Plus and on the BPCA website. Local authority vacancies may also be advertised on council websites and jobs bulletins. 

With experience you could be promoted to supervisor or manager. Alternatively, you could become self-employed.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Unqualified trainees can earn £10,000 to £14,000 a year.
Registered professional pest technicians earn between £14,000 and £22,000.
Supervisors, managers or surveyors may earn between £20,000 and £30,000.

There may also be extra shift allowances and overtime payments.

Further information

38A St George’s Drive
London
SW1V 4BH
Tel: 020 7630 0121 2 The Courtyard
48 New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4EP
Helpline: 08000 567160 NPTA House
Hall Lane
Kinoulton
Nottingham
NG12 3EF
Tel: 01949 81133 Ground Floor
Gleneagles House
Vernongate
Derby
DE1 1UP
Tel: 0870 609 2687