How To Get A Job As A Pest Control Worker
Pest control workers usually work a forty hour week although overtime is not unusual. Some weekend and shift work may be involved. Workers must be prepared to work, both inside and out, in all types of weather. The work requires a lot bending, kneeling, lifting, stretching, carrying, and climbing, so workers must be in good physical condition. They must also be conscientious, attentive to detail, be able to work as part of a team, and have good people skills.
Pest control workers may be exposed to potentially toxic substances, so safety necessitates that they may need to wear protective clothing, including face masks. gloves and breathing apparatus. Pest control worker must travel to their work destination which may be a residence, an apartment, a public building, a business or an outdoor area. These workers are charged with removing pests while protecting the health and safety of the public and maintaining the integrity of the structure inhabited by the pest. Pests may include anything from termites, to carpenter ants, to bees, wasps, bedbugs, mice, rats etc.
Pest control workers must understand the pests they are dealing with, their places of habitat, their feeding, their life cycle, and the type of traps or chemicals that are most ideally suited to control or to remove or destroy them. Pest control workers may use pesticides generally available to the public as well as restricted pesticides that are not available to the general population. The use of such restricted pesticides are regulated by both state and federal laws.
The duties of Pest Control Workers depends on their designated category. Pest control Workers are divided into three categories. Pest Control Technicians work directly with the client and carry out an initial inspection, which identifies the problem and decides on a plan of action. They are qualified to use only a limited number of pesticides, unlike the Applicators. Applicators may specialize in one or more type of pest. Some may specialize in termites. These Termite control Technicians use a large variety of pesticides and techniques to eliminate the pests and prevent their return. They may modify a structure to do so and some may even repair pest damage. Fumigators are Applicators who use toxic fumigants to eliminate pests within a confined area. They use a variety of specialized equipment and the buildings they work in must be sealed until the toxic affects of the fumigant have dissipated. The final catagory of Pest Control Workers are the Pest Control Supervisors who direct the work of both the Pest Control Technicians and the Applicators. They are responsible for the day to day operation of the business and must make sure that equipment and materials are used safely and that all legal requirements are met. Pest Control Supervisors are usually Applicators as well. Many Pest Control Supervisors own their own business.
EDUCATION
A few Pest Control Workers have little formal training other that what is supplied on the job. However, Pest Control Workers in most states now require at least a high school diploma plus an additional minimum of three months training in the safe use and application of pesticides. More and more jobs require a college degree. Courses in mathematics and the sciences, especially chemistry are useful.
Many Pest Control Workers receive a combination of both academic training and on-the-job training. Because of advancements in techniques and materials as well as the growing impact toxic substances have on the environment, educational training for Pest Control Workers must be ongoing.
Although specific requirements vary from state to state, all states require that Pest Control Workers be licensed. Obtaining a licensing requires a certain level of education as well as the passing of a written exam.
At the present time, this is an excellent career choice as job opportunities for Pest Control Workers are continuing to increase.
