Working In The Pest Control Industry: The Steps A Pest Technician Take
Individuals who wish to train in pest control must have at least a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification to handle basic pest control jobs and other necessary tasks.
Some jobs in the industry require no formal education. For more specialized tasks, a college degree is necessary. A lot of pest control experts began their careers as technicians and the learning experience is divided between on-the-job training and classroom lectures. The education and training depend on the category that you prefer.
The areas could be in termite control. Small animal management, rodent control, turf control, fumigation or general pest control.
Training is also necessary for the safe use of pesticides and their use for the job. Training and lessons can be accomplished within 3 months. Once the training has been completed, they can handle supervised work.
What Is Pest Management?
Pest management is a unique discipline that involves scientific knowledge in a lot of disciplines, marketing knowledge as well as people skills.
Pest control is not just eradication of known insects but also understanding the terrain and safe use of chemicals that could affect the indoor air, the atmosphere, the land and also nearby water bodies.
There are 3 important branches. Each branch will result in a unique kind of license in order to operate:
- The first and most common form of license is offered to the applicator. As a structural pest control expert, their job is mainly in the field of the proper application of any chemicals, be it rodenticides or pesticides as well as other allied chemicals to exterminate, prevent infestation and control the pest and infection as part of the company.
The applicator can only apply the products and do them properly. They cannot handle contracts and other works not covered by their license.
- Another role that requires a license is the field representative. This is a licensed and specialized job that does the structural pest analysis. They identify the various infections and pests in a structure and they are also licensed to provide inspections.
Part of their license benefits is the application of various pesticides. They can also submit bids for a contract and represent the company.
They cannot represent for their own or deal with contracts if not included in a company or as part of the company.
Being part of a company is a requirement for the field representative to function.
- The last branch is the operator. An operator is licensed to do the same job as the field representative and handle tasks with that of an applicator.
However, the difference is that they can create and operate their own business and they can also qualify for a manager position in another company.
Pest control is a very complex business and that is why it is important that licenses are diversified in order to improve the quality of service that is offered by the individual or the company itself for the consumers.
Aside from licenses, aspiring experts need to have the right education and understanding of nature.
