How to Become a Pest Control Technician

December 2019

Do you want to become a pest control technician? As great as this path of work is, it’s not always an ideal fit. This article shares who should pursue this career, what it takes to become certified, how much a technician makes, and more. Keep reading to learn more – you might have just stumbled across your dream career!

Is a Pest Control Technician Job a Good Fit?

Some people love their time in pest control, while others can’t stand it. To ensure you’d be a good fit and avoid a time-wasting experience, you need to first make sure you’re not scared of insects, rodents, or other pests. You also should be able to work both alone and in a team. Overall, you will likely be a good fit if you want to help protect people and their property against pests.

A good memory is a plus since you’ll be expected to remember the various types of bugs and their qualities. For example, you will likely be expected to identify baby cockroaches or even something more intricate like blue mud dauber wasps. It will be much easier if you can remember this type of knowledge.

What Pest Control Technicians Do

Another way to figure out if the job is right for you is to examine what technicians do on a daily basis. Typically, the job involves driving to clients homes and inspecting their buildings. The technician will determine if treatment is needed, what kind of treatment would be best, and how much it will cost the client. Then, they treat infested areas with pesticides, traps, or extreme heat.

How Much Do Pest Control Technicians Make?

On a yearly basis, a technician can make anywhere from $25,000 to about $46,000 per year. Your wage will depend on the state you live in.

Dangerous of Becoming a Pest Technician

While you might imagine the job will be dangerous because you will be dealing with toxic pesticides, this won’t be the case as long as you are properly trained by your employer.

How to Become a Pest Control Specialist

Education (High School Diploma or GED)

You don’t need to have a 4-year degree or even an associate degree to pursue a pest-related position. However, your pest control technician resume typically requires a high school diploma or GED. The most important schooling for this position involves a training program that we share more about below.

Clean Driving Record and Background

Since technicians often drive around the city to treat clients in employer cars, many companies require a good driving record. Additionally, employers will require a background check to ensure you don’t have any past convictions.

Training Programs

Every pest control technician is required to go through a training program through a community college, technical center, university extension program, or special pest control training center. Before you join one, you need to make sure it’s recognized by your state pesticide regulatory board. This will involve basis classroom training that will prepare you for an entry-level job, then further knowledge will be gained on the job. There are also additional certifications you can receive (plus, some employers provide raises when you receive additional training).

On a side note, some employers will hire you before you’ve completed this training program and pay to put you through it (like Aptive Environmental). This is a great way to get free training and ensure you will be able to put your knowledge to use right once you’re finished.

On-the-Job Training

Once you’ve become certified after the classroom training program, you can look for a job and begin training. Each employer is different, but training typically lasts about 3 months. After this, you can finally go out and independently treat clients for their pest problems.

Now that you know what it takes to become a pest control technician, check out opportunities at Aptive Environmental. Not only do we pay for training and certification, we offer sales commission in addition to regular pay! We have offices all over the United States and are committed to keeping homes protected from pests.

Recommended Reading

Pest Control: The Lifecycle of Pests

Pests are a nuisance to homeowners, and can cause a lot of damage to property, as well as health risks to humans and pets. To effectively control pests, it is important to understand their lifecycle and behavior. In this article, we will explore the lifecycle of...

Feb 17, 2023

Data, Patterns, and Pest Control

As a leading pest control provider, Aptive service professionals encounter all kinds of pest activity across the country. Our ability to monitor this pest activity has provided valuable insights into understanding the prevalence of specific pest types at different...

Aug 1, 2023

Jumping Spider Control: Effective Methods to Eliminate and Prevent

Jumping spiders may seem harmless, but they can quickly get out of hand. With their swift movements and sharp vision, jumping spiders can be a nuisance and even pose risks to you and your surroundings. That's where effective jumping spider control methods come into...

Jul 26, 2023

Brown Recluse Spider: Facts, Bites & Control

Did you know that brown recluse spiders, also known as violin spiders, are among the most common venomous arachnids found in the United States? These elusive creatures are famous for their distinctive violin-shaped markings on their bodies. Brown recluse spiders...

Jul 14, 2023

Ultimate guide to identifying, preventing, and treating earwigs

Did you know that there is an insect with a rather peculiar name that often sparks curiosity and even fear? Meet the earwig, a nocturnal creature belonging to the order Dermaptera. With elongated bodies and distinctive pincers called cerci at their rear end, these...

Jun 19, 2023

Carpet Beetles: Identification, Prevention & Control Tips

Did you know that there are tiny creatures lurking in your home that can cause significant damage to fabrics and other materials? These are carpet beetles, small oval-shaped insects with a varied color pattern. There are several species of carpet beetles, but the...

Jun 12, 2023

Flea Bites: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Have you ever noticed a red bump on your skin that is itchy and painful? If so, you might have been bitten by a flea. Fleas are tiny insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals, and their bites can cause discomfort and irritation. In this article, we will...

May 31, 2023

Get Rid of Silverfish: Your Ultimate Guide!

Silverfish are common household pests that can be found in dark and damp areas of your home, such as basements, attics, and bathrooms. They are named after their silvery, metallic appearance and fish-like movements. These insects have a three-stage life cycle: egg,...

May 25, 2023

The Short Lifespan of Flies

Flies have a relatively short lifespan, typically living for only a few weeks to a few months, depending on the species. Their lifespan is influenced by various factors, including temperature, humidity, and availability of food and water. Flies lay their eggs in...

Feb 15, 2023

What Attracts Ants to Your Home?

Ants are small, seemingly harmless pests, but without proper treatment they can quickly become a massive nuisance. Oftentimes, homeowners don’t know where to start with ants and typically try solutions that only temporarily fix the problem. It can be difficult to...

Nov 22, 2022

How to Pest-Proof Your Garbage Cans

Depending on where you live, you may be familiar with managing pest-ridden garbage cans. What many city-dwellers and suburbians don’t realize though, is how easy it is for their own trash cans to become home to opportunistic pests. Allowing bugs to live in your...

Oct 20, 2022

Take back your home with pest control today.

Pin It on Pinterest