Pest control newbie

[Shaunm41 14]

Hi, I live in West yorkshire and am looking to get into the pest control business.. Either work for someone or be self employed.. I used to keep falcons and harris hawks, I have 6 working ferrets, and I also have my shotgun certificate currently been processed then when required I will be looking to apply for my firearms certificate.

 

I dont claim to know very much about pest control I am wanting to learn all there is to know to enable me to make a successfull career out of it..

 

Any one got any pointers on how I would go about this?

 

Thanks

[ratattack 111]

As you know nothing of the industry then join a big national company and get the training etc for free. It will cost you over a grand for the basic BPCA course which lasts 8 days! Owning a few ferrets and birds ain't pest control mate, thats a hobby They can be integrated to pesty work but that won't put alot of cash in your pocket on their own. I joined a big national 3 years back and have plenty experience behind me on most pests, you wouldn't make any cash to pocket in those 3 years going it alone.

 

It's a lot of graft but a very rewarding job, people are always pleased to see you

 

So go check out the national companies....MITIE, pestokil, cannon,etc and if you are really desperate then rentokil, ecolab/ISS

[Shaunm41 14]

As you know nothing of the industry then join a big national company and get the training etc for free. It will cost you over a grand for the basic BPCA course which lasts 8 days! Owning a few ferrets and birds ain't pest control mate, thats a hobby They can be integrated to pesty work but that won't put alot of cash in your pocket on their own. I joined a big national 3 years back and have plenty experience behind me on most pests, you wouldn't make any cash to pocket in those 3 years going it alone.

 

It's a lot of graft but a very rewarding job, people are always pleased to see you

 

So go check out the national companies....MITIE, pestokil, cannon,etc and if you are really desperate then rentokil, ecolab/ISS

 

Thanks for that mate, I'll check out those companies..

 

I know what I do now is a hobby, but what better way to an enjoyable career than to incorporate a hobby as part of an every day job.. I understand theres a lot of work involved in pest control, and that anything with ferrets and birds would not make up a full time job on their own..

 

Thanks again for your reply

[d6k 11]

i work the yorkshire area and have never had a situation where shooting, ferrets, or birds ect were needed. its crawling about under houses looking for dead rats spraying for fleas and during the summer getting stung by wasps. but i enjoy it...apart from getting stung. i agree with the last post work for a big company first i have been going for 2 years now and still building the business up i hope to make a small profit this year last year i was £4000 down

Edited December 4, 2009 by d6k

[trappa 518]

You need to get on some courses mate. I was the same as you, flying hawks and ferreting to start with and decided to get into pest control to do a job i "liked". I went on a few courses and eventually did the BPCA pt1 about 2003/4 which cost nearly a grand. Not good.

 

Ive got a small pest control business now that makes a decent profit but the hawking and ferreting take a back seat really in nearly all circumstances, its usually rodents and wasps for the majority.

My business is aimed at the agricultural side so i do get to do more of the things i like to do than most, but even then its awful work. Moletrapping sounds like a fun job and it can be when the weather is nice but in winter its soul destroying, that said, i have bucket loads of permission! BUT, i had to sell my birds a while back as i couldnt do them justice which was a real shame , now i fly my friends until i can get myself big enough to take someone on.

Good luck