Pest controllers

[*ferrifleboy 19]

This may get removed but I'm going to try anyway!! I'm finding it very hard to get into this occupation as vacancies are always too far to travel. I don't really want to spend £1500 on the rsph course and have no experience to start out myself. I'd lke to ask if theres any pest controllers in the north west of England looking to employ or give experience to myself 22 yr old male very genuine and struggling to get into this occupation. I live in Wigan and willing to travel a 30mile radius. Many many thanks if you can help.

[Matt 160]

Most pest controllers work from home, but do have to travel as part of the job (100 miles a day is about average). Have you approached any national companies? A decent (hand written to show that you are literate) letter with a CV works wonders. I used to get 20-30 each week, and most were filed in the bin, but anything half decent was kept in case of a vacancy.

 

Don't think that doing your RSPH level 2 will make you a pest controller - it won't. What the qualification does is to give you evidence that you have a basic knowledge that you can then build on in the field.

 

Also keep your eye on the pest control forums, especially pestpro and pest control portal where vacancies are sometimes advertised. Pest magazine online also has vacancies.

 

Anyone who is fairly intelligent, literate, smartly turned out, and has an interest can get a job in pest control if they know where to look.

[Fidgety 8]

Most pest controllers work from home, but do have to travel as part of the job (100 miles a day is about average). Have you approached any national companies? A decent (hand written to show that you are literate) letter with a CV works wonders. I used to get 20-30 each week, and most were filed in the bin, but anything half decent was kept in case of a vacancy.

 

Don't think that doing your RSPH level 2 will make you a pest controller - it won't. What the qualification does is to give you evidence that you have a basic knowledge that you can then build on in the field.

 

Also keep your eye on the pest control forums, especially pestpro and pest control portal where vacancies are sometimes advertised. Pest magazine online also has vacancies.

 

Anyone who is fairly intelligent, literate, smartly turned out, and has an interest can get a job in pest control if they know where to look.

...........the pay is not great though!

[Matt 160]

Most Technicians earn 18-22k depending on how hard they are prepared to work.

 

It's a well known fact that pest control is no way of making money, but can be a very satisfying vocation.

 

Basic salaries are 15-18k, with overtime, bonuses, and sales commission, it's possible to earn quite a bit more. If you've 'owt about you, there is also now a clear career progression and earnings can be significant if you are prepared to climb the greasy pole.

 

Starting out on your own on the other hand is very difficult, and unlikely to be a success. Many try, and most fail.

 

Have a read of the pinned thread at the top of this forum for more information.

[stubby 175]

 

...........the pay is not great though!

 

true, when I started 4yrs ago, I left a 30k year job in construction, and started at the bottom on 16k, but within 2yrs had risen to 26k basic salary, (not inc overtime/bonuses)

[*ferrifleboy 19]

Thanks for the replies, mat if you look at the frequently asked questions it's also my thread. I have good grades and can prove myself in many situations I have dealt with. I recently applied to a vacancy in chester offering in house training sending my best cv to date but was told it would be too far for me to travel as they were cutting down on fuel cost even though I was prepared to commute the distance. I shall bookmark the forums you said and look for other chances and thanks for a push in the right direction.

[ferretkeeper 0]

Mr Stubbs,not bad wages considering you only work 4 hours a night

[stubby 175]

Mr Stubbs,not bad wages considering you only work 4 hours a night

 

thats about to change

[hound 1]

have a look here for jobs quite often postions advertised here

http://www.pestcontrolportal.com/classified/viewads.asp?catID=6

[ferretkeeper 0]

Tell us more?have Connaught found out or are you going over to the big R

[*ferrifleboy 19]

Cheers for the link hound but again all 3hours plus away to travel not even thinkable and alot are old adds but I will keep checking it.. Thanks!

[Urban Fox Control London 8]

If you really want to get into the Pest Control industry, try to get a full-time job with one of the national's, then after about 3 years, leave and get out there for yourself. Use them to your advantage and get on as many courses as possible. You won't regret it. I didn't !!!!!!

Edited February 11, 2010 by Urban Fox Control London

[hound 1]

get in contact with the national companies like has been said there are

MITIE (who i use to work for even in the old days when they were eagle pest)

RENTOKIL

ECOLAB

CONNAUGHT

and theres more out there these firms are always on the look out for staff. plus they train you up and give you experience

[*ferrifleboy 19]

Hello thanks for all the responses, all links have been followed up but to no avail it's looking like I would need to move house at this rate to ever get a chance to apply to the few vacancies out there.. I've also emailed my local council to ask for advice. I've found a few companies in my area which only have telephone numbers and no emails. In your opinions as already established pest controllers if you were rang out of the blue, what could I say to make me different from all the other calls and stand out without being oh just another one wanting a job and being blanked. All I want is the break to prove myself! Hope this isn't seen as cheeky but someone whose trying hard to get something they really want. Thanks

[stubby 175]

Hello thanks for all the responses, all links have been followed up but to no avail it's looking like I would need to move house at this rate to ever get a chance to apply to the few vacancies out there.. I've also emailed my local council to ask for advice. I've found a few companies in my area which only have telephone numbers and no emails. In your opinions as already established pest controllers if you were rang out of the blue, what could I say to make me different from all the other calls and stand out without being oh just another one wanting a job and being blanked. All I want is the break to prove myself! Hope this isn't seen as cheeky but someone whose trying hard to get something they really want. Thanks

 

telling them/quoting on your CV, that your into hunting sports, ferreting,shooting etc can only help, we once had a guy working on our old firm, that we found out had been letting trapped rabbits go, as he couldent bring himself to dispatch them,lol

 

hopefully your not scared of heights, as sometimes work can involve going up in cherry pickers/scaffolding etc