Starting in pest control

[oxo 459]

I am keen to start in pest control and have done a search of old posts, the general concensus seems to be start with one of the nationals to gain experience and qualifications. I have applied to some of the big companies but am not having any luck, recently made redundant. What do you think of the franchises? Prokill etc I have also looked at the Killgerm courses and the online courses at BPCA,has anyone on the forum set up with no prior experience other than the courses?and how did it go?

cheers

[Urban Fox Control London 8]

Good Luck

 

 

Edited July 14, 2010 by Urban Fox Control London

[Ron Weasley 83]

It's all been said before mate, but without experience, you'll find it hard, if not impossible.

 

I did the same thing, was so keen to get into the industry that I looked at getting 'qualified' off my own back and just starting up. Qualifications and courses will help, and you'll learn a lot, but it won't make you a pest controller.

 

I worked for Rentokil for several years, and I recall being nervous going into different jobs that I had no experience of. Fortunately, I had the most experienced team in the whole company around me, and had a wealth of knowledge and experience to call on, and get me through. If I'd been self employed at that point, I'd have been up slack alley, so to speak.

 

I'm not sure about the franchise route to be honest. I know there's a couple in the UK, Prokill as you mentioned, and NBC being the ones that spring to mind.

I think the investment in something like this is fairly hefty though. Maybe you should get in touch with your local branch and explain your situation to them. I'm sure if they think you're serious about investing in a franchise, they'll train you and have you out shadowing a tech for a couple of months or something.

 

Other than that mate, just stick it out, you'll get there in the end.

[trappa 518]

Where abouts are you first? big city/town or rural?

[ratattack 111]

You will need a lot of luck to get started and keep the wolf from the door with no experience! training courses will only ever give you the theory of the job, i've been doing it for over 3 years now and had my first bedbug job last week i still had to stop and think how to go about it. it's an easy industry to start up in but a pig to keep the money coming in if self employed. If you are planning to do it with no other work to pay bills etc then forget it! How many other self employed pesties are there in the local yellow pages all competing for the same work??? There is a living to be made but it's no get rich quick game like most people seem to think.

 

if doing it in line with another job...any job to keep money coming in then you can build it up over time. It's not as easy as doing a few killgerm courses and having cash rolling in the door from people with problems.

 

Do you have any idea of the cost of materials, tools, equipment, van, fuel, insurance, advertising, etc

 

Try totting it up and i reckon it will scare you!

 

Franchises only ever benefit the guy selling the franchise

keep applying to the big names and you may just get lucky

[Guest clash]

Sad to hear you have been made redundant Oxo.

You stay positive & i'm sure you will make your new venture happen.

Any help i can give,then give me a shout.

[trappa 518]

You will need a lot of luck to get started and keep the wolf from the door with no experience! training courses will only ever give you the theory of the job, i've been doing it for over 3 years now and had my first bedbug job last week i still had to stop and think how to go about it. it's an easy industry to start up in but a pig to keep the money coming in if self employed. If you are planning to do it with no other work to pay bills etc then forget it! How many other self employed pesties are there in the local yellow pages all competing for the same work??? There is a living to be made but it's no get rich quick game like most people seem to think.

 

if doing it in line with another job...any job to keep money coming in then you can build it up over time. It's not as easy as doing a few killgerm courses and having cash rolling in the door from people with problems.

 

Do you have any idea of the cost of materials, tools, equipment, van, fuel, insurance, advertising, etc

 

Try totting it up and i reckon it will scare you!

 

Franchises only ever benefit the guy selling the franchise

keep applying to the big names and you may just get lucky

 

+1

great reply from ratattack.

Keep looking for a big company for experience. I know someone from one of the big companies, if you let me know where you are axactly, your age and if youve a driving licence i can tell you when he is taking someone on in your area if you want.

[ratattack 111]

Cheers trappa

 

Oxo look here, it may be better to get a job in a major company doing something slightly different and sidestepping into a techs job as one arrises. Give andy lowicki at MITIE a shout i work for them and have just been put through and passed my BPCA accredited technician course which would have cost a fortune on my own!

 

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

Edited July 14, 2010 by ratattack

[oxo 459]

Cheers for all the advice, i had looked at that website and the Mitie ad for my area finished in March even though its still up on the board. I will mil them a CV and covering letter anyway, thanks ratattack.

[ratattack 111]

Cheers for all the advice, i had looked at that website and the Mitie ad for my area finished in March even though its still up on the board. I will mil them a CV and covering letter anyway, thanks ratattack.

 

No worries, happy to help.

 

Best of luck getting a job, it's a good job.

[IanB 0]

I take it you've also looked at this thread. Pest Control

[oxo 459]

Yes Ian, read through all the posts cheers.