Becoming an exterminator can be a lucrative and rewarding career. If you’re looking to become an exterminator and want to know how to do it, look no further. This guide will help you start your path towards becoming an exterminator and help you learn about how much money exterminators make.
How To Become An Exterminator
Step 1: Earn A Degree In Entomology
The first step towards becoming an exterminator is earning a degree in entomology (the study of insects). The more knowledge you have about pests and the way they work, the better suited you will be to deal with them professionally.
Step 2: Get Your License
Once you’ve earned a degree in entomology, it’s time to get your license! You can either take classes through your local community college or university or take online courses from an accredited school such as Penn Foster or University of Phoenix Online Campus, which offer online degrees in pest management technology that can help you get licensed quickly and easily at a low cost (around $5,000 per year). Either way, once you have your license there are plenty of opportunities for work available with big companies like Orkin or Terminix as well as smaller companies who specialize in
How To Become Exterminator
An exterminator, also known as a pest control technician, frees homes and businesses from pests that can spread diseases and cause structural damage. They also make on-site assessments and estimates, develop a plan and then apply any necessary treatments. They use pesticides, traps and other techniques to capture or deter animals, applying observational skills and a thorough knowledge of animal biology and pest control principles. Pest control technicians typically have strong problem-solving and communication skills, as they work closely with customers.
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Salary and job outlook for exterminators
Exterminators make an average of $39,227 per year. Experience level, education and geographical location can all affect an exterminator’s salary. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a rate of job growth for exterminators and pest control technicians of 9% from 2019 to 2029, which would result in over 7,500 new exterminator jobs during that span. Pest control companies usually offer opportunities to advance to a supervisory role after several years of experience.
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Common job duties for an exterminator
A pest control technician resolves a wide variety of pest problems that depend on the animals that inhabit the geographic area in which they work. Their daily work typically consists of these steps:
Evaluate the scale of the problem
An exterminator typically begins their work by visiting a home or business for a consultation before beginning treatment. During this visit, they examine the infested area. The exterminator inspects the site to determine what species the reported animal is, whether they have caused damage and where any nests or entry points might be. After they understand the problem, they create a treatment plan.
Create a treatment plan
An exterminator creates a plan to stop an infestation with their knowledge of animal behaviors and prevention and removal techniques. They first consider any non-chemical prevention or removal techniques, such as closing off gaps in the house to prevent rodents from entering or adding plants and changing moisture levels to deter insects. Next, an exterminator typically considers other mechanical methods for removal, such as traps or heat treatments. If those options won’t solve the problem, an exterminator considers chemical treatments.
Create a cost estimate
In the final step of the consultation, an exterminator estimates the cost of treatment and presents a written estimate to the customer. The estimate usually includes the suggested method and cost, as well as the estimated treatment time frame. When the customer agrees to the estimate, the exterminator schedules a time to perform the treatment.
Complete treatment
An exterminator returns to a home or business after the consultation and completes the treatment as outlined by the treatment plan. This can involve extensive physical activity, such as applying a treatment in hard-to-reach areas or standing and moving for several hours. During this step, an exterminator typically uses personal protective equipment, like a respirator, goggles and gloves. Once they complete the treatment, they clean up after themselves.
Follow up
After the initial treatment, a pest control technician follows up with the homeowner or business to make sure the problem is resolved. If the pests are still present, the exterminator may repeat the treatment or try a different technique until the pests are gone.
How to become an exterminator
Exterminators need to have some basic qualifications, complete training and become licensed. The on-the-job training process only takes about three months to finish, so becoming an exterminator might be the right choice if you are looking for a career that lets you begin work immediately. Licensing details vary by state, but here are the basic steps you can follow to become an exterminator:
1. Meet eligibility requirements
Before you start applying to jobs, make sure you meet some eligibility requirements. To be an exterminator, you need to be at least 18 years old. Most states require exterminators to have a high school diploma or GED, which demonstrates that you have the math skills required to make estimates and calculate materials. The job involves visiting customers’ homes, so companies usually require exterminators to have a driver’s license, a driving record free of infractions and a clean background check.
2. Decide whether to pursue institutional training
Some community colleges and vocational schools offer pest control programs. The connections you make during these types of programs might help you find a job more easily. However, most exterminator companies provide all the training you need, including their own partnerships with schools, so pursuing a program on your own isn’t always necessary to become a pest control technician.
3. Finish on-the-job training
Usually, an employer offers all the training needed to be an exterminator through on-the-job instruction. This involves working with another exterminator and learning techniques, the proper use of extermination chemicals and company policies. On-the-job training usually takes less than three months to complete and can include specialization in a certain technique or removing a certain kind of pest.
Read more: What Is On-the-Job Training?
4. Become licensed
The licensing process for becoming an exterminator is different for each state. It usually involves an exam on the regulations and procedures you might encounter as an exterminator. This exam certifies that you know how to correctly use the powerful pesticides regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency to keep yourself and your clients safe. Some states may also require some classroom education and a background check. After you are licensed, you can seek work independently as an exterminator.
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Exterminator skills
Besides general education and certification requirements that exterminators might need to complete, there are also a few skills that help exterminators excel, including:
- Communication skills: An exterminator interacts with customers from the day of the consultation to the end of any follow-up treatments, so it’s important for them to have good communication skills to establish trust with customers.
- Physical agility and stamina: To eliminate an infestation, an exterminator sometimes has to access small crawlspaces or climb up the exterior of a building. They also are frequently required to stand, kneel and walk for long periods of time as they work.
- Attention to detail: It’s important for a pest control technician to pay attention to details to make sure they thoroughly treat problems and accurately track their hours and materials. They also follow safety regulations closely since they handle potentially dangerous pesticides.
