Pest control technician
Identify, control and get rid of pests like rodents or insects so they don't live in people's homes or workplaces.
Also known as: vermin controller, pest controller
About the job
What it's like
You would identify, control and get rid of pests so they don’t live in people’s homes or workplaces.
You would deal with infestations of rodents or insects like:
Rats or mice
Wasps
Ants
Cockroaches
Using a range of chemicals and equipment, you’d remove infestations in homes, restaurants, sewers and other places.
You would:
Find out what the pests are and how they are getting in
Choose the best way of controlling the pests
Work out the right doses of chemicals to use
Spray chemicals to get rid of insects
Lay poison and traps or use weapons such as air-guns to control birds and animals
Collect dead animals and other samples for scientific analysis
Proof an area to stop pests returning
Give advice on stopping pests from coming back
Complete reports and keep records
Follow the correct processes for dealing with pesticides and dead or captured animals
You’d need good eyesight and a strong awareness of health and safety issues.
With experience you might specialise in dealing with one type of pest.
Hours
A typical working week would be Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. You may work longer hours in the summer months when there are more pests to deal with.
Environment
You could work indoors or outside, depending on the type of pest you were dealing with. You may need to crawl into confined spaces or climb ladders. The work can be unpleasant, but you would wear protective clothing such as overalls, gloves and face masks.
Travel
You would usually work alone and drive to jobs in a van with treatment equipment.
Explore more information about this job
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Food and drink Construction and built environment Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- pest control
- proofreading
- risk analysis
- computer hardware
- technical services
- housekeeping
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- evaluating
- problem solving
- resourceful
- attention to detail
- developing a plan
- taking initiative
- time management
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Chemistry
Science
Skills for Work: Laboratory Science
Though there are no formal qualification required to enter this job though qualifications at SCQF level 4/5 may be of value.
Qualifications and experience that show an understanding of biology, environmental health / health & safety and customer service skills.
Most employers look for industry-related qualifications from the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) or the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), which are usually gained once in work.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Pest control technician'
