22 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You usually start by checking the day’s schedule in a work scheduling system (often PestPac or a company calendar). Morning tasks: drive to 3–5 sites in a truck with power-spraying gear, inspect, set traps, measure treatment areas, and decide treatment types on the spot.
Afternoon: apply chemical solutions, post warning signs if fumigating, clean the work site, record activities and write reports in Microsoft Word or Excel, update supply inventory and PestPac. You’ll also log follow-up visits and run brief admin checks before leaving.
Expect PestPac (Marathon Data Systems) for customer jobs, schedules, and inspection records. Companies also use supply-inventory tools and basic Microsoft Word and Excel for report writing and data logs.
You may update work scheduling in PestPac, record treatments and chemicals used, and export Excel sheets for inventory counts or cross-checking legislation compliance.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were about 102,620 employed pest controllers in 2025. The median wage was $45,250 per year, the bottom tenth earned about $34,680, and the top tenth about $61,890.
Use those BLS figures as a general guide; actual pay varies by region, employer, certifications, and overtime or commercial contracts.
Start with short courses: look for pest-control certification classes that teach pest biology (life cycles, habitats) and pesticide math (mixing dilutions, area calculations). Many local community colleges, state agencies, or commercial training providers offer them.
Practice with real tasks: measure treatment areas, calculate doses (chemical concentration x area), and log results. Use sample Excel spreadsheets to track mixes and inventory so you get comfortable with the numbers you’ll use daily.
Cleaning removes dirt and waste; pest control targets animals or organisms (insects, rodents, fungi) using inspections, traps, baits, and regulated chemicals. Pest controllers decide treatment type, post fumigation warnings, and follow hazardous-substance procedures.
You also need knowledge of pest biology, national and European pesticide legislation if relevant, and recordkeeping in systems like PestPac—tasks not typical for janitors. The job involves driving equipped trucks and applying legal pesticide mixes.
AI can help draft standard inspection reports, summarize past treatments from PestPac exports, or optimize routes for work scheduling. Always check AI outputs: confirm chemical mixes, safety steps, and legal wording against original sources and company procedures.
Never use AI to recommend a pesticide dose or change an approved treatment without human review. For legal and safety reasons, follow Control of Substances Hazardous to Health procedures and national pesticide legislation before acting.
Decisive inspection skills: measure areas, identify pest species, and choose the correct treatment quickly. That includes setting traps, applying solutions safely, and posting warning signs during fumigation.
Recordkeeping and communication: accurately log work in PestPac or Excel, write clear reports in Word, manage supply inventory, and keep to schedules. Basic math for mixing chemicals and adherence to pesticide legislation are essential for safety and compliance.