Occupation

Pest Control Workers

Human Advantage 70%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.1 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.

Also Known As: Bed Bug Exterminator, Certified Pest Control Technician, Chemical Applicator, Commercial Pest Control Representative, Commercial Pest Control Technician, Commercial Technician, Extermination Inspector, Exterminator +40 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Record work activities performed.
  2. Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations.
  3. Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.
  4. Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.
  5. Clean work site after completion of job.
  6. Drive truck equipped with power spraying equipment.
  7. Measure area dimensions requiring treatment, calculate fumigant requirements, and estimate cost for service.
  8. Study preliminary reports or diagrams of infested area and determine treatment type required to eliminate and prevent recurrence of infestation.
  9. Direct, or assist other workers in, treatment or extermination processes to eliminate or control rodents, insects, or weeds.

Supplemental Tasks (4)

  1. Post warning signs and lock building doors to secure area to be fumigated.
  2. Set mechanical traps, or place poisonous paste or bait in sewers, burrows, or ditches.
  3. Cut or bore openings in building or surrounding concrete, access infested areas, insert nozzle, and inject pesticide to impregnate ground.
  4. Clean and remove blockages from infested areas to facilitate spraying procedures and provide drainage, using brooms, mops, shovels, or rakes.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
90%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
9%
Some College Courses
1%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Word

Software (12)

  • Database software
  • Email software
  • Marathon Data Systems PestPac
  • Report writing software
  • Supply inventory software
  • Work scheduling software
  • YouTube

Tools & Equipment (38)

  • Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Bait stations
  • Bellows dusters
  • Brooms
  • Bulb dusters
  • Chemical-resistant footwear
  • Chemical-resistant suits
  • Claw hammers
  • Cold foggers
  • Copy machines
  • Digital still cameras
  • Electric drills
  • Flathead shovels
  • Garden rakes
  • Gasoline powered generators
  • Handheld calculators
  • Handheld compressed air sprayers
  • Handheld pesticide sprayers
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Mechanical animal traps
  • Mobile radios
  • Pesticide agitators
  • Pesticide tanks
  • Pneumatic hammers
  • Portable vacuums
  • Power dusters
  • Protective gloves
  • Protective head coverings
  • Protective respirators
  • Safety goggles
  • Snap traps
  • Thermal foggers
  • Ultra low volume ULV sprayers
  • Utility screwdrivers
  • Vise grip pliers
  • Wet mops
  • Work trucks

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Plant Systems Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Pest Control Workers You are here
Zone 4
Foresters 78% match
Zone 5
Biologists 75% match

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