Pest Control Workers: Career & Application Guide

What do pest control workers do?

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

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

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

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

Start with pest control workers as your target. You can change your role in the quiz and tell us your location and work preferences.