Pest Management Officer

Pest control operators protect people and property from rats, mice, common household insects such as flies and cockroaches, termites, mosquitoes etc. They might also inspect premises such as restaurants, hotels, food stores, hospitals and homes.

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The work of pest control operators entails identifying pests that are causing problems and determining how to control them.

Pest control operators measure rooms to estimate how much pesticide to use and how much it will cost. In some cases, they cut openings into buildings to get to infested areas. They release poisonous gas through hoses and they set traps. Where necessary, they bore holes in walls and concrete around the perimeter of buildings to inject chemicals to kill termites; place poisonous bait in stormwater drains to kill rats; and spray chemicals in drainage ditches to kill mosquitoes.

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Personal Requirements

• honest and have respect for the law
• courteous and tactful
• able to work well without supervision
• manual dexterity
• mechanical ability
• good health

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How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

Grade 10 Certificate

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What to Study

Training takes place in a pest control firm. The duration of the in-service training is usually four years.

A pest control operator must register with the Registrar of Pest Control Operators at the Department of Agriculture.

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Employment

• pest control firms
• government departments
• provincial administrations
• municipalities
• self-employment, with enough experience, capital and initiative, can set up own business

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Further Information

Registrar of Pest Control Operators
Department of Agriculture Economics and Marketing

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Getting Started

• try to obtain vacation or part-time work in a pest control company
• arrange to speak to a pest control operator about this type of career

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Related Occupations

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