How to become a pest controller
Official title: Pest controllers
Also called: Pest officer, Pest controller, Pest control officer, Pest control operator, Pest control surveyor, Pest control inspector, Pest control technician, Pest prevention service technician, Rat catcher, Mole catcher, Rodent officer, Rodent operator
Pest controllers investigate the presence of pests that are hazardous to public health or cause nuisance, lay traps to capture pests and treat areas of infestation.
Main tasks
- Receives reports from public, property owners and authorities regarding the presence of pests and infestations
- Visits sites to investigate the presence of rodents, infestations and other pests that may be hazardous to public health
- Lays traps to capture pests, and fumigates and disinfects areas to remove infestations
- Advises property owners on courses of action to prevent the return of pests
- Liaises with environmental health officers, housing officers and other relevant authorities where measures on a large scale are required to remove pests
- Returns to sites to examine contents of traps laid and the continued presence of reported pests
- Treats wood for effects of termites, woodworm and other infestations of timber
How to become one
There are no formal academic entry qualifications, though some employers may expect entrants to possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is provided on-the-job, supplemented by specialist courses covering different aspects of pest control.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £28,323 a year
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Questions people ask
How do I become a pest controller?
There are no formal academic entry qualifications, though some employers may expect entrants to possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is provided on-the-job, supplemented by specialist courses covering different aspects of pest control.
How much does a pest controller earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £28,323 a year (Office for National Statistics).
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03