A pest exterminator is a professional who prevents and controls insect, rodent, and other organism infestations that are harmful to people and property. Many exterminators provide a wide range of services, but some specialize in the types of pests they target or the methods they use to keep populations under control. A pest exterminator may use a variety of methods, including spraying pesticides in a specific area, fumigating a home or building, trapping animals, and educating people on how to avoid future infestations.
Spraying a farm, residence, or commercial building with pesticide, a mixture of chemicals designed to kill pests while preserving the health of plants, pets, and people, is one of the most common tasks for many pest exterminators. An exterminator inspects a location for pest concentrations and sprays them with a specialized applicator. A large-scale insect infestation, such as bed bugs or termites, may necessitate a pest exterminator quarantining and fumiganting an entire structure. To kill living pests and their eggs, expert fumigators seal buildings and release poisonous gases.
Professionals also use traps and barriers to keep pest populations under control. To prevent creatures from burrowing, a pest exterminator may install rodent traps in a structure or repair holes in walls or foundations. Ants, roaches, and other insects that thrive in dark, dirty environments are often deterred sealing off holes and thoroughly sanitizing a building.
Farmers and homeowners frequently seek advice from pest exterminators on how to manage pest populations. A professional might tell someone about the likelihood of seasonal infestations, suggest safe commercial products, and emphasize the importance of prevention. For example, a mosquito exterminator might advise a homeowner to avoid standing water and seal septic tanks to make his or her property less appealing to pesky insects.
A person must typically complete an apprenticeship program to learn the fundamentals of the job before becoming a pest exterminator. Apprenticeships vary in length and nature depending on location and employer, but most new workers receive training for up to two years. Individuals learn about different pest control strategies, chemical safety, and environmental regulations through classroom instruction and hands-on training. After completing an apprenticeship program, most states and countries require new exterminators to pass licensing exams.
In both urban and rural areas, there is a steady demand for skilled exterminators. Pesticides and other chemicals are subject to stricter regulations as a result of a greater global focus on environmental policies, forcing exterminators to change their pest control strategies. Many professionals avoid using chemical treatments entirely, preferring to rely on traps, barriers, and public awareness to keep unwanted creatures at bay.