NEW BUSINESS

[bi9johnny]

was wondering of a change in career and just as a thought i was considering being a full time pestie but what does it entail is there registrations as such or qualifications to hold

[Bleeh]

You are not the first, and you are not the last.

 

The one thing you must be aware of, before going any further down this route, is what being a pest controller involves.

 

99% of your work will evolve Rats, Mice, or insects. The only cost efficient way of controlling them is by poisoning, and I'm afraid to say the majority of the control you'll be doing will be with poisons.

 

Out of the remaining 1% might evolve something funny like rabbits, but it's bad luck that 99% of the time the customer will want them gassed.

 

It's a very small amount of the Job that would evolve anything people class as fun (i.e shooting), and even less so when it's a cost and time effective method and it's a shame, but it's the way it is.

 

The market for pest controllers is also quiet competitive at the moment, there are a few firms that are taking peoples cash, giving them a few tickets and releasing them into the world to start their own business (such as can be found in the back of a Shooting times) which isn't helping the situation.

 

But hey, people still do make a living doing it, so if you really want to, your two main options are either to try and get a job with one of the big firms (Rentakil, etc) or take one of myriad short courses that cover the 5 major pest groups, get your pest control tickets for the chemicals and start it your own way.

Edited March 29, 2011 by Bleeh

[bi9johnny]

You are not the first, and you are not the last.

 

The one thing you must be aware of, before going any further down this route, is what being a pest controller involves.

 

99% of your work will evolve Rats, Mice, or insects. The only cost efficient way of controlling them is by poisoning, and I'm afraid to say the majority of the control you'll be doing will be with poisons.

 

Out of the remaining 1% might evolve something funny like rabbits, but it's bad luck that 99% of the time the customer will want them gassed.

 

It's a very small amount of the Job that would evolve anything people class as fun (i.e shooting), and even less so when it's a cost and time effective method and it's a shame, but it's the way it is.

 

The market for pest controllers is also quiet competitive at the moment, there are a few firms that are taking peoples cash, giving them a few tickets and releasing them into the world to start their own business (such as can be found in the back of a Shooting times) which isn't helping the situation.

 

But hey, people still do make a living doing it, so if you really want to, your two main options are either to try and get a job with one of the big firms (Rentakil, etc) or take one of myriad short courses that cover the 5 major pest groups, get your pest control tickets for the chemicals and start it your own way.

thanks for the reply friend....should of made myself clearer i am not looking to get more shooting out of a business venture i tried that some years back and opened a fishing tackle shop(what better than your hobby is your job) no it just meant i stopped fishing..... i am not looking to do pest control as in shooting i am seriously looking as a business venture

kind regards

john

[CharlieT]

Here's a good place to start............http://www.bpca.org.uk/home.html

 

Also much of the profitable side stems from "vermin proofing" commercial sites, ie bird proofing etc.

 

Best to gain experiance as an employee of a company first then branch out on your own. However to get a job you will need all your "tickets" first. I would suggest you get the training then perhaps do a little work in your spare time and see how you like it. If it appeals get a job for some experiance and off you go.

[Dekers]

I am what you would refer to as a pestie, but I specialise in GAME control and shooting, and the fact is a large part of my income does come from ****ty rats and mice and wasps etc.

 

This is despite the fact I am a consultant and shooting coach to a National Pest Control Company as well as a Fox and Deer specialist for several other smaller Pest Control companies, a deer mentor, and run my own Game & Vermin Control company.

 

ATB!

[bigstevouk]

I am what you would refer to as a pestie, but I specialise in GAME control and shooting, and the fact is a large part of my income does come from ****ty rats and mice and wasps etc.

 

This is despite the fact I am a consultant and shooting coach to a National Pest Control Company as well as a Fox and Deer specialist for several other smaller Pest Control companies, a deer mentor, and run my own Game & Vermin Control company.

 

ATB!

 

I thought i was a busy man, teaching shooting, fixing guns, and being a pestie.... my hat off to you

 

... anyway if you don't mind fleas, bugs, cockroaches, rats, mice and then theres dirty house clearances :o cos it not all shooting and playing part-time gamekeeper

[CharlieT]

Dekers

 

Any experience with moles.

 

I am thinking of taking over the job myself as despite the £1000's I've spent they are still out of control. Used to be ok when we used strychnine but blowing them up was useless and they seem to thrive on phostoxin at the £1 a pill I'm being charged, I think he's putting down Viagra for the little sod's.

 

So I thought I may go back to doing the job myself and have a go with phostoxin. Do I have to have some sort of training certificate or can I buy the kit as long as I give my holding number and more importantly does it work if done correctly.

 

Your thoughts appreciated.

 

Charlie.

[JustJon]

Aren't mole traps still legal?

[Dekers]

Dekers

 

Any experience with moles.

 

I am thinking of taking over the job myself as despite the £1000's I've spent they are still out of control. Used to be ok when we used strychnine but blowing them up was useless and they seem to thrive on phostoxin at the £1 a pill I'm being charged, I think he's putting down Viagra for the little sod's.

 

So I thought I may go back to doing the job myself and have a go with phostoxin. Do I have to have some sort of training certificate or can I buy the kit as long as I give my holding number and more importantly does it work if done correctly.

 

Your thoughts appreciated.

 

Charlie.

 

 

Mole work/ferreting etc I call on those who know more than me.

 

My Mole Man is top of the tree and kept Stonehenge upright for many years.

 

Many (some) may have Phostoxin in their possession from days gone by, but you do need the right paperwork (and equipment) to use it these days, or buy it so I believe, it is nasty stuff, do not be tempted to use it without a respirator, however hot the day!

 

Mole work is an art, I have been out, I have watched, I have helped, and I am impressed, traps and gas, currently we are working through a Golf Course with a big problem, step by step it is working, but I suspect it will be like painting the Fourth Bridge, by the time we get to the end it will probably be time to start at the beginning again!

 

[linny]

I am what you would refer to as a pestie, but I specialise in GAME control and shooting, and the fact is a large part of my income does come from ****ty rats and mice and wasps etc.

 

This is despite the fact I am a consultant and shooting coach to a National Pest Control Company as well as a Fox and Deer specialist for several other smaller Pest Control companies, a deer mentor, and run my own Game & Vermin Control company.

 

ATB!

great answer did he ask you to blow your own trumpet do you have a brush

[Dekers]

great answer did he ask you to blow your own trumpet do you have a brush

 

 

I think you are missing the point, I am a shooter, I am good at it, I have many satisfied clients and my specialist services are in demand by various Pest Control companies, that said I would still struggle to make a half decent living out of shooting alone. It is nothing to do with blowing my trumpet, it is a reality check.

 

Many who want to move into Pest Control may be able to shoot a bit and think that is what it is about, it is only a small part, for some a VERY small part!

[stubby]

However to get a job you will need all your "tickets" first. I would suggest you get the training then perhaps do a little work in your spare time and see how you like it. If it appeals get a job for some experiance and off you go.

 

not true; I became a pest controller for a large firm called predator 5 yrs ago, only skills I had were construction, which they wanted, started at the bottom and worked my way up, they payed for all my training

[linny]

I think you are missing the point, I am a shooter, I am good at it, I have many satisfied clients and my specialist services are in demand by various Pest Control companies, that said I would still struggle to make a half decent living out of shooting alone. It is nothing to do with blowing my trumpet, it is a reality check.

 

Many who want to move into Pest Control may be able to shoot a bit and think that is what it is about, it is only a small part, for some a VERY small part!

sorry dekers i can here that trumpet again ( I am a shooter, I am good at it, ) so how have you answered his question about what he needs to be a pest controller

[CharlieT]

 

Mole work is an art, I have been out, I have watched, I have helped, and I am impressed, traps and gas, currently we are working through a Golf Course with a big problem, step by step it is working, but I suspect it will be like painting the Fourth Bridge, by the time we get to the end it will probably be time to start at the beginning again!

 

 

Thanks Dekers

 

Fourth Bridge scenario is the problem. Never had a year like this one, there are moles in nearly every field and with way over 1000 acres to do it's daunting. Trouble is I have to be on top of them by the time I shut the fields up for silage.

 

I will persevere with my man and an open cheque book !!.

 

charlie