Pest Controllers and Fumigators

(NOC 7444)

in All Trades and Transportation

Pest controllers and fumigators inspect buildings and outside areas for pest infestation and spray chemical treatments to kill noxious and destructive insects, rodents and other pests or set cage traps to capture and remove animals. They work for pest control companies, or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

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  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$20.19

Median

$25.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$48,990

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Pest controllers and fumigators inspect buildings and outside areas for pest infestation and spray chemical treatments to kill noxious and destructive insects, rodents and other pests or set cage traps to capture and remove animals. They work for pest control companies, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Pest controllers and fumigators:

  • Inspect buildings and outside areas at regular intervals or at specific request of property owner to detect signs of infestation.
  • Determine type of treatment required and provide cost estimate to clients.
  • Prepare and spray chemical mixture on infested areas using mechanical or electric sprayer to kill insects, rodents, and other pests.
  • Fumigate households.
  • Place and set traps to capture and remove animals like skunks or raccoons.
  • Install animal control barriers like needle strips, netting, and other devices to keep animals off property.
  • Clean out areas that harbour pests using rakes, shovels, brooms, or mops.
  • Advise clients on how to prevent pest infestation.

Sample job titles

  • animal control trapper
  • exterminator
  • fumigator
  • nuisance control trapper
  • pest control service representative
  • pest controller
  • pest exterminator

Skills

  • You should be in good physical condition to be able to inspect sites that often require kneeling, bending, and crawling in tight spaces. You should be comfortable working with a variety of chemicals and wearing protective gear like respirators, gloves, and goggles. Customer service skills can also be an asset.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • Courses in pest control or extermination or several months of on-the-job training are usually required.
  • Provincial pesticide applicator licence is required in Nova Scotia.

Other considerations

  • Movement to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

95

employed in 2016

89.5%

employed full-time

21.1%

self employed

10.5%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
89.5%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
40.5

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
94.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

50.0%

Halifax

$52,088 median annual income
20.0%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
15.0%

North Shore

N/A
15.0%

Cape Breton

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

100.0%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

What is the age of Employment?

25.0%

25-34

25.0%

35-44

15.0%

45-54

15.0%

55-64

10.0%

65+

10.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

25.0%

High school

N/A
25.0%

College Diploma

N/A
20.0%

Less than high school

N/A
20.0%

Trade Certification

N/A
10.0%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Canadian Pest Management Association
Vaughan, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.