17 Pest Control Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Pest control managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a pest control company. They develop and implement pest control programs, hire and train staff, and ensure that customers are satisfied with the company’s services.

To become a pest control manager, you will need to have at least a high school diploma and several years of experience working in the pest control industry. Some pest control companies may require you to have a bachelor’s degree in entomology, biology, or a related field.

If you’re looking for a job as a pest control manager, you will need to be prepared to answer a variety of pest control interview questions. In this guide, we will provide you with some sample questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the different types of pests that can be found in this area?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience with the types of pests that are common in their area. If you don’t, it’s important to show that you’re willing to learn about them and how to treat them effectively.

Example: “I’ve worked in several different areas throughout my career, so I’m familiar with many different types of pests. However, I always make sure to do research on any new pests or infestations we find at work. This ensures that I know what type of pest we’re dealing with and how best to eliminate it from our property.”

What are some of the most important skills for a pest control manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in this role. A good answer will include a list of several important skills, along with an explanation of why these are beneficial for pest control managers.

Example: “The most important skill for a pest control manager is communication. This job requires me to communicate with many different people, including my team members, clients and other professionals who may be involved in a project. I also need to be able to communicate effectively with customers over the phone or in person. Another important skill is organization, as I am responsible for managing projects and ensuring that all employees stay on task. Finally, problem-solving skills are essential because there are always issues that arise during a project.”

How would you handle a situation where one of your employees was not following company policies?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you would handle a conflict with one of your employees. They want to know that you can use your leadership skills to resolve the situation and ensure that all employees are following company policies. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to address the issue and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I encountered an employee who wasn’t following company policy, I would first speak with them about their actions. If they were aware of the policy but chose not to follow it, I would consider disciplinary action. However, if they didn’t realize the policy existed, I would educate them on the policy and give them another chance. I believe in giving my employees multiple chances before taking any serious disciplinary action.”

What is your process for determining the best treatment for each type of pest you encounter?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you apply your knowledge of pest control and the steps you take to ensure that you’re using the most effective treatment for each type of infestation. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for determining the best treatment for pests, including any specific methods or tools you use to make these decisions.

Example: “I first determine what kind of pest I’m dealing with by examining its appearance and behavior. For example, if it’s an ant infestation, I’ll look at whether they are sugar ants or carpenter ants. Once I know which species I’m dealing with, I can then research the different types of treatments available for that particular species.

For instance, when working with sugar ants, I would know that baits are the most effective method of treatment because they kill the queen as well as other ants in the colony. If I was dealing with carpenter ants, however, I would know that boric acid is the most effective treatment because it dehydrates them.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional when faced with a challenging situation. In your answer, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “In my previous position as a pest control technician, I had a customer who was very unhappy with our service. The customer called me multiple times about their concerns, which made it difficult for me to address all of their issues in one phone call. Instead, I scheduled an appointment with them so we could discuss their concerns face-to-face. During our meeting, I listened to their complaints and explained why some of their expectations were unrealistic. We eventually came to an agreement where they would pay us for the services we provided.”

If a customer is not satisfied with your service, how would you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to understand how you handle customer complaints. This can be an important part of the job, especially if your company offers pest control services to residential customers. In your answer, try to show that you value customer satisfaction and want to do everything in your power to make sure customers are happy with their experience.

Example: “I would first apologize for any inconvenience we caused them. I would then find out what went wrong and see if there was anything I could do to fix it. If they were unhappy with our service because of a specific issue, I would offer to refund or discount their next visit. If they were just generally dissatisfied, I would work hard to ensure they had a better experience on their next visit.”

What would you do if you discovered that one of your employees was stealing from the company?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you would handle a challenging situation. They want to know that you can make tough decisions and hold your employees accountable for their actions. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to investigate the theft and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “I would first meet with the employee in private to discuss my concerns. I would also speak with other managers about any suspicious behavior they may have noticed from the employee. If I discovered that the employee was stealing from the company, I would immediately fire them. I would then file an official report with the police so we could pursue criminal charges.”

How well do you handle stress?

Working in pest control can be stressful, especially when you’re managing a team. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to handle stress and remain calm under pressure. In your answer, share how you manage stress and give an example of a time you were able to do so successfully.

Example: “I am very good at handling stress. I know that sometimes things happen beyond my control, so I try not to get too stressed out about it. For example, once we had a client who was having issues with their ant problem. We sprayed for ants multiple times, but they kept coming back. After talking with them, we realized there was a leaky pipe under their house. We couldn’t spray for ants anymore, so instead, we gave them a discount on our services.”

Do you have any questions for us about the position or company?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position. It’s also a chance for you to learn more about the company, so be sure to ask questions that will help you understand what it’s like to work there.

Example: “I noticed that this company has an excellent reputation within the industry. I’m curious how you maintain such high standards of customer service. What training programs do you have in place? How often do you reward employees who go above and beyond?”

When performing inspections, what is the most important thing you look for?

This question can help the interviewer understand your approach to inspecting properties and how you prioritize tasks. Your answer should show that you have a strong understanding of what to look for when performing inspections, including any specific details or elements that may indicate pests are present.

Example: “The most important thing I look for during an inspection is evidence of pest infestation. This includes things like holes in walls or floors where rodents could enter a property, signs of insects such as ants or roaches and other indications that there are pests on a property. I also make sure to check all areas of the property thoroughly, including inside and outside.”

We want to be known as a company that goes above and beyond for our customers. How would you handle a situation where you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your customer service skills and how you would handle situations that may arise. Use examples from previous experiences where you went above and beyond for customers to show them what you’re capable of doing.

Example: “In my last position, I had a customer who was having issues with pests in their home. They were on vacation when they noticed the issue, so I offered to go into their home while they were away to treat it. When they returned, they called me to thank me for going out of my way to make sure their home was pest-free before they got back.”

Describe your process for maintaining and updating records of past pest infestations.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you organize and manage information. Your answer should show that you are organized, detail-oriented and able to keep track of important details.

Example: “I use a database program for my pest control records. I find this system is the most efficient way to store and access past infestations. When I first start working with a client, I create a new record in the database for their property. Then, as I complete each service call, I add it to the existing record. This helps me stay organized and ensures I don’t miss any important details about the property or its history.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and why you are the best person for the job. Before your interview, make a list of all your skills and experiences that relate to pest control management. Think about what makes you unique from other candidates and how these traits can benefit the company.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others solve problems. I have been working in pest control for five years now, and during my time here, I’ve learned so much about pests and how to get rid of them. My experience has taught me how to identify different types of pests and how to treat infestations. I also understand the importance of safety when handling pests, which is why I always wear protective gear while on the job.”

Which software programs are you most familiar with for maintaining records and inventory?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your computer skills and how you use them in the workplace. If you have experience using specific software programs, mention which ones they are and explain how you used them to benefit your previous employer.

Example: “I am most familiar with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook. I’ve been using these programs for over five years now, so I’m quite comfortable using them to manage records and inventory. In my last position, I used these programs to create reports on our sales and expenses, as well as maintain a database of all pest control supplies we had in stock.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Customer service is an important part of any business, and pest control companies are no different. The interviewer wants to know that you understand the importance of customer service and how it can help your company succeed. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you value this skill.

Example: “Customer service is one of the most important aspects of any business because it’s what keeps customers coming back. In my last position as a sales associate at a department store, I had a customer who was looking for a specific item. I searched through our inventory and couldn’t find it, so I offered to order it for them. They were very happy with my service and returned several times after that.”

How often should you inspect a property for pests?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of the industry and how often you inspect properties. Use examples from your experience to explain how you decide when to inspect a property for pests.

Example: “I usually inspect a property once every two weeks, but I also check it weekly if there are any signs of infestation or damage. In my last position, I inspected a client’s home twice per week because they had an ant problem that we were trying to eliminate. After inspecting the property twice per week for three weeks, I noticed that the ants weren’t returning as frequently. So, I reduced the frequency of inspections to once per week.”

There is a bug infestation in one of your customer’s properties. What is your process for handling it?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the steps you would take to solve the issue.

Example: “If I were in that situation, I would first make sure my customer was aware of the infestation. Then, I would call for backup from other technicians so we could all work together on the job. After inspecting the property, I would determine which treatment method would be most effective. In this case, I would probably use an insecticide spray because there are multiple bugs in different areas of the home.”