17 Pest Control Worker Interview Questions and Answers

Pest control workers play an important role in protecting public health and safety by preventing the spread of disease and infestation. They also help protect food supplies and property from damage. Pest control workers inspect buildings and treat them for pests such as rodents, roaches, termites, and bedbugs.

If you’re interested in becoming a pest control worker, you’ll need to pass an interview. Pest control companies will want to know if you have the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job. They’ll also want to know if you have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of common pest control interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the types of pests that commonly affect this area?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary knowledge and experience to perform your job duties. Before your interview, research the types of pests that commonly affect the area where the company is located. In your answer, share what you know about these pests and how you would handle them if they were to appear in a client’s home or business.

Example: “I am familiar with the most common pests that affect this area. I’ve seen quite a few bed bugs during my time as an exterminator, so I’m confident in my ability to identify them and eliminate them from homes and businesses. I also understand that termites are a problem here, so I always take extra precaution when inspecting for signs of them.”

What are some of the most effective ways to deal with an infestation?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform your job well. They want to know that you can use your expertise to help customers solve their pest control problems. In your answer, try to highlight some of the most important steps in dealing with an infestation. You can also mention any specific methods or techniques you’ve used in the past that were successful.

Example: “I always recommend starting by identifying what kind of pests are causing the problem. This is because different pests require different treatment methods. For example, I once had a customer who was having issues with ants. After inspecting the home, I determined that they needed ant bait traps. These traps worked very effectively at getting rid of the ants.”

How would you handle a situation where a customer is dissatisfied with the results of your pest control services?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills and how you handle conflict. In your answer, try to emphasize your ability to communicate with customers and resolve issues.

Example: “If a customer is dissatisfied with the results of our services, I would first apologize for their experience and explain what we can do to make it right. If they are still unhappy after that, I would offer them a refund or credit on future services. I believe in providing excellent customer service, so I would work hard to ensure the customer was satisfied before leaving.”

What is your process for documenting each treatment you perform?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you organize your work and keep track of important details. Your answer should include a specific process for documenting treatments, including what information you record and how you store it.

Example: “I use an app on my phone to document each treatment I perform. Before beginning a job, I take photos of the property’s exterior and interior so that I have a visual reference later if needed. After completing the treatment, I note the date and time in the app along with any other relevant notes about the treatment, such as whether there were any issues or concerns during the service.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a hostile or difficult customer. How did you handle the situation?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional when faced with a challenging situation. In your answer, try to describe how you handled the situation while also highlighting your interpersonal or communication skills.

Example: “In my previous position as a pest control technician, I had a customer who was very upset about our services. He called me multiple times throughout the day to complain about different things, including the chemicals we used in our treatments and the price of our services. I remained calm and polite during each phone call, explaining why we did what we did and reassuring him that we were doing everything we could to help his problem. Eventually, he calmed down and thanked me for all of my hard work.”

If a customer has a recurring pest problem, what would be your strategy to prevent future infestations?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills and ability to solve problems. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving abilities and willingness to help customers with recurring pest issues.

Example: “If a customer has a recurring pest issue, I would first make sure that the infestation is not due to their home’s construction or maintenance. If it is, then I would work with them to find a solution. For example, if they have an open window in their house, I might suggest installing screens on all windows. If the infestation is due to pests returning to the same location, I would explain to the customer how important it is to eliminate food sources for pests. Then, I would offer solutions for removing these food sources.”

What would you do if you found a nest of wasps while performing a treatment?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you react to unexpected situations on the job. Your answer should show that you have experience handling challenging situations and are willing to adapt to them quickly.

Example: “If I found a nest of wasps, I would first make sure that no one is in danger from the insects. Then, I would contact my supervisor for advice on what to do next. Depending on the size of the nest, I may decide to call in another technician to assist me with removing it. If there’s no risk to humans or animals, I may choose to leave the nest alone until after work hours when I can get more assistance.”

How well can you work independently, without supervision?

Employers ask this question to see if you can work independently on a job site. They want to know that you are capable of completing tasks without their help and supervision. In your answer, explain how you plan out your day and manage your time. Show the employer that you have strong organizational skills and can complete tasks efficiently.

Example: “I am very independent when it comes to my work. I like to plan out my day ahead of time so I know what I need to do each morning. This helps me stay focused and get all of my tasks done by the end of the day. I also make sure to communicate with my team members about any issues or concerns I may have.”

Do you have experience using pesticides?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with pesticides and how comfortable you are using them. If you have no experience, you can talk about what you would do if you were to encounter a pesticide that was unknown to you.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of pesticides in my previous position as a pest control worker. I am familiar with the common ones such as roach spray and ant killer, but I also know how to identify which type of pesticide is best for each situation. For example, when dealing with bed bugs, I use sprays that kill on contact, whereas spiders require more time-consuming methods.”

When performing a treatment, what would be your strategy for preventing pests from returning?

This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of pest control and how you apply it to ensure effective results. Use examples from previous experience to show that you know what steps to take to prevent pests from returning after a treatment.

Example: “I would first make sure I’m using the right chemicals for the job, as this is one of the most important parts of preventing pests from returning. After applying the chemicals, I would also check the perimeter of the property to make sure there are no entry points for pests. If there are any cracks or holes in the foundation, I would seal them with steel wool or caulk so they’re not an issue later on.”

We want to increase customer satisfaction. What would be your strategy for doing so?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with customers. Your answer should include a specific example of how you helped a customer in the past, or how you would help a customer if they had a problem.

Example: “I believe that it’s important to listen to what the customer has to say and ask questions to understand their concerns. I also think it’s helpful to educate customers about pests so they can take preventative measures on their own. For instance, when I was working at my previous job, a customer called me because she found ants in her kitchen. I asked her where else she saw ants, and she said there were some in her bathroom as well. I explained that ants are attracted to sweet things like sugar, so we advised her to keep all food items out of reach.”

Describe your experience performing home inspections.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with home inspections and how you conduct them. They may also want to know if you have any special certifications or training that can help you perform the job well. In your answer, try to explain what types of homes you’ve inspected in the past and what skills you used to complete these inspections.

Example: “In my previous role as a pest control technician, I performed home inspections on a regular basis. I always started by looking for signs of pests like insects, rodents or other animals. Then, I would check for structural issues like water damage or mold. Finally, I would inspect the interior of the home for anything that could attract pests, such as food left out.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of three things that make you unique from other candidates. These could be skills or experiences that are relevant to the job. Share these with your interviewer so they know what makes you special.

Example: “I have extensive experience working in pest control, which is why I am confident I can do this job well. In my previous position, I was responsible for managing all aspects of our pest control program, including identifying pests, creating treatment plans and monitoring the effectiveness of our methods. This role requires someone who has a lot of knowledge about pests and effective treatments, and I feel like I am the right person for it.”

Which types of pests do you have the most experience treating?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and expertise. It also helps them understand what types of pests you’re comfortable working with, which may be different from those in their area. Your answer should include a list of pests you’ve treated before along with any special techniques or equipment you use to treat them.

Example: “I have extensive experience treating ants, roaches, spiders, mice and rats. I’m also familiar with how to identify signs of bed bugs, although I haven’t had much experience treating them. In my previous position, we used a variety of methods to control these pests, including insecticides, traps and exclusion devices.”

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

Customer service is an important part of any job, but it’s especially crucial in the pest control industry. The interviewer wants to know that you understand how to treat customers with respect and courtesy. Your answer should include a specific example of how you’ve helped a customer in the past.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of customer service is listening to what the customer has to say. I once had a client who was upset because we didn’t get rid of all of their pests. I listened to them explain why they were so upset and then explained our process for treating the home. They understood after I talked to them about our process and apologized for not explaining it better.”

How often should properties be treated for pests?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of pest control and how often you should treat a property. Use examples from your experience to explain how you would decide when to treat a property for pests.

Example: “I believe that properties should be treated for pests at least once every three months, depending on the type of pests they have. For example, if a property has ants, I would recommend treating it every two weeks until the infestation is gone. If there are other types of pests, such as roaches or mice, I would recommend treating the property every month. This is because these pests reproduce quickly and need to be eliminated before they become an issue.”

There is a severe pest infestation at a client’s home. What is your process for handling this situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenging situations and whether your approach is effective. In your answer, describe a time when you encountered a severe pest infestation at a client’s home and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “At my previous job, I once had to deal with an extremely severe pest infestation at a client’s home. The first thing I did was call in reinforcements so that we could work on the problem more quickly. Then, I assessed the situation by looking for signs of pests like droppings or holes where they might be entering the house. After this assessment, I used pesticides to treat the areas where I saw evidence of pests. Finally, I monitored the area for several days to ensure there were no new signs of pests.”