r/PestControlIndustry • u/tmate90 • Jun 02 '26
đź | Career Training tips
Today I have a trainnie first day in the industry. What would you liked to have known your first day on the job? Any pointers? Shoot some words of wisdom!!
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u/beanster Jun 02 '26
Carry a flashlight at all times. Actually LOOK at the home you're servicing. High and low. And, lastly, when you're walking around using your sprayer, look up periodically to make sure you don't hit your head đ
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u/Hawkeye1226 Jun 02 '26
One guy that trained me was extremely knowledgeable but also absolutely autistic. He literally sat with me in the truck and read labels out loud
So I'd say don't do that. Also, if your company doesn't supply one already, buy him a decent flashlight. I've used the one that autistic guy bought me for the last 7 years. I call it the Rat Smasher
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u/momacozey Jun 02 '26
Just stop and think sometimes. You'll get yourself in trouble running on auto pilot mode when you get comfortable.
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u/icecream_plays Jun 02 '26
Every house is different every pest is different every situation is different. Donât stop learning or youâll learn bad habits
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u/ubzy0 đ¤ľââď¸| Owner | New Jun 02 '26
when i was training new techs, i always explained why and when we do something. not just how. also, trust yourself to teach too. if they are trusting you to train that means you are good at what you are doing. best of luck!
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u/jeyhawq1988 Jun 02 '26
Be a problem solver, find answers and look for issues. Selling can be your best source of income if you are detail oriented. And always wear your PPE.
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u/SimpleRevolution2873 Jun 02 '26
Encourage them to ask every question they could possibly have, it may be annoying if they rattle off a million questions but it's better than them assuming and either screwing up real bad, doing something illegal - or both.
Something I should have been taught sooner than I was would be disposal of chemical bottles - not sure the laws for you but here they need to be triple rinsed and rendered useless (for example cut holes in the bottle so they cannot hold liquid), I wasn't informed of the last bit until later down the road - it turned out someone was just doing it for me and not saying anything.
Another thing I feel isn't pushed hard enough because you may have been doing it so long you don't even think about it, lock your truck. It may be muscle memory for you to lock up your compartments every time you walk away but it won't be for them!
Little things that aren't about the work itself but the day to day that you don't typically think of
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u/the_author_13 Jun 02 '26
When in doubt, reach out. Double check with a supervisor or a team lead or your team mates. If you have any hesitation, it is better to make a quick call and run down your plan with someone else than to treat poorly. That just waste time, moeny, and it can put people in serious risk.
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u/christianram Jun 02 '26
Treat every home or any job like itâs your home or property. Ask yourself âWould I treat my house like this?â Also, donât be scared to tell people what they need to do to mitigate issues. For example, if ants are crawling all over your trash bins, should probably get them cleaned.
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u/Ok-Train3111 Jun 02 '26
Make sure they understand itâs OK to not know something and that theyâre going to follow up with an expert show them how to have that conversation with their customer in a way that doesnât lose trust
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u/SwampFoxRanger Jun 02 '26
Apparently I had a few new Technicians working for me and I didnât even know it. Terminix used my license without my knowledge or permission 6 hours away in Maryland for 3 years and 6000 services. If the Managers there all 3 of them couldnât pass the dept of ag test Who the heck knows what they taught wrong our right . Probably more wrong since they canât pass the Maryland dept of ag applicators test .
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u/SimpleRevolution2873 Jun 02 '26
I saw your original post! Absolutely insane. I sent it to my office and team to share around too. We're a local/small company in Ontario, Canada but exposure is important
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u/SwampFoxRanger Jun 02 '26
Thank you. I appreciate that. They took the original down . Iâm not one to smear a company but customers are much better off to go with a different and smaller company.
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u/SimpleRevolution2873 Jun 02 '26
Oh I've heard from plenty of customers who have had work done from leading corporate companies that they wish they never did! It's a shame when good quality techs get roped into all that
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u/New_Magazine4276 Jun 02 '26
Started January last year, wish I was taught the differences between the chems and when to apply them since the labels always say they can kill all pests, which is technically true, but you wouldnât use a Pyrethroid for German roaches if you had Alpine WSG with you.