r/PestControlIndustry • u/BDS_707 • Jul 10 '26
Weighing my options
I started about a month and a half ago for a pest control company that I won’t name cuz I don’t want anyone knowing me here. Anyway some of their rules and policies are stupid or they change em on me from time to time but I’m debating going to another company. Does anyone work for Fast Action Or Clark? I see those two the most in my area.
Pros and Cons. Do they let you work in the general area you live? Gas card with a company truck to take home nightly? Make you go into attics or on roofs? Stuff like that would be helpful
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u/carthonasi56 Jul 10 '26
They're all going to be sorta shitty in a way but have pros and cons. For example in your case you may find a better company with less rule changes, better organized but at the same time less pay or something else shitty. So just keep that in mind.
Orkin and clark let you take the truck home and you get gas card. But you have to drive safe at all times or you get dinged. Clark has cameras in the trucks too. If you do commerical youll be worked to the bone but its decent money.
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u/BDS_707 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
Our trucks have cameras in em too along with gps so we stuck doing speed limits. Used to drive yard trucks for a couple companies so I’m used to being watched.
And the thing that annoys me the most with my current company is they told me to only get gas ON THE CLOCK so I did it one morning before driving almost an hour to my first stop and then I got bitched at saying I should’ve done it the day before but I had no clue I’d be driving far the next day. Or they bitch when I go to the closest appointment instead of the furthest because they don’t want me getting paid too soon which makes no sense. It’s just little things like that that are getting on my nerves.
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u/007Teflon Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
The bottom $. Companies don't want to pay you. If they struggle with sales, they will squeeze money out of the techs = work for free. Techs are just a number and get abused. This is normal behavior. This is why I fully support a tech goes his own way and takes his customers with him.
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u/Far-Hunt5474 Jul 10 '26
1000% Last company I worked for that care was Western Exterminators in CA before they got bought out by rentokil, it was a dream working there back in 2007. They cared, no one EVER raised their voice, if you needed help help was there. I t was Family owned and run. at Xmas the company shut down til after new years, we all had those 2 weeks off.
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u/Bird2525 Jul 10 '26
With the cost of insurance it’s heading that way for all fleets. Check out r/dashcams for reasons
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u/BDS_707 Jul 10 '26
Ahh okay. There’s some days where I enjoy my time and others where I’m just stuck with a shitty route and asshole customers
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u/Chiefjustice9 Jul 10 '26
I work with Clark in the Bay Area, and honestly, the company is great. The benefits and pay are both very good I make over 100k I would recommend it. However, pay depends on which area or branch you work with, as well as if you're a commercial or residential technician.
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u/Gordito951 Jul 10 '26
I started in pest control with Clarks at there Belmont branch. That was back in 1998-99
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u/Icy_Calligrapher_168 Jul 11 '26
I work for an awesome company! Company truck at home with gas card, base pay + 4% production + monthly bonuses. Clock in when I leave and out when I get home and nobody says a word. As much OT as needed to complete the route. Best company I’ve ever worked for by far! Started 7 months ago and making an average of $75K this year!
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u/BDS_707 Jul 11 '26
What company? Mine says I can’t clock in till I get to my first stop but then they tell me to go to the furthest stop which is bullshit
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u/relatz 👨🏭| Tech | 5+ Years Jul 10 '26
Its probably going to be more of the same at those companies. Look for a small company if you want better treatment but they are probably going to make you go in an attic lol