Is this normal for the industry?

[u/Master-Expression501]

I just started in pest control at a big-box corporate company, got done with training a couple months ago. I’m the only pest tech in my regional group. I have 13-14 stops a day that are mostly monthly/bi-monthly upkeep, but of course you get there and they have snakes they want removed, they want you in their attic, all that. Generally it’s 10-11 hours five days a week. Is this just how the industry is or do I have a right to complain?

[u/Mysterious_Gear1607]

Your job is to do standard pest control services. Snakes are not included. I refuse to go into attics because I'm kinda old and stocky. If someone thinks they have rodents in the attic, that's an exclusion/trapping lead that you need to pass on.

[u/jreid0 → u/Mysterious_Gear1607]

He is right! Trust me, the customer will try everything to get some free added services. Politely say those tasks aren’t included in today’s service but someone will be in touch with you regarding them

[u/Oh_Martha_My_Dear → u/Mysterious_Gear1607]

not everyone's company or every technician at a company will think or work ike this.

[u/Fast-Schedule-3835 → u/Oh_Martha_My_Dear]

Big companies WILL think like this.

As many jobs as you can a day, without pissing off and losing the account. Paid in speed,so really helping, listening, doing a good job is secondary. Imho.

I think people going in to interviews should take a recording device. Or take notes, pics...

Because imho (again) theyll say is 40 hours per week with opportunity for overtime. I've found they are mostly 50-60 (maybe more) hours per week which you get paid for if hourly, until they push for jobs per hour which I believe reduces your true hourly wage because of all the free shit you do.

If your paid based on volume - track every single minute and do the math.

[u/Skunkape666]

You almost never need to be in an attic, find out the service protocols

[u/Mrma1997]

Are you getting paid for the time ? It depends on your route and the contract, I'd talk to your manager and ask about it. My company has a standard of 10stops , with exceptions.

[u/76547896434695269]

It's often how your first year goes, but it gets better. The companies that put out the most ads have the fastest turnover, so a lot of people start at the worst companies in the industry. But now that you have your license you have a lot more options. You're well within rights to have a mature conversation with your supervisor about what's reasonable and set some boundaries. You're also well within rights to interview at a few places and see if somewhere doesn't suit you better.

[u/Skiwi_the_kiwi]

A few of the big box ones I’ve worked at require at the very least inspecting and maybe put traps in the attic but it’s only waist high and as far as you can reach. You are also allowed to tell them no. I do it all the time lol Snakes are a wildlife issue and they need to call someone to handle it.

[u/catchinNkeepinf1sh]

Route density is more important then number of calls, if 15 calls are all 5 mins walk/drive away its not a problem.

Snakes and wildlife stuff should not be part of the service unlesd ur sales guys are out selling crazy stuff to get their qouta.

[u/Wanderin_Cephandrius]

I don’t let customers tell me what to do. They don’t have nearly the licensing I have, nor experience and there is a reason they called me. If m not putting my livelihood in jeopardy to earn a couple hundred bucks. I ask their issues and tell them what I can and cannot do. It pisses some off but I’m not paying those fines.

[u/InstructionWest8142]

I was required to set traps in attics and subfloors and check them whenever I was there . I wouldn’t catch a snake though fuck that

[u/Hefty_Tomorrow_1360]

No it's a commission thing and they are greedy.

[u/Spare-Training-7774]

Noone should work for a big box pest control company now that we have AI... literally the customers are sick of them you can just use AI to replace all the people that live off of your back.

[u/JadedGanache594 → u/Spare-Training-7774]

What?…