Structural Pesticide Applicator

Structural pesticide applicators use a variety of methods to control and prevent the spread of insects and other pests that may infest residential or commercial properties.

Exterminator, Pest Control Operator

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 7444: Pest Controllers and Fumigators

2006 NOC-S

• H534: Pest Controllers and Fumigators

2011 NOC

• 7444: Pest controllers and fumigators

2016 NOC

• 7444: Pest controllers and fumigators

2021 NOC

• 73202: Pest controllers and fumigators

2023 OaSIS

• 73202.00: Pest controllers and fumigators

In general, structural pesticide applicators determine how and where to control pests on clients’ property. They:

• Inspect buildings and surrounding areas to detect signs of infestation by insects, rodents, or pest bird species
• Identify pests
• Monitor the area to determine if treatment is necessary
• Determine the type of treatment required (sanitation, exclusion, or habitat modification) and cost to the client
• Treat the infested area with the proper use of appropriate pesticide or set sticky or mechanical traps
• Use extreme heat and other methods to control bed bugs

Since they use toxic materials and chemicals, structural pesticide applicators must take safety precautions. These include:

• Taking care to prevent pesticide from being placed where children, pets, or other non-target animals may come into contact with it
• Wearing rubber gloves, protective clothing, and respirators when mixing or handling pesticides to avoid breathing them in and to prevent skin contact

Structural pesticide applicators most often have assigned routes. On that route, they are responsible for sales work, informing customers about conditions that attract pests, and conducting periodic inspections to detect signs of possible reinfestation.

Insects, rodents, and birds are most active in spring and summer, so structural pesticide applicators are busiest during those seasons. However, indoor applications occur throughout the year for pests such as bedbugs and cockroaches.

Regular weekday work is typical. But because public buildings need to be closed before pesticide can be applied, evening and weekend shifts are the norm for public facilities.

Indoors, structural pesticide applicators work in a variety of settings. Outdoors, they encounter all kinds of weather. They may have to crawl into dirty or dusty places or climb roofs and trees to check infestation sources and administer treatments. They may have to lift heavy items. Safety precautions are a standard part of the job when handling toxic materials.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Pest Controllers and Fumigators

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group

Interest in operating mechanical and electric sprayers; and in preparing and spraying chemical mixtures on infested areas

Interest in comparing information to determine type of treatment required; and in cleaning out areas using rakes, shovels, brooms and mops

Interest in speaking with customers to provide cost estimates and to advise on how to prevent pest infestation

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Structural pesticide applicators need:

• Adaptability
• Stamina
• Creativity
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Investigative and problem-solving skills

They should enjoy:

• Operating mechanical and electric equipment
• Having clear rules and organized work methods
• Working with people
• Constantly learning and improving their skills

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Pest controllers and fumigators

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 74 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 16, 2021 and Aug 27, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

• Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
• What training you may need to get these skills
• What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.

Structural pesticide applicators require training to apply most structural pesticides. However, on-the-job training occurs as well.

Employers most often prefer to hire applicants who are at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma with courses in biology. A valid driver’s licence is often required. Sales experience is an asset.

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

This occupation has federal and provincial regulations. For details about the federal requirements, visit the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) website.

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Pesticide Applicator and Dispenser

Pesticide applicators use pesticides (chemicals) as part of their paid employment to control pests such as weeds, diseases, or destructive insects or animals.

Pesticide dispensers sell and store pesticides as part of their paid employment.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act [pdf] and Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation [pdf], to apply a commercial-class pesticide such as insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide, you must be one of the following:

• A commercial agriculturalist (farmer)
• A certified pesticide applicator
• Supervised by someone who is certified

To sell pesticides, you must be a certified dispenser. There are 2 types of dispensers in Alberta:

• Lawn and garden pesticide dispensers, who sell domestic-class pesticides
• Commercial dispensers, who sell domestic, commercial, and restricted-class pesticides

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Pesticide Applicator and Dispenser.

Most structural pesticide applicators work for privately owned and operated pest control firms. There are also opportunities with municipal government departments. These operators most often oversee recreation facilities and other municipal buildings.

With experience, structural pesticide applicators can move up into supervisory, management, or trainer positions. Self-employment also is an option. However, this is a highly competitive field.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 7444: Pest controllers and fumigators occupational group, 76.8% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 7444: Pest controllers and fumigators occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.7% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 2 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.