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Have bed bugs made anyone else consider becoming a PCO?
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buggedmama
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 195
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Mar 17 2008 19:12:50
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So I'm only half-way through a Bachelors degree (correspondence ed.), majoring in subjects I'm only semi-interested in. I'm finishing up a semester at the end of April, and still have years until completion if I keep studying at my current pace... Suffice it to say my career prospects, apart from being a buggedmama, are pretty slim at present. Thinking about how frustrating it was trying to find a PCO knowledgeable about bed bugs, and with how only semi-competent the ones my landlord brought in seemed to be, I thought to myself... I wish I could just do my own pest control, but y'know, in an educated, proper, effective sort of manner. So I looked up how you become certified as an exterminator in Ontario and it's much like what I am doing now, a correspondence course at the end of which you have to write an examination (except this one is multiple choice, whoo hoo). I thought I should look up the career profile of an exterminator, get an idea what the job is like. I mean, we all know certified bed bug removers are only going to be MORE in demand so that's not a concern. But what about other issues: exposure to chemicals? Finding a job as a woman? Can you work only part-time as an exterminator (I don't really want to work full-time). Would I get freaked out by going into infested places? What if I brought bugs home? Wouldn't some of the bugs be really gross and freak me out? I mean I'm OK with a lot of bugs, but certain ones still give me the heeby jeebies. Or maybe I could just start my own business, specializing in bed bugs. I'm used to them, now. But what if I brought BED bugs home? Well, I guess, at least I'd be a PCO. Has anyone else ever thought about this? Is despising bed bugs a bad reason to suddenly choose a new career path?
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Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 544
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Mar 17 2008 19:54:41
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Buggedmama,
I say go for it,we need qualified pco's,seems to me you could make a living just doing bb's.You could be the David Cain equivilant in the USA,someone that actually knows the bug. -
Drop me a memo. If get certified in states and want to come to London to see how we work I am sure it can be arranged but you would need to be here for at least a month maybe two which is not exactly cheap in itself.
Its a tough and often dirty job but if you do it well there is a living to be made from it. Not as much as I used to earn as a business and technology analyst but you do sleep better at night.
Yes occupational exposure can be an issue but after two months you learn to respect them enough to mitigate it happening.
David
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paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,034
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Mar 17 2008 21:17:47
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Now wouldn't that be something else?! We may be looking at a future bed bug expert that has the personal experience, knowhow and compassion to what is actually happing to the public!
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TomIsBugged
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Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 46
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 18 2008 4:17:15
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Hey I just thought I'd chime in...
I had the same thought - I'm finishing up an MA but Hell, if academics don't work out, I figure a BB-specialist would be something I could get really (read: fanatically) devoted to. I'd say being female would put you in even a better position - a PCO that actually listens & sympathizes (not that the guys don't either, mind you... But you'd definitely draw customers).
Good luck with it!
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freaked out in brooklyn
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 18 2008 9:09:12
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And certainly get one of those bed bug dogs as a pet.
NYC -
buggedmama
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Posts: 195
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 18 2008 16:59:31
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That was also my thought. Husband wants a dog, I never did. But a bed bug dog, now that is something we might be able to compromise on. ;)
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Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 51
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 18 2008 17:23:59
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Just remember, bedbug work is one of the lowest paying specialties in pest control on a $/hour basis. Our regular pest control routes bring in roughly 25% more per technician hour. From a sheer gruntwork point of view, bedbug work is right up there with digging trenches under crawlspaces for termite treatments. So why do we do it? Part of it is being nuts. Part is the satisfaction of giving people their homes back to them. No other pest we deal with has the emotional impact of bedbugs. I've certainly never had a customer cry over an ant infestation, but roughly 2 out of 3 bedbug clients will cry at some point either in front of us or on the phone. Part of our protocol now is to make sure to suggest to the client to seek professional help if they start to feel emotionally overwhelmed by the process. We reassure them that being overwhelmed is a common feeling, especially early in the pre-treatment prep work. There are plenty of negatives to pest control, that a lot of people don't think about (Camel-back crickets jumping on the back of your neck when you are in a pitch black crawlspace with 10" of clearance comes to mind), but for me anyway, the positives far outweigh them. If anyone is seriously looking at going into this line of work, feel free to PM me.
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MixedFeelings
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Joined: Jan '08
Posts: 181
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 18 2008 17:41:13
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I cried in front of the canine inspector!!
Haven't cried so far at any of the 5 (!!) "professional" treatments yet. Now starting to get mad/annoyed, that may change my behavior.
MF
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thebedbugresource
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 244
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 18 2008 21:42:00
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Before anyone rushes out to become a PCO there are many things to consider and the first and foremost is the liability end of things. It is no small endeavour to start your own pest control business.
You would be better suited to work for a successful company for a few years and gain some experience before venturing out on your own.
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mangycur
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Joined: Sep '07
Posts: 327
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 18 2008 22:09:10
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I thought about becoming a pco for the personal side of it. When I live through this, I like the idea of helping others through it. Because, as SPDIBBK9Handler, said "most people don't cry over an ant infestation."
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freaked out in brooklyn
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Posts: 131
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Mar 24 2008 19:11:38
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I think a bb store would be a good idea....maybe even a huge traveling bb truck with a side window selling or making orders and advice...
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