Ace Your Pest Control Technician Interview
Master the questions, showcase your expertise, and get hired faster
- Real‑world behavioral and technical questions
- STAR‑formatted model answers
- Competency‑based evaluation criteria
- Ready‑to‑use practice pack
Technical Knowledge
A homeowner called reporting small insects in the kitchen.
Determine the species and extent of the infestation to recommend treatment.
Conducted a visual inspection, collected specimens, used a magnifying lens, and consulted the EPA pest guide to confirm they were German cockroaches.
Identified a moderate German cockroach infestation and presented an integrated pest management plan, which the homeowner approved.
- How do you handle an unknown pest?
- What tools do you rely on for identification?
- Clarity of inspection steps
- Use of reliable resources
- Accuracy in species identification
- Professional communication
- Vague description of process
- No mention of safety precautions
- Inspect affected areas thoroughly
- Collect and examine specimens
- Reference reputable identification guides
- Document findings
Needed to treat a multi‑unit apartment for ants using a pyrethroid spray.
Apply the pesticide safely while protecting residents and yourself.
Wore a NIOSH‑approved respirator, gloves, and goggles; sealed off the treatment area, used low‑pressure spray, and ensured proper ventilation before re‑entry.
Completed the treatment without any exposure incidents and received positive feedback from property management.
- How do you verify that ventilation is sufficient?
- What steps do you take if a resident reports irritation?
- Correct PPE selection
- Adherence to label instructions
- Risk mitigation steps
- Post‑application monitoring
- Omitting PPE or ventilation details
- Wear appropriate PPE
- Ventilate the area
- Follow label dilution rates
- Avoid drift and over‑application
Customer Service
A long‑term client called frustrated after seeing rodents again despite previous treatments.
Reassure the client, diagnose the cause of recurrence, and restore confidence.
Visited the site, performed a thorough inspection, discovered a hidden entry point behind a utility closet, explained the findings calmly, and scheduled an immediate follow‑up treatment with a rodent‑proofing plan.
The client felt heard, the entry point was sealed, and no further rodent activity was reported for six months.
- What documentation do you provide after such an incident?
- How do you prevent future recurrences?
- Empathy and listening
- Analytical approach to root cause
- Clear communication
- Actionable solution
- Blaming the client
- Skipping re‑inspection
- Listen actively and empathize
- Conduct a detailed re‑inspection
- Identify root cause
- Communicate solution clearly
- Implement corrective action
First home visit for a family concerned about chemical use.
Educate them on IPM while addressing safety concerns.
Used simple analogies, described monitoring, physical barriers, and targeted low‑toxicity treatments, and provided a written IPM plan with timelines.
Homeowner approved the IPM approach, felt confident about safety, and signed the service agreement.
- Can you give an example of a physical barrier?
- How do you measure the effectiveness of IPM?
- Clarity of explanation
- Ability to simplify technical terms
- Addressing safety concerns
- Providing actionable steps
- Using jargon without explanation
- Define IPM in plain language
- Explain monitoring and thresholds
- Describe non‑chemical tactics
- Outline targeted chemical use only when needed
Safety & Compliance
Scheduled a commercial treatment in a state with strict pesticide licensing requirements.
Maintain full regulatory compliance throughout the job.
Verified my license was current, reviewed the state’s label requirements, completed the required pre‑application notification, documented the product batch number, and completed the post‑application report within the mandated timeframe.
The service was completed without any compliance issues, and the client received a copy of the compliance documentation for their records.
- How do you stay updated on changing regulations?
- What records do you retain and for how long?
- Awareness of licensing
- Adherence to notification procedures
- Accurate record‑keeping
- Timeliness of reporting
- Missing documentation
- Unaware of state‑specific rules
- Check license validity
- Review state‑specific label instructions
- Complete pre‑application notifications
- Record batch numbers and application details
- Submit post‑application reports
During a spray, a nozzle malfunction caused a small amount of pesticide to spill on a kitchen floor.
Contain the spill, protect occupants, and remediate safely.
Evacuated the area, donned PPE, used absorbent pads to contain the spill, applied the appropriate neutralizing agent per the product label, ventilated the room, and documented the incident.
The spill was fully contained with no exposure, the client was reassured, and the incident report was filed according to company policy.
- What information do you include in the incident report?
- How do you communicate the spill to the client?
- Speed of response
- Correct PPE usage
- Adherence to spill protocol
- Clear documentation
- Delaying evacuation
- Improper disposal
- Evacuate and secure area
- Use PPE
- Contain and absorb spill
- Apply label‑approved neutralizer
- Ventilate and verify clearance
- Document incident
Problem Solving
Customer called about aggressive wasps nesting deep in an attic with no ladder access.
Develop a safe, effective treatment plan despite limited access.
Recommended installing a temporary attic access platform, used a low‑pressure dust applicator to apply a residual insecticide into the nest, placed bait traps at entry points, and scheduled a follow‑up inspection.
The wasp colony was eliminated without any injuries, and the client praised the thorough approach.
- What alternative methods exist if the client refuses attic access?
- How do you ensure minimal disturbance to occupants?
- Safety planning
- Appropriate treatment selection
- Effectiveness of execution
- Client communication
- Suggesting high‑toxicity spray without access
- Assess access constraints
- Create safe entry method
- Select appropriate low‑risk treatment
- Apply residual product directly to nest
- Set monitoring traps
- Plan follow‑up
Found an Asian longhorned beetle in a warehouse, which is not covered under the existing contract.
Address the infestation while respecting contract terms and legal obligations.
Informed the client immediately, documented the finding with photos, consulted state invasive species guidelines, provided a separate quote for specialized treatment, and recommended notifying the local agricultural extension office.
Client approved the additional service, the beetle was eradicated, and the proper authorities were notified, ensuring compliance.
- How do you handle payment for out‑of‑scope work?
- What records are required for invasive species reporting?
- Prompt communication
- Regulatory awareness
- Professional handling of scope creep
- Accurate documentation
- Ignoring the finding
- Failing to report invasive species
- Document and photograph finding
- Notify client promptly
- Reference regulatory guidelines
- Provide separate service proposal
- Recommend official reporting
- pest identification
- integrated pest management
- chemical safety
- regulatory compliance
- customer service
- problem solving