Pest controller reveals first sign you have an infestation - and the one job he'll 'never forget'

Each week, the Money blog speaks to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like. This week we chat to pest controller from Bespoke Pest Control, Stephen Wales.

New technicians start with about £26,000 a year... with training, like BPCA or NPTA qualifications in rodent and insect control, you can climb to £30,000-£40,000 after five to 10 years, especially if you're tackling infestations in busy city restaurants or historic buildings. Pay depends on the employer. Bigger firms often offer clear paths to promotion, and you can boost earnings with bonuses for signing up clients or overtime for late-night call-outs.

Pests have their seasons - the most common are... rats. They sneak in through damaged drains and gaps around buildings, especially in cities, and they breed rapidly; one pair can lead to over 1,000 offspring in a year, so a small problem can quickly escalate. In the summer, the most common are wasps.

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Access is the most common reason people get pests in their homes... Mice can squeeze through a gap as small as a biro and rats only need a hole about the width of your thumb. Bed bugs are different; they hitchhike home with you in luggage after travel or in second-hand furniture.

A squirrel racing around a loft at 3am... can sound like a wild animal on the rampage - I've had customers convinced they had something the size of an elephant above their bedroom.

I definitely get grossed out... Usually by the property rather than the pests. One pub in east London was so overrun with mice that the cellar floor looked like it was moving. But the worst part was upstairs: the previous owners had kept their dog shut in the hallway, and there were inches of dog mess built up across the floor. That's a job I'll never forget.

I was made redundant from my gardening job with the council... and a neighbour who worked at Rentokil suggested I apply. I didn't think I'd enjoy it, but during the seven-week training, I quickly realised it was the perfect job for me - lots of variety, problem-solving and meeting new people. I've never looked back.

Most pest control myths don't work... conkers don't repel spiders, and mice prefer chocolate or peanut butter over cheese. The only one with a bit of truth is strong scents like peppermint oil, which may deter some spiders temporarily. But the real answer is always proofing, hygiene and quick action.

The first sign that I'm dealing with a problem is... smell, especially with a serious rat infestation. They tend to use one area as a toilet, and the ammonia smell is very strong. And the smell of a dead rodent is unforgettable once you've experienced it.

Pest controllers are not very accurately portrayed in films... we're often portrayed as a comedy role, or only noticed during a scare story like the recent Paris bed bug headlines. In reality, we protect public health and ensure places like restaurants, takeaways and supermarkets keep people safe from pests.

Sometimes we're called to cases of delusional parasitosis... where someone genuinely believes they are infested even though there are no pests present. These situations require patience, respect and support; it's about helping the person, not just the property.

Some buildings are more prone to pests than others... Older buildings often have ageing drains and gaps that give pests easy entry. Newer houses can have issues too, such as insects brought in during construction, or rats accessing extensions built over old drains. Any weakness in a building can become a pest's welcome mat.

I've definitely seen an increase in bed bugs over my career... They were rare when I started, but now they're much more common because of increased travel and the popularity of second-hand furniture. They hitchhike their way into homes and spread easily.

Bed bugs are the hardest pests to get rid of... because they're extremely good at hiding, resistant to treatments, and you often need to treat multiple rooms. It's very labour-intensive work.

I've not really been tempted to keep a pest as a pet... I'm not bringing home fleas or cockroaches! But if I had to choose, it would be a rat; they're very clever, social and surprisingly affectionate when they're not chewing through someone's wiring.

The longest job I've worked on was... a fried-chicken shop in north London that was infested with rats in the false ceiling. They were feeding on food scraps outside, so I had to slowly change their routine and lure them towards control points. It took a lot of late nights, but I eventually removed more than 40 rats.

The most expensive job I charge for is... bed bug treatments. They're time-consuming and detailed, and often involve multiple rooms. Some rat jobs can also be expensive, especially when we need to carry out drain surveys to find how they're getting in.

I love tackling pests, but if I had to pick a downside... it's the paperwork and ever-changing regulations. As a self-employed technician, I handle every invoice and rodenticide and insecticide log myself. Keeping up with new rules can be time-consuming - not the worst part of the job, but definitely the least enjoyable.

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Keeping your home completely pest-free is impossible... but here are my three top tips to reduce the risk...

1. Proofing - Seal any holes or gaps around the perimeter of your home, including around pipes, air-brick covers and under doors;
2. Housekeeping - Store food properly, avoid leaving bird food accessible overnight, and clean up any spillages quickly;
3. Be vigilant - If you spot signs of pests, act early. They won't go away on their own. Contact a reputable, trade-approved pest control company for help and advice.

As a self-employed technician, I contribute to a private pension... back when I worked for other pest control companies, they offered workplace pensions, typically contributing around 3LJ% of a technician's salary, matched by the employee. As for retirement, I'm in no rush to stop. I still get a buzz from helping customers, so I plan to ease into smaller jobs, like home inspections, in my late 60s.

(c) Sky News 2025: Pest controller reveals first sign you have an infestation - and the one job he'll 'never forget'