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How a pest control worker can use AI, task by task

O*NET 37-2021.00: Pest Control WorkersMedian pay $45,250/year (BLS, May 2025)14 tasksJob Zone 2: Some preparation

Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Commercial Pest Control Technician (Commercial Pest Control Tech), Exterminator, Pest Control Applicator, Pest Control Chemical Technician (Pest Control Chemical Tech), Pest Control Operator, Pest Control Technician (Pest Control Tech), Pest Technician (Pest Tech), Residential Pest Control Technician (Residential Pest Control Tech), Route Technician (Route Tech), Termite Technician (Termite Tech).

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 22%AI-assist 21%Stays human 57%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 2 AI-ready, 2 AI-assist and 10 human-led tasks out of 14. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Record work activities performed.Write it up · Several times a day
  2. Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.Answer questions · Daily
  3. Measure area dimensions requiring treatment, calculate fumigant requirements, and estimate cost for service.Crunch the numbers · Weekly

AI can draft these 2

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Record work activities performed.

Several times a day

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 72% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to record work activities performed.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
Team: [describe]
Data: [paste hours, occupancy]

Draft the report. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Work hours report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you record work activities.
Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Document work hours or activities..

Study preliminary reports or diagrams of infested area and determine treatment type required to eliminate and prevent recurrence of infestation.

Monthly

AI pulls out what matters from long documents in seconds.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a long document, manual or policy into AI and ask for the parts that matter to you. You get a summary in seconds, then you read the key sections it points you to.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to study preliminary reports or diagrams of infested area and determine treatment type required to eliminate and prevent recurrence of infestation.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Report or drawing: [paste the findings, survey progress or site diagram]
Decision to make: [what work or treatment to plan]

Summarize what the report shows, what work it points to, and how urgent each item is. List information that's missing before I can decide.

10-minute exercise: Read reports to decide what's needed

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you study preliminary reports or diagrams of infested area.
Step 2Paste it into [Report or drawing] and state the [Decision to make].
Step 3Make the call yourself, then check whether the missing information it listed would have changed it.

Remove names and private details before pasting, and check your employer's rules on what you can share with AI tools.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate reports or designs to determine work needs..

AI can help you prep these 2

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.

Daily

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 65% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to recommend treatment and prevention methods for pest problems to clients.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Customer needs: [describe]
Options: [products, treatments]

Write honest recommendations with pros and cons. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Recommendations

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you recommend treatment and prevention methods (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Customer needs] and [Options] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Recommend products or services to customers..

Measure area dimensions requiring treatment, calculate fumigant requirements, and estimate cost for service.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to measure area dimensions requiring treatment, calculate fumigant requirements, and estimate cost for service.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Service: [maintenance, landscaping]
Inputs: [labour, materials, equipment]

Build an estimate with formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Service estimate

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you measure area dimensions requiring treatment (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Service] and [Inputs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Estimate maintenance service requirements or costs..

These stay human 10

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: every day · Outdoors in all weather: every day · Contact with others: contact with others most of the time · Frequency of decisions: once a week or more but not every day

Drive truck equipped with power spraying equipment.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to drive truck equipped with power spraying equipment.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Vehicle: [van, truck]
Route: [sites]

List checks and safe driving points. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Work vehicle routine

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you drive truck (today).
Step 2Fill in [Vehicle] and [Route] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Drive trucks or other vehicles to or at work sites..

Clean work site after completion of job.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to clean work site after completion of job.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Facility: [restrooms, common areas]
Supplies: [stock list]

Make a service checklist and restock sheet. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Restroom and facility service

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you clean work site (today).
Step 2Fill in [Facility] and [Supplies] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Clean facilities or sites..

Spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to spray or dust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshlands, ditches, or catch basins.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Treatment: [fumigant, spray]
Site: [rooms, crops]

List prep, application and re-entry rules. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Fumigation or spray prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you spray or dust chemical solutions, powders and gases (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Treatment] and [Site] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Follow the label and your licence conditions. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Treat greenery or surfaces with protective substances..

Inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations.

Monthly

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to inspect premises to identify infestation source and extent of damage to property, wall, or roof porosity and access to infested locations.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Property: [buildings, parks, grounds]
What I check: [condition, safety, appearance]

Make a walk route checklist and a work order template. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Grounds and building walk

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you inspect premises.
Step 2Fill in [Property] and [What I check] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Inspect buildings or grounds to determine condition..

Direct, or assist other workers in, treatment or extermination processes to eliminate or control rodents, insects, or weeds.

Monthly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to direct, or assist other workers in, treatment or extermination processes to eliminate or control rodents, insects, or weeds.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Team: [housekeeping, maintenance, laundry]
This week's priority or issue: [describe, no names]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Maintenance team supervision

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you direct, or assist treatment or extermination processes.
Step 2Fill in [Team] and [This week's priority or issue] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Walk the work areas and give specific feedback.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Supervise maintenance workers..

Set mechanical traps, or place poisonous paste or bait in sewers, burrows, or ditches.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to set mechanical traps, or place poisonous paste or bait in sewers, burrows, or ditches.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Pest and area: [insects, rodents, rooms]
Product: [name, label]

List prep, application and safety steps from the label. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Pest treatment prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you set mechanical traps.
Step 2Fill in [Pest and area] and [Product] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Follow the product label exactly. The label is the law.

Importance 3.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Treat facilities to eliminate pests..

Post warning signs and lock building doors to secure area to be fumigated.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to post warning signs and lock building doors to secure area to be fumigated.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Area: [entrances, gates, forest roads, restricted zones]
When: [closing time, fire season, incident]

Make a checklist for securing access: points to lock or block, signage, notifications, and a log entry template.

10-minute exercise: Secure-the-area checklist

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you post warning signs.
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [When] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Walk the perimeter with it once and add any access point it missed.

Importance 3.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Block physical access to restricted areas.. Also involves: Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards..

Cut or bore openings in building or surrounding concrete, access infested areas, insert nozzle, and inject pesticide to impregnate ground.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to cut or bore openings in building or surrounding concrete, access infested areas, insert nozzle, and inject pesticide to impregnate ground.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Pest and area: [insects, rodents, rooms]
Product: [name, label]

List prep, application and safety steps from the label. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Pest treatment prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you cut or bore openings.
Step 2Fill in [Pest and area] and [Product] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Follow the product label exactly. The label is the law.

Importance 3.5/5 · O*NET work activity: Treat facilities to eliminate pests..

Clean and remove blockages from infested areas to facilitate spraying procedures and provide drainage, using brooms, mops, shovels, or rakes.

A few times a year

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to clean and remove blockages from infested areas to facilitate spraying procedures and provide drainage, using brooms, mops, shovels, or rakes.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Pest and area: [insects, rodents, rooms]
Product: [name, label]

List prep, application and safety steps from the label. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Pest treatment prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you clean and remove blockages.
Step 2Fill in [Pest and area] and [Product] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Follow the product label exactly. The label is the law.

Importance 2.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Treat facilities to eliminate pests..

Position and fasten edges of tarpaulins over building, and tape vents to ensure air-tight environment and to check for leaks.

Yearly or less

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to position and fasten edges of tarpaulins over building, and tape vents to ensure air-tight environment and to check for leaks.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Installation: [floor, cover, fixture]
Standards: [smoothness, seal, fit]

Make a final inspection checklist. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Installation check

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you position and fasten edges of tarpaulins over building.
Step 2Fill in [Installation] and [Standards] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 2.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Inspect completed work to ensure proper installation.. Also involves: Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.; Position safety or support equipment..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Operations Monitoringimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Operation and Controlimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Time Managementimportance 3.5/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Quality Control Analysisimportance 2.6/5
    Used in: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Writingimportance 3.6/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information
  • Critical Thinkingimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Active Listeningimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 3.1/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 0 AI-ready, 0 AI-assist, 1 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Monitor inventory of chemicals and supplies.

New in O*NET

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a pest control worker. Part of my job is to monitor inventory of chemicals and supplies.

Context: The work draws on chemistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Supplies: [lab, treatment]
Par levels: [describe]

Plan count and reorder. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Medical supply count

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor inventory of chemicals and supplies.
Step 2Fill in [Supplies] and [Par levels] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

New O*NET task (08/2026). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so its label comes from similar tasks, such as “Maintain inventories of supplies.” (Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment), and was checked by hand. O*NET work activity: Inventory medical supplies or equipment.. Also involves: Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.; Monitor inventories of products or materials..

Getting into this job

O*NET has not surveyed education and training for this occupation yet.

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Intuit QuickBooksMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft Word