GUEST BLOG

In this guest blog, Mark Pitt, PGM & Son Pest Control, explains how he went from construction to pest control in his 40s. 

I didn’t expect to start a completely new career in my 40s - but pest control turned out to be exactly what I was looking for.

Before this, I spent years in building and construction. It was honest work, but it was also brutal on the body.

Early starts, freezing winter mornings, and long days on roofs or scaffolding at 5am eventually make you question how long you can keep going.

I wanted something physical, but not something that was going to break me.

That’s how I ended up in pest control.

I originally joined PGM & Sons Pest Control doing proofing work. With a background in construction, it made sense - I knew buildings, I understood access points, and I was comfortable working out how pests were getting in and how to stop them.

But once I started seeing the wider side of pest management, I got properly interested.

As I like to say now: I’m smart with tools and sharp with rodents, so you’re in good hands.

Not an easy job - just a smarter one

There’s a misconception that pest control is an easy option. It isn’t.

You still work outdoors, in lofts, under floors, and sometimes at height.

But the big difference is that it’s not all day, every day. You’re not stuck on a roof in the middle of winter wondering why you didn’t become an accountant.

The variety makes a huge difference, especially as you get older. You stay active without constantly pushing your body to the limit.

One of the biggest challenges for me was going back to learning. Taking on the RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management in my 40s wasn’t something I took lightly.

Studying again definitely stretched me, but that’s also what made it worthwhile.

There’s something satisfying about proving to yourself that you can still learn, still adapt, and still build a professional future from scratch.

The qualification helped me understand not just what we do, but why we do it - from pest biology to legislation and integrated pest management.

It’s changed how I approach jobs, inspections, and conversations with clients.

Pest control is about people

One thing I didn’t expect was just how people-focused the job would be.

Yes, we deal with pests, but mostly we deal with people who are stressed, embarrassed, or at their wits’ end.

Sometimes it genuinely feels like you’re a counsellor with a toolbox.

For some clients, particularly elderly people, a pest controller might be the only person they see for weeks.

They value the chat as much as the solution. Listening, reassuring them, and explaining what’s happening can be just as important as the treatment itself.

Helping people in that way gives real satisfaction. You’re not just fixing a problem, you’re giving peace of mind.

A supportive industry - and looking ahead

The pest control industry itself has been a pleasant surprise. The training courses, events, and people I’ve met have been incredibly supportive.

There’s a real focus on professionalism and helping each other improve, which makes learning even more rewarding.

Now, as my son finishes school, he’s starting to show an interest in pest control too. That’s something I never expected, but it’s encouraging.

This is a career with solid earning potential, strong professional standards, and real purpose. It’s good to see young people looking at it as a genuine option.

If there’s one thing pest control has taught me, it’s that it’s never too late to start again.

You can change direction in your 40s, learn something new, and find a career that’s rewarding; not just financially, but personally too.

It takes effort, but the payoff is worth it.

And best of all? I no longer start my day on a frozen roof wondering how my knees feel about it.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? 

Find out if pest control could be the career switch for you.

pestcareers.org.uk

Source: Online