PPC122 | OPINION

For anyone new to pest management or considering a career in the industry, the idea of humanely dispatching an animal can feel daunting. It’s a topic that’s rarely discussed openly, yet it’s an important part of what professionals do to protect public health and prevent suffering.

Recently, a group of experienced pest professionals got together to talk honestly about the realities of humane dispatch; the emotions, the responsibilities and the professionalism it demands. In this PPC round table, we tackle the subject head-on.

PPC I suppose the opening question is simple. Should a pest controller be expected to kill things?

PW Yes. It’s part of the job. It doesn’t happen every day, but as professional pest controllers, we have to be prepared and competent when it does. That doesn’t mean we need to feel comfortable about it. Confidence is more important than comfort.

GS I agree. When we’re using tools that might trap or injure us, we need to be ready to act if something needs dispatching. It’s our responsibility.

CC We have to be honest about this. It is part of what we do. The responsibility is to do it well and to make sure the animal’s suffering is minimised. Even after 25 years in the industry, I’ve never found it easy – and I don’t think it should be. But if it needs doing, I’d rather do it myself and know it’s done properly.

AG Killing pests is inevitable in our line of work. We don’t think much about it when it’s insects, but with rodents or larger animals, it becomes personal. It’s okay not to be OK about it. What matters is that you’re supported and prepared.

Preparing yourself mentally and physically

PPC  There isn’t much formal training around dispatching. How do you prepare yourselves for it?

AG For me, it’s a private moment between me and the animal. It’s not something I want to do with an audience. My job is to end that animal’s suffering quickly and humanely.

PW Speed and competence are everything. It has to be swift and clean. Because we can’t exactly “train” on live animals, most of us learn by experience. If something doesn’t go as planned, reflect, learn, and improve. And yes, it’s okay to feel uneasy about it. That’s what empathy looks like.

CC Preparation starts long before the moment itself. You need the right tools, the right mindset, and a clear plan. If you’re fumbling for a kit or second-guessing your method, it’s not fair to the animal. None of us enjoy doing it, but being prepared ensures it’s done swiftly and properly.

Having a process

PPC What about a process? Do you have one that helps you mentally get ready for dispatch?

CC When we live-catch grey squirrels in Scotland, we’re legally required to dispatch them because of the risk they pose to reds. We use cage traps, so the process is very controlled. Transferring the animal to a sack, immobilising it, and delivering a precise blow is essential. You can’t do that without proper preparation and equipment.

PW Choosing the right tool and method beforehand makes a huge difference. Personally, I avoid live-capture traps where possible because I believe a well-set kill trap can be more humane than leaving an animal stressed in a cage. That’s part of the professional judgement we bring to every job.

GS I think it’s also about perspective. When I have to dispatch something, I remind myself it’s part of protecting public health. Doing it properly now means preventing more suffering later.

Decompressing afterwards

PPC Dispatching can affect people emotionally. How do you deal with that?

AG I talk to someone. Even after 27 years, it still gets to me. We often work alone, so having someone to speak to after helps you process it.

PW Absolutely. Talking to others in the industry reminds you that you’re not alone in how you feel. No one here relishes doing it. Sharing those experiences keeps you grounded and supported.

Shooting, training and competence

PPC Shooting presents different challenges. Should there be more formal training for that side of the work?

PW Definitely. If you’re using an air weapon, you need evidence of both training and competence. Knowing where to shoot, how to calibrate, and how to follow up if it doesn’t go perfectly are essential. Shooting is easily mishandled and highly visible to the public.

CC In Scotland, the air weapon licensing helps filter out people who might see it as “fun”. We’re not shooting targets; we’re dealing with live animals. Only trained professionals should be allowed to do that work.

“We have to be honest about this. It is part of what we do. The responsibility is to do it well and to make sure the animal’s suffering is minimised.”

When someone can’t do it

PPC What about people who can’t bring themselves to dispatch an animal; can they still have a career in pest management?

CC It’s an important question. If you can’t get to a place of confidence and competence, it could lead to suffering for the animal. That’s not acceptable.

AG You can survive in pest management without handling every aspect (bird control, for example, often has specialists), but you do need to be prepared to dispatch small rodents or squirrels. In nearly three decades, I’ve only had to do it a dozen times. It’s rare, but you need to be ready.

PW It’s not something you’ll do often, but you must be able to do it when required. That’s part of being a professional.

Learning by doing

PPC How do you advise someone doing it for the first time?

PW Treat it as a private, professional moment. Prepare properly, act decisively, and if it doesn’t go as planned, make it right and learn from it. Mistakes happen, but what defines you is how you handle them.

GS For me, keeping perspective helps. Remind yourself that your actions are preventing wider suffering; both for animals and for people affected by infestations.

Animal welfare

PPC Some might ask whether our work harms or helps animal welfare overall. What do you think?

GS When we take over a contract where someone’s been doing DIY pest control, the difference is huge. We see rats drowned in buckets or half-caught in traps. Professional pest control is far more humane. Educating customers is part of that welfare improvement.

CC I completely agree. A professional pest controller can deliver one of the most humane ends an animal could have. Most wild rodents die from starvation, predation or disease. When we do our job properly, we minimise suffering and prevent worse outcomes.

PW Exactly. Our role actually improves animal welfare. We stop infestations before they escalate, proof properties, and prevent conflict between wildlife and people. Every hole we seal saves more animals than we ever have to dispatch.

AG And developments like cholecalciferol baits and the move away from cumulative rodenticides have made a huge difference to non-target species. We’ve evolved as an industry, and that’s something to be proud of.

Looking ahead

CC The industry’s changing faster than ever. 40% of our workforce could retire in the next ten years. As we bring in new people, we need to help them understand dispatch properly−not to make them comfortable with killing, but to ensure they are confident and humane when it’s required.

PW Dispatch is a very small part of what we do, but it’s the part that demands the most professionalism. Every proofing job, every hygiene improvement, every conversation about prevention – that’s pest management. Dispatching is just one tool in the wider responsibility of protecting public health.

CURIOUS ABOUT PEST MANAGEMENT?

PPC magazine is creating more and more articles aimed at those new to the sector or just considering a career in pest management. This article will also be on PestCareers.org.uk, BPCA’s new project to encourage the next generation of pest professionals to join our work in protecting public health.

To learn more about this project, visit PestCareers.org.uk

If you have an idea for an article targeted at new technicians or people considering a career in pest management, contact us today. hello@bpca.org.uk 

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