OCCUPATION: PEST CONTROLLERS AND ASSISTANTS

Name: Jesse Martinez Company: Mar Vista Exterminating, Orange Thumbs up: “I like being my own boss. And I like to look at the different homes. I see homes that are anywhere from the $3-million homes to the $150,000 fixer-uppers. I also like it that I get to wear shorts 10 months out of the year. That’s real important to me. And my wife says I have great legs. Basically this job keeps me outside, that’s what I like.” Thumbs down: “All the paperwork. The cyclical end of the business--sometimes it’s very busy, and sometimes there are lows. And that’s all due to weather and the economy.” Next step: “I just basically want my business to grow. I’m a termite specialist. I’d like to have more people work for me.” Advice: “We encourage people to have at least a high school education, and good communications skills, and an extensive, overall knowledge of construction. They should be able to do handyman kinds of things. Termite damage and dry rot can cause the need for repair and replacement of anything from siding, eaves and bathroom floors.” Salary range: In Orange County, pest controllers earn between $5 and $25 hourly. Educational and training requirements: Licensing requirements vary according to the type of work. An applicator’s certificate is required for all jobs; structural pest control operators and field representatives must obtain a license from the Structural Pest Control Board, while agricultural pest control operators are licensed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Size of work force: Small. In Orange County, 430 to 525 people work as pest controllers and assistants. Expected demand: Employment prospects are favorable. The value of field crops and livestock is increasing and merits a higher degree of protection from pests. Most real estate lending institutions require a termite inspection. Job description: Structural pest control operators protect wooden structures, such as residences, hotels, motels and warehouses, from destruction by termites and wood borers, and protect inhabited structures and storage structures from infestation by insects and rodents. Agricultural pest control operators protect California’s farm crops, livestock and storage areas from damage by insects, noxious weeds and pests, such as rodents. Major employing industries: Pest control firms, agricultural industries. For more information: Pest controllers interested in licensing or certification to work in residences or warehouses may call the Structural Pest Control Board in Sacramento, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (916) 263-2544. (Please note that this is a new phone number and the board will not be taking calls on this line until Tuesday.) Operators interested in the agricultural pest control field should call the California Department of Food and Agriculture at (916) 322-4647. Researched by DALLAS M. JACKSON / Los Angeles Times