Cash Check: The Thrilling Life of a Pest Controller
- by Frank Donovitz
- 2 Min
Exterminators on the Daily Grind - Providing Relief to Homeowners Each Day - Exterminator professional: "Spending the day tracking down pests - assisting residents"
Meet the Exterminator: Jan Kortenbusch, 25-year-old, certified pest exterminator
Monthly Gross Income: 4500 EuroMonthly Net Income: 3320 Euro
Growing up, pest control wasn't exactly our family business. Yet here I am, a trained agricultural service technician turned rodent wrangler, thanks to my uncle's advice. He told me this gig was the bee's knees - enter, the pest controller.
From Career Reboot to Business Mogul
Six weeks of retraining and I was certified to hunt pests, or "chamber hunter" if you will. I signed on with a company spanning North Rhine-Westphalia, and today, I'm co-owner of our Olfen branch in Münsterland. My turf stretches from Koblenz down south to Bremen up north, even dipping into Holland to the west. We started small, but now, we've grown to a team of 16, quite the expansion I never anticipated. And the adventures keep coming.
The role welcomes newcomers through IHK training or retraining. And the job market doesn't seem to miss a beat - great career opportunities await as a service manager, quality manager, or environmental protection specialist. Our social media presence likely contributes to the talent pool and business growth.
Helping Hand in Trouble's Suit
We provide a helping hand in various situations - from dealing with critters like rats, mice, martens (out of season), insect infestations, bedbugs, and more, to pigeon deterrence, monitoring, and prevention. We rely on the latest scientific methods and tools to do the job. Rest assured, once we're out, our clients breathe easier, grateful for our services. And it's not just about the rodents - the joy we bring makes it all worthwhile.
My workweek hovers around 40 hours, offering room to breathe. Financially, I'm comfortable, treating myself to the occasional dinner out and small gifts for my partner. Besides my pest control gig, I tend to my family's farm, a secondary income stream that saves me 500 euros each month, invested in worldwide stocks through a private pension insurance.
High fuel prices weigh on me; I log about 70,000 kilometers per year on the road. However, our customers rely on us, and they need us fast.
Hint: Tune in on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 8:15 PM on RTL, as Jan Kortenbusch shares more about his career and life in the show "What does Germany earn." Stern is a part of RTL Germany.
- Pest Controller
- Career Dynamics
- Life & Earnings
Insights:
Pest control offers attractive earnings potential and career advancement opportunities. Technicians can transition into managerial roles, and experienced managers may enjoy higher earnings. Specialized knowledge, certifications, and leadership skills contribute to career growth in this field.
In the engaging world of pest control, Jan Kortenbusch, a certified exterminator, has transformed his career through vocational training programs, now co-owning an Olfen branch in Münsterland and managing a team of 16. One can also enhance their lifestyle by seeking career opportunities as a service manager, quality manager, or environmental protection specialist in this field. Home-and-garden enthusiasts might be interested to know that effective pest management practices also prevent infestations in home-and-garden settings, contributing to a healthier community lifestyle.
