Flub's General Discussion - Advise or Warnings for a Pest controller???

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Advise or Warnings for a Pest controller???

Printed From: Kiwi Airgunners
Category: General
Forum Name: Flub's General Discussion
Forum Description: General discussion goes in here.
URL: www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz/forum_posts.asp?TID=854
Printed Date: 05 Nov 2025 at 10:03am
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Topic: Advise or Warnings for a Pest controller???

Posted By: RangerPete
Subject: Advise or Warnings for a Pest controller???
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2023 at 1:37pm

Hi Folks,

I’m giving some serious consideration to starting my own little one man pest control business.
I’d be focusing on rabbits, pigeons and possums, but will basically shoot anything anyone will pay me to shoot, from sparrows to rats to roosters…

I thought it might be a good idea to reach out to fellow air gunners and ask if you have any pearls of wisdom, or words of caution to share with me with regards to taking on pest control (shooting) as a full time profession.
What should I be aware of, where are potential pitfalls that could be disastrous or could be avoided?

Thanks in advance,
Pete.

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Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.

Replies:

Posted By: FPM
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2023 at 4:06pm

By all means give it a try if you are buying stuff anyway. But from what i have seen its a pretty small market. I live in a farming area and folks around here have rifles and do the job themselves.

Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2023 at 3:22am

Key things I can think of are;

Insurance and,

Write a procedure that you follow and have it as a JSA,SWMS. For example obvious stuff like follow 7 rules of firearms, notifying client or police. You only need to write this once, but it'll make you look professional.

Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2023 at 3:11pm

Hi Pauly,
Agreed about the insurance, one of those things you can’t afford to not have.
I get what you are saying about having a written down procedure to follow every time, but what is a JSA,SWMA?
Pete.

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Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.

Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2023 at 5:26pm

It's a corporate anagram. Designed by office people to annoy the hell out of those that work with their hands. But it's not silly really.

Job safety analysis = JSA

Safe work method statement - swms

Both the same effectively. Involves breaking down tasks, risks and ways to minimize or eliminate them.

For example

shooting pests / risk is ricochet or hitting buildings / eliminate by checking firing zone.

I can send you what I use if you like? Not perfect, but it works for me.

Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2023 at 11:37am

Aaaaarr, makes sense now, thank you.
That would be great if you wouldnt mind sharing it, thank you!

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Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.

Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2023 at 11:58am

Check your inbox, I emailed it earlier today.

Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2023 at 12:40pm

Awesome, thanks!

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Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.