Pest Control Employee Handbook Template
Table of Contents
Running a pest control business means managing unique challenges: chemical safety compliance, state licensing requirements, customer property liability, and ensuring technicians follow proper protocols. A pest control employee handbook helps you address all of these while protecting your business and keeping your team safe.
This guide covers everything you need to include in a pest control-specific handbook, plus a free template to get you started.
Why pest control companies need a specialized handbook
Generic employee handbooks don't address the specific needs of pest control businesses. The industry has unique requirements that standard templates miss:
- Chemical safety regulations — EPA compliance, SDS requirements, proper handling and storage
- State licensing — Applicator certifications, continuing education, supervision requirements
- Liability concerns — Chemical exposure, property damage, customer complaints
- Vehicle and equipment — Company vehicles, chemical storage in transit, equipment maintenance
- Customer property — Access protocols, damage prevention, documentation requirements
- Emergency response — Chemical spills, exposure incidents, first aid procedures
A pest control-specific handbook addresses all of these while staying compliant with federal, state, and local regulations.
Download the template
Get started with our free employee handbook template. It includes all the standard sections, which you can customize with pest control-specific policies.
This is our general template. Add the pest control-specific sections outlined below to make it complete for your business. Need help? See our step-by-step handbook guide.
Key sections for pest control handbooks
Beyond standard handbook content, pest control companies need these specialized sections:
Chemical Safety & Handling
SDS compliance, mixing procedures, application protocols, storage requirements
Personal Protective Equipment
Required PPE by chemical type, inspection, maintenance, replacement
Licensing & Certifications
State requirements, continuing education, company-sponsored training
Vehicle & Equipment Policies
Vehicle maintenance, equipment care, inventory management, inspections
Customer Property Protocols
Property access, damage prevention, documentation, liability
Service Documentation
Treatment records, chemical logs, customer communication, compliance reporting
Emergency Procedures
Chemical exposure response, spill cleanup, first aid, incident reporting
Integrated Pest Management
IPM principles, inspection procedures, treatment selection, follow-up protocols
Wildlife & Exclusion Services
Animal handling, humane practices, exclusion work, state regulations
Customer Service Standards
Communication, scheduling, complaint handling, service guarantees
Chemical safety policies to include
Chemical safety is the cornerstone of pest control operations. Your handbook should thoroughly document:
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Requirement to read and understand SDS before using any product
- Where SDS documents are stored (vehicle, office, digital access)
- How to interpret hazard warnings and first aid instructions
- Customer's right to request SDS information
Personal Protective Equipment
- Required PPE for each chemical category (respirators, gloves, coveralls, eye protection)
- Proper donning and doffing procedures
- PPE inspection and replacement schedules
- Consequences for failing to use required PPE
Chemical handling procedures
- Mixing and dilution protocols
- Application methods and equipment
- Storage requirements (temperature, ventilation, segregation)
- Transportation requirements in company vehicles
- Disposal of empty containers and unused product
Critical safety requirement
Document that employees must never eat, drink, or smoke while handling pesticides, and must wash hands and face before doing so. Chemical exposure through ingestion is a serious liability risk.
Licensing and certification requirements
Pest control licensing varies significantly by state. Your handbook should clearly address:
Required certifications
- State applicator license requirements
- Categories of certification (general pest, termite, fumigation, wildlife)
- Supervision requirements for unlicensed technicians
- Timeline for obtaining certifications after hire
Continuing education
- Annual CEU requirements by state and certification type
- Company-provided vs. employee-obtained training
- Documentation and record-keeping requirements
- Consequences for letting certifications lapse
Company support
- Study materials and exam preparation provided
- Paid time for training and testing
- Reimbursement policies for exam fees and CEUs
- Mentorship or ride-along requirements
State-specific note
Licensing requirements vary dramatically by state. Some require all technicians to be licensed, while others allow unlicensed applicators to work under supervision. Have your handbook reviewed by someone familiar with your state's regulations.
Customer property policies
Pest control technicians work in customers' most private spaces. Clear property policies protect both your company and your clients:
Property access
- Identification requirements (uniform, badge, vehicle signage)
- Scheduling and arrival window communication
- Procedures when customer is not home (key access, lockboxes)
- Areas that are off-limits without explicit permission
Damage prevention
- Moving furniture and belongings carefully
- Protecting flooring and surfaces during treatment
- Documenting pre-existing damage before starting work
- Reporting any accidental damage immediately
Documentation requirements
- Before and after photos for liability protection
- Treatment records with chemicals used, areas treated, and amounts
- Customer signatures on service tickets
- Follow-up communication and warranty documentation
Liability protection
Require technicians to photograph any pre-existing damage before starting work. This simple practice has saved countless pest control companies from fraudulent damage claims.
Template vs. digital handbook
Pest control technicians spend most of their day in the field. Consider whether a digital solution makes more sense than paper:
Paper/PDF Handbook
- Free to create
- Can be kept in service vehicle
- Hard to update when regulations change
- Gets damaged in field conditions
- No way to verify who's read updates
HandbookHub
Recommended- Technicians access on their phones
- Update instantly when regulations change
- Track who's read safety updates
- Search chemical protocols quickly
- AI generates content for you
No credit card required
Frequently asked questions
What should be in a pest control employee handbook?
A pest control handbook should include chemical safety and handling procedures, PPE requirements, licensing and certification policies, vehicle and equipment protocols, customer property policies, and emergency response procedures. Plus all the standard employment policies like anti-discrimination, leave policies, and performance expectations.
What certifications do pest control employees need?
Requirements vary by state, but most require applicator licenses or certifications. Many states require EPA-approved training, and some require specific certifications for termite treatment, fumigation, or wildlife control. Your handbook should outline which certifications are required and any company support for obtaining them.
How do I document chemical safety in a pest control handbook?
Include sections on reading and following Safety Data Sheets (SDS), proper PPE for each chemical type, storage and transportation requirements, mixing and application procedures, spill response protocols, and documentation requirements for every application.
Do I need different policies for residential vs. commercial services?
Yes, consider separate sections or addendums for commercial work. Commercial services often involve different chemicals, application schedules, documentation requirements (especially for food service), and customer communication protocols.
How do I get technicians to acknowledge the handbook?
Have each employee sign an acknowledgement form confirming they've received and read the handbook. For pest control, this is especially important — documented safety training acknowledgments protect you in exposure incidents and regulatory audits.