Cleankill pest controller Josh Bates has been named ‘Pest Controller of the Year’ in the 2024 National Pest Awards.
Josh, who lives in Kenley near Croydon, decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and join Cleankill Pest Control five years ago, having spent the previous eight years at John Lewis.
He first helped at Cleankill Pest Control when he was just out of school, which gave him his first taste of life as a pest controller.
Josh currently services many postcodes in South London, providing high-quality routine inspections to domestic and commercial sites, as well as carrying out a variety of individual job work.
He said: “I love the pest control industry, and I only wish I had become involved in the industry sooner. It’s a career I am completely committed to, and every day brings huge job satisfaction.
“I am really thrilled to have won the ‘Pest Controller of the Year’ award and still can’t quite believe it. I have worked very hard to prove myself as a professional pest controller, and to get this sort of recognition from people outside the company is very important to me.”
Cleankill managing director Paul Bates added: “Josh is known for delivering a high level of service while being patient with customers in highly stressful situations. He has a calm, friendly manner, which puts the customers at ease.
“For one of our technicians to win this award is very special. We have won many awards as a company, but to now have an individual win an award is brilliant. Individuals make our company, and we rely on them to deliver our services.”
The judges were impressed by Josh’s Level 3 Certificate in Pest Control and the range of courses and qualifications he has completed. He is also involved in ‘out in the field’ training of new members of operational staff as part of their induction programme.
Cleankill Pest Control is a Gold Investors in People accredited organisation and is in the top 16% of recognised companies worldwide.
Now employing more than 50 staff, the company offers eradication and preventative services for all public health pests, including rats, mice, wasps, cockroaches, squirrels, fleas, bed bugs and pest birds. As a registered waste carrier, Cleankill also removes pigeon debris and other waste.
With offices in Surrey, East Sussex, Bristol and Buckinghamshire, Cleankill has many customers throughout London, Surrey, Sussex, the Home Counties, Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset.
