How to Get to Pest Control in Old School RuneScape A Step-by-Step Guide

Pest Control is one of the most engaging minigames in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), offering players a chance to team up, battle monsters, and earn valuable rewards like Void Knight equipment and combat experience. But before you can jump into the action, you need to know how to get to the Pest Control location: the Void Knights’ Outpost. This guide will walk you through every method to reach Pest Control, tips for preparation, and strategies to maximize your experience, all tailored for both new and veteran players.
Pest Control is a cooperative, combat-based minigame where players work together to protect the Void Knight from waves of monsters while destroying portals that spawn them. Located on the Void Knights’ Outpost, it’s a members-only activity that requires a minimum combat level of 40 to participate. The minigame is popular for its rewards, including commendation points that can be exchanged for gear and XP, making it a hotspot for skill training and gear grinding.
Why Visit Pest Control?
Before diving into travel methods, let’s highlight why Pest Control is worth your time:
- Combat XP: Offers significant experience for Attack, Strength, Defence, and other combat skills.
- Void Knight Gear: Earn points for powerful armor sets like the Void Knight equipment, ideal for various combat scenarios.
- Team Play: Encourages coordination with other players, fostering a social gaming experience.
- Safe Minigame: Death doesn’t result in item loss, so you can experiment with strategies worry-free.
Travel Methods to Reach Pest Control
Getting to Pest Control involves traveling to the Void Knights’ Outpost, located on a southern island in Gielinor. Below are the most efficient and accessible ways to get there, catering to different player levels and preferences.
Method 1: Port Sarim to Void Knights’ Outpost
The most straightforward way to reach Pest Control is by taking a ship from Port Sarim. Here’s how:
- Head to Port Sarim, located south of Falador or west of Draynor Village.
- Find the Squire on the southernmost dock, just north of the charter ship and south of the Lady Lumbridge.
- Right-click the Squire and select “Travel”, or talk to her and choose to go to the Void Knights’ Outpost.
- You’ll arrive at the Outpost, ready to board a lander for Pest Control.
Tip: To get to Port Sarim quickly, use an Amulet of Glory to teleport to Draynor Village, then walk southwest. Alternatively, walk from Falador or Lumbridge if you’re early in the game.
Method 2: Grouping Teleport for Fast Travel
For players looking for speed, the Grouping teleport is the fastest method, though it comes with a cooldown.
- Open the Quest tab and navigate to the Minigame section.
- Select Pest Control from the Grouping teleport options.
- Teleport directly to the Void Knights’ Outpost.
- Note: This method has a 20-minute cooldown and can’t be used in PvP areas like the Wilderness or Emir’s Arena.
Pro Tip: Use this teleport when you’re in a rush to join games on World 344, the official Pest Control world, where boats fill up quickly.
Method 3: Pest Control Teleport Scrolls
For those with access to Treasure Trails rewards or extra gold, Pest Control teleport scrolls offer a direct route.
- Purchase a Pest Control teleport from the Grand Exchange or obtain it as a reward from clue scrolls.
- Use the scroll to teleport instantly to the Void Knights’ Outpost.
- Cost: Prices vary based on market demand, typically ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 GP.
When to Use: Ideal for players who don’t want to rely on cooldowns or walking routes, especially if you’re deep in another area of Gielinor.
Method 4: Fairy Ring to Mudskipper Point
If you’ve unlocked the Fairy Ring network, this is a scenic but effective option.
- Use the Fairy Ring code AIQ to teleport to Mudskipper Point.
- Walk north to Port Sarim’s docks.
- Speak to the Squire to travel to the Void Knights’ Outpost.
Requirement: Completion of parts of the Fairy Tale II – Cure a Queen quest to access Fairy Rings.
Method 5: Alternative Teleports and Walking Routes
If none of the above suit your situation, consider these alternatives:
- Explorer’s Ring (Cabbage Patch): Teleport to the cabbage field north of Port Sarim (requires Lumbridge & Draynor Diary).
- Spirit Tree: If you’ve grown a Spirit Tree in Port Sarim (78 Farming), teleport there from the Grand Exchange.
- Khazard Teleport: Use Lunar Magic (78 Magic) to teleport to Port Khazard, then charter a ship to Port Sarim.
Best for: Players with high-level skills or specific diary completions looking for creative travel options.
Preparing for Pest Control
Once you’ve arrived at the Void Knights’ Outpost, preparation is key to succeeding in Pest Control. Here’s what you need to know before boarding a lander.
Combat Level Requirements
Pest Control has three difficulty tiers, each tied to a specific lander:
Lander | Combat Level Required | Commendation Points per Win |
---|---|---|
Novice | 40+ | 3 |
Intermediate | 70+ | 4 |
Veteran | 100+ | 5 |
Recommendation: Start with the Novice lander if you’re new or have a lower combat level. Higher-tier landers offer more points but feature tougher monsters.
Gear and Inventory Setup
Your gear depends on your combat style and role (Defender or Portal Killer). Here’s a basic setup:
- Melee: High-damage weapons like a Dragon Scimitar or Abyssal Whip, with armor like Rune or Dragon.
- Ranged: Magic Shortbow or Rune Crossbow with appropriate ammo, paired with Black D’hide armor.
- Mage: Trident of the Seas or Iban’s Staff, with Mystic or Ahrim’s robes.
- Utility: Bring a hammer and axe for repairing barricades/gates to earn activity points without combat.
Inventory Tips: Food isn’t necessary since Pest Control is a safe minigame, but bring stat-boosting potions (e.g., Super Attack) if you want an edge. Potions don’t carry over between games, so use them strategically.
Tips for Efficient Pest Control Gameplay
Traveling to Pest Control is just the start—here’s how to make the most of your time in the minigame.
Choose the Right World
Join World 344, the official Pest Control world, for the fastest game starts. With 5 to 25 players needed per game, this world ensures boats fill quickly, reducing wait times. If World 344 is crowded, look for clans advertising “100+ worlds” via trade interfaces to join high-level groups for faster wins.
Stay Active to Earn Points
To earn commendation points, you must maintain activity by:
- Attacking Portals: Deal damage to portals to destroy them quickly.
- Killing Pests: Focus on Spinners, which heal portals, to prevent delays.
- Repairing Structures: Fix gates or barricades for 500 points of activity per repair (10 repairs = reward eligibility).
Warning: If your activity bar drops to zero, you won’t earn points, even if your team wins.
Teamwork Strategies
Pest Control thrives on coordination. Adopt these roles for success:
- Defenders: Stay near the Void Knight to kill or lure pests like Torchers and Defilers away.
- Portal Killers: Attack portals and eliminate Spinners to prevent healing. Use high-damage gear like Dharok’s for efficiency.
- Gatekeepers: Close gates to block pests, especially at the south, east, and west entrances.
Communication: Call out portal statuses (e.g., “Yellow portal down!”) to keep your team focused.
Maximizing Rewards and Efficiency
Pest Control’s rewards are tied to commendation points, which scale with your lander’s difficulty. Here’s how to optimize your gains.
Reward Options
Points can be spent on:
- Void Knight Equipment: Requires 42 Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Ranged, Magic, and 22 Prayer. A full set (helm, top, robe, gloves) costs 850 points.
- Combat XP: Exchange points for experience in Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Ranged, Magic, or Prayer. Scales with your level.
- Resource Packs: Herb, seed, or mineral packs for 15–30 points, useful for Ironmen.
Best Choice: Prioritize Void Knight gear for its combat versatility, especially for mid-to-high-level players.
Efficiency Tips
To grind points faster:
- Play on Intermediate or Veteran Landers: Higher points per win (4–5 vs. 3) if your combat level allows.
- Use Dharok’s for Portals: Combine with a rock cake to lower HP and maximize damage output.
- Avoid Overcrowding: If too many players defend the Void Knight, switch to portal attacking to maintain activity.
Time Estimate: Earning a full Void set (850 points) takes roughly 200–300 games on the Novice lander or 150–200 on Veteran, depending on win rates.
By mastering travel methods and gameplay strategies, you’ll be a Pest Control pro in no time. Whether you’re chasing XP, gear, or just fun, the Void Knights’ Outpost awaits your arrival. Hop on World 344, gear up, and start defending Gielinor’s balance!