New this summer

ILLUSTRATION: LEO MICHAEL

The first day of summer is nearly here, and business is about to ramp up.

For many pest management professionals (PMPs), pest control work has been steady despite stay-at-home mandates issued during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

How has business been so far this year? Pest Management Professional (PMP) surveyed readers last month, and the results are in. It turns out that business has been good for many of you. (Read more: PMP survey finds industry ready for business)

Because pest control is essential to protecting health and property, customers have continued to rely on PMPs to help keep them and their structures safe. The ways in which you interact with your customers may have changed, however. For instance:

• Customers who have been spending more time at home seem to be more engaged and curious about pest control, asking questions and sharing observations from a safe social distance (check out “Customers at home engaged in pest control” for a firsthand take).
• Technicians continue to limit contact with customers, collecting payment online and wearing personal protective equipment when visiting customer’s properties.
• PMPs are communicating with current and potential customers via social media, posting news of the assistance they have provided in their communities (see “PMPs give back in creative ways” for a small sampling of good deeds).

While some aspects of your business are not yet back to normal, another busy summer awaits!

Read more COVID-19 coverage here: MyPMP.net/COVID-19