Staying out of the Danger Zone

Illustration: Leo Michael

It’s not uncommon for struggling companies to crash and burn when the economy takes a turn for the worse, but that has not been the case in the pest management industry.

Pest Management Professional’s 2023 State of the Industry report, which is featured in the November issue, illustrates how most pest management professionals (PMPs) have risen above the challenges they encountered this year.

Rising fuel prices, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and high employee turnover are just a few of the business obstacles company owners are working hard to overcome.

Indeed, the results of our exclusive annual survey show 86 percent of respondents predict revenue gains in the year ahead. In addition, 78 percent tell us their 2022 revenue is up over last year’s.

PMPs who answered our survey say they keep their businesses flying high by employing strategies that include upselling general pest control customers on additional services, increasing prices, and providing excellent customer service to ensure repeat business.

The need for pest control is clear, but driving home that point is critical for continued business growth. As Philip Smith, president of Compass Pest Management in Cornelia, Ga., notes, PMPs should embrace their role as protectors of health and property. “Pest control is not a service of convenience, it’s a service of necessity,” he says.