Busy season prep: How to start strong next spring

What do competitive runners and pest management professionals (PMPs) have in common? Getting off to a good start can play an important role in their success. 

The key to a successful start begins with preparation. For competitive athletes, preparation begins with meticulous training, ensuring they have the right equipment for the event, and double-checking the quality and functionality of their gear to ensure everything is working properly. The last thing they want is an equipment failure at the starting line to erode any chance of victory before the race really gets started.

We can draw similar parallels when preparing for the next busy pest control season. Ensuring you and your team have the right tools for the job is essential for everyone to hit the ground running (pun intended) when temperatures warm up and phone calls start rolling in. 

It may feel too early in the year to start thinking about warm, rainy days and nonstop service calls. But preparation takes time, and the buggy spring season will be here before you know it. Waiting until business picks up to find out you’re low on inventory or a piece of equipment is broken is like starting your race a few steps behind everyone else.

Be ready to take on the busy season this year with a proactive plan for success. Start by drafting a list of tools and equipment you’ll need to address those early-season pest calls in your area. Once your list is finalized, take inventory of what service and safety equipment you have on hand and what may be damaged or missing that needs to be ordered ahead of time. Perform all maintenance and service procedures on existing equipment to ensure everything functions properly before it returns to the field. Lastly, assemble and test all new equipment and tools before it’s time to use them.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re training for a race or preparing for peak service season: Proper preparation is a critical component of performing your job well and finishing strong. Train to finish first this year by starting your preparation process early.