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Those in the pest control business know this drill only too well.
The phone rings, a customer needs immediate help with bed bugs, termites, or a rodent problem, and you take off in your service vehicle to save the day.
While that’s all in a day’s work for any pest control business, the real question is how do you keep that phone ringing?
Pest control is an evergreen yet highly competitive business, and there’s a lot more to it than handling infestations.
The key to success in this industry is maintaining a steady flow of customers all year round, exceeding their expectations with the quality of your service, and making sure they refer you to everyone they know.
The more people trust your services, the faster your pest control business grows.
So what’s the best way to bring in steady leads and keep your schedule full enough to justify an expansion to new areas?
This guide walks you through proven ways to get more customers, improve your operations, and take your pest control business to the next level.
Let’s get started!
1. Establish Your Business as the Local Authority
In a service industry like pest control, customers want a business they can trust to do the job efficiently.
Most people don’t deal with infestations regularly, so when they do need help, they want a consummate professional who knows exactly what they’re doing.
You’ll be the first person they call if they are convinced about your expertise and track record.
Here’s what you can do to cultivate a positive and authoritative impression about your pest control business:
- Educate Your Audience: Homeowners don’t always know what signs to look out for regarding pest problems.
That’s why sharing informative blog posts, videos, and social media tips about common pest issues, prevention techniques, and seasonal pest concerns can position you as the go-to expert.
For example, a post titled ‘5 Early Signs of a Termite Infestation and How to Stop It’ can educate potential customers while subtly showcasing your services.
- Partner with Home Service Providers: Build referral relationships with property managers, real estate agents, landscapers, and cleaning services.
These businesses frequently interact with homeowners and commercial property owners who might need pest control services. If they trust you, they’ll recommend you to their clients.
- Offer Free Educational Events or Webinars: Many homeowners wait too long before calling a pest control professional.
Hosting an educational seminar or live Q&A session, either online or in-person, on topics like ‘How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home This Summer’ will help build trust and keep your business top-of-mind when somebody needs help.
2. Dominate Local Search and Online Presence
Most customers looking for pest control services start their search online.
If your business isn’t ranking well in local search results, you’re missing out on potential leads.
Here’s what you can do to improve your online visibility:
- Optimize Your Google Business Profile: Google gives priority placement to businesses with a complete and active Google Business Profile.
Make sure your listing includes:
- Your accurate business name, phone number, and address.
- Clear descriptions of your different services and their pricing.
- High-quality photos of your team, vehicles, and completed jobs.
- Regular updates like seasonal promotions or pest alerts.
- Encourage Reviews & Social Proof: Businesses with more high-quality reviews dominate Google’s Local Pack (the top three map listings).
Make it easy for happy customers to leave reviews by sending follow-up emails or texts with a direct link to your review page or third-party site. - Use Local SEO Strategies: Instead of only optimizing for generic keywords like ‘pest control services’, focus on longer, location-specific phrases like ‘mosquito control in Denver’ or ‘termite exterminator near me’.
These targeted keywords help attract customers who are actively searching for the very services you provide.
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3. Invest in Lead-Generating Digital Marketing
If your website isn’t actively generating leads, you’re leaving money on the table.
A well-executed digital marketing strategy is key to consistently bringing in high-quality customers.
- Google Local Services Ads: These Google Guaranteed ads appear at the very top of search results, making them one of the most effective ways to get high-intent leads.
You only pay for actual leads and not clicks, so it’s a smart investment.
- Facebook & Instagram Ads: Social media ads allow you to target homeowners in specific zip codes with tailored offers. For instance, ‘$50 Off Your First Pest Control Service—This Week Only’.
- Email & SMS Marketing: Stay in touch with past customers by sending seasonal reminders, special discounts, and pest prevention tips.
A simple, ‘Time for your quarterly pest control check-up’ message can make clients return for more services.
Pro Tip: Test different ad formats—text-based, image-based, and short video ads—to see what converts best.
4. Expand Your Service Offerings
Instead of just getting more customers, think about how you can increase the value of each customer.
Expanding your services can boost revenue while attracting a wider customer base.
- Offer Recurring Service Plans: Pest control isn’t just about extermination—it’s about prevention. Offer quarterly or annual maintenance plans that create steady, predictable revenue. And if you need help with following up with your customers, we’ve got a fantastic feature called Get Repeats that lets you follow up with your clients through perfectly timed service reminders.
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- Introduce Eco-Friendly Solutions: With homeowners becoming more environmentally conscious, services like low-toxicity, pet-safe, or organic pest control solutions can set you apart.
- Expand to Commercial Clients: Businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and property managers require ongoing pest control contracts to remain compliant with regulations.
5. Automate and Optimize Your Operations
Inefficient manual scheduling, invoicing, and customer communication can slow you down as your pest control business grows.
Streamline these processes to improve productivity and keep customers satisfied.
Here’s how to do it:
- Use Field Service Management Software: Automate job scheduling, technician dispatching, and invoicing to reduce administrative workload.
- Improve Response Time: Implement online booking so customers can request services instantly instead of waiting for a callback.
- Track Key Metrics: Monitor customer retention rates, average job value, and referral sources to make informed decisions.
6. Scale Your Business to New Markets
Once your pest control company has a strong foundation, expanding to new locations can take growth to the next level.
- Assess Demand in Neighboring Areas: Expanding for the sake of growth can be risky, so make sure you do your research first.
Look for nearby areas and communities where pest problems are common but competition is low.
- Hire and Train More Technicians: Expansion means more jobs, and more jobs require more skilled technicians.
Hire customer-focused employees and provide consistent training to ensure your new teams deliver the same high-quality service that built your reputation.
- Consider Franchising or Licensing: If your brand has a strong reputation, franchising could allow you to expand without having to manage each location.
The franchise model lets you earn royalties while other entrepreneurs run locations under your brand.
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The most successful pest control businesses are the ones that consistently create loyal customers, generate referrals, and maintain a strong reputation.
Start implementing the strategies we’ve outlined in this article, track your progress, and stay adaptable.
If you want to accelerate the growth trajectory of your pest control business, NiceJob can help by automating review collection and customer referrals.
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