Pest Control Industry Trends Every Business Owner Should Know

Success is built on the courage to evolve – and businesses trying to compete for market presence know that best. While there are several ways to get your pest control business to stand out – to truly stay ahead, you have to meet market demand.

As the pest control industry evolves, new trends are popping up to meet this demand. Pest control businesses that adopt these trends can set themselves apart from the competition and on the road to success.

If your business is looking for ways to stay at the forefront of the market, check out some of the newest pest control industry trends below.

Pest Control Industry Statistics

The pest control industry is booming. But did you know that it was valued at nearly $25 billion in 2023? And that’s not all – it is expected to grow by almost 6%, reaching over $42 billion in 2032.

In addition, employment for pest technicians is also expected to rise in the U.S. The U.S. Labor Bureau estimated that employment would increase by 3% between 2022 and 2032.

5 Pest Control Industry Trends

As we can see, the pest control industry is thriving. But what is driving the industry’s growth? There are several emerging trends in the pest control industry that are contributing to its expansion.

Here are some of the current trends in the pest control industry:

1.   Drones

Pest control businesses and technicians are increasingly investing in drone technology to help them reach remote areas safely, as well as cover larger areas more quickly and efficiently. As a result, these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming one of the latest trends in pest control.

But what sets pest control drones apart from regular ones? Like traditional ones, pest control drones come equipped with cameras and sensors. They are also operated remotely by ground technicians. However, they stand out because they have spraying equipment attached, allowing them to identify infestations and treat them immediately.

Pest control technicians are using drones to:

• Monitor large areas with high-resolution cameras to detect signs of infestation, especially in remote and unsafe locations.
• Apply pesticides in agricultural and forested areas with more precision. This allows drones to cover more ground efficiently.
• Collect data to assess pest populations, treatment effectiveness, and environmental conditions. The data can be used to improve management strategies and develop more effective pest control methods.

If you’re looking to offer drone pest control services, purchasing a basic model will cost around $1,000 to $3,000. In some cases, you may need to invest in additional training courses and certifications.

However, for precision-spraying services and hard-to-reach area inspections, you could charge $50 to $150 per hour. Pest control businesses offering agricultural drone services can make up to six figures in annual income.

2.   Thermal Imaging

Many people are probably familiar with thermal technology from action or sci-fi movies, but did you know that it is one of the top trends in the pest control industry? It’s true – pest control technicians are using thermal imaging to identify hidden pests. With thermal imaging, the heat signatures given off by pests are picked up. Then, the machine creates an image.

What’s especially interesting about this technique is that it allows technicians to inspect pests in real time. They can use the thermal imaging machine to scan walls, ceilings, and the ground to identify nests and infestations that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

Pest control technicians are using thermal imaging to:

• Identify hidden rodents, termites, bed bugs, ants, and wasp infestations in a less invasive way. Once the nests are identified, pesticides can be applied more accurately.
• Monitor pest activity in real-time to identify high-traffic areas that must be sprayed or treated quickly.
• Assess structural damage to determine areas where pests may have targeted insulation or created internal holes in walls, ceilings, and floors. Thermal imaging allows technicians to identify these issues more quickly and treat serious situations faster.

Thermal imaging devices are significantly cheaper than drones, with basic models costing around $250. Most pest control companies charge between $200 and $500 per inspection using thermal imaging.

3.   Smart Traps

As the name suggests, smart traps are smarter than traditional ones. But what does smarter really mean? How can a trap be smart? What really makes traps smart is the autonomous technology they are equipped with – cameras, sensors, and automated features.

Smart traps can detect when pests are captured and notify technicians in real time using apps. Some smart traps go even further to collect data on pest behavior and infestation habits, allowing technicians to develop better control strategies. This technology is one of the new trends in the pest control industry because it is a more efficient and humane way to trap rodents, insects, and other small mammals.

Basic smart traps are relatively cheap, starting at just $50. More advanced options range between $200 and $500 per unit. If you invest in this technology, you could charge between $200 and $600 per site for installation and monitoring.

4.   Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Methods

As we mentioned previously, market demand is rapidly changing the pest control industry, leading to another new pest control trend. More and more homeowners are pushing for sustainable and eco-friendly pest control methods. As a result, technicians must now adapt by minimizing their pesticide and synthetic chemical use.

Instead, pest control businesses are adopting biological, mechanical, and natural alternatives that minimize ecological degradation and harm to non-target species. Here are the newest sustainable and eco-friendly methods technicians are using to treat pests:

• Biological control focuses on introducing predators into the environment to naturally reduce pest populations. For instance, ladybugs can be added as a biological pest control method to combat aphids. The benefits of biological control are that non-target species and beneficial insects are not harmed, and toxic substances aren’t introduced into the environment.
• Mechanical methods include barriers, fences, traps, and manual removal strategies. Mechanical pest control methods are more proactive by working to keep pests out in the first place. However, in the event that infestation occurs, manual methods can be used to safely and humanely relocate pests. This method avoids pesticide use altogether, making it one of the more sustainable and eco-friendly pest control options.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines biological and mechanical methods to manage pest populations. It is a holistic approach that uses pesticides as a last resort. The goal is not to eradicate pests completely but to reduce them to manageable levels. The benefits of IPM are that it reduces pesticide and chemical use, which minimizes environmental impact.
• Natural pesticides are derived from plants, such as neem oil, pyrethrum, and diatomaceous earth. These natural substances control pests by disrupting their lifecycles, making host plants undesirable, or causing physical harm. They work like pesticides but don’t harm the environment because they are naturally sourced. The benefits of using natural pesticides are that they don’t contaminate water sources or threaten pollinators and beneficial organisms.

5.   Pest Control Financing

In addition to pushing for more environmentally friendly pest control methods, clients are also looking for more affordable ways to pay for services. As a result, pest control financing has emerged as one of the latest trending pest control ideas.

Unfortunately, your clients may not have the funds upfront for pest control services, especially for large-scale infestations that cost upwards of $3,000. Does that mean homeowners can’t do anything to combat these pest problems? Of course not.

Pest control companies can implement financial options that allow their clients to pay in flexible installments instead of in full upfront. If the homeowner is approved for financing, you can start treating pests immediately, and your client will pay for the service costs with a budget-friendly payment plan.

It allows your clients to get the services they urgently need without worrying about budget constraints. And your business can start projects immediately, increasing service completions and revenue.

If you’d like to learn more about offering financing to your customers, our full-length article dives into pest control financing implementation strategies.

Challenges of the Pest Control Industry

Undoubtedly, the pest control market is evolving and growing. However, even with these new trends, pest control companies still face numerous challenges. Here are some of the top hurdles they must overcome:

• Regulatory Compliance is required federally and statewide. Pest control companies are required to abide by strict legal and environmental regulations. These regulations are set by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and outline proper pesticide usage, chemical use reporting, and safety standards. Pest control businesses must stay up-to-date and compliant with these regulations to operate legally, which can increase operational costs. Failure to comply or violation of these regulations may result in hefty fines and/or legal action.
• Environmental Concerns are a hot topic in the industry, given that pesticides and synthetic chemicals harm biodiversity, non-target and beneficial species, water sources, and ecological health. Regulatory agencies and individuals are increasingly pushing pest control companies to adopt eco-friendly practices. Transitioning to sustainable and non-chemical alternatives can result in added costs related to equipment and training.
• Technological Adaptations like drones and thermal imaging are needed to stay competitive. However, implementing new tech often comes with a high price tag for the equipment or software and training programs for technicians.

The Future of Pest Control

The future of pest control is becoming increasingly data-driven and focused on sustainability. Technicians will likely adopt AI and machine learning to analyze pest behavior, infestation patterns, environmental factors, and treatment efficacy more accurately. Based on this information, AI and machine learning can identify patterns to suggest the likelihood of infestation and high-risk areas.

As mentioned previously, biological, mechanical, and natural pest control methods are gaining traction as these strategies rely less on pesticides and chemicals. It is likely that technicians will soon rely more heavily on these IPM and plant-based methods. As a result, pest control will be more eco-friendly in the future and will look to further reduce harm to the environment, non-target and beneficial organisms, pets, and people.

Strategies for Success

Adopting the previously mentioned trends is a great start to position your pest control business for success. But if you’re looking to take it a step further and market your pest control business, here are some additional strategies:

• Offer Service Packages and Discounts: Consumers love to get the most bang for their buck and are more likely to work with service providers who offer that. Create pest control service packages that combine inspection, treatment, and maintenance and offer them at a discounted rate. Your business can also offer seasonal discounts, such as mosquito control in the summer and baiting in the winter, to encourage year-round bookings.
• Invest in Your Technicians: Specialty pest control services and highly-certified technicians are in higher demand. To generate more business, invest in your technicians by paying for a portion of their certification and specialty training and classes. In-demand examples include the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE), Board Certified Entomologist (BCE), GreenPro, fumigation, and Wildlife Control Operator certifications.
• Use Email Marketing: Reach out to your clients with personalized emails at various stages before, during, and after they receive services from your company.
• Leverage Digital Marketing: Most homeowners find service providers online, especially through a Google search for nearby technicians. Make sure to set up your Google business account and include a list of services you offer, pricing, reviews, hours, and contact information. To increase your chances of showing up at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs), make sure your website offers high-quality blogs, FAQs, and landing pages that educate and inform potential clients. Finally, use relevant keywords with high search volume on these pages.

Don’t fall behind in the pest control industry – become a leader by adopting the newest trends on the market. Investing in these changes will likely come at a cost, but it will help position your pest control business for long-term success.