How to Start a Pest Control Business [Complete Guide]

Discover how to launch a pest control business easily and ensure you can earn great profit over the long term.

What would motivate you to invest in pest control businesses? The goal is to earn profit and establish your company as a reputable pest control company. The universal answer is due to its growing demand for pest control. By becoming the number pest control specialist in your community, you can run a profitable business for a long time.

According to the reports, the pest control industry is rapidly growing at a CAGR of 5.1%. It is even expected to cross $28 million in revenue by 2026. 

Starting a pest control company might seem overwhelming, but the process can be simplified with the proper steps.

This article shows you how to start a pest control business that will thrive for years.

Let’s start with a step-by-step guide to start and provide pest control services.

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Things You Need to Start a Pest Control Business

Undoubtedly, the costs of setting up pest control companies play a significant role. As well as that, you will also need a truck or van that is equipped with pest control equipment so that you can perform the work at the customer’s house. To start a pest control business, you will need these things: 

• First and foremost, you need know how to become pest control technician and extensive knowledge of pest control businesses and services before setting up your business.
• Second, but no less critical, is the licensing requirement allowing pest control business owners to operate their business legally. However, operating the pest control business requires using chemicals, so to use such pesticides to run your business and to use restricted use pesticides (RUPS), you will need state and federal licenses. 
• A third thing you must have before setting up a business is a means of transportation, such as a vehicle or truck that can be used to store the equipment you will be carrying.
• To start a pest control company, getting insurance is also crucial. 
• Developing relationships with suppliers and clients is essential for building relationships with business and residential clients.

How to Start a Pest Control Business in Quick Steps

1. Define your services

Before starting a pest control company, you should choose which pest control services would be the most profitable for you before moving forward with the venture.

To begin, you should consider the region you live in and what pest problems are most common there.

Research the common pest control problems in the area where you will offer your services to help you make an informed decision. 

A few examples would be:

• The occasional pests (like carpenter ants, wasps, beetles, shrewbugs, centipedes, and silverfish all year round) must be dealt with.
• It is essential that your home is free of seasonal pests (e.g., ladybugs, boxelder beetles, and spiders)
• An invasive pest has invaded a territory without being considered a nuisance such as cockroaches, bed bugs, and carpenter/invasive ants.
• Wildlife (e.g., pigeons, skunks, sparrows, and groundhogs)

As you can see, this isn’t a comprehensive list of all the pest removal services you should provide to your clients. Decide on the niche you are best suited to serve or the one that is most in demand.

The year’s peak seasons will require you to add specific services to your residential service package.

Furthermore, don’t forget that you have to decide whether to go after residential, commercial, or a combination of both. Take a moment to consider any contracts, one-time services, recurring services, or package deals that you may be able to offer.

2. Choose a business name and logo

It is essential to pick a business name that reflects what your business will do. Your business name makes the first impression on your customers, and you must ensure it represents your service offering to stand out from the competition.

When you don’t know what to name your business, research nearby business names carefully. 

Think about the things that make your business unique:

• How would you describe your unique selling proposition?
• How do you plan on attracting clients?
• When they hire you, how would you like them to feel?
• Take note of every word and term you can think of.

The next step is to check to ensure that the domain name you want to use is not already taken.

Don’t spend a fortune on your logo unless you can afford one! You can use pest control software to assist you in designing a unique logo that will look best pest control site, on social media, on business cards, and on your truck.

3. Choose your business structure

A legal structure for your pest control business is another crucial aspect of starting a business. You can operate as several types of corporations, including Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), S corporations, and C corporations. Depending on your legal structure, you will have different taxes, liabilities, and paperwork requirements.

Operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership is not recommended for pest control businesses. A business structure like this would expose you to personal liability for claims against your company, putting your assets at risk, as pest control requires using toxic chemicals, entering clients’ homes, and repairing existing property damage.

4. Set up a business checking account

If you want to own a pest control business or if you’re going to get funds for your pest control jobs, you must open a business bank account for your business before you purchase equipment or begin collecting money for them.

Keep track of your business expenses and profit margins on a business account! Mixing these funds may also lead to tax issues in the future.

5. Invest in pest control insurance to protect your business

The next and essential step to own a pest control business is to consider getting insurance.

But why are these so important?

Suppose you accidentally damaged a client’s property, stained an area with chemicals, or missed something entirely.

For such scenarios, it is crucial to have insurance to protect you from financial hardships.

Because you’ll most likely hire a few pest control employees along the way, a worker’s compensation policy is essential. Still, you should not forget to consider auto insurance and worker’s compensation.

6. Create a business plan for your company

A business plan is a written document that provides an overview of your new pest control business direction. As part of a business plan, information such as the following can be included:

• What is your company’s legal structure (for example, a partnership, limited liability company, or sole proprietorship)?
• How will your business generate revenue?
• An overview of what assets are available and what debts are owed
• It is essential to have an official hiring and benefit plan in place
• Goals and projections for long-term revenue growth

A small business loan or financing might be of interest to you. Identify your most important goals, challenges, and strengths by drafting a straightforward plan. 

7. Establish a pricing structure

The price you charge for your pest control services is one of the most important considerations when starting a new business. Identify comparable prices in your area by conducting market research. 

It is common for termite (or pest) control businesses to operate on a subscription model, which allows users to benefit from services in exchange for a monthly or quarterly fee. To achieve your goal, consider how you will handle recurring transactions. Is it necessary to set up a website to quickly and securely collect payments? By simplifying the user experience, you quickly increase your chances of receiving payment.

8. Purchase Materials and Equipment

You will need materials, equipment, supplies, and major purchases to set up a pest control company. Investing in your small business can be funded with personal assets and by taking out a small business loan.

As a pest control business owner, you  will need to make the following purchases:

• Several types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are recommended for the workplace, such as long pants, long shirts, chemical-resistant gloves, 
• Chemical-resistant footwear, ventilators, shields, and aprons.

Pest control chemicals, pesticides, ultrasonic repellents, and pesticides can be used to treat the lawn. Pests and the job location will determine the chemicals you need. 

Various chemical sprayers include backpack sprayers, green sprayers, and pool sprayers. You will undoubtedly need to choose a suitable sprayer for your pest control needs based on your type of pest.

To remove pests from your client’s home, you need tools like baits, repellants, rodent traps, and cages. You will also need sealers to seal any holes left behind by pests.

In addition to these items, you may need:

• Ladders, preferably stabilized ladders
• Endoscopes to see into hard-to-reach nest areas
• Miscellaneous tools, like headlamps, screwdrivers, drills, saws, and pliers.
• Trucks for pest control

You must choose a vehicle that suits your financial situation in terms of financing. It is easier to declare a used or leased vehicle than a new one, and they are the most affordable.

9. Hire Employees

When starting with a small pest business, you should hire a few pest control workers to help you. You will reach more potential clients as you serve more customers and complete more treatments throughout the day. It is essential to consider your employment application process, the hiring requirements, and payroll questions before hiring.

10. Developing a marketing strategy and implementing it

Consider the following marketing strategies to reach more local customers:

• Local print advertising
• Digital media
• Local and organic search engine optimization (SEO)
• Word-of-mouth referrals

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Conclusion

Having a successful business is one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. To win and maintain customers, you must carve out a niche for yourself and earn their trust.

As with any new venture, your pest control startup business also deserves the right support to be successful in the market. With InvoiceOwl, you can manage your pest control business’ finances in one place. 

It is a pest control business owner’s most popular software for estimating and invoicing. 

You can showcase your professionalism and delight your customers with quality pest control invoice templates, estimates, purchase orders, and credit memos.

Keeping track of finances is made easier with this invoicing and estimating software. 

Try the FREE trial today and start making money with your pest control business.