Winston Churchill once said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”

In 2024, the sentiment remains the same—continuous change is necessary to be a competitive player in any landscape. The pest control market is no exception.

While consumers will always need pest control services, there’s now more competition than ever. Gone are the days when signs on customers’ lawns were all you needed for advertising. Today, consumers do everything digitally—from comparing companies to scheduling technician visits—and expect more from every service in their lives.

This rapid pace of change may seem overwhelming, but we’ll break it all down and discuss the trends you need to pay attention to, how the pest control market is shaping up, and strategies for future-proofing your pest control company.

Emerging trends

Nowadays, customers are asking pest control companies to do more than just control pests. They’re also expecting services that are eco-friendly and technologically advanced to name a few features.

Here are some examples of top trends in the industry:

1. Eco-friendly solutions

Due to rising concerns around the impacts of climate change, consumers now favor pest control companies that use eco-friendly products and methods. Customers want pest control services that prioritize sustainability and minimize harm to non-target organisms and ecosystems.

Botanical-based pesticides, derived from natural plant extracts and oils, are one example of pest control products that put the environment first. These nature-friendly pesticides are non-toxic and biodegradable, which results in a reduced environmental impact that customers increasingly value.

2. Integrated pest management

Integrated pest management (IPM) also reflects the growing shift toward environmentally sensitive approaches to pest control. IPM is a holistic pest control technique that combines preventative measures, monitoring, and targeted intervention.

Integrated pest management focuses on long-term prevention rather than reactive pesticide application. Instead of spraying insects with chemical pesticides, for example, IPM would focus on reducing pest attraction and identifying infestations before they become a problem.

3. Increased technology adoption

Over the past few years in particular, there’s been a considerable increase in technology usage among pest control professionals This has led to increased operational efficiency and higher-quality customer service.

Some popular digital platform functionality includes technician appointment scheduling, client communication, and data collection and usage. The adoption of Internet of Things devices for remotely monitoring pest activity and treatment efficacy has also helped pest control businesses understand how to provide the most effective services.

Market growth and statistics

According to Allied Market Research, experts valued the pest control industry at $24.6 billion in 2022 and estimate it to reach $42.5 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%. 

The pest control market has proven to be surprisingly adaptable in recent years, which gives the industry a positive outlook. The top determinants of growth will be:

• If businesses can provide eco-friendly, targeted treatments to meet consumers’ sustainability concerns
• Whether pest control companies can follow strict regulations and avoid potential legal troubles
• If pest control professionals can use software and advanced tools to gain a competitive edge

Rising urbanization also contributes to pest control’s growth. According to the World Bank, 56% of the world’s population, a staggering 4.4 billion people, live in cities, and that number seems to still be growing. In cities, due to the higher population density, individuals and businesses require pest control services more often. The increasing awareness of the health risks associated with pest infestations is also fueling the demand for pest control products and services.

Regulatory changes

The one area that hinders market growth, however, is pest control regulations’ stringent nature. This applies to both environmental and legal frameworks.

Stringent regulations include monitoring pesticide residue in food, enhancing safety measures for pest control operators, and promoting strategies that prioritize non-chemical control methods whenever possible. There’s also a growing emphasis on transparency and accountability in pest control practices, and regulations now require detailed reports of pesticide usage, adverse effects, and compliance with safety standards.

Environmental concerns, such as the impact of pesticide use on non-target species and ecosystems, are also prompting stricter guidelines for pesticide registration, application methods, and disposal procedures. The Environmental Protection Agency has tightened regulations on the usage of pesticides since the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1947. However, the agency has recently updated its regulations to include protections for endangered species and an increase in the number of restricted-use products that negatively impact the environment.

How to future-proof your pest control business

Despite the regulatory obstacles in place, the good news is that the pest control market is still on an upward trajectory. With the following strategies in place, you can set your business up for success:

Invest in technology

Automate billing and track customer payments with GorillaDesk. (Source: GorillaDesk)

Investing in technology helps businesses streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experience.

For example, GorillaDesk, a customer relationship management platform designed specifically for pest control, offers features such as automated scheduling, route optimization, and digital communication. The platform reduces manual administrative tasks, increases productivity, and allows you to better manage your resources so you have more time for strategic growth initiatives.

GorillaDesk, as well as other tools that include data analytics, are paramount to future growth. Having key information about your operations and your customers at your fingertips helps with informed decision-making so you can pursue your most profitable services. GorillaDesk’s customer management capabilities specifically help you build long-lasting customer loyalty by facilitating personalized interactions, appointment reminders, and detailed follow-ups.

Keep marketing and branding considerations in mind

A strong, consistent market presence will drive customers to your business. Because of this, prioritizing an omni-channel marketing strategy will help you pull more customers to your website.

Posting on social media channels and sending frequent updates to your email list builds brand recognition and makes your company identifiable to customers. Optimizing your Google Business Profile and keeping it updated also helps new customers find you.

Plus, if you keep your finger on the pulse of industry and marketing trends, you can adapt your offerings to meet customers’ needs and provide them with a personalized experience they won’t soon forget.

Prioritize sustainability

An increasing number of consumers prioritize sustainability, as do government entities. Not only do you need to meet ethical standards and environmental regulations, but you also need to provide your customers with what they want.

We can’t predict the future, but we feel pretty confident saying that leaning into sustainable practices will reduce your risk of regulatory noncompliance and associated penalties going forward. Many eco-friendly pest control solutions also decrease reliance on harmful chemicals and use resources more efficiently, reducing long-term expenses.

Provide continuous training

Your technicians are the soul of your company. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to provide pest control services to your customers.

You can’t send untrained technicians into the field, and you also can’t rely on a technician’s initial training to stay with them forever. Plus, with the rise of sustainability, technology, and legal regulations, you need to ensure that your employees understand best practices and prohibited behaviors.

Offering ongoing training also shows your employees that you’re invested in their development, which improves morale, engagement, and job satisfaction so that your well-trained technicians stay at your company longer.

Diversify your service offerings

The more pest control services you provide, the more customers you can reach—it’s that simple. By catering to a wide variety of pest control needs, you can attract new clients who might require specialized services beyond traditional pest removal or treatment.

You’ll also set yourself apart in the market as a jack-of-all-trades, meaning that customers can rely on you as a one-stop shop rather than having multiple pest-related contacts. And with a wider array of pest control methods available to customers, you’ll be less reliant on seasonal shifts in customer preferences.

Nurture customer connections

Customer loyalty is vital. If you don’t have customers who trust you and return for services time and time again, your business’s growth will stagnate.

Building strong relationships with your customers fosters loyalty and encourages repeat business. Satisfied customers are more likely to continue using your services and recommend you to others, which contributes to long-term revenue stability and growth.

We can’t emphasize enough how vital trust is when talking about customer relationships. If customers trust you, they’re more likely to be a powerful brand advocate by telling their friends about you and providing honest feedback so you can continue to improve your operations.

Keep an eye on industry trends

Since the pest control landscape is ever-changing, you need to be flexible and adaptable. An excellent way to anticipate future market developments is by maintaining awareness of industry trends.

Sources like Pest Control Technology and Pest Management Professional, as well as local Facebook groups, are great places to start. Take a look at what industry experts and community members are talking about and think about how you can adjust your business to align with evolving customer expectations and new technologies.

Understanding fluctuating pest control market dynamics will give you a competitive edge over other exterminators in the area who aren’t staying ahead of the curve.

Become a leader in the pest control industry

While ongoing change can be overwhelming, committing to creating an adaptable pest control business is already a step toward rapid growth.

Next, consider implementing systems and tools that take your and your technicians’ evolving needs into account. We designed GorillaDesk, our pest control software solution, to make scheduling jobs, collecting payments, and invoicing customers much easier than manual processes.

Learn more about GorillaDesk pest control software and start your 14-day free trial today.