How to Start a Pest Control Business

Business Overview:

If you are a skilled exterminator, learning how to start a pest control business of your very own is the logical next step and a great way to be your own boss. Pests of all kinds make their way into homes and homeowners will gladly pay a professional to get rid of them. When starting a pest control business, you must be properly licensed so you need to check your state’s laws to see what examinations and licenses are required. Since you’ll be dealing with poisonous materials, it’s important you know exactly what you’re doing. If you are not qualified to be an exterminator but you see the value and potential of this type of business, you can hire licensed exterminators so you can concentrate on the management and marketing of the business. The scope of each project will vary so it’s a good idea to have a business plan that includes the types of services you will offer as well as a price list for these services. A website with all this information is helpful to potential customers and makes marketing simple. Put magnetic ads on your truck or van and hand out business cards with your easy-to-remember website printed on them. You could also partner with an established decontamination business that would come in after you rid the home of its pests and clean up any messes they left behind. Also consider catering to the green market and offering non-toxic pest control solutions and organic botanical insecticides. Operating a green business makes you eligible for government tax incentives. The start-up investment needed for a pest control business is sizeable so you need to line up financing. The good news is that there are franchises available that will help you get started. A franchise will come with marketing assistance, name recognition and equipment. As your business grows, you can hire additional certified exterminators to help handle the demand. Pest control is one of the best business ideas you can select if you are a licensed exterminator and are interested in making your entrepreneurial dreams come true.

A Day in the Life of a Pest Control Business Owner:

Your day will begin with a check of any appointments on your schedule. You or your staff will handle these appointments and you will follow up with your customers to ensure they are happy with the job done. You will also need to be available to handle emergencies that pop up during the day. For example, if someone has a sudden, rapid infestation of mice in their house, you—or one of your staff members—will need to make a quick trip over there to take care of it. You will distribute business cards everywhere you go and encourage customers to send referral business your way.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be homeowners, property managers or office managers who need expert pest control services.

What You Need to Start:

• Pest control business plan
• Proper licenses and certification
• Equipment, supplies and chemicals
• Truck or van
• Marketing materials
• Website (optional)
• Staff (optional)
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Pest control services will always be in high demand.
• If you are not a licensed exterminator, you can hire a staff to work for you.
• You can charge top dollar for high quality pest control services.
• It’s rewarding to help people rid their homes and offices of pests.

The Bad:

• Start-up costs are high.
• The work can be dangerous.

Resources:

• National Pest Management Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Pest Control Workers
• Wikipedia on Pest Control

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