How To Start A Pest Control Business

How To Start A Pest Control Business - Background Info:

Are you an entrepreneur and looking to start your own pest control business? It's a wonderful business to go into and very helpful to a lot of people.

Pests bring diseases and destroy properties. That is why commercial establishments employ pest control services to keep infestations away.

If there is a demand for such service in your place, you can start a business exterminating destructive insects from buildings.

No matter what industry you're considering, starting a business is not easy for anyone.

Starting a pest control business takes this statement one step further, though, because it requires a medium-level investment and a lot of thought, not just to handle the business itself, but also to purchase the equipment and create a strong marketing presence.

A pest control business is one that works for both residential and commercial customers in order to prevent and eliminate pests.

From cockroaches and rats and from ants and hornets, a pest control business takes care of virtually all pests and makes a home or business safe and comfortable.

A pest control business can specialize in one skill (prevention or elimination) or in a specific pest (ant, spider, etc). Alternately, it can serve various clients with every sort of pest control need.

How To Start A Pest Control Business - Tasks And Skills Needed:

Business Specific Tasks:

If you are planning to do all the business tasks or hiring or subcontracting tasks, here's a list of tasks that need to be attended to when it comes to the business side of running a pest control business:

Bookkeeping

General office

Accounting

Industry Specific Tasks:

Same as above if you plan to do everything yourself or get help, here are some of the tasks necessary to operate a pest control business:

Eradicate a specific type or many types of pests and rodents using chemicals and other means.

Inventory management, supply and control (chemicals)

Travel to locations to eradicate pests

How To Start A Pest Control Business - Approximate Daily Hours Needed:

General Hours of Operation: - When your business is open - Hours can be very flexible to very busy, depending on if you want to operate your business part- or full-time.

Hours Needed to Prepare - Before Opening and After Hours Activities - Keep chemicals safely stored, load vehicle, organize paper work.

Number of Employees Needed To Run This Business:

Minimum Number of Employees -During the Start Up Phase: You can start this business yourself on a full-time basis.

Number of Employees - Once Your Business is Up and Running Successfully:

Website maintenance

Record/Bookkeeping

General office

Customer Service

Skill Requirements for This Business:

A strong stomach: A pest control business owner deals with bugs - plain and simple. If you are afraid of bugs, then you shouldn't consider owning a pest control business. Know what you are in for before you get started.

Ability to be thorough: People want to know that your pest control business can take care of the pest problem completely! If you are not a thorough person, then you won't get a lot of repeat customers knocking on your door.

A good knowledge base: To run a good pest control business, you will need to know a bit about each type of pests and the methods required to both eliminate and prevent infestations from occurring.

Licenses:

One of the most important aspects of a pest control service is the fulfillment of licenses that may be required by the state regulator, in addition to the usual licenses required for all businesses. Pest control involves the use of chemical, the cleanup and disposal of rodents, cockroaches, and terminates, and other animals and insects, and so heavy regulation is imposed on providers of such services.

Training is necessary and an exam would have to be passed in order for a pest control technician to get a license. It could also be that, before you will be allowed to operate, you would have to get liability insurance for the business, particularly for the risk involved in handling chemicals. The storage of chemicals needed for the cleanup might have to conform to some standards. Visit to www.businesslicenses.com for resources on pest control license.

Approximate Minimum Start up Cost:

Bare essential: - The average startup cost varies between $10,000 - $50,000.

Minimal exposure - There are several ways to advertise for free but most common ways to start advertising is listing in the services section of local newspapers.

Necessary Equipment to Run this Business:

Necessary Start-Up Equipment & Supplies:

Computer

Printer

Cell phone

Website

Pest control cleaning supplies

Sprayers and pump guns

Basic cleaning equipment

Vehicle

Supplementary Equipment: - Equipment or helpful products that you can acquire to once your business is off and running:

For most entrepreneurs, a pest control business will required a good amount of capital to get started. Since you don't need a storefront, you cut a lot of costs right there, but you still need the equipment, which can get pricey.

Van(s)

GPS

Monthly Expenses To Consider:

Wages
Phone/cell phone
Internet access
Permits
Advertising/Marketing
Electricity
Water
Fuel

Special Requirements and Considerations For This Business:

Find out all you can about the trends in the industry. Know your competition, in particular, their strengths and weaknesses. This will help you identify your competitive advantage. In other words, this will help you figure out what you can give your customers that they're not getting from the other businesses. And keep from emulating the competition's strategy. Instead, make the most of your own advantage points.
A pest control business is a well respected business in many communities because it brings a quality service to the residential and commercial areas. A pest control business takes hard work and knowledge of pests, but you don't need a formal education as these are things you can learn through online resources.
One can operate a startup pest control service or he can get a franchise. He could specialize in exterminating or preventing a specific type of pest infestation, or solve every type of pest control problem.
There are also various methods now being used to control pests, such as chemical-based sprays and organic-based sprays.
The pest-control business also requires special qualifications, knowledge and licenses. Unless you already have a permit to buy and utilize restricted pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, you will have to attend and pass a state course to get you qualified as an applicator. Check with your county extension office to find out how to apply and when the courses will be offered.

Pros And Cons of Opening A Pest Control Business:

The Pros of Running a Pest Control Business:

Can be very lucrative

You are performing a service that's greatly appreciated

The Cons of Running a Pest Control Business:

Can be seasonal, therefore income can fluctuate

Can be very competitive

Requires many hours of training and licensing

Pesticide Warning

Type of Customers You Need to Attract:

Your customers will vary from residential home owners to business owners. Basically, if there is a structure, it is prone to pest infestation.

Pest Control Business Statistics:

See Valuation Resources for current statistics.

Revenue:

Overall, a pest control service can be a very profitable business venture and can easily generate profits in excess of $75,000 per year.

Pest Control Business Resources:

Pest Control Associations: A list of association websites that provide volumes of educational information on pests, pest control, and the pest control industry.

Pest Control Companies: A group of professional pest control company websites that detail services and products offered, along with general pest information.

Pest Control Business Plan: A collection of websites that offer information and products for creating business plans for pest control companies.

Pest Control Franchise: A choice of pest control companies that offer franchise opportunities. Readers will learn about the costs involved, and services offered to franchisees.

Pest Control Training: A selection of companies that offer pest control training to new and experienced technicians. Each site provides course, pricing, and contact information.

Pest Control Advertising & Marketing: These websites provide readers with helpful information on internet marketing, as well as connections with companies that specialize in this field.

Pest Control Publications: These web pages allow readers to browse collections of pest control articles, and provide the opportunity to sign up for magazine subscriptions.

Pest Control News: These web pages present readers with easy access to some of the latest news stories in the pest control industry.

Pest Control Forums: A selection of pest control forums that allow professionals to ask questions, share tips, and learn techniques from other individuals in the industry.

Pest Control Software: An assortment of websites that present computer programs designed to streamline the daily activities of pest control companies.

Pest Control Forms: A group of printing company websites that offer professional grade customizable forms and form booklets designed for use in the pest control industry.

Pest Control Blogs: An assortment of blogs that provide readers with pest control information from the perspective of people with experience in the industry.

Pest Control Equipment & Supplies: A variety of websites that sell a wide range of pest control products. Each website provides pricing information and easy to navigate online storefronts.

Businesses To Related to a Pest Control Business:

Fumigation
Lawn and yard care
Builders and contractors