6 Tips for a Successful Pest Control Busy Season 

The warm weather has arrived. And that means pests of all sorts are more active than ever.  

Welcome to the pest control busy season. If you’re struggling to keep up with spiking demand, you’re not alone. Increased demand comes with its own set of obstacles.  

But with the right approach, you can capitalize on the opportunity to boost your revenue and win more loyal customers. 

I’ll explain the pest control busy season and the most common challenges. Then, I’ll give you six highly effective tips for thriving through spring and summer. 

Finally, I’ll share some ways you can get ahead of the busy season.  

Let’s get started! 

RELATED ARTICLE: 7 Important Questions to Ask a Pest Control Lead Generation Company 

Understanding Pest Control Busy Season 

What exactly do we mean when we talk about the pest control busy season? 

Think back to last year. Were there a few months when your phone was ringing off the hook? Your email inbox overflowing? Did this period align with pest activity? If so, that was likely your busy season. 

As a pest control professional, the need for your services is partly influenced by nature. When the weather warms up, many pests ramp up their activity. More pest activity means more demand. 

Of course, when peak times occur depends on where you live, the local weather, and the types of pests in your area. In most parts of the United States, peak times start in early spring. 

It’s important to adjust your busy season strategy to local pest behavior and climate patterns. 

For example, some pests may be active year-round if you live in a warm climate. But if you live in a climate with cold winters, these same pests may only become a problem in spring and summer. 

So, how do you determine when your business season is? 

• Look at last year’s records. When did you get the most calls? Which pests were most common? This data helps you predict what’s to come. 
• Pay attention to local weather reports. Warm, rainy weather often brings out pests. 
• Keep up with local news and pest control updates. Sometimes new or invasive pests can appear in your area. One example of this is the recent invasion of the Joro spider. 

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: 5 Strategic Insights for Pest Control Companies 

Common Challenges of the Pest Control Busy Season 

Here are some common challenges you might face during the pest control busy season: 

Increased Demand 

When the busy season hits, demand skyrockets. Many clients need treatments for different pests at the same time. 

This can be overwhelming. You want to help everyone and maintain high service quality. Here are some tips to help overcome this challenge: 

• Build your schedule strategically. Prioritize urgent cases and space out regular maintenance jobs. 
• Consider hiring temporary staff to handle the extra workload. 
• Use scheduling software to manage the influx of appointments. 

Staffing Issues 

Did you know the US has lost millions of workers? If you run a pest control business, you might’ve felt the impact of this startling statistic first-hand. 

Peak times can put a strain on your staff, leaving them overworked and stressed. However, finding skilled workers can be tough too. These strategies can help overcome these staffing issues: 

• Start looking for temporary workers before the busy season kicks off. 
• Train your staff to handle multiple roles. That way, they can fill in where needed. 
• Motivate your team with bonuses or extra time off during the slower seasons. 

Supply Shortages 

High demand for pest control services means more supplies are needed. Sometimes, suppliers can’t keep up. This can lead to shortages.  

Here are some tips to help face this challenge head-on: 

• Order extra supplies before the busy season begins. 
• Keep a close eye on your stock levels and reorder before you run out. 
• Maintain a list of alternative suppliers in case your main one runs out. 

Customer Expectations 

Customers expect fast and effective service—no matter the time of year. 

Meeting these expectations during peak times can be extra difficult. To overcome this challenge, you should: 

• Let customers know your estimated response times. Be honest and realistic. 
• Explain any delays and the reasons behind them. 
• Keep customers informed about the progress of their service. 

Equipment Maintenance 

More jobs mean more wear and tear on your vehicles and equipment. This increases the chances of breakdowns, which can result in downtime. Here’s how to overcome this challenge: 

• Check your equipment before peak season to catch problems early. 
• Give your team refresher training on how to use equipment the right way. 
• If possible, have a stock of spare parts on hand. 

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: The 5 Top Commercial Pest Control Sprayers for Your Pest Control Business 

Six Tips for a Successful Pest Control Busy Season 

Yes, it’s hectic. But you can get positive results when you approach the pest control busy season the right way. 

If you’re keen to capitalize on increased demand, follow these six tips: 

1. Have a Plan  

It’s important to have a plan of action for the busy season. Think about what you want to achieve and how you’ll achieve it. Then, use those goals to map out your weeks in the lead-up to and during peak times. 

Finally, consider how you might respond in an emergency. For example, what would you do if one of your employees quit mid-busy season? 

Expect the unexpected and have a backup plan in place. 

Get started now: List your top three goals. Open your calendar and start organizing your tasks. Schedule a meeting with your team to talk through potential challenges and come up with solutions. 

2. Prepare Your Marketing 

Just because it’s the busy season doesn’t mean your marketing should take a back seat. 

Consider this: You’ve enjoyed a full schedule all spring and summer long. But come fall, you don’t have any services booked. 

Avoid that scenario by creating and automating strategic marketing campaigns. This might include emails and social media posts. You might even put together a couple of special offers or promotions to run throughout the busy season to further drive up your profit. 

This is a great way to attract new customers and convert them into loyal brand advocates. 

Get started now: Plan and schedule an automated email marketing campaign for new customers. Be sure to create one to re-engage old customers, too. 

3. Review Your Customer Service Processes 

Demand is high, but so is the competition. The best way to win?  

Improve your customer service.  

More than nine in 10 customers are likely to make repeat purchases after great service. Knowing this, you can use the busy season to secure routine maintenance jobs throughout the year. 

Take a look at your customer service processes. Are there any ways you increase efficiency? Is there anything you can automate without sacrificing service quality? 

Consider running a customer survey to help you identify areas needing improvement. Tools like SurveyMonkey and Typeform are excellent options. 

Get started now: Organize a training session for your team. Run through your customer service processes and best practices. Create a plan for handling increased volumes of customer inquiries. 

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Win More Contracts for Your Pest Control Business 

4. Use Pest Control Software 

The right technology can make balancing jobs and clients a breeze. 

Look for a system that can act as a single source of truth. That way, you and your team have access to all the up-to-date information you need. 

Plus, keep an eye out for automation features. You can send reminders and organize your schedule without manual intervention, saving you time and reducing the risk of errors. 

Get started now: Research software for pest control companies that meets your needs. Read reviews and request a live demo. 

5. Bring In Extra Workers 

You don’t want to find yourself in the throngs of peak season without the staff to serve all those customers. 

To avoid this scenario, you might need to enlist the help of more workers. Ideally, you’ll want to start this process well before peak season. 

In addition, talk with your current team. Find out who is available to take on extra hours over the busy period. 

Get started now: Create and post job ads. Consider asking friends and family if they know anyone who might be a good fit for your team. 

6. Track Your KPIs 

Key performance indicators (KPIs) help you measure success and identify areas for improvement. Set clear KPIs for metrics like response time or customer satisfaction. 

Monitor your KPIs regularly to see how you are performing. Then, use the data from your KPIs to learn from mistakes and make improvements for the next busy season. 

Get started now: Decide which KPIs are most important and set targets for each. 

How You Can Start Preparing for Pest Control Busy Season Right Now 

Getting ready for the busy season? Here are some actions you can take today to start preparing: 

• Write a priority list. Jot down the most important tasks to cross off before the busy season starts. 
• Create a marketing campaign. Plan a marketing campaign with special offers and schedule social media posts. 
• Check inventory and equipment. Take inventory of what supplies you have and what supplies you need. Be sure to check that your tools are in good condition. 
• Schedule a team meeting. Discuss roles, responsibilities, and expectations with your team. Get the team motivated for a busy season ahead. And make sure you acknowledge and reward their hard work throughout the busy season.