6 Ways to Reduce Fuel Costs for Your Pest Control Business 6 Ways to Reduce Fuel Costs for Pest Control Business

Rising fuel costs have become a big challenge for industries that rely on fleets to service customers, and pest control is no exception. In 2022, the U.S. national average gas price reached a record nearly $5.02 per gallon, making it even more expensive to get your team out on the road.

For pest control businesses, where fleet operations are a major part of the day-to-day, those costs add up fast. But here’s the good news—by optimizing your routing and scheduling, you can take control of rising fuel expenses.

Want to learn how to cut fuel costs, boost your bottom line, and stay competitive? Keep reading!

EXPLORE: Briostack’s Scheduling and Routing Software

How Fuel Costs Impact Pest Control Businesses

Depending on the size of your business and fleet, fuel can account for up to 60% of your fleet’s costs. With fuel prices rising, that number only goes up. In fact, fleet operational costs surged by 21.3% in 2022, with fuel expenses increasing a staggering 53.7% over the previous year.

That’s a lot of money that could be going into other areas of your business.

But it’s not just the price at the pump that hits your bank account. Higher fuel consumption often leads to increased maintenance costs as your fleet racks up more miles and extra wear and tear. These hidden costs can quickly cut into your bottom line.

The impact of rising fuel costs goes beyond your fleet.

When fuel prices spike, your profit margins shrink, leaving you with less money to reinvest in your business or grow your services. Some pest control businesses may have to raise their prices to keep up, which can risk customer satisfaction and retention.

On the bright side, improving fuel efficiency can give your business a real competitive edge. Curious how to make it happen? Let’s dive into the steps you can take next.

6 Ways Pest Control Companies Can Reduce Fuel Costs

With a few smart strategies, you can make a big difference in your profits. Here are 6 practical ways to cut back on fuel expenses without sacrificing service quality:

1. Optimize route planning.

Route planning software helps you map out the shortest and most efficient paths to your customers. Instead of crisscrossing town for appointments, you can group jobs in the same neighborhood to save on mileage.

Also, try scheduling visits during off-peak hours to avoid sitting in traffic—a major fuel waster!

Pro tip: Review routes regularly to avoid unnecessary backtracking and keep efficiency at its best.

2. Perform regular fleet maintenance.

Well-maintained vehicles use less fuel—it’s that simple. Conducting routine tasks, such as replacing worn tires and tuning your engine, can significantly improve efficiency.

Even keeping your tires properly inflated can boost gas mileage by 0.6% on average and up to 3% in some cases.

3. Adopt fuel-efficient vehicles.

If your fleet is due for an upgrade, consider switching to hybrid or electric vehicles. These options come with higher up-front costs but can lead to long-term savings on fuel and maintenance.

For city-based routes, smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles can handle the job just as well as larger trucks while using much less gas. Take a look at your fleet and consider phasing out vehicles that are oversized or inefficient for their jobs.

4. Implement efficient driving habits.

Speeding, accelerating quickly, and braking can cut your fuel economy by 15-30% on the highway and up to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. To reduce fuel use, it’s important to train your drivers on gas-saving techniques.

Encourage them to maintain steady speeds, avoid hard starts, and turn off the engine during long stops. If a tech is waiting in a customer’s driveway for more than a minute, cutting the engine can save gas and help reduce vehicle wear.

5. Leverage telematics and GPS tracking.

With telematics, you can track driving habits, such as speeding and idling, that waste gas. For example, if a driver regularly speeds or takes inefficient routes, you’ll have the data to coach them to make better choices.

GPS tracking also helps ensure drivers follow the most efficient routes, avoiding unnecessary detours.

6. Consolidate service appointments.

Fewer trips mean less fuel burned—something every pest control business owner can appreciate. By grouping service calls in the same area, you can cut down on unnecessary miles.

For example, if you have three customers on the same street, schedule their appointments back-to-back to save time and gas. Customer relationship management software can help you optimize your schedule and reduce extra trips.

Offering regular maintenance packages also helps minimize emergency callouts, which often lead to last-minute, fuel-heavy travel.

RELATED ARTICLE: 7 Tips for Running a Pest Control Business

Next Steps for Fuel Cost Reduction

Ready to cut your fuel costs? Start today with these simple steps:

Evaluate and implement a route optimization tool. Explore free or low-cost route planning tools to help you reduce travel time and fuel use.
Schedule fleet maintenance this month. Don’t put it off—schedule tire checks, air filter replacements, and any necessary repairs to ensure vehicles are running at their best.
Train drivers on efficient driving habits. Start by sharing tips such as accelerating smoothly and reducing idling. You can even find free online resources, such as local government safety programs, to get them started.
Audit vehicle inventory to reduce excessive load. Remove any vehicles that are too large or ineffective for the work they’re doing.
Research tax benefits or grants for hybrid fleet upgrades. Check out government programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Start tracking fuel usage today. Use a simple spreadsheet or a free app to monitor fuel consumption and identify any areas where improvements can be made.
Explore scheduling and routing software for long-term efficiency. Invest in a solution that will continue to save you time and fuel. Pest control business software can help optimize your scheduling and routing.