How to Start a Pest Control Business: Licences, Costs, Equipment, Pricing and Customers

To start a pest control business: get the state pesticide applicator licence (and any business/operator licence your state requires), register the business, get liability and pollution insurance, buy equipment, PPE and approved products, choose residential, commercial or specialty services (termites, bed bugs, wildlife), sell recurring quarterly plans, set pricing, use scheduling and routing software, and market with Google, reviews and a fast website.

Steps

1. Training and licensing: pass state exams for a commercial pesticide applicator licence in the right categories; some states also license the business and require a certified operator
2. Business plan: services, target customers, service area, pricing and recurring plan strategy
3. Register: LLC or corporation, EIN, business bank account, local licence
4. Insurance: general liability, pest control errors and omissions, pollution liability, commercial auto, workers' comp
5. Equipment: sprayers, dusters, bait stations, traps, inspection tools, PPE, a vehicle with secure chemical storage
6. Products: buy from licensed distributors; follow labels and record-keeping rules
7. Services: general pest, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, bed bugs, wildlife exclusion
8. Recurring plans: quarterly or monthly service creates predictable revenue
9. Software: scheduling, routing, service records, invoicing and auto-pay
10. Marketing: Google Business Profile, reviews, Local Services Ads, door-to-door in season, website with booking

Startup costs

Licensing and exams, insurance, equipment, initial products, vehicle, software and marketing. Starting residential general pest service needs less capital than termite work.

Pricing

Initial service fee plus recurring plan pricing; one-time treatments cost more; specialty services (termites, bed bugs) are quoted after inspection.

(Is it worth it? Is pest control a good business?. Careers: How to become an exterminator.)

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a pest control business?

Get your state pesticide licence, register and insure the business, buy equipment and products, sell recurring plans and market locally.

Do I need a licence to start a pest control business?

Yes; commercial pesticide application requires state licensing, and many states license the business too.

How much does it cost to start a pest control business?

Costs cover licensing, insurance, equipment, products, a vehicle and marketing; general pest is the cheapest start.

How do pest control companies make money?

Mostly from recurring service plans, plus one-time and specialty treatments.

How do I get pest control customers?

Google Business Profile, reviews, Local Services Ads, door-to-door sales, referrals and a website.

What pest control services are most profitable?

Recurring general pest plans, termites, mosquitoes and bed bug treatments.