The Benefits of Pest Control for Your Business
Businesses have a lot on their plate, from keeping customers happy to meeting financial goals. But commercial pest control should be near the top of every business owner’s list of priorities.
Pest infestations pose a health risk for employees, customers and visitors. Vermin and pest insects carry dangerous bacteria that expose people to illness. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, cockroaches can spread Salmonella and E. coli, and bees and wasps can trigger severe allergic reactions in some people.
1. Health and Safety
The presence of pests poses health risks to both staff and customers. Pests like cockroaches, flies, rats and birds can transfer diseases when they land on food or surfaces in your business. They can also cause allergic reactions in some people such as asthma and allergies.
Depending on your industry, you may have to adhere to certain regulations regarding sanitary conditions and pest control. Failure to comply could lead to hefty fines or even closure of your business.
Having a routine pest control program is a great way to maintain compliance. A professional service knows what methods are most effective and safe to use in commercial settings. Insurance is another vital purchase to consider when starting a pest control business. It will cover any damage or accidents that might occur while working with chemicals.
2. Customer Satisfaction
The number one way to boost your business’s profits is to create happy customers that stick with you. This is especially important in a customer-facing industry like pest control, where most cancellations are due to unmet expectations.
Keeping your staff and clients healthy is another reason to invest in business pest control. Rodents, birds, and insects can carry dangerous bacteria and diseases such as hantavirus, salmonella, cockroaches, babesiosis, and typhus. Frequent pest sightings can make your business feel dirty, unhealthy and unwelcoming to customers.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools for Pest Control businesses can help you improve customer service, build loyalty, identify potential problems, streamline processes and increase sales. CRM solutions can also provide you with data and insights from customer surveys, sales lead tracking, and sales reports.
3. Brand Image
Pests are a turnoff for customers, even if they don’t see the pests themselves. In today’s world, information travels fast—and if someone spots a mouse or cockroach crawling through the halls of your business, they may share their experience with friends or colleagues, negatively affecting your reputation. Pest control services keep this from happening by stopping the problem at its source.
Businesses that deal with stock and inventory, like retail stores, are particularly vulnerable to pests because they can contaminate or destroy products. This can cause financial loss and impact customer satisfaction. IPM prevents this by preventing pests from entering and then addressing them when they do get in. Continuous pests can usually be prevented; sporadic and potential pests are dealt with using an action threshold that considers their population size, environmental conditions, and other factors.
4. Increased Sales
Pest infestations can lead to a variety of problems for businesses, from health and safety issues to lost revenue. Rodents, birds and insects carry diseases such as hantavirus, salmonella, typhus and more. Their feces can also cause slips and falls for customers or staff.
The right marketing strategies can help you increase your profits and grow your pest control business. For example, reducing the amount of cash tied up in accounts receivable by streamlining billing and collection processes can save you money and improve your cash flow.
Another effective strategy is local SEO. Potential clients are more likely to call a company with positive reviews and a competent online reputation. Bradly’s all-in-one reputation management software solutions are an effective way to do this.
5. Increased Profits
As a small business owner, you’re always looking for ways to increase your bottom line. Adding pest control services to your repertoire can be one way to attract new clients and retain existing ones.
Pests not only gross customers out, they also pose health and safety risks to employees, stock and visitors. For example, ticks carry Lyme disease and salmonella and E-coli on their bodies; cockroaches can contaminate food supplies; and bees and wasps can cause severe allergic reactions in some people.
Consider tapping into your personal and professional networks to generate referrals for new clients. Offering discounts on recurring services and implementing loyalty programs are other effective strategies to boost profits for your business.
