[Market Watch] PCT field reports from across the United States

Viking Termite & Pest Control

Bridgewater, N.J.

Although leads have been down in the area, Viking Termite & Pest Control has still managed double-digit growth thus far this year, said Ryan Bradbury, branch manager, Bridgewater, N.J. Specifically, call volume concerning carpenter ants was a lot lighter than in years past. Carpenter ants are big pests in the New Jersey area, Bradbury said. However, the termite season in the spring was big, and calls for bees increased in the summer as well.

This year has been more difficult than 2003, Bradbury said. "In 2003 there just seemed to be a lot more lead volume out there, where this year we’re being more aggressive to organize ourselves to maximize every lead that’s available," he said. The ability to maximize every lead is due to the effectiveness of the company’s internal office staff and good computer systems, he said. These two things make it possible for turnaround times to be about only 24 hours, from when a customer’s call is received to when the service is completed and paid for, Bradbury said.

Currently, an Indian summer is being predicted, Bradbury said, so, he thinks the season might continue longer than usual. "Hopefully we can maximize that if it comes around," he said.

Fulton Company, Inc.

N. Miami Beach, Fla.

July 2004 was the best month for Fulton Company Inc. in the 50-year history of the company, said Brian Van Dam, president. Consequently, he also said 2004 has been an exceptional year for market conditions.

In July, Fulton Company picked up 120 new accounts, and the company acquired 82 in June. "And we’re a small company," said Van Dam. They also experienced very few cancellations, compared to 2003 when cancellations were high and sales were lower. Van Dam attributes this change in part to the stronger 2003 economy.

But Van Dam also said business conditions in his market area are competitive. In the three counties that he operates (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward), he estimates there to be about 500 pest control companies. He said he thinks customers often call around to different companies to get comparisons after they’ve done some initial research. Only after this, do they make a purchase. "I find consumers to be much more price conscious than they used to be," said Van Dam.

Fulton Company found the biggest pest this summer to be ticks. Number two was ants, and number three was fleas. As far as the coming quarter, Van Dam said he thinks market conditions should remain strong.