Beyond the Bed Bug Boom

The pest management industry is continuously evolving. The explosive growth of the bed bug market that defined the last decade is giving way to a more mature, complex landscape where success requires thoughtful strategy. Traditional seasonal patterns are shifting, consumer expectations are advancing and the very nature of what customers value in pest management services is changing.

This moment of transition creates room for growth and opportunity. Companies that adapt their operations and service offerings to align with these new realities will emerge stronger. As such, staying informed on developing trends is essential. The 2025 Bugs Without Borders survey, conducted by the Professional Pest Management Alliance in collaboration with the University of Florida, provides intelligence industry leaders need to navigate the road ahead.

The challenge isn’t just keeping up with pest biology; it’s understanding the business of pest control in a rapidly changing market. Which treatments are customers willing to pay premium prices for? What seasonal patterns should drive your staffing decisions? Where are the untapped opportunities for service expansion?

This comprehensive study surveyed 375 pest management professionals across the country, providing critical insights into evolving pest trends (from bed bugs to invasive species), changing business dynamics and emerging challenges facing the industry today. The survey builds on previous iterations conducted in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2018, providing a longitudinal view of how our industry and the pests we manage are changing over time.

BED BUG LANDSCAPE SHIFT. The 2025 Bugs Without Borders survey provides a roadmap for navigating market dynamics while maintaining the high standards of professionalism that define modern pest management. Perhaps the most striking finding is the marked change in bed bug service offerings. For the first time since tracking began, only 85% of respondents indicated their companies offered bed bug treatments — down dramatically from the 95-99.6% reported in previous years (2010-2018). Only 82% of respondents reported treating or being asked to treat bed bugs in the past year. Even more telling, this year, more respondents reported that their bed bug services remained the same (40%) compared to those reporting increases (34%) or decreases (26%).

Another unexpected shift relates to seasonal patterns. Spring has emerged as the peak season for bed bug calls, with 43% of respondents ranking it as their busiest time — a notable change from historical patterns where summer dominated. Summer now accounts for 25% of peak activity, followed by fall and winter at 16% each.

The emergence of spring as the peak season for bed bug activity provides an opportunity for the industry to adjust its operational rhythms and consumer messaging to align with actual pest patterns rather than traditional assumptions. This has important implications for staffing, training and resource allocation.

Despite a smaller percentage of companies performing the work, bed bugs remain the most challenging pest to control. When asked to identify the single most difficult pest to manage, 24% of respondents chose bed bugs, nearly double the percentage for German cockroaches (13%) and significantly higher than rodents (12%).

Interestingly, 90% of respondents reported being called to treat “bed bugs” that turned out to be other pests, with carpet beetles (60%), flies (48%) and cockroaches (32%) being the most common misidentifications. The high rate of misidentification suggests significant potential for diagnostic services and consumer education and highlights the importance of professional support and the complexity of bed bug control.

Despite the challenges bed bugs present, the 2025 Bugs Without Borders survey reveals encouraging news about treatment effectiveness. Only 28% of respondents reported encountering bed bugs that appeared resistant to treatment, while 72% did not observe resistance in their service calls. This data strongly supports the professional pest management industry’s value proposition — when PMPs apply their expertise and proper treatment protocols, bed bugs can be controlled effectively. The relatively low resistance rates also suggest that current treatment methods, when properly applied by trained professionals, remain viable solutions for customers facing infestations.

CORE SERVICES, NEW CHALLENGES. The survey’s expansion to include invasive species reveals a growing concern for the industry. Forty-two percent of respondents believed invasive species pressure increased slightly over the past year, while 40% reported it remained stable. The most frequently treated invasive species include red imported fire ants (45%), brown marmorated stink bugs (43%) and Argentine ants (43%). Most respondents believe state governments and industry associations should fund research and training on invasive species management, highlighting the need for coordinated response efforts.

The survey data reinforces the importance of diversified service offerings in today’s market. Core services remain strong as 96% of companies offer rodent control and 79% provide termite services. Most rodent management calls come after customers hear scratching noises or observe physical signs like droppings or chewed materials. Customers typically reach out for termite services after observing physical signs such as mud tubes, damaged wood, or swarmer activity. These services not only provide stable revenue streams but also offer significant value to customers. For PMPs experiencing reduced bed bug demand, these findings suggest that strengthening core service capabilities and cross-selling opportunities may be more important than ever. The key is positioning these services not as alternatives to bed bug work, but as complementary offerings that provide comprehensive property protection.

STRATEGIC ADAPTATION. The 2025 Bugs without Borders survey reinforces the value of professional pest management services. Bed bugs were identified as the most difficult pest to control by a significant margin, often requiring multiple visits and specialized expertise. These findings support advocacy efforts around the need for trained professionals and the industry’s role in safeguarding public health and property.

Recognizing that data-driven decision making is crucial for business success, The Professional Pest Management Alliance will make the survey results available to its members through the Mainframe platform. This comprehensive dataset will enable pest control professionals to benchmark their services against industry trends, identify emerging market opportunities, develop targeted marketing messages based on customer behavior patterns and more. As new technologies, treatment methods, and consumer expectations are reshaping the competitive landscape, having concrete data about market conditions and treatment effectiveness becomes increasingly valuable.

For PMPs, the message is clear: the industry is transforming, consumer needs are shifting, and success will come to those who adapt their services and messaging to align with these new realities while maintaining the high standards of professional expertise that justify their essential role in protecting public health and comfort. Armed with a clearer understanding of today’s challenges and opportunities, the industry is well-positioned to raise the bar — helping professionals adapt, innovate and meet rising expectations through data-driven insights.

Fredericks is executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance and senior vice president of public affairs, NPMA. Oi is an extension professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.