The total U.S. pest control index increased 8.8 percent year-over-year in December 2020. On a sequential basis, the index decreased 3.8 percent from November 2020, which is slightly better than the historical trend. The index declined 5 percent sequentially in December 2019 and 10 percent sequentially in December 2018. This index includes recurring and nonrecurring revenue for the residential pest, commercial pest and termite markets. It does not include residential door-to-door companies.

The 9 percent year-over-year U.S. pest index increase in December marks an acceleration from November (+7 percent) and October (+5 percent). The improving trend was driven by a step up in the residential pest market throughout the quarter, combined with stronger commercial growth in December.

“We are again surprised by another positive monthly report as trends continued to steadily improve throughout the quarter,” said William Blair Equity Researchers Tim Mulrooney and Sam Kusswurm, pointing to the work-from-home environment and favorable weather as factors supporting stronger residential volumes and retention rates. “Meanwhile, the commercial market appears to continue to recover as mandatory restrictions are lifted and businesses continue to reopen.”

View the full December report and the archive of past reports at SellMyPCOBusiness.com. 

ELMHURST, Ill. - Bird-X announced Jeff Spencer as its new president. Spencer replaces Dennis Tilles, who is retiring after having served as president of the company for 12 years.

“The last 12 years of my career have been the most rewarding as I have had the pleasure of leading an incredible group of dedicated people committed to improving the health and safety of the general public," Tilles said. "I will remain on the board of Bird X to help the company maintain the position as one of the industry leaders in humane bird and animal control.”

Following six months of searching, Bird-X and its divisions have announced Jeff Spencer as the new president. Spencer has 28 years of professional experience as a key leader in the commercial and residential lighting industry with strengths in management and engineering. Spencer earned an MBA from DePaul University and a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois.

Regarding his experience with Bird-X thus far, Spencer said, “My first two weeks have exceeded my expectations. While I’m new to the industries, and am just starting to talk to customers, it’s clear that the employees take great pride in the company and customers respond to that."

Description: UC-Riverside will celebrate 30 years of outreach to pest control professionals.  Founder Dr. Mike Rust will be delivering the Ebeling Memorial Lecture with a unique perspective of urban IPM. Sessions will focus on the management of termites, cockroaches, mosquitoes, ticks and ants more. Other topics include:  Addressing PPE problems in the time of coronavirus; avoiding common safety violations; and an examination of Southern California termite species up close with a special ID session. UCR will provide continuing education credits from the California Structural Pest Control Board and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. UCR expects to receive units for the following areas:

SPCB (Field Representatives and Operators only) - TBD

Here’s a look at articles, videos and other resources for the week of Feb. 1 highlighted by the PCT staff.

NPMA Legislative Day 2021: PCOs, Lawmakers to Meet Virtually
In the wake of NPMA announcing it had moved Legislative Day to a virtual event, PCT caught up with NPMA Vice President of Public Policy Ashley Amidon to learn how Legislative Day attendees will connect with their legislators virtually, and to discuss the importance of educating the new Congress, many of whom are newly elected and may have misperceptions about the pest control industry.