August Pest Index Shows 15 Percent Increase

The total U.S. pest index increased 14.9 percent year-over-year in August, according to a report released by PCO M&A Specialists and William Blair. This marks an acceleration from July 2021, which was up 10 percent year-over-year. On a sequential basis, the index increased 2.2 percent from July 2021.

“Pest control continues to be a shining star in the overall economy and appears to be poised for even more growth as the country eventually moves forward from COVID,” said Dan Gordon, managing member of PCO M&A Specialists and PCO Bookkeepers.

The acceleration in August was primarily driven by a pickup across all four subindices, according to William Blair Equity Researcher Tim Mulrooney. 

The residential pest index increased 16.2 percent year-over-year and increased 2.5 percent on a sequential basis. The commercial pest index increased 17.1 percent year-over-year and 3.5 percent on a sequential basis.

The wood destroying (termite) index increased 10.3 percent year-over-year and decreased 1.2 percent on a sequential basis. The bed bug Index increased 8 percent year-over-year and increased 3.1 percent on a sequential basis.

“The acceleration in the August residential pest index came as a surprise, given the slowdown observed in recent months from the strong results earlier this spring,” Mulrooney said. “The two-year compound annual growth rate for the residential pest index was 11 percent in August, in line with the long-term historical average trend of 11 percent growth.”

View the full August report and the archive of past reports here.