Cautiously Optimistic in 2023

Despite challenges like inflation and an uncertain economy, two-thirds (67 percent) of respondents to PCT's recent reader poll think 2023 will be about the same (40 percent) or slightly better (27 percent) than 2022.

Dennis Mastriola, president of Dennis the Mennis Pest Elimination Experts, Lynn, Mass., was among those who responded that he expects 2023 to be slightly better than 2022.

“The economy in the Northeast is stable — housing sales were high and new homeowners will need to protect their valuable new properties — especially when the pricing was higher for the homes than anyone ever expected,” Mastriola said.

In addition to homeowners not putting up with pest issues, renters are becoming increasingly intolerant of pests and alerting management of their dissatisfaction.

Adam Witt, president of Witt Pest Management, Pittsburgh, said he expects 2023 to be better than 2022.

“For us, as a medium-sized regional company I think we are enjoying added demand as a byproduct of bigger companies acquiring and consolidating, and the disruption involved in their integrations are sending customers flocking to more local-facing companies,” Witt said. “I also think that software is finally catching up (a little more) allowing us to leverage some technology advances to service customers faster, more efficiently and better, all the while allowing us to scale without huge growing pains.”

Our newest poll question asks: Which of the following concerns you the most with your workforce?