Orkin’s New Campaign Brings Bugs to Life — With Puppets

ATLANTA — Orkin’s new advertising campaign swaps CGI and fear-based imagery for something more tactile: puppets. Designed to make pests relatable — and their elimination by the Orkin Pro even more impressive — “Pests are Smart, Orkin Pros are Smarter” showcases the cleverness of common pests, only to reveal that Orkin’s trained professionals are always one step ahead.

© credit | Marton Kallai & Lions Productions

Launched in partnership with creative agency DDB Chicago, the campaign blends entomological accuracy with cinematic flair. Each spot introduces audiences to cockroaches, mosquitoes, rats, all of which are given life through puppets crafted by the same creative team behind Wes Anderson’s Fantastic "Mr. Fox." These pests are witty, expressive, and full of personality; however, despite their clever antics, they’re foiled by the expert knowledge and quick thinking of the Orkin Pro.

SCIENCE MEETS STORYTELLING
Cam Glover, vice president of marketing at Orkin USA, explained in a press release that the campaign emphasizes how Orkin Pros outsmart even the most clever pests. The goal was to showcase the team’s extensive training and expertise by blending real pest facts with creative puppetry to illustrate each scenario.

DDB Chicago’s Chief Creative Officer Colin Selikow noted in that same press release, “Working closely with Orkin’s entomologists allowed us to root the campaign in real science, while also giving the pests a human-like personality. The result is visually striking and refreshingly different from the usual pest control ads.”

WHY PUPPETS?
Orkin’s decision to use puppets over CGI was deliberate. “Puppets bring a realness that CGI just doesn’t achieve,” Glover told PCT. “They’re tactile and imperfect in a way that makes them feel authentic. Plus, it gives us a way to make pests relatable without relying on fear.”

The campaign’s voice talent features performances from Brian Huskey, Hugh Scott, and Chris Candy, son of comedy legend John Candy. Their delivery gives each puppet character a personality, ranging from overconfident to sarcastic.

A NOD TO NOSTALGIA
This isn’t Orkin’s first foray into character-driven campaigns. Glover pointed to past efforts like Orkin's "big bugs" campaign from the mid-2010s as inspiration, even reviving the visual device of a lawn sign appearing at the end of the spot — an Orkin signature. But the new work is more nuanced.

“This time, we leaned more into behavior and personality,” Glover said. “Each pest thinks it has a plan, but we show how the Orkin Pro outsmarts them every time.”

The campaign also subtly appeals to first-time homeowners, a key demographic often unaware of how pests behave or how serious an infestation can be. By using humor and lighthearted storytelling, Orkin communicates critical information in a way that’s engaging rather than alarming.

CREATIVE COLLABORATION
The spots are the product of close collaboration between Orkin, DDB Chicago, and a team of entomologists, copywriters and puppeteers. The dialog was often refined on set through “wild lines”—improvised takes that led to more natural and memorable moments.

The campaign officially launched in May 2025 and is set to run through September, strategically timed with peak pest season. Placements include NHL playoff broadcasts, positioning the campaign for high visibility during major sporting events.

Orkin will track campaign success using traditional marketing KPIs like brand recall, customer acquisition, and social media engagement. Early response has been overwhelmingly positive, Glover said. “There’s been a lot of organic buzz. People love the creativity, and it’s even gotten attention from the advertising world, which was never the goal — but definitely a bonus.”