Pest Control Index Up 17 Percent in March

The total U.S. pest index increased 17 percent year-over-year in March, according to a report released by PCO M&A Specialists and William Blair.

This marks a strong acceleration from increases observed in January (up 5 percent) and February (up 6 percent). Some of this increase can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on the market in March 2020, according to the researchers.

The index increased 21 percent on a sequential basis, which is higher than normal seasonal trend (up 10 percent in March 2020 and 16 percent in March 2019). This index includes recurring and nonrecurring revenue for residential pest, commercial pest and termite. It does not include residential door-to-door companies.

“March’s results support the thesis that the U.S. pest control market remains poised for another strong year of growth, as higher penetration rates in the residential market persist in 2021 and are supplemented by a rebound in commercial pest sales,” said William Blair Equity Researchers Tim Mulrooney and Sam Kusswurm.

All three pest control markets (residential, commercial and termite) experienced a significant sequential uptick in March. The residential index accelerated to 23 percent growth in March, up from 12 percent growth in February. The commercial pest index accelerated to 17 percent growth in March, up from 6 percent growth in February. The termite index accelerated to 10 percent growth in March, up from flat revenue in February.