Most pest control businesses start with one-off domestic jobs: a wasp nest here, rats in a loft there. Those jobs pay, but they are seasonal and unpredictable. The businesses that grow steadily add two more customer types: landlords and letting agents who bring repeat work, and commercial clients on contracts. This guide covers how to win more of all three.
The three customer types
| Domestic | Landlords and agents | Commercial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical job | Wasps, rodents, bed bugs, insects | Rodents, bed bugs and insects between or during tenancies | Regular inspections and response |
| How they find you | Google search and maps, Local Services Ads | Referrals, direct outreach, Google | Google search, direct outreach, referrals |
| Decision speed | Hours | Days | Weeks to months |
| Value | One-off, £80 to £550+ | Repeat jobs across many properties | Annual contract income |
Domestic customers: be found and be first
UK councils attended 291,132 pest-related property visits in 2024 according to Direct Line FOI data, roughly one every two minutes, and bed bug cases rose 35% between 2022 and 2024. Many councils now charge or have scaled back, so more households search for private help.
- Google Business Profile: "Pest control service" as primary category, every pest you treat listed as a service, real photos, accurate hours and service areas.
- Reviews: ask after every job. Discretion is part of your service, so reassure customers that reviews do not need to mention the pest or their address.
- Google Search Ads: separate campaigns by pest, with seasonal budgets: wasps in summer, rodents from autumn.
- Local Services Ads: where available for pest control, pay per lead and appear first with a verification badge.
- Fast response: people with wasps or rats call several firms. The first to answer usually wins.
Price signals help
2026 UK price guides put wasp nest removal at £80 to £200 and rat treatment plans at £150 to £300 (Fantastic Services). Showing "from" prices on your site and ads reduces calls from people expecting a free council visit.
Landlords and letting agents: repeat work
Letting agents manage dozens or hundreds of properties and need a reliable firm for rodent, bed bug and insect problems. One agent relationship can be worth more than a whole summer of wasp nests.
- Create a simple landlord rate card: survey, treatment plans by pest, response times, reporting.
- Offer photo reports after each visit; agents need evidence for landlords and tenants.
- Contact local agents directly, by email then a visit. Ask who handles maintenance.
- Deliver quickly on the first job; that is the audition.
- Run a small Google Ads campaign for "pest control for landlords" and "letting agent pest control".
Commercial customers: contract income
Restaurants, cafés, food manufacturers, care homes, schools, warehouses and hotels need documented pest management, often to satisfy food safety audits or insurers. Contracts typically include scheduled inspections, monitoring, call-outs and reports.
- A dedicated commercial page explaining what your contract includes, reporting format, response times and sectors you serve.
- A commercial Google Ads campaign for searches such as "commercial pest control [town]" and "restaurant pest control contract". Expect fewer leads, much higher value.
- Direct outreach to local food businesses and facilities managers, with a free site survey.
- Credentials: show genuine trade association membership, technician qualifications and insurance clearly.
Turn one-off jobs into repeat customers
- Treatment plans: rodent and bed bug work often needs follow-up visits. Explain the plan clearly and keep to schedule.
- Proofing: after a rodent treatment, offer proofing to stop re-entry. It adds value and prevents repeat problems.
- Seasonal reminders: text past wasp customers in early summer; past rodent customers in autumn.
- Small business upgrades: a café that called for one problem may want a contract.
A growth plan by quarter
| Quarter | Focus |
|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan to Mar) | Commercial outreach; landlord rate card; rodent campaigns |
| Q2 (Apr to Jun) | Reviews push; insect and early wasp campaigns; agent meetings |
| Q3 (Jul to Sep) | Wasp peak; fast response; reminders to past customers |
| Q4 (Oct to Dec) | Rodent peak; proofing upsells; contract renewals |
Measure it
Track enquiries, jobs and value by customer type and source. Many pest controllers find commercial and agent work makes up a minority of jobs but a majority of profit, which tells you where to invest time and budget.
For the Google Ads detail, read pest control leads from Google Ads, and for a yearly plan, the pest control marketing plan.
Frequently asked questions
How do pest control companies get more customers?
Combine domestic leads from Google search, maps and Local Services Ads with repeat work from landlords and letting agents and contract income from commercial clients.
How do I get commercial pest control contracts?
Build a commercial page explaining your contract, reporting and response times, run a commercial Google Ads campaign, and contact local food businesses and facilities managers with a free survey offer.
Is demand for pest control growing in the UK?
Direct Line FOI data found council pest teams attended 291,132 properties in 2024, up 3% on 2023 and 9% on 2022, with bed bug cases up 35% since 2022.
How do I get repeat pest control customers?
Use treatment plans, offer proofing after rodent work, send seasonal reminders to past customers and offer contracts to small businesses that call for one-off problems.
Related guides
Sources
- Fantastic Services, pest control cost guides (updated September 2026)
- Hello Rayo / Direct Line FOI data: council pest call-outs in 2024 (April 2025)
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