Pest control wins on trust and timing — homeowners want someone licensed, safe around kids and pets, and available before an infestation spreads. Seasonal demand spikes reward operators who market early and sell recurring plans, not just one-off sprays.
At a Glance
- Top channels: GBP + reviews → LSA (where live) → seasonal Meta/Search → referral + realtor partnerships
- Typical LSA CPL: $30–$70 when category is available
- Contract focus: Attach quarterly/annual plans on every initial service
- Seasonal calendar: Spring ants · summer mosquitoes · fall rodents · winter perimeter
- Response rule: <5 minutes on urgent pest and rodent leads
Top Channels for Pest Control (Ranked)
1. GBP + reviews — Proof-heavy category; license, insurance, and treatment safety Q&A on profile. GBP Mastery.
2. Google LSA — Strong for urgent pest and rodent intent when eligible. LSA guide.
3. Seasonal paid (Meta / Search) — Mosquito, termite inspection, and spring ant offers with local creative. Social ads · Google Ads.
4. Recurring contracts — Pitch plans at every visit; track attach rate in CRM. Similar playbook to landscaping maintenance.
5. Partnerships — Property managers, realtors (pre-listing inspections), home inspectors. Tracking by source.
GBP Services & Keywords
List what homeowners search:
- Pest control / exterminator
- Termite inspection / termite treatment
- Rodent control / mice extermination
- Mosquito treatment / mosquito yard spray
- Bed bug treatment
- Ant control / cockroach control
- Wildlife removal (if licensed)
- Commercial pest control (if applicable)
Photos: branded truck, uniformed tech with PPE, treatment equipment (follow label safety in images), happy wide-shot yard after mosquito service.
Seed Q&A: pet-safe products, guarantee/warranty, service frequency, prep steps before treatment — see Templates pest Q&A seeds.
Seasonal Campaign Calendar
| Season | Demand spike | GBP / ad angle |
|---|---|---|
| Early spring | Ants, termite swarms | Free inspection Offer post |
| Summer | Mosquitoes, wasps | Yard treatment carousel ads |
| Fall | Rodents seeking shelter | Perimeter + entry-point messaging |
| Winter | Occasional invaders, reminders | Contract renewal + interior checks |
Ramp budget before the spike — not the week pests peak in local Facebook groups.
Pro Tips Specific to Pest Control
- Lead with licensed & insured and pet-safe options in ads and first-call script (Scripts).
- Separate CRM tags:
one-time,quarterly,annual,commercial— close rates differ. - Termite leads need longer nurture; rodent leads need same-day response.
- Dispute irrelevant LSA leads (wrong pest type, out of area) within 30 days.
- Ask for reviews after every successful initial treatment — high volume trade for review velocity.
Metrics to Watch
| Metric | Typical target |
|---|---|
| LSA CPL (if live) | $30–$70 |
| Cost per booked inspection/treatment | $75–$160 paid |
| Contract attach rate | 25–45% of new residential |
| Lead response time | <5 min on urgent |
| Review velocity | 3–5 / week in peak season |
Run numbers in Metrics and ROI.
Quick Win
Add termite inspection and mosquito treatment as GBP services with one photo each. Publish a spring GBP Offer for a free inspection in your top city.
Deep Dives (Service Lines)
- Termite Lead Gen — inspections, long-cycle nurture, spring swarm season
- Mosquito Lead Gen — yard spray Offers, Meta creative, plan attach
Next Steps
7-Day Quickstart — GBP + tracking foundation
Lead Gen Scorecard — personalized channel order
Printable Checklists — weekly metrics + LSA ops
Ultimate Guide — full system
Case Study: Pest Control Growth — seasonal LSA + contract attach example
On-Site Close Playbook — quarterly plan pitch on every treatment visit
Related trades: Landscaping (exterior + seasonal) · Plumbers (similar emergency response)