Top 12 Pest Control Franchise Opportunities

Nearly every pest control franchise on this list has been named a top low-cost franchise opportunity by a major publication such as Inc. That’s how wide open the pest control industry currently is, on pace to hit a market value of $40 billion by 2032.  

Take mosquito control. From a business perspective, mosquito control:

• Is an essential service people spend on even during recessions

• Comes with upsell and add-on opportunities to drive margins

• Offers seasonal predictability for work-life balance

Not to mention, pest control has a reputation for low start-up costs. But what are the best pest control franchise businesses out there?

Whether you’re an entrepreneur just breaking into the pest control field or a pest control pro eyeing expansion, consider these top franchises to get an edge on pest control competition. 

Mosquito Squad

Mosquito Squad changed the pest control industry when it invented the Protective Barrier Treatment. Developed to help outdoor lighting crews work at night, the Protective Barrier Treatment also turned out to be good for keeping mosquitoes out of backyards.

Fast forward about 20 years, and now Mosquito Squad claims to have the largest footprint and client base of any tick and mosquito control franchise.

Image Source: Mosquito Squad

Mosquito Squad’s size and reputation as a leader in the industry distinguish it from competitors. Those factors work in franchise owners’ favor, too.

Busier locations are rewarded with smaller royalty fees. Mosquito Squad also offers discounts for veteran-, women-, and minority-owned franchises.

Mosquito Squad did more than $114 million in system-wide sales revenue in its 2022 fiscal year. That averaged $451,658 in territory gross revenue, with a standard territory covering 350,000–500,000 households.

Numbers like these, combined with the company story, make Mosquito Squad a strong fit for pest control entrepreneurs who want the confidence of a proven system.

Mosquito Joe

The name Mosquito Joe conjures the impression of a friendly neighbor. Like a friendly neighbor, Mosquito Joe helps out in many ways, like handling rodents, spotted lanternflies, and other pests in addition to mosquitoes.

Mosquito Joe outfits its field technicians with the latest equipment and uses treatments developed by an in-house team of entomologists, aka bug scientists.

Image Source: Neighborly

Mosquito Joe’s commitment to low-risk pest management earned it a place in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP). In a niche where many companies claim to offer all-natural and eco-friendly treatments, Mosquito Joe has more credibility than most. 

On the franchise side, Mosquito Joe appeals to owners who want to use the seasonality of mosquito season to be their own boss and create the work-life balance they want. That helps explain why more than 50% of franchise business owners are couples. 

Mosquito Joe best fits people who want a franchise opportunity with an established brand that’s as close to out-of-the-box ready as possible. That also makes it a strong fit for entrepreneurs who own an adjacent business, such as a landscaping company, and want to branch out.

A national brand supports name recognition and referrals, not to mention a 73% customer retention rate. All locations are independently owned and operated franchises, too, so no corporate locations are competing for resources.

Mosquito Shield

Mosquito Shield has spent more than 20 years perfecting its mosquito and tick control treatments. Its continued focus on R&D has led to a blend of all-natural and select controlled products registered with the EPA.

Mosquito Shield doesn’t neglect the business side, though, where It claims franchisees outperform multiple industry benchmarks. 

Image Source: Mosquito Shield Franchise

Mosquito Shield departs from its competitors by not defaulting to the 21-day treatment cycle widely used across the industry. Instead, Mosquito Shield franchises monitor the weather and local mosquito populations. Based on that, they spray customers’ yards every 10 to 17 days throughout the season.

Mosquito Shield also offers flexible treatment schedules to improve results against mosquito breakouts and population peaks. 

As a franchisor, Mosquito Shield best fits owners focused on lifetime value. Mosquito Shield claims steady business and minimal churn, with most customers renewing each season. That has the potential to drive lots of recurring business and word-of-mouth referrals.

Owners can also expand their revenue streams with franchise add-ons Tick Shield or Pest Shield.

Pestmaster Services Inc.

Pestmaster has been an industry leader for more than 40 years by practicing “pest management with Eviron-Mentality^™.”

Its goal to develop the safest, least toxic, and most sustainable treatments has led to GreenPro and QualityPro certifications. It has also positioned Pestmaster as an authority on integrated pest management, or IPM, which emphasizes custom treatment plans that have minimal impact on their environments.

Image Source: Pestmaster Franchise

If you don’t recognize Pestmaster despite its longevity and national brand, there are good reasons. First, Pestmaster’s commitment to IPM means custom plans for every client, which likely translates to fewer but more valuable accounts than that average.

Second, Pestmaster is a “dominant player” in getting government pest control contracts because it's an approved service provider of the General Services Administration (GSA) service provider. A dedicated contracts department finds available contracts with local, state, and federal governments and then helps franchise owners secure them.

Pestmaster is a strong fit for franchise owners who prioritize sustainability. Pestmaster proves what’s good for the planet is good for business, too, by offering franchisees a broad range of services to sell, including vegetation management. At the same time, Pestmaster keeps operations simple — no office space, limited inventory — to support profitable margins.  

Likewise, Pestmaster’s franchise system is an excellent fit for owners who want a diversified client base that includes government contracts.

No other franchise on this list can offer as much help bidding on and securing government contracts as Pestmaster.

Critter Control

Most pest control companies focus on insects first, and animals second––if at all. But not Critter Control. The Atlanta-based company handles the nuisance wildlife species other companies avoid.

Think possums, skunks, and wild hogs. Critter Control’s field technicians are certified to address these and more with humane methods of animal removal and exclusion methods. They can even repair some of the property damage with services such as attic restoration. 

Image Source: Critter Franchise

Critter Control stands out for focusing on the niche of wildlife control. Not just rodents, but also large vertebrates with fur, feathers, and scales. They’ll handle insects, too, if there’s a stinger involved. That specialty service makes Critter Control valuable to residential, commercial, and municipal customers. 

Critter Control presents a good business opportunity for those who see an upside in owning a niche competitors have largely avoided. Especially now when homeowner anxiety around animal encounters seems to be as high as ever. Wild boar, pythons, coyotes, bears, and other wildlife — not to mention invasive species — have made recent national news.

Critter Control’s base services offer good recurring revenue and upsell opportunities, from routine prevention to installing pest-repelling home insulation. Owners also get the support of a brand group that’s already built successful pest and termite control franchises, including Orkin.

Mosquito Hunters

Mosquito Hunters has one of the most recognizable brands in pest control thanks to its mascot, a charming sportsman with an impressive mustache and outback hat.

That lightheartedness helps Mosquito Hunters connect with customers to help solve a severe problem. That is, the growing dangers of mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses, particularly Zika virus.

Image Source: Mosquito Hunters Franchise

Mosquito Hunters’ branding also has a subtle emotional component that encourages customers to act. Imagery like a backyard barbecue or pool party ruined by mosquitoes reminds homeowners not to miss the best of summer.

As for the franchising side, Mosquito Hunters goes after can-do owner-operators who are enthusiastic about being hands-on and developing relationships to drive sales.

Mosquito Hunters’ business model matches those who’d prefer to grow organically through shaking hands at the chamber of commerce versus running digital marketing campaigns.

A turnkey sales team supports that approach by fielding and closing inbound sales over the phone, freeing up owners’ time for networking and running day-to-day operations. 

It also supports franchisees by borrowing strategies and processes from its partner Lawn Doctor, a leading home services brand for over 50 years and Entrepreneur’s Franchise Hall of Fame member. 

Mosquito Mary’s

Mosquito Mary’s is one of the freshest brands in the pest control industry. Its pink and purple brand colors strike a friendly, neighborly vibe. In an industry where branding leans toward severe and masculine, Mosquito Mary’s lighter and brighter tone looks poised to do well, especially considering women make most household decisions.

Image Source: Mosquito Mary’s Franchising

That branding is a big part of what sets Mosquito Mary’s apart. It plays well with mentions of all-natural mosquito control using kid- and pet-friendly compounds from chrysanthemum flowers.

Its Community Give Back Program further represents Mosquito Mary’s neighborly charm by supporting regional nonprofits, community programs, and local service clubs.

Founded in 2018 and franchised in 2020, Mosquito Mary’s is in its early franchising days. But with brand positioning aligned with the reality that women are as or more likely to book home pest control services as men, Mosquito Mary’s looks well-positioned for market penetration. Plus, its initial investment and royalty rate are friendlier than many competitors.

Superior Mosquito Defense

Superior Mosquito Defense is the most straightforward franchise on this list, from its low cost to launch to its basic but effective website.

Franchises take on both residential and commercial accounts, such as restaurants, parks, and recreational facilities. Superior Mosquito Defense is part of a greater collection of home service brands, including Superior Lawn Care, Superior Irrigation, and Superior Pest Defense.

Image Source: Superior Mosquito Defense

Superior Mosquito Defense’s attitude and scrappiness give it a bit of an underdog feel that some customers will find appealing.

For instance, the company once published www.ihatemosquitoes.com, and its current website showcases messaging like, “This is a sign that a smart person has made a choice to take their yard back.” That’s capped off with a superhero-esque logo that depicts a mosquito-like a comic book villain.

For potential franchise owners looking for a low barrier to entry, it’s hard to beat what Superior Mosquito offers. Low initial investment and a friendly royalty fee of 5% make for an attractive package.

It’s worth wondering if those low fees might be holding back marketing and branding efforts. Superior has fewer locations than you might expect after franchising a decade ago.

Mosquito Authority

No commitments, no contracts, no mosquitoes — that’s the promise Mosquito Authority makes, assuring confident customers will have such a good experience that they’ll bring repeat business.

The company even empowers homeowners to control pests on their own with the app-controlled Mosquito Misting System, which also repels other insects such as no-see-ums.

Image Source: Mosquito Franchise

Mosquito Authority makes a strong impression about how well it supports franchisees. Its franchising website showcases a variety of case studies and videos about successful owners, pointing out how many come from backgrounds with no ownership or formal business experience. That includes teachers, firefighters, and stay-at-home parents.

Mosquito Authority franchisees enjoy strong brand recognition, too. Owners of two or more years averaged nearly $500,000 in revenue in 2022. (It’d be nice if Mosquito Authority also shared the highs and lows of that range for context.) Those who want extra revenue streams can also explore partner franchise opportunities with Pest Authority.

Mosquito Mike

Mosquito Mike was founded in the beautiful but mosquito-swamped waters of Massachusetts. There, it perfected techniques for rescuing families’ summers from infestations of mosquitoes.

The company is also transparent about how it works, posting written and video FAQs that break down common concerns, such as what’s in their pesticide mix.

Image Source: Mosquito Mike Franchise

Mosquito Mike believes business should be as fun as it is profitable. It courts potential franchise owners who want to leave the corporate grind and live the lifestyles they want while sustaining it with predictable income. Mosquito Mike puts plenty of pest control apps and tools behind franchisees to help make that happen, such as an instant pricing engine.

A Mosquito Mike franchise would fit an owner who wants streamlined operations focused specifically on mosquito and tick control. It also has value to those intrigued by buying into a franchise in its early days — franchising launched in only 2021.

If Mosquito Mike can figure out how to better differentiate itself in the market, it could claim a significant share of it. In the meantime, it has the momentum of positive customer reviews to continue riding.

Lawn Doctor

Lawn Doctor is a lawn care and yard maintenance company with integrated outdoor pest control. In addition to fertilizing, seeding, and aerating yards, Lawn Doctor also treats them for mosquitoes, ticks, grubs, fire ants, and other insects that get in the way of happy, healthy turf.

It’s a testament to the power of a good brand, going strong after more than 50 years and with more than 600 locations.

Image Source: Lawn Doctor Franchise

Lawn Doctor stands out by leading with lawn, tree, and shrub care as its primary service offering, then supporting it with pest control.

The beauty of that combination is it allows Lawn Doctor owners to cross-sell in either direction. If a customer is already investing in their lawn, why not get rid of the mosquitoes that’ll spoil their pristine landscape?

Lawn Doctor will appeal to potential owners who want lawn care and pest control in a single franchise versus two separate investments.

With the seasonality of these adjacent industries, franchises can drive higher income through longer stretches of the year. No wonder Lawn Doctor does so well with homeowners who want the benefits of a maintained lawn without having to do the labor.

Joshua Tree Experts

Joshua Tree Experts integrates tree care, lawn care, and pest control services – a combination that’s powered the Pennsylvania-based company to $7 million in annual revenue. Joshua Tree Experts’ success tracks with the growing demand for integrated pest management, or IPM. 

Image Source: Tree Care Franchising

Joshua Tree Experts has one of the freshest names and approaches on the market. Franchising began in 2021, so Joshua Tree Experts still has plenty to prove beyond its home market.

Still, the unique but logical three-in-one combination of outdoor home services offers customers lots of value. For franchise owners, it means a greater variety of recurring revenue streams, including high-margin services such as tree pruning and removal.

A Joshua Tree Experts franchise would best fit someone looking to invest early in a new category. The company has a goal to sign 12 franchises in 2023. It also takes a unique approach to franchising with two plans:

• Wealth Growers targets high net-worth individuals looking for a scalable, tax-advantaged investment.

• Wealth Builders, by comparison, appeals to entrepreneurs needing a lower barrier to entry.

Start Your Franchise Unit Off on the Right Foot

Starting a pest control company is challenging, but it’s much easier with the right systems in place. Make the most of your investment in a new franchise with FieldRoutes, a ServiceTitan company. It brings your operations and marketing together with end-to-end pest control software.

The FieldRoutes^® Operations Suite helps you automate complex workflows and eliminate time-consuming manual tasks. Meanwhile, ServiceTitan Marketing Pro delivers fully-integrated tools to help you build revenue-boosting pest control marketing strategies.

See how it all works with a free demo.