Best Practices For Selling Pest Control Subscriptions

This guide explores the basics and benefits of pest control subscriptions, why they are gaining popularity, and best practices for selling them.

Discover 12 best practices for selling more pest control subscriptions to increase the value of your business.

What Are Pest Control Subscriptions?

Pest control subscriptions offer regular, scheduled pest management services to keep homes and businesses pest-free.

Unlike one-time treatments, these subscriptions provide ongoing care through routine inspections, targeted treatments, and preventative measures. Customers experience peace of mind knowing their pest problems are consistently managed.

Common features include monthly or quarterly visits, tailored treatment plans for specific pests, and preventative actions to avoid future infestations. An initial inspection is conducted to assess the property and create a customized treatment plan.

Subscriptions ensure a proactive, long-term solution rather than a reactive, one-time fix. They typically cover common pests such as insects, termites, rodents, ants, spiders, and roaches.

However, why are they becoming increasingly popular among homeowners and businesses?

Why Are Pest Control Subscriptions Gaining in Popularity?

Pest control subscriptions are becoming increasingly popular due to their numerous benefits for both customers and businesses.

According to SPER market research, the USA and Canada Pest Control Services Market is predicted to reach $24.12 billion by 2033 with a growth rate of 7.51%.

It’s easy to understand why.

The subscription model benefits both the customer and the business owners:

Customer Benefits:

• Predictable Costs: They are cheaper than sudden call-out services, such as if there is an infestation of cockroaches or bed bugs.

• Peace of Mind: They provide ongoing protection and proactive prevention of general pest management.

• Convenience: They eliminate the need for customers to call multiple times. 

• Discounts and Incentives: They bring added value compared to single visits.

Benefits for Pest Control Businesses:

• Steady, Recurring Revenue Stream: Offering pest control subscriptions has many benefits, one of which is a regular recurring revenue stream. Subscriptions are also immune from cancellations, as customers pay regardless if they cancel or use your service.

• Stronger Customer Relationships and Retention: Offering pest control subscriptions can strengthen customer relationships and retention rates. Customers love the convenience and reliability of regular service, which builds trust and loyalty. You can increase customer satisfaction and retention by providing services tailored to their needs and local pest problems.

• Streamlined Scheduling and Service Workflow: Easy to manage your team’s resources. You can schedule your team to service customers throughout the year and forecast if you need more or fewer coworkers, insecticides, and other lawn care management products

Best Practices for Selling Pest Control Subscriptions

1. Understand Your Customers

Analyze your customer base to see which segments will likely be interested in pest control subscriptions. Look at homeowners vs renters, property types, and repeat service history.

Conduct customer surveys to ask them about subscription models and their desired features. This will help you tailor your pest control services to their needs. Knowing your customers means you can offer pest control programs that appeal to them and increase the chances of subscription sales.

One of the main benefits of customer surveys is that they provide direct feedback from customers about their interests and priorities. The customer data you solicit should include information about whether they are homeowners or renters, the type of property they occupy, and how often services are repeated. 

2. Offer Flexible Plans

Rigid plans limit your reach.

Customers have different budgets, needs, and pest problems.

Create tiered plans: a basic plan for routine checks, a mid-level plan for preventative treatments, and a premium plan for full protection and priority service.

Allow customers to add on services like termite inspections or mosquito control, but be upfront with additional costs. This way, your pest control business can cater to different customer needs, growing your cash flow.

• Tiered Plans: Basic, mid-level, premium.

• Add-Ons: Termite inspections, mosquito control, etc.

3. Price Competitively

Customers will evaluate the cost vs the perceived value of a pest control subscription.

Overpriced and they’ll go elsewhere, underpriced and you’ll lose much-needed profit.

Research your local market to determine what your competitors are charging and what features they offer. If you price slightly higher, show value by offering more services or benefits.

Clear value propositions and being upfront with your costs will justify your price and make pest control subscriptions more palatable to potential customers.

• Market Research: Competitor pricing and features.

• Demonstrate Value: Justify higher prices with additional benefits.

4. Emphasize Quality

Emphasizing quality shows you’re committed to delivering top-notch pest control services. Customers value quality work, so you’ll get higher satisfaction rates and better customer retention.

Quality sets your pest control company apart and increases your reputation, forming a valuable selling point for your marketing efforts.

• Thorough Inspections: Identify all pest problems.

• Effective Pesticides: Use high-quality products.

• Safety Protocols: Follow all pest control industry guidelines.

5. Highlight Added Value

Pest control subscriptions are more than just solving a pest problem – they’re peace of mind. Emphasize the intangible but valuable advantages that make a subscription more beneficial than a one-off service.

Offer discounts by bundling them into the subscription compared to individual treatments. Guarantee priority service with faster response times for subscribers. Highlight the long-term benefits of proactive prevention included in the subscription.

You’ll make your pest control programs more appealing by highlighting extra value.

• Savings: Bundle discounts and incentives.

• Priority Service: Guarantee faster response times.

• Proactive Prevention: Emphasize the long-term benefits to homeowners.

6. Deliver Exceptional Customer Service

Always be polite and respectful to customers. By providing exceptional customer service, you’ll increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Happy customers will continue their subscriptions and refer your pest control products to others.

• Politeness and Respect: Build trust in your brand.

• Quick Responses: Address inquiries promptly and transparently.

7. Avoid the Hard Sell

A consultative approach builds trust and solves customer problems. When conducting your company's sales training, focus on solving customer problems rather than selling.

If you conduct door-to-door sales, listen actively to what real estate owners say and provide only solutions that address their needs.

By not being pushy, you’ll maintain respect, gain credibility, and start to build long-term relationships. Customers appreciate a salesperson who prioritizes their needs before making a quick sale.

• Build Credibility: Solve problems; don't push for a sale.

• Active Listening: Understand concerns and follow up if you don’t have the solution at hand.

8. Embrace Your Brand

Align your sales approach with your company’s mission, values, and reputation.

Ensure all customer interactions reflect your brand’s promise and personality, whether for a one-time service or monthly subscription.

Back up your brand marketing with a solid pest control marketing strategy – PPC, SEO, and social media should aid customers in forming initial opinions about your business.

• Understand Your Brand: Know what you offer and values.

• Consistent Communication: Reflect brand promises in your marketing efforts.

9. Practice Consultative Selling

Consultative selling is about understanding and solving customer needs. Have conversations to understand customer pain points and offer tailored solutions. Listen actively to gather feedback.

By being consultative, you build relationships with customers and answer their needs. This moves away from sales scripts and towards real conversations.

• Active Listening: Engage in conversations.

• Tailored Solutions: Offer relevant answers.

• Build Relationships: Foster genuine interactions.

10. Highlight Potential Hazards

Educate customers on the health risks of pests to make pest control services more important. 

Explain how pests can carry diseases, cause allergies, and damage property. Discuss how pests can contaminate food and spread bacteria.

By educating customers on these health risks, you’ll show them the value of investing in pest control programs.

• Health Risks: Don’t alarm customers;  inform them about how pests can spread disease and allergies.

• Property Damage: Highlight risks to real estate.

• Food Contamination: Bacteria can spread due to pest infestations.

11. Consider a Dedicated Sales Leader

A sales leader can boost pest control sales by coaching the sales team and implementing growth strategies. The right sales training can increase profits by executing strategies that drive sales.

Responsibilities include building relationships with homeowners and business owners, training sales reps, and tracking marketing performance.

• Boost Revenue: Drive sales and profits using brand-building strategies.

• Motivate Team: Lead effectively and conduct sales training.

• Implement Strategies: Develop and execute lead-converting strategies.

12. Invest in Pest Control Management Software

Pest control management software makes life easier and more efficient.

For instance, FieldRoutes simplifies lead tracking, proposal generation, and automated sales workflows.

You can manage recurring billing, customer communications, and subscription reporting, which is invaluable for streamlining your CRM processes.

Optimize scheduling with route optimization. Implementing such software will automate tasks and give you real-time analytics. This will support your sales team and operations so you can grow consistently and profitably.

• Lead Tracking: Simplify marketing processes.

• Automated Sales: Streamline workflows and billing.

• Scheduling Optimization: Enhance efficiency for your team.

Drive Consistent Growth with Pest Control Subscription Services

Pest control subscriptions will grow your business. Your pest control business will flourish by knowing your customers, offering flexible plans, pricing competitively, and delivering excellent service.

Having the same technician provide the same in-person service will ensure consistency and personalized care. To succeed long-term, own your brand, be consultative, and invest in management software.

To explore more about optimizing your pest control business, check out our articles on pest control business profit margins and how local search services can boost your business.

Schedule a free demo for FieldRoutes Operations Suite today!