Mixed Market

The COVID-19 pandemic affected bed bug control. Lockdowns limited the spread of the pests, and people with existing bed bug problems often weren’t comfortable having technicians in their homes to eliminate them. As such, bed bug revenue weakened at many pest control companies.

With the pandemic now in the rear-view mirror, however, normal activities have resumed and bed bug revenue is looking up at some companies.

Compared to last year, 52 percent of pest management professionals (PMPs) expected the frequency of bed bug calls and jobs at their company locations to increase, found the 2023 PCT State of the Bed Bug Control Market survey.

That’s the case at Modern Exterminating, Columbia, S.C. “It slowed down during COVID, but it’s come back and we’re doing more bed bug jobs a week now than we’ve done in years,” said Vice President Melanie Matthews.

It helps that Modern Exterminating operates in a college town where people constantly are moving in and out of rental properties. People also are traveling more and bringing the pests back home. “I think we’re seeing some effects from that,” said Matthews.

Jaime Pilbeam — along with 31 percent of PMPs — expected the volume of bed bug work at his company to remain the same as last year. Pilbeam owns Superior Pest Control, Grand Rapids, Mich., which generates about 20 percent of its revenue from controlling bed bugs in multi-family housing, medical facilities and nursing homes.

On average, bed bug control services accounted for 12.3 percent of revenue at pest control company locations last year. And 41 percent of PMPs said these services became a more significant portion of the business over the past five years.

Fewer PMPs feel this way, however. In fact, 21 percent reported that bed bug services became less significant to their location, nearly triple the 8 percent who shared this sentiment in 2022.

Bed bug work is “important, but I wouldn’t say it’s significant” to the business, said Randy Moffat, director of operations, United Pest Solutions, Kenmore, Wash. “It is something we offer because we want to be able to take care of our customers. For a lot of people, having bed bugs really messes with their psyche,” he explained.

At United Pest Solutions, bed bug revenue is down about 20 percent from last year and growth of the service has “plateaued,” said Moffat.

PMPs said a number of factors were holding back growth of bed bug services at their company locations.

These included lower customer demand (26 percent), increased competition (25 percent) and lack of technicians to do the work (25 percent). Getting the word out (14 percent) was also a factor.

Eighty-four percent of pest control company locations offered bed bug control services, found the PCT survey.