AI Use Becoming More Commonplace in Pest Control Businesses, Poll Finds

Thirty-six percent of those who responded to PCT's recent reader poll are occasionally using AI at work, while another 14 percent are extensively using it.

AI poll

CLEVELAND - In just about any business, time is money, which is why PCOs always have adopted tools that can make work more efficient. What about artificial intelligence (AI)? Results from PCT’s recent reader poll found that 36 percent are occasionally using AI, while another 14 percent use it extensively.

Todd Leyse, president of Adam’s Pest Control, Maple Grove. Minn., uses AI in content creation, research, brainstorming, strategic planning, including creating a virtual advisory board, and more, “but perhaps the best use has been using AI in our software development when developing Blu Star Field Service Management System.”

At Native Pest Management, Tallahassee, Fla., artificial intelligence is being used in sales, customer service collections and more. “We've used AI to help refine our external communications across the board,” said Ian Wright, data analyst, Native Pest Management. “The improved communications have increased sales conversion rates through enhanced follow ups, enhanced the customer experience measured by net promoter score, and bolstered our collections process.”

Luke Rambo, president of Rambo Total Pest Control, Puyallup, Wash., said his company found ChatGPT useful for “helping to create engaging and professional content for some customer interactions and internal training materials,” but Rambo noted that the company makes certain it personalizes messaging, so it does not sound robotic.  

Rambo added, “Other times we have crafted messages that are simply too long and ChatGPT has helped to reduce the word count down and still maintain the same messaging.  We have also started integrating Power BI into our reporting which shows a lot of promise.”

Participate in PCT's latest reader poll: Which of the following pests is most challenging to manage when servicing in and around schools?