PCOs Share Advice for Those Entering the Wildlife Control Market

CLEVELAND – While wildlife control services have been a growth segment for many PCOs, it’s not work for everyone. According to a recent PCT reader poll, 44 percent of those surveyed said are considering offering wildlife control services in 2025, while 56 percent said they are not.

Brian Greul, manager, Big City Pest and Wildlife, Houston, Texas said wildlife work is different from general pest control because it is more labor intensive.  “It’s important to set expectations with customers that this is more work and more expensive,” he said.  

Greul added that wildlife work also often involves involves roofs, ladders and light construction work to assess (inspect), remove and exclude wildlife that is in conflict with humans. “Training is important to the success of any wildlife control activities,” he said. “NWCOA (National Wildlife Control Operators Association) offers some of the best training on wildlife. Understanding best practices in trapping, exclusion, and animal biology can help differentiate you from competitors.”

Nick Anderson, owner of Anderson Wildlife Solutions, Macksville, Kan., agreed. “Get as much training as possible and NWCOA is a great route. Don’t be scared to ask for questions and help.”

Ben Neidigh, owner of Summit Pest & Wildlife, Evans, Colo., cited the need to have the right mindset. “Wildlife can be unpredictable,” he said. “Be ready to change tactics at any moment. Whether it's acquiring different equipment or trying different approaches. Every failure is an opportunity to grow and learn!”

Richard Christner, owner of Whitmore Pest Control, Denver, Colo., said wildlife control success is dependent on addressing the root cause, implementing long-term preventative measures and delivering lasting value to clients. “This requires developing a comprehensive process that educates customers and emphasizes the value of your services throughout the entire client lifecycle — from the initial contact to project completion and beyond — with the added benefit of recurring revenue through renewable guarantees,” he said.

Christner added that to achieve this it’s crucial to invest in your sales process and train your team not only to resolve the immediate wildlife issue but also to implement exclusion methods and habitat modifications that prevent recurrence. “Backing this approach with a world-class renewable guarantee ensures both customer satisfaction and long-term business success,” he said. 

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