Most PCOs Report Being on Pace to Hitting 2024 Revenue Goals, Poll Finds

CLEVELAND – Halfway through 2024 PCOs are optimistic about hitting their 2024 revenue goals. According to results from PCT’s recent reader poll, most PCOs are either ahead of schedule (44 percent) or on target (31 percent) for hitting 2024 revenue targets.

Rich Merullo, operations manager for Ultra Safe Pest Management, Boston, said the company is on pace to “outproduce 2023" results. 

“We had a much better start to this year as a result of being able to hire more folks,” said Merullo. One of the reasons Ultra Safe has been able to bring on more employees, Merullo said, is the company’s focus on selling recurring services which, in turn, has enabled it to hire more full-time employees.

Merullo said Ultra Safe is doing more bed bug work this year, rodent work is about typical and mosquito work is slightly down as a result of dryer than normal conditions.

Another PCO who reported bed bug work has been up in 2024 is Gerry Marsh, president of Patton Termite & Pest Control, Wichita, Kan. Marsh said Patton is “on target” for hitting 2024 goals, thanks in part to increased bed bug work. Marsh also said Patton’s service areas experienced termite swarms this year. “We also rolled out a quarterly service program that has been successful for us,” he said.

Marty Dyer, CEO of Golden Circle Exterminators, Jackson, Tenn., said the company is “right on target” but not "setting the world on fire" this year. “We’re not having one of those years where we are growing by 30 percent,” he said.

Dyer said he thinks one of the reasons for just average growth is customers holding on to discretionary income. “There is a lot of uncertainty with upcoming elections – not just here in Tennessee, but nationally, so I think people are waiting to see if the Feds cut interest rates.”

Dyer said Golden Circle has invested heavily in upgrading its website and is hoping these changes will help drive future growth.

Mike Londry, CEO of Westside Pest Control, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, said, “We’re well ahead of last year’s revenue, however, we are slightly behind our goals for last year due to a very cold snap this winter and a very wet and cold spring her in Vancouver,” he said.

Twenty percent of respondents to PCT’s reader poll indicated they were slightly off pace, while only 5 percent said they were significantly off pace.

Participate in PCT’s latest poll question:  Have you ever had customers ask about dengue fever?