Pest Control Index Up 10% in October, PCO M&A Specialists, William Blair Report

The total U.S. William Blair/PCO M&A Specialists Pest Index increased 10 percent year-over-year in October, decelerating from 13 percent in September and marking the lowest reading since February 2021.

William Blair PCO M&A Specialists

The total U.S. William Blair/PCO M&A Specialists Pest Index increased 10 percent year-over-year in October, decelerating from 13 percent in September and marking the lowest reading since February 2021. On a sequential basis, the index decreased 1 percent from September 2022. 
 
“After two years of strong growth, the pest index has normalized to its long-term historical average growth rate,” says William Blair Equity Researcher Tim Mulrooney. “Based on our conversations with privately held pest control operators, we now believe pricing represents more than half of the total index growth for the month of October.”
PCO M&A Specialists Managing Member Dan Gordon added, “While the index is showing a slight decrease, the growth in the industry is still exceeding the Consumer Price Index, which we use as a proxy for the measurement of inflation. This shows the pest management industry is still experiencing real growth even after considering inflation.”
 
The primary driver of the month-over-month deceleration was the residential index, which slowed from 15 percent growth to 12 percent growth. The commercial index remains strong and continues to grow above historical levels. 
 

The Residential Pest Index increased 12 percent year-over-year and decreased 2 percent on a sequential basis. The Commercial Pest Index increased 16 percent year-over-year and was flat on a sequential basis. The Wood Destroying (Termite) Index increased 1 percent year-over-year and increased 4 percent on a sequential basis. The Bed Bug Index decreased 9 percent year-over-year and decreased 4 percent on a sequential basis.

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