If I were ever abducted by aliens, the first thing I’d ask is whether they came from a planet where people also deny science.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 25, 2015
The global climate change and the growing number of pests across the globe, doubled with the increase in pest-caused deadly human infections, causes a wider use of pest control products and services. Thus, the growing pest management industry creates an increased demand for integrated pest management control programs which is predicted to positively result in the market expansion.
By pest type analysis shows that 49,3% of all pest types for which pest control is widely used are insects. They are well-known for causing threats and damaging agricultural as well as non-agricultural areas. There is a rising concern and awareness about hygiene, cleanliness and health risks everywhere in the world. Furthermore, pest infections cause economic losses across the sectors connected to food, beverage, agriculture, etc. Government initiatives, through public health campaigns and legislation,involve precautionary steps and the development of strategies that aim to improve the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, sustainability of insecticides and reduce environmental impact. For example, in order to register pesticide products in the US one must have all the tests done and prove that they meet the required standards regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
How do they work?
Pest control products can damage the central nervous system of insects, disrupt mating, or exterminate infestations. But the amount of product and its distribution should be thoroughly controlled by a trained professional to avoid dangerous risks connected to human health and to reduce the accumulation of the toxic elements in the surrounding environment.
All the pest control products can be divided into chemical, mechanical and biological. Chemical pesticides remain the most widely used ones. However, in the upcoming years, the demand for chemical pests is predicted to decline due to governments’ and other environmental organizations’ regulations. More and more biological alternatives are being tested, thus, providing a more natural solution.
For example, new biocontrol agents being the most modern biological alternative, are becoming one of the most effective pest management methods. As in reality these agents are small living organisms, they are considered as a good natural solution approved by the environmental organisations and government.
Pest control & technology
Another important tendency is associated with pest control software. It is being actively implemented across several application area and according to specialists, is going to boost the market in the nearest years. Market research shows the growing demand for cutting-edge technology and personalized tools. Some of the current market needs are introduced below.
What do customers now look for in a pest control software?
1. Everything in one place
Centralized data and information are the priority. It makes it easy for businesses to manage their employees, sales and customers any place any time. During the pandemic, many companies have survived due to their ability of managing their businesses from computer or cellular, others had to face serious losses. The situation creates market pull for developing new tools and more advanced software.
2. Ways to handle seasonal changes
A pest control business is highly seasonal. Many insects go dormant in the winter, making this season a lot less profitable, while there is an explosion of calls during spring and summer periods. A company needs to develop strategy and tools to manage these changes with minimal losses. For example, an integrated employee training or developing customer loyalty during the less busy period could be a solution.
3. Managing multiple locations
And again, pest control business provides field services which means serving customers at many locations at the same time. Good management and control are crucial here since pests control comprise toxic substances. The goal here is to abide by regulations and provide your customers and technicians with safety and effective communication. So it’s important to ensure that you have the right technician at the right place and time, with all the necessary tool, equipment and knowledge about the client’s order. With cloud based pest control software you can be easily notified about the status of each order and even get an automatic report at any location.
4. Quick response
It is important to give a rapid response or feedback not only to the customers, but to the whole team of employees. When both sales and technicians have access to the ongoing activities and communicate effectively, that results in a better overall performance of the company. Speaking of the client support and consultation, customers value a quick and satisfying response a lot. To give them it, software should have good dispatching capabilities, making it possible for the team to get access to the situation, identify the customer and their needs and get the right technician as soon as possible. And one even more desirable tool for the customer is the possibility to track the exterminator online.
5. Contact-reduced services
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, followed by lockdowns in many states, has influenced almost each business sector over the last year. Many have faced drastic difficulties, while others continue to make big profits. In most cases the key role was playing the level of digital arrangement and the ability to distinguish the upcoming trends. Nevertheless, the pandemic will pass, but the world of services will never be the same. Businesses, together with the customers, need to adapt to the new market trends and needs. Pest control industry is not an exception. Pest infestations, virus-preventive measures like pest proofing and disinfection activities – all of them create the demand for pest control services worldwide. The pandemic is increasing awareness and wide implementation of hygiene. However, routing and optimization is a laborious process when done manually. The increased demand needs a more advanced technology, which can be achieved through the implementation of new software. In this way, companies increase the overall efficiency route optimization and can insure their business to survive despite the virus-connected restrictions on personal contacts.
All in all, constantly changing climate conditions and the increasing rodent population have also contributed to the increasing demand for pest control products. Nowadays, the global market is highly fragmented with more than 40.000 pest control companies existing around the world. All of them are in constant search of route optimizations and improved real-time tech support.
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Who wins?
North America now holds the largest market share in pest control industry and is predicted to stay as the leader for at least 10 years from now. High awareness of the population about the health risks, ill-effects and economic losses caused by pests attacks contributes a lot to driving the regional market. Furthermore, the increasing number of commercial and residential constructions in America and Canada has contributed to the market as well. The European and Asia-Pacific regions are predicted to expand rapidly in the next decade.
Fortune Business Insights has shared a report called “Pest Control Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Pest Type (Insects, Termites, Rodents, Others), Method (Chemical, Mechanical, and Biological), Application (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial), and Regional Forecast, 2020 – 2027” says that the market value was USD 19.73 billion in 2019, with an estimated growth potential up to USD 31.94 billion at a CAGR of 6.31% during the years 2020-2027. Another ”Pest Control Software Market”. Meanwhile, MarketsandMarkets forecasts it to reach USD 27.5 billion already by 2025
One simple solution
Pest control software for big and small businesses helps the management team with every task, from employee training to sales report, by providing all the necessary tools to the business.
If you are in the market for new software, you are doing great, because trying even some of its features might help you get an idea of where and how your business could do better. Having the possibility of taking a test drive makes you lose nothing but it might change your business’ performance completely.
With our cloud based software we are making continuous efforts to help you in sustaining and growing your business also during COVID-19 pandemics. Routespro makes managing your sales, technicians, and customers easier and more effective.
2020-10-14
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