Pest control for local businesses

Restaurant owners, property managers, warehouses, offices, daycares and retail shops that need regular pest control.

Monthly or quarterly contracts at a fixed price per visit, with extra charges for call-outs, rodent exclusion work and follow-up treatments.

• Careful record keeping and reporting
• Professional manner with business owners
• Knowing food-safe pest control methods

• State applicator licensing, which may differ for commercial and structural work, so check with your state agency
• General liability insurance, as commercial clients often ask for a certificate of insurance before signing
• Health department rules for food businesses, since your records may be reviewed during their inspections
• Chasing late payments and relying on a few large contracts for most of your income

Startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and how you set up. These are estimates, so build your own budget from real quotes before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many contracts you hold and how often you visit each client. These are estimates, and relying on a few large contracts for most income adds risk.

Check your state agency's applicator licensing, which may differ for commercial and structural work. Also check general liability insurance, since commercial clients often ask for a certificate of insurance, and health department rules for food businesses that may review your records.