How to Run a Pest Control Business

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

How to Run a Pest Control Business

Pest control businesses provide an important service in removing or eliminating potentially harmful insects, rodent and reptiles from commercial and residential properties. To start a pest control business, you must apply for a pest control license and pass an exam to demonstrate your ability to use chemicals and other means to exterminate vermin properly. Depending on the area in which you live, some vermin are more common then others. Market your services based on community needs.

Step 1

Determine the types of pest control services to offer clients. General pest control services include preventative yearly maintenance of bugs and rodents using chemicals and traps, and termite inspection. Specific services may include the elimination of roaches, bees, ants, spiders, mice, rats and snakes. Try to offer a variety of services based on the needs of your community to provide pest control services to as many clients as possible.

Step 2

Apply for a business license to operate a pest control business through the county clerk's office or small business administration office in your area. Apply for a pest control license by contacting the department of agriculture or state pesticide regulation office. If forming a limited liability company, corporation or partnership, register the business with the secretary of state's office. Apply for an Employer Identification Number to use on all business and tax forms through the Internal Revenue Service. Apply for a sales tax license through your state's department of revenue office to accept and report sales tax earnings from clients.

Step 3

Purchase business insurance and surety bond from a licensed insurance provider. Business insurance typically includes general liability, product, auto, property and worker's compensation. A surety bond is used to provide additional insurance coverage in the event of a lawsuit or settlement and helps keep businesses financially accountable when interacting with clients. Each employee must purchase a surety bond.

Step 4

Lease commercial retail space or create a home office. Contact a commercial real estate agent to help you find an appropriate retail location. Contact local the zoning and housing office to determine if you can store pest control chemicals in residential areas before starting a pest control business from your home. Purchase company vehicles to transport employees and equipment. Purchase pest control equipment, such as chemicals, chemical sprayers, traps, and small cages if removing and relocating small animals or reptiles.

Step 5

Market pest control services in local newspapers and magazines. Create a website to highlight customer testimonials, services and contact information. List your business in print and online business directories. Attend local trades shows and home improvement expos to meet new clients. Contact local contractors, home builders, property management companies and other businesses to market pest control services.

Things Needed

Pest control license
Chemical materials training

Tip

Continue your education to learn more about the latest chemicals and other ways to eliminate pests in commercial and residential areas. Research vocational and trade schools, and online educational institutions to find suitable courses.

Warning

Do not use banned chemicals or chemicals that may be harmful to clients when eliminating pests.

References (3)

Resources (2)

Photo Credits(3)

5 comments:

pest control in melbourneMay 6, 2013 at 5:05 PM
Taking effective pest control services is quite important to keep you and your family in a healthy environment.
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UnknownMay 11, 2013 at 4:03 PM
Great information about Run a Pest Control Business........

termite pest control brisbane
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UnknownMay 16, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Thanks for your kind information Sir.
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Easy Tips and Ideas to Start Business

Although anyone can start a business, many people fail because of a bad product or improper research. If you want to start your own business, you can improve your chances for success before you even begin. In order to make your business successful, start strong and make sure that your idea will hold out for the long haul.

Have a Good Product

Ensure that you plan to sell something useful. Although you may think that your product is important or special, that doesn't mean the general public will agree. Ask friends, family and strangers what they think of your product. If they don't seem that interested, ask them why. With their suggestions, you can either improve the product or scrap the idea completely. According to Brad Sugars of Entrepreneur magazine, most small businesses fail because they sold a product that didn't have an adequate market. This also applies to small businesses that provide a service. A lawn-care business might be useful for part of the year in a northern state, but it is in-demand year-round in the south. Consider whether people will actually want to use your service and get constructive advice from those not afraid to give their opinion.

Research Local Businesses

Research local companies before starting up your own business. This will not only give you an idea of the amount of competition you will have, but it will also help you price your product or service. If you're looking to start a wedding photography business, you may find during your research that the market is over-saturated in your area. If not over-saturated, you should contact each business and ask them for a price list. Alter your prices so you can stay competitive with the competition in town. Researching similar local businesses will also help you decide where to locate your business location. Try not to start up a store or office close to another business of your type. If your small business is located away from similar business types, this will cause locals to choose you over businesses that are farther away from where they live.

Get Professional Advice

You may know someone who has started their own successful business. Ask him for advice and listen to his stories of how he started his company. You may gain useful advice on the good and bad ways to start a business. Local entrepreneurs can also introduce you to local product providers or advertisers that you may not have met without their help. Accept any advice with open arms, especially if the advice is coming from someone successful in the area.

How to Calculate Business Start Up Costs

Starting a business in no easy endeavor. It takes a great deal of research, perseverance and hard work. While sweat equity will make your small business more successful, you will most likely need real capital to get the business started. Before you start raising capital and/or investing your own funds, the first thing you need to do is determine the total start-up costs.

Step 1

Determine your costs of sales. For most small businesses this means inventory, the cost of raw materials, manufacturing equipment, shipping, packaging, and warehousing. However, not all businesses sell products. In this case, the cost of sales is primarily the direct labor involved in making the sale. For example, to open a small shoe business entails purchasing enough inventory ($10,000) to stock the store.

Step 2

Determine professional fees. Planning your business structure, i.e., limited liability corporation or general partnership, means hiring an attorney. There may also be the need to pay an attorney for help with establishing trademarks, copyrights, and patents. In this scenario, that puts total professional fees at an estimated $20,000.

Step 3

Determine technology costs. Technology can greatly reduce the cost of labor for small business if used effectively. Most small businesses require computers, printers, cell phones, website development, Internet access, software applications, information security, data storage, and outsourced information technology (IT) consulting. If the cost of technology is $10,000 to start, add an additional $5,000 a year for maintenance (hint: maintenance is not included in start-up costs).

Step 4

Determine administrative costs. This varies with business types and may include items such as business insurance, office supplies, product packaging, parking, rent, express shipping, desks, chairs, fax machines, phones, or anything else necessary to operate the business daily. A good estimate for start-up administrative costs would be $5,000 for the first six months.

Step 5

Determine initial sales and marketing costs. Now that you have your product, you need to let folks know about it. Sales and marketing costs generally include marketing materials for presentations, printing stationery, business cards, advertising, trade show events, and public relations. These initial sales and marketing costs can add up to $3,000.

Step 6

Determine the wages and benefits needed to secure a staff. This includes employee salaries, benefits, workers compensation, and payroll taxes. Let's put the cost of wages and benefits estimated at $20,000 for the first three months of business.

Step 7

Add all costs associated with starting the business for a total. Be sure to only include business start-up costs that will be incurred in the first three to six months of operations. For this example, the calculation is: $10,000 + $20,000 + $10,000 + $5,000 + $3,000 + $20,000 = $68,000.

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Wednesday, May 1, 2013