Episode 256
- Marisa Palmieri Shugrue
- 18 minutes ago
- 2 min read
1/8/26
Topic: 2026 Pest Control Reality Check
Guest: David Billingsly, The Billingsly Group & PMP Industry Insiders Peer Groups
In this episode we discuss:
Our sponsors Coalmarch by Workwave, PestSure & Voice for Pest
PMP Industry Insiders Peer Groups
The evolving hiring landscape post-COVID, noting that while it's easier to find technicians than a few years ago, it's still not as easy as in 2019
The "people" challenge remains the number one struggle for businesses
How most companies in the PMP Industry Insiders Peer Groups are experiencing growth in high single digits to low teens for 2025
There's no widespread concern about the economy impacting cancellations, and companies are successfully implementing price increases
The adoption of VAs is a significant win, helping businesses by handling inefficient paper-shuffling tasks and phone call follow-ups
How AI and VAs are a big focus for 2026
Where there's a big opportunity to squeeze more efficiency from indirect costs, with a goal of getting them down by about five percentage points, aiming for a new baseline of 25% EBITDA margin for good pest control companies
Concerns for 2026, including auto insurance
Whether humanoid robots that would allow consumers to manage pest control themselves could be a far-off but significant disruptor
Why it's important to consider contract lengths when implementing technology
How the nature of pest and lawn care as a "relationship business" remains crucial for client retention and sales
Resources mentioned:
PMP Industry Insiders Episode 238 with Caleb Cunningham: Insider Look: A PMP Shares His Journey to $3M & Peer Group Takeaways
PMP Industry Insiders Episode 214 with David Billingsly: 4 Pest Industry Trends for 2025
PMP Industry Insiders Episode 157 with David Billingsly: Developing Your Leadership Bench
PMP Industry Insiders Episode 136 with David Billingsly: Doubling Down on Peer Groups & Best Practices
Notable: "It's still going to continue to get more expensive to find leads and get sales, so we have to offset that somewhere, and (indirect costs) is where we do it." —David Billingsly
Like what you heard?
Rate and review us on Apple.
Tell a friend in the industry.
Subscribe on
