Structural Pest Control a Growing Business
According to a newly released study, the structural pest control industry has managed to grow the last two years despite a drop in
economic activity in other sectors. The analysis was performed by Specialty Products Consultants, LLC, which polled 800 structural pest control (PCO) companies. The responses were compared to a benchmark study conducted in 2000. Although earnings from residential pest control were down slightly in 2002 in comparison to 2000, this decline was offset by double-digit growth in the termite control market, which contributes to approximately 25 percent of total earnings. This increase was undoubtedly buoyed by the record levels of new and existing home sales. Additionally, the number of PCOs increased by 3.2 percent between 2000 and 2002 and annual growth has increased by 3.8 percent for this same time period.
Products were also analyzed by the consultants. Bayer Environmental Sciences is the lead supplier of products for structural pest control, and maintains a 30 percent market share. Whitmire Micro-Gen was second, with its line garnering 20 percent of the product market. Dow is still enjoying “strong” sales of its Sentricon® (hexaflumuron) termite bait system. BASF has seen “extraordinary” growth in its sales of Termidor® (fipronil) line in the post-construction termiticide market. Also, Bell Laboratories remains the leader in rodenticides, with its Contrac® (bromadiolone) product being the number one seller in this market, followed by Syngenta’s Talon® and Weatherblok® products, which both contain brodifacoum. (Pesticide &Toxic Chemical News, 6/16/03).
