Reviews for pest control businesses

Pest control has a quiet problem that most trades do not. Customers are glad the rats, termites or cockroaches are gone, but a lot of them would rather the neighbours never knew they had them. That makes people hesitant to put their name on a review.

Make it easy to be discreet

Most reviewers do not need to say what the pest was. A review that says the technician was on time, explained everything clearly and solved the problem is just as persuasive. Saying so removes the hesitation.

If you are happy with the job, a Google review really helps us. You do not need to mention what we were here for.

When to ask

• At the end of the treatment, with a card handed over along with the service report.
• At the follow up visit, for treatments that need one. The customer has now seen the result, which makes this the stronger moment.
• After a building or pre purchase inspection, where the buyer is relieved or grateful for the warning.

Commercial accounts

Restaurants, warehouses and property managers often have ongoing contracts. Ask the person who manages the contract, once, after a good year. See reviews for businesses that sell to businesses.

Privacy in replies

This is the rule that matters most in pest control. Never mention the pest, the property, the suburb or anything about the job in a reply unless the customer mentioned it first, and even then, a thank you is usually enough. A reply that says “glad we sorted out your termites” can do real harm to someone selling their house.

Service area setup

Pest controllers travel to customers. Set up the listing as a service area business with honest areas. See Google Business Profile for service area businesses.

Technicians carry the ask

Pest control customers rarely visit an office, so the technician is the business as far as they are concerned. Give every technician cards and a single sentence to say, and make it part of how a job is closed off, alongside the service report. See the real reason nobody on your team asks.

What to avoid

• No discount on the next treatment for a review. Google bans incentives.
• Ask every customer the same way, including the ones who needed a second visit.