The New England Pest Management Association (NEPMA) PestVets Unit has launched its third annual clothing drive to benefit Liberty House in Manchester, N.H., which provides substance-free housing and support to homeless and struggling veterans. The drive runs from Oct. 1, 2025, through Dec. 12, 2025.
PestVets is collecting new underwear, socks, T-shirts and sweatpants in all sizes for both men and women. Donations can be dropped off at any SiteOne location in New England or with industry distributor Forshaw, which will also collect items during their regular delivery routes.
Kelley Altland, chair of the New England PestVets Unit, said in a news release, “Each donation offers comfort and dignity to a veteran working to rebuild their life. We’re proud to continue supporting Liberty House and the veterans they serve.”
About Liberty House
Liberty House helps veterans overcome challenges such as substance misuse, housing insecurity and unemployment through its 4-Step Program: Recovery, Wellness, Employment and Transition to independence. In addition to housing, Liberty House supports hundreds of community veterans with food, clothing and transportation assistance.
About PestVets
PestVets is a National Pest Management Association (NPMA) initiative to recognize military Veterans in the pest control industry and raise awareness of opportunities in the pest control industry for transitioning Veterans to employment.
Despite facing challenges from unpredictable weather and rising costs, pest management professionals (PMPs) are entering 2026 with a decidedly positive outlook. According to Pest Management Professional’s 2026 State of the Industry survey, PMPs rate their optimism for the industry at an impressive 4.32 out of 5 stars, with 91 percent expressing optimism—a six-point increase from the previous year. This confidence reflects an industry that is prepared to adapt, innovate, and thrive.
IMAGE: PMP STAFF
A look at the modern PMP
Our 2026 survey, answered primarily by company owners and presidents, provides a clear snapshot of the businesses shaping the industry. The data reveals that a significant portion of the industry consists of small- to mid-sized operations poised for growth.
Number of employees:
1 to 10 employees: 52%
11 to 25 employees: 22%
26 to 100 employees: 16%
More than 100 employees: 10%
Fleet size:
1 to 10 vehicles: 58%
11 to 25 vehicles: 24%
26 to 100 vehicles: 14%
More than 100 vehicles: 4%
Expert insight: Planning breeds confidence
PMPs report that careful planning and a readiness to pivot are essential business strategies. While factors like weather and inflation are uncontrollable, industry leaders remain confident in the market’s stability.
“In southwest Oklahoma and northern Texas, we have had an unusually wet summer, which will cause an explosion of the common pest populations next season,” says Chad Highley, owner and CEO of Environmental Pest Control in Lawton, Okla. “Due to the historic trends of being a ‘recession-proof’ industry, I do not foresee much impact from economic shift, if any at all.”
This sentiment is echoed by others who see opportunity in every challenge. “Unpredictable weather—from record rainfall in some regions to heatwaves elsewhere—will drive higher pest activity,” notes Jade Curtis, a supervisor at Guaranteed Bug Control in Longview, Texas. “That means more service calls, particularly for termites, mosquitoes and rodents, which directly benefits companies ready to respond quickly and effectively.”
Others stress the importance of communicating the value of professional services. “Our industry is resilient, necessary and innovative,” says Andy Shrawder, owner of Hershey Termite and Pest Control in Hershey, Pa. “As an industry, we need to work together to continue to highlight the benefits of professional pest management.”
The consensus is clear: the pest control industry is on solid ground. PMPs who stay attuned to market demands and adapt to change are well-positioned for another year of success. By investing in training, planning for contingencies, and evolving their strategies, companies can continue to turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
PHOTO: VISUALSPACE / E+ / GETTY IMAGES
Explore the full 2026 State of the Industry Report
This article is the central hub for our comprehensive look at the year ahead. Dive deeper into the data and expert analysis in our complete 6-part series:
1. Retention strategies
PMP Data: Strategies for Employee and Customer Retention in 2026 This article provides actionable advice on two of the biggest pain points for PMP owners: your team and your clients.
2. Top pest trends
2026 Top Pests: Which Pests Will Generate the Most Revenue? This data-rich article is a high-value SEO asset that will rank for “top pest” keywords.
3. Revenue and profit
2026 Revenue & Profit Projections for the Pest Control Industry Pure business data for our PMP Decision-Maker audience. This content speaks directly to their “Growth” motivation.
4. Service offerings
2026 Service Offering Trends: What Are PMPs Adding to Their Lineup? This article provides a clear roadmap for PMP owners looking to expand their service offerings and increase revenue per customer.
5. Purchasing and budgets
2026 PMP Purchasing Plans & Budget Projections A perfect “Bottom Line” article that gives owners peer data to benchmark their own purchasing plans.
6. Obstacles and opportunities
2026 Pest Industry Obstacles & Opportunities This article clearly outlines the strategic landscape, from rising costs to new growth opportunities, for 2026. With expert insights and data-driven analysis, PMP owners can stay ahead of the curve and navigate potential challenges while maximizing growth.
While pest management professionals (PMPs) are optimistic about 2026, they are also clear-eyed about the economic challenges ahead. Balancing these projected obstacles with strategic opportunities is the key to profitability. This data is part of the full 2026 State of the Industry: PMPs Share an Optimistic Outlook report.
Top obstacles & opportunities
Despite the strong spending projections, PMPs are keeping a close eye on economic headwinds. Material and equipment costs, labor costs and inflation are the top three projected obstacles for 2026.
2026 obstacles vs opportunities for PMPs
Projected top 5 obstacles:
Material & equipment costs
Labor costs
Inflation
Fuel costs
General economy
Denise Trad Warren, ACE, CEO of Trad’s Pest Control, also noted weather as a potential rising obstacle, “Climate and heat make it harder to service customers, keep teams safe and produce results.”
In contrast to these external pressures, PMPs are focused on organic growth, with “increase referrals” and “improve customer retention” as their top two opportunities.
Projected top 5 opportunities:
Increase referrals
Improve customer retention
Upsell services
Increase repeat business
Increase prices
The Bottom Line
The 2026 outlook is one of cautious optimism. While external economic factors like inflation and labor costs present clear challenges, PMPs are focusing their strategy on what they can control: customer retention, referrals and upselling. The data shows that PMPs who can navigate these obstacles while capitalizing on organic growth will be best positioned for a profitable year.
Pest management professionals (PMPs) are expanding their service offerings to meet customer demand and generate new revenue streams. As this data from the full 2026 State of the Industry: PMPs Share an Optimistic Outlook report shows, while many PMPs are sticking to their core services, a significant portion are planning strategic additions in 2026, targeting high-growth areas like mosquito and wildlife control.
Key takeaways
Mosquito control is the #1 service PMPs plan to add in 2026 (13%).
Wildlife management (9%) and tick control (8%) are also top targets for service expansion.
A majority of PMPs (54%) do not plan to add any new services, focusing on their current offerings.
Field experts, like Bill Horgan of Debug Pest Control, confirm that adding seasonal services like mosquito and tick control is a key growth strategy.
Which services are PMPs adding in 2026?
When asked which services their company plans to add in 2026, PMPs identified several key growth categories. While 54 percent said they plan to add no new services, the other 46 percent are targeting popular, high-margin categories.
Top services PMPs plan to add in 2026:
Mosquito control: 13%
Wildlife management: 9%
Tick control: 8%
Crawlspace encapsulation/moisture control: 8%
Turf & ornamental (T&O): 6%
Pest-resistant insulation: 5%
Bird control: 5%
Other: 4%
Services PMPs plan to add in 2026
How common are these services today?
This planned expansion builds on an already strong foundation. Data shows that many PMPs have already adopted these popular services as part of their offerings.
The new Lithium-Ion Exacticide is built to be the ultimate workhorse for pest management professionals. Designed with a powerful, long-lasting battery, it delivers consistent precision and reliability all week long — no cords, no interruptions. The upgraded lithium system provides extended run time and faster charging, keeping you efficient on every job. A new ergonomic rubber grip ensures comfort and control, while the lightweight design makes it easier than ever to treat both large and confined areas. This redesigned unit continues to offer power, precision and performance.
About Technicide
Technicide, founded in 1989 by third-generation pest management professional Jim Harper, has been helping pest management professionals (PMPs) take control of their work with smarter tools for over 35 years. Born from hands-on experience and driven by innovation, Technicide products are crafted to save time, reduce labor, and improve results in the field — all proudly manufactured in Heber City, Utah.
From the original Injecticide to the Exacticide, to the Tech-Reach Bait Pro, Techni-Baiter and more, its tools are built to empower the professionals who protect our communities from pests every day.
AXN Growth Partners (“AXN”) has announced its ninth Arizona partnership in under 16 months through a strategic alliance with All Clear Pest Control (“All Clear”). This milestone further cements AXN’s position as a platform for top operators looking to scale, collaborate and build lasting legacies.
Brent Agee, AXN’s CEO, said in a release, “All Clear Pest Control has built an outstanding reputation for customer service and technical excellence. With this partnership, we’re thrilled to welcome Darren Hunsaker — our third AZPPO past president — into the AXN family. It’s a powerful signal that the best operators in the industry continue to choose AXN as their platform of choice. Our culture, our momentum and our commitment to building the best team in the industry are stronger than ever — and we’re only just getting started.”
Tony and Leah Gumm, brand presidents of Affordable Pest Control, will oversee the integration of All Clear’s customers and team into the AXN platform, ensuring a seamless transition and continued excellence in service.
Darren Hunsaker, co-owner of All Clear Pest Control, shared in a release, “Joining AXN was a natural next step for All Clear. The culture and growth of AXN, along with the opportunity it creates for our team, made this an easy decision. I’m excited to be part of the AXN platform and look forward to continued success into the future.” AXN’s partnership with All Clear continues its commitment to building density across the Phoenix metro, while reinforcing its broader strategy of scaling through high-quality acquisitions and operational excellence.
About AXN Growth Partners
AXN Growth Partners was formed in 2025 as the parent of ACTION Termite & Pest Control, along with 8 other brand partners, including All Clear. The AXN team is dedicated to driving success by providing industry expertise and resources to its partners. The AXN platform relentlessly pursues excellence in delivering leading pest control solutions to its customers. The company is led by Brent Agee, CEO.
From left: Emily Thomas Kendrick, Joe Thomas, Kevin VanHook and Tim Pollard.
IMAGE: ARROW EXTERMINATORS
Arrow Exterminators celebrates the upcoming retirement of Kevin VanHook, region vice president for Arrow’s North Georgia, North Alabama and Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast home services division, effective Dec. 31, 2025. Kevin’s career spanned decades of dedicated service, leaving a lasting impact on Arrow’s people, culture and growth.
Kevin joined Arrow on May 12, 2008, recruited personally by company legend Charlie Jones. He began as service center manager for the Roswell Service Center, later managed the Alpharetta Home Service Center and eventually became region vice president of the Home Services Division in several states, which includes Wildlife Control, Handyman and Insulation Services. Known for his hands-on leadership and passion for developing others, Kevin built a reputation for connecting personally with team members.
Before joining Arrow, Kevin earned a B.S. in Political Science with a Minor in History from West Georgia College. His early career included 22 years with Diageo, a global beverage company, followed by roles with Hometec Exterminators and Allgood Pest Solutions. Those experiences laid the foundation for the strong leadership and service mindset he brought to Arrow.
During his tenure, Kevin earned multiple honors, including Service Center Manager of the Year, Senior Service Center Manager and the Joe Thomas Pioneer Award. Most recently, he became the inaugural recipient of Arrow’s Legacy Award, which recognizes team members whose integrity, leadership and influence have shaped the company and inspired others to carry its legacy forward.
Emily Thomas Kendrick, CEO of Arrow Exterminators, said in a release, “Kevin represents everything that makes Arrow special. From the moment he joined Arrow, Kevin has led with heart, humility and purpose. His dedication to mentoring others and strengthening our culture has inspired countless team members.” Tim Pollard, President and COO, added, “Kevin’s example of servant leadership will continue to guide us long after his well-earned retirement.”
Reflecting on his time at Arrow, Kevin shared, “Arrow is family, and I have loved every minute of working with this team. The relationships I’ve built here will always mean the world to me.” Kevin and his wife Donna look forward to spending more time with their three grown children (Megan, Erica and Blake) and three grandchildren (Ian, Dylan and Payton). His leadership and friendship will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to live on in the people and culture he helped shape.
About Arrow Exterminators
Family owned and operated since 1964, Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators is the largest family-owned pest and termite control company in the United States ranked by revenue. Arrow boasts a modern fleet of more than 3,400 vehicles, 192 service centers, over 3,500 team members, with revenues exceeding $450 million and has been named a Top USA Workplace for four years in a row. Featuring QualityPro accreditation by the National Pest Management Association, the company offers innovative and environmentally responsible services to protect homes and businesses of customers in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
