Pest control of residence concept

Terminix Commercial, a division of ServiceMaster, released the Pest Perceptions Report, an in-depth study of the pest problems businesses such as hotels, restaurants, retailers and apartments face, as well as their confidence in taking them on. The report reveals surprising truths about pests in commercial settings.

Pest Perceptions reveals the most commonly reported pests are ants, cockroaches and rodents, but pests affect each industry differently. Small- and medium-sized merchants, such as restaurants and hotels, report significantly more challenges with pests such as rodents and flies. Real estate property managers report issues with cockroaches more than other industries, and large-scale retailers are most concerned with bed bugs and termites.

It’s clear that pests’ aftermath goes far beyond physical damage, as more than 50 percent of businesses say negative word of mouth causes the greatest damage to their organization after a pest issue. Furthermore, 78 percent of business leaders with pest control in place are confident their businesses are pest-free, yet 65 percent still feel vulnerable to a pest infestation.

Because Terminix Commercial knows no two businesses are alike, the report provides in-depth analysis of how industry and region can affect why businesses choose to have a pest control provider, the most common pests organizations face, and more. For instance, businesses in the Southern region of the United States report cockroach challenges more frequently than other areas, while their peers in the West report termites more than other parts of the country.

Click here to access the full report.