Pest Control Growth Rate Statistics: 2026 Report
From January 2022 through May 2026, the Greenhow research team compiled pest control growth rate benchmarks from the National Pest Management Association’s annual strategic industry analysis — conducted independently by Specialty Consultants, LLC — as well as tick-borne disease surveillance data published by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and workforce metrics from Pest Control Technology and IBISWorld.
This report aggregates those datasets into a single reference covering national structural service revenue trends, pest-category revenue performance, residential versus commercial segment comparisons, Massachusetts-specific disease burden data, and firm and workforce benchmarks for the U.S. industry. All structural pest control revenue figures represent service revenue only as defined by the Specialty Consultants annual report series, and do not include pest control product sales. The primary dataset begins in the table below.
The U.S. Pest Control Industry Growth Rate by Year (2026)
The table below provides a complete dataset of U.S. structural pest control service revenue from 2019 through 2025 – the most recent full year confirmed by Specialty Consultants, LLC – with year-over-year pest control growth rates benchmarked against U.S. real GDP growth for each corresponding year.
The U.S. Pest Control Industry Revenue and Annual Growth Rate (2026)
| Year | U.S. Service Revenue | YoY Growth Rate | U.S. Real GDP Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $9.36B | — | +2.3% |
| 2020 | $9.63B | +2.9% | -2.8% |
| 2021 | $10.42B | +8.2% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | $11.04B | +6.0% | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $11.72B | +6.2% | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $12.65B | +7.9% | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $13.42B | +6.0% | ~+2.2% |
U.S. structural pest control service revenue figures are sourced from Specialty Consultants, LLC / NPMA annual strategic industry analysis reports (2020–2026 editions). NPMA annual reports are published in the calendar year following the data collection period; 2025 figures represent the most recently confirmed full-year dataset available as of June 2026. GDP data per U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; 2025 GDP figure is preliminary.
Key Research Findings:
- The pest control growth rate has outpaced U.S. GDP in every year from 2019 through 2025 — including 2020, when the industry grew 2.9% while the broader U.S. economy contracted by 2.8%. This consistent outperformance identifies pest control as one of the most recession-resistant service industries in the country.
- In 2025, the structural pest control industry grew at 2.7 times the rate of the U.S. economy. From $9.36B in 2019 to $13.42B in 2025, the industry added $4.06 billion in annual service revenue over six years, a cumulative expansion of 43.4%.
- The growth momentum is expected to continue into 2026. In the NPMA’s most recent annual survey, 66.8% of pest control company owners and managers said they expected their residential service revenue to increase in 2026, reflecting underlying consumer demand that remains strong despite the broader macroeconomic environment.
What’s Driving Pest Control Industry Growth: Revenue by Pest Category (2026)
The overall pest control growth rate is driven unevenly across service categories. The table below breaks down estimated revenue share by pest type alongside reported 2024 growth rates, identifying which segments are accelerating and which are stabilizing.
The U.S. Pest Control Revenue Share and Growth Rate by Pest Category (2026)
| Pest/Service Category | Est. Revenue Share | 2024 Revenue Growth | Primary Demand Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cockroaches | ~25% | Growing | Urban residential; food service |
| Ants (all species) | ~24% | +13.8% (carpenter ants) | #1 source of residential callbacks |
| Termites | ~18% | Stable | $5B+ in annual U.S. structural damage |
| Rodents | ~13% | Growing | Older housing; dense urban cores |
| Bed Bugs | ~9% | +5.9% | Transit hubs; hospitality; multi-family |
| Mosquitoes & Ticks | ~7% | Rapidly expanding | Public health risk; Northeast surge |
| Other (birds, wildlife, fumigation) | ~4% | Seasonal variation | Site-specific demand |
Revenue share figures are estimates aggregated from NPMA annual analysis, mypmp.net, and VerticalIQ industry data. Pest-specific growth rates are confirmed from the NPMA 2024 annual report. These figures reflect the most recently published full-year data available as of June 2026.
Key Research Findings:
- For the first time in 2024, cockroach control revenue slightly exceeded nuisance ant control revenue nationally. The two categories together account for approximately half of all U.S. structural pest control service revenue and represent the most consistent drivers of residential recurring contracts.
- Carpenter ant control recorded the largest single-category revenue increase of any pest in 2024, growing 13.8%. This trend is particularly relevant to homeowners in wooded New England communities, where carpenter ant activity is directly tied to moisture levels, older structural wood, and dense tree canopy coverage.
- Mosquito and tick services are the fastest-growing segment by momentum in the Northeast. Confirmed tick-borne disease cases in Massachusetts rose 79% between 2022 and 2025, and 2026 YTD surveillance data shows the trend is continuing. Greenhow’s mosquito and tick control services are specifically designed to address this accelerating regional risk.
Residential vs. Commercial Pest Control Market Performance (2026)
The residential segment has driven the majority of industry growth since 2020, but commercial accounts have recovered strongly. The table below compares the two segments across key performance benchmarks using the most recently confirmed full-year data.
The U.S. Residential vs. Commercial Pest Control Segment Comparison (2026)
| Metric | Residential | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Share of Total U.S. Service Revenue | ~70% | ~30% |
| 2024 Revenue Growth | ~7.0% | +9.0% |
| 2025 Revenue Growth | Strong | +7.0% |
| Active Customer Accounts (2025) | 13.29 million | Growing |
| Recurring Revenue % | 85.4% | ~95.5% (annual contracts) |
| Est. Avg. Annual Spend per Account | ~$700 | Varies widely |
| Top Pest Categories | Ants, cockroaches, rodents, ticks | Cockroaches, rodents, flies |
Residential and commercial revenue share and growth figures from NPMA 2024 and 2025 Specialty Consultants reports. Commercial recurring revenue figure from the 2022 Specialty Consultants report (2021 dataset). Average residential annual spend estimated from NPMA residential account and revenue data.
Key Research Findings:
- Recurring contracts account for 85.4% of all residential pest control revenue — a rate that has held above 85% since at least 2020. This signals a decisive shift in how homeowners view pest control: not as a reactive emergency expense, but as a scheduled home maintenance service alongside HVAC and plumbing.
- The residential customer base grew from 7.85 million accounts under contract in 2021 to 13.29 million total residential accounts in 2025 — a 69% increase in four years, reflecting sustained new customer acquisition across the U.S. industry.
- The commercial segment posted a 9.0% revenue increase in 2024 — its strongest single-year performance since before the pandemic, as food service, hospitality, and commercial real estate resumed full operations. Commercial has outpaced residential growth in two of the last three reporting years.
Tick-Borne Disease Cases in Massachusetts by Disease Type (2026)
For homeowners in Eastern Massachusetts, the pest control growth rate tells only part of the story. The table below draws directly from Massachusetts Department of Public Health surveillance data and shows why professional tick management has become one of the highest-priority residential pest services in the state. The 2026 YTD column reflects confirmed cases through May 31, 2026.
The Tick-Borne Disease Cases Reported in Massachusetts by Disease Type (2026)
| Disease | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | % Change (2022–2025) | 2026 YTD* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyme Disease | 5,102 | 9,728 | 8,840 | 8,619 | +69% | 1,835 |
| Babesiosis | 454 | 837 | 788 | 881 | +94% | 21 |
| Anaplasmosis (HGA) | 625 | 747 | 1,060 | 1,496 | +139% | 269 |
| Borrelia miyamotoi | 16 | 47 | 57 | 107 | +569% | 17 |
| Powassan Virus | 5 | 11 | 11 | 12 | +140% | 4 |
| Total Annual Cases | 6,202 | 11,370 | 10,756 | 11,115 | +79% | 2,146 |
Source: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences. All figures reflect laboratory-confirmed and probable cases using standardized surveillance criteria implemented in January 2022. Year-over-year comparisons within this dataset are methodologically valid; pre-2022 figures use a different reporting framework and are not directly comparable. 2026 YTD data current as of June 8, 2026; covers cases through May 31, 2026. Preliminary and subject to change.
Key Research Findings:
- Massachusetts reported 11,115 confirmed tick-borne disease cases in 2025 — a 79% increase from 6,202 in 2022. The state consistently ranks among the highest tick disease burden states in the country. A January 2025 meta-analysis from Dartmouth University found that 50% of adult blacklegged ticks in the Northeast now carry Lyme disease bacteria — framing the data above as a direct and ongoing public health concern for every Eastern Massachusetts homeowner with outdoor exposure.
- Anaplasmosis (HGA) has become the fastest-growing confirmed tick-borne illness in Massachusetts, with cases rising 139% from 2022 to 2025 — and 2026 YTD tracking consistent with that trend. Unlike Lyme disease, which typically requires 36–48 hours of tick attachment before transmission, Anaplasmosis can transfer faster, making yard-level tick population reduction more critical than prompt tick removal alone. Greenhow’s full analysis of tick-borne disease transmission risk by species and attachment duration covers these differences in detail.
- Borrelia miyamotoi cases increased 569% between 2022 and 2025, and 2026 YTD figures already show 17 confirmed cases through May — on pace to exceed prior years. Borrelia miyamotoi causes relapsing fever and is clinically difficult to differentiate from other illnesses, meaning the reported figures represent a floor, not a ceiling, for true case prevalence.
U.S. Pest Control Industry Firm and Workforce Data (2026)
The pest control growth rate is shaped not only by consumer demand, but by who is delivering services and what constraints they face. The table below profiles the structure of the U.S. pest control industry, including firm size distribution, workforce capacity, and the labor challenge limiting growth despite strong market fundamentals. Figures reflect the most recently confirmed full-year data from the NPMA annual survey.
The U.S. Pest Control Industry Firm and Workforce Benchmarks (2026)
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Active Pest Control Firms | ~17,000+ | 16,565 |
| % of Firms Operating 1–2 Locations | ~80% | 81.4% |
| Total Service Technicians Employed | ~107,000 | 109,384 |
| % of Firms Citing Technician Shortage as Top Growth Constraint | ~35% | 36.8% |
| Residential Recurring Revenue % | 85.2% | 85.4% |
| % of Firms Expecting Residential Revenue Growth in 2026 | — | 66.8% |
| Annual Product Expenditures | $1B+ (first year) | Maintained above $1B |
Source: NPMA / Specialty Consultants, LLC. “A Strategic Analysis of the U.S. Structural Pest Control Industry,” 26th Edition (2025) and 25th Edition (2024). Annual reports are published in the calendar year following the data collection period; 2025 figures represent the most recently confirmed full-year dataset available as of June 2026.
Key Research Findings:
- 81.4% of all U.S. pest control firms operate just one or two locations. National franchise brands represent a small minority of total firm count. The competitive advantage in this industry belongs primarily to locally owned, owner-operated businesses, where technician accountability is direct, service consistency is higher, and customer relationships are not managed through a national call center.
- More than one-third of U.S. pest control company owners (36.8%) cited their inability to hire and retain enough service technicians as their primary growth constraint in 2025. This technician shortage creates a measurable quality gap across the industry. Companies that invest in rigorous, certified training programs are not only better positioned to retain qualified staff – they are directly closing the gap that limits the industry’s capacity to meet demand.
- Despite the labor shortage, 66.8% of pest control company owners expected their residential service revenue to grow in 2026. Underlying consumer demand is strong. The industry’s constraint is qualified talent, not market appetite, thus meaning well-trained, locally trusted companies like Greenhow are positioned to capture disproportionate growth as demand continues to outpace the supply of certified technicians.
Requesting a Copy of This Report
This pest control growth rate dataset was compiled to give homeowners, researchers, journalists, and pest management professionals a single, source-verified reference for the state of the U.S. structural pest control industry, with specific attention to the trends reshaping residential demand in Eastern Massachusetts.
If you’d like to request a PDF copy of this report or learn more about Greenhow’s professional pest control services, you can reach out here.
Greenhow technicians complete more certified pest management training hours in their first year than any other independently owned pest control company in Massachusetts. To learn about what that standard looks like in practice, and what it means for your home, explore our average pest control cost breakdown or contact our team to schedule a free consultation.
Sources
- Harbison, B. “U.S. Structural Pest Control Market Grew 6% in 2025, Specialty Consultants Reports.” Pest Control Technology, GIE Media. 2026. https://www.pctonline.com/news/pest-control-industry-6-percent-growth-2025/
- Harbison, B. “U.S. Structural Pest Control Market Grew Nearly 8% in 2024, Specialty Consultants Reports.” Pest Control Technology, GIE Media. 2025. https://www.pctonline.com/news/pest-control-industry-8-percent-growth-2024/
- mypmp.net. “U.S. Structural Pest Control Market Nears $12 Billion.” My Pest Management Professional. 2024.
- Harbison, B. “U.S. Structural Pest Control Market Surpasses $11 Billion, Specialty Consultants Reports.” Pest Control Technology, GIE Media. 2023. https://www.pctonline.com/news/pest-control-market-exceeds-11-billlion-dollars-specialty-consultants-report/
- Harbison, B. “U.S. Structural Pest Control Market Surpasses $10.4 Billion, Specialty Consultants Reports.” Pest Control Technology, GIE Media. April 2022. https://www.pctonline.com/news/pest-control-industry-surpasses-10-million-specialty-consultants-research-report/
- Harbison, B. “U.S. Structural Pest Control Market Surpasses $9.6 Billion, Specialty Consultants Reports.” Pest Control Technology, GIE Media. 2021. https://www.pctonline.com/news/pest-control-market-report-2020-specialty-consultants/
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences. “Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance Summaries and Data.” Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Boston, MA. 2026. https://www.mass.gov/lists/tick-borne-disease-surveillance-summaries-and-data
- Dartmouth University. “In the Northeast, 50% of Adult Ticks Carry Lyme Disease.” Dartmouth News. January 2025. https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/01/northeast-50-adult-ticks-carry-lyme-disease