Debunking Pest Control Follow-Up Myths

I hear this all the time from pest control owners...

You're running a pest control business and it feels like you're constantly putting out fires—figuratively, of course. One of the biggest issues? Following up with leads. It's a mess, and you're not alone.

I've talked to countless pest control owners who swear they're on top of follow-up. But the numbers tell a different story. You're not lazy or forgetful, it's just hard to juggle it all. But some of the assumptions around follow-up are, quite frankly, costing you money.

Myth: Calling Back in a Day is Good Enough

A lot of pest control owners I know believe that following up within 24 hours is just fine. Look, I get it—you've got treatments to handle, bills to pay, and a million other things grabbing your attention.

But here's the thing: waiting even a few hours can cost you. After 30 minutes, your odds of qualifying a lead drop by 80%. A ServiceTitan study found the average residential contractor loses 27% of inbound leads to slow response.

Missed leads mean missed revenue
Faster responses build trust with potential clients

Implement a system to respond within 30 minutesUse automation to send instant acknowledgments

Responding quickly isn't just good service—it's necessary.

Myth: You Need to Handle Follow-Up Manually

Some owners I speak with are convinced that personal follow-up requires a manual touch. They think it's the only way to maintain that personal connection with clients.

The reality is, automation doesn't mean losing the personal touch. In fact, it can enhance it. Businesses that automate follow-ups see an average 23% increase in repeat bookings. You're freeing up time to focus on personal interactions that matter more.

Automation ensures no lead falls through the cracks
It frees up your time for high-touch tasks

Automate initial lead responsesPut a system in place for consistent follow-up

Myth: Automating Reviews is Impersonal

You've probably heard that asking for reviews should be done personally to be effective. The assumption is that automation lacks sincerity.

Here's where it gets interesting: automating review requests can actually increase your Google review volume by 2-4x within 90 days. And more reviews mean more trust, which equals more business.

Automated requests are less likely to be forgotten
They can be personalized to maintain sincerity

Set up automated review requests post-serviceEnsure your requests sound personal and genuine

More reviews mean more trust—and automated doesn't mean impersonal.

Myth: Only Big Companies Need Automation

Many small business owners think automation is reserved for the big players in the industry. They're concerned about cost and complexity.

But small pest control businesses can benefit immensely from automation too. The average service business owner spends 11 hours per week on tasks a $50/month tool could handle. That's time you could spend growing your business.

Automation is affordable and scalable
It saves valuable time and reduces errors

Research affordable automation toolsStart small with one area like lead follow-up

What this means for your business

If you're buying into these myths, you're likely leaving money on the table. Automating follow-up and other repetitive tasks doesn't just save time—it boosts your bottom line.

Imagine freeing up hours each week to focus on strategy, hiring, or just taking a breather. It's not just about efficiency; it's about transformation.

Stop leaving money on the table—it's time to bust these myths.

Are you falling for any of these?

Do you wait more than 30 minutes to respond to leads?Are you manually handling all follow-ups?Have you avoided automating review requests?Do you think automation is only for big companies?

Want Us to Handle This For You?

Feeling overwhelmed by all this? You're not alone. Let's hop on a call and figure out if automating your follow-up makes sense for your business. It's not a sales pitch, just a conversation to see if we can help.

Book a free 30-minute strategy call with me at https://cal.com/jon-dipilato/30min. Let's see how we've helped others like you—and how we can do the same for you.