How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Pest Control Business

Pest control has an unusual review problem. Your customers are often delighted with your work, but they're not always keen to tell the world they had rats in the loft or bed bugs in the spare room.

Here's how pest control businesses can get more Google reviews while respecting the fact that many customers would rather keep things quiet.

Why reviews matter in pest control

Most pest control calls are urgent. Someone has heard scratching in the ceiling or found droppings in the kitchen, and they want it dealt with now. They search "pest control near me", look at the top few results, and call whoever looks most trustworthy.

They're also letting a stranger into their home to deal with something they find embarrassing or frightening. Reviews from other local customers saying you were discreet, professional and effective are exactly what they want to see.

The discretion problem

Plenty of customers are happy to review you. But some won't want a public review linked to their name that mentions mice, wasps or bed bugs. That's completely understandable, and you should never pressure anyone.

What helps:

• Make it clear they don't need to mention the pest. A review that says "quick, professional and sorted the problem" is just as useful to you
• Ask everyone anyway. Just ask once, politely, and accept that some customers will say no
• Never mention the problem in your request. A text saying "thanks for having us round" is fine. A text saying "glad we got rid of your rats" could be read by someone else on their phone

When to ask

After the problem is solved, not after the first visit

Many treatments take more than one visit. Rodent and insect treatments often need follow-ups before you know they've worked. Asking after the first visit is too early. The customer doesn't know yet whether you've solved it.

Ask after the final visit, or once you've confirmed the treatment has worked. That's when the customer is most relieved.

"Hi Sam, thanks for having us round over the last few weeks. Glad everything's sorted. If you were happy with our service, a quick Google review would really help: [link]"

One-off jobs: same day

For one-visit jobs like wasp nests, ask the same day. The customer can see the result straight away.

Commercial contracts

Restaurants, food businesses, offices and landlords often have regular pest control contracts. They rarely leave public reviews. A food business doesn't want customers knowing it needed pest control at all.

Don't push for public reviews from commercial clients. Ask them for a reference you can share with other businesses instead. Most of your Google reviews will come from domestic customers, and that's fine. A business looking for a contractor will still read them.

Replying to reviews: protect your customers' privacy

Reply to every review, but be careful what you say. Never mention the type of pest, the customer's address, or anything that could identify their home, even if they mentioned it in their own review.

"Thanks so much for the review, Sam. Really glad we could help, and thanks for recommending us."

For complaints, apologise, offer to come back if the problem hasn't gone, and take the details offline. A calm, helpful reply reassures other customers that you'll stand behind your work. Our review reply templates will help with the wording.

Keeping an eye on your reviews

You don't need special software to monitor your reviews. Google emails you when a new review is posted, as long as notifications are switched on in your Business Profile settings. Check them weekly, reply to every one, and look out for patterns. If several customers mention the same thing, good or bad, take note.

Get your Google Business Profile right

• Choose "Pest control service" as your primary category
• List the pests you deal with and whether you cover domestic, commercial or both
• Mention your qualifications and trade memberships in your description
• Show your opening hours, and whether you offer same-day or emergency call-outs
• Add photos of your team and vans. Leave out photos of the pests themselves

What not to do

• Don't offer discounts for reviews. It breaks Google's rules.
• Don't pressure customers who'd rather not review. Ask once and leave it.
• Don't ask friends or family to review you. Only genuine customers.
• Don't reveal anything about a customer's home in your replies.

The bottom line

Your customers are relieved when you solve their problem, even if they'd rather not shout about it. Ask once the job is truly done, make it clear they don't need to share the details, and protect their privacy in every reply. Do that and the reviews will follow.