ADVERTISING TO GROSS SALES – 5.8%


WHAT ARE THE TARGET DEMOGRAPHICS OF CONSUEMRS MOST LIKELY TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IN THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS? Mediamark Research Inc., 2006

Sex:
Male 47.30%
Female 52.70%
Age:
18-24 8.70%
25-34 16.30%
35-44 20.20%
45-54 21.20%
55-64 13.80%
65+ 19.80%

Marital Status:
Single 18.00%
Married 66.30%
Sep/Wid/Div 15.70%

Income Level:
$75,000+ 44.50%
$50-74,999 19.20%
$40-49,999 9.60%
$30-39,999 8.20%
$20-29,999 8.80%
Under $20K 9.70%

AS A MARKETING PERSPECTIVE, IN WHAT REGIONS WILL HOMES BE MOST LIKELY INFESTED WITH TERMITES IF LEFT UNTREATED? Researchers predict that almost 100% of untreated homes in some southeast regions of the U.S. will eventually be infested with termites. National Pest Management Association, 2006.

AS A MARKETING PERSPECTIVE, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR PEST CONTROL COPMANIES TO ADVERTISE THEY MAY HELP CONTROL INFESTATION OF FIRE ANTS IN THE SOUTHEAST U.S.? In a survey of approximately 1,000 adults living in the Southern region of the U.S., conducted by Matthew Greenwald & Associates, 85% of the respondents indicated that they were actively engaged in fighting fire ants. PR Newswire, 2006

THE SPIKE MONTHS. April is National Pest Management Month.National Pest Management Association, 2006.

WHY SHOULD LOCAL PEST CONTROL COMPANIES MARKET THEIR SERVICES? According to a survey commissioned by the National Pest Management Association, 44% of homeowners believe there is an increased need for professional pest control services, and 72% feel that professional pest control services are more effective than do-it-yourself efforts. National Pest Management Association, 2006.

WHAT SERVICES DO MOST PEST CONTROL COMPANIES OFFER?
Percent of pest control companies offering the following services: General pest control, 92%; ant control, 91%; rodent control, 89%; cockroach control, 89%; termite control, 70%; stored product pest control, 69%; WDI/WDO inspection, 64%; bee control, 64%; termite pre-treatments, 55%; bird control, 46%; wildlife control, 32%; moisture control, 19%; lawn/ornamental care, 19%; fumigation, 17%; other services, 14%. Pest Control, 2006.

AS A SALES AND MARKETING PERSPECTIVE, WHAT AREAS OF THE PEST CONTROL BUSINESS HAVE BEEN GROWING MOST DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS? According to an annual survey of pest control companies, conducted by Pest Control magazine, the segments of the respondents' business that were identified as their fastest growing were as follows: 1) Ant control; 2) General pest control; 3) Termite control; 4) WDI/WDO inspections. Pest Control, 2006.

WHAT COMPANIES HAVE THE LARGEST SHARE OF THE PEST CONTROL BUSINESS? Terminix, with a network of 460 service centers and more than 2.6 million residential and commercial customers, ranks as the largest pest and termite company in the world. The second largest pest and termite control service is Orkin, with over 400 branch offices throughout the U.S. serving more than 1.6 million homes and businesses. Hoover's, 2006.

HOW MUCH HAS IT COST TO TREAT TERMITES IN THE U.S. EACH YEAR? Based on research by the National Pest Management Association, termites account for more than $2.5 billion in treatment costs and damages in the U.S. each year. National Pest Management Association, 2006.

HOW ACTIVE IS THE PEST CONTROL BUSINESS FROM RESIDENTIAL CONSUMERS TO COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS? The National Pest Management Association calculates that professional pest management companies service 12 million dwellings in the U.S., as well as most of the 288,000 retail food outlets, 480,000 commercial restaurants and kitchens, and 66,000 hotels and motels. National Pest Management Association, 2006.

WHAT IS THE SHARE OF EXPENSES FOR A TYPICAL PEST CONTOL OPERATOR? Technicians' salaries, 29.6%; pesticides and equipment, 18.4%; overhead, 16.9%; vehicles, 14.0%; non-technicians' salaries, 6.9%; other expenses, 14.2%. Pest Control, 2006.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PESTS THAT ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST PROBLEMSOME IN THE PAST TWO YEARS? According to a study by Pest Control magazine, the types of pests that are considered to be the fastest growing problem are: 1) Ants; 2) (tie) Fleas and Bedbugs; 4) Cockroaches; 5) Stinging bees/wasps; 6) Other (termites, rodents, mosquitos, spiders, etc.). Pest Control, 2006.