Pest control companies in the US thrived this year as the fear of the Zika virus took over the world. Even if there are no records of any Zika patients in the country, the mosquito-control business started to become more and more popular.
The demand for treatments boomed in the recent months. There were so many requests that large companies had to sub-contract work to smaller competitors.
The good news for the pest control businesses is that people are beginning to see how the process works and to acknowledge the benefits of the treatment against mosquitoes.
The Treatment
The firms usually draft a monthly treatment plan, with several steps in managing the area. As opposed to the public mosquito control, they do not use large machines. The process involves spraying moist directly on places where the mosquitoes are more probable to lay their eggs and gather during the day.
The substances that are being used have no adverse effects on humans and pets, making the intervention completely safe.
The cost of treatment varies on the surface of the property. It may go from $50 up for a one-time spray to $700 during the mosquito season, from May to October. The more complex treatment involves up to eight sprays.
In order to make sure the treatment will be successful, the companies return every three or four weeks to reinforce the effects by a new spray.
The Pest Control Business
The pest control industry worth rises to $7.8 billion in the entire country. However, dealing with mosquitoes is just a very small part of the business, so its value cannot be easily estimated.
Due to the media coverage of the Zika virus, 65% of the pest-control firms consider that mosquito revenues might increase this year.
The local companies encounter variability in demand depending on the weather. The summers and the springs that are more rainy favor mosquitoes and the firms get more requests. However, this year, the rule did not apply. People demanded treatment in various locations, just as a prevention measure and not as a reaction to a growing number of insects.
In Michigan, the most affected areas were in Swanton and the southeastern part of the state.
Another usual request came from people who wanted to get the mosquitoes away from outdoor parties and events.
The newcomers are overwhelmed with requests, not knowing on what zones they should be focusing on. Outdoor weddings, party graduations, and Fourth of July celebrations brought along an increase in demands.
Zika’s Psychological Impact
The clients started to be more conscious of the role of mosquito control. The companies observed that, as opposed to other years when people were calling just after the insect invasion hit them, this year the clients started to be more proactive and planned the treatment in advance.
Even if the Zika virus is improbable to be present in the US, the mosquitoes could also carry other viruses, like the West Nile, La Crosse, and other two encephalitis threats.
The encouraging fact is that the mosquitoes are now seen as a health concern and not just as a nuisance, which means the recent media coverage helped educate people.
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