Pest Index Up 6% YOY in May

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — The William Blair/PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists total U.S. Pest Index increased 6% year-over-year in May 2026, below the long-term average index growth rate of 10%.

“On a workday-adjusted basis, we estimate the index grew about 8% year-over-year,” said William Blair Equity Researcher Tim Mulrooney, noting there was one less working day in May 2026. “A reading below 10 is a sign of softness for the month.”

Dan Gordon, managing member of PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists, said, “While the May results are disappointing, it's too early to conclude that broader economic conditions are driving the slowdown. Before drawing that conclusion, we'd like to see how the index performs over the next few months. The overwhelming feedback we're hearing from clients is that weather conditions so far this year have not been conducive to the level of growth we've experienced in recent years. The fact is weather remains the single biggest driver of both new sales and customer attrition in the pest control industry."

The month’s results by segment include:

• The Residential Pest Index increased 7% year-over-year.
• The Commercial Pest Index increased 6% year-over-year.
• The Termite Index increased 3% year-over-year.
• The Bed Bug Index decreased 13% year-over-year.
• The Mosquito Index decreased 3% year-over-year.