Pestmaster Services is a home-based pest control franchise offering residential, commercial, and government contract services using Integrated Pest Management methods.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $50,000 (Liquid Capital refers to readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets that can be accessed without borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income.)
- Net Worth Required: Contact franchisor
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator or semi-absentee
- Location Type: Home-based
- Time Commitment: Full-time
- Experience Required: None — no pest control background needed
Top 5 Reasons to Invest
- Government contracts department — dedicated team identifies and secures federal, state, and local contracts
- Home-based model — low overhead, no brick-and-mortar location required
- 45+ years in business — founded in 1979, consistently ranked top 100 by PCT Magazine
- Three revenue streams — residential, commercial, and government contracts
- Threshold Brands backing — parent company provides shared services and additional resources
About Pestmaster Services
Pestmaster Services was founded in 1979 in Bishop, California and has grown to 61+ locations across the United States. The company is now backed by Threshold Brands, a multi-brand franchisor providing shared services and operational support.
The business model balances three service areas: pest control, vegetation management, and health-related vector control. Clients include homeowners, commercial businesses, and government agencies at local, state, and federal levels. Pestmaster uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques — an eco-friendly approach that appeals to environmentally conscious customers while delivering effective results.
Why Franchise With Pestmaster?
- In-house government contracts department — Dedicated team identifies opportunities, assists with procurement, and helps franchisees secure federal, state, and local contracts that independent operators rarely access.
- Home-based, low overhead — No brick-and-mortar location required. Inventory and asset-light model allows franchisees to focus on service delivery.
- Diverse revenue streams — Residential, commercial, and government contracts create a balanced portfolio and business resilience.
- Recurring revenue model — Core pest control services generate ongoing income through repeat customers and contract renewals.
- Certified entomologist on staff — Associate Entomologist and PhD provide expert knowledge, training, and innovative pest management approaches.
“The Pestmaster Franchise Network has enabled me to secure government contracts and group pricing with several vendors. The training from our entomologist and combined experience is incredibly valuable. It’s a great network of knowledge, experience, and camaraderie.” Justin Kendall, Pestmaster Virginia Beach Virginia.
ABF Exclusive Insights
Market Analysis: The U.S. pest control industry is valued at $24.2 billion. Demand remains consistent across economic cycles — pests don’t take recessions off. Government contracts add a stable, predictable revenue layer that most competitors can’t access.
Competitive Advantage: Most pest control franchises focus on residential and commercial clients. Pestmaster’s government contracts department is a significant differentiator — federal, state, and local agencies represent lucrative, recurring revenue that requires specialized procurement knowledge. The home-based model keeps overhead low while the Threshold Brands backing provides operational depth.
ABF Timing Insight: For investors with $50,000 liquid capital seeking a home-based service business with multiple revenue streams, Pestmaster offers a 45-year track record and a unique government contracts advantage. Veterans with familiarity in federal processes may find particular alignment with this model.
Training & Support
- Comprehensive training program — Covers technical pest control, operations management, and business development from launch through growth.
- Quarterly franchise workshops — In-person sessions with corporate team and fellow franchisees for peer learning and best practice sharing.
- Government contracts support — Dedicated department helps identify opportunities and navigate procurement processes.
- Online learning management system — Continuous training platform with blogs, vlogs, podcasts, webinars, and one-on-one corporate support.
- Employee recruitment support — People Operations Manager assists with hiring strategies, job boards, branded careers pages, and retention.
Who Are We Looking For
- Entrepreneurial self-starters — driven to build a business from the ground up
- Hands-on operators — willing to learn technical and operational aspects of pest control
- Veterans — familiarity with federal processes provides an edge in government contracts
- Existing pest control operators — conversion discounts available for established businesses
- Semi-absentee investors — can hire licensed individuals to handle field operations
Investment Readiness Check
- Ownership timeline: Varies based on state licensing requirements
- Total investment: $103,900–$206,300 including franchise fee, equipment, and working capital
- Franchise Fee: $42,500
- Minimum Liquid Capital: $50,000 — required for consideration
- Veteran discounts and conversion discounts for existing pest control companies available
All financial thresholds are set by the franchisor and are non-negotiable during approval.
Franchisor Authority Disclosure
America’s Best Franchises provides guidance and introductions. Final approval criteria, financial thresholds, and territory decisions are determined exclusively by the franchisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need pest control experience to own a Pestmaster franchise?
A. No. Some of the most successful franchisees launched with no prior industry experience. Pestmaster provides comprehensive training covering technical pest control, operations, and business management.
Q. What makes the government contracts department valuable?
A. Federal, state, and local contracts represent stable, recurring revenue that independent operators rarely access. Pestmaster’s dedicated team identifies opportunities and guides franchisees through procurement processes.
Q. Can I run this as a semi-absentee business?
A. Yes. Semi-absentee ownership is an option — you can hire a licensed individual to handle field operations while you focus on business management and growth.