If you’re in the pest control business, video marketing should be a go-to—it’s surprisingly effective, increasingly popular, and completely underrated.
Videos offer an incredible way to educate your audience, showcase your expertise, and, yes, even make pest control look…well, interesting.
Done right, pest control video marketing can lead to more business inquiries, improved customer trust, and increased visibility online. But done wrong, it can turn into a cringe-worthy effort that sends potential customers running (and not just because of all the footage of bugs).
There are plenty of pest control video marketing mistakes businesses make when they’re new to the game. The good news? You’re about to learn exactly what not to do so you can make the most of your video marketing techniques.
1. Skipping the Basics and Jumping Straight to the Gimmicks
Sometimes, pest control businesses are too eager to create something “viral” and end up putting all their focus on flashy effects or humor without first covering essential content. Skipping over the real concerns customers face—like how to identify an infestation or effective pest prevention tips—makes your video feel disconnected from what they actually need.
Remember, your viewers aren’t looking for an improv comedy session—they’re searching for reliable advice.
Start with the fundamentals. Explain how pests are impacting homes, provide guidance on when professional help is necessary, and make sure your videos have the right mix of expertise and relatability.
Once you’ve nailed the foundation, feel free to add a creative touch to stand out. But don’t start with gimmicks. Start with guidance.
2. Making It All About You Instead of the Customer
Sure, you run the best pest control company in the area (go ahead, pat yourself on the back for that). But does your audience care?
If your video content focuses exclusively on how great your business is—without addressing the real issues your potential clients are facing—it’s only going to feel like one long self-promotion. No one wants to sit through that.
Instead, approach video marketing from the perspective of your audience. Why should they care about your pest control solutions? What problems are they struggling with that you can solve?
Create content that speaks to their frustrations, educates them on solutions, and subtly underscores why you’re the right choice. For example, instead of a video titled “Why We’re the Best Pest Control Company,” go for “How to Quickly Tell If You Have Termites (And What to Do Next).”
3. Ignoring the Importance of Quality
This one’s a big deal—and it’s probably the fastest way to lose your audience’s attention.
Whether it’s shaky footage, poor lighting, muffled audio, or a rushed edit, low-quality videos scream “amateur.” Unfortunately, when your videos feel amateurish, it’s easy for potential clients to assume the same about your services.
Quality matters. A lot. You don’t have to rent a Hollywood studio or hire a Spielberg-level director, but investing in decent equipment—a tripod, good lighting, and clear audio—will go a long way. Also, make sure you always edit for flow. No one wants to watch a video where you spend the first 30 seconds fiddling with your camera angle.
4. Forgetting to Include a Call-to-Action
You’ve pulled off a great video—fun, informative, and all-around engaging. But what’s next? If you’re not telling your audience what to do, they’ll simply move on without a second thought. A clear call-to-action (CTA) is your golden opportunity to guide your viewers toward contacting you, visiting your website, or signing up for your services.
Whether it’s “Call us now for a free pest inspection,” or “Visit our website to learn more about pest-proofing your home,” your CTA should be aligned with your broader marketing goals. And hey, if you’ve impressed them with your video, chances are they’ll respond to that nudge.
5. Overloading the Viewer with Technical Jargon
Picture this—you’re casually scrolling through videos on your favorite social media platform, and suddenly you’re hit with an explanation about pheromone traps, integrated pest management protocols, and organophosphate alternatives.
While it’s impressive to show off your technical expertise, your audience doesn’t need a crash course in entomology. They just want straightforward solutions to their pest problems.
Break complex concepts into bite-sized, digestible pieces. Instead of going full science geek on bed bug reproduction cycles, focus on practical tips like how to spot bed bugs early and what to do once you find them.
Not only will this keep your viewers engaged, but they’ll walk away feeling like they’ve learned something useful, not like they’ve been to a lecture.
6. Being Way Too Salesy
It’s tempting to treat video marketing as your personal infomercial. But overtly sales-driven content tends to backfire—it feels forced, inauthentic, and more like an ad than something genuinely worth watching.
The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing—it’s about offering value first and letting the sales happen naturally as a byproduct.
Think education over promotion. Instead of “Look at our amazing pest control deals!” try creating a video like, “5 Things Every Homeowner Should Do To Prevent Pests This Summer.”
Share valuable insights that position you as a go-to resource rather than a pushy salesperson. Customers are more likely to trust (and hire) a business they feel is genuinely helpful rather than one that’s constantly pitching services.
7. Missing the Opportunity To Showcase Personality
Pest control content doesn’t have to feel dry. Some businesses fall into the trap of overly formal or robotic presentation styles, which can come off as cold and unapproachable. The truth is, people love connecting with real humans behind the brand.
So show some personality! Whether it’s introducing your team, sharing funny moments on the job (safely and professionally, of course), or simply having a conversational tone in your videos, be approachable. Relatable content will increase engagement, foster trust, and help you stand out in a competitive market.
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Video marketing can be a game changer for pest control businesses. It has the potential to educate your audience, build trust, and ultimately win over new clients—if done right.
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