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How to Manage Those 10 p.m. Exterminator Emergencies

Phone Answering, Professional Answering Service

February 21, 2023

There’s a reason they’re called pests.

Invading insects and lowdown, dirty rodents don’t give a rat’s… ahh, let’s just say they don’t hold the schedules of homeowners in high regard, nor those of the pest control companies on their speed dial. And, so, bugs are gonna bug and creepies are going to crawl, leading to those “exterminator emergencies” at 10 p.m. (and, hey, sometimes even later).

As a pest control business owner, you know all too well about these late-night runs that pop up unexpectedly. How many times has The Late Show been interrupted by a caller telling you a different kind of show was going on in their apartment, at that very moment, involving a crew of cockroaches, a battalion of ants, or a bat far removed from the belfry?

Here are some helpful tips on how to manage those pesky exterminator emergencies.

  1. Be prepared: Make certain that your on-call crew is properly scheduled and accessible at any time of day in the event of an infestation or other pest emergency. And be sure that if a customer calls in the middle of the night needing vermin to be shown the door, someone knowledgeable will be able to respond immediately.
  2. Offer 24/7 scheduling: Convenience keeps you in your customers’ good graces and ensures they come calling again whenever things get batty, buggy, or beyond. Make it easy for them to book appointments online or over the phone at any hour of the night, without having to wait, worry, or wade through swarms of flies until the next business day.
  3. Make customers feel valued (not like… you know): Prioritization is paramount when it comes to late-night exterminator emergencies. Instead of making customers feel like they’re bugging you, offer a sympathetic ear. Get the details, give sound advice, and provide the best possible service for all callers and reassure them that their needs will be attended to as soon as possible.
  4. Outsource your calls to a quality answering service: Focus, for example, can help you check off all three boxes above while optimizing efficiency. We understand multiple, middle-of-the-road messages to your on-call teams are a serious disruption to their lives and your budget.

The Focus team takes pride in answering for the pest control industry, and we understand the difference between a crisis and a call that can be held until the office opens the following day. YOU get to determine what constitutes an emergency while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with knowing the agents answering for your business are trained to make sound judgment calls if a situation seems hazardous in any way.

Spring is almost here, and that means ants, mosquitoes, houseflies, and other wall crawlers are warming up to come out of the woodwork.

No one likes dealing with those unexpected late-night exterminator emergencies, but with some preparation, planning, and a quality answering service on your team, they don’t have to be a nightmare.