You have 12 Google reviews. Most of them are from 2019.
Your competitor has 180+ reviews with a steady stream of new ones every week. When potential customers search for pest control, guess who they're calling?
Here's the uncomfortable truth: Reviews are the #1 factor in whether someone chooses to call you or scroll past to the next company. They matter more than your website. More than your years in business. More than how professional your trucks look.
But asking for reviews feels awkward. You don't want to be pushy. You don't want to annoy customers who just paid you for a service. So you don't ask, and your review count stays stuck while competitors pull ahead.
The good news? Getting more Google reviews doesn't require being pushy, annoying, or uncomfortable. It just requires a system.
This guide shows you exactly how to build a consistent review generation process that feels natural, respects your customers, and generates 10-20+ new reviews every month.
Why Google Reviews Matter More Than Ever for Pest Control Companies
Let's start with why this matters for your bottom line.
93% of consumers read online reviews before choosing a local business. For pest control specifically, where you're entering someone's home to handle a problem they find disgusting or embarrassing, trust is everything.
When someone searches "pest control near me," they see your star rating before they see anything else about your business. If you have 15 reviews and 3.8 stars, and your competitor has 150 reviews and 4.8 stars, you're not even in the consideration set.
Here's what reviews actually do for your business:
They improve your Google Maps ranking. Google's algorithm considers review quantity, review quality, review recency, and review velocity when determining rankings. More reviews = higher visibility.
They increase your conversion rate. A pest control company with 100+ reviews converts 2-3x more profile visitors into phone calls than a company with fewer than 20 reviews.
They build trust instantly. Reviews are social proof that you're legitimate, professional, and actually solve pest problems. They answer the question "Can I trust this company?" before the customer ever calls.
They provide SEO-rich content. Customer reviews naturally include keywords like "termite treatment," "bed bug extermination," and your city name - all of which help your rankings.
They give you competitive advantage. In markets where every pest control company offers similar services at similar prices, reviews become the deciding factor.
The pest control companies getting 50-100 calls per month from Google aren't better at pest control than you. They just have more reviews.
The Psychology of Review Requests: Why Timing Is Everything
Before we get into the "how," let's talk about the "when."
Most pest control companies ask for reviews at the wrong time, which is why they get so few responses.
The wrong times to ask:
- During the initial call (they haven't experienced your service yet)
- While your technician is still working (they're focused on the problem)
- Days or weeks after service (the positive emotion has faded)
- Via email days later (low open rates, low response rates)
The right time to ask: Immediately after you've solved their problem and they're experiencing relief.
Think about it from the customer's perspective. They had wasps building a nest by their front door. Their kids couldn't play outside. They were stressed. You showed up, removed the nest, explained what you did, and now the problem is gone. They're relieved. They're grateful. They're experiencing a positive emotion.
That's your window. Right there, in that moment, before they go back to their busy life and forget about the problem you just solved.
Research shows that requesting a review within 1-2 hours of service completion increases response rates by 300-400% compared to waiting 24+ hours.
The key is making it easy and natural in that moment of peak satisfaction.
5 Proven Methods to Ask for Reviews (Without Being Pushy)
Let's get into the specific strategies that actually work for pest control companies.
Method #1: The In-Person Ask (Highest Conversion Rate)
Your technician has just completed the service. The customer is happy with the work. This is the perfect moment.
The script:
"I'm glad we could take care of that [termite/rodent/wasp] problem for you today. Quick question - if we did a great job, would you be willing to leave us a review on Google? It really helps other homeowners find us when they have pest problems. Takes about 30 seconds."
Why this works:
- You're asking right at the peak satisfaction moment
- You're framing it as helping others (not just helping yourself)
- You're acknowledging it's quick and easy
- You're asking permission rather than demanding
If they say yes: "Perfect! I'll text you a link right now that goes straight to our Google review page. Just tap it, rate us, and write a quick sentence or two about your experience."
If they hesitate: "No problem at all. If you change your mind, the link is in the text message I'm about to send. Thanks again for your business!"
Training note: Your technicians need to be comfortable with this conversation. Role-play it in team meetings until it feels natural. Make it part of your service completion checklist.
Method #2: The Text Message Follow-Up (Best for Scale)
Not every customer will leave a review on the spot. That's fine. Follow up with a text message within 30-60 minutes of service completion.
The template:
"Hi [Customer Name], this is [Your Name] from [Company Name]. Thanks for trusting us with your [pest type] problem today! If we did a great job, would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? [Link] Takes 30 seconds and really helps us out. Thanks! - [Your Name]"
Why this works:
- Text messages have 98% open rates (vs. 20% for emails)
- The link goes directly to your review page (one click away)
- It's personal (from a real person, not automated)
- It's brief and respectful of their time
- It includes a gentle reminder of the problem you solved
Pro tip: Use a text messaging service that lets you include the customer's name, your technician's name, and the specific pest issue. Personalization matters.
Method #3: The Email Follow-Up (For Customers Who Prefer Email)
Some customers, especially commercial clients, prefer email communication. Send a review request email 2-4 hours after service completion.
Subject line: "Quick favor? [Company Name]"
Email body:
"Hi [Customer Name],
[Technician Name] let me know we took care of your [pest issue] today. I'm glad we could help!
If you were happy with our service, I'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a quick Google review. It takes about 30 seconds and helps other homeowners in [City] find us when they're dealing with pest problems.
[Big, obvious Review Us button linked to your Google review page]
Thanks so much for your business!
[Your Name][Company Name][Phone Number]"
Why this works:
- Clean, simple design (not a marketing email)
- Personal tone (from a real person)
- Explains why it matters (helping other homeowners)
- One clear call-to-action (big button)
- Mentions their specific situation (reminds them of the value you provided)
Method #4: The Review Card (Old School but Effective)
Leave a physical review card with the customer after service. Some people respond better to physical prompts than digital ones.
What to include on the card:
- Your company logo and branding
- A QR code that links directly to your Google review page
- Simple instructions: "Scan this code with your phone camera to leave a review"
- A short headline: "Help other homeowners find us!"
- Your website and phone number
Why this works:
- Physical cards feel less pushy than verbal requests
- Customers can review you later when they have time
- QR codes make it incredibly easy (one scan, straight to review page)
- It's a visual reminder sitting on their counter
Pro tip: Have your technician place the card somewhere visible (on the counter, attached to the invoice) and mention it casually: "If you'd like to leave us a review later, there's a QR code on this card that makes it super easy."
Method #5: The Automation System (Set It and Forget It)
For maximum efficiency, use automation to send review requests to every customer automatically.
How it works:
- Customer service is completed
- Service is marked complete in your software
- Automated text message goes out 1 hour later
- If no review after 24 hours, automated email goes out
- If no review after 72 hours, final text reminder (optional)
Tools that work well for pest control:
- Podium
- Birdeye
- Grade.us
- ServiceTitan (if you already use it for scheduling)
- Simple solutions like Zapier + Google Forms + Text service
Why this works:
- No human effort required after initial setup
- Every customer gets asked consistently
- Multiple touchpoints increase response rate
- You can track conversion rates and optimize
Important: Automation should feel personal, not robotic. Include customer name, technician name, and specific service details in automated messages.
How to Write Review Requests That Actually Get Responses
The way you ask matters as much as when you ask. Here's what works:
Keep it short. Nobody wants to read a paragraph explaining why reviews are important. Get to the point quickly.
Be specific about the service. "Thanks for trusting us with your termite problem" is better than "Thanks for your business." It reminds them of the specific value you provided.
Frame it as helping others. "It helps other homeowners find us" feels better than "It helps our business." People like helping others.
Make it ridiculously easy. Include a direct link. Not "leave us a review on Google" (requires them to search for you). Link them straight to your review page.
Don't offer incentives. Offering discounts or gifts for reviews violates Google's policies and can get your profile suspended. Don't do it.
Don't filter for positive reviews only. You can't legally say "If you had a great experience, leave a review." You have to ask everyone equally. (You can, however, ask privately if they're satisfied before sending them to Google.)
Don't wait too long. Every hour that passes after service reduces your response rate by 10-15%. Ask within 1-2 hours maximum.
What to Do About Negative Reviews (Before They Happen)
Here's a pro strategy most pest control companies miss: create a filter before customers get to Google.
The Two-Step System:
Step 1: Send a "How did we do?" message first (before asking for a review)
Text or email: "Hi [Name], how did everything go with your [pest] treatment today? Reply to this message if you have any concerns - I'll make sure we take care of it."
Step 2: Based on their response, route them accordingly
- If positive response: Send them to Google to leave a review
- If negative response or concern: Address the issue privately first, then ask for review after resolution
Why this works: You catch unhappy customers before they become negative reviews. You have a chance to fix problems and turn negative experiences into positive ones.
Important note: This strategy is perfectly legal and ethical. You're not filtering reviews (everyone eventually gets asked). You're just solving problems before they become public complaints.
Responding to Reviews: The Secret Weapon Most Businesses Ignore
Getting reviews is half the battle. Responding to them is the other half.
Why responding matters:
For Google's algorithm: Businesses that respond to reviews rank higher than businesses that don't. Google sees engagement as a positive signal.
For future customers: When someone reads your reviews, they also read your responses. Professional, thoughtful responses build trust.
For the reviewer: People appreciate being acknowledged. Responding increases the chance they'll leave another review in the future.
How to Respond to Positive Reviews
Template formula:
- Thank them by name
- Mention the specific service
- Reinforce your value proposition
- Invite them back
Example:
"Thanks so much, Jennifer! We're glad we could solve your termite problem quickly and put your mind at ease. Protecting homes from termites is what we do best. If you ever need anything else, don't hesitate to reach out. - Randy at ABC Pest Control"
Keep it under 50 words. Short, genuine, and personal beats long and generic.
Vary your responses. Don't copy-paste the same response to every review. It looks robotic and insincere.
How to Respond to Negative Reviews
This is critical. A bad review can hurt you. A bad review with a defensive response destroys you.
Template formula:
- Acknowledge their concern (don't argue)
- Apologize for the experience (even if you disagree)
- Take responsibility
- Offer to make it right
- Take the conversation offline
Example:
"I'm really sorry to hear about your experience, John. This isn't the level of service we pride ourselves on, and I want to make it right. I'd like to learn more about what happened and find a solution. Please call me directly at [number] so we can resolve this. - Randy at ABC Pest Control"
What NOT to do:
- Don't argue with the customer publicly
- Don't blame the customer ("You weren't home when we arrived")
- Don't make excuses ("We were short-staffed that day")
- Don't ignore negative reviews (responding shows future customers you care)
Pro tip: Most negative reviews come from communication breakdowns, not actual service failures. Someone expected one thing and got another. Clear communication prevents most negative reviews.
Building a Consistent Review Generation System
Here's the reality: You won't go from 15 reviews to 150 reviews overnight. But you can build a system that generates 10-20 new reviews every single month consistently.
Your review generation system checklist:
Train your technicians to ask for reviews at service completion☐ Create text message templates with direct links to your review page☐ Set up automated review requests via text/email 1-2 hours after service☐ Implement a satisfaction check system to catch unhappy customers before they leave negative reviews☐ Create a review response schedule (respond to all reviews within 24 hours)☐ Print physical review cards with QR codes for your technicians to leave☐ Track your review generation rate (how many services = how many reviews)☐ Make reviews part of team culture (celebrate new reviews in team meetings)
Monthly goal: If you complete 100 services per month and convert 15-20% into reviews, that's 15-20 new reviews monthly. In 6 months, you'll have 90-120 new reviews. In a year, 180-240 new reviews.
That's how the top-ranking pest control companies got there. Not overnight success. Just consistent execution month after month.
What Review Velocity Means and Why It Matters for Rankings
You might be wondering: "Is it better to have 100 reviews from 5 years ago, or 50 reviews with 10 from last month?"
The answer: Recency matters more than you think.
Google doesn't just count total reviews. It looks at review velocity - how many reviews you're getting relative to time.
Why review velocity matters:
It signals you're an active, currently operating business. A business with 200 reviews but nothing in the last 6 months looks inactive. A business with 80 reviews and 15 from last month looks thriving.
It helps you compete with established businesses. You don't need 500 reviews to outrank a competitor with 500 reviews. You need consistent new reviews showing momentum.
It triggers algorithm updates. Google's algorithm pays attention when review patterns change. A sudden increase in positive reviews (done legitimately) can boost your rankings quickly.
Ideal review velocity for pest control: 5-10 new reviews per month minimum. More is better, but consistency matters more than volume.
Red flag velocity: Getting 50 reviews in one week after having 10 reviews for years looks suspicious to Google. Build naturally and consistently.
Common Mistakes That Sabotage Review Generation
Even with a solid strategy, these mistakes can undermine your entire effort:
Mistake #1: Waiting Too Long to AskAsking for a review 3 days after service when the customer has moved on mentally. Ask within 1-2 hours maximum.
Mistake #2: Making It Too ComplicatedSending customers to your website to "find our Google profile and leave a review." They won't. Send direct links only.
Mistake #3: Only Asking Happy CustomersLegally and ethically, you need to ask everyone. But use a satisfaction filter first so you can address concerns before they become public reviews.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Reviews Once You Get ThemNot responding to reviews (positive or negative) signals disengagement. Respond to every review within 24-48 hours.
Mistake #5: Incentivizing ReviewsOffering discounts, gift cards, or anything of value for reviews violates Google's policies. Don't risk your profile.
Mistake #6: Buying Fake ReviewsGoogle's algorithms detect patterns and fake reviews can get your entire profile suspended permanently. Never worth the risk.
Mistake #7: Asking Multiple Times Too SoonSending 5 review requests in 3 days is pushy and annoying. One in-person ask + one text + one email over 2-3 days maximum.
What Results to Expect From a Review Generation System
Let's set realistic expectations.
Month 1: After implementing a systematic approach, expect 8-15 new reviews depending on your service volume. This feels slow but it's the foundation.
Months 2-3: As your team gets comfortable with the process and you optimize your messaging, expect 10-20 new reviews per month. Your total review count is climbing noticeably.
Months 4-6: Consistency compounds. You'll have 40-80 new reviews added to your profile. Your star rating stabilizes at a healthy level (4.5-4.9 stars). You start noticing more calls mentioning "I saw your great reviews."
Months 7-12: You're now generating 15-25 new reviews monthly. Your total review count is impressive (100-200+). Your Google Maps ranking improves noticeably. Your conversion rate from profile views to calls increases by 30-50%.
The compound effect: Reviews don't just improve rankings. They improve conversion rates, which leads to more customers, which leads to more reviews, which leads to even higher rankings. It's a positive feedback loop.
Important note: Quality matters as much as quantity. A 4.9-star rating with 80 reviews outperforms a 3.8-star rating with 200 reviews. Focus on delivering great service first, then systematize the review ask.
This Requires Consistency (And Most Business Owners Don't Have the Time)
If you've read this far, you understand what needs to happen.
You need to train your team to ask for reviews consistently. You need to send follow-up messages within hours of service completion. You need to respond to every review. You need to monitor your system and optimize it monthly.
That's 3-5 hours per week of focused work. Not including the time to set up automation, create templates, train staff, and troubleshoot issues.
You started a pest control business to eliminate pests and help customers, not to manage review generation campaigns. But here's the reality: The companies dominating Google Maps rankings have someone managing reviews systematically.
They're not getting 20+ reviews per month by accident. They have a system, and someone is executing it consistently.
That's exactly why we built review generation into our Business Growth Engine for pest control companies. We handle the entire process - from creating your text/email templates to training your team to monitoring results to responding to reviews - while you focus on serving customers and growing your business.
We work with only one pest control company per metropolitan area, we're completely transparent about what we do each month, and we operate on a no-contract basis. If we don't deliver results, you can leave anytime.
If you'd rather have specialists handle your review generation while you focus on running your pest control business, schedule a 15-minute discovery call. We'll review your current review profile, assess your service volume, and give you an honest evaluation of what's possible.
Either way, use these strategies to start generating more reviews. The pest control companies that dominate 2025 will be the ones who build systematic review generation into their operations today.
