November 21, 2025

As business legend and consultant Peter Drucker said, "If you can't measure it, you can't improve it." For pest control companies, this is a reality. Juggling service orders, technician schedules, and customer service history across multiple locations is a massive operational challenge.


Many pest control businesses turn to field service software to streamline operations, but the options can be overwhelming.


You've likely heard of PestPac, one of the reputed names in the industry. It promises a complete solution to manage every aspect of your service, from route optimization to sending email inspection reports. But is it the right fit for your unique business?


PestPac: A Deep Dive into the Pest Control Field Service Software


For many pest control businesses, the goal is to streamline operations. PestPac is a major software solution that promises to manage everything from service orders and billing to route optimization. But is it the right choice for your unique business?


Many user reviews mention the high cost and steep learning curve, which can be a significant issue for small businesses.


Let's examine PestPac's features, break down its complex pricing, and the common limitations and high costs that users report, allowing you to determine if it's the best path for your company's growth.


Key Takeaways


  1. PestPac is a powerful yet complex enterprise-grade software designed for large pest control businesses that manage multiple routes and locations. It centralizes scheduling, invoicing, CRM, and reporting, but demands significant setup and training.
  2. Pricing is quote-based and modular, with features like route optimization, marketing automation, and termite modules sold as separate add-ons, often increasing the total cost.
  3. The system’s steep learning curve and dated interface make it less ideal for small to mid-sized businesses that need an intuitive, quick-to-implement solution to manage daily operations.
  4. Modern options like PestBase, GorillaDesk, and FieldRoutes provide an all-in-one experience with automation, sales tools, and customer management.


Ditch the complexity. Upgrade to faster scheduling


If you want to streamline operations, empower your sales team, and improve the customer experience without a steep learning curve, you can learn more at PestBase.


What Is PestPac? (And Why It’s So Popular in Pest Control)


If you've been in the pest control industry for any length of time, you've heard of PestPac. Developed by WorkWave, it's one of the most popular field service software solutions on the market.


At its core, PestPac is designed to be an end-to-end platform for pest control companies, acting as the central hub for all business operations. Its core function is to centralize and manage all the data that runs a pest control business.


This includes everything from the moment a new customer calls to schedule a service to creating work orders, dispatching technicians, handling billing, and storing a complete customer service history.


Its long-standing presence in the industry means it has a deep, feature-rich functionality built specifically to handle the unique business needs of pest control, from residential accounts to complex commercial properties.


Core Features of the PestPac Platform

Core Features of the PestPac Platform

PestPac's features are designed to connect the office, the field, and the customer. Here’s a breakdown of its main components.


1. Office & Operations Management


This is the command center for the entire company. The back-office tools allow staff to manage the daily workflow, including:


  • Scheduling & Routing: A digital calendar for dispatching jobs and managing appointments. It includes route optimization features to help technicians serve more customers in less time, reducing fuel cost and drive time.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): This is where all account information is stored and managed. You can track customer details, service locations, service history, contracts, and communication logs in one file.
  • Billing & Invoicing: The software handles the financial side by generating invoices (both one-time and recurring), processing payments, and managing accounts receivable.
  • Reporting & Analytics: The ability to run custom reports on data is a major feature. Owners can track key metrics for profitability, chemical usage, technician efficiency, and marketing ROI.


2. Field Technician Mobility (PestPac Mobile App)


The PestPac app connects technicians directly to the main office on their mobile devices, helping to streamline operations and reduce paperwork. From the field, technicians can:


  • Access Work Orders: View their daily schedule, get job details, and see customer service history and notes.
  • On-Site Documentation: Log all service details, including the ability to record materials and chemicals used, document pest findings, and complete email inspection reports (such as WDI/WDO reports for the optional termite module).
  • Payment & Signatures: Pay for services on the spot by capturing credit card payments and customer signatures digitally.


3. Customer-Facing Tools


These features aim to improve the customer experience through transparency and self-service.


  • Customer Portal: A branded online portal (often called CustomerConnect) where customers can access their account information, view upcoming appointments, see their service history, and pay invoices online.
  • Automated Communications: The system can send automated emails and text messages for appointment reminders, "on-my-way" alerts from technicians, and billing notifications.


4. Chemical & Material Usage Tracking


PestPac includes robust tools to help pest control companies track, manage, and report chemical usage in full compliance with state and federal regulations.


  • EPA & State Chemical Tracking: PestPac automatically records all chemicals applied during each service, including active ingredients, application methods, concentrations and dilution rates, target pests, and applicator/technician information
  • Pesticide Usage Logs: Every treatment completed in the field is logged into a centralized system, creating a complete history of what chemicals were used, how much was applied, where and when the treatment occurred, and which technician performed it.
  • Automated Compliance Reports: PestPac can generate ready-to-submit reports based on your chemical usage data, including monthly/annual pesticide usage summaries, technician-specific application reports, and site-specific chemical histories and government-regulated compliance forms.


PestPac: Features at a Glance


This table breaks down the primary functionality of the PestPac pest control software.



Feature Category What It Does
Scheduling & Routing Manages technician schedules, dispatches jobs, and optimizes routes to ensure efficient operations.
CRM & Service History Stores all customer data, contact info, and a complete history of past service orders and pest findings.
Mobile App Equips technicians in the field to complete jobs, log materials, and take payments.
Billing & Invoicing Generates invoices, processes one-time and recurring payments, and manages AR.
Reporting Provides detailed reports on operations, financials, and chemical usage.
Customer Portal Offers clients a self-service hub to pay bills and review their account information.


PestPac Pricing: Unpacking the Cost


This is the most critical and often most confusing part for prospective buyers. If you're looking for a simple price list on the PestPac website, you won't find one.

Here’s a clear breakdown of how their pricing works.


1. It's 100% Quote-Based: There are no public, transparent pricing plans. You must contact their sales team directly to get a custom quote. This quote will be based on the size of your business, the number of technicians (or "routes"), and the specific features you need.


2. It's a Tiered System: While the final price is custom, the offering is structured in three main tiers. The features you get depend on the tier you select:


  • Small Business: This is the basic plan. It includes core functionality like customer management, basic scheduling, billing, and the mobile app.
  • Professional: This mid-level plan adds more advanced tools. This is where you'll find features like the Termite Inspection module, route optimization, and more advanced custom reports.
  • Enterprise: This tier is for large, multi-branch pest control companies. It adds complex features like multi-branch management, advanced API integrations, and high-level analytics.


3. The "À La Carte" Add-On Model (The Main Pain Point): This is the most important factor to understand.


The base price for your chosen tier (like Professional) does not always include all the features listed for it. Many of PestPac's most powerful tools are considered "add-on modules" that cost extra.


For example, you might pay for the Professional plan but then have to pay an additional monthly fee for:


  • Advanced Route Optimization
  • The Termite Module (for WDI/WDO reports)
  • Advanced Reporting
  • Marketing Automation (for automated emails)
  • Lead Management


This is the source of the "nickel-and-dime" feedback you see in many user reviews. Small businesses, in particular, feel this pain point, as the high cost can escalate quickly as they try to add functionality they assumed was included.


4. Long-Term Contracts: PestPac typically requires a long-term contract (e.g., 24-36 months). This is a significant commitment, and you should make sure to check the terms for any auto-renewal clauses.


Limitations & Common User Pain Points


No software is perfect, and user reviews for PestPac consistently highlight the same major hurdles. While powerful, this functionality comes with trade-offs that are especially felt by small businesses.


> A Steep Learning Curve


The most common complaint, by a large margin, is that the system is not intuitive. This isn't a "sign up and go" solution.


As one user noted, "It seemed at first like a great system. I just figured there would be a learning curve. Eventually, I realized that it was an archaic system where every task was difficult. Nothing about the usage of this product is intuitive."


You must invest a significant amount of time in dedicated training to implement the processes correctly.


> The "Clunky" and Dated User Interface


This is one of the most frequent complaints. While the software is packed with features, users describe the interface as "clunky," "admin-heavy," and "not intuitive."


As one user on Reddit bluntly put it, "PestPac is old as hell, was originally built in the 1990s...".


Even after recent updates, many reviews echo the sentiment of a Connecteam review, which noted that the "overall layout still feels admin-heavy and more suited to trained users than casual ones." This means simple business operations can often feel like they take too many clicks.


> Mobile App: Good for Techs, Not for Owners


The mobile app is generally considered effective for field technicians. It allows them to view their schedule, log pest findings, and add materials. But what about the owners and managers?


As a Connecteam review pointed out, the app has "Limited mobile functionality for managers" and "lacks flexibility for managers on the go."


If you're an owner who wants to see high-level data, performance dashboards, or manage your business from your device, you'll likely find that the mobile functionality is not built for you.


> Hit-or-Miss Customer Support


When a software is this complex and has a steep learning curve, you need to be able to rely on support.


Reviews here are wildly mixed. Some users report receiving helpful and patient support from the staff. However, a significant number of reviews on G2 and GetApp express frustration.


One G2 user captured this feeling: "They steal from their customers by withholding payments and refusing to support small businesses when they're struggling."

This inconsistency is a major risk when a problem is costing your business money. (Sources: Connecteam, G2)


PestPac Alternatives: A Quick Comparison

PestPac Alternatives: A Quick Comparison

PestPac is often considered the "legacy" option in the pest control software market. It’s a powerful, comprehensive platform, but its complexity and modular pricing have opened the door for a new generation of more modern, streamlined solutions.


1. PestBase


  • About: PestBase is a modern, all-in-one pest control software built for teams that want automation, simplicity, and strong sales enablement.
  • Ideal Business Size: Great for small to mid-sized pest control companies, as well as growing multi-team businesses that want a scalable solution with built-in sales, canvassing, and route optimization capabilities.
  • Key Features: Smart scheduling & dispatch, automated follow-up workflows, integrated CRM, canvassing & lead capture tools, mobile app for technicians, online invoicing & payments, chemical tracking, and real-time reporting.
  • Ease of Use: Very user-friendly with a modern UI. Office teams and technicians can learn the system quickly without lengthy onboarding. Designed to eliminate complexity found in older legacy systems.
  • Pricing: Pricing designed to match your specific business needs. (Request a demo for custom pricing.)
  • Common Complaint: As a relatively new platform, it has fewer third-party integrations compared to legacy software.


2. FieldRoutes


  • About: FieldRoutes is a comprehensive, cloud-based platform built for pest control and lawn care companies that need strong automation and enterprise-level routing capabilities. It is known for helping businesses increase efficiency and scale rapidly across multiple territories.
  • Ideal Business Size: Best for growing residential and commercial pest control operations, including multi-route, multi-location teams that require advanced routing, sales automation, and high data visibility.
  • Key Features: Advanced route optimization, automated scheduling, robust CRM tools, digital service forms, real-time technician tracking, mobile field app, reporting & analytics, and subscription/recurring service management.
  • Ease of Use: Generally intuitive, but the platform can feel complex during initial setup. Some users note occasional glitches, especially during updates.
  • Pricing: Quote-based pricing model. Considered premium and can become expensive as additional modules and users are added.
  • Common Limitation: Some users report bugs, lags, or inconsistencies during day-to-day operations, especially in routing and mobile app performance.


3. GorillaDesk


  • About: GorillaDesk is a lightweight, easy-to-use pest control software designed to help service teams organize schedules, manage clients, and streamline office tasks with minimal complexity. It’s especially popular among small and mid-sized pest control companies for its simplicity.
  • Ideal Business Size: Ideal for independent operators and small to mid-sized pest control businesses looking for a fast-to-adopt, budget-friendly platform without the heavy complexity of enterprise tools.
  • Key Features: Drag-and-drop scheduling, route optimization, digital work orders, client management, invoicing & payments, chemical tracking logs, mobile technician app, and automated customer reminders.
  • Ease of Use: One of the most user-friendly platforms in the industry. Known for smooth onboarding, clean navigation, and highly responsive customer support.
  • Pricing: Transparent, per-route pricing with tiered plans paid monthly: Basic $49/mo, Pro $99/mo, and Growth $149/mo. Suitable for small teams that want predictable monthly costs.
  • Common Limitation: Does not offer the deep reporting, advanced analytics, or large-scale customization needed by enterprise-level pest control operations.


Feature Comparison at a Glance



Feature PestPac PestBase FieldRoutes GorillaDesk
Transparent Pricing No No No Yes (Per-Route)
Sales Canvassing Tools Add-on (Limited Canvassing Modules) Yes (Built-In Canvassing & Lead Capture) Add-On (Sales Tools via Automation) Limited
Marketing Automation Add-on Yes (Core) Yes (Core) Yes (Available in Pro/Growth Plans)
Modern UI/Ease of Use Low–Medium (Older Interface, Complex) High (Modern, Intuitive UI) Medium (Functional but can be complex) High (Very User-Friendly)
Deep Reporting Yes (Core – Very Robust) Yes (Strong Reporting) Yes (Advanced Reporting) Limited (Basic Reporting)
Best For Enterprise & Large Multi-Branch Teams Small–Large Growth Teams Focused on Sales & Automation Growth / Multi-Location Operations Small to Mid-Sized Teams


Who is PestPac Best For?



Who is PestPac Best For?

PestPac is best suited for large, established pest control companies, especially those managing multiple branches and a significant number of technicians.


Its core strength lies in its powerful, deep-dive data analysis and ability to create highly specific custom reports. If your business operations are complex, with a mix of residential and commercial accounts, you'll likely use its deep functionality.


This type of company typically has the budget for the high cost and the various add-on modules. They also have the internal resources for a dedicated administrator to manage the software and invest the time required to navigate the steep "PestPac learn" curve.


The ideal user for PestPac:


  • Manages a large number of technicians across multiple locations.
  • Needs granular, custom reports for profitability and compliance.
  • Has a dedicated admin team to implement and manage its processes.


Who is PestPac Not For?

Who is PestPac Not For?

This field service software is generally not the right fit for small businesses, startups, or solo operators.


The primary barrier is the high cost, which user feedback confirms is made worse by the non-transparent, modular pricing plans. Small businesses need predictable costs, not the risk of expensive add-ons for features like the termite module or route optimization.


Beyond price, the time investment is a major issue. Small pest control businesses need to streamline operations and be efficient now.


They often lack the resources for a long implementation or a steep learning curve. If your company values a simple interface and speed, you'll find other solutions less frustrating.


Final Verdict: What is the Right Fit for Your Business?


Ultimately, the right pest control software depends on your company's scale and priorities. The choice comes down to what you value most: comprehensive data or speed and simplicity.


  • You should consider PestPac if: You are a large, established enterprise. Your primary need is deep data functionality, complex custom reports, and the power to manage multi-location business operations.
  • For this type of business, the high cost is a justifiable expense for its robust features.
  • You should consider a modern alternative if: Your business, whether small, mid-sized, or large, is focused on growth, sales, and efficiency.
  • This is where a platform like PestBase comes in. It's designed to solve the primary frustrations of legacy software: it's an all-in-one system with a modern, easy-to-use interface.
  • Features like sales canvassing, digital proposals, and automated marketing are built into its core, not sold as expensive add-ons.


Bringing It All Together


Choosing the right pest control software is a major commitment that directly impacts your efficiency and profitability. PestPac is clearly a powerful and comprehensive solution, but its high cost and significant complexity are critical factors to consider.


For large, established companies, its deep features may be a good fit. However, for most small to mid-sized businesses, the steep learning curve and modular pricing can be a major hurdle.


Ultimately, the best software is the one that aligns with your company's unique budget, operational needs, and growth goals.


About PestBase


PestBase is an all-in-one, modern pest control software designed to streamline operations and accelerate sales, from lead capture and canvassing to scheduling and invoicing.


Schedule your demo today!


FAQs

  • What are the biggest hidden costs of using PestPac?

    Aside from tier pricing, many core tools—route optimization, advanced reporting, termite modules, marketing automation—are sold as separate add-ons, which significantly increase the total cost.


  • How much does PestPac cost per month?

    PestPac does not have public pricing. The cost is quote-based and tiered, depending on your company's size and the feature modules you select.


  • What companies use PestPac?

    It's used by pest control companies of all sizes, including many large enterprises and PCT Top 100 companies, such as Arrow Exterminators.


  • What is the biggest difference between PestPac and modern alternatives like PestBase?

    PestPac focuses on enterprise-level depth and customization, while modern platforms like PestBase prioritize ease of use, built-in sales automation, transparent workflows, and faster setup—without requiring expensive add-ons.

Still have a question?