If you’re managing apartments, chances are you already have a pest control solution in place — or you’re looking for one that won’t create more work for your team.
For many, that solution is a well-known national provider like Terminix. Their model is clear: scheduled inspections, preventive treatments, and on-call support when residents report issues. It’s familiar, it works, and it’s been the industry standard for a long time.
But apartment operations today move faster. Residents expect quicker turnaround. Your staff can’t afford to spend hours coordinating vendor visits. So the real question becomes: does the traditional model still fit, or is it slowing you down?
Let’s break down how Terminix works — and how it compares to a more modern, on-demand approach like Pest Share.
How Terminix Approaches Pest Control for Apartments
Terminix offers a traditional model that combines regular inspections with preventive treatments. For apartment communities, that typically means scheduled visits to inspect units and common areas, treat for common pests, and check for conditions that could invite future issues (like trash buildup or entry points around doors and windows).
They also emphasize education—providing guidance to property staff (and sometimes residents) on pest prevention, maintenance best practices, and how to spot early signs of trouble.
If a pest issue is reported outside the scheduled visit, Terminix offers what they call a fast response. A technician is dispatched, and they’ll continue treating until the issue is resolved. The promise here is consistent coverage, professional support, and a nationwide service network that can support multi-region portfolios.
It’s a system that’s worked for years—but it still follows the same framework as most traditional vendors: preset schedules, service tickets, and vendor coordination managed largely through your staff.
Where the Traditional Model Feels Outdated?
Let’s be clear: Terminix isn’t doing anything wrong. Their approach is thorough and familiar. But that doesn’t mean it’s efficient for today’s property operations.
The biggest issue is friction.
Pest control is still largely managed by your staff. When a resident sees something, they report it to the office. The office contacts the vendor. Then the vendor schedules a visit. Then someone follows up to confirm service. Somewhere in the mix, there’s a clipboard or an email trail that becomes the official record.
That’s a lot of moving parts—just to solve a problem that could’ve been handled faster and with fewer touchpoints.
This traditional setup also creates delays that are often invisible until they cause problems. A resident reports a roach in the kitchen. But because service isn’t scheduled for another week, they wait—or worse, try to handle it themselves. That turns a minor issue into a complaint or a review.
Even with Terminix’s rapid response pledge, the process still depends on manual steps and vendor availability. That’s where modern operations are starting to outgrow the traditional model.
What Does an On-Demand Model Look Like?
Pest Share offers a different approach entirely—one designed for today’s apartment operations.
Instead of routing everything through the property manager or maintenance team, Pest Share gives residents a direct way to request service the moment they see a problem. They use a mobile app or web portal to submit a request. That request is instantly routed to a licensed technician in the area. Service is scheduled and dispatched without any additional effort from the property team.
Here’s what changes:
- No more chasing down vendors.
- No delays while issues sit in a queue.
- No over-treating units just because it’s on the calendar.
- No manual follow-ups or status checks.
Everything is automated, trackable, and fully visible in your management dashboard. If a resident in Unit 203 reports an issue, you know when it was logged, who’s handling it, and when it’s resolved. Nothing slips through the cracks.
Side-by-Side: Traditional vs. On-Demand
| Terminix (Traditional Model) | Pest Share (On-Demand Model) | |
| Service Scheduling | Pre-set inspections & routine visits | Immediate, resident-triggered service |
| Issue Reporting | Goes through property staff | Direct resident reporting via app/portal |
| Response Time | Fast, but depends on scheduling | Faster—automated technician dispatch |
| Team Workload | Staff must coordinate and follow up | Offloaded to platform, real-time updates |
| Coverage Approach | Preventive + broad coverage | Targeted, only where needed |
| Cost Control | Per-visit or contract pricing | Flat-fee or usage-based, more predictable |
Designed for Modern Property Operations
What makes the on-demand model a better fit for many teams isn’t just speed—it’s alignment.
Today’s property managers are working with CRMs, maintenance platforms, resident portals, automation tools—you name it. Pest control should fit into that system, not operate outside of it.
That’s what on-demand platforms like Pest Share do. They plug directly into your workflows. No extra training, no new vendor management headaches, and no complex rollouts. Residents use a tool they’re already comfortable with. Your team gets the results without the noise.
And perhaps most important, you’re no longer paying for service just to check a box. You’re paying to solve actual problems—when and where they happen.
Terminix has a long history and a structured model that’s worked for many multifamily teams. Their approach is rooted in prevention, professionalism, and predictable service.
But that model was built for a different time—one where slower communication, paper logs, and manual scheduling were the norm.
If your team is working in real-time, using tech to streamline operations, and looking to simplify the way service is delivered across your properties, an on-demand model like Pest Share might be the smarter fit.
It’s not about replacing pest control—it’s about rethinking how it gets done.
Curious how Pest Share would work in your buildings?
Let’s explore how an on-demand model could save time, reduce stress, and improve your resident experience from day one.
