2026 top pests: Which pests will generate the most revenue?

For pest management professionals, profitability often depends on staying ahead of pest pressure and understanding where customer demand is headed. As environmental conditions shift, so do pest populations, directly influencing service calls and revenue streams. As one general manager from Oregon noted, “The lack of moisture in our area has been pushing ants and spiders into areas they haven’t been before. Rat populations have spiked early this year.” Keeping a pulse on these trends is essential for strategic planning.

Rodents & insectivores: The usual suspects

The primary revenue drivers in the rodent category remain consistent, with commensal rodents leading the pack. However, increased public awareness around rodent-borne illnesses and a notable rise in turf-related pests point to new service opportunities.

Top 5 revenue-generating Rodents & Insectivores for 2026:

1. House Mice (Mus musculus)
2. Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus)
3. Roof Rats (R. rattus)
4. Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)
5. Moles (Talpidae)

While voles did not break into the top five, survey respondents noted a marked increase in service calls for this pest, reinforcing the growing opportunity in specialized landscape and turf management.

Ants: Carpenter Ants reign supreme

Carpenter ants continue to top the charts, solidifying their high-value status as both a nuisance and a wood-destroying pest. The rest of the top five ant species maintain their positions from last year, representing a consistent source of service calls across the country.

Top 5 Revenue-Generating Ants for 2026:

1. Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.)
2. Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile)
3. Pavement Ants (Tetramorium caespitum)
4. Fire Ants (Solenopsis spp.)
5. Argentine Ants (Linepithema humile)

Cockroaches: A shift in the ranks

German cockroaches remain the undisputed champion of revenue in this category. However, a notable change occurred further down the list: brown-banded cockroaches have climbed to the No. 4 spot, pushing smoky brown cockroaches to No. 5. This shift suggests that PMPs are encountering more infestations in warmer, drier environments like ceiling voids and electronics, requiring more detailed inspection and treatment protocols.

Top 5 Revenue-Generating Cockroaches for 2026:

1. German Cockroaches (Blattella germanica)
2. American Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)
3. Oriental Cockroaches (Blatta orientalis)
4. Brown-Banded Cockroaches (Supella longipalpa)
5. Smoky Brown Cockroaches (P. fuliginosa)

Termites & Other WDI/WDO: A high-stakes category

The wood-destroying insects and organisms (WDI/WDO) segment is defined by high-value treatments and significant regulatory oversight. The top species remain largely unchanged from the previous year, with subterranean termites leading the charge.

Top 5 revenue-generating WDI/WDO for 2026:

1. Eastern Subterranean Termites (Reticulitermes flavipes)
2. Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.)
3. Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa spp.)
4. Drywood Termites (Kalotermitidae)
5. Formosan Subterranean Termites (Coptotermes formosanus) & Western Subterranean Termites (R. hesperus) (Tie)

Staying informed about which pests are driving revenue is fundamental to running a profitable pest control business. As the market heads into 2026, these data points give PMP owners and technical directors the clarity they need to focus their services, training and marketing on the pests that matter most to their operation. 2026 State of the Industry: PMPs Share an Optimistic Outlook