How Production Pay in Large Pest Control Companies Leads to Worse Service for HOAs and Commercial Properties
In the pest control industry, many large corporate providers operate on a “production-based” pay system, especially for technicians in the field. While this model might work on paper to drive efficiency and output, it often leads to cut corners, rushed work, and underwhelming service; particularly for HOAs, apartment complexes, and commercial properties.
By contrast, smaller or independent pest control companies like, X pest Defense, Inc. that pay high hourly wages tend to deliver more consistent, thorough service.
What Is "Production Pay"?
In a production-based system, technicians are paid based on how much work they complete, not how long they spend doing it. In other words:
The more stops they make, the more they get paid.
This incentivizes volume over quality. A tech might have 15–25 stops in one day; all spread across a large service area. Their pay is based on hitting a daily revenue target and not per hour; so, they’re under pressure to move quickly and finish each job as fast as possible.
Why That’s a Problem for HOAs and Commercial Clients
1. Service Gets Rushed
With dozens of stops to make, techs in a production model often only minutes per account even if the property needs a more thorough inspection or treatment. This leads to:
Missed issues
Sloppy bait placement or ineffective spraying
Poor documentation and communication with property managers or boards
2. Little to No Accountability
Because techs are judged by quantity, not quality, there’s less incentive to:
Follow up on persistent issues
Communicate with staff, residents, or tenants
Offer preventative recommendations or repairs
This is especially problematic for HOAs, multi-unit buildings, and commercial spaces, where long-term pest control strategies and consistent service are crucial.
3. High Turnover & Burnout
Production-based models often result in overworked and undertrained staff, leading to high turnover. When your pest control provider is constantly swapping out technicians, service quality suffers and residents notice.
Why Hourly Pay Leads to Better Service
Our Company uses an hourly wage model with a commission role; techs are paid for their time and not just their output. This encourages them to:
Spend more time at each property
Pay attention to detail
Communicate thoroughly with managers, tenants, and residents
Invest in long-term prevention, not just quick fixes
Hourly techs are also more likely to be trained, retained, and engaged, meaning you’re working with a consistent technician who knows your property inside and out.
Real-World Impact on HOAs & Commercial Sites
In an HOA or commercial setting, pest control isn’t just about killing bugs — it’s about:
Protecting shared property
Keeping residents and employees safe
Preventing infestations before they get out of control
Maintaining compliance and peace of mind
When technicians are forced to rush, the value of your pest control contract drops significantly. You’re not just paying for less service; you’re often paying for recurring problems that never get resolved.
What to Look For in a Provider
When selecting a pest control company for your HOA, apartment complex, or business, ask:
Do your technicians work on production or hourly pay?
How many stops does a typical technician handle in a day?
Will we have a dedicated tech who learns the property over time?
What’s your follow-up protocol if problems persist?
X Pest Defense focuses on quality, training, and time-on-site and we will always outperform those that treat pest control like a numbers game.
Final Thoughts
Pest control companies using production-based pay models often sacrifice quality for quantity, and HOAs and commercial clients pay the price. While the big names may offer low bids or fast onboarding, it’s the independent like X Pest Defense, that are service-driven companies that deliver reliable, long-term pest solutions.
