Professional pest control requires a good deal more than a set of mousetraps and a can of RaidTM. Pest control technicians conduct inspections, navigate people’s homes, trap animals, and spray entire fields of crops — all of which requires a variety of general and specialized equipment, plus a vehicle that can handle storage and transport needs.
When buying or upfitting a commercial vehicle for your pest control business, there are multiple angles to consider. Read on for a complete list of common pest control vehicle upfits, plus layout ideas to maximize space and safety.
Common Pest Control Tools & Equipment
Key Considerations for Pest Control Vehicle Setup
Pest Control Van & Truck Setup Ideas
Benefits of an Organized Pest Control Vehicle
Essential Upfit Equipment for Pest Control Vehicles
Best Vehicles for Pest Control
Common Pest Control Tools & Equipment
One of the top concerns in the pest control business is safety — not only the safety of the on-site crew, but also the drivers, passengers, the residents of the building, neighbors, and any animals not targeted in the pest control job. The industry is obligated to follow certain requirements pertaining to the safe use, storage, and transport of pest control chemicals, as well as equipment requirements that ensure employees’ physical safety.
When choosing or upfitting a van for your pest control business, consider the kinds of equipment you’ll be transporting:
- Spray rigs
- Pesticide or bait spreaders
- Hoses and coilers
- Fumigation tents
- Dusters
- Generators
- Heaters
- Bait guns and other baiting tools
- Traps
- Partitions
- Chemicals
- Biohazard containers
- Cleaning agents
- Flashlights
- Ladders
- Shovels
- Dehumidifiers
- Fencing
- Vacuums
- Power tools like screw guns, drills, electric saws, etc.
- General hardware and hand tools like batteries, headlamps, hammers, extension cords, etc.
- Safety equipment and PPE, including masks, respirators, gloves, coveralls, hard hats, glasses/goggles, spill kits, First-Aid kits, etc.
Of course, depending on your speciality, your pest control equipment list may look slightly different. If you mostly specialize in residential infestations, you may carry a much smaller equipment load than if you frequently handle large commercial jobs.
Key Considerations for Pest Control Vehicle Setup
Pest control jobs can be unpredictable. One day, you may be relocating a family of groundhogs from a customer’s backyard; another day, you might be fumigating an entire hotel for bed bugs. You’ll need to take all eventualities into account when upfitting your vehicle.
Your primary focus should be on:
- Space: How much storage capacity do you need for all your necessary equipment? Will a pickup truck with a bed cover be sufficient, or will a cargo van or box truck better suit your needs?
- Equipment: Along with the size of your equipment, you’ll also need to consider the nature of your cargo. Tools, rigs, ladders, generators, and traps all take up space, while pest control chemicals may be hazardous, temperature-sensitive, or volatile. The possibility of transporting live cargo adds yet another dimension to your vehicle setup.
- Storage compartments: Organization is key when you’re constantly on the move. Your pest control vehicle should have dedicated storage spaces for each type of equipment, sealed chambers for hazardous chemicals, and secure enclosures for the humane transport of wildlife.
- Towing capabilities: More heavy-duty equipment like spraying rigs may require its own trailer, so your vehicle’s towing capacity should be a top consideration.
Pest Control Van & Truck Setup Ideas
The following are some general guidelines for setting up your pest control vehicle layout to maximize space and safety.
- Make safety equipment easily accessible.
Safety equipment and accessories like PPE, respirators, and hand tools should be stored in a secure location that still provides quick access.
- Prioritize organization.
Install organizing systems like shelving, drawers, partitions, and tool chests so everything has its place and you don’t lose track of your equipment. Staying organized is especially important when keeping passengers and tools safe from hazardous materials.
- Store equipment based on frequency of use.
If you know that you use, say, your rodent traps more often than your fumigation tent, organize your vehicle storage so the everyday tools are more easily accessible than the once-in-a-while equipment. If you do need compartments for wildlife transport, keep your tools in a place where you don’t disturb or come in contact with the animal.
- Branding and decals are always a savvy marketing strategy.
Don’t forget the outside of your vehicle! Bold vehicle wraps featuring your business’ name, logo, and contact information can act as passive lead generation.
Benefits of an Organized Pest Control Vehicle
Keeping your pest control van or truck organized is beneficial for a multitude reasons:
- Organizational systems allow you to maximize space.
- It’s easier access to tools and equipment, since you know where everything is located in your vehicle.
- Organization promotes safety, both in terms of transporting hazardous materials and keeping safety equipment accessible.
- You can keep dangerous or valuable cargo securely locked away in a designated area.
- You know exactly what you have and where it’s located, which saves time and increases efficiency on the job site.
- An organized operation gives customers a good first impression, since it conveys professionalism and competence.
Essential Upfit Equipment for Pest Control Vehicles
To accommodate all of the equipment mentioned above, there are a handful of typical upfits for pest control vehicles that support easy storage and access:
- Ladder racks
- Tank racks
- Hose reel
- Anti-slip flooring
- Ramps
- Roof vents
- Roof rack
- Permanent shelving
- Fold-away shelving
- Additional seats
- Partitions
- Drawer units
- Toolboxes
- Trailer hitch
- Vehicle wrap
Depending on your specific business needs, you may consider additional commercial vehicle upfit options.
Best Vehicles for Pest Control
The size, specializations, and geographic range of your business will likely influence the type of vehicle you choose, but there are several models that are frequently used in commercial pest control:
- Ford Transit
A classic utility vehicle used in countless industries, this cargo van is versatile and fully customizable. The cargo space is a blank canvas that can be upfitted to suit your business needs. The Transit also boasts an impressive towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs.
- Chevrolet Express Cutaway
This box-style truck handles like a passenger vehicle while providing commercial storage capacity. The option to remove the cargo container lightens the load and reduces gas consumption when equipment transport isn’t necessary.
Why Merchants?
As the largest supplier of pre-owned commercial vehicles in the country, Merchants Commercial stocks a wide variety of vans and trucks ideal for your pest control business. Not only can we provide competitive pricing, but we offer nationwide delivery and a money-back guarantee. We can even handle any commercial upfitting needs by connecting you to a trusted vendor and acting as your single point of contact for the entire upfit process.
Looking for a reliable van or truck that can accommodate all your pest control equipment? Contact Merchants today to see what we recommend.
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