Are you tired of emergency pest control calls disrupting your Seattle business? Switching from reactive “call when we see pests” to proactive monthly pest control programs saves Seattle businesses an average of 40% annually while preventing the health code violations, customer complaints, and operational disruptions that reactive pest control invites.
AMPM Exterminators has provided preventative commercial pest control programs for Seattle and King County businesses since 2005. This page explains our monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly service contracts, what each includes, and how to choose the right program for your business type and pest pressure.
Call (206) 571 7580 for a free consultation on which program fits your Seattle business.
Most Seattle businesses that call us for emergency pest control are paying 2 to 3x more annually than businesses on preventative service contracts. Here’s why:
Reactive Emergency Service Model:
January: Rodent emergency call - $450
March: Ant infestation - $275
July: Wasp nest - $225
September: Rodent call again - $450
December: Cockroach sighting - $375
Total Annual Cost: $1,775
Result: Business constantly firefighting pest problemsProactive Monthly Service Contract:
12 monthly visits at $95 each = $1,140 annually
Includes: Preventative treatments, monitoring,
documentation, priority emergency response
Total Annual Cost: $1,140
Savings: $635 (36% less than reactive approach)
Result: Pests prevented before they become problemsThe real savings extend beyond direct costs:
Best for:
What’s included:
Typical monthly investment:
Real Seattle example: Capitol Hill restaurant switched from emergency-only service (costing $2,100 in 2023) to monthly program at $245/month ($2,940 annually). First year they had zero health department violations (previous year had two totaling $1,500 in fines), avoided one emergency weekend call that would have been $500, and received positive customer service feedback up 15% when “cleanliness” mentions increased on Yelp reviews. Real ROI including avoided fines: $1,060 first year.
Best for:
What’s included:
Typical bimonthly investment:
Cost comparison: 6 visits × $225 average = $1,350 annually vs. Emergency service averaging $2,000 annually
Real Seattle example: Bellevue office building (12,000 sq ft) was calling for service 3 to 4 times per year spending $900 to 1,200 annually but constantly dealing with tenant complaints about ants in summer. Switched to bi-monthly program at $325 per visit ($1,950 annually). Pest complaints dropped from 8 to 10 per year to 1 to 2, tenant retention improved (property manager’s feedback), and comprehensive documentation satisfied commercial lease requirements for first time.
Best for:
What’s included:
Typical quarterly investment:
When quarterly programs fail: Quarterly service works only for truly low-pressure situations. If you’re experiencing visible pest activity monthly, quarterly service becomes expensive emergency response rather than prevention. We’ll tell you honestly if your facility needs more frequent service rather than selling inadequate coverage.
Perimeter Treatment:
Why exterior matters: Pest control begins outside. Treating only interior means constantly fighting pests that keep entering. Perimeter treatment creates a barrier intercepting pests before they reach your building.
Interior Inspection:
Interior Treatment:
Why monitoring matters: Professional monitoring catches problems at first sign 2 to 3 rodent droppings near a dock door, 5 to 6 ants along a baseboard, a single cockroach in a floor drain. Catching pests at this level prevents the hundreds or thousands you’d be treating later.
Each service visit generates comprehensive documentation including:
Service Report Details:
Why documentation matters:
For restaurants: Health inspectors often request pest control records. Our reports demonstrate due diligence and active pest management program.
For warehouses: Customer audits (especially food distribution) require pest control documentation. Our reports satisfy third-party audit requirements.
For property managers: Tenant complaints often involve pests. Documentation proves you’re actively managing the building, not ignoring tenant concerns.
For insurance: Pest related insurance claims often require proof of professional pest management. Our documentation supports your claims.
Do you have active health department oversight?
├─ YES → Monthly program required
└─ NO → Ask: Do you handle/serve food?
├─ YES → Monthly program strongly recommended
└─ NO → Continue to next question
Have you failed a health inspection for pests in last 2 years?
├─ YES → Monthly program required
└─ NO → Continue
Do customers see food prep areas (open kitchen)?
├─ YES → Monthly recommended (customer perception)
└─ NO → Bimonthly possible if pest pressure is low
Is your facility in older Seattle building (pre 1990)?
├─ YES → Monthly recommended (older buildings lead to more pest pressure)
└─ NO → Bimonthly possible
RECOMMENDATION:
Monthly program for all restaurants unless you're
extremely low risk (new building, minimal food prep,
low customer visibility, zero pest history)Do you store food products or pet food?
├─ YES → Monthly or bimonthly depending on volume
└─ NO → Continue
Do customers audit your facility for pest control?
├─ YES → Monthly program (provides documentation)
└─ NO → Continue
Is your facility in South King County (Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way)?
├─ YES → Bimonthly minimum (high rodent pressure from Green River valley)
└─ NO → Continue
Do you see rodent activity more than once per quarter?
├─ YES → Bimonthly program required
└─ NO → Quarterly possible if truly low pressure
Building age?
├─ Pre-1990 → Bimonthly (more entry points, older construction)
└─ Post-1990 → Quarterly possible if conditions are favorable
RECOMMENDATION:
Start with bimonthly. If six months pass with
zero pest activity, discuss moving to quarterly.Do you have employee break rooms with kitchens?
├─ YES → Higher risk, bimonthly recommended
└─ NO → Lower risk, quarterly possible
Building age and location?
├─ Downtown Seattle/Belltown/Capitol Hill → Bimonthly (urban pest pressure)
├─ Eastside newer building → Quarterly possible
└─ Older building near water → Bimonthly minimum
Have you had pest complaints from tenants in last year?
├─ YES → Bi-monthly until resolved, then consider quarterly
└─ NO → Quarterly acceptable if truly low pressure
Number of floors?
├─ 1-2 floors → Quarterly possible
├─ 3-5 floors → Bimonthly recommended
└─ 6+ floors → Bimonthly or monthly (vertical pest movement is harder to control)
RECOMMENDATION:
Quarterly works only for truly low risk office
buildings. Most Seattle offices should start
with bimonthly and reassess after one year.Initial term: Most contracts are 12 month agreements with automatic renewal. This ensures consistent pricing and service scheduling for your budget planning.
Payment options:
Cancellation terms: 30 day written notice required. No penalty for cancellation after initial 12 month term. If facility is sold or business closes, contract transfers to new owner or terminates without penalty.
Price protection: Contracted rate locked for 12 months. Annual increases typically 3 to 5% to match inflation and wage increases. You’re notified 60 days before any price change.
Included emergency service: Most contracts include 1 to 2 emergency service calls per year at no additional charge. Additional emergency calls billed at preferred contract rate (typically 20 to 30% less than standard emergency pricing).
Multilocation accounts: Manage 3+ Seattle locations? We provide:
Seasonal businesses: Closed during Seattle’s slow season? We offer:
Construction and remodeling: Major renovation affecting service access? We offer:
Yes. After your initial 12 month contract, we reassess your facility’s actual pest pressure. If monitoring data shows consistently zero activity for 6+ months, we’ll honestly recommend reducing service frequency to save you money. We’d rather have a longterm client on the right program than oversell monthly service where quarterly would work.
We contact you 24 to 48 hours before every scheduled visit to confirm access. If you need to reschedule, we accommodate within the same week typically. Missed visits without notice don’t extend your contract if you’re on a monthly program and miss July, August’s service still occurs as scheduled. Consistent service is what prevents pest problems.
No. Service contracts cover the commercial facility. If an employee brings bed bugs from their home or reports ants in their personal vehicle, those are not covered under your commercial agreement. We can provide employee education on preventing personal pest issues but cannot treat personal property under a commercial contract.
Yes. Multi-location contracts adjust as your business changes. Adding a location typically starts a separate 12 month term for that new facility. Closing a location terminates service for that address without penalty. Your other locations continue under the original contract terms.
The pest control contract either transfers to the new owner or terminates without penalty depending on the sale terms. Most commercial property sales include transferring existing service contracts because buyers want continuous pest management during the ownership transition. We’ll work with both parties to ensure seamless transition.
Yes but at higher per-visit pricing. Month to month service typically costs 15-25% more per visit because we can’t guarantee schedule consistency or volume planning. Most businesses find the 12 month contract saves more than enough to justify the commitment.
Request your last 12 months of pest control invoices and service reports. Add up total cost including emergency calls. Compare that to our monthly program pricing. Also review documentation quality are you getting detailed reports or just generic service tickets? Many Seattle businesses are surprised to find they’re paying more for reactive emergency service than they’d pay for comprehensive preventative programs.
For some industries, yes. Seasonal businesses (some restaurants, seasonal retail, outdoor venues) can reduce service frequency during closed months. We typically recommend maintaining quarterly service even when closed because pests don’t pause abandoned buildings often experience worse infestations than occupied ones. But we can customize programs for genuine seasonal operations.
We adjust. If you start on quarterly service and we’re responding to emergency calls between scheduled visits, we’ll honestly recommend increasing to bi-monthly or monthly. You’re not locked into inadequate service that costs more in emergency calls than a proper program would cost.
Yes. For commercial properties with separate ownership and management, we can coordinate with both. Invoicing can go to ownership while service coordination happens with on-site management. We adapt to your organizational structure rather than forcing you into our billing system.
Ready to stop fighting pest emergencies and start preventing pest problems?
AMPM Exterminators provides free commercial facility assessments and written program proposals for Seattle and King County businesses.
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