Average homeowner finds bugs and pests five times per week

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU COME ACROSS AN UNWANTED BUG? ONE IN 10 AMERICANS WILL SQUISH IT, REGARDLESS OF IF THE ENCOUNTER IS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THEIR HOME.

MORE SPECIFICALLY, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY OF 2,000 HOMEOWNERS OR RENTERS, 43% WILL TAKE LETHAL ACTION IF THE BUG OR PEST IS INSIDE THEIR HOME AND 32% WILL DO THE SAME OUTSIDE.

CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF TRUGREEN, THE SURVEY REVEALED THAT THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER ENCOUNTERS A BUG OR PEST ABOUT FIVE TERMS PER WEEK, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THEIR HOME.

STILL, 22% WOULD RATHER CALL IN A PROFESSIONAL OR GET SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THEIR DIRTY WORK AND 12% FEEL IT IS THEIR DUTY TO RELEASE THE BUGS BACK TO NATURE.

BUT WHEN THEY STEP OUTSIDE, 19% ARE LIKELY TO IGNORE THE BUG ENTIRELY OR EVEN DO SOME RESEARCH ON WHAT TYPE IT IS (18%).

REGARDLESS, MORE THAN HALF OF RESPONDENTS (56%) BASE THEIR DECISION ENTIRELY ON WHAT THE BUG OR PEST LOOKS LIKE.

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 American homeowners/renters with a yard/lawn was commissioned by TruGreen between August 11 and August 14, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).