Overview of Pest Control Bond Requirements
Several states require pest control operators to get bonded when they apply for a license. The bonds ensures that pest control operators will abide by the laws that apply to their professions. This way, the bond protects the interest of people who use pest control services.
Pest control bonds provide quick financial compensation to people who have been victims of fraud or unethical business practices, because surety bonds are backed by bonding companies. Bonding companies are responsible if the principal (in this case, pest control operators) of the bond breaks the law or the bonding terms.
Currently, pest control bonds are required in Alabama, Arkansas, California and Tennessee. At Bryant Surety Bonds, we can help you get bonded in any state that requires it.
To find out more about the cost of these bonds and the application process, keep reading the sections below.
Pest Control Bond Cost
The price you pay for your pest control bond will depend on your location and some details about your business. The states that require pest control bonds determine the bond’s penal sum, which refers to the maximum compensation an operator might owe in case of a claim.
The table below contains a breakdown of requirements by state and type of business. The provided premiums are estimations based on the applicant’s credit score.
| State | Bond Type | Surety Bond Amount | Above 700 | Between 650-699 | Between 600-649 | Below 599 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Pest Control Bond | $2,500 | $100 | $100 | $100-$125 | $125-$250 |
| California | Pest Control Bond | $12,500 | $100-$187.5 | $125-$312.5 | $312.5-$625 | $625-$1,250 |
| Arkansas | Pest control bond | $50,000 | $250-$625 | $375-$750 | $1,000-$2,500 | $2,500-$5,000 |
| Tennessee | Pest control bond (bird control, fumigation, general pest and rodent control or wood destroying organisms) | $50,000 (first 3 years) | $250-$625 | $375-$750 | $1,000-$2,500 | $2,500-$5,000 |
| Tennessee | Pest control bond (bird control, fumigation, general pest and rodent control or wood destroying organisms) | $10,000 (after first 3 years) | $100-$150 | $100-$250 | $250-$500 | $500-$1,000 |
| Tennessee | Pest control bond (agricultural, aquatic pest control, soil fumigation, forest pest control, horticultural, pest control consultant, public health mosquito control, weed control, wood preservatives) | $10,000 | $100-$150 | $100-$250 | $250-$500 | $500-$1,000 |
As you can see, pest control operators pay only a fraction of the bond’s total amount. The higher your credit score, the lower the premium. Keep in mind that other factors can also be considered during the underwriting process. Some examples include your business’s age, financials and even your personal experience level.
Find out more with our surety bond cost guide.
Getting Bonded with Bad Credit
Surety bonds companies consider each applicant’s credit score when determining their premium because they consider it to be the best estimate of the risk they undertake.
If your credit score is lower than 650, you’re considered a high-risk applicant and may see a premium as high as 10%. However, some other factors can also make you a high-risk applicant. New businesses with no previous experience, or applicants with no credit history, are also considered high-risk. Their premiums are similar to those of applicants with bad credit.
Bryant Surety Bonds offers a Bad Credit Program which can help 99% of applicants get bonded regardless of their credit situation. Our experts will help you build a strong application so you can lower your costs as much as possible.
Apply for Your Pest Control Bond Today!
You’re just a few minutes away from a free bond quote. All you have to do is submit our one-page online application. The application asks for some basic information about your business. Afterwards, one of our surety agents will be in touch with you over email or phone to give you your personal bond quote.
We’ll do most of the paperwork for you. When you application is finalized, your bond should be issued within two business days.
If you have more questions about the application process, feel free to contact us at 866.450.3412.
Why You Should Avoid Bond Claims
As mentioned in the beginning, pest control bonds ensure that operators comply with relevant requirements and protect clients who may have become victims of fraud. It’s important to fully understand your state’s laws in order to stay out of claims. Applicants with claims may find it harder to get bonded when they submit their next application.
Here are some of the main laws you should be acquainted with, depending on your state of operation:
- Alabama - Chapter 28, Code of Alabama
- Arkansas - Title 17, Subtitle 2, Chapter 37, Subchapter 2, Arkansas Pesticide Control Act
- California - Division 3, Chapter 14, Business and Professions Code
- Tennessee - Tennessee Application of Pesticides Act
