Pest Control Takeoff Software: Measure, Diagram, Bid
TL;DR Pest control takeoff software measures a property before you bid: linear feet of foundation for termite work, square feet for perimeter, lawn, and mosquito programs, and station counts for baiting. Briostack and Deep Lawn measure from satellite images; PestPac, GorillaDesk, and Fieldwork diagram jobs. Google Earth Pro measures free.
Pest control takeoff software measures a property and turns those measurements into a bid: linear feet of foundation for a termite trench, square feet of turf or structure for a perimeter or mosquito program, and a diagram that shows where every bait station or treated zone sits. Done by hand with a measuring wheel and graph paper, a takeoff costs a site visit and an evening. Done from satellite imagery or a tablet sketch, it can happen before you leave the office.
This guide explains what a pest takeoff is, which measurements drive price, which tools actually do the measuring, and a worked example from foundation length to finished-dilution volume. For the pricing side once you have the numbers, see our pest control estimating software guide.
What is a takeoff in pest control?
A takeoff in pest control is the set of measurements taken from a property before quoting: foundation perimeter in linear feet, slab and structure area in square feet, treatable lawn or bed area, and counts such as bait stations or entry points. The bid multiplies those quantities by labor and material rates, so a wrong measurement becomes a wrong price.
Construction estimators use the word for counting materials off blueprints. Pest operators rarely have blueprints, which is why the measuring step happens from the curb, from aerial imagery, or in the crawlspace. The output is the same: quantities, a drawing, and a number the customer signs.
Which measurements drive a pest control bid?
Three measurements drive most pest control bids: linear feet of foundation for termite liquid treatments and exclusion, square feet of structure or lot for general pest, lawn, and mosquito programs, and station or device counts for baiting and rodent programs. Depth to footing also matters for termite work because label rates scale by depth.
| Service | Quantity that sets the price | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid termite treatment | Linear feet of foundation, depth to footing | Perimeter measurement plus crawlspace or slab inspection |
| Termite bait system | Number of stations | Perimeter divided by station spacing on the label |
| General pest perimeter | Structure footprint or linear feet | Aerial measurement or walk-around |
| Mosquito or lawn program | Treatable square feet | Lot area minus structures and hardscape |
| Rodent or wildlife exclusion | Linear feet of gaps, number of entry points | On-site inspection, photos |
How does a termite takeoff become gallons and price?
A termite takeoff becomes gallons by multiplying linear feet by the label rate and depth. The Termidor SC label (EPA Reg. No. 7969-210) directs vertical crawlspace treatments at 4 gallons of finished dilution per 10 linear feet per foot of depth, from grade to the top of the footing, with a 4-foot minimum when footings are deeper.
Here is a worked example. The numbers are illustrative; always read the label of the product you use, because rates and minimum volumes differ by product and treatment type.
- Measure the perimeter. A 40 by 60 foot rectangular house has 200 linear feet of foundation.
- Measure depth. The crawlspace footing sits 2 feet below grade.
- Apply the rate. 200 linear feet / 10 x 4 gallons x 2 feet of depth = 160 gallons of finished dilution.
- Price it. Add product cost for 160 gallons at your mix rate, labor hours for trenching and rodding that length, drive time, and the warranty you will carry.
Get the perimeter wrong by 30 feet and the volume is off by 24 gallons. That is the whole case for measuring carefully.
What do states require you to diagram?
Some states require a diagram of the treated structure, and the requirement often includes the measurements themselves. Georgia's Structural Pest Control Rule 620-6-.04 requires a graph for each pre-construction application showing treated areas, linear footage, total square footage, and the volume applied to each area.
The same Georgia rule requires a reasonable depiction of the structure with the approximate location of every bait or monitoring station, kept for two years past the contract's expiration. If you work there, the takeoff and the compliance record are the same drawing, so a tool that stores both saves a step.
For real estate work, the NPMA-33 wood destroying insect report does not contain a required diagram section. NPMA's guidelines for completing the form say Section V attachments may include documentation of previous treatment, photographs, or diagrams. A clear sketch still helps the buyer and protects you. Our wood destroying insect report guide covers the rest of that form.
Which software measures and diagrams pest control jobs?
Several tools measure or diagram pest control jobs, and they split into two groups: aerial measuring tools that calculate area or perimeter from satellite imagery, and diagram tools inside pest control field software. Few products do both well, so many shops pair a free measuring tool with the sketch feature in their field software.
| Tool | Measures | Diagrams | Notes from the vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Briostack | Square footage from satellite images | Yes, annotated | Techs mark bait station locations and job notes |
| PestPac (WorkWave) | Not confirmed | Yes, attach diagrams and graphs | WDI and NPMA-33 completed in the field |
| GorillaDesk | Not mentioned | Yes, in the app | Draw crawlspaces, foundations, infestation zones, drill points |
| Fieldwork | Not mentioned | Yes: box, line, freehand, notes | Mark termite damage or trap locations |
| Deep Lawn | Lawn, lot, and buildings by AI | Not mentioned | Aimed at lawn and pest companies, with online quoting |
| Aspire PropertyIntel (formerly Go iLawn) | AI measurements | Not mentioned | Built for landscaping; pest use is a stretch |
| Google Earth Pro | Distance, path, polygon area | No (measuring only) | Free; measure the roofline, then adjust to foundation |
Vendor feature lists change, and the table reflects each vendor's own pages as of 2026-10-09. Confirm in a demo before you buy.
How do you run a takeoff without dedicated software?
You can run a reliable takeoff with free tools: measure the footprint in Google Earth Pro, confirm one wall with a measuring wheel on site, sketch the structure on a tablet, and record the numbers on the job. The on-site check matters because roof overhangs make aerial perimeters longer than the foundation.
A simple routine that holds up:
- Before the visit. Draw a polygon around the structure in Google Earth Pro and note the perimeter and area. Subtract for overhang where eaves are deep.
- On site. Wheel one long wall and one short wall. If both match the aerial within a few feet, trust the rest.
- Record it. Note foundation type (slab, crawlspace, basement), depth to footing, and conducive conditions such as wood-to-soil contact or moisture.
- Mark it up. Photograph each problem area and annotate the photo with circles and arrows so the office and the customer see the same thing.
PestPro does not measure properties or draw scaled diagrams. It covers what happens around the takeoff: inspection checklists for foundation, wood-to-soil contact, mud tubes, and moisture; photo annotation; chemical logs with EPA registration numbers; customer signatures; and a PDF report. It is free on iPhone, iPad, and Android. Download PestPro on the App Store or get it on Google Play.
How should you choose pest control takeoff software?
Choose takeoff software by the work you bid most. Termite-heavy shops need linear feet, depth, and a diagram that satisfies their state; lawn and mosquito programs need accurate square footage and fast online quotes; general pest shops can often get by with aerial measurement and a photo-based inspection record.
Questions to ask in every demo:
- Does it measure linear feet, square feet, or both, and from what imagery?
- Can a technician edit the diagram on site, offline?
- Does the diagram attach to the job record and the customer's report?
- Does the measurement feed the estimate, or do you retype it?
- Can you export diagrams for state audits or real estate closings?
What related articles should you read?
- Pest Control Estimating Software: Complete Pricing Guide
- Wood Destroying Insect Report: Complete Accuracy Guide
- Pest Control Inspection Checklist: Complete Field Template
- Pest Control Business Plan: Template and 8 Sections
- Best Pest Control Software (2026): 7 Tools Compared
What are the sources for this guide?
- Termidor SC label, EPA Reg. No. 7969-210 (EPA-stamped 2017-04-10)
- Georgia Structural Pest Control Rule 620-6-.04 (2018 amendment)
- NPMA: Suggested guidelines for completing the NPMA-33 (2019)
- Google Earth Help: Measure distance and elevation (accessed 2026-10-09)
- Vendor pages linked in the comparison table (accessed 2026-10-09)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a takeoff in pest control?
A takeoff is the set of measurements taken before quoting a pest control job: foundation perimeter in linear feet, structure and lot area in square feet, depth to footing, and counts of bait stations or entry points. The bid multiplies those quantities by labor and material rates, so measurement errors become pricing errors.
How many gallons of termiticide does a termite treatment need?
It depends on the product label. The Termidor SC label directs vertical crawlspace treatments at 4 gallons of finished dilution per 10 linear feet per foot of depth. A 200-foot perimeter with footings 2 feet deep would need 160 gallons. Always read the label for the product you apply.
Does the NPMA-33 form require a diagram?
No. The NPMA-33 wood destroying insect report has no required diagram section. NPMA's completion guidelines say Section V attachments may include previous treatment records, photographs, or diagrams. Some states require diagrams for treatments, such as Georgia's graph rule for pre-construction termite applications, so check your state regulations.
Can I measure a house for a pest control bid for free?
Yes. Google Earth Pro has a ruler with line, path, and polygon tools that report distance and area. Trace the structure, note perimeter and area, then confirm one long wall and one short wall on site, because roof overhangs make aerial perimeters longer than the actual foundation.
Does PestPro measure properties or draw diagrams?
No. PestPro does not measure properties or draw scaled diagrams. It handles the inspection record around the takeoff: custom checklists, annotated photos, chemical logs with EPA registration numbers, customer signatures, and PDF service reports. It is free on iPhone, iPad, Android, and the web, and pairs well with a free measuring tool.