Orkin Outsmarts Pests with DDB Chicago’s Playful New Campaign

Pests may be clever, but Orkin is proving it’s even smarter with its new national campaign.

Created with longtime partner DDB Chicago, Orkin’s “Pests Are Smart, Orkin Pros Are Smarter” ad shows the real-world cunning of household pests and how the company’s highly trained experts outwit them every time.

The launch comes just in time for peak pest season, when warmer weather sends insects and critters looking for new homes.

 

 

 

 

 

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"With this campaign, we wanted to spotlight just how smart and well-trained our Orkin Pros really are," Orkin USA VP of Marketing Cam Glover explained. 

"So, we mixed real pest facts with a little puppet magic to bring each scenario to life.

The result? A fun, memorable way to show how Orkin delivers serious know-how — and serious peace of mind — to every home and business we serve."

Each spot features handcrafted puppets designed by artists known for their work with Wes Anderson, with voices provided by comedic talents like Brian Huskey, Hugh Scott, and Chris Candy. 

Drawing from genuine entomological research, the initiative spotlights the sneaky, almost human-like behaviors of pests, from cockroaches sneaking sips of beer to backyard mosquitoes on the hunt. 

Armed with over 160 hours of training and scientific know-how, the Orkin Pros are ready to outsmart even the craftiest pests.

"Working closely with Orkin’s team of entomologists allowed us to develop a campaign rooted in scientific accuracy, while bringing a distinct, creative, almost human-like edge to how we portray pests," added Colin Selikow, CCO at DDB Chicago.

Ad agencies often find success when campaigns keep brands top of mind in a crowded, seasonal market like pest control.

It's a balance that combines scientific credibility with imaginative storytelling.

Pests Plot, Orkin Outsmarts

The campaign’s four 15- and 30-second spots bring a fresh, slightly cheeky tone to the niche.

Each pest, while charming on the surface, harbors a clear agenda: finding a way inside.

In "Bar," cockroaches enjoy bottles of beer inside their little tavern, before they're eventually spotted and outsmarted by Orkin Pro.

Meanwhile, "Ashleeeey" shows a horde of mosquitoes swarming a mosquito-killing lamp, refusing to go into the light.

However, they're confronted by the arrival of an Orkin Pro, who deals with them efficiently.

The campaign will run nationwide through September 2025, with heavy media buys planned around the NHL playoffs and championship games.

Alongside TV and CTV, the initiative will extend into digital and social platforms, giving Orkin multiple touchpoints to remind consumers that smart pest control isn’t about luck but about expertise.

By taking an unexpectedly cinematic approach to an everyday nuisance, Orkin shows that pest control can be serious business — and seriously entertaining, too.

Recently, Eckrich launched its own comedic yet nostalgic campaign that "takes you home."