Category Archives: The Business Of Pest Control

The how to of a pest control business.

What If I Could Start My Pest Business Over Again? I’d Be Just Like You

I often think what it might be like if I could nix what I have and just begin again. I have many ideas of how a perfect business should be and in all honesty, mine is far from it. Now … Continue reading

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5 Rookie Mistakes & Why Your New Hire Needs To Be Like Brett Favre

Football Question; Who caught Green Bay Packers long time quarterback Brett Favre’s first NFL pass? I’ll provide the answer at the end of the article which may surprise you-but in the meantime, let’s talk about rookies. In professional sports we … Continue reading

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I Wish I Had All My Cancelations Back

Have you ever had the thought? – “man, if only I never had a cancelation- just think how big my route would be.” Most companies keep a canceled file. I worked for one where 5 or 6 ceiling high cabinets … Continue reading

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If You Had Three Wishes In Your Pest Control Business- What Would They Be?

Last inspection of the day and it couldn’t end quicker for Jim. Don’t get me wrong-Jim’s thankful for the business. He’s been on a roll as of late and it looks like his 7 years of hard work is finally … Continue reading

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Are single operator companies worth PCT’s & PMP’s & the Guru’s time. (an open letter)

One bug a boo of mine is that none of the ‘how to grow’ books, magazine articles or guru’s at speaking conferences really ever reach out to help the small company–the single operator. Now they say they do and their … Continue reading

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Did You Choose Pest Control or did Pest Control Choose You?

There’s something about a person who’s “career” is in pest control. Specifically a tech. I’m often asked how I became a bug guy or hear stories of others and not one has ever been ‘born’ into it or knew from … Continue reading

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The Transfer Effect That Has Nothing To Do With Termidor

Do you remember when Termidor first came out? What an awesome product — but back then I hardly ran into anyone who knew exactly how it worked, what it did to the bug. Sure it killed em but in what … Continue reading

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Old Termite Techs Never Die-They Just Get Replaced By A Pipe Dream

I had no idea about the Florida heat when I moved here back in 1990. Relentless and oppressing isn’t even the strongest way I could describe it. To add to my misery, my new company that was so happy to … Continue reading

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The Trail That Was Blazed By A Good Ol Country Boy

I used to dream of the day when I’d have a full route. All my problems would be solved if I could just fill up that daily sheet with names and addresses. So I worked and scratched and clawed trying … Continue reading

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Everybody Has A Special Deal With Jerry

I guess I’m not a very good business man. I mean if you compare me & the stereotypical tycoon type that is described in all the guru books, I fit NONE of the definitions. I might shave twice in one … Continue reading

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Networking On The Fly

Part of ANY successful business strategy HAS to include networking. This is especially true of small business and even more specifically-the mom & pop or one man operations. Having said this, I can’t tell you how many ‘rolled eyed looks, … Continue reading

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Odd Observations Of My Pest Control Company In 2013

I was on Facebook the other day and an owner I friended /followed of a large pest control company put out a tweet. Or is that a poke, or a like, or just a status update? I don’t know, I … Continue reading

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Is There Really Such A Thing As A Pest Control Price Increase?

This year my company went through the ‘pains’ of a price increase. We don’t do it nearly as often as “the experts” say to do it but honestly, more than I’d like to. I hate raising prices or let me … Continue reading

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Difficult People & Their Criticism On your Pest Control Route

Two realities; #1. I’m not a psychologist or anything close enough to give me authority in this field. That said, I’ve been dealing with (and you as well if you’ve done pest control for any length of time) difficult people … Continue reading

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The Living Eulogy Of A Single Operator Whose Taken The Next Step

As the truck rounds the corner a wave of familiarity gently flows across his mind. It’s been 10 years since he’s been on this street. Ten years. Although he doesn’t see the old broken down basketball hoop precariously anchored to … Continue reading

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