From the category archives:

Tales from the route

Thumbnail image for The worst roach job I’ve ever seen Part two The Matrix Reloaded

The worst roach job I’ve ever seen Part two The Matrix Reloaded

In most of pest control work the thrill of the hunt is one of the most satisfying aspects. Finding clues that no one else can see and tracing down your prey to kill it is most gratifying. Through that archway I was sure there’d be no thrill on this day. If you just clicked into [...]

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Thumbnail image for The worst roach infestation I’ve ever seen Part one The Matrix

The worst roach infestation I’ve ever seen Part one The Matrix

I love talking to the old veterans of pest control and hearing their stories of horrific infestations that would make even Stephen King shudder. Roaches so bad that snow shovels were used to scoop them up after the service was done, rats and mice so thick that mattresses housed dozens and went flat once they [...]

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Thumbnail image for I always have great Decembers even without the numbers

I always have great Decembers even without the numbers

Don’t know what it is, my believing, dumb luck or the aligning of the stars but I always have my best months in December. While you might think I’m speaking strictly of numbers you’re only partially right. In pest control everything is numbers and you gauge days, months and years against one another and somehow [...]

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Thumbnail image for Silent signs of pest control

Silent signs of pest control

It’s just another day on my very busy route and I make my way across town to a very large high rise apartment complex. There’s really nothing unique (well almost nothing) about the building itself and the roaches and mice scurry in between the walls back and forth just as they do in any of [...]

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The picture perfect day and your comments

I thought I’d try something different and see how it went. Each day is an adventure for me and that is the main reason I love my job. The following is a pictorial view of my day and rather than my comments on the situation I’d like to hear yours. I may add the situation [...]

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Thumbnail image for The secret sex tapes of an exterminator

The secret sex tapes of an exterminator

I’ve always tried to lead a quiet an honest life but I am human and prone to mistakes just like anyone else. I’d like to think of my readers as a faithful family, there to pick me up when I fall short and always willing to hear me out before they come to judgement. In [...]

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Thumbnail image for The tech behind the suit

The tech behind the suit

My new found career should have been a great advancement for me and I was indeed happy to be promoted but there were many times I wished I could go back to what I loved doing best and that was being a pest control tech. This is a continuation of an earlier article and you’ll [...]

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Thumbnail image for My national debut and debacle

My national debut and debacle

This is the final installment of my little series on the subject of my commercial sales career. (or lack thereof) For me this period of time marked some very low years and I had thought of changing careers entirely on more than one occasion. My resume by now looked like a million bucks so I [...]

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Thumbnail image for Disappointment, betrayal & my spiral to obscurity

Disappointment, betrayal & my spiral to obscurity

So I made the jumps from lowly residential tech all the way up to National accounts representative and traded in my beloved system III for a suit and tie. This didn’t happen all overnight of course and I certainly felt like I paid my dues but why did I not feel like a man who [...]

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Thumbnail image for My 25th Anniversary With My Wife & Mrs. Adams

My 25th Anniversary With My Wife & Mrs. Adams

It’s hard to imagine that I’ve been doing anything for 25 years but in a little less than a month I’ll hit that wonderful milestone with the greatest woman God has put on this earth. About the same time, I’ll have another anniversary pass that brings back fond memories and is just one more reason [...]

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Thumbnail image for My time behind bars and what I learned about pest control

My time behind bars and what I learned about pest control

Looking up over the 16 foot wall with the razor wire glimmering in the sun you see the clouds floating by and the birds who freely go back and forth. Taunting you they flit with ease right over your rampart that holds you in and chirp with a gleeful refrain. It’s different inside these walls, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Wednesday morning hot dogs and the dark abyss part 2

Wednesday morning hot dogs and the dark abyss part 2

Oh 3:30 comes early but on this day all to soon and I just want to roll over and keep my hand on the snooze button and hold it until dinner time. This is the day that no matter how I prepare my mind or think happy thoughts I know I’ll be faced with bubbling [...]

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Thumbnail image for Wednesday morning hot dogs & the dark abyss part 1

Wednesday morning hot dogs & the dark abyss part 1

It’s Wednesday again and I’m off to my weekly visit to a once massive meat processing facility that through the years has dwindled down its services to just manufacturing hot dogs. It’s 5:15 am and bitterly cold outside as I reach into my tool box and pull out the only chemical I’m allowed to use [...]

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Thumbnail image for What the market will bear and the bug guy couldn’t

What the market will bear and the bug guy couldn’t

I’ve worn a bunch of different hats over the years. Some were really fancy sounding and looked great on a business card. I used to get looks at meetings from others who remembered me as just a tech and I can only guess what they were thinking. I am proud of those accomplishments but out [...]

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Thumbnail image for Run of “The Mill” pest control final thoughts

Run of “The Mill” pest control final thoughts

Sometimes in the middle of a big job you just don’t realize how much energy you’ve expended until you get a tiny break in the action and you wish more than anything you could sit for a minute and recoup a bit. I didn’t have that luxury as we headed towards the bank of the [...]

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