Bug Bux Podcast

Building a strong team dynamic based on trust and support is essential for the success of your pest control company. Today Eric and Jake welcome Billy and Taylor Wright, owners of Zona Pest Solutions. Billy and Taylor highlight the importance of early hiring to drive growth for their business. By bringing on a new employee, they were able to focus on growing the business, acquiring new accounts, a...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake have the pleasure of interviewing Scarlett Nolan, the president of Truly Nolan of America. Scarlett discusses the significance of intentional culture in companies, emphasizing the need for proactive discussions and actions to shape a positive work environment. Scarlett also talks about the challenges and benefits of working in a family business, highlighting...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake have the pleasure of welcoming back Cameron Bawden a serial entrepreneur and the owner of Hype Farm Premium Home Services, which oversees several successful brands including Green Mango Pest Control. Cameron shares valuable insights on how he has significantly improved his company's profit margins and strengthened its culture. In addition, Cameron discus...

EpIn today's special Memorial Day episode, Eric and Jake welcome Matt Thompson, owner and CEO of BugPro Pest Control. Matt shares his inspiring journey from being an Airborne Ranger in the United States Army to unexpectedly finding a fulfilling career in pest control. His military background not only instilled a strong sense of discipline and integrity but also deeply influenced his business...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of welcoming back Colton Gonzalez and Eric Salgado with Firehouse Pest Control. These returning guests shared valuable insights into their journey from firefighting to pest control, emphasizing the importance of integrity and customer service in their business model. In addition, by establishing a system where technicians were incentivized fo...

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can be used to build connections and trust with customers, clients, and employees. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Shane Mantz, the regional operations manager at Magna Pest Solutions. Shane discusses the importance of creating a strong brand identity based on core values. In addition, by understanding what is important to you as an individual or...

In today’s episode, Eric and Jake welcome Dennis Kuchta, founder and CEO of Wise House Environmental Services in South Florida. Dennis sheds light on the struggles many business owners encounter in attracting individuals with a strong work ethic and commitment to their roles. He also expresses his concerns about not wanting to sacrifice customer care for rapid growth, as he values his clients and...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of speaking with the dynamic husband and wife duo, Rian and Noelle Goins, owners of Get Goins Pest Control in Los Angeles. They share their incredible journey from inheriting a small client list to building a thriving business through the power of social media and referrals. The Goins couple is not only making waves in the pest control indust...

Building a pest control company should align with personal goals, not just financial gain. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Casey Jones, owner of Hydra Pest Control. Casey emphasizes the importance of starting a business with the end goal in mind and focusing on creating a company that aligns with personal values and long-term goals. He shares the journey that led him from various in...

From door-to-door sales to owning a pest control company, this story is one of hard work and determination! In today's episode, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of chatting with Degen Perry, owner of Black Pearl Pest Control. Degen shares his journey from considering a career in dentistry to becoming a pest control owner during the uncertain times of 2020. Degen discusses the advantages of offe...

Leadership, empathy, and inspiring team growth are essential elements in building a successful pest control company. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Shad Teerlink, CEO of Evolve Pest Control. Shad shares his experience of establishing and expanding Evolve Pest Control, highlighting the necessity of ongoing evaluation and improvement in both leadership and operations.  Topics include...

In today’s episode, Eric and Jake play a fun, thought-provoking game of "Would You Rather.” They debated various scenarios, such as: Focusing on customer retention vs. acquisition, saying out of debt vs. leveraging growth debt, hiring experienced technicians vs. training newbies and so much more! Topics Include:  Introduction (0:00)  Would You Rather Game: Pest Control Edition (3:41) Retentio...

Eric and Jake kicked off today’s episode discussing the importance of having a customer agreement, which outlines the services provided, payment details, and other legal protections. They answer a question posted in the Bug Bux Facebook group by Jordan Wheeler. The question is “I've seen more D2D companies doing 18-24 month agreements. What is your general pest agreement length?” Topics inclu...

Pest control owners need to carefully allocate their marketing budgets to ensure they are maximizing their return on investment and driving revenue growth. In today's episode, Eric and Jake have pleasure of hosting Mat Rogers, the COO of Lizard SEM, for his seventh appearance on the show. Mat shares invaluable insights into the world of digital marketing for pest control companies, emphasizin...

AI technology in pest control has the potential to revolutionize the industry by enhancing efficiency and improving customer interactions. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Aaron Cooper, the co-founder and CEO of SameDay. SameDay's Artificial Intelligence will answer the phone and book appointments, just like your best sales person. Aaron discusses how AI can efficiently handle c...

Networking and connecting with industry professionals can be a game-changer for your pest control company. This week, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of chatting with Kevin Reif, an inspiring entrepreneur who shares his journey from door-to-door sales to launching his own pest control company, Reif Environmental. Kevin also shares insights into how he developed a brand that conveys trust and profes...

In today’s episode, Eric and Jake welcome Jonas Olson the CEO of Turf Badger and host of the Pest Control Millionaire Podcast.  Jonas shares his candid story of starting out in lawn care, transitioning to pest control, and the lessons learned along the way. He emphasized the importance of focusing on one service, mastering it, and then scaling up before adding more services. Topics include: Introd...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Jerry Wickwire and Josh Tonn, co-owners of Freedom Force Pest Control. Before starting their own company in 2021, both co-owners gained valuable experience in the pest control industry. Hear their incredible journey, marketing tactics, and how they built a strong brand.  Topics include: Introduction (0:00) Background of Freedom Force Pest Control (2:2...

Which key considerations should you keep in mind when it comes to choosing your service vehicle? This decision isn't easy and will greatly impact your operation. In today’s episode Eric and Jake Discuss their experience with different vehicles, and they share their top considerations when selecting a service vehicle.  Topics include: Introduction (0.00)  Question posted by Kris Holden in the...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake discuss the importance of hiring your replacement in order to free up your time and focus on the aspects of your pest control business that you truly enjoy.  Tune in to learn how to scale and grow your pest control company while overcoming unexpected challenges.  Topics include: Introduction (0:00)  Question from Matthew Mariscal in the Bug Bux Facebook Group...

Incorporating KPIs into your pest control company is crucial for strategically achieving goals and objectives. In today’s episode, Eric and Jake answer a question posted by Jake Ingledue in the Bug Bux Facebook group. The question is, “If you could only pick 3 KPIs for technicians, what do you feel are the most important?” Eric and Jake dive deep into this topic and they each discuss their top thr...

Confidence is king and success comes from being confident with your business decisions and customer expectations. In today’s episode, Eric and Jake answer several questions posted in the Bug Bux Facebook group.  Topics include: Introduction (0:00) Pest control logistics and customer expectations (3:50) Pest control marketing strategies and customer communication (8:00) Price lock guarantees and th...

In today's episode, host Eric Bassett introduces his new co-host, Jake Claus, who brings 19 years of experience in the pest control industry. Jake is not only Eric's brother-in-law but also the founder and co-owner of Natura Pest Control. Together, they discuss various aspects of the pest control business, including door-to-door sales, technical expertise, operational management, and lea...

The Bug Bux podcast has a few exciting enhancements for 2024! In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss how the podcast has evolved and improved over time, with better content, more relevant topics, and high-quality guests.  Topics include: Introduction (0:00) How the Bug Bux podcast has evolved (2:27) Allan's journey with the podcast (3:23) Sharing ideas and questions in the Bug Bux Fa...

Starting a door-to-door program can be a valuable tool for growing your pest control company, but it also comes with some challenges. In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss the pros, cons, and everything you need to know about launching a high-quality in-house door-to-door program and retaining a positive reputation. Topics include: Introduction (0:00) Launching an in-house door-to-door p...