Pest in Class: Expert Voices in Pest Management

What if the systems inside your business could become the spark for entirely new companies? In this episode, Chase Hazelwood , Owner of Go-Forth Home Services and Leah Hazelwood , CEO at Go Forth Marketing , share how they transformed the internal strengths of a home services business into a growing ecosystem of ventures spanning marketing, HR, wellness, and even high-volume printing. They break d...

Director of Technical Operations Zachariah Boardman returns to share HomeShield Pest Control 's strategy for achieving total customer alignment across their teams. Zach shares how he identified a crucial gap between sales, service, and support efforts after reviewing his company’s online feedback. He introduces his "Three S's" framework to bridge this divide, emphasizing that selling should feel l...

J.D. Jaramillo , owner of and general manager at Friendly Pest Solutions in Tampa, FL, joins the podcast to share his journey from starting small to scaling to over 2,200 customers. J.D. explains the critical importance of creating a solid business foundation by developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for everything from treatment processes to sales proposals. He advises new owners on how...

Taylor Olson , CEO and co-founder of Applause , shares how his personal and professional journey into the service industry led him to create a powerful technician performance management tool — Applause. Taylor explains how they help pest control businesses drive customer satisfaction and employee engagement through automated recognition and instant rewards. He also discusses core features like aut...

What if your next big business breakthrough isn’t in a spreadsheet but in a conversation? In this episode, Thomas Harris , CEO at Uinta Pest Solutions , joins us to talk about how networking and conferences changed everything for his business. He shares how connecting with other owners helped him grow from a one-person operation to a thriving company built on relationships and referrals. Thomas br...

What does it take to build a call center where people actually want to show up? In this episode, Steve Short, VP of Sales and Marketing at Fox Pest Control , shares how his team creates a culture rooted in motivation, mentorship, and accountability. Rather than focusing on numbers alone, Steve explains why Fox’s call center thrives on leadership development and shared values. He dives into the com...

When you’re building a business and a family at the same time, every system you put in place matters. Noelle and Rian Goins, owners of Get Goins Pest Control in Los Angeles, return to Pest in Class with their newest team member: baby Grace. In this heartfelt conversation, the Goins share how they “baby-proofed” their business: from paying down debt and moving into their first home, to charging for...

Your trucks might run on gas, but your business runs on people, and payroll mistakes can grind everything to a halt. This episode, we’re joined by Inova leaders Mary Leveridge , Executive VP, and Kathey Palmer , Chief Growth Officer. They unpack the seven most common payroll and HR traps that field service companies face. From worker misclassification and time-tracking pitfalls to prevailing wage...

FieldRoutes ’ Senior Product Marketing Manager Anders Fredericksen returns to Pest in Class to unpack the 2025 Pest Industry Report. Anders discusses the key findings from the survey of over a thousand US pest control companies, revealing cautious optimism balanced with growing concerns over recession and rising material costs. He highlights opportunities to counter margin pressures through techno...

Training a bed bug detection dog isn’t just about teaching it to sniff out pests. It’s a massive commitment of time, money, and mindset. In this episode, we sit down with Diego Rodriguez , Tech Specialist and K-9 Team Supervisor at Preventive Pest Control in Las Vegas, to explore what it really takes to build and maintain a top-tier canine detection team. From the biology of bed bugs to the psycho...

In this episode, we talk with Kevin McKee , President and CEO of Ross Pest & Lawn in Aledo, Texas, about how empathy, transparency, and strong communication have fueled both employee satisfaction and impressive business growth. Kevin shares how simple habits like answering the phone and showing up on time drive customer trust, but more importantly, how investing in employees as people builds l...

Ignite 2025 isn’t your average FieldRoutes’ user conference, and that’s exactly the point. In this episode, Ray Honey , Director of Customer Success at FieldRoutes , gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what attendees can expect in Anaheim this September. From hands-on product training to community panels, peer-led sessions, and networking events like the “Birds of a Feather” luncheon, Ignite is d...

Route optimization isn’t just about saving miles. It’s about empowering technicians and improving operational cohesion. Markus Konietzka , Director of Integrations at AXN Growth Partners , joins the show to share how his experience in logistics and as a technician shaped his people-first approach to route management. From reducing gas consumption by 20% to slashing technician windshield time, Mark...

Mindset in pest control plays a crucial role in navigating the challenges of daily operations and long-term growth. In this special compilation episode of Pest in Class , we revisit three powerful conversations with industry leaders who’ve tackled discomfort, burnout, and bold career moves. Hear inspirational highlights from:   Kyle Selbach , Director of Operations at All U Need Pest Control Sam T...

What happens when tradespeople go beyond the job and become pillars of their communities? Jen Roberts , Senior Director of Integrated Marketing at ServiceTitan , joins us to discuss Power the Nation , a movement dedicated to amplifying the incredible ways trades professionals give back. From friendly rivalries and food drives to local scholarships and surprise community makeovers, Jen shares how t...

When Jeff Simmons first stepped into pest control, he was just a college student looking for a summer sales job. Now, as the Owner of Malang Pest Control , he has built a thriving business from scratch — even launching during the Great Recession in 2009. Jeff shares how he bootstrapped his business with no loans, leveraged door-to-door sales, and navigated industry shifts to create a sustainable a...

Scaling a pest control business is no small feat, but RIDD Home Services has done it with remarkable efficiency. In this episode, we sit down with Dan Farah , Chief Administrative Officer at RIDD, to discuss how the company has grown exponentially since its founding in 2020 — landing a coveted spot on the PCT Top 100 list. Dan shares how his background in corporate finance and software development...

What truly sets a pest control business apart? According to Denise Trad-Wartan , it’s all about company culture and leveraging the right technology to streamline operations. The CEO of Trad’s Pest Control in Jacksonville, FL, shares how she transitioned into the industry, the critical changes she made to improve safety and efficiency, and why FieldRoutes became a game-changer for her company. She...

Many pest control companies rely on outdated digital marketing tactics — often handing the job to a family member who “knows Instagram.” But there’s a smarter way to market, one that drives real growth and measurable results. In this episode, Amanda talks with Kirby Oscar , SVP and General Manager at Scorpion . Kirby shares practical digital marketing strategies that help pest control businesses s...

Running a family business isn’t always easy, but Tom Myers , President, and Kristin Fore , CEO, of All-Rite Pest Control , have spent decades turning challenges into triumphs. The father-daughter duo shares how trust, innovation, and problem-solving have fueled All-Rite’s success for over 50 years in Lexington, KY. Tom discusses his passion for entomology and empowering his team, while Kristin hig...

Kendra Snyder , co-owner of Quest Termite & Pest Control in Hellertown, PA, returns to the show to share insights on leadership and growth in the pest control industry. Kendra draws on her unique background in fitness and her years of business ownership to discuss the importance of proactive leadership, fostering a strong company culture, and balancing family dynamics in a professional setting...

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become a hot topic in the pest control industry. But how can owners navigate this complex process? Dan Gordon , Founder and Managing Director at PCO Bookkeepers and co-host of the PMP Industry Insiders podcast, shares a practical guide for business owners looking to buy or sell a pest control company. Dan walks through the essential steps, from identifying p...

Ellen Rohr , Brand and Industry Marketing Lead at ServiceTitan , shares her inspiring journey from financial struggles to business success. Ellen discusses the five key steps to becoming a first-class financial manager, offering actionable insights tailored for pest control professionals. She emphasizes the importance of confidence, stewardship, and financial literacy in building a thriving busine...

The 2024 State of the Pest Industry Report is here — and it’s packed with insights to help pest control business owners strategize for growth. Anders Fredericksen , Senior Product Marketing Manager at FieldRoutes , joins us to break down the key findings, from revenue growth strategies and marketing automation investments to technology adoption challenges. We dive into how companies are optimizing...

In this episode, we sit down with Zach Boardman , Director of Technical Operations at HomeShield Pest Control in Orange County, California. Zach talks about the art of active listening and why understanding the customer’s perspective is key to exceptional service. He also reveals how FieldRoutes reporting tools have become a game-changer in streamlining business operations and driving growth. Zach...