In this special solo episode, Allan Draper brings a timely dose of motivation, strategy, and tough love for pest control business owners. Recorded on the 4th of July from rainy Idaho, Allan reflects on three key topics every PCO should hear:

1. A Lesson in Clarity: Allan clears up a recent podcast comment on organic products and shares a crucial lesson about sticking to your service model and avoiding costly client misunderstandings.
2. Mid-Year Mindset Check: Are you sacrificing what matters most while scaling your business? Allan gets personal about burnout, imposter syndrome, and why growing your company starts with growing you.
3. Know Your Numbers: From merchant fees to tech wages to net profit targets, Allan breaks down the exact P&L benchmarks your pest control business should be tracking right now, plus what the PCT Top 100 can teach you.

Whether you’re in growth mode or fighting burnout, this episode is packed with real-world insights to help you finish the season strong and build smarter for the long haul.

💪 Listen in, level up, and let’s keep building.

Don't miss the part where Allan admits: "I didn’t think I’d be crying during this episode."

It’s raw, it’s inspiring, and it’s... Nice.
In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, host Allan Draper sits down with Travis Bottoms — 13-year industry vet and co-founder of Nice Pest Company — to explore how authenticity, humor, and heart are transforming what it means to run a pest control business.
Travis shares how Nice uses organic social media (with zero ad spend) to drive real customer engagement, foster loyalty, and boost company culture — all while staying true to who they are. With over 140,000 views in just 30 days, Travis explains why their secret isn’t just funny content — it’s content that feels real.
But this episode goes deeper. The guys talk about mental health in the trades, overcoming industry judgment, staying focused on your own "race car," and what growth actually means beyond the numbers.
Whether you're a new owner, a scaling operator, or a seasoned vet — this is one of those conversations that might just change how you see the industry… and yourself.

 Real talk on branding, culture, and connection
 Behind-the-scenes of viral reels and organic growth
 Leadership, legacy, and building a company that matters

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Eric Bassett and Jake Claus sit down with Natura Pest Control's GM and intrapreneur extraordinaire, Aaron Davis. From unexpected beginnings to leading a powerhouse team, Aaron shares the real-world strategies behind building unity, developing leadership, and running tight, high-performing pest control operations. Plus, a hilarious discussion about Jack Black movies, how to lead with love, and why accountability is the ultimate game-changer. If you're ready to transform technicians into leaders and scale smarter, don't miss this one!

In today's episode, Eric welcomes Austin Burns. Austin is the director of operations at Burns Pest Elimination. What started as a father and son business in 1983 with 43 customers and one service truck has turned into a $25-million venture for the Burns family. Eric and Austin discuss the importance of finding a unique differentiator in the pest control industry and why building a strong team is crucial for success. Austin also shares the challenges and rewards of running a family business and the impact it can have on future generations.

Creating consistent and genuine recognition can go a long way in motivating technicians. In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss ways to keep technicians motivated and committed to providing great service for your pest control company. When you and your technicians share a common objective, they are more likely to work together, collaborate, and support one another in achieving that goal.
In addition, offering training and development opportunities for the professional growth of your technicians shows that you value their skills, and are committed to their career advancement.

In today’s episode, Eric discusses the process of building and maintaining a high-performance inside sales team. Eric provides answers to the 10 most common questions he receives about inside sales, covering topics such as when to create an inside sales department, finding the right candidates, the onboarding process, and compensation plans. If you are looking for a comprehensive how-to guide on creating, developing, and scaling a high-performance inside sales team visit www.bugbuxplus.com for more information.

In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss the importance of finding a niche for your pest control company. Is it important to research your market and find out where you can find the best ROI to serve your customers? By focusing on a specific niche, you can position your pest control company for long-term success in a competitive market. In addition, by specializing in a niche, you can position yourself as an expert in that particular area.

Summary
0:00 Teaser.

2:18 Being a jack of all trades.

5:19 How to look at adding new services.

7:44 Focus 90% on what you know.

9:34 What drives your economic engine?

11:45 Why are we doing this?

14:41 Focus on what you are good at.

19:48 How to cross sell your current list.

22:08 Monetizing your home services.

How are you managing your profits? In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss the key strategies and considerations a PCO should make when reinvesting profits in your pest control company. The importance of planning out how to spend your profits will be based on how aggressively you want to grow. Implementing a verified growth plan provides your pest control company with a strategic roadmap to navigate the complexities of growth, minimize risks, and achieve sustainable success.

Google reviews are important for your pest control company, they provide valuable feedback from customers about their experience with your company. In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss Google’s rules about prohibited and restricted content. PCOS needs to understand that reviews, photos, and videos must adhere to Google’s policies. These policies aim to ensure that the reviews are helpful, informative, and authentic. Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, shows that your business values its customers and is willing to address and improve any concerns or issues they may have. Click on the link below for more information.

Prohibited and restricted content - Local Guides Help

support.google.com

Are you feeling stuck and in need of some guidance to kickstart or scale your pest control company? In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome Hunter Annen. Hunter is the President and Co-Founder of Bug Bux+. Allan, Eric, and Hunter discuss all the aspects of the Bug Bux+ platform. This high-quality, professional platform was designed to help PCOs learn from multiple industry experts. Check out www.bugbuxplus.com for more information.

Finding your "Why” is an important step in starting a business and should be the driving force behind your decision to become a pest control owner. In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss how PCOs can identify their purpose, by creating a company culture based on the core values, and strengths of the organization. By creating a company culture that reflects your purpose, you can build a business that is meaningful, fulfilling, and successful. Your purpose may evolve over time as you gain new experiences and perspectives, and it's important to be open to new opportunities and challenges.

Pest control companies offer a valuable service to their clients by solving a wide range of pest problems. In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss the importance of creating a business to solve a problem for your customers.  Service businesses, such as a pest control company not only create valuable services for their customers, it also creates jobs and generates revenue for the owner. Stay tuned for part 2 next week to learn more about how PCOs can focus on their “Why” while also building a profitable and sustainable business.

From marketing campaigns to relationships with vendors, there is a wide range of business aspects a PCO must be patient with, and not expect instant results. In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss the top five most important things a pest control owner must be patient with. Patience involves waiting for the results of your hard work, not giving up easily, and understanding that success takes time. Tune in and learn from industry experts for valuable insights.

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Eric Basset and Jake Claus discuss powerful strategies every pest control company owner needs to know. From the roots of attrition to retention team strategies and subscription billing hacks, they unpack what keeps customers loyal and what sends them running. Whether you're a startup or scaling a large operation, you'll get actionable tips on improving service quality, maximizing recurring revenue, and building a loyal customer base. Tune in and learn how to keep more customers, grow your business faster, and stay ahead in the industry!

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric talk about a few mistakes they have made with their pest control company. They discuss the importance of reframing mistakes as a learning experience and they highlight stories of how they have turned their mistakes into valuable lessons. As a PCO, taking ownership when making mistakes is a sign of accountability and responsibility, which can help build trust and credibility in personal and professional relationships.

Tune in to this episode and catch Allan and Eric as they share their top five strategies for distinguishing your company from others. In today’s episode, Allan and Eric answer a question posted in the Bug Bux Facebook Group: How to differentiate your company from competitors in a meaningful way? They discuss the importance of creating a personal connection not only with your customers but also with your employees. As a PCO, it's crucial to remember your core foundational strengths, and values, and leverage them to set yourself apart.

This episode offers expert insights and actionable tips to help you effectively market and grow your pest control company. In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome back Mat Rogers for the 5th time on the podcast. Mat is the COO of Lizard SEM. Mat talks about Local Service Ads, which are Google's paid advertising platform that helps local businesses to connect with potential customers in their area. The variables that determine an LSA's ranking include the business's proximity to the searcher's location, the business's ratings, and the responsiveness of the business to customer inquiries.

Mat can be reached at 
 https://lizardmarketing.co/  or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lizard.marketing/

 Mat has recorded 4 episodes with us, if you haven’t listened to them yet, I encourage you to check it out his previous episodes:

Episode 33 “The Facts and Fallacies of Scaling a Pest Control Company with Digital Marketing” dropped on May 26th, 2022 

Episode 39 “Why Marketing is Worth the Investment for Your Pest Control Company” dropped on July 7th, 2022

Episode 57 “How to Optimize Your Website for SEO” dropped November 10th, 2022

Episode 65: “Tips to Help Convert Your Leads Into Revenue with Expert Mat Rogers” dropped January 12th, 2023

In today’s episode, Eric welcomes Josh Zuniga back to the show. Josh is the owner of Zunex Pest Control. Josh not only experienced tremendous success in door-to-door sales, he also took that knowledge and started his own pest control company. Josh advises that young PCOs should focus on their strengths and outsource their weaknesses to be successful. This episode is filled with valuable insights that can aid you in attaining your goals as a pest control owner. 

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss valuable insights on how to determine which aspects of your pest control company should be centralized or decentralized. A centralized approach to running your company can help optimize efficiency and productivity, allowing individuals to work together more effectively towards a common goal. By listening to this episode, you can gain a better understanding of how to structure your business for success and achieve your long-term goals.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss how PCO’s can safeguard their profitability by having a strategic price increase plan.

Although implementing price increases can be intimidating, it is a necessary measure to optimize profits and secure the longevity of your pest control company.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric talk about ways a PCO can scale their company while keeping a healthy work-life balance. It is important to be intentional with your time and prioritize what matters most to you. Maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life both at work and outside of work helps reduce stress, improve mental, and physical health, and increase overall well-being. 

In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss the must-do’s for your pest control company. Taking into account the various factors involved, this episode emphasizes the critical measures that all PCOs must undertake. To run your business successfully you'll need the proper insurance, effective bookkeeping practices, correct operating licenses, safety procedures, proper business entities, and more! Don't miss this must do list and the breakdown of all the reasons why!

In this episode, Eric Bassett provides a comprehensive recap of a few recent podcast episodes. Episode 75 is all about protecting your existing customer base from door knockers from other companies. In episode 76, Eric highlights key topics of various questions posted in the Bug Bux Facebook group. This is a recap episode you won't want to miss.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome back Craig Shetterly. Craig is the mastermind behind Contatto Marketing, a revolutionary contact marketing firm. With his expertise in directly reaching out to potential customers and business owners, Craig unleashes a goldmine of strategies that can help pest control companies boost their commercial sales and build unbreakable bonds with their customers. Get ready to take your business to the next level with Craig's insider insights.

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Eric and Jake dive into the nitty-gritty of how weather impacts pest control—from rainy-day treatments in the Pacific Northwest to snow-driven rodent and vole activity. They share real-world strategies, smart technician tips, and creative product solutions for servicing in tough conditions, all while keeping it entertaining (yes, hot hail makes an appearance). Whether you’re in sunny Arizona or snowy Idaho, this episode will help you weatherproof your service protocols.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric answer questions posted in the Bug Bux Facebook Group. They share insights on how pest control companies can effectively communicate the value of their services to customers. In addition, they explain the importance of setting an accurate price point, as well as establishing Q1 growth goals for recurring revenue. 

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss how door-to-door marketing can affect your pest control company. Reminding your technicians to make a personal connection with your customers is crucial for building strong relationships and increasing customer loyalty. In addition, acknowledging and understanding your customers' wants, interests, and needs is essential for building a successful pest control company.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss the different financial milestones that pest control companies reach leading up to the 1 million dollar mark. As your PCC is growing, an important thing to think about is documenting your systems and processes early on, this will help you scale your company faster. In addition, it is essential to take the time to identify and recruit the best possible candidates when hiring your office staff and technicians. Listen to the full episode for tips on how to grow to 1 million dollars.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric answer questions asked during the Bug Bux Facebook live event on February 28th, 2023. A few of the topics that were discussed are:

1. How does different weather affect the pest control industry?
2. The pros and cons of giving out free estimates for pest inspections.
3. Growing your pest control company into a new market and what kind of marketing budget you should have.

Thank you to all the PCOs that participated. Please submit questions for future episodes in the Bug Bux Facebook Group.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome Andrew de la Chapelle. Andrew has worked in the telematics space for years and he created driving scoring matrices that are used today by many leading telematics companies. Allan, Eric, and Andrew discuss some of the dangers of driving and why investing in formal driving training is critical for your pest control company. Telematics with tracking helps companies get a clear picture of vehicle location, performance, driver productivity, fuel use, and most importantly, safety. In addition, formal driving training is important for pest control technicians to ensure that they are driving safely and responsibly, minimizing the risk of damage or injury to themselves and others.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome Lee Thompson. Lee fell in love with the pest control industry after being recruited by Terminix and later ran their 4th largest office in the country. Allan, Eric and Lee discuss why investing in exceptional customer service can have a big impact on your bottom line. Providing great customer service will lead your Pest Control Company to better customer retention, loyalty, and customer acquisition costs.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric answer questions asked by PCO’s in the Bug Bux Facebook group. The questions answered in this episode are:

1. At what point is a customer too much of a liability?
2. What’s the best way to build relationships and camaraderie between 3rd party D2D representatives and the technicians working with them?
3. What is the revenue per technician that you are shooting for?

Thank you to everyone that participated. Listeners can submit questions for future episodes in the Bug Bux Facebook Group.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome Cameron Bawden. Cameron is the owner of Hype Pharm Premium Home Services which is the parent company of 7 successful brands, which include Green Mango Pest Control. Cameron shares his journey with starting and scaling Green Mango Pest Control as well as starting other home service companies. Developing a growth mindset and receiving constructive feedback from his team has enabled Cameron to have great time management skills, leadership skills, and the ability to delegate effectively.

In today's episode, we are rerunning the top episode of 2022. Allan and Eric discuss why and how you should build wealth with your pest control company. Wealth provides opportunities not only for you as an entrepreneur, but for your family and employees. Building wealth and having an abundance mentality, is one of the main responsibilities that come along with owning a pest control company. In addition, business owners must understand that their profit and loss statements provide critical information for building financial health and profitability.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss how PCOs can grow and develop their technicians. Having weekly coaching sessions and asking technicians what they would like to learn and improve on both personally and professionally can be very empowering. Offering development opportunities and incentives will demonstrate your commitment to your technician's growth.

In this powerful episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, hosts Eric Bassett and Jake Claus sit down with Jess Reagan, co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Paiv, to explore how cutting-edge AI technology is reshaping the world of field sales. From real-time coaching and gamification to territory management and CRM integration, Jess shares how Paiv empowers pest control companies to scale faster without growing headcount. This episode is packed with actionable insights, forward-thinking strategy, and a whole lot of laughs. Don’t miss it!

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric review a sample Profit and Loss or P&L statement. The P&L statement is important because it summarizes the total income and total expenses for your pest control company. In addition, for budgeting purposes, a P&L provides an overview of the financial health of your business. Follow along as Allan and Eric explain the fundamentals of reading and understanding this important financial statement.

Allan's % of Income Comparison

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome back Mat Rogers from Lizard SEM. Mat discusses some common hurdles with closing rates between your digital marketing company and inside sales team. It is very important for a PCO to track data and know how many leads are actually being converted into revenue. Putting the right tools and metrics in place is critical to hit your marketing goals and to get the most from your marketing team.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome Read Flake. Read is a highly accomplished entrepreneur, business owner, and e-commerce professional. He founded Green Country Pest Control in Houston and is the Co-owner and founder of Pest SOS. He is also the co-founder and co-owner of Bug Police Pest Control in the Phoenix area. Read shares this journey and experience with owning a pest control company and hiring his grown kids as employees in various departments of his business. Allan, Eric, and Read discuss growth strategies to develop their teams and tips for building a strong company culture.

In today's episode, Allan and Eric welcome Chase Goodeill back to the show for part two from last week's episode. Chase is the President of Goodeill Holdings Inc. and the owner of Pest Control Consultants.
Allan, Eric, and Chase collectively discuss the top ten things that should be in place to increase the value that a company will get upon an exit or a sale.

In today's episode, Allan and Eric welcome Chase Goodeill back to the show. Chase is the President of Goodeill Holdings Inc. and the owner of Pest Control Consultants. Chase shares his experience with finding and closing pest control acquisitions. Having strategic systems in place and being as seamless as possible will retain more customers during an acquisition.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss the importance of having growth goals in place for 2023. Creating a list of long-term projects that are important, and not urgent such as brand development, creating content on your website, reviewing policy and procedures, and creating video tutorials are just a few examples. As the year is wrapping up, it is important to stay focused on your short and long-term goals for your pest control company.

In today's episode, Allan and Eric welcome back Georgia Eaton. Georgia is the owner of Got Gophers. They are located in the bay area and have been in business for almost 4 years. Allan, Eric, and Georgia talk about the benefits of having women in the pest control industry. In addition to owning a pest control company, there are several different opportunities at every level for women in the pest control industry such as, customer service representatives, female pest control technicians, and management positions.

Guest Links:

https://gotgophers.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-eaton-68326883/

In today's episode, Eric highlights previous topics discussed in the last few episodes. First, a PCO should know how to read and understand the profit and loss statement to create a more efficient business operation. Second, SEO is the foundation of your marketing game. It’s what you build so you can attract leads, even when you aren’t investing in paid search. Third, building a company worth selling and building a company worth keeping, look identical. Both focus on profitability along with customer and employee retention.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome Jared Borg. Jared started in the pest control industry in 2001, then started his own business, Pointe Pest Control in 2006. He is currently part owner of PestCo and running their residential division. PestCo is a private equity acquisition company that partners with successful, well-established pest control companies. Allan, Eric, and Jared discuss the business acquisition process and what criteria are needed for a successful private equity acquisition. If you are building your pest control company to sell, showing profitability with good customer and employee retention is an important acquisition strategy.

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome Mat Rogers with Lizard SEM. When it comes to marketing, there are specific terms every pest control owner should know. Allan, Eric and Mat discuss two commonly used marketing terms, Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Management and what they mean to pest control companies. In addition, it is important to make investments to your website to drive traffic and optimize SEO.

https://lizardsem.com/

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, hosts Eric Bassett and Jake Claus dive into the highlights of our very first Bug Bux Con! From a packed event with just six weeks of planning, to scorpion hunting after hours, the conference was a huge success. They share behind-the-scenes stories, unforgettable moments, and key insights from speakers like Lenny Grey, Brad Mortensen, Travis Bottoms and more. Don’t miss out—subscribe to Bug Bux Plus for all the exclusive conference footage!

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric talk about the importance of understanding your company’s financial statements and how inflation is impacting your pest control company. Rising costs of fuel and labor result in tighter profit margins, so having a strategic plan to protect your margins is crucial. Make sure you join our Bug Bux Facebook group by clicking the link below. This is a great way to ask questions and connect with other PCO’s.

Bug Bux | Facebook

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric welcome Juan Godinez. Juan started in the pest control industry in 2006 as a door-to-door sales rep for Rove Pest Control. He soon became Rove's top sales rep and manager year after year. He is currently involved in several aspects of Rove’s growth strategy across its various markets. Allan, Eric, and Juan discuss the importance of understanding the costs of doing D2D from both a practical aspect and a financial aspect. A pest control owner must have a solid plan and training systems in place to create a space where D2D reps can be successful.

To get in touch with Juan, email him: juang@d2dmillionaire.com

In today’s episode, Allan and Eric discuss the pros and cons of hiring family members for your pest control company. It is very common for business owners to hire family members. Demonstrating favoritism towards a family member is a common mistake made when hiring family. A benefit to hiring or partnering with family is building a legacy for generations to come.