Non-Traditional Paths to Success

If you’re like me, the first things you look at on PCT’s annual Top 100 list are numbers 90 to 100, which often include companies new to the list. I love learning about companies that have either flown under the radar (i.e., not previously submitted their revenue numbers to PCT) or that have grown to the point where they are just now cracking the list. A company new to this year’s list that I enjoyed learning about is No. 100: Best Home & Property Services, Longs, S.C. A longtime provider of pest control services in the Eastern Carolinas, Best Home & Property Services has found success offering related services like moisture control and structural repairs.

Companies like Best Home & Property Services serve as a reminder that there are numerous paths to success in the pest control industry. PCT prides itself on sharing these stories. In this month’s cover story, “Organic Opportunity”, we explore how servicing organic food plants can be profitable.

As more and more companies fine-tune their Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, they might consider taking another look at organic food plants. As the article noted, companies that excel at strategic IPM can effectively control pests while maintaining compliance with organic standards. And this includes the use of pesticides. “One of the biggest myths related to organic accounts is that you can’t use pesticides. You absolutely can, but there’s a process,” said 360 Pest Consulting’s Chelle Hartzer, who detailed this process in this month’s cover story.

The company featured in this month’s cover story (and on our cover), Safe Chem Pest, Clearfield, Utah, has found organic customers to be easier to work with than many commercial accounts, because they are committed to such high standards of food safety. “They are very collaborative and appreciative of what we do — they’re actually happy to see us, which you don’t always get from commercial accounts,” said Tanner Bigler, owner of Safe Chem Pest.

The payoff for companies like Safe Chem Pest is a profitable niche. Organic food facilities are high maintenance — but they know they’re high maintenance. They expect to pay more for the extra time and care your team puts in. As Bigler said, “If you price it right, this work is absolutely worth your time. Clients are more than happy to pay a premium if you are dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s. You’re taking a potential source of stress off their plate.”

As this month’s cover story demonstrates, success in pest control often comes from recognizing opportunities — sometimes ones that others overlook. Whether it’s expanded service offerings, like Best Home & Property Services, or developing expertise in a specialized niche, like Safe Chem Pest, there are many avenues to growth in our industry. I look forward to learning about more companies that have found their own unique path to success. If your company has an interesting story to share, I encourage you to reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at www.pctonline.com/contact.

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Hats off to Green Lawn Fertilizing and Green Pest Solutions for its innovative driver safety program, highlighted by an annual truck giveaway. For the past five years, the company has awarded a new Ford F-150 to a technician selected from a pool of employees who earned entries by maintaining exemplary driving records throughout the year. In a video interview with PCT Digital Editor Patrick Rhonemus (watch here), Tim Clowney, safety compliance manager at Green Lawn and Pest, said the program has helped drivers become more aware of their daily driving habits.

I also like this program because it speaks to the company’s culture and employee engagement. The winner is announced at the company’s kickoff meeting every February. “We pull the driver’s name out of the roller and [Green Lawn and Pest Owner Matt] Jesson calls the name. Everyone goes nuts. It’s pretty cool,” Clowney said.

The author is editor of PCT.