Managing pest control operations during extreme winter weather

From Jan. 23-27, Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Texas, was hit with something that happens some years but thankfully not most years. It is an event I am never emotionally prepared to deal with, even if we have business protocols in place to handle it.

Winter Storm Fern brought freezing rain and frigid temperatures for an estimated 58 hours, forcing ABC Home & Commercial Services’ vehicles off the roads for three full days. Having been in the DFW market for 37 years, I can attest that ice and snow are not a regular occurrence here, and our local infrastructure — and drivers — simply aren’t equipped for it.

Key takeaways

• Safety first: Prioritize employee safety by pulling vehicles off the road when local infrastructure cannot handle freezing precipitation.
• Communication is critical: Implement a “stay in place” policy until management provides official word to avoid mid-day travel hazards.
• Plan for backlogs: Be prepared to shift end-of-month workloads into the following month when weather disrupts the schedule.

The domino effect of closings

When freezing precipitation hits the forecast in North Texas, school closings follow immediately. This creates a domino effect for our team; when schools close, our employees — many of whom are parents — must suddenly find childcare or stay home.

In other parts of the country where snow is common, cities have the equipment to keep the economy moving. In Texas, we don’t have the fleet of trucks needed to clear roads. When TV stations tell people to stay home, we have to listen. Our basic policy is: “Stay in place until you hear official word from management.”

Navigating the worst-case scenario

The most difficult situation occurs when snow and ice begin mid-morning while children are at school and parents are already at work. This creates havoc as families scramble to get home safely. While these events are extremely rare in southern Texas, they happen with much more regularity in the North Texas and DFW areas.

Protecting the team and the bottom line

During this recent storm, a mix of snow and ice created rock-hard piles that made driving impossible. We made the difficult decision to close for three workdays. Because this occurred at the end of January, we were forced to move that work into February. It shorted our January numbers, but keeping our people safe was the priority.

I know some folks in colder climates might laugh at us “poor Texans in the snow,” but we truly aren’t equipped for it. Personally, I even realized I didn’t have adequate snow shoes! I’ve since updated my footwear and my perspective.

A final thought for 2026

We can’t control the weather, but we can control how we treat our people during these challenges. Hug your loved ones and love your co-workers for all the great things they do! Have a great 2026!