About Pete Schopen

In July, I spoke at the Northern Illinois Home Inspectors Association’s annual conference. It was great. About 40 attendees listened to me go on and on about carpenter ants, termites......

Because we serve the Chicagoland area, my company is fortunate to have many millionaire (and two billionaire) clients. You’d think people who are worth hundreds of millions of dollars wouldn’t......

Indulge my poetic side for a moment, won’t you? Ahem: Ode to the Yellow jacket September, for most, is the best month of the year. Octoberfest looms close. Smiles abound, as......

When I pulled up to Mrs. Brown’s home that long-ago summer, I noticed she had two adorable preschool-age kids, one boy and one girl. I stepped out of my vehicle......

Many moons ago, when I was a waiter at an exclusive country club in the Chicago suburbs, I worked with Luis, a Cuban chef who loved to swear at the......

When I was 19, I spent the summer as an outdoor technician for my dad’s company. I did all of the power sprays, wasp jobs and ant treatments. I had......

Have you noticed that hardly anyone volunteers anymore? It used to be that you’d have waiting lists to get into the Rotary and Lions Clubs. But now, you are more......

Years ago in Chicago, I inspected for termites at a brick bungalow with a cellar and an attached crawlspace. The home was about 45 ft. wide by 90 ft. long.......

Recently, within the span of a few days, three of my pest management brethren (in California, Wisconsin and Michigan, respectively) called and asked how I’ve been able to grow Schopen......

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been working. When I was 14 years old, I’d mow the grass of five clients every week during the summer. When I......