Key pest control lessons learned listening to podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to learn about running a pest control company or tackling tricky infestations, particularly when they are hosted by pest management professionals (PMPs) who have been there and done that.

Here are highlights of episodes from the podcasts featured in our February, March and April installments of “Listen Up.” They can all be downloaded and subscribed to on a variety of podcast platforms.

Podcast: Trap Talk Live

Host: Ryan Ridgley, co-owner of Huntsman Wildlife
Episode name: “Moving on Up … When I Didn’t Want To”
Air date: March 25, 2025

Many of the topics covered in Trap Talk Live are based on the experiences of wildlife control company co-owner Ryan Ridgley, and this one is no exception.

Ridgley begins this episode by stating his landlord gave him days to move out of the building he leased, an unexpected but not surprising turn of events. He proceeds to discuss tips for listeners looking to lease their first commercial space, as many owners of small pest control companies start out working in their garages or barns.

Among Ridgley’s pre-leasing process tips is to Google the address and contact a few of the previous tenants. “Do your research on [what leasing this property] is really like,” he says. “Make sure they are a reputable landlord.”

Visit here for more information on  ”Trap Talk Live.”

Podcast: Colony Confidential

Hosts: Joe Sheehan, CEO of Colony Pest Management, and his father, Ed Sheehan
Episode name: “Unlocking AI Secrets: Your Essential Guide to Pest Control Success”
Air date: Jan. 9, 2024

The Sheehans are native New Yorkers who lovingly rib each other while sharing lessons they’ve learned over the decades running separate successful pest control businesses.

The focus of the episode is how artificial intelligence (AI) relates to home services and pest control companies. It features two guests with extensive AI experience: SearchKings’ Lorne Sederoff and Nerds that Care’s James Rocker.

“Aside from getting rid of humans, [analyzing the data] is probably the most exciting piece of AI for me,” Joe Sheehan says. “When I say ‘get rid of humans,’ I’m joking. But we all know the hardest part of running a small business is dealing with the human aspect of it.”

Visit here for more information on “Colony Confidential.”

Podcast: Coast 2 Coast Pest Talk

Hosts: Andy Sanefski, co-owner of Perimetek Pest Management and Gabe Seymour, owner of Pest Patrol
Episode name: “Dealing with Burnout”
Air date: Nov. 14, 2023

Listening to Coast 2 Coast Pest Talk is like eavesdropping on a conversation between colleagues. Sanefski and Seymour have a relaxed rapport and are helpful and empathetic. That’s especially true in this episode, which begins with Seymour mentioning the crazy few weeks he experienced.

Sanefski explains that for him, burnout “feels like my brain is full” and believes sleep, exercise and diet are key to keeping emotions in check.

When working on accounts that may be stressful due to difficult problems or customers, Sanefski says he will not send the same technician two weeks in a row. Instead, he alternates technicians so they can share the emotional burden.

“It’s not a failure to share that emotional burden with someone,” he says. “You need support.”

Visit here for more information on ”Coast 2 Coast Pest Talk.”