What does it really take to get out of the truck and build a pest control company that can grow without you?

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with John Stopka, co-founder of Liberty Pest Control, to break down how John scaled his company past $1M in under two years, starting at just 25 years old, by focusing on leadership, systems, and intentional hiring from day one.

John shares his mindset shift from technician to business owner, why he never wanted to “create another job” for himself, and how buying back his time early allowed Liberty Pest Control to grow faster and healthier. They walk through the real, behind-the-scenes progression of replacing yourself in your business, from technician, to CSR, to salesperson, to manager, and how to know when it’s time to make each hire.

This conversation goes beyond tactics and digs into the emotional side of leadership:
• Letting go of control
• Hiring people who are better than you
• Training employees even when they might leave
• Handling fear, stress, and responsibility as an owner
• Building systems so the business doesn’t rely on you

Allan and John also talk candidly about cash flow, owner pay cuts, documenting processes, building culture, and why mistakes are a necessary part of growth. If you’re feeling stuck in the day-to-day, unsure when to hire, or wondering how to scale without burning out, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a roadmap forward.

Whether you’re just getting started or pushing past your first million, this is a must-listen for any pest control owner who wants to work on their business, not be trapped in it.

As the industry heads into a new year, strong leadership and people development matter more than ever.

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Alan Feuer, Associate Certified Entomologist with over 36 years in the pest control industry, Marine Corps veteran, and former Technical Director at Preventive Pest Control. Together, they dive deep into what it really takes to hire, train, and retain great technicians and why most companies struggle to do it well.

Alan shares proven insights from decades of experience building teams, developing leaders, and implementing structured training systems, including the importance of the first 90 days, why interviews rarely tell the full story, and how character and integrity matter more than technical skill. They explore Preventive’s team lead model, leadership pipelines, and how both small and large pest control companies can create accountability, trust, and consistency without losing their culture.

This episode also tackles:

• Why early attrition isn’t always a bad thing
• How to train leaders instead of promoting by default
• The difference between mistakes and character failures
• Applying military leadership principles to pest control
• Why owners must take full ownership of results; good and bad

Whether you’re a one-truck operator or leading a growing organization, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, training, and responsibility and give you practical ideas to start building a stronger team in 2026 and beyond.

A must-listen for pest control owners who want better people, better leaders, and better long-term results.

In this insightful episode, Allan Draper sits down with Scott Sandberg, co-founder of RUVA Pest Control, to explore how building the right culture is the key to sustainable growth in the pest control industry. Scott shares the inside story of how RUVA scaled to nearly $3 million in recurring revenue and earned thousands of five-star Google reviews in just a few years, without compromising on company values or employee satisfaction.

They dive deep into RUVA’s approach to hiring, emphasizing mindset and attitude over prior experience, and how training the right people can turn them into top-performing technicians and future leaders. Scott also opens up about real-world challenges they faced, including team turnover, onboarding, and developing internal talent, showing why short-term fixes and “warm body” hires can create long-term headaches.

Throughout the conversation, listeners will gain actionable strategies for:

• Attracting and retaining high-quality employees who align with your company culture
• Turning your team into a growth engine while maintaining high standards of service
• Developing internal leaders to scale operations without losing control or culture
• Leveraging employee excellence to drive customer satisfaction and 5-star reviews
  
  

Whether you’re a pest control business owner looking to scale, improve retention, or build a high-performing team, this episode is packed with practical insights and lessons learned from the frontlines of a fast-growing, culture-driven company.

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper is joined by Jared Ingalls, Vice President of Sales at Pest Management Supply, to unpack one of the most overlooked growth levers in pest control: your relationship with your distributor.

With more than 30 years in the industry, Jared shares what most new (and even experienced) pest control owners get wrong about suppliers and why treating them as true partners can save you money, time, and costly mistakes. From helping new operators get licensed and set up correctly, to answering late-night calls, solving tough infestations, and connecting owners with manufacturers, this episode goes far beyond product pricing.

Allan and Jared also dive into:

• How to choose the right supplier when starting a pest control company
  
  
  
• Why transactional relationships fail during real-world emergencies
  
  
  
• Smart, low-cost marketing strategies like private-labeled glue boards
  
  
  
• How distributors can help control product costs and improve technician performance
  
  
  
• The long-term value of face-to-face relationships in a regulated industry
  
  
  

If you’ve ever treated your supplier as “just a place to buy chemicals,” this episode will change how you think about vendor relationships and how they impact your growth, retention, and reputation.

A must-listen for owners who want to build smarter, not just bigger.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Jana Lloyd, owner of Antelope Hills Pest Control in Lincoln, California. What unfolds is not a typical growth or scaling story but a reminder of why many of us got into pest control in the first place.

Jana shares how she and her late husband built a one-route pest control business rooted in honesty, hard work, and community. After tragedy forced her to step fully into the field, first as a technician, then as the sole operator, Jana carried on the business while raising three children, serving the same customers for decades, and becoming a pillar of her small town.

This episode explores resilience, faith, family, and the often-overlooked beauty of staying small. From 30-year customer relationships to finding purpose through service during life’s hardest seasons, Jana’s story is a moving testament to what pest control can mean beyond trucks, routes, and revenue.

If you’ve ever questioned why you do what you do or wondered if growth is the only measure of success this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

In this unscripted, wide-ranging episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with longtime friend and pest control marketing expert Matt Rogers for a raw, honest conversation about planning for growth in 2026.

Drawing from real-world experience growing Killingsworth from $8M to $28M and lessons learned from both wins and failures Matt breaks down why the most successful pest control companies win before the season ever starts. From building a realistic budget and setting measurable goals, to creating efficiency targets, aligning vendors, and benchmarking performance month by month, this episode is a masterclass in intentional growth.

You’ll hear why hope alone isn’t enough, how to use your P&L as a planning tool, why uncomfortable accountability is essential, and how the right partners can help you pivot faster and grow smarter. If you’re serious about scaling your pest control business and don’t want to “shoot from the hip” anymore this episode will challenge the way you think about planning, leadership, and execution.

Perfect for owners thinking about 2026 growth, marketing strategy, budgeting, and building a team that actually pulls in the same direction.

In this episode of the BugBux Podcast, Allan sits down with industry veteran Harry Bryan, Director of Business Development at Nisus Corporation, who brings over 30 years of pest control and agricultural experience to the table. Together, they explore how the industry has evolved—from smarter customers and better-trained technicians to the rise of online communities and AI tools like ChatGPT.

Harry shares practical insights on:

• How pest control has shifted from chemical-first to sustainability-focused strategies
• The rising value of networking, mentorship, and in-person events like PestWorld
• Why new owners should build strong relationships with distributors and suppliers
• How to craft your personal “story” when connecting with mentors and peers
• The importance of community over competition in growing a successful company

The episode also dives into Nisus’ major new product launch—the ProShield Pest Control Insulation—and how PMPs can use it to add a powerful, profitable revenue stream while providing more value to customers.

Whether you're brand new to pest control or decades in, this conversation will give you actionable steps, fresh perspective, and ideas to take your company to the next level. Tune in and level up!

In this episode of The Bug Bux Podcast, host Allan Draper sits down with Reagan Nickl, Vice President of Customer Success at Ask Nicely, to talk about one of the most overlooked growth levers in the pest control industry: customer experience.

While many PCOs are focused on marketing, advertising, and new customer acquisition, Reagan shares why the smartest companies are investing their energy in retention, reviews, and referrals. Drawing from her experience helping home service brands across the country, she explains how to build a repeatable “referral flywheel” that turns happy customers into loyal advocates.

Allan and Reagan dive into the systems behind a world-class customer experience, how to collect feedback in real time, close the loop with unhappy customers, and empower technicians to create “wow” moments on every service visit. They also unpack how to use customer data to coach teams, boost morale, and make better business decisions.

Reagan introduces Ask Nicely’s CARTG framework, breaking down the five pillars of CX success:

• Collect: Capture feedback consistently and automatically
• Act: Respond quickly and personally to customer input
• Recognize: Celebrate your top-performing technicians and teams
• Train: Turn feedback into coaching and development opportunities
• Grow: Use positive feedback to fuel reviews and referrals

Whether you’re a small operator looking to improve retention or a multi-location company aiming to scale customer experience, this conversation will help you shift your mindset from chasing new leads to building long-term loyalty.