In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Chris Wrex, owner of Wrex Wildlife & Pest Control, to talk about building a business from the ground up and mastering one of the toughest niches in the industry: wasps.

Chris shares his journey from being a school teacher to becoming a trusted pest control expert, along with the mindset shifts that helped him grow past plateaus. They dive deep into the power of community, how to actually use the Bug Bux group to your advantage, and why going from an “island” to a “continent” can change your business.

You’ll also get a masterclass on wasp control, including:
• How to properly identify different species
• Why most technicians treat nests incorrectly
• The biggest mistakes (and costly callbacks) to avoid
• Practical techniques to handle nests more effectively and safely

Whether you’re a new operator or a seasoned owner, this episode is packed with real-world insights you can apply immediately to grow your pest control business.

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Matt Deroest, owner of Ultimate Pest, to break down how he went from a side hustle to a fast-growing pest control business in the Phoenix market.

Matt shares how he carved out a unique lane by focusing on services most companies ignore, like pigeons, weeds, and specialty jobs and how that strategy led to massive growth and low customer acquisition costs.

They also dive into:

• Turning one-time jobs into long-term customers
• Running high-performing Meta ads (that actually convert)
• Building a business while balancing family life
• Letting go of control and stepping into the owner role

If you’re looking to grow your pest control business, stand out in a crowded market, and work smarter, not just harder, this episode is packed with real, actionable insights.

You’ve heard it before but you’re probably not doing anything about it.

In this episode, Allan breaks down one of the most important (and overlooked) drivers of success: who you spend time with. Backed by real studies and real-world examples, this isn’t just motivation, it’s a wake-up call.

If you want to make more money, build a better business, improve your relationships, and actually enjoy life more… it starts with your circle.

Also in this episode:
• What to expect at Bug Bux Con
• Why networking isn’t optional anymore
• How the right room can change everything

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with pest control owner Matt Thompson to break down how he’s built a thriving, fast-growing business, without spending money on advertising.

From starting his company while working full-time to now averaging $70K–$80K in growth each year, Matt shares the real strategies behind his success: relentless customer care, organic growth, and mastering the small moments that most companies overlook.

They dive into:
• How to grow without a marketing budget
• The real driver behind low attrition (hint: it’s not pricing)
• Simple ways to create a “white glove” customer experience
• Training technicians to deliver consistent, high-level service
• The balance between efficiency and relationship-building
• Why retention will always beat acquisition

If you’re a pest control owner looking to grow sustainably, build loyal customers, and stand out in a crowded market—this episode is packed with practical, no-BS insights you can start using today.

In the pest control industry, it’s easy to fall into the "zero-sum" trap; the idea that for one business to win, another must lose. But what if the opposite were true? What if helping your "competitors" actually helped you grow faster?

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan is joined by Travis Bottoms and Tyler Sublette, founders of Nice Pest Company, who have scaled to 1,600 accounts in just 18 months. We dive deep into why there’s plenty of room for everyone at the table and how a spirit of abundance, rather than scarcity, is the ultimate business hack.

We also discuss the upcoming Real Pest World House in Dallas, Texas. This isn't just another networking event; it’s an immersive, mastermind experience designed to:

• Foster Radical Transparency: Share the wins, losses, and "secret sauce" with fellow owners.
• Build Lifelong Alliances: Turn competitors into collaborators and friends.
• Scale Smarter: Learn from those who have already cleared the hurdles you're facing.

As the Real Pest World motto says, "You can't compete with us because we want you to win." Whether you're a solo operator or managing a fleet, this episode will challenge you to look at the business across the street as an ally, not an enemy.

Join the Movement

Ready to step into an environment where your growth is everyone’s priority? The Real Pest World House is looking for hungry, open-minded owners who are ready to level up.

Don't wait—spots are limited to ensure an intimate, high-impact environment. Head over to therealpestworld.com today to fill out your application and secure your seat at the table. It’s time to stop competing and start winning—together.

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, we sit down with the founders of Peppermint Pest Control to discuss their unconventional journey into the industry. Coming from outside the pest control world with "zero connections" and "zero book of business," they explain how their fresh perspective as consumers led them to challenge industry standards.

We dive into:

• The No-Contract Model: Why they rely on quality service rather than binding paperwork to retain customers.
• The "Trust Business": Shifting the focus from killing bugs to building lasting relationships.
• Service as Growth: How prioritizing customer experience from the top down has fueled their success.
• Consumer-First Innovation: Identifying unmet needs in the market and building a brand that truly serves the demographic.

Whether you're an industry veteran or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable insights into how a "boots on the ground" mentality and a commitment to transparency can transform any business.

Links:

Bugbuxplus.com/bbcon

IG: @Pepermintpestcontrol

What if the biggest growth lever in your pest control company isn’t marketing, hiring, or pricing… but the people you surround yourself with?

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Kevin Reif, founder of Reif Environmental, to talk about the intangible edge that separates good operators from great ones: community.

They dive into the power of relationships inside the pest control industry, why competition doesn’t have to be cutthroat, and how surrounding yourself with driven, growth-minded operators can completely shift your trajectory. From late-night conversations at the Real Pest World House in Orlando to helping competitors in their own markets, Allan and Kevin unpack what it really means to “win together.”

Whether you’re new to the industry or scaling fast, this episode is a reminder that the real hack isn’t a marketing trick, it’s proximity.

If you want to level up your business, start by leveling up the people you spend time with.

Links:

Real Pest House Dallas- https://therealpestworld.com/

Reif Environmental - https://www.instagram.com/reifenvironmental?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Is AI about to disrupt the pest control industry, or is it just another tool?

In this solo episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper breaks down the real ways artificial intelligence is already impacting pest control and where it won’t be replacing humans anytime soon.

From predictive pest data and proactive treatments to smarter routing, automated customer communication, and AI-powered pest identification, Allan explores how forward-thinking companies can use AI to increase retention, improve efficiency, and drive revenue. He also dives into how CRM systems may be falling behind, why routing automation is the next big leap, and how chatbots and AI sales tools could soon outperform traditional CSRs in certain situations.

But here’s the twist: AI isn’t coming for your technician’s job, at least not the way you think.

Allan explains why blue-collar, on-site service businesses have built-in protection against full automation, how licensing and regulation slow robotic replacement, and why personal relationships between techs and customers remain one of the strongest competitive moats in the industry.

If you own or operate a pest control company and want to stay ahead of the curve without panicking about the future, this episode will challenge your thinking and help you prepare for what’s actually coming next.

AI isn’t replacing pest control.
But it is separating operators from innovators.