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.

In this special Thanksgiving episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Allan Draper opens up about gratitude, community, and the transformative power of clear goal-setting. Recorded ahead of the holiday but released on Thanksgiving weekend, Allan reflects on the origins of the Bug Bucks community, how it was born during one of the most turbulent times in the pest control industry, and why he’s more grateful than ever for every listener, member, and contributor.

Then, Allan dives deep into his personal goal-setting process—shaped since childhood—and shares the exact steps, frameworks, and mindset shifts he uses to set and achieve meaningful goals in both life and business. You’ll hear:

• Why goal-setting unlocks opportunities you didn’t even know were around you
• The 7 areas Allan uses to map out his yearly personal goals
• His seven most powerful hacks for setting and achieving business goals
• The importance of team buy-in, scoreboards, celebrating effort, and identity-based goals
• How to prepare your pest control company for its strongest year yet in 2026
  
  

This episode is packed with practical direction, personal stories, and strategic insights designed to help you create clarity, inspire your team, and confidently map out your next year. Whether you’re listening on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or weeks later—this is your moment to recalibrate and level up.

And don’t forget: Bug Bucks Plus memberships opened with a locked-in rate through the end of the year. If you’re serious about growth, now’s the time to take advantage.

In this episode of The Bug Bux Podcast, host Allan Draper sits down with Isabelle Lucero, Technical Sales and Compliance Manager at JT Eaton, to unpack one of the industry’s most pressing topics, the evolving landscape of pesticide and rodenticide regulations.

Isabelle, who holds a master’s degree in entomology from the University of Kentucky, shares insights on how new EPA and state-level restrictions are shaping pest control practices across the U.S., what PCOs should be watching for, and how to stay compliant while maintaining effective control strategies.

They also discuss the importance of innovation in pest management, from JT Eaton’s new Long Strong Pole to the Trojan Horse, an inventive IPM bait station designed for discretion and versatility.

Whether you’re a technician in the field or an owner preparing for the next wave of regulation, this episode offers practical advice, fresh ideas, and a reminder that adaptability is key to long-term success in pest control.

Poles here: https://jteatonpmp.com/accessories/dusters-poles/
Trojan Horse here: https://www.jteaton.com/trojan-horse/
Distributor locator: https://jteatonpmp.com/distributor-locator/

Regulatory Disclaimers

• Contact your pesticide distributor, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR), or your County Agricultural Commissioner for any questions on RUP rodenticide storage, returns or disposal in the state of California.

In this solo episode, Allan Draper dives deep into one of the most misunderstood parts of entrepreneurship — sacrifice. Drawing from his own early experiences building Proof Pest Control and lessons from his upcoming book, Allan challenges the idea that sacrifice means loss.

He explains why true sacrifice only happens when we trade something of greater value for something lesser, and how entrepreneurs can protect what matters most — faith, family, and personal growth — while still building thriving companies.

Allan also shares a personal story about missing time with his young children in the early days of his business and the lessons that moment taught him about priorities, planning, and balance.

This episode is a reminder that success doesn’t come from giving up what’s most important — it comes from staying disciplined, keeping your priorities in order, and viewing every challenge as an investment in future freedom.

Whether you’re in the grind of startup life or scaling your business, this conversation will help you refocus on what truly matters and find motivation in the journey ahead.

In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Davin, the 21-year-old owner of Redline Pest Control, a fast-growing, family-owned company out of Arizona. Davin shares how his early experiences in solar and carwash sales fueled his passion for entrepreneurship — and how he turned those lessons into a thriving pest control business.

From running services out of the back of his Audi to building a trusted brand with his dad, Davin talks about the grind, the setbacks, and the rewards of building something from scratch. Allan and Davin dive into topics like door-to-door sales, working with family, and finding business partners who strengthen your weaknesses.

Whether you’re just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking for inspiration to push through the early challenges, this episode is packed with insight, grit, and real-world lessons.

Join your host, Allan Draper, and the guys on the final night in the Real Pest World house in Orlando. With the "The Real Pest World Orlando" officially wrapped, the crew is both tired and motivated as they share their closing thoughts, highlights, and the powerful connections they've solidified.

This episode isn't just a recap; it's a look ahead. They dive deep into the philosophy of "The Real Pest World"—moving beyond competition to foster a community where "you can't compete with us, we want you to win." Learn about the three core pillars for the future:

1. Freshman Focus: Continuing to welcome new, hungry PCOs into the fold.
2. Charity & Give Back: Ensuring the event remains about more than just business.
3. Learning & Collaboration: Creating structured opportunities for intimate peer-to-peer and vendor workshops.

They also reveal the exciting destination for next year's event, Dallas, Texas, and outline the application process. Don't miss this one to hear how this unique brotherhood is setting the tone for the pest control industry and building a legacy that will truly last.

Apply for The Real Pest World 2026 House Here:  https://therealpestworld.com/

In this episode, Allan Draper hosts a special edition of The Bug Bux Podcast—recorded live from The Real Pest World House in Orlando during PestWorld 2025.

Joined by 15 pest control owners representing over $100 million in combined revenue, all coming together under one roof to collaborate—not compete.

The group opens up about why they created the Real Pest World experience, the shift from secrecy to shared growth in the industry, and how genuine relationships are accelerating innovation across pest control companies of every size. From late-night strategy sessions to charity competitions and deep discussions about personal purpose, this episode captures the energy, honesty, and brotherhood shaping the next generation of pest pros.

They talk about how collaboration beats competition, how vulnerability and trust are transforming company culture, and why giving back is becoming a cornerstone of modern pest control leadership. Whether you’re just starting your business or leading a multi-million-dollar operation, this conversation will leave you inspired to connect, contribute, and grow alongside others in the industry.

In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Taylor Olson, CEO and co-founder of Applause, the employee engagement and performance platform designed specifically for home service companies.

Taylor, who many in the industry know as the co-founder of Slingshot, shares his journey of building solutions that bridge the gap between technician performance, customer experience, and company growth. Together, Allan and Taylor dive deep into how Applause is helping pest control companies motivate their teams, generate more Google reviews, and retain top talent in a competitive market.

They discuss what true technician engagement looks like, how recognition and accountability can transform a company culture, and why the best-performing PCOs are focusing on their people just as much as their processes. Taylor also shares insights from the early days of Slingshot, the lessons learned from scaling quickly, and how those experiences shaped his vision for Applause.

Whether you’re a small business owner looking to improve morale or a growing operator focused on building a stronger team, this episode is packed with actionable strategies, mindset shifts, and proven methods to help you lead better and grow faster.

Show Notes:
Learn more about Applause: https://www.applausehq.com/

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This episode kicks off something totally new for the Bug Bux community. Allan is joined by Travis Bottoms and Tyler Sublette from Nice Pest Company to talk about their plans for Pest World — where they’ll be staying in a house packed with pest control pros and vendors, Big Brother–style.

They share what they’re most excited for, why events like Pest World matter so much for building relationships and growing your business, and how Travis and Tyler scaled Nice Pest Company fast without spending a single dollar on ads.

Get an inside look at what’s coming to Bug Bux+ — the laughs, the learning, and the chaos that happens when you put a bunch of pest pros under one roof.