The Best of Pest Podcast

Take a step and back and you'll realize this:Pest control is so much more than getting rid of bugs.

In this episode, Kelli is joined by the CEO of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), Dominique Stumpf, to talk about the much bigger impact this industry has on our communities, public health, and our families.

We ask: Why does the work you do matter, far beyond the homes and businesses you serve?

Dominique shares her perspective on the role pest control plays in protecting public health, serving your community, and taking pride in work that often goes unnoticed. She also talks about the people side of the industry: from finding mentors and building relationships to getting involved and helping others grow.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why pest control is so important to public health
• The impact PCOs have on their communities
• Why taking pride in your work matters
• The power of mentorship and finding people you can learn from
• How getting involved in the industry can open doors
• Why Dominique believes this industry has so much to be proud of and what's exciting her right now.
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If you've ever wondered why the work you do matters beyond the job itself, this episode is for you!

SHOW RESOURCES:

NPMA: www.npmapestworld.com

PPMA: www.npmapestworld.org/alliance

PEST WORLD: npmapestworld.org/attend/industry-events-calendar/pestworld-2026

In this week's episode, Kait sits down with the Co-Owner and COO of Pest-End: Courtney Carace. Courtney shares so much more than just the systems that led to their HUGE growth; she dives deep into leadership and shaping the culture that helped her company triple its revenue while building a team people genuinely want to be a part of.

Leading one of PCT's Top 100 pest control companies, Courtney talks about how implementing EOS transformed the way they run the business, why hiring for core values matters just as much as hiring for skill, and the creative ways they recognize employees, drive accountability, and create a culture of ownership. And wait until you hear about their SHINE Award!

From onboarding new technicians to succession planning in a family business, this conversation is packed with practical ideas that owners and operators can start applying today.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How EOS helped scale the business
• Building a values-driven company culture
• Hiring and onboarding strategies that set employees up for success
• Creative employee recognition and incentive programs
• Using data and accountability to improve performance
• Leading through growth and planning for the next generation

Whether you're trying to build a stronger team, improve your leadership, or create a business that can grow without everything depending on you, this episode is full of insights from someone who's done it... and continues to keep showing up and growing!

Most pest control companies overlook the power of branding, but Emily Kriley's Pink Pest Solutions isn't one of those companies. Joined this week by Rock City Digital's CEO, Kait Hill, you'll hear how a bold color choice can turn your business into a neighborhood icon and attract clients long after the trade show ends. Emily shares exactly how her branding helps her stand out in a saturated market. You'll also hear about:

• The surprising impact visual branding has on customers, even without pouring thousands into SEO
• How to create a memorable brand identity that builds trust and connection with your local community
• The story behind Emily's decision to embrace feminine branding and how it attracts the right clients
• Tips for leveraging playful promo products to boost brand visibility

Whether you're a new pest control owner or looking to elevate an existing brand, this episode delivers great insights to make your business unforgettable.

UPDATE: Since recording, Google has announced Ads will transition to AI Max campaigns in February 2027.

Google Ads is about to undergo one of its biggest changes yet, and pest control companies need to be ready.

In this episode of The Best of Pest, Kelli Campbell sits down with Rock City Digital's Google Ads Specialist, Johnathan Cleghorn, to break down Google's upcoming AI Max campaign transition and what it means for pest control owners and operators.

Johnathan shares 3 practical steps you can take now to prepare your account, along with insights on campaign structure, budget allocation, multi-location advertising, and how AI is changing the way Google Ads campaigns are managed and optimized.

Whether you're running ads in one market or managing multiple locations across several states, this episode will help you understand what's changing, what opportunities exist, and how to position your campaigns for success as Google continues to lean into automation and AI.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What Google's AI Max campaigns are and why they matter
• How AI is changing Google Ads management
• Campaign structure recommendations for multi-location pest control companies
• Budget allocation strategies and common mistakes
• 3 things you can do today to prepare for the AI Max transition

If Google Ads is part of your growth strategy, this is an episode you won't want to miss. The companies that prepare now will be in the best position to adapt, compete, and win as AI continues to reshape search advertising. 🐜🎯

In this episode, Kelli sits down with Ethan West, a third-generation leader stepping into his family’s growing pest control business West Termite, Pest, and Lawn, to talk about what the next generation of pest control looks like and why data, technology, and customer relationships are becoming the biggest competitive advantages in the industry.

Ethan shares how their company operates across three states while maintaining an impressive customer retention rate, and how they dramatically reduced cancellations from 6% to just 1.2% by leveraging real-time customer feedback, automated communication, and smarter operational systems. Shoutout to Applause!

The conversation dives into how modern pest control companies can use technology to strengthen customer relationships, improve retention, identify upsell opportunities, and make better business decisions through data. Ethan also discusses the balance between honoring a family legacy while bringing fresh ideas, AI tools, and new communication strategies into a multi-generational business.

This episode is full with insight for pest control owners and operators who want improve customer experience and build a business positioned for long-term growth.

Building a Mosquito Control Business That Homeowners Trust

In this episode of The Best of Pest, Kelli sits down with Anna Young, Head of Internal Operations at Torpedo Mosquito and Co-Owner of Torpedo Mosquito Virginia Beach, to talk about what it really takes to grow a successful mosquito control company in a competitive market.

Anna shares her journey from horticulture and home cleaning into the pest control industry, along with the lessons she’s learned building and operating a fast-growing business. The conversation covers everything from:

• entering a new market and generating early momentum with yard signs and door knocking
• hiring during peak season
• building strong systems internally
• creating customer trust through guarantees and personalized service

This episode is FULL of practical insight for pest control owners and operators looking to grow intentionally, improve operations, and stand out in their market.

In this episode, Kelli sits down with Account Executive, Sarah Hamel, to talk through the marketing strategies pest control companies should actually be prioritizing right now.

From entering a new market and building local visibility to understanding the difference between Google Ads and Meta Ads, this episode is packed with practical insights for owners and operators looking to grow intentionally. Sarah also shares:

• what she’s seeing work across the pest control industry
• common mistakes companies are making
• where businesses should focus first to generate better leads and long-term growth

If you’re trying to make smarter marketing decisions for your pest control company, this episode is full of actionable takeaways.

Throwing more money at Local Service Ads will not fix your lead problem.

In this episode, I explain how Google Local Service Ads work, and why the companies winning are not always the ones spending the most.

Topics include:

• The ranking factors behind LSAs
• How Google measures your ability to convert leads
• Why your operations team impacts marketing performance
• The mistakes that cost pest control companies leads

If your LSA performance has been inconsistent, this episode will help you understand why!

You don’t have a lead problem. You have a messaging problem. In this episode, we break down why homeowners aren’t calling, even when your marketing is getting in front of them. We cover the most common messaging mistakes pest control companies make and how to fix them so your website, ads, and overall marketing actually convert into calls and customers.

You’ll come away with practical ways to address 5 of the primary concerns homeowners have, like response time, pricing, trust, and ongoing pest issues, and how small shifts in your messaging can lead to more calls, better leads, and less price shopping.

Is ChatGPT recommending your pest control company? In this week's episode of The Best of Pest, we'll talk about:

• What's actually happening with ChatGPT
• Where ChatGPT sources its answers from
• 4 things you should do to show up in ChatGPT results
• 3 things to hurt your chances of being recommended

Listen, execute, and deploy. Don't miss it!