Ten Questions with a Pro (AKA: Where's your cartoon?)

We're back this month with our series of ten questions with a pro. Every other month, I’m interviewing a “pro” to find out what they do, how they do it, and how it helps pest control efforts. Today, we are talking with the fabulous Adam Holt at NameDatBug!

1. Give us the quick version of what you do.

Board Certified Entomologist, Pest Control Consultant with 25 years in the pest control industry. What does this mean? This means I help pest control company owners solve problems such as licensing, training, onboarding, QA programs, and, probably my favorite, identifying insects.  

Chelle: "what's this bug" is my favorite game!

2. What got you into this, how did you get into pest control?

I was working for Anastasia Mosquito Control District of St Johns County in St Augustine, Florida, and was poached by Rentokil Terminix to do commercial sales. I was honestly tired of working two jobs and figured, WTF, I am young enough, let's give this a try. Two weeks into my Terminix role and completing my ASPIRE training, I met a gentleman named Wally Holden. I walked up to him after day 1 of training and said: here's my resume. I want to do what you are doing.  How can we make that happen?  A year later, I was a Technical Specialist for Rentokil Terminix covering North Florida.  

That's so awesome. Goes to show you that it's always worth asking.

3. What’s one thing you wish people would know or understand better when it comes to pest control?

I wish the general population understood that pest control does not just mean "killing bugs".  There is a science behind pest control and being a steward of the environment.   

4. What do you think the biggest challenge for pest control companies is right now?

Honestly?  Training, licensing, and qualifying good technicians. Retention rates are through the roof because many companies do not have solid onboarding and continuing education training programs. Technicians need to feel supported throughout their journey, and when they don't have the tools to be successful, they look elsewhere. And let's face it, technicians are a dime a dozen.  I don't mean this disrespectfully; however, technicians and especially good "Qualified" technicians are always in demand.   

Agreed, training is SO important. It not only helps with retention, it also helps with callbacks!

5. What changes do you predict in the next 5-10 years?

Some folks think AI is going to have a huge impact.  I am still undecided as I have recently guest-appeared on several podcasts around this topic.  I honestly think that AI is going to potentially have a negative impact on the pest control industry, especially if companies do not invest in having technical people on their teams who are scholarly trained Entomologists.  While I appreciate the ACE and what it brings to the industry, there is no match for a taxonomist trained BCE who has pulled thousands of Cornell drawers and studied insects taxonomically for decades. 

That's an interesting take on AI, and I agree with a lot of that. Especially still having that trained entomologist and a good training on board.

6. You do a lot, including lots of training on pest control, explain that like you would to a five year old.

Pest control means killing the bugs inside people's homes where they don't belong and ensuring the bugs are safe outside where they do belong. 

Love it!

7. What do you think people get wrong about what you do?

Most people think I am just trying to get their money.  While they are not wrong and I do have to be paid to make a living, I do what I do to give back and help others bring efficiencies to the table that they are not taking advantage of. 

And helping them provide better service to their customers

8. Pest control is affected by how you do it. What is your top tip for the best pest control services?

"Knowledge is Power," so empower your employees so they are confident in their performance. Empower your clients so they not only love your company because of the great job you do. They will also love you because of your professionalism and technical details. 

Sometimes people forget that pest control is in the service industry, but pest control provides a hugely beneficial service to our clients.

9. What new “stuff” are you working on that we can look forward to?

I am working on bringing more technology to clients around quality assurance and licensing. I am also working on building out my website, offering many free as well as paid services (safety and technical trainings). 

10. If you were any of our pest species, what would you be and why?

Probably Carnus hemapterus.  I need diversity, and they live on a variety of hosts in a variety of habitats.  I also love efficiency, and man, are these ectoparasites efficient! I also just have an infatuation for ectos. 

I had to look that one up; it is a cool and very pretty insect.

11. Any last words?

"Learning is living" so live each day to the fullest.  

Beautiful!

Thanks so much to Adam for playing along with our ten questions series. You can learn more about him here. Stay tuned for our next “Pro”!