I got a text message today from an aquaintance asking me how he can get his pest control and trapping license.

I laughed because I only here from this person when they want something from me (part time work, borrow a ladder, etc.).

So I asked him "Why? Do you want to be my competition?"

After a very long delay he responded "No,"

Everyone thinks this job is just about catching an animal. Nobody thinks about the countless hours that are spent doing all the other stuff that is the real work and has nothing to do with animals. In my opinion if you can't save money you have no shot at making it. Too many times I have to go buy something that costs money to do a certain job and if it wasn't for my ability to keep money in the bank I would of folded time and time again.

But "yes" I did tell him where to go to get the information he requested. There are already too many operators in this market so one more isn't going to hurt at all.

Nate had the same thing happen to me about
A week ago! He first asked if I was hiring then Went
On to ask what he all needed and what kind of
Advertising worked best and what animal was the main
Thing I have complaints for! Being in a very very
Small Market where I live I just gave him the basics on
What he needed!

Nate, please keep that idiot down by you. We have enough calls from people who hire the cheapest guy and then wonder how come the traps never get checked.

Paul,

He wouldn't make it two months. I did hear Batzner is hiring guys for wildlife. I am more afraid of these "Pest Control" companies getting into wildlife. Sure anyone can figure out if it is a squirrel or raccoon in that attic but it takes time to know if what they are hearing in the walls is bats, flyers, or mice.

I think I am departing at just the right time.

Can't teach ambition...

So true. I am all for ambition and that is why I did tell him the steps he needs to take. Competition makes us work harder to stay on top.

Not to fear Nate. Batzner had guys doing animal work more than twenty years ago and it cost them customers. This is just their idea of payback for us wildlife guys stealing so many pest customers. It just won't work. Every single pest control company ( except the little guy ) has tried animal control and failed. ( Heck, even some of the animal control companies have failed )

What I've seen over the past couple years is "desperation" businesses pop up. I think it's great when someone decides to operate their own business, but it requires serious planning, a fairly healthy investment, and then a couple years before you can expect to make your first dime.

With the flat economy (actually still sinking) many will try to start their own business as they can't find a "regular" job. People who are at the point of living paycheck-to-paycheck, or worse have lost a job and are barely hanging on, are in the worst possble situation to start a business.

Most WCO's start part-time while working a full-time job, hoping to build it to the point they can go full-time. To start full-time, it typically requires having enough money to live off of for a couple years. Everything you take in from the new business needs to be invested right back into the business, not put in your pocket.

The guys who jump in because they have a couple cages and need an income will usually be gone in a very short time period. If they have never ran a business and have no idea what the recurring costs are, it's a rude awakening. It's often the new guys who think the established WCO's charge too much, so they feel they can undercut them and "steal" all the business. Doesn't take long to end up in the red using that type of thinking.

Very good post, Mr. Scheller. When I first went full-time I was not surprised at the money I made, but the money I spent was a shocker!

Yup,

When you figure what goes out monthly between phone bill, internet bill, truck notes, insurance, fuel costs, supplies, advertising, accountant fees, it adds up fast.

Good topic and good post, I had a call about a month back wanting to know how I my business for pigeons is structured?
I'm still not sure he got the answer he was looking for, but it was an interesting couple of minutes.

I'd agree with everyone who stated it is easy to see the upside from the sideline, but once you commit you better have the
fortitude for the hardship that comes with making it real. A bachelor with no family, wife, etc...may be able to (if business
inclined) to suffer through much more than folks supporting families, but for most, the stress of making it isn't just on
the guy/gal in the field, but their whole lineage!

Every job I acquire is one step closer to being where we want to be, but each year is a long time and I'm still learning every
day what each day needs to be spent on to make strides forward in this industry.

Thanks for sharing, a thread like this is a good one for all the folks who lurk or read thinking this industry is a slam dunk
way to make a good living.

Justin

Completely understand. I have news media asking for interviews and friends. I don't give them much help. I don't do TV interviews anymore since it probably would not help me much and only get others interested in it. You don't need more competition. Animal Control companies are few in number compared to most other companies.

They dont think of the cost of workman's comp, insurances, gas, etc. What helps me in most of my accounts is the fact that I am licensed and insured. Most are not insured. Most companies will not allow anyone to do work unless insured.

Missouri requires no license, test or permit of any kind to do WC. As far as I know, that's unique or very rare. Any clown with a pickup and a couple of traps can "go into WC" here.
It's because of states like us that NWCOA exists.

Dave Wisconsin only requires a Trapping license and they give that to anyone who applies.

I like not having outrageous regulations and big brother breathing down our neck. The fact that Critter Control requires its franchisees to be members of NWCOA and 85% of the jobs I go "FIX" are from Critter Control of Madison should speak volumes (but that is a topic for another thread).

In Michigan, you apply for a permit at no cost, but must keep records of your catches,and report every three years. But the wildlife Div. is being pushed real hard by someone to have fee, testing for everyone at the expense of the permit holder. I have a good idea, but not sure. But it is not from people in Michigan. Not sure of the out come.

The MI thing died....unfortunately.

Dave I just talked to the special permit advisor
For wildlife control! She said that in February or march
They were going to be holding another meeting To
Re evaluate the new law! So maybe it's still in the works
For 2013

Ron,that is exactly what we figured when we went "full time". Two years of no "household" income from me. But I think the biggest reason that we were able to succeed in this bisiness is because I was lucky enough to have a wife that has never wavered in her support.

I know a few guys who would like to see a testing system here in Wisconsin and while I am against it personally I know it is popular among a lot of the established guys in the field. I think I am highly outnumbered on this topic.

I personally just can't understand why you would want the Government telling you what you can and can't do? Especially when HSUS and other groups "WILL" have an influence in that decision. Just makes no sense.

Like Paul always says on these forums. Wisconsin has some of the fewest rules and some of the fewest issues.

Well...I am certainly not in favor of the government being in our business. Small government is best...but is that the direction that the country is going? If a group is going to get regulations established, wouldn't you want it to be a group from our industry?

There are enough poor operators, that regulation is inevitable. Running any business is tough for most. Wildlife control is complicated enough to make it even more challenging. Good trappers are not always good business men - and vice versa. But, if you do not value or pursue training, how can you improve? Many probably flounder around, and the public suffers.

In my opinion, established companies want the regulations so that we can get better competitors and establish more credibility in the industry. Stronger competitors rises the bar for established businesses....and makes you a better company. Imagine a world with only Ford vehicles....we would still be driving model T's....