Bug Bux Podcast
The Bug Bux Podcast is your go-to resource for launching, growing, and scaling a successful pest control company. Hosted by Allan Draper, entrepreneur, investor, and founder of multiple high-growth service businesses, the podcast delivers real-world insights and proven strategies for pest control owners ready to level up.
Allan brings a unique perspective as someone who has built and led pest control companies from the ground up, scaling from zero to multi-million dollar operations. With a passion for entrepreneurship and a deep love for the pest control industry, he shares not just tactics, but mindset shifts and leadership principles to help owners win in business and life.
Each episode features expert guests, in-depth conversations, and powerful solo sessions where Allan breaks down everything from pricing strategies and P&L breakdowns to team building, vendor relationships, and personal development.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to break into the PCT Top 100, the Bug Bux Podcast will help you become a bug money millionaire.
Episodes
251 episodes
The Bee Business: How to Turn Specialty Services Into Recurring Revenue | Jean Navarro | EP 250
Bee removals are usually seen as one-time jobs.Jean Navarro saw something different.In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with the owner of Mega Bee Rescues & Pest Control to break down how he transfor...
The 2026 Benchmarks Every Pest Pro Should Know (and the Google Review Changes Nobody's Talking About)
Taylor returns to break down fresh numbers from Applause's 2026 State of Home Services Benchmark Report, covering the new standards for technician performance like daily visit volume, reservice rates, routing efficiency, and Google review bench...
Why You'll Never Feel "Balanced" (And That's Okay) | EP 248
Most entrepreneurs don't struggle because they aren't working hard enough—they struggle because they feel like they're constantly falling short.In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Aaron O'Brien, owner of Pro Strike Pest Solution...
Why Your "Why" Matters More Than Your Revenue | EP 247
This week, Allan Draper welcomes back the original Bug Bux co-founder, Solomon Earhart, for one of the most honest conversations we've ever had on the podcast.After building Arusa Pest Control into one of the fastest-growing companies in...
The Hidden Cost of Reacting Too Fast | EP 246
In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with John Speed, founder of Kilauea Pest Control in Hawaii, to talk about what it really takes to build an exceptional company.John shares the lessons he's learned growing o...
The Communication Advantage: The Small Things That Separate Great Pest Control Companies | EP 245
Most pest control companies offer the same products. So why do some businesses earn loyal customers while others lose them?In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Ben Riches, founder of Apex Pest Solutions, to discuss how comm...
Stop Doing Everything Yourself | Scaling Systems, Leadership & Growth | EP 244
What can a CPA teach a pest control owner about scaling a business?In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Brandon Sizemore, co-founder and COO of Mint Pest Control, for a conversation packed with real busines...
Premium Pricing, Better Customers & Bigger Profits with Luke Lewis | EP 243
What happens when a former FBI intelligence analyst enters the pest control industry with zero experience?In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Luke Lewis, founder of Native Pest Management, to talk about bu...
The Real Weight of Building a Pest Control Business | EP 242
In this solo episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper opens up about the emotional side of building a business that most owners never talk about.From difficult employees and angry customers to growth pressure, burnout...
Pest Control Sales & Marketing Secrets | EP 241
What does it actually take to scale a pest control company past $1M?In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Andrew Peluso, founder of Pesty Marketing, to break down the marketing systems, sales processes, and...
The Long Game in Business: Relationships, Community & Growth with Tony Carder | EP 240
Allan Draper sits down with Tony Carder, owner of True North Pest Control, for a powerful conversation about leadership, relationships, patience, and building businesses the right way.After a successful exit from Active Pest Control and ...
Creating High-Performing Sales Teams Using Incentives, KPIs, and Daily Accountability | EP 239
In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Kyle Turner, founder and CEO of Proactive Pest Control, to unpack how he scaled a pest control company to 140+ employees and multiple locations without relying on traditional d...
From Fighter Pilot to Pest Control Owner | EP 238
In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Alex Daie, former F/A-18 Super Hornet combat pilot, F-35 instructor pilot, Wharton MBA, and now founder of Fortis Pest Control.Alex shares why he left a successful corpo...
How to Book More Jobs Without Hiring | EP 237
Most pest control companies are spending thousands on marketing… and still missing a huge percentage of their leads.In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Aaron Cooper, CEO of SameDay AI, to break down exactly why that’s happening ...
The Real Reason Your Employees Quit (And How to Build a Team That Stays) | EP 236
If you’re struggling with employee retention… this episode is for you.Allan Draper sits down with Maria Sorrentino, CEO of Pest Pros, to break down what actually keeps great people around and it’s not just pay, processes, or performance ...
The Most Overlooked Growth Lever in Pest Control | EP 235
Most pest control owners are chasing growth in the wrong place.In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Reagan Nickl (VP of Customer Success at Ask Nicely) to break down one of the most overlooked, but highest-impact, growth levers i...
Why Human Experience Will Beat AI (And Win in Pest Control) | EP 234
In this unscripted episode, Allan Draper and Mat Rogers dive into what actually separates businesses in today’s AI-driven world and it’s not what you think.They unpack a powerful idea: AI can only remix what already exists… but it can’t...
The Science Behind Wasp Control (And Why It Matters) | EP 233
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....
The Unsexy Services That Make the Most Money (Pigeons, Weeds & More) | EP 232
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 carve...
You’re Not Stuck; You’re Just Around the Wrong People | EP 231
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 exam...
Grow Fast Without Ads: The Customer-First Playbook for Pest Control Success | EP 230
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 w...
Beyond the Sting: Why Community Beats Competition in Pest Control | EP 229
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...
From Outsiders to Industry Disruptors | EP 228
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 bus...
Change Your Circle, Change Your Business | EP 227
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, fo...
Will AI Replace Pest Control? What’s Coming (And What’s Not) | EP 226
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...