Don’t call me an exterminator. What is the difference between an exterminator and pest control? At the end of the day you might not think much. They both do the same thing right? Kinda but not really. I have a problem with the word exterminator. You may think it is silly but hear me out.

     Years ago, exterminators had a bad rap for being shysters and selling snake oil remedies. They were uneducated, unprofessional, and had little regard for safety. There used to even be wallpaper with DDT on it specifically for the nursery adorned with Disney characters. It was the land of Bubba and his spray can dowsing everything. It stunk to high heaven and you had to leave the house. Everything was dead but what was it doing to little Johny and Whiskers? There was little knowledge of pest biology or safety. The kids ran behind the mosquito truck as it fogged the neighborhood having fun running through the smoke. It was a very different mindset than today.

     Knowledge is power. Wisdom is ultimate power. As the years passed by, knowledge of the pests biology was promoted. Society grew more conscious about safety as we learned more about the materials that were being used. In reality, it wasn’t the materials that were the problem as much as the methods. I have discussed how the dosage is the poison before. If a little works ok, then allot will work better does not apply to pest control. That mentality can actually worsen the situation.  With new knowledge at our fingertips, treatments began to be more specific rather than a burn it all down approach. This more targeted use of less product was more effective. Everybody wins. Then thinking outside the box with bait formulations elevated the process even more. Within the last 10 years it has gone even further outside that proverbial box to the development of products that affect aspects of pest biology that we don’t have. That means that even if we do come into contact with it, it won’t affect us. Even the words we use now are shifting towards medical terminology.

     I said all this to make the point that the term exterminator needs to go away. It is impossible to exterminate all the bugs. It gives the wrong impression. They will be back. I guarantee it. No matter how cold it gets, I will have calls come spring. The shift from Bubba with a spray can to an entomologically educated pest control technician is a good one for everyone involved. I actually despise the word exterminator. Call me an exterminator and it’s like I have been slapped in the face. I have spent thousands of hours studying the enemy at large and the methods to control them. I am required by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to meet certain requirements and have exceeded those requirements because it’s my passion.  Going above and beyond allows me to help you better.

     A pest control technician, or the new term Pest Control Operator (PCO) is a higher level than an exterminator. You should expect more from a PCO. They should at minimum be:

Now I know there are Joe’s or Bob’s Exterminating companies out there who get it and do a good job but they have had that name for 30 years. It’s a brand. I encourage all my bug sniper friends to look long and hard at this and ask yourself… are you an exterminator or a Pest Control Operator? And to the customers, which would you rather have? A baseboard jockey or a Pest Control Operator?