Biz Pro/Business Spotlight: Glenna’s Pest Control

Our Biz Pro Spotlight series has brought me into contact with many local superstars who bless our community by offering their services, and Glenna’s Pest Control was no exception to this rule. I was recently gifted with the opportunity to spend a few minutes with these fine folks in order to find out what makes them tick…or exterminate ticks…
So tell me, what makes Glenna’s Pest Control stand apart from the competition?
First off, we’re a family business that has been a part of this community since 1968. We started as City Termite, then had a few other name changes until we landed on Glenna’s back in 1999. And we do it all! Bed bugs, termites, squirrels, raccoons, armadillos, rats or mice in your attic, ticks or fleas on your dog- you name it, if it bothers you, we’ll get rid of it, and we’ll do it at a reasonable price. Not only that, we’ll do it seven days a week.
That sounds pretty amazing. What got you started in the Pest Control Industry?
Starting back in 1958 my dad went to work for Orkin. He did that for ten years and then realized he could better serve his community and his family by going into business on his own, so he did. He insisted on involving me and my two brothers in the in’s and out’s of the business, and I guess it paid off because all three of us own our own pest control businesses now.
So it really is a family business then?
Absolutely. We’ve spread out a little, but we all follow in his footsteps.
Now, in all that experience, what would you consider to be the absolute worst sort of infestation to deal with?
Bed bugs. Hands down.
What is it that makes those things so hard to deal with?
They’re really good at hiding. I’ve seen them get inside of light sockets, behind the drywall, hood vents, you name it. Not only are they hard to find, but you have to kill them with heat, which- I guess is another thing that sets us apart- we have several heat treatment machines that not all companies are willing to invest in. These are the only way to get rid of bed bugs.
Walk me through that process. What does exterminating bed bugs entail?
Oh man, it is an ordeal. The only way to really do it is to take everything out of a room; curtains, carpets, rugs, mattresses- take them all out and burn them. Then we come in with the tarps and the heat treatments to put them to rest. We’ve even had to do this while dealing with a bed ridden person in a house before, it’s a lot.
Now I’m scared, where do these things come from?
People usually bring them home from a hotel, and not always the kind you would expect to pick them up from. I always recommend these bed bug traps you can find online. Take it to your room, set it out, go to dinner, and if you see these little black dots when you come back, get a refund and go somewhere else.
Is there anything you would like to say in closing?
Just that we are a family oriented, family run business. We’ve been around a long time and want to show everyone that we’re willing to go the extra mile in order to make our customers happy. We’re old school, so all we really have is our reputation, and we work hard to protect it.