Bug Bux Podcast

Hosted by Allan Draper

Business Management

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Episodes

253

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 20, 2026Episode 25223 min

Would You Rather? (Pest Control Edition) | Ep. 252

In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper hands the mic to Mat Rogers, partner at Lizard Marketing, for a "Would You Rather" showdown covering sales, marketing, operations, hiring, growth, and even selling the company. It's a rapid-fire look at how two pest control leaders actually think under pressure. In this episode you'll learn: • Whether Allan would take unlimited leads at a 20% close rate beats half the leads at 80% • Why not all callbacks are bad • Why hiring for attitude beats hiring for experience every time • The tradeoff between $5M at high margins vs. $20M at thin margins • How referrals build stickier, longer-retained customers than reviews alone • Whether they'd sell their company for a life-changing payout — or keep building If you've ever wondered how top operators think through the tough calls, this one's a fun, honest look behind the curtain. 👉🏼 https://www.skool.com/bugbux

August 13, 2026Episode 25132 min

Why Your Pest Control Leads Aren't Converting (And How to Fix It) | Ep. 251

Your marketing isn't always the problem—sometimes your sales process is. In Episode 251 of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper welcomes Tanner Crookston, founder of Plaibook, to discuss why pest control companies lose valuable leads and how better systems, pricing strategies, AI, and accountability can dramatically improve close rates. In this episode you'll learn: How to hold your marketing company accountable The biggest inside sales mistakes hurting conversions Why many reps sell themselves too cheap How AI identifies missed opportunities and improves coaching The metrics every pest control owner should be tracking Why simplifying your tech stack can actually increase growth If you're spending money on marketing, this episode will help you get more customers from the leads you already have. 👉🏼 https://www.skool.com/bugbux

August 6, 2026Episode 25040 min

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 transformed a specialty service into a thriving recurring revenue engine. Learn: How bee removals lead to pest control customers The science behind bee colonies and relocations Why proper pricing matters Lessons from removing 18 active hives in a single project How to create a service customers never want to leave If you're in pest control, this episode will change how you think about specialty services. 👉🏼 https://www.skool.com/bugbux

July 30, 2026Episode 24934 min

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 benchmarks. From there the conversation shifts to reputation, and why Google has changed its stance on review solicitation. Thousands of home services companies have watched real reviews disappear from their profiles overnight. Additionally, a new Google Maps update now lets customers leave reviews anonymously. 👉🏼 https://www.skool.com/bugbux

July 23, 2026Episode 24833 min

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 Solutions, to talk about the reality of building a pest control business while raising a family. They dive into work-life balance, entrepreneurial guilt, communication with your spouse, staying present with your kids, and why gratitude may be your greatest competitive advantage. If you've ever felt like you're failing at business, family, or both, this conversation is for you. In this episode: Why "work-life balance" is the wrong goal The power of focused imbalance How Aaron structures his days around family Entrepreneur guilt and overcoming the feeling of never doing enough The Gap vs. The Gain mindset Practical habits for staying grateful while building your business 👉🏼 https://www.skool.com/bugbux

July 16, 2026Episode 24739 min

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 industry and achieving an eight-figure exit, Solomon found himself facing something no one saw coming. Behind the success was burnout, overwhelming pressure, depression, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and the realization that chasing growth at all costs came with a price. In this episode, Solomon opens up about the mistakes that nearly cost him everything, his journey through sobriety, therapy, rebuilding his life, and how his definition of success has completely changed. Allan also reflects on the pressures business owners face and why the pest control industry needs to have more honest conversations about mental health, relationships, and purpose. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to grow, questioned why you're chasing success, or struggled silently while trying to build your business, this episode is for you. In this episode: Solomon's journey from eight-figure exit to personal rock bottom The dangers of ego-driven entrepreneurship Burnout, anxiety, addiction, and rebuilding after failure Why business owners need stronger support systems How redefining success changed Solomon's life Asking yourself the most important question: Why are you doing this? This isn't just a conversation about business—it's a conversation about becoming the kind of person who can build something meaningful without losing yourself in the process. https://www.skool.com/bugbux

July 9, 2026Episode 24639 min

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 one of Hawaii's most respected pest control businesses—from creating an award-winning workplace culture to surrounding yourself with great people and learning from other industry leaders. The conversation dives into why the best leaders don't react emotionally, how to give feedback that actually improves performance, why explaining the "why" matters more than giving instructions, and how networking with high-level operators can completely change the trajectory of your business. Whether you're trying to get out of the truck, build a stronger leadership team, or create a company your employees never want to leave, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can implement immediately. In this episode: • Why great leaders pause before reacting • Building a "Best Place to Work" culture • Hiring and retaining rock-star employees • The importance of peer groups and networking • Leading through trust instead of micromanagement • Giving constructive feedback that motivates • Why your people, not your systems, are your greatest competitive advantage Lessons from Hawaii's first PCT Top 100 pest control company If this episode challenged the way you think about leadership, share it with another business owner or someone on your team who needs to hear it. https://www.skool.com/bugbux

July 2, 2026Episode 24529 min

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 communication has become one of his company’s biggest competitive advantages. From answering every phone call to following up after every service, Ben shares the systems that have helped his company grow from zero to nearly 850 customers. They also dive into leadership, consistency, building systems, and the books that have shaped Ben as an entrepreneur. https://www.skool.com/bugbux

June 25, 2026Episode 24438 min

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 business insights, operational lessons, and mindset shifts every PCO needs to hear. Before helping build one of the industry’s fastest growing companies, Brandon spent 12 years as a CPA working with organizations like the Arizona Cardinals and the Salvation Army. Now, he’s applying those same systems, processes, and financial principles to pest control growth. This episode goes far beyond accounting. Allan and Brandon dive into: Why most business owners struggle to get out of the truck How systems and documentation create scalable companies The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur Why pest control is one of the best businesses in the world Leadership, delegation, and building customer experiences that last The importance of mentorship, community, and learning from failure How Bug Bux and networking can accelerate your growth Whether you’re a solo operator trying to grow or leading a multimillion dollar company, this episode is full of practical lessons you can apply immediately. This isn’t just an episode you listen to once… it’s one you’ll want to revisit with a notebook in hand.

June 18, 2026Episode 24334 min

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 building one of the fastest-growing pest control companies in the country. Luke shares how he went from working in the FBI to launching Native Pest Management in 2015, growing it into an Inc. 5000 company five years in a row and landing #63 on the PCT Top 100 list. The conversation dives deep into: The biggest pricing mistakes new PCOs make Why cheap pricing attracts the worst customers How premium pricing improves company culture When and how to raise prices without losing customers Building a high-quality brand in competitive markets The importance of paying technicians well Why many pest control owners are afraid to grow profitably If you’re trying to scale your pest control company, improve profitability, or position your business as a premium service provider, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.