Pest in Class: Expert Voices in Pest Management

Hosted by FieldRoutes

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Feb 2026

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About the show

The Pest In Class podcast from FieldRoutes is your destination for hearing insight, inspiration, and stories from fellow pest control industry leaders and entrepreneurs. Pest In Class host Amanda Salvatore will interview a new leader each episode as FieldRoutes celebrates the success of its customers while delivering software solutions to help them along their growth journey. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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February 10, 202636 min

The Opportunity Engine: How to Transform Strengths Into Spinoff Businesse

What if the systems inside your business could become the spark for entirely new companies? In this episode, Chase Hazelwood , Owner of Go-Forth Home Services and Leah Hazelwood , CEO at Go Forth Marketing , share how they transformed the internal strengths of a home services business into a growing ecosystem of ventures spanning marketing, HR, wellness, and even high-volume printing. They break down the mindset shift that helped them see opportunity where most leaders see limitations, why systems are the real foundation for scale, and how culture becomes a competitive advantage when you design workplaces people don’t want to leave. Join us as we discuss: [6:19] The potential sparks for spinoff businesses and their benefits [13:40] Advice for owners who are thinking about expanding services outside their niche [22:46] Sustainable systems and navigating shared success and failure Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Register for Ignite 2026 You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts , on Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

February 3, 202626 min

The Reputation Gap: Fixing the Customer Alignment Disconnect

Director of Technical Operations Zachariah Boardman returns to share HomeShield Pest Control 's strategy for achieving total customer alignment across their teams. Zach shares how he identified a crucial gap between sales, service, and support efforts after reviewing his company’s online feedback. He introduces his "Three S's" framework to bridge this divide, emphasizing that selling should feel like an extension of support and education, not a transaction. Zach dives into best practices for follow-through (not just follow-up), the importance of active listening and mirroring the customer's communication style, and how intentional micro-trainings can sharpen staff skills, ultimately improving retention and reputation. Join us as we discuss: [3:37] The customer service and sales gap in dealing with online reviews [12:19] The critical difference between customer “follow up” and “follow through” [17:46] Best practices for handling a public negative customer review Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Register for Ignite 2026 You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts , on Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

January 27, 202622 min

Baking Experience Into SOPs: Setting Your Business Foundation

J.D. Jaramillo , owner of and general manager at Friendly Pest Solutions in Tampa, FL, joins the podcast to share his journey from starting small to scaling to over 2,200 customers. J.D. explains the critical importance of creating a solid business foundation by developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for everything from treatment processes to sales proposals. He advises new owners on how to translate knowledge into documented procedures and emphasizes involving team members in the process. J.D. also discusses how FieldRoutes technology brought structure, automation, and critical transparency to his operations, highlighting the essential role of technology in supporting a growing team and maintaining high-quality customer service. Join us as we discuss: [5:28] Why an early focus on SOPs and training is essential to early growth [11:10] The importance of Google reviews and an excellent online presence [16:48] How FieldRoutes’ Route Summary Report boosts tech engagement Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: FieldRoutes Register for Ignite 2026 You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts , on Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

January 20, 202630 min

The Technician Performance Trifecta: Recognition, Rewards, and Retention

Taylor Olson , CEO and co-founder of Applause , shares how his personal and professional journey into the service industry led him to create a powerful technician performance management tool — Applause. Taylor explains how they help pest control businesses drive customer satisfaction and employee engagement through automated recognition and instant rewards. He also discusses core features like automated Google reviews, NPS scoring, and how tipping directly impacts customer retention and technician motivation. Discover how their new Scorecards feature integrates data from FieldRoutes and telematics to give managers and technicians real-time transparency, leading to measurable gains in retention and significant cost savings by reducing issues like accidents and reservices. Join us as we discuss: [2:53] Important lessons learned from early door-to-door sales experience [10:53] Boosting performance management and customer engagement through an intuitive mobile app [19:02] Giving owner-operators direct control over their techs’ goals and rewards Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Register for Ignite 2026 FieldRoutes Applause You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts , on Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

January 13, 202624 min

Why Owners Need Other Owners: The Real Benefit of Networking

What if your next big business breakthrough isn’t in a spreadsheet but in a conversation? In this episode, Thomas Harris , CEO at Uinta Pest Solutions , joins us to talk about how networking and conferences changed everything for his business. He shares how connecting with other owners helped him grow from a one-person operation to a thriving company built on relationships and referrals. Thomas breaks down his simple three-part strategy for every event, explains how he’s turned local meetups and Facebook groups into consistent lead sources, and talks about why getting out of your routine is just as important as refining it. Join us as we discuss: [5:51] How networking supports both business growth and mental health [13:17] How networking had directly shaped Thomas’s business growth [19:48] Where to find your local business community Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Register for Ignite 2026 Baton You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts , on Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

January 6, 202628 min

Put Your Numbers in Timeout: Building a Call Center People Want to Be Part Of

What does it take to build a call center where people actually want to show up? In this episode, Steve Short, VP of Sales and Marketing at Fox Pest Control , shares how his team creates a culture rooted in motivation, mentorship, and accountability. Rather than focusing on numbers alone, Steve explains why Fox’s call center thrives on leadership development and shared values. He dives into the company’s philosophy of calling managers mentors , the power of leading from the front, and how growth-minded hiring creates stronger teams. From putting “numbers in timeout” to teaching new reps that every call matters, Steve reveals the mindset that turns a grind into a mission. Join us as we discuss: [4:45] What a healthy call center really looks like [18:48] How to turn around a call center with bad vibes [28:32] Why authenticity beats a perfect script every time Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Register for Ignite 2026 You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts , on Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

September 16, 202535 min

Pest Control and Parenthood: How the Goins Built Grace Into Their Business

When you’re building a business and a family at the same time, every system you put in place matters. Noelle and Rian Goins, owners of Get Goins Pest Control in Los Angeles, return to Pest in Class with their newest team member: baby Grace. In this heartfelt conversation, the Goins share how they “baby-proofed” their business: from paying down debt and moving into their first home, to charging for inspections and adjusting their pricing to keep pace with inflation. They talk candidly about the challenges of postpartum, the surprises of slower summers, and how they redefined success around being present as a family. Join us as we discuss: [10:39] Why Get Goins started charging for inspections [15:17] The most important system: revisiting pricing with confidence [25:57] Advice for entrepreneurs expecting their first child Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Register for Ignite 2026 PestWorld You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts , on Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

September 9, 202540 min

Protect Your People and Profits: Seven Big Payroll Mistakes to Avoid

Your trucks might run on gas, but your business runs on people, and payroll mistakes can grind everything to a halt. This episode, we’re joined by Inova leaders Mary Leveridge , Executive VP, and Kathey Palmer , Chief Growth Officer. They unpack the seven most common payroll and HR traps that field service companies face. From worker misclassification and time-tracking pitfalls to prevailing wage compliance and the risks of manual payroll entry, they show how to avoid costly mistakes and build a business that is stronger, more resilient, and more profitable. Join us as we discuss: [8:04] Employee vs. contractor: misclassification explained [23:06] Why onboarding defines employee retention [31:49] Manual data entry: small errors, big consequences Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Register for Ignite 2026 ServiceTitan You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts , on Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

September 2, 202522 min

Pest Control's Future: A Deep Dive into the 2025 Pest Industry Report

FieldRoutes ’ Senior Product Marketing Manager Anders Fredericksen returns to Pest in Class to unpack the 2025 Pest Industry Report. Anders discusses the key findings from the survey of over a thousand US pest control companies, revealing cautious optimism balanced with growing concerns over recession and rising material costs. He highlights opportunities to counter margin pressures through technology adoption, despite existing gaps in areas like scheduling and routing software. Discover impactful areas for automation, learn why a digital-first approach is crucial, and explore the current state and future impact of AI in the pest control industry. Join us as we discuss: [3:39] The 4 major takeaways from the 2025 Pest Industry Report [10:49] Gaps in technology adoption, including scheduling and routing tools [15:52] The AI outlook and comparing this year’s insights to the 2024 report Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Register for Ignite 2026 2025 Pest Industry Report You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts , on Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

August 26, 202531 min

Sniffing Out Success: How to Build a Canine Pest Control Team

Training a bed bug detection dog isn’t just about teaching it to sniff out pests. It’s a massive commitment of time, money, and mindset. In this episode, we sit down with Diego Rodriguez , Tech Specialist and K-9 Team Supervisor at Preventive Pest Control in Las Vegas, to explore what it really takes to build and maintain a top-tier canine detection team. From the biology of bed bugs to the psychology of a good handler, Diego pulls back the curtain on the reality of this niche pest control approach. He shares what makes a great canine-handler duo, how to know if a detection dog fits your business model, and why training the human is just as important as training the dog. Join us as we discuss: [6:37] How to determine if a detection dog is right for your company [13:30] What to look for in a pest detection dog and a handler [20:24] The biggest challenges and rewards of working with detection dogs Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Register for Ignite 2026 You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts , on Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.