In this episode, we continue our conversation with the legendary figure in the pest industry, Ion Staunton. This time, we delve deeper into his experiences as a "flickman" in the past, the early methods of fumigation, the transformations that have occurred in the industry over the years, his work on the book "Colonies in Collision," his recent projects, including the controversial Termi-trap, and how he's enjoying retirement. With 66 years in the pest industry, Ion has a wealth of stories to share, making it a nostalgic journey for all of us.

Some people may recognize Ion's name, but most in the pest management industry may not be aware of the significant achievements he has made during his 66 years in the field. Ion is, of course, the co-author of our industry's "bible," 'Urban Pest Management in Australia,' but he has also co-authored several other important publications. In our conversation, we delve into how Ion initially entered the industry, what it was like to work as a pest controller in those earlier times, the formation of AEPMA, his involvement in co-authoring the first formal TAFE course, and the establishment of the very first one-stop pest supply shop. This two-part series serves as a tribute to a genuine legend in our industry.

In this episode, we chat with the husband and wife team, Ryan and Rachel Smith, from LessPest More Control, based on the Gold Coast. Ryan and Rachel are the classic example of how most small pest control companies start. The husband becomes frustrated working for the bigger "juggernauts," and the wife finally convinces him to go out on his own with the help of her management skills! We discuss their first year in business on their own and how they kick-started and built their client base. We even delve into that age-old dilemma that keeps every owner-operator up at night: How and when to hire that first employee? This episode is perfect for those who are procrastinating over taking that plunge and going out on their own.

In this Pesties Profiles episode we chat to Mark and Tanya Glancy from D-Tec Pest Solutions based in South Brisbane. D-Tec is possibly the most awarded pest control business in Brisbane. So not only do we chat about what makes them so successful but also a unique aspect of their business, contract shooting. Contract shooting is an aspect of pest management that many of us would love to get involved in but don't know how or know how to get the opportunity. Mark gives us insight into what is required and what is involved in contract shooting particularly for pigeons. We also chat about Mark and Tanya's massive community work particularly their son Sam's charity foundation Kids4kids. This is definitely the podcast for anybody who loves shooting and wants to incorporate shooting contracts into their business.

In this episode, we chat with Lee Maddocks from Richards Pest Control, based on the Gold Coast in Queensland. This episode is a bit different from our usual profiles. While Lee may lack experience, he makes up for it with his drive. His hunger to learn and improve is the attitude we wish all pest control company owners had. We discuss his biggest challenges when entering the industry and the best ways he has found to learn and improve himself and his business. Lee lives by the motto, "The only dumb questions are the questions not asked!" This podcast is perfect for anyone looking to buy or who has already bought an established business with little to no pest control experience but has the drive to make it work!

This episode, we chat with Amanda Robin from Competitive Services. Not only is Amanda the Queensland General Manager for CPS, but she was also recently awarded the Office Employee of the Year at this year's WIPM Recognition Awards. With over 20 years under her belt in the pest industry, it's not hard to see why! Although Amanda's main role and passion is sales, she is also a qualified technician and loves getting on the tools. Amanda shares her secrets to sales, particularly "cold calling," and how to not only grow your database but also how to recruit and retain staff. Despite Jay recounting some of his goriest carcass removals and Nicky recounting the story of Jay doing the Full Monty, this podcast was actually a lot of fun! Nothing better than a bit of banter with our cousins from across the "dutch"!

In this episode, we chat with Stephanie Paddick from Jim's Termite and Pest Control. Stephanie was recently awarded the Leadership Award at this year's WIPM Recognition Awards, and it soon becomes apparent why!. We discuss how Stephanie and her husband, Lynton, started in the industry and then became the regional franchisors, not only for South Australia but also for Sydney and country New South Wales. Stephanie then shares with us Lynton's battle with cancer and how she has soldiered on, not only as a mum but also as a mentor to her 35 franchisees. We also delve into the details of the Jim's group model and why it has been so successful. This podcast is truly inspirational and is a perfect representation of what Pestie Profiles is all about. We dedicate this episode to Lynton Paddick RIP buddy!

In this Pestie Profiles episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Justin Herbert, owner of Pestige Solutions based in Sydney, New South Wales. Pest control runs deep in Justin's blood, with his own son proudly representing the Herbert legacy as the fourth generation to to pick up the spray wand. The Herbert family is synonymous with the Pest Management Industry including Justin's dad, Ted Herbert who invented the Taipan Public Area Rodent Bait Station as well as several other pest management tools that some of us use and wouldn't even know. But there's more to discover! We delve into the inner workings of Pestige Solutions, a company with a big strata portfolio and currently deeply committed to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and workplace safety. Justin's recent goals of raising safety standards within Pestige Solutions to a whole new level is both commendable and inspiring. This is most likely an insight into what is to come within our industry and will likely favour those that act promptly. As our conversation unfolds, we also venture into the world of industry conferences. We navigate through the exciting stories of networking, knowledge sharing, and the camaraderie that makes these events so rewarding. And of course we start making plans for the upcoming Pestworld Conference in Hawaii next month. This episode has it all, education, inspiration and of course good old fashioned humour!

In this exciting episode, we take you behind the scenes of the inaugural conference, capturing the energy and excitement of the event. Brace yourself for our most epic podcast yet, featuring a whopping 13 guests who share their insights and experiences. Join us as we engage in captivating conversations with industry experts such as Matt Houlders from Little Critters Pest Control, Damian Herrington from Integrity Pest Control, Lee Maddocks from Richards Pest Control, Dean Turner from Great Northern Pest Control, Tim Spencer from Termites@Cooloola, Brad Burnett from Pest-Nett Pest Services, Sue-ann Tysoe from Checkmate Pest Control, Mike Brewer from The Termite Guys, Nathaly Haeren from Pestie Girls Pest Management, Associate Professor Theo Evans from the University of Western Australia, Tanya Beck from Spikes Pest Control, Stephanie Paddick from Jims Termite and Pest Control. And, of course, the cherry on top is our exclusive interview with the organiser of the event, Phil Ridley from Professional Pest Manager who spills the beans on what you might expect at next year's conference. If you couldn't attend the conference, fret not, because this podcast is your golden ticket to catch up on all the action. Don't miss out on this extraordinary episode!

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Michael Brewer, the founder of Termite Guys Brisbane. With a family background in termite management, it's no surprise that Mike has followed in their footsteps and built a thriving business solely focused on termites. His passion for the industry is evident in his work, and he's even developed a keen interest in thermal imaging cameras. In this episode, we delve into the world of thermal cameras and discuss the ins and outs of termite management. Whether you're a seasoned termite expert or simply considering investing in a thermal imaging camera, this episode is sure to pique your interest.