Modern Pest Control: Profit, Professionalism & The Future of the Industry

In this round table episode of the Pest Perspectives Podcast, host Shaun Muller (Oakham Pest Control) is joined by Sam Trickey (Trickey Pest Control) and Kieron Bewes (Green Rock Pest Control) for an open and practical discussion on the realities of running a modern pest control business.

This episode goes beyond day-to-day pest work and looks at the bigger picture — how pest control businesses can stay professional, profitable, and future-focused while still putting good pest management and client trust first.

The panel discusses:

• What should (and shouldn’t) go into a professional site folder
• Sensible, ethical sales add-ons that genuinely benefit clients
• How AI is starting to reduce admin and improve reporting
• Diversifying income through additional revenue streams
• Drain investigations and rat ingress work
• Bird proofing as a specialist service
• Detection dogs and where they fit in pest management
• Professional standards, compliance and documentation
• Where the pest control industry may be heading next

This is a practical, honest conversation for technicians and business owners who want to build sustainable, professional operations — whether you’re self-employed, growing a team, or refining your current systems.

The Pest Perspectives Podcast is an industry-recognised, CPD-approved platform focused on real conversations, education, and raising standards within pest management.

In this episode of the Pest Perspectives Podcast, host Shaun Muller sits down with Owen Hayes, a young technician whose journey into pest control shows the real impact the industry can have on people’s lives.

Owen’s path hasn’t been straightforward. After struggling to find the right direction in traditional college routes, he joined a supported internship programme designed to help young people with learning difficulties and disabilities gain confidence and workplace experience. With the right support, structure, and opportunity, he found his footing and ultimately began an apprenticeship in pest control, where he has continued to grow and develop.

This episode is an honest, down-to-earth conversation about what it’s really like starting out in the industry as a young person, the challenges that can come with learning difficulties, and how the pest control sector can offer practical, rewarding career paths for people who might not thrive in more traditional roles.

Shaun and Owen discuss:

• Getting into pest control as a young person
  

• Building confidence through hands-on work
  

• The importance of supportive employers and mentors
  

• How the industry can create more opportunities for people with learning difficulties
  

• Why pest control can be a strong career choice for those who prefer practical, real-world learning
  

This episode shines a light on an often-overlooked side of the industry: the role it can play in giving young people purpose, confidence, and a genuine career path.

Whether you’re a pest controller, business owner, trainer, or someone considering a career in the industry, this is an important and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss.

Listen now on your favourite podcast platform.

#PestControlLife
#CareersInPestControl
#SkilledTrades
#TradeCareers
#ApprenticeshipsUK
#VocationalTraining#dfnprojectsearch#projectsearch#SupportedInternship
#LearningDifficulties
#DisabilityInclusion#YoungProfessionals
#NextGeneration
#FutureOfWork
#CareerPathways

In this episode of the Pest Perspectives Podcast, Shaun sits down with Billy McPhearson of Scotica Wildlife Solutions to talk about the realities of wildlife management, working in challenging environments, and the practical skills needed to deal with problem species safely and professionally.Billy shares insights from his day-to-day work, the types of jobs he attends, and how wildlife control differs from standard pest management. The conversation covers field experience, training, industry standards, and the importance of doing the job correctly and ethically.This episode offers valuable learning points for pest professionals, wildlife controllers, and anyone interested in the practical side of UK pest and wildlife management.A practical, honest conversation from the field with one of the industry’s working wildlife specialists.🎧 Listen now on your favourite platform📚 CPD value: Reflective learning opportunity for pest professionals

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Pest Perspectives Podcast, Shaun speaks with Stuart Haymes, founder of Heart2Heart Recovery & Productions and a passionate mental health awareness advocate.

After 28 years in the pest control industry, Stuart’s career came to an abrupt end due to struggles with his mental health. In this honest and heartfelt conversation, he reflects on the pressures of the job, the personal challenges he faced, and the turning point that led him to step away from the industry he once loved.

Now, through Heart2Heart Recovery & Productions, Stuart focuses on supporting others, raising awareness around mental health, and using production and wellbeing services to make a positive difference.

This episode is a reminder that behind every technician, business owner, and industry professional is a human being—and mental health matters just as much as physical safety on the job.

A thoughtful, emotional, and important conversation for anyone working in pest management or any high-pressure trade.

Contact stuart haynes on linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-haymes-4275841a4/

In this episode of Pest Perspectives Podcast, we’re joined by The Bed Bug Queen Ltd for an honest, no-nonsense deep dive into one of the most misunderstood pests in our industry: bed bugs.We cut through the myths, misinformation, and internet nonsense to talk about what really matters when it comes to bed bug inspections, treatment decisions, and customer care. From common misdiagnoses and overlooked early warning signs to treatment mistakes that make infestations worse, this episode is packed with practical insight for pest professionals at all levels.We also go beyond the technical side and explore the human impact of bed bugs - the anxiety, embarrassment, sleep loss, and emotional strain clients experience, and how pest professionals can handle those situations with empathy and professionalism.You’ll hear frank discussion on:Persistent myths still circulating in the industryWhy hygiene has nothing to do with bed bug infestationsThe risks of DIY and poorly planned treatmentsHeat, chemical, and combined approaches - what actually works and whyTraining standards, prep failures, and common technician errorsThe future of bed bug control and emerging methods worth watchingIf you work in pest control or want a deeper understanding of responsible, evidence-led bed bug management - this is an episode you won’t want to miss.🎧 Educational. Honest. Real-world pest control. 📚 CPD-relevant discussion for pest professionals 💬 Practical insight you can take straight back to the field

Pest perspectives EP 50 - Sean Mooney - pest control talk!

A General talk about Pest control!Sean & Shaun 2 podcasters 1 show!

How to Self-Register & Log Your CPD Correctly

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a core part of being a professional pest controller but many technicians and business owners are still unclear on how the British Pest Register CPD scheme actually works.

In this episode of Pest Perspectives Podcast, we break it down step-by-step.

🔍 What we cover in this episode:

• What the British Pest Register CPD scheme is and why it matters

• How self-registration works on the British Pest Register

• How to correctly log CPD points from podcasts, training, and learning

• How Pest Perspectives Podcast supports industry education and CPD learning

Whether you’re newly qualified, an experienced technician, or a pest control business owner, this episode gives you clear, practical guidance on staying compliant, professional, and up to date.

🎧 Pest Perspectives Podcast is an educational and entertaining pest management podcast, focused on:

• Raising industry standards

• Professional development

• Real-world pest control knowledge

• CPD-focused learning for UK pest controllers

📘 CPD is about learning - not box-ticking.
This episode helps you understand the system properly, so you can focus on becoming a better pest professional.

👉 Listen now and take control of your CPD journey.

• British Pest Register CPD

• Pest Control CPD UK

• Pest Perspectives Podcast

• CPD for Pest Controllers

• British Pest Register self registration

• Pest management training UK

Pest control by numbers is a book published by Dan Traynor sign up on the Link below

Join the waiting list now and:

✅ Get chapter 1 straight to your inbox

✅ Get notified when it hits Amazon

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The corporates don't react to problems - they see them coming months in advance. They know exactly which customers are profitable, which services are dragging them down, and what their business is worth at any given moment.They're not firefighting. They're not guessing at margins. They're not waiting until after year-end to find out what went wrong.This book gives you that same visibility. The playbook they use, adapted for owner-managed businesses.

Link below

http://www.pestcontrolbynumbers.co.uk/

In this episode of Pest Perspectives, we shift the focus firmly onto the business side of pest control – an area that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but is vital for long-term success.I’m joined by Dan Traynor, who is launching his new book Pest Control by Numbers. The book is centred on understanding the numbers behind your pest control business, with a strong focus on finance for owner-managed pest control companies.We discuss practical, real-world advice around:Understanding your costs and marginsMaking better financial decisionsUsing numbers to improve efficiency and profitabilityBuilding a stronger, more sustainable pest control businessThis episode is less about theory and more about clear, actionable insights that pest control business owners can actually apply day-to-day.If you run a pest control business – or are thinking about growing one – this is an episode well worth listening to.