Bug Bux Podcast

In this episode, Allan Draper, entrepreneur and founder of Bug Bux, shares the origin story of Bug Bux and what’s on the horizon. He dives into the dynamics of partnerships in the home services space, discussing the challenges, opportunities, and keys to building strong, mutually beneficial business relationships.

What do you get when you combine a firefighter, a small-town mayor, and a first-time pest control business owner? You get Matt Alexander—a man who's literally putting out fires on and off the job. In this high-energy episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Eric and Jake sit down with Matt to talk about his whirlwind first year as the founder of Aero Pest Management. From walking away from an embezzlement-ridden partnership to launching his own company with just $26K and a ton of grit, Matt has built a thriving pest control business while juggling politics, public safety, and parenthood. You’ll hear: * How Matt grew to 322 customers in 12 months * Why he puts customer callbacks above new sales * His “cult following” on Facebook and the power of local reputation * The moment he put out a fire using his pest control backpack * How he trains his team for customer retention from day one * And why caring about people—really caring—pays off in business and in life Whether you’re in year one or scaling past seven figures, this episode will remind you what passion, community, and a ridiculous work ethic can really do.

In this wildly entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Eric and Jake sit down with the “mad scientist of Syngenta” herself, Lisa Eppler. From studying parasitic wasps in Germany to field-testing herbicides for the Swiss EPA (no, she’s not actually a spy… or is she?), Lisa takes us through her unique journey into the world of pest control. She dishes on: * What it's like to freeze cockroaches (for science) * Why under applying product can create insecticide-resistant superbugs * How a new active ingredient—Plenazoline Technology—could shake up the industry * And how she raised Atlas moths from eggs during COVID (in case you thought you were productive during lockdown) Lisa also gets real about being a lifelong “bug girl,” her mission to demystify pest control, and why the U.S. industry’s respect and openness toward the field makes it unlike anywhere else in the world. This one’s part entomology masterclass, part global adventure, and 100% unforgettable. Whether you're a technician, business owner, or just a fan of creepy crawlies, you’ll walk away smarter—and maybe even a little bug-obsessed.

In this high-energy episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Eric and Jake sit down with Matt Rogers, COO of Lizard, to break down how artificial intelligence is flipping the script on digital marketing. From old-school Yellow Pages nostalgia to the latest in AI-driven SEO, Matt walks us through the new marketing KPIs pest control owners should be tracking—and why "impressions" and "click-through rates" are quickly losing their value.

In this jam-packed episode of the Bug Bux podcast, Eric and Jake sit down with the legendary Dr. Jim Fredericks—board-certified entomologist and Senior VP of Public Affairs at the NPMA. From tick awareness and pest control PR to the difference between NPMA and PPMA, they dig into the resources that can help pest pros thrive. Jim shares insider info on NPMA Pro certification, PPMA Mainframe, and what to expect from PestWorld 2025 in Orlando. If you’re ready to grow your business and your industry smarts, this is one you don’t want to miss.