Most people think of us as "the bug guys," but our work goes far beyond that. At Hershey Pest Control, we are an essential business dedicated to protecting public health, food sources, and structures. Pest control isn’t just about keeping homes more comfortable—it’s about preventing serious health risks and structural damage. That’s why, even during the COVID-19 shutdown, we were back to work by day two.

Another big part of what we do is education. We don’t just treat pest issues—we help customers understand why they’re happening, what methods we’re using, and how they can take steps to prevent future problems. 

Why did we start our business?

Like most business owners, we started Hershey Pest Control to provide for our family while also seeking financial freedom and the flexibility of running our own company.

I (Andy) got into pest control when a family friend—who owned a pest control company—approached me. He had three daughters who wanted nothing to do with the business, so he decided to teach me everything he knew. The original plan was to take over his business, but after working in the Philadelphia market for years, we decided to move back to Hershey and start fresh. At that point, I had nearly a decade of experience so we took the leap and built Hershey Pest Control from the ground up.

Every person I’ve met in this industry has shaped me in some way, but I’ve been especially lucky to have great mentors. One of the things I love most about this profession is the camaraderie—it’s not cutthroat like some industries. We share knowledge, tips, and strategies, even with competitors. If another pest control company drives past me, I’ll wave because, at the end of the day, we’re all working toward the same goal: keeping homes and businesses safe.

Family and customer relationships are at the heart of our business. There’s nothing better than hearing a customer say, “Your team was great—they took their time, explained everything, and made me feel comfortable.” That’s what matters.

One of my best friends works in hospitality, and I once told him, “We’re not in the bug business—we’re in the people business.” He looked at me and said, “Every business is a people business.” That really stuck with me. Building relationships and trust is what keeps people coming back.

Another big motivation? Providing good jobs. There’s a lot of drudgery in the world, and if I can create a workplace where people enjoy their job and don’t just count the minutes until they can leave, then I’ve done something right.

Managing people has been the toughest challenge. Early on, I assumed everyone had the same work ethic and drive as I did, but that’s not the reality. It took time and self-reflection to learn how to motivate people in the right way.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned came from an old orchard foreman named Harold. He was one of Milton Hershey’s golf caddies as a kid and had an incredible way of getting a bunch of 15- and 16-year-olds to work hard without quitting. He made the work engaging and rewarding. That’s a rare skill, and I’ve worked hard to apply that leadership style in my own business.

Another game-changer was refining our hiring process. Instead of just doing one quick interview, we now have a multi-step process:

Video interview – If they don’t show up, that tells us all we need to know.

Sit-down interview – A deeper dive into their experience and personality.

Final interview with Anne – Getting her perspective before making a decision.

This process has saved us so much time and frustration. I once scheduled six video interviews while on vacation—four didn’t even show up. That experience solidified why we do things this way.

Have a plan, but stay flexible. Unexpected challenges will come up, and you have to be able to adapt.

Delegate. You can’t do everything yourself. Train your people well and trust them to handle tasks so you can focus on growing the business.

Embrace technology. Whether it’s better scheduling software or more efficient service tools, staying up to date can make a huge difference.

Work ON the business, not just IN the business. Many small business owners get stuck doing daily tasks instead of focusing on long-term growth. Hire good people so you can spend time on the big-picture strategies that truly build the business.

“Getting knocked down is okay. Staying down is not.”

“You can’t control what other people do, but you can control how you react to it.”

Both of these mindsets have helped us push through challenges and stay focused on the bigger picture.

We have a heart for children’s charities and have supported many financially over the years. Now that we have more time, we’re excited to start doing more hands-on work.

Before COVID, Anne was a baby cuddler at the hospital, and she absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, when the program shut down during the pandemic, she couldn’t go back. Now that things are settling down, we’re looking forward to finding new ways to give back.

I (Andy) was a bartender for 23 years, overlapping my time in pest control. That job taught me so much about reading people, handling difficult situations, and providing great service—all of which I still use today.

My favorite movie is Rocky, and I actually got to meet Sylvester Stallone at the premiere of Rocky Balboa!

I once drank out of the Calder Cup at the Hershey Italian Lodge.