Original text

Published February 07, 2021

"Do you hear something crawling, running, or even chewing in your attic or walls?"

That question, posed on the website for Erdye's Pest Control is one that most of us don't want to answer in the affirmative. But for Josh Erdman, owner of the business, battling unwanted pests is just another day's work.

"The dirtier the job, the more willing people are to pay to have someone do it," Erdman said. "With this business, I really like showing up and being a 'save the day' kind of guy."

And he's been saving a lot of people from pests. A serial entrepreneur, Erdman transitioned from property management to pest control in 2012. In the first year, gross revenues were just $9,000. In 2020, that figure had grown to $1.1 million.

He has offices in Green Bay, Appleton, and Brookfield with an eye to continued expansion. His online rating with 312 reviews is 4.7 out of 5. While other businesses might project growth in the single digits, Erdman has seen annual gains in the high double digits.

"You could say I've always been an entrepreneur," he said. "Ever since I was young, I would try to make money. I'd buy candy bars at three for a dollar and sell them for a buck each on the school bus. I had my first paper route at age 11."

Not yet 40 years old, he has had numerous ventures including Erdye's Enterprises which had a number of businesses under its umbrella. He and a crew worked for banks getting repossessed homes ready for sale. When the recession hit, the banks changed the structure and added middlemen to the equation.

"We were no longer working directly with the bank," Erdman said. "Income dropped about 40% and payments for work were slow. I had dealt with pest control companies, and in my experience, they were selling ongoing services that customers didn't need. I am a 'do it once and do it right' kind of guy, and saw an opportunity to do it better."

Having grown up on a farm, he had learned how to deal with pests, and with that experience, developed a system based on education and common sense. He became certified to perform pest control services in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan, and obtained various specialty certifications in the areas of bed bugs and pest control.

Bed bugs, up until the pandemic and reduced hotel occupancy, accounted for 35% of the business. That led him to create an offshoot, American Bed Bug Heater Rentals. That company offers 24-hour a-day equipment rentals in nine states. The equipment is the same as that used by his company on a regular basis.

The next highest percentage of business is rodent control at about 28%. That includes everything from sealing a home to repairing damage, trapping, and, if needed, developing an ongoing program. Erdman, although he has a staff of nine, is often out in the field taking care of the issues. His typical day begins in the office as early as 3:30 a.m. and continues until dark.

"I do a little of everything," Erdman said. "I review marketing and decide what we should add or change; seal stuff, spray homes, do heat treats, and train with bed bug canines. I make sure my staff is trained, and we have office meetings and team meetings. My days are all over the place."

His videos on YouTube have made him somewhat of a celebrity, and one of the first questions many customers ask is, "Are you the guy on the videos?"

Since he still regularly answers the phone at all hours of the day, that answer is usually yes. The long hours mean little time for fun with his three young daughters, but he is trying to change that by getting better at sharing responsibilities with his staff.

"It's one of the hardest things about business ownership," Erdman said. "The buck stops with me; it's my name on the truck and I'm responsible for that. I learned that early on and I'm the guy that this all rests on."

But it also brings a sense of pride. Seeing his trucks on the road (he now has five) with his name on them is an indication of just how far he has come. His idols are people with similar businesses who have taken the time to mentor and share their experiences. Erdman takes that advice as he continues to gain brand awareness and expand.

"It takes a lot of hard work, sweat, and tears to own a business," he said. "You have to be in it for the long haul. I see people start as a one-man band and they just turn it into a job and never grow it. Anyone can do that. You need to create a business, not a job."

Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt is co-owner of DB Commercial Real Estate in Green Bay and past district director for SCORE, Wisconsin.