Hello friends, Dave Saunders checking in.
Some days I sit down to write and the words come easy. Today is not one of those days. Because I want to tell you about the day I seriously considered quitting this job for good.
It was back in 2018. I had been in pest control for 14 years at that point. I thought I had seen everything. Carpenter ants in walls, bed bugs in luxury apartments, German cockroaches in restaurant kitchens — you name it. I was confident. Maybe even a little cocky.
Then came the Henderson house.
The client called me in tears. They had moved into their dream home six months earlier, a beautiful two-story place in a nice neighborhood. But every single night, when they turned off the lights, sugar ants would appear like clockwork. Not just a few — hundreds. On the kitchen counters, inside cabinets, crawling across the kids’ bedrooms. They had tried every spray, every bait, every “natural” solution they could find on Amazon. Nothing worked for more than two or three days.
When I first walked into that house, I felt something I rarely feel — unease.
I spent three full days there. I tore apart baseboards, pulled out appliances, checked every pipe, every wire, every crack. I found trails going into the walls that seemed to lead nowhere. I set up every type of bait I knew. I used diatomaceous earth, essential oils, vinegar, borax mixes in different ratios. For a short time it would get better… and then the ants would come back stronger.
By day 12 I was exhausted. I remember sitting in my truck at 11pm, covered in sweat and dust, eating cold pizza, thinking: “Maybe I’m not as good at this as I thought. Maybe some problems just don’t have a good solution.”
That was the closest I’ve ever come to quitting.
I almost called the client and told her I couldn’t help. That she should call a big company with heavy chemicals. I had my phone in my hand.
But then I remembered something my old mentor told me years ago: “The day you think you’ve seen it all is the day you stop learning.”
So instead of giving up, I did something I rarely do — I asked for help. I called two old colleagues I respect and described the situation. One of them asked a simple question: “Have you checked the attic insulation?”
I hadn’t.
The next morning I went back, climbed into the attic, and there it was. A huge, hidden moisture problem from a slow roof leak. The insulation was soaked, and there was a massive ant super-colony living inside the walls, using the wet insulation as a perfect breeding ground and highway into the entire house.
That was the missing piece.
We fixed the leak, removed the damaged insulation, dried everything out, and then treated the colony properly. It took another two weeks of consistent work, but eventually the ants stopped coming.
The client cried when she saw her kitchen completely clean for the first time in months. And I sat in my truck afterward, feeling something I hadn’t felt in a long time — genuine relief mixed with humility.
That house taught me one of the most important lessons in this business: sometimes the problem isn’t what you see. It’s what you don’t see. And the moment you think you know everything is exactly when you need to look harder.
Since that day, whenever I feel stuck with a difficult case, I remember the Henderson house. It keeps me honest. It reminds me that no matter how many years you do this, there’s always something new to learn.
Have you ever had a pest problem that felt completely impossible to solve? Or maybe you’re dealing with one right now that’s driving you crazy?
Tell me about it in the comments. I read every single story, and sometimes the weirdest cases end up helping other people in the exact same situation.
And if you’re struggling with ants, roaches, or anything else right now — don’t give up too soon. Sometimes the solution is just one detail away.
Welcome to my pest control blog! I’m Dave Saunders, a seasoned pest management specialist with over 20 years of experience helping homeowners and businesses across the United States. My journey began in the sunny landscapes of California, where I honed my skills tackling a wide range of pests, from ants to spiders. Over the years, I’ve expanded my expertise to Florida and numerous other states, adapting to diverse climates and pest challenges.
With a deep passion for eco-friendly solutions, I’ve dedicated my career to providing practical, safe, and effective pest control methods. Whether it’s crafting natural repellents or sharing integrated pest management strategies, my goal is to empower you with the knowledge to maintain a pest-free home. Join me as I share insights from two decades in the field!
