My Journey Through Pest Control (and Why It Matters for My Customers)
Before I started California Termite, I worked for several different companies across San Diego County. Each job taught me something important—sometimes what to do, and sometimes what never to do. Looking back, those experiences shaped the values I bring to my own company today: transparency, fairness, and always putting the customer first.
Starting Out
My first pest control job was with a large national company. On my first day, I showed up business casual—only to be handed a shovel and told to dig a trench for a subterranean termite treatment. Soon after, I found myself in crawlspaces, face to face with rats, learning quickly that this job wasn’t for the squeamish.
The company car I was given was shaped like a giant mouse. It turned heads everywhere, but it didn’t exactly make me feel professional. More concerning than the car, though, was the push to sell a termite “assurance plan” that charged customers monthly fees without providing any upfront treatment. If the customer canceled, they lost everything they had paid. That didn’t feel fair, and it stuck with me.
Learning the Trade at Smaller Companies
At a small local company, I learned how to bid on wood repairs. The training wasn’t formal—my manager simply told me to check lumber prices at Home Depot—but I adapted. During COVID, I ran four inspections a day all over San Diego County. The workload was heavy, but it taught me efficiency and the importance of giving each homeowner my full attention.
I later worked for another owner who had been in business for decades without much of an online presence. He believed strongly in borate treatments and alternatives to tenting, and his customers loved him. From him, I learned the value of customer trust and of offering real solutions—not just the most profitable ones.
The Wrong Way to Do Business
Unfortunately, I also experienced the other side of the industry. At one company, technicians had to use their own drills and weren’t even provided soap after treatments. At another, management cared more about revenue than helping homeowners. And at one of my last jobs, customers whose warranties lapsed—even briefly—were forced to pay for a brand-new treatment, including repeat borate applications that should last indefinitely if applied correctly. That never felt right to me.
What I Took Away
All of these experiences—good and bad—taught me what kind of company I wanted to build. I saw firsthand that local treatments and borates can be highly effective. I learned that trust is worth more than a quick sale. And I decided that honesty, fairness, and customer care would be at the center of everything I do.
Where I Am Now
When I founded California Termite, I made a promise:
- To put my customers first.
- To treat people fairly, without gimmicks or unnecessary charges.
- To respect not just homeowners, but also my employees and subcontractors, who I consider my “internal customers.”
Every inspection, every treatment, and every recommendation I make comes from those lessons learned. My goal is simple: to give homeowners peace of mind and to run a company I can be proud of.
John Gelhard
1 thought on “My Journey Through Pest Control (and Why It Matters for My Customers)”
Thank you sharing your life history to us, from your learning portfolio , we find out you are to try very hard to get your life experience, relying on your effort , you deserve present achievements own your company.