CELEBRATING WOMEN IN PEST MANAGEMENT IN CANADA

GETTING TO KNOW YOU - RACHEL MENDES

WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

Rachel Mendes.

WHERE DO YOU WORK?

Last Call Pest Control.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?

Owner/Operator.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO PEST CONTROL?

I was beginning my entry exams for mortuary school when I had a terrible injury at work. I decided I needed to reframe my career and took a job at a hygiene/ pest company. I was pleased with the company but bored with hygiene, so I took my exams for pest control in 2012 and the rest is history!

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS. Empathetic, bold, innovative.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT PEST CONTROL?

Nothing is ever the same situation twice. There’s always something new and interesting to tackle. I love being able to help people and provide dignity in tough situations.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PEST PEEVE?

Armchair experts.

WHO INSPIRES YOU? AND WHY?

I can’t think of anyone specific, but women in general. Women in this field, women in other traditionally, male dominated fields. Women in general. Since truly embracing the power of female friendships, I have felt supported, inspired, and respected and I am so grateful for the women that have come into my life over the years.

WHAT SCRAMBLES YOUR BRAIN EVERY TIME YOU THINK ABOUT IT?

How mirrors work. I just don’t get it LOL.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST DETERMINED TO ACCOMPLISH?

I have accomplished so much already it’s still hard to believe I came so far in the matter of four years. I would love to continue the success of Last Call and have my unborn son take over the family business one day.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO SPEND A DAY OFF?

Sleeping in, sipping delicious, iced coffee, relaxing on the couch with my hubby and our dog. On more adventurous days we like to kayak and take day trips to the beach.

HAVE YOU EVER READ A BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. I read it at a pivotal moment of change in my life and it gave me the courage and perspective to shift my thinking.

IF YOU ENDED UP IN JAIL, WHAT WOULD YOU FRIENDS AND FAMILY THINK YOU DID?

Probably something related to a political counter protest.

IF YOUR LIFE WERE A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE MOVIE BE CALLED?

Pest Mortem.

WHAT EMBARRASSING MOMENT HAS STUCK WITH YOU OVER THE YEARS?

When I squeezed a bottle of chemical so hard it exploded in front of my boss at the time.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST FEARS?

Bloodwork and heights.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?

Spending my time between work and family, our little guy will be around kindergarten by then.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF AND WHY?

I’m proud I had the courage to leave a situation that wasn’t right for me and starting the beautiful life I have now. It wasn’t easy but every hard moment led me here and I have never been happier at work and at home.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I wish I liked a bigger variety of food. I don’t find eating very enjoyable, but I would like a naturally bigger palate.

WHAT'S ONE OF THE MOST FUN CHILDHOOD MEMORIES YOU HAVE?

Camping with my parents and my sister during the summer months as kids. Some of my fondest memories were spent on our boat.

WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

Florence Pugh.

WHAT'S THE WILDEST THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?

Oh boy I grew up in the 00s without the internet so some of that will stay in the wild LOL.

WHAT'S YOUR WORST BAD HABIT?

I leave little piles of mess everywhere I go.

HOW WOULD YOUR BEST FRIEND DESCRIBE YOU?

Unique but low key predictable.

WHAT IS A PRODUCT YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT? These days it’s Tums hahah.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE INVISIBLE FOR A DAY?

I don’t know!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEW FEMALE TECHNICIAN COMING INTO THE PEST INDUSTRY?

Stick with it! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something without a man. Be tough and confident and there is such a huge network of powerful women to look up to.

WHAT'S THE HARDEST THING YOU FIND BEING A FEMALE PEST TECHNICIAN?

I don’t have to deal with major issues working for myself the way I did working for a company, but historically feeling like I was a “trophy tech” or “diversity hire” was very discouraging.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FUNNY OR SECRET TALENTS YOU'D BE WILLING TO SHARE?

I know the Lord’s Prayer in Latin (learned in grade nine and never forgot it). I can fit my hand all the way to the bottom of a pringles can. I have never eaten steak ever.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF?

Just get through it, it gets sooo much better!

GETTING TO KNOW YOU - SUZY RAYNER

WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

Suzy Rayner.

WHERE DO YOU WORK?

Valkyrie Pest Solutions in Manitoba Canada

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?

President - but still a full-time technician.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO PEST CONTROL?

I used to be a building manager for a large property management company. My building and my apartment suite went through a bout of bed bugs and German roaches. Through that situation I got to know our dedicated pest control technician who just happened to be a woman. We kept in touch after I left that job. Years later I saw the place where she worked was hiring and well, here I am!

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS.

I had to ask my youngest for help on this… they said: Cool. Bug. Lady. �� if I had to decide on 3 words myself, I’d probably say: Stubborn. Weird. Compassionate.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT PEST CONTROL?

I love love love that I will never be done learning! I’m coming up on 10 years in the industry and I’m still learning new things. This is the longest I’ve ever done something and not gotten bored with it!

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PEST PEEVE?

I’d have to say people giving false information. It’s something I find a lot of people do in this industry. I just hate it when someone says a pesticide will kill spiders but is somehow not going to kill bees.