CELEBRATING WOMEN IN PEST MANAGEMENT IN CANADA

WHO INSPIRES YOU? AND WHY? IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SOMEONE IN THE PEST INDUSTRY.

My children. They are the kindest and most beautiful people. They inspire me to never quit improving myself. My son is 16 and is a living example that men can be so much more than the role that society boxes then into. He’s caring, responsible and just lives his life according to his own values. I wish I would have been as sure of who I was at 16 like he is. My youngest is 10 and they inspire me for much of the same reasons. This year they came out to us as non-binary - I feel incredibly honoured that they felt safe enough to tell myself and their dad. There’s a lot of anti-trans rhetoric being spread right now and to see a 10-year-old standing true to themselves despite it. It’s the epitome of bravery.

WHAT SCRAMBLES YOUR BRAIN EVERY TIME YOU THINK ABOUT IT?

Why people don’t want to leave a better world for the future generations. I just don’t get not working towards future generations needing to work less and being able to enjoy the beauty of life more than working.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST DETERMINED TO ACCOMPLISH?

I have two main goals in pest control. The first is to attract more women into the industry. The last statistic I saw was that we still only make up 6% of this industry. My company is currently only going to be hiring women, trans people, and non-binary folks to work in the field. I jump at every opportunity to speak at schools about this career! I want to be part of blowing up that 6% into 50+%!!! My second goal is to change the way licensing is done in my Province. Currently we are only required to take an exam and then retake that exam every 5 years. The problem is that that exam hasn’t changed in many years. There are people who have been in this industry for decades who are still doing pest control like when they first started! It’s not conducive to our industry being taken seriously when there’s no requirement for continuous education.

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

My favourite way to spend a day off is being outside with my kids, husband, and dogs… and then eat good food!

HAVE YOU EVER READ A BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

Oh, how can I pick just one!?!? Everything by Gabor Mate is life changing and his work is a big reason why I approach every human being with compassion. When I see someone struggling with addiction or even just someone being absolutely awful - I can’t help but think of what must have been done to them to cause the pain that they’re masking.

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

They would think I did something that I felt was justified - righting a wrong/protecting someone. My husband literally said to me when I asked him this that it would likely be murder because someone would have had to have done something awful like hurt my children or hurt someone else’s children for me to get myself sent to jail. I’m too much of a rule follower - I only go against the rules when the rules are unjust.

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

Takin care of business.

WHAT EMBARRASSING MOMENT HAS STUCK WITH YOU OVER THE YEARS?

Probably the stupid Facebook posts that come back to haunt me in the “memories” section. Before I went to university, I was a fairly hardcore anti-feminist and a bit of a “pick-me”. It is a good reminder of how much I have grown as a person though. Before university I had a lot of awful views on women, gender roles, racism, and addiction.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST FEARS?

The biggest fear I have is for my children’s future. The cost-of-living crisis in Canada is getting worse and worse and the “solutions” put out disproportionately affect low to middle class people. Housing prices are astronomical here. We are a country full of oligopolies and the people running these oligopolies seem to have the government in their pockets. Our grocery stores, cell phones, internet providers, airlines are oligopolies in Canada. We pay some of the highest rates in the world for these things. The second biggest fear is climate change. I’ve seen it getting more and more obvious over the last 5 years. It’s disheartening that there are so many people in government who don’t see urgency in acting on it. This summer was awful for wildfires in Canada - I know Australia had similar issues in the last few years too.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?

Buying my huge plot of land and starting my family’s little farm/commune. My goal is to purchase 100 acres and build a tiny home for each of my kids and for my husband and I too.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF AND WHY?

I’m proud of my kids first… but I know that I should be proud of myself too. I’ve had a bit of a rough life and somehow here I am! I’ve been homeless a few times in my life - once with a toddler. Escaped an abusive relationship- with said toddler! I’ve struggled with addiction. I guess I’m most proud that through it all I’ve always remembered where I came from. I don’t want to be one of those people who become successful and then look down on people who are just trying to survive. I worked hard when I was poorI’m not working any harder now.

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

I’d like to quit people pleasing. I want to help everyone and sometimes I forget that I need to sleep lol.

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

Fishing with my dad. He would set us kids up on shore to cast for fish then he’d put on his snorkel and flippers, and he’d go spear fishing. It was great because if we got one of our lines stuck then Dad would just swim down and get it out.

WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

I love Tom Hardy, but I equally love Seth Rogen. I’d be a happy happy woman if I could have both lol.

WHAT'S THE WILDEST THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?

HOW WOULD YOUR BEST FRIEND DESCRIBE YOU? Probably that I’m straightforward and honest.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE EACH OTHER?

Rachel is like the best cheerleader to have on your side. She’s a fierce advocate and will always make sure you do what’s best for you. She’s one of my best friends and I’m so incredibly grateful to know her.

WHAT IS A PRODUCT YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?

Antiperspirant. Nobody wants to know me without this lol.

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

I would lay under a tree and look at the sky and just exist.

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

It’s ok to embrace your femininity in a female lacking industry. You don’t need to act like the men. You don’t need to be just like a man. Just be yourself!

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

The longer I do this the less hard it is to be a woman in this industry…but that could be because I work on my own now. I think the “old boys” in the “old boys club” are becoming fewer and fewer - and the hardest thing is always your coworkers and bosses. It can be a bit of a dog-eat-dog work environment. The customers are so impressed by a female technician - people are excited to hire me because I’m a woman! It was my motivation to start my own company.

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

I am a soup witch!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF? Just enjoy being you. Spend more time discovering yourself and less time caring what other people think.

Pestie Connections

Join Nicky in this episode of Pestie Connections, where she engages in a delightful chat with Rachel Mendes of Last Call Pest Control and Suzy Rayner of Valkyrie Pest Solutions. Hailing from the maple-soaked land of Canada, these Pestie Besties kindled a unique friendship within the Women In Pest Control Group and celebrated their connection at PestWorld Canada. Dive into their stories as they share their journeys into the pest management industry, shedding light on their decision to venture out on their own. In this conversation, we unravel the significance of female technicians supporting one another, exploring the mentorship and mutual encouragement that propelled these remarkable women to their current successes. The discussion delves into the day-to-day challenges of balancing business with family commitments and addresses the hurdles faced in a predominantly male-dominated industry. Get ready for an insightful exploration of resilience, friendship, and breaking barriers in the world of pest control.