You Can Binge Watch Pest Control?!

There seems to be a never-ending variety of reality tv shows that continue to be produced for our entertainment. Even the pest control industry has been made into several entertaining shows depicting the ins and outs of pest control jobs as well as the antics of the ‘characters’ that run the companies. Check out these four shows that you can binge watch to see some fascinating pest control endeavors:

Billy the Exterminator

Running Dates: February 2009 – November 2016

Top Cast: Billy Bretherton, Ricky Breatherton, Donnie Breatherton

Network: A&E Network

Location: Benton, Louisiana

Following being featured in episodes of Dirty Jobs, the owners of Vexcon Animal and Pest Control were approached about filming a full reality pest control show. The show originally was titled The Exterminators before being renamed to Billy the Exterminator by the second season in order to focus on the amazing real-life character that Billy, the owner, was. Billy became famous for his energetic personality and unique goth-like style adorned with lots of studs and spikes. Unlike traditional pest control, Billy and his team operated a two-in-one company that treated both pests such as roaches, ants, etc. and wildlife control problems.

Verminators

Running Dates: April 2008 – October 2009

Top Cast: Mike Masterson

Network: USA Discovery Channel

Location: Los Angeles, California

The Verminators is the television name given to the technicians at the Los Angeles-based pest control company ISOTech as they treat homes for termites, spiders, rodents, and more. The series only lasted two seasons, the second of which changed locations drastically by traveling to Florida in order to treat a new variety of subtropical pests.

Call of the Wildman

Running Dates: October 2011 – September 2014

Top Cast: Ernie Brown Jr. (aka. The Turtleman), Neal James, Lolly (dog)

Network: Animal Planet

Location: Kentucky

Wild woodsman Ernie Brown Jr., better known by the name “The Turtleman,” stars in this Animal Planet reality show along with his close friend Neal Hames and his dog, Lolly. Originally, the network considered the title The Turtleman of Wild Kentucky to represent the star of the program who became famous for catching snapping turtles with his bare hands. However, due to Brown’s signature yelling that capitalizes his wild actions, the show was quickly renamed Call of the Wildman. Unlike traditional pest control, Brown and his friend will respond to nearly any kind of call, whether it’s for giant poisonous spiders or a family of opossums, and Brown often catches the creatures with his bare hands leading to some highly precarious situations.

Rambug

Running Dates: May 2012

Top Cast: Mimi Mercante, Ralph Mercante, Robbie Mercante

Network: A&E

Location: Brooklyn, New York

This reality show followed the day-to-day activities and antics of the Brooklyn family-owned extermination business Rambug. The Mercante family owns the business with brothers Ralph and Robbie heading the business. The episodes show the exterminators entering client’s homes to deal with a variety of pests such as cockroaches, bed bugs, and more. Like many reality television shows, the content often passes into unrealistic and dramatized situations including fighting amongst the technicians and other very unprofessional behaviors.

Citations

Billy the Exterminator (no date) A+E Networks. Available at: https://www.aetv.com/shows/billy-the-exterminator (Accessed: 2021).

Call of the wildman (2011) IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2099854/ (Accessed: August 10, 2021).

Camacho, M. (2008) Verminators – tv review, Common Sense Media: Ratings, reviews, and advice. Available at: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/verminators (Accessed: August 10, 2021).

Camacho, M. (2012) Rambug – tv review, Common Sense Media: Ratings, reviews, and advice. Available at: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/rambug (Accessed: August 10, 2021).