Ah, Thanksgiving. Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie. Endless football on the television. Friends and family around the table laughing and catching up. I sure do enjoy the holiday; this one just might be my most favorite. My waistline may not think it‘s so great but what’s another hour working out at the gym in the grand scheme of things?
For 90 years, our Western Exterminator Company family has celebrated Thanksgiving, and of course this milestone year is a special celebration.. I am so appreciative of the talents of Western’s nearly 900 family members and the energy and enthusiasm they bring to their jobs each and every day. (It would be fun to have one big Thanksgiving dinner sometime, but that would be one BIG table!)
Whether it is running a nighttime commercial route in downtown San Francisco or fielding customer inquiries about billing or technical questions at our home office in Anaheim, Western’s knowledgeable and personable professionals are ready, day or night, to help customers keep their home or business environments pest-free.
At this time of giving thanks I especially want to mention that what my colleagues and I are most appreciative of is you – our customers. Where would we be without you? Since 1921, you are the fuel that feeds our mission to provide consumers in Arizona, California and Nevada with the most environmentally sensitive and comprehensive lineup of pest management solutions, while always exceeding your expectations with quality service delivered by the West’s most professional men and women.
You have entrusted us to protect your biggest investment, your home, and your most precious possession, your families, from unwanted and unhealthy pests. Business owners and government officials have called upon us to keep their restaurants, hospitals, schools and grocery stores pest-free so they can provide the necessary goods and services we all need day in and day out.
Who wants to shop in a store, watch a sporting event, see a movie, take a cruise, eat in a restaurant or settle into your own easy chair where pests have decided to make their unwanted presence felt? Who wants their child’s school cafeteria to have Menace Mouse and his pals pay a visit? Even they may turn up their noses at Monday’s Salisbury steak special, but the fact is they shouldn’t have intruded in the first place!
When I look back on our 90 years I take great pride in the peace of mind we have given to all of our valued customers. Whenever Western is on the job, the bugs and vermin are gone—guaranteed! I also fondly remember some of the notable customers we’ve taken care of and the interesting people we’ve met. And because our roots are planted deeply in Los Angeles, we have had the pleasure of calling stars of the silver screen, television and the political arena our friends as well as customers.
Since I do hang in Hollywood’s A-list circles (and I want to stay there!), I won’t name names of current stars for whom I get the bugs out. Mr. Little does not trap and tell. However, there are some legendary Hollywood names from the past that have depended upon Western Exterminator to get the job done on the first take.
Lucille Ball and Bob Hope were two of my favorites. I fancy myself a bit of a jokester, but these two—let’s just say I thank them for the memories. Did you know legendary film star Clark Gable was a monthly Western Exterminator customer? He certainly was and his pest problems were “Gone With the Wind” under the tutelage of our pest management experts who serviced his home. No matter the pest that might be giving Gable problems, I recall he certainly DID give a damn if they were in his house.
I remember meeting with Marlon Brando to discuss a rodent problem he had in his house in the Hollywood Hills. While Mr. Brando was quite an intimidating figure in his memorable movie roles such as the Godfather, On the Waterfront and Apocalypse Now, he was very personable and interested in what we could do to eliminate the rodents.
After being buzzed in through the impressive front gate and explaining to his two Doberman pinchers that I was not the paparazzi, I met with Mr. Brando himself in his living room (What a great view of Los Angeles!) and listened as he explained his rat situation.
I then performed a thorough inspection of his home and property (I had a chance to see some awesome movie memorabilia!), and determined additional exclusion work was needed to close up entry points. I provided him the estimate and he said to start the next day and send him the bill. I guess we made him an offer he couldn’t refuse!
But Hollywood film and television stars are not the only A-listers that Western Exterminator Company has taken care of over the years. We can proudly claim to have removed the pests from the homes of former U.S. presidents. Yes, even presidents have pests!
Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon both had their homes in Southern California serviced by our expertly trained Technicians, which required all who went to their properties to get Secret Service security clearance. In fact, the Secret Service would often confuse me with an important Senator or dignitary because of my sharp looking top hat!
Of course, not all of our customers are movie stars or former leaders of the free world. But they are all very important to us! They are your friends and family, your neighbors, co-workers, kid’s teachers, the barista at your local coffee shop, and Little League coaches. We are truly thankful they trust their home or business pest management needs to Western. And at this special time of thanksgiving, and on the occasion of our 90th year, we want to say just that—Thank you!
Do you have a Western Exterminator story you want to share with me? I want to hear it. You can send me an e-mail at AskMrLittle@WesternExterminator.com and tell me.
Until next time, thanks for making Western Exterminator Company “The Final Word in Pest Control®”
Have a pest free day, and Happy Thanksgiving!
