About Erik

Erik Gardner is a well-known figure in the pest control industry, primarily recognized for his long-term leadership of Volunteer Rid-A-Pest in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his frequent collaborations with marketing experts Hal Coleman and Mike Stewart.

While he is a “pest control marketer” in the sense that he is a vocal advocate for modern marketing systems within the trade, he is first and foremost a successful Pest Control Operator (PCO) who scaled his family business into one of the region’s largest independent firms.

1. Business Leadership & Legacy

Volunteer Rid-A-Pest: Erik took over the company founded by his father, Billy Gardner, in 1970. Under his leadership, the company became the oldest and largest family-owned pest control firm in the Chattanooga and Cleveland, TN areas.
Acquisition by Northwest Exterminating: In early 2026 (announced in late 2025), Gardner sold Volunteer Rid-A-Pest to Northwest Exterminating (a Rollins, Inc. brand) as part of his transition into retirement.

2. Marketing & Industry Influence

Gardner is often featured in industry podcasts and seminars as a “success story” for specific marketing frameworks. He is a frequent guest on the Pest Control Marketing Podcast, where he discusses:

Referral Systems: Implementing automated or incentivized programs to turn existing customers into a primary lead source.
Relationship Marketing: Moving away from “commodity” pricing and focusing on high-touch customer service and community involvement.
Educational Content: He pioneered the use of podcasting and video blogs for local pest control to build authority (e.g., the Volunteer Rid-A-Pest Podcast).

3. Key Philosophy

Gardner’s marketing approach centers on the “Golden Rule” of business taught by his father: “Treat your customers fairly, serve them well, and show them respect, and they will never consider using another company.” He often advocates for:

Localism: Using the “family-owned” status as a competitive advantage against national “Big Bug” corporations.
Direct-Response Marketing: Focusing on messages that compel immediate action rather than just general “branding.”