PPC118 | Meet the Member

Shane-Daniel North is the Director of Oxfordshire-based Eradikil Pest Control. He talks to PPC magazine about his passion for bees, conservation and helping those who are disadvantaged with pest control problems.

PPC Thanks for taking the time to speak with us today. Let's start with your journey - how did you get into the pest control industry?

SDN It all started when I saw a job advert for Rentokil. At the time, I was working at the BMW Mini plant for about five years, doing the same repetitive tasks every day. The monotony really set in, and I needed a change.

The Rentokil role appealed to me because it was hands-on and offered training and a van. Plus, I’ve always been fascinated by wildlife and insects.

Growing up, I was the kid who would be out in the garden picking up worms and ants. My mum would buy me books about insects, and I was always watching David Attenborough documentaries.

PPC So it was a mix of professional opportunity and personal passion that led you here. What made you set out on your own to set up Eradikil?

SDN I wanted to earn more, simply put! I got an offer for a better salary at a smaller company, and worked there for almost two years before one of my other businesses took off. I left to focus on that, but within six weeks, I realised I missed pest control. That’s when I decided to start Eradikil in December 2022.

PPC How was that first year in business for you?

SDN It was amazing! I worked on my own for the first year and managed to generate more revenue than I thought possible. I was really proud of that. By the second year, I hired my first employee, David, who I had previously worked with. We continued growing, and I also started a loft insulation company, Insulo, which integrates well with pest control since we often deal with loft spaces.

PPC That’s a smart business move! So how has the company grown since then?

SDN We’ve expanded significantly. We now have four people on the team - David, Ryan (who handles loft insulation and proofing), Charley, who manages the office, and myself. We’ve got three vans on the road, and everyone is busy. This year, my goal is to double in size.

The aim is to hire a full-time content creator to handle all filming, content creation, and video production, both long-form and short-form. I've set up a YouTube channel, and we’re also planning to produce podcasts. This is where the monetisation strategy comes into play.

There are quite a few ways to monetise on YouTube, 25 to be exact. You have advertising, brand partnerships, crowdfunding, affiliate marketing, paid ads, and more. Different approaches work for different people.

PPC That makes sense and it also brings us nicely to your plan to crowdfund for bee removal. Is that what you’re planning to use YouTube for?

SDN Yes, I’m utilising two revenue streams. One is crowdfunding, and the other is charging for my bee removal services. I prefer not to exterminate honey bees, but sometimes it’s necessary - In all my years of doing this, I’ve only had to exterminate bees twice - once at a hospital entrance and once near a school window. Every other time, we’ve successfully removed them.

Bee removal in the industry can cost anywhere up to £10,000, depending on the complexity of the issue. If the hive is easy to access, the cost is on the lower end. Additional costs like scaffolding, tile removal, and brickwork add to the total expense. Removing a hive from a chimney involves dismantling parts of the structure, considering gas safety, and ensuring the bees are extracted properly.

I try to keep my costs as low as possible, but there are still some instances where people won’t pay unless the bees become a serious problem.

PPC What’s your solution to make bee removal more affordable?

SDN My approach is to charge a standard small flat fee for treatment - an amount they’d have to pay anyway - but in return, they must allow me to film the process.

This content, both long-form and short-form, generates revenue on YouTube through ad views. The GoFundMe covers costs like scaffolding and equipment, but I don’t take a salary from it. My earnings come from the content itself.

PPC That’s a really inventive idea. It reduces costs for customers while allowing you to earn sustainably. What inspired you to take this route?

SDN In July 2024, I invested in a business coaching programme run by Adam Stott, called Gold Circle, where he teaches us about business growth strategies, monetising social media, sales and branding. During a YouTube-focused session, a mentor named Ben suggested that I create long-form content. Initially, I thought no one would want to watch pest control videos, but after researching, I realised there’s a huge audience for this type of content.

I also have a strong dislike for unnecessary bee extermination, so this approach allows me to save bees while building a business.

PPC That makes sense. You’re passionate about bees, so turning that into engaging content was a natural step.

SDN Exactly. I used to give rescued swarms to beekeepers. Then I thought, why not keep the bees myself? I could monetise honey and wax, create more educational content, and even offer beekeeping courses. What started as a small idea has the potential to become something bigger.

PPC That’s fantastic. I also heard you want to help kids build beehives - is that right?

SDN That was initially the plan, however we've hit a snag with that so we're looking for other alternatives now. Originally we were going to work with an organisation that helps young adults with learning difficulties learn skills, so we'd still love to do something like that but we'll see what's possible.

PPC What else is in the works, to make all of this a reality?

SDN Well, this April is going to be a massive step forward. We’ve secured some land in Oxford on really good terms.

The owner is someone I was introduced to through a friend - a gardener who manages the land. Initially, I was there for mole control, but I mentioned the bees, and his wife, who’s passionate about insects, got interested. Eventually, he emailed me saying, "I heard you need land for your bees. Come by, and we’ll chat."

So, I went up, explained the whole vision, and he just said, "You can have the land." I asked about the cost, and he simply said, "A jar of honey." He explained, "We don’t see many bees here, and it’d be great to bring them back.

"My wife and I would love to see the garden flourish and have real local honey from our own backyard." So, for him, it was a perfect trade-off. And it all aligns - helping the bees, improving the environment, and making it financially accessible for people who need bee removals but can’t afford the high costs.

"... this approach allows me to save bees while building a business..."

PPC Do you think your background plays a role in your drive to help others?

SDN Definitely. I grew up with my mum on a council estate. Money was tight and she sacrificed a lot. If my mum had bees in her chimney, she wouldn’t have been able to afford removal. The work we do in this industry makes a real difference, and I think we don’t fully appreciate that until we help someone who is struggling.

More than anything, I want this to become a community - where people can ask questions, learn, and engage with the project. We want to get to a place where we can do educational tours of the beehives for kids, do lots of conservation and education work.

PPC What do you think has been the key to your success?

SDN Hard work, definitely. I work about 18 hours a day—I just don’t stop. I also think being honest with customers and providing a service that genuinely helps people has played a big role. I want to build a business that people trust, where we provide real value and don’t overcharge for unnecessary services.

PPC It sounds like integrity is a big part of your approach. What’s next for you and your business?

SDN Growth is the main focus. We’re looking to take on more staff, expand our customer base, and continue integrating new services like the loft insulation to make our offering even stronger. I’m excited for what the future holds.

PPC Thank you and good luck!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ERADIKIL'S WORK

To find out more, visit linktr.ee/eradikilpestcontrol

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