Bainbridge /SPS Pest Control is a family owned and operated business located in southwest Geauga County. What sets Bainbridge SPS apart from other vendors is their experience and knowledge of local pest problems in the area. Owner Dale Arvay is the founder of Bainbridge SPS Pest Control. Arvay explained that the SPS stands for another pest control business he previously owned when he lived on the west side. He is also a fully licensed pest control technician. Arvay talked about how he first started his business.
“When I first moved out to Geauga County in 1991, there were only three pest control companies out here at the time. It was a really good business opportunity to set up out here.” The business “was officially founded in 1992.”
When Arvay started his business, he joined a local group called Score. He was referred to Score by a friend that owned a flower shop on the west side. When they started their company, that’s what they did to help ensure a successful start. Score gave him access to local executives who gave free business advice and guidance.
Some of the areas the execs covered were marketing and business management. They learned his business goals, and when the marketing executive spoke with Arvay, he said, “You’re a small company, do you plan to get big?” Arvay replied, “Not in the least.” The marketing executive advised him to, “Run all your ads in local newspapers and local phone books. Stay within about a 10 mile perimeter and get your name out there.”
And that’s just what he did! Arvay was also advised by others to obtain a good lawyer and accountant. “You have to get your business set up so it will work for you.” He advised, “You need a team, you can’t do it by yourself.”
And team is just what Arvay has! He is fortunate to work with a number of members of his family that are seasoned veterans of the pest control industry. His wife Karen is the vice president and office manager for Bainbridge/SPS Pest Control, and she also helps keep Bainbridge/SPS Pest Control’s office computers running smoothly.
Their passion is providing quality service and helping people. “Our business is solving problems, so every day is kind of different. One day it turns out the way the day may have gone, before,” he said, whereas other days are extremely different. “One day we are killing bed bugs then the next day we are killing yellow jackets, crawling in crawl spaces, walking on roofs, and crawling in chimneys,” he said. The one piece of continuity is the customers. “It gives you a lot of continuity when you are working with the same customers.” One popular call this time of year is to help clients get rid of yellow jackets. “A lot of people are calling panic stricken or endangered by them or stung.”
Bainbridge/SPS Pest Control just launched their new website in July. This has been a benefit to their marketing. “We are getting a lot more Google hits today.” He talked about marketing struggles of the past. Our challenge was getting established in the community.[Sic] [When we started on the east side] “no one knew who we were. I had to do a lot of networking.”
Networking has its benefits,”When I joined our local church and the Chagrin Falls Chamber of Commerce, that opened up a lot of doors.” Arvay and his family attend the Church of the Holy Angels in Newbury. Previously, he had done work at the Catholic Diocese food program. “They were very loyal to me.”
He has another example of how word of mouth referrals paid off for him and his business. “Someone told me to advertise in the Jewish News. I don’t know if you are familiar with that publication and what the paper is, but they are published on Cedar Road.”
He talked about how that $25 add helped build his business base. “I got a flea job from [a gentleman].” The gentleman was so impressed with his work, the client said, “You do good job, you want more work?” He said sure, and was referred to the client’s niece. Arvay stopped into see her veterinary office, “which still exists on Mayfield Road/South Euclid. So I went over there. The girl said ‘who are you?’ I explained I’m Dale Arvey and Uncle Felix told me to stop by and see you.” The girl was impressed that her uncle referred Arvey to her as he has a high standard of service expectations. The girl said, “Well, if Uncle Felix referred you here, you must be good.” She added, “We do a lot of flea dips here. If he says you’re good, I can send customers your way,” she said.
She turned and showed Arvay a massive wall of charts of patients. That networking interaction brought him a whole new regime of customers. “We still work with these customers today.” He appreciates this opportunity. “People can’t believe it really happened.”
Another thing that sets Bainbridge/SPS Pest Control apart is their commitment quality service to their customers. He said, “We may not be the cheapest around, but we do the best quality work.” That commitment includes their customers’ health and wellbeing as well as protecting their most valuable investment, their homes. “I think we stand for protecting people’s health and property,” he said. “Insects, rats, and other rodents transmit disease. A flea can bite you and transmit rocky-mountain spotted fever.”
Do you need help with a pest control issue? Contact Bainbridge/SPS Pest Control via their new website or call 440-543-0482.
