Angus exterminator on his growing business tackling rise in rats and bedbugs

Angus exterminator Ben West never expected to pursue a career in pest control, but took the plunge founding his own business in 2024.

The Abertay University forensic science graduate has helped thousands of households and businesses in the 24 months since he founded Pest King in Brechin.

He has seen his business grow across Courier Country and the north-east, serving a vast area with ever-increasing demand.

He has plans to further expand his company, with his wife now working as office manager and another van and technician on the books to help cover the burgeoning workload.

Commercial work at food manufacturing plants, hotels and restaurants has been the largest driver for sales.

This work has been aided by more than 250 Google reviews — vital, Ben says, for a business his size.

“The last two years have gone really well. We now cover a huge area, down to Stirling and up to Aberdeen,” he said.

“I’ve taken on an extra van too, with a new technician working with us.

“We have expanded our commercial operations massively, as well as continuing to increase our residential workload.

“This includes a number of industries, including food manufacturers, warehouses, restaurants, hotels — you name it, we’ll do it.

“The residential contracts are more reactive — where we get a call and go out to resolve whatever issue is there, so rodents, insects, whatever it may be.

“Our commercial contracts are a lot more proactive. We put pest control measures in and monitoring and controlling that activity.

“This means that if or when it becomes a problem it can be dealt with much more quickly, rather than being left to fester.”

Autumn is as busy a time as any, Ben adds, with an increase in bedbug infestations being seen as people return from summer holiday.

He says pest control will always be in high demand although advances in software makes monitoring and prevention work easier to monitor.

He said: “We see it all, in terms of the work we do. Things like infestations, abandoned houses and renovations and waste management sites.

“Autumn is a busy time for us for bedbugs, particularly if people have been away in hotels or accommodation over the summer. The bugs will be hatching around about now, so will start to appear in bigger numbers.

“We have helped close to 2,000 customers in the two years since we launched. We now have between 100-150 commercial contracts, across Dundee, Angus, Fife, Perth, Aberdeen, Stirling and the north east.

“There is an increase in the types of pest call outs we face, with continuing cuts to council budgets and reductions in bin collections, which lead to these.

“We want to be the biggest pest control company in the area. We’re pushing 250 positive google reviews, which is very important for our type of business.”

This article appeared in the Courier on 13 October 2026