If you’ve lived in New Jersey long enough to have seen a Jersey winter, you already know the drill: in an instant the temperature plummets and you’re suddenly hearing the sound of scratching in the walls, the rustling of noises coming from the attic, or the mess some critter is making in the garage.
Dan Latini, the owner of Dan Can Home Services LLC, recently sat down with Dan and Anthony on the Intrepidus Podcast to talk about the pest problems that keep popping up at the Jersey Shore – and the personal story that finally pushed him to start a business of his own, centered around family values, integrity, and the kind of real results he’d want for his own home.
“You Know Who To Call When Something’s Bugging You”
At the start of the episode, Dan explains how the nickname “Dan the Bug Man” came about (all thanks to a neighbor and his kid), and how it ended up being a way to stand out in the community and stay memorable. He’s a full-service pest control guy – covering everything from rodents to roaches to mosquitoes to termites, all handled with the proper licensing and a no-nonsense approach to getting the job done right.
For folks in our area, Dan says that the types of requests they get vary by season. In the colder months, mice are always looking for a warm spot to hole up, and he warns that they’re not just a nuisance – they can chew through wiring and create some serious hazards. And come the holidays, roaches become a bigger problem too, largely because of all the cardboard and packages coming into the home.
A Black Widow Story That Says A Lot About How He Does Business
One of the most entertaining moments from the episode is the story Dan shares about a black widow infestation in Bayville. The client had all these cinder block retaining walls – the perfect spot for black widows to set up shop. Dan explains how black widows are usually pretty docile, but still need to be treated with caution. And then his seven-year-old son chimes in, gloved up and all, explaining all the things his dad had taught him about dealing with black widows.
It’s a funny moment, but it also says a lot about Dan’s approach to the job – the importance of education, and how when you understand what’s going on, panic drops and you start making better decisions.
From Growing Up In Tough Times To Building A Steady Life
The episode goes a lot deeper than just pest control too. Dan opens up about his own childhood – growing up in extreme poverty, surrounded by addiction and instability. But he credits his grandfather Manny with being a steady influence in his life – teaching him about discipline, work ethic, and the value of being around people who are smarter and more successful.
Dan says that that upbringing taught him a different kind of drive – not just about making a living, but about building a stable home life for his own kids. And that long view shows up again and again in how he runs his business today.
How Pest Control Became His Calling – And The Moment It Clicked
Dan got into pest control during a tough time in his life – his wife was dealing with health issues, he lost work, and the pressure of supporting a young family was getting to him. Pest control hiring was surging during COVID, since the industry was considered essential, and Dan took the opportunity. At first, he just saw it as a way to get by, but it ended up being the opposite – he fell in love with the science and the day-to-day challenge of solving new problems in new homes.
He also talks candidly about seeing how big corporate environments often cut corners, with techs rushing through jobs and treating service as a numbers game. For Dan, that was a major part of why he ended up building his business around a different standard – doing the science, taking pride in the work, and making sure you’re getting real results.
How He Built A Local Business Through Networking And Word Of Mouth
One of the themes that keeps popping up in the conversation is the importance of community. Dan credits his growth in large part to all the networking he’s done across our region – from chambers of commerce to local groups to actual events and real relationships. After getting fired right before the holidays, he decided to go all-in on his own business, and to his surprise, many past customers followed him, and word of mouth took off.
Dan drives home a point that’s really important for a lot of trades businesses in New Jersey – if you want a steady pipeline, you have to be present – in the community, at the events, and in the local groups. It’s not about sales tricks, it’s about showing up, doing solid work, and letting the community do the talking.
Saying “No” Is Part Of Getting The Job Done Right
One of the strongest parts of the episode is Dan’s stance on integrity. He shares a story about a customer who wanted him to just do a superficial cleanup in their attic, without addressing the real health and remediation issues – and Dan refused the job because he wouldn’t put his name on something that could put a family in danger.
He also talks about pricing, and how he’s not trying to be the cheapest guy in town – the value is in his experience, thoroughness, and care – and the extra steps that many companies skip.
Hiring His First Employee – And What Dan Learned From The Experience
Dan and the hosts talk about how hard it is to hire that first employee, especially when you want someone who’s not just licensed, but ready to hit the ground running. Dan ended up hiring his nephew George, and the two of them have some practical advice to share – it’s often easier to hire someone with good character and train them up than to bring in someone experienced with bad habits.
Dan also shares a real pain point of being an entrepreneur , being up all night from 2-4 am rescheduling routes, checking for weather changes, handling all the admin stuff & trying to keep everything from falling apart – basically just trying to keep his family time intact while still delivering top-notch service to his customers . His focus is now on putting in place some solid systems – you know, automation, better tools, and a bit of support – so he can have a better work-life balance
What Local Homeowners Can Take Away From This Episode
If you live in Burlington, Mercer, Ocean, or Monmouth County you might want to take note of these key points:
- Seasonal pests are basically predictable in New Jersey – it pays to be proactive rather than just waiting till its too late
- Rodents and roaches are not just a hassle – they can cause real damage & safety hazards too
- Pest control is part science, part prevention, part habit (as in how you live) at home – any good provider will explain why they’re doing things not just sprays you & walks out
- The right company will give you the straight up truth, even if that means they have to walk away from a job
Need A Hand With Something Around The House?
Dan Can Home Services LLC can help out with your pest control needs if you’re a homeowner or business in Burlington, Mercer, Ocean or Monmouth County, New Jersey. If you’re dealing with any unwanted critters creeping, scratching, nesting or swarming then Dan’s just a local call away