Troy Johnson never expected to end up running a pest control company, but life had other plans. Originally a dog trainer in Arkansas, Troy’s career path took a sharp turn when he became a bed bug dog handler for a large pest control company. His work allowed him to travel the country, meet experts in the field and gain hands-on experience in pest management. Within a year, Troy was promoted to branch manager and later oversaw multiple locations in Kansas City. But corporate life wasn’t for him.
“There was a better way to treat employees and customers,” Troy explains. “My stepdad always said, ‘If you don’t like the way something’s done, go do it yourself.’ So we did.” That philosophy became the foundation for Local Guy Pest Control, the small business Troy runs with his wife, Sarah.
Launching a business was no small leap of faith, but the Johnsons were ready for the challenge. During Troy’s non-compete period, he worked in foundation repair, which gave him a new perspective and even proved helpful in pest prevention. By May of their second year, Local Guy Pest Control became a full-time venture.
Local Guy Pest Control stands out by offering what many national companies don’t—flexibility, honesty and a personal touch. While many competitors lock customers into subscription-based services, Troy believes in giving people options. “We offer pay-as-you-go services,” he says. “We’re not going to push customers into something they don’t need. If it’s snowing in February, we’re not coming out just to check a box. We’ll come when it makes sense.”
The company’s core services focus on preventing issues before they arise. “If you have a problem, we’ll solve it,” Troy says. “But we’re also going to get to the root cause—why do you have ants every summer? We aim to be proactive, staying a season ahead to prevent problems before they start.”
Their mosquito control service, which also helps prevent fleas and ticks, is a game-changer for families with pets. Troy shares that the service became a priority after learning from a neighbor that mosquitoes can transmit heartworms to dogs. “We realized how important it is to protect not just your home, but also your pets,” he says. “If you’ve got kids and dogs running around your backyard, mosquito control makes all the difference.”
Running a family business has been one of the most rewarding parts of Troy’s journey. “It’s a true family effort,” he says. Sarah works alongside him in the business, their son helps out on jobs and their 8-year-old daughter even pitches in. “She went around the neighborhood and her school, selling pest control without being prompted,” Troy said.
While Local Guy Pest Control is still a small operation, Troy and Sarah have big plans for the future. “As we grow, we’ll hire people from our community—people we know and trust,” he explains. “We’re deeply rooted here in Blue Springs. We love the schools, we love the people.”
For Troy, owning a business has given him the freedom to build something the right way. “I’ve always liked business,” he says. “But more than that, I wanted to create a company that’s customer-first. For us, customer service isn’t a policy—it’s a core value.”
Troy encourages homeowners to get ahead of the seasons as they approach. “Every year, we get last-minute calls for weddings, parties, and Fourth of July celebrations,” he says. “The key is to be proactive. If you wait until you’ve got ants or mosquitoes everywhere, it’s harder to control. Start early and stay ahead of the problem.”
For Troy and Sarah, Local Guy Pest Control isn’t just about getting rid of pests—it’s about building something meaningful for their family and their community. “We’re doing it our way,” Troy says. “And it’s working.”
"As we grow, we’ll hire people from our community—people we know and trust. We're deeply rooted here in Blue Springs. We love the schools, we love the people." Troy Johnson