RIDDING HUNTSVILLE OF UNWANTED GUESTS Shiver continues in family business with Huntsville Pest Control
STORY BY MIKAH BOYD
Pest control is more than a job for D . L . Shiver , it ’ s a family matter .
Shiver ’ s father has been in the business for the past 40 years and has showed his son all that he knows about keeping customers happy and pests out . He worked under his father starting when he was just 16-years-old and continued to do so throughout his high school and college career at Texas A & M University .
“ My dad ’ s been doing this a long time and I just felt compelled to follow in his footsteps , because he ’ s done a really good job and he ’ s made a good life for my brother , my mom and I ,” Shiver said .
When Shiver completed his master ’ s degree there , he felt it was time to take part in the family business , but he was unable to fit into his father ’ s current business . After many thoughts and prayers between the family members , opportunity came knocking . The previous owner of Huntsville Pest Control reached out to the family and gave them a chance to take over the business .
Since January of 2018 , Shiver has been the owner and operator of Huntsville Pest Control and has been striving to give the Huntsville community the best service possible . His dedication has paid off , as members of the community continue to refer him to their peers and forge bonds .
“ I have some really good relationships with some of my customers , they ’ ve really given me a fair shake , given the fact that I ’ m younger ,” Shiver said . “ I feel rewarded when people are happy to see us and excited with us , or if they tell someone in the office or refer us saying that we ’ re good people . It just makes you feel good to feel like other people think that you ’ re good at what you do .”
Shiver not only enjoys the referrals , but the bonds he ’ s created with his customers . He uses his time commuting to talk to customers and hearing about how they are faring after his visit . This personal connection serves as another reward to Shiver , as he enjoys helping people and making their houses feel more like homes .
He does this by offering a wide variety of pest removal services , from German roach clean-outs to mosquito control with the help of his amazing team .
“ We ’ ve got a really good team ; everybody ’ s been really understanding . If it ’ s not me spraying their house , then I send somebody that works for me , they ’ re trustworthy ,” Shiver said . “ We don ’ t hire people we don ’ t trust , and I sure won ’ t send somebody to a house that I wouldn ’ t trust to go into my own .”
This trust has helped Shiver maintain his bonds with the community , which he feels is the best reward . He is grateful to all who have given him a chance and to those who continue to refer and endorse his business .
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | JULY-AUGUST 2021 | 35