Dan's Pest Patrol, Castalia

Dan Hesch woke up on his 5th birthday covered in welts from more than 100 yellow-jacket stings. The day before, he had explored the woods near his house and stumbled upon some ornery wasps. What happened then doesn’t need to be spelled out. Dan looks back on the incident, and the innate curiosity that spawned it, with fondness. "It seems I was destined to pursue a career in the pest industry," he said.

Today, Dan boasts nearly 40 years of pest-control experience, which includes learning his trade in one of the country’s most insect-friendly climes, Phoenix. Dan and his team of exterminators now target creatures trespassing into homes around Toledo while being mindful of clients' health and using application techniques that minimize clients’ chemical exposure and maximize insects' pleas for mercy. He also vows to beat any competitor’s price, charging at least 10% less than any estimate homeowners can show him.