Matthew Snorek started Guaranteed Gone, his pest and wildlife control business, 12 years ago. Amid COVID-19, nature hasn't stopped entering households, but the pandemic did affect his industry.
"The phones went quiet for like two weeks and a lot of folks in my industry were getting nervous. Across the country, people were reporting a 75 to 80% downturn in phone calls and business. I thought to my self 'oh man,'" said Snorek.
Luckily, once people settled into their home offices business returned.
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"After a couple of weeks with people in their houses, instead of driving out for work, now they are working exclusively from homes they are hearing things in the attic. They are more aware of digging in their years, more aware of their cats or dogs going nuts for something in the walls."
Meeting up at Jo-Don Farms in Franksville, Snorek shares the ways he can protect the farm's buildings from Wisconsin wildlife.
"In places like this you can expect to see groundhogs tunneling under the sheds and pole barns that has slab construction. If that happens too much that concrete can crack and settle. You can have significant structural damage," said Snorek.
Thankful and passionate about his work, Snorek has made it a point to do what he can for customers in need.
"Just because I get to work, my business right now is based on people who are deemed non-essential. They are getting to work, the hairstylist, the people that are maybe waiters and waitresses that got downsized from restaurants. They don't have a lot of money, but they still have these problems in their houses."
Even if you just need some advice, Guaranteed Gone will take your call.
"My phone quotes are always free. I'll talk to anyone on the phone. Just give me a call, let me know what you got going on, we'll discuss it and if I need to come out I can certainly do so and help out."