Ladybug Pest and Wildlife Control grows into statewide operator, urges homeowners to seal entry points

Jacqueline Ricci, founder and CEO of Ladybug Pest and Wildlife Control, said the Lebanon-based company has grown from a part-time effort in early 2018 to a business with 22 employees that provides wildlife removal, pest treatments and home-sealing work. She made the remarks during an interview on the City of Lebanon podcast hosted by Joe LePage, communications and community development director for the City of Lebanon.

Ricci told the podcast she and her husband launched Ladybug after scraping together change and reviewing local online listings, and that the business quickly shifted from weekend work to full-time operations. “When we first started dating, we had this jar of quarters... I think I got like $200,” Ricci said, describing an early moment that helped launch the company. She said the firm opened in March 2018 and now employs technicians and managers across multiple service areas.

The company combines wildlife removal and pest control with construction-style repairs designed to keep animals out of homes long term. “Through and through, we are a construction company,” Ricci said. She described work such as installing gutter aprons and vent guards, cleaning attic contamination from animal droppings and performing long-term exclusion work that she said reduces repeat service calls.

Ricci also described the industry as comparatively young and specialized. “The wildlife industry is only 32 years old,” she said, noting that much advanced training for wildlife remediation takes place at national conferences and can be costly for smaller operators.

The podcast included practical advice for homeowners preparing for cooler weather: inspect the exterior every few months for openings and test likely entry points with a pencil or similar object because rodents and other small animals can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. “Every 90 days, just as a good practice, you should always walk around your house and look for entry points,” Ricci said.

Ricci recounted several field anecdotes from early work, including a Zionsville house she described as infested with multiple generations of snakes feeding on rodents. She said technicians at that job found multiple shed skins and that early in the company’s history her husband handled live captures. Ricci framed those early challenges as part of the company’s learning curve: “We have messed up so many times to get better and better and better,” she said.

Ricci said workforce development and training are now a central focus of her work as CEO. She told the podcast she employs a number of young technicians — she said about 12 employees are under the age of 22 — and that Ladybug provides on-the-job training and professional development. Ricci also noted local outreach such as a scholarship through Lebanon High School and speaking invitations to industry events.

For homeowners who decide not to do repairs themselves, Ricci recommended calling a professional who can inspect and seal likely access points for wildlife and rodents. She directs listeners to ladybug.com for service information and said the company posts photos and educational videos on social media to help homeowners understand wildlife behavior.

The interview was recorded for the Love and Lebanon podcast and was hosted by Joe LePage. Ricci described growth, training priorities and seasonal prevention tips while also recounting several unusual jobs from the company’s early years.