Tempting Tuesday: Billy the Exterminator

Billy Bretherton

Today's topic is about one of my favorite shows, Billy the Exterminator on A&E. He doesn't look like your average exterminator, does he? That's because he isn't. Billy is an animal lover, roach and wasp killer, family man, genius (yes, literally), and family man.

He got his start on an episode of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe (another household favorite) and was eventually offered his own show featuring his pest control business, Vexcon. Located near Shreveport, Louisiana, the business is a family affair. Although Billy and his brother Ricky are listed as the owners, their mom and dad run the office, and there's no doubt who's the boss: Donnie Bretherton, matriarch and somewhat control freak. She loves to get involved in younger son Ricky's love life and is constantly thwarting her husband's attempts to sneak out of the office to a job. He's had some health problems, including a heart attack, and she won't let him do much.

L-R: Ricky, Bill Sr., Donnie, and Billy.

Back to Billy. He's not just some backwoods rube running around with spiked hair and scary leather. He's educated, and according to his brother Ricky, his I.Q. is at genius level (as well as Ricky and Bill, Sr's.) Billy entered the Air Force in 1987 with dreams of law enforcement, but he tested so high in biology, science, and chemistry he was put into the field of entomology.

When I found out [about being placed in entomology] I actually started bawling my head off when I called home to my Mom and Dad because I just joined the United States Air Force to be the Orkin Man and squish bugs. --Billy Bretherton

Although he was disappointed, Billy credits the Air Force with giving him stellar training in the field. After an honorable discharge, he spent five years working with the industry's leading entomologist. He furthered his expertise by studying at Purdue University, and then earning a masters certification for termite control at LSU. Billy is an expert in using organic, non-chemical procedures to rid his customers of unwanted pests. Vexcon is one of the only companies to use eugenol oil - an organic element that zaps the pests but doesn't hurt humans or animals.

Billy and Ricky going after a big alligator.

He started Vexcon with his father in 1996 and the business quickly grew. What I love about Billy is that you see how intelligent and compassionate he is on every job. He always relocates animals if at all possible, including alligators (although the state of Louisiana states that an alligator over five foot must be disposed off), bees, raccoons, foxes, possums, snakes...the list goes on.

Billy loves working with his younger brother Ricky, and many of the shows episodes feature the two of them going up against all sorts of creatures. Vexcon is known for its compassionate treatment of wild animals, but Billy always makes sure to explain to customers - especially kids, how dangerous and unpredictable wild animals can be.

Billy and Ricky relocating a skunk.

One of my favorite episodes is from Season 3. Last year, Billy and Ricky went down to the Gulf to see the oil spill for themselves. They were sickened by what they saw. A guide took them through some of the marsh areas where the oil was beginning to encroach, and a raccoon was in serious danger, with oil already on its fur. The guide told Billy he couldn't legally rescue it - the state was only focusing on birds and taking mammals was strictly prohibited. Billy couldn't leave the stranded animal, so without much equipment, he and Ricky caught the coon, and Billy took him to shore and the heat that went with saving the animal.

Billy and Ricky looking at the destruction of the oil spill.

I'm not the only one in the house who loves Billy. Grace has declared her love for him. He and Justin Bieber are her boyfriends, and she's determined to be Billy for Halloween. I love the guy, but I'm not sure I want my five-year-old daughter running around the neighborhood looking like this:

I couldn't get this link to convert, but take two minutes and watch Billy explain how to capture a coyote without harming it. He's got no interest in the traps that clamp down and seriously injure the animal's leg. He wants to relocate it, not hurt it.

Billy the Exterminator is on A&E, Tuesday at 10/9 central.

#ROW80 Midweek Check-In 8/17/11

Rescued baby raccoon covering its eyes.

Did you know a baby raccoon covers its eyes when it's scared? Yep. I learned that watching Billy The Exterminator last week. He rescued a family and one of the babies covered its eyes just like a scared kid. Cutest thing ever.

I was thinking about that baby raccoon as I wrote this post. The last few days haven't been bad, just busy. Lots of work to get done on the synopsis but I think I'm getting the hang of it. Catie Rhodes directed me to this FREE lecture offered by Lisa Gardner at her Writer's Toolbox. Gardner does a great job explaining the nuts and bolts, which is all a synopsis is.

I also have some ideas for The Prophet. I haven't had a lot of time to write because we've been doing a lot of family things before school starts. Today's my writing day, though, and I'm ready to dig in.

But my confidence has been lagging. I know we all have those moments. We read someone else's work and wonder why the hell we even bother. I got down in the dumps Monday after starting Tess Gerritsen's Ice Cold. How can I ever hope to be that good? My writing isn't close to hers, blah, blah, blah.

Thankfully Catie jumped on my butt and reminded me we all start somewhere, and that even the best artists weren't great in the beginning. Practice does make perfect.

It's just annoying. But the effort is worth it.

Just to make you smile, another baby raccoon.

My parents had five of these outside last summer, eating the cat food.

They cried when they were frightened.

Anyway, I've resolved to stop covering my eyes and worrying about the "what ifs." They're bad news and drag me down. My writing suffers. Sometimes I'll go a day or two without doing anything, and that's just stupid. No one ever got anywhere by feeling sorry for themselves.

Light and Dark is in good shape for Row80. It's ready for the next edit, which was my goal. My new goal is to get the synopsis in working shape by this weekend, as well as the query letter.

I'm going to stop worrying about following "the plan" for The Prophet and do some discovery writing. It may not be the way experts say to do it, but it works for me and that's what counts. Once I get that under my belt, I'll be able to figure out my turning points and go from there. My goal is to have this done by next Wednesday. Hold me to it.

On the health front, I have something to be proud of because I've gotten in 60 minutes of exercise for the last four days running. That's big for me. I lost weight on a diet that banned all exercise but toning, and I excelled because I LOATHE exercise. But on day four of walking/running/biking, guess what? I feel better. Mind is shaper, I have more energy, all that jazz. It really does work.

I'm feeling pretty good about this week, but enough about me. How are your #Row80 goals coming? What have you added or revised?