Do You Know Mr. Little?

I’ve been riding along on our yellow service trucks for decades. My 17 ½ foot image soars high above the Hollywood Freeway in Los Angeles, along the Bayshore Freeway outside of San Francisco and rises above our office in Phoenix.

An 8 foot version of me travels around cities throughout the West every day, and can be seen above our offices in Las Vegas and near Los Angeles International Airport. I can’t tell you how many television commercials and newspaper ads I’ve been in (OK, it’s been a lot!). And I’ve been in the movies but more on that later.

I can also vouch for the fact that all of our Western Exterminator specialists are the experts in pest control services. Contact us to find out more about what we can do for your home or business pest control needs.

I am Mr. Little, the man in the top hat with hammer in hand having a heart-to-heart talk with my little friend Menace Mouse.  He’s actually more of an acquaintance but we’ve been having an ongoing dialogue since 1931 and after all these years, I’ve decided to strike up a conversation with you – our customers – while still keeping a close eye on him.

We met last week when I was telling you about my arachnid friends at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and how much I enjoyed watching and learning more about them at the museum’s Spider Pavilion. While the pavilion has closed for this year (I hope you were able to visit my creepy crawly but very cool spider friends!), it will be back and spinning a new web next year with the support of Western Exterminator Company.

After all these years of proudly but silently representing the talented men and women of Western Exterminator, I’ve decided to lift the lid on my top hat and share my thoughts on the fascinating world of pests.

My weekly blog is going to take you on a tour of Western Exterminator Company and introduce you to our people. I’ll also share interesting pest facts and tips on how you can keep nuisance pests from getting too close to your world!

But first let me tell you a little – excuse the pun, I just can’t help being a jokester once in a while – about my background. Back in 1931 when Western Exterminator was only a decade old, representatives from the Yellow Pages told Western’s owners, Carl Strom and Ray Lovejoy, that advertising in the Yellow Pages would improve sales. They said having a logo or trademark would help customers recognize Western better and volunteered to have one of their artists develop one.

Artist Vaughn Kaufman took his pen and created a stunning (my words, not his!) image that hit the mark and became an instant hit. I’ve become recognizable across the country, and, yes, around the world (see what a good PR person can do!).

I was first referred to as “Kernel Kleenup” and then “Inspector Holmes” (a distant American cousin of Sherlock) after a 1964 television renaming contest. Fortunately my colleagues at Western Exterminator, especially Bob Strom, decided that Mr. Little or The Little Man best suited my personality and the rest, as they say, is history.

I mentioned earlier I’ve been in movies – watch a chase scene from Lethal Weapon and you’ll see me atop our landmark Los Angeles Service Center along the 101 Freeway. I hoped to read for a part in a Harry Potter film but didn’t get it since the spell my hammer dished out was a little strong – just ask Menace Mouse!

I actually get many more Hollywood offers than my busy schedule allows, but I did get to spend a month on location this past September shooting a sci-fi comedy due out next fall. I’ll be sure to share any sneak-peak scoop with you just as soon as I can.

I’ve also been on a world tour with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and Southern California native sons, Van Halen, but unfortunately for my blog readers, what happens on tour stays on tour.

I also show up at numerous community events in California, Arizona and Nevada to have some fun with customers and fellow bug lovers. And of course none of my Western friends are ever surprised when they see me at our numerous company events. In fact, in between my recent movie scenes I made personal appearances at our three company picnics. I could never miss those – the food is too good and of course I’m with all of my very best friends—my Western Family!

I’m looking forward to writing my weekly blogs and plan on sharing interesting and valuable information about the world of bugs, what Western Exterminator does, the people you’ll meet when you work with us, and about how to keep your home or business nuisance pest free.

But enough about me, I want to hear what you have to say. What questions do have about ants, spiders, scorpions, termites, mice or even the resurgence of those pesky bed bugs? I want to hear them. You can send me an e-mail at [email protected]. I’ll be sure to get back to you right away with an answer.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about pests or how Western Exterminator can help you with your pest issues around your home, property or business, be sure to contact us and see how we can help and with what pests.

Until next time, thanks for making Western Exterminator Company “The Final Word in Pest Control®”

Have a pest free day!