Conrad Takes Control – How a Childhood Hobby Became a Wildlife Business
Racoon Courtesy of Piedmont Wildlife Control
Making NC Home
Conrad Shandel, owner of Piedmont Wildlife Control, is excited about offering his expertise to the area. Originally from Pennsylvania, Conrad met his wife and began visiting North Carolina while attending college in Virginia. “During that time, now 15 years ago, we would come [see] a family member who lived in Fayetteville,” he said. This was when they began feeling like North Carolina was a place they would eventually love to call home. In 2023, they officially made the move, choosing Person County because of its “rural feel and small town hospitality.”
Although Conrad was confident his business could succeed anywhere, he did consider how this area would provide an opportunity to “fill a need” as well. Being the only wildlife control service provider to call Person County home, Conrad explained how having an abundance of opportunities close by, in addition to several large cities within a short drive, would make it easy to find work and execute jobs. It is “positioned [perfectly] for a small business like mine to thrive.” Conrad added, “I love that it is also a thriving area for agriculture and reminds me of where I grew up.”
Change of Plans
Serving in the Army National Guard and Reserves from 2009-2018 and getting a degree in graphic design and marketing, this was not what Conrad initially intended to do with his life. “My first professional job was in creating print advertisements and sales for a small retirement community,” he said, “[but] having children and growing a family with my wife shaped my goals and caused me to think more about what I could build for us.”
Luckily, the solution had been with him all along. Conrad, who has fond memories of trapping adventures with his grandfather and father, admits that a wildlife control business was “certainly not” his own idea. Strongly influenced by his father, Conrad has been honored to follow in his footsteps. “[He] is an industry pioneer and leader,” Conrad said, “his work has been my inspiration – he chose to forge his own path for our family decades ago and I aim to continue the work that he started.”
Becoming a Business
Conrad’s next step was starting Piedmont Wildlife Control in 2023 and officially opening for business in 2024. After working with his father since he was a boy, Conrad now considers him a “silent partner,” as they talk daily about their work and collaborate on jobs when it makes sense.
With a core purpose of providing solutions to human-animal conflicts, their main goal is to not only resolve immediate problems, but offer solutions and preventions for long term needs as well. Their combined set of knowledge and skills are available to assist homeowners, businesses, and municipalities.
The most common issues they deal with are bats, groundhogs, moles, and squirrels; however, they can tackle almost anything, including animals as large as coyotes. Aside from these, Conrad has experience with some rather unusual calls, including flying squirrels, and recently, a vulture creating a bio hazard at Hyco Lake.
Exciting Experience
Already this year, Conrad has done a number of bat evictions, which is the animal he enjoys working with the most. “They are fascinating creatures with an incredible role in our ecosystem,” he continued, “unfortunately they choose to use our attics as roosting spots far too often!” Not long ago, he was asked to remove one from a client’s living room at 3 a.m., just before they had plans to host a baby shower in the home.
Conrad has also been given the opportunity to help Person County Schools and Eaton in Roxboro with a number of groundhog issues, one of which was digging under a power transformer with the potential to create serious issues for the plant. Another unique situation was having to remove a skunk from the bathroom of a local store, where it walked in the front door during business hours.
“Wildlife conflicts can be handled in many different ways.” Conrad explained how trapping is generally a part of the process, but not always involved. “We also provide restoration and repair services after the problem animal is removed. This can involve a bit of siding, carpentry, and hazardous cleanup as well,” he said, for example, “[that skunk] made a mess!”
Finding Success
“All of my past jobs and experiences helped shape me to who I am today,” Conrad said, crediting a lot of his success to the values instilled in him as a child. Things like the determination to do what needs to be done and to do it right. Conrad said his business has doubled since last year, which he believes is due to increased visibility online and strategic marketing. Local pest control businesses, such as Finish Line and Dominion, have also entrusted Conrad with their customers’ wildlife issues. “I am incredibly grateful for their trust and assistance in helping my business grow,” he said.
The most challenging aspect of this journey hasn’t been one specific thing, Conrad said, it is the whole process of building and growing a business. “I have an advantage many don’t,” he acknowledged, “having a mentor that is also my father;” however, this doesn’t change the fact that he does a lot. “As a business owner with no employees, I am the salesman, the laborer, the problem solver, the boss, and the accountant all wrapped up into one person,” he explained.
“I enjoy being the problem solver for my customers [because] it can feel very disorienting and violating to discover a snake in your home or a bat in your bedroom. In the field of wildlife control, many scenarios need to be solved in creative ways, to outthink the problem animal.” In addition to this, health and safety are a big component of wildlife control, which adds the pressure of having to ensure these issues are resolved. While this motivates him, Conrad jokes that being the accountant is his least favorite role.
More to Come
At the end of the day, Conrad is thankful to have his own business. “Being in control of my schedule is very important to me. It enables me to be able to spend more time with my family, not miss the important moments, and I enjoy giving [my customers] peace of mind.” Conrad said that goals he has set with his wife are what keep him going. “She is a huge part of my success as a business owner,” he said, “She is always full of encouragement and provides wisdom beyond her years. Without her support, this would not be possible.” He also added that “daily reminders that the Lord will provide help keep [him] focused on their short- and long-term goals.”
In the future, Conrad’s plans are to continue expanding and growing. He would like to be able to hire someone next year and continue from there. Five to 10 years down the road, he plans to have a small, effective team that provides a high level of service to the region. For now, he is pleased with the relationships he has built by providing excellent service and consistent results. “That is what will continue to drive the success of the business and something I take pride in,” he concluded.
4130 Durham Rd
Roxboro, NC 27574
(336) 915-7373
PiedmontWildlifeControl.com
