What I Learned From My Bug Woman
Technically, my bug man is Justin Silver. He owns the business that has been getting rid of my ants, spiders, and bugs for twenty years. It’s my newest tech, Michaela, though that spurred me to write what I learned from my bug woman.
Michaela has been treating my lawn and home for a year. This time she arrived because the boxelder bugs are overtaking my bedroom, as they do every fall. After she put on shoe covers to protect my carpet from her wet shoes, we walked upstairs.
“My house is a mess. I just posted a blog about camping with my niece. (See A Week of Firsts) I haven’t had time to put everything away. We just got home last night.”
“Oh, you’re okay.”
“I hate I didn’t get to clean up before you got here. It matters to me what you think because my home reflects who I am. I like to keep my house clean.”
Around my bedroom window, she sprayed something new, something “sticky” she said. Next, she did the same to all the downstairs windows. We kept talking.
“Actually, I don’t think most people care about what we think. We just spray. We aren’t inspecting.”
At her truck, Michaela put on a backpack sprayer. She continued listening and spraying as we walked to the backyard.
“I was gone all summer, and I’m still catching up on the yard. It was a successful summer, though. I finished my first book, Finding Joy in the West, did a book tour, and rode in three more states.”
“You’re out there traveling though. You are living your best life. All I do is spray bugs. I like it though. I’m not a people person. It’s hard for me to talk with people.”
Thank you, Michaela, for listening. You are doing way more than spraying bugs. You are a people person. Maybe being a people person isn’t about talking. Maybe it’s more about listening. So, what did I learn from my bug woman? I learned the importance of listening—even if you think you are just spraying bugs.
Thanks for being a part of this journey!
If you enjoyed reading this blog, I’d love your support in growing this community! Please share this with your friends, family, or anyone who might find it interesting. Your shares help me reach more people to help them find their joy.
Joy M. Walker
October 23, 2025 @ 6:38 am
This is awesome, Joy! Your blog has reminded us all, I think, of how much we learn from our wonderful customers (like you) and reminds us that our interactions, and human companionship, matter! Thank you for sharing!
October 23, 2025 @ 6:42 pm
Thanks, Kellie. And THANK YOU for being an integral part of such a great company.
October 23, 2025 @ 7:33 am
Interesting about the Bugs and being a quiet person. That’s me, really not
a people person so I guess it’s OK to be a listen person
Enjoy your Blogs
October 23, 2025 @ 6:43 pm
We certainly need more listeners, Fran. Thanks for being one of mine. And thanks for reading and responding too.
October 23, 2025 @ 12:46 pm
What a nice story Joy!
October 23, 2025 @ 6:45 pm
Thanks, Kathy. Kind of similar to your story about your postal delivery guy going the extra mile and then you acknowledging him for his efforts.
October 23, 2025 @ 2:20 pm
Interesting blog about the lessons you learned from your bug lady. If everybody wanted to talk and not listen, communication with stop if everybody wanted to listen and not talk, communication would stop. Isn’t it good that God instilled in some people to listen more and talk less and others to talk more and listen less. Everyone does both, but some are definitely better at one than the other.
October 23, 2025 @ 6:48 pm
Good observation, Mary Anne. You are right, we all have to do both. Michaela made me realize I want to be a better listener. That’s what my mom was known for and I think it’s better to be known for being a listener than a talker.