2023 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award: Bug Zero Inc.

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Launching pest control company Bug Zero out of his garage, founder Ivan Eftink has grown it from a sole-employee venture into a company that employs 35. In addition to its Springfield headquarters, the business expanded in 2009 to Cape Girardeau, where a second location is owned and operated by Chris Horrell, Eftink’s nephew. In 2022, 24-year company employee Michael Woodring became a co-owner in the Springfield operation.

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Employees at Bug Zero receive ongoing training each month and are licensed in three states: Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas. Its technicians are required to complete a pest control technology course from Purdue University, with officials noting several employees have completed additional training at Purdue, such as its industrial integrated pest management course.

Contributions
In the community, Bug Zero supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks, Isabel’s House, Nova Center of the Ozarks and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It also is a member of several organizations, such as the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield, Leadership Springfield Inc., Rotary International and Sertoma Inc.

Safety
All pesticides used by Bug Zero are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Agriculture and are pet and human friendly. Most of its products are odorless and stainless. Officials say the company protects employees with safety equipment, including eye protection, respirators, hard hats and steel-toed boots.