Lifestyle

What Makes Alta Pest Control Among the Nation’s Best Pest Control Companies?

Published

12 months ago

November 21, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo courtesy of Alta Pest Control

By: Georgette Virgo

Rising from humble beginnings in Seattle, WA, Alta Pest Control has established itself as one of America’s most trusted pest management companies. Founded in 2013 by Michael and Chris Langlois, this family-owned enterprise has grown to 17 locations across multiple states, serving hundreds of thousands of customers.

The rise of Alta Pest Control, marked by a 100% growth from 2022 to 2023 and recognition on Inc. 5000’s list, stems from a unique outlook that prioritizes family values, customized solutions, and lasting results over quick profits.

Family Values at the Core of Service Excellence

Alta Pest Control’s distinction in the pest management industry begins with its foundation as a family-owned and operated business. Michael Langlois, co-founder of Alta Pest Control, explains their unique perspective, “Running a family business means we understand pest control needs at a deeply personal level. Every home we service is treated with the same care and attention we would give our own family’s residence.”

This family-first mindset shapes every aspect of their service delivery. The company’s technicians approach each job as pest control professionals and partners in maintaining healthy, comfortable homes. They take time to understand each family’s specific concerns, lifestyle patterns, and preferences before developing pest prevention plans.

The family-oriented perspective extends beyond mere service delivery. Alta Pest Control has cultivated a corporate culture that embodies family values, fostering strong relationships with both employees and customers. This creates a positive cycle where satisfied employees deliver better service, leading to happier customers and stronger community connections.

A Flexible, Comprehensive Pest Elimination Services

Alta Pest Control stands out for its adaptable service model, accommodating various pest management needs. Whether dealing with a one-time rodent invasion or implementing long-term pest prevention strategies for commercial properties, the company’s method remains consistently thorough and customer-focused.

“We recognized early on that pest control isn’t a one-size-fits-all service,” Michael notes. “Each situation requires a unique solution, considering property characteristics, pest types, and customer preferences. Our success comes from our ability to adapt our services while maintaining the highest standards of quality.”

The company’s pest prevention services portfolio encompasses everything from general pest control to specialized treatments for specifics like rodents, beetles, cockroaches, ants, and even stinging insect elimination.

Its technicians receive extensive training in handling various pest situations, enabling them to address multiple issues during a single visit. This comprehensive technique saves customers time and secures more effective, lasting results.

Saying No to Band-Aid Solutions

The most distinctive aspect of Alta Pest Control’s service model is its commitment to customer education and long-term pest prevention. Rather than offering quick, temporary solutions, the company focuses on creating lasting results through professional treatment and customer empowerment.

Langlois teaches families and businesses about proper property maintenance to prevent pest infestations, identification of early warning signs, safe and effective DIY pest control methods for minor pest issues, selection of appropriate cleaning products and materials, and even seasonal pest prevention strategies.

“We believe in eliminating pests for good, not just temporarily,” Michael emphasizes. “That means going beyond traditional pest control methods to educate our customers about prevention. This may lead to fewer service calls in the long run, but it builds trust and strengthens customer relationships.”

This commitment to customer education has contributed significantly to Alta Pest Control’s high customer retention rates and positive reviews. Its 4.75 rating from thousands of online reviews reflects its effectiveness in eliminating pests and its success in helping customers maintain pest-free environments.

Secret to Industry Success

Alta Pest Control’s impact on the pest control industry, especially the customers it serves, demonstrates that business success can be achieved without choosing between profitability and customer care.

The company’s commitment to family values, service flexibility, and customer education proves that growth and success naturally follow when a company truly prioritizes customer needs and long-term solutions over quick profits.

Michael shares, “When we started Alta Pest Control, we wanted to create something different – a pest control company that truly puts customers first. Seeing our process validated through our growth and customer satisfaction tells us we’re on the right path. But more importantly, it motivates us to keep pushing forward, finding new ways to serve our customers better.”

Please visit Alta Pest Control’s website to learn more about its pest control treatment plans.

Lifestyle

Confronting Propaganda: Street Smart Documents Honest Reactions to Gaza Indoctrination Footage

Published

1 week ago

November 6, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: Street Smart

Byline: Michelle Langton

In a recent project, the Street Smart team gathered 20 strangers and presented them with propaganda footage from Gaza that has circulated widely online but remains largely unfamiliar to many audiences. The aim wasn’t to provoke outrage or test media literacy in a classroom setting. It was to capture raw, unfiltered emotional reactions to material that reveals how narratives are formed at the source. The resulting video offers a candid look at how people process shocking content and how their perceptions shift when they see what is rarely shown on mainstream platforms.

The Structure of the Experiment

The format was simple. Participants were seated and shown a series of clips from Gaza, including children’s programming and broadcasts containing intense ideological messaging. No background information was provided, and viewers were not instructed on how to interpret what they were seeing. After watching, they were asked for immediate reactions.

The footage elicited a wide range of emotions. Some viewers were stunned by the content, admitting they had never seen anything like it before. Others expressed disbelief, questioning why this kind of material isn’t more widely discussed. A few were visibly shaken, saying the experience fundamentally altered their understanding of the situation.

By presenting the footage without narration or added commentary, Street Smart allowed participants’ genuine responses to emerge. The experiment revealed how propaganda can affect an entire generation. It can shock, unsettle, and force people to reconsider their assumptions.

Why This Project Matters

Sage Fox and Dorani aligned the purpose of this experiment with Street Smart’s broader mission of challenging prevailing narratives and encouraging critical thought among younger audiences. In an environment where footage spreads rapidly across digital platforms, propaganda can shape public opinion long before context catches up.

By showing the Gaza Indoctrination footage in a controlled setting and recording uncoached responses, the team aimed to expose the emotional and cognitive impact of this type of content.

“The first reaction is often the most revealing, because it shows how powerful images can be without context.”

The Range of Reactions

While each participant brought their own perspective, several themes emerged. Some expressed sympathy with the imagery itself, saying it was emotionally powerful.

One participant said, “It makes me question what I see online every day. How much of it is shaped this way?”

Their comments highlight how propaganda resonates differently depending on prior knowledge and exposure. Many viewers have simply never encountered such footage directly.

Street Smart’s Approach

This project continues a pattern established by Sage Fox & Dorani’s earlier videos. Rather than relying on experts or lengthy analysis, Street Smart focuses on real people and their honest reactions. The approach is simple but effective. Present potent material, listen to what people say, and share those moments with a wider audience.

The Gaza Indoctrination footage experiment fits this model. It doesn’t attempt to draw final conclusions or offer political commentary. Instead, it documents how people respond when they’re exposed to narratives that are usually filtered through intermediaries.

Implications for Media Literacy

Beyond its viral potential, the video raises broader questions about how people interact with powerful imagery online. Propaganda operates on emotional reflexes. As this experiment shows, those reflexes are often unexamined until they’re brought to the surface.

Sage Fox & Dorani hope that projects like this push audiences to think more critically about what they see and share.

“The purpose is not to tell people what to believe. It is to remind them that every image comes from somewhere, and that source matters,” they said.

Next Steps for Street Smart

As Street Smart’s platform grows, Sage Fox & Dorani plan to conduct similar experiments in different contexts. They intend to use their direct, street-level approach to highlight how people react when presented with challenging material.

The Gaza footage project is one piece of a larger mission. The team uses simple methods to shed light on complex issues. By focusing on authentic reactions, they continue to build a unique space in online media that blends cultural investigation with raw human response.

A Window into Unfiltered Thought

“We showed 20 strangers real propaganda footage from Gaza — and filmed their unfiltered reactions” is not a dramatic exposé or academic study. It is a clear, unmediated record of how individuals respond when confronted with material designed to persuade. In that restraint lies its strength.

By documenting these moments, Street Smart shows how awareness can begin with a pause. A brief space between seeing and believing.