Happiness comes from satisfaction. And when someone in a room is happy, everybody’s happy too. It is as contagious as a laugh or a yawn. It’s the rule of nature. And sometimes, when nature looks so good, a landscape artist immortalizes a perfect painting of a cold winter morning.
What we’re trying to say here is that when things are enforced positively, there will always be a greater chance of having a positive outcome. It is just like when your boss is always kind to you, giving you constructive criticism, words of encouragement, and even affirmation; what happens is you get better at your job. You are more passionate and excited to get up in the morning to work no matter how cold it is, especially nowadays.
It is like how Josh Boyda, Wildlife Technician at Abra Kadabra, does it. He does it best, especially when setting the right example for fresh breeds in his team. He gets the job done, is spotless most of the time, and assures customers get what they pay for.
“We want to make sure our clients are happy with the work that we provide for them and make sure that what they are calling us and hiring us to do is accomplished.”
Josh Boyda is a dedicated wildlife technician who’s been with Abra Kadabra since 2019, which has given him consistent service in the company for almost six years.
For six years, Josh built a consistent practice of always showing up prepared to satisfy all of Abra Kadabra’s clients who want wildlife out of their way.
A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Technician
With almost six years of exposure to his job, Josh sure does have a day-to-day thing he looks forward to. A practice that he’s been consistently doing to make sure that everything he does is on point, no matter how unpredictable dealing with intrusive wildlife creatures can be.
Josh starts by reviewing his schedule and ensuring he has the right materials for each job. “I look at what’s on my plate for the day and make sure I have everything I need,” Josh explains. “When I get to the site, I tour the house to assess the situation, see where I want to start and check for anything the inspector might have missed. If I find anything new, I document it and talk to the client about it.”
Abra Kadabra is all about making its customers happy. That’s why Josh makes sure that clients fully understand the work being done, alongside giving them the opportunity to see it happening.
“Sometimes the inspector explains things, but it doesn’t click for the homeowner until we’re actually doing the job. It’s nice to see them gain peace of mind as we work.”
A lot of work as a Wildlife Technician is repetitive and seems out of the ordinary, according to Josh. However, the work varies from the different types of each home’s structure, precisely on roofs. It takes a lot of practice to perfect the craft of being a Wildlife Technician. That’s why Josh is more flexible in teaching the newer techs who are just starting to learn the ropes.
Commitment to Quality and Aesthetics
For someone who’s committed to animal-proofing any property, it is also surprising how Josh takes into account that the aesthetic comes along with making sure that no wildlife can pass through any property. It might be the least priority of being a wildlife technician, but Josh thinks that is part of the finishing touches whenever he’s doing a job for a property.
“We want to make sure our repairs blend in well with the house,” he says. “It’s important that our work doesn’t stand out as an eyesore. Homeowners appreciate that we care about both function and aesthetics.”
Having said that, Josh takes pride in what he does. “Our clients are happy with what we leave behind, and that makes me feel good about what I do. I know that compared to some competitors, our work is cleaner and more precise.”
Mentoring and Problem-Solving
As we all know, Josh plays a vital role in mentoring the newer technicians in his team—especially the younger and less experienced.
“Repetition is key,” he explains. “A lot of what we do is similar from house to house, but there are always differences depending on roof lines and other factors. It’s about teaching new techs the right way to do things and making sure they’re following best practices.”
Josh has learned his own ways on how to mentor for the wildlife tech practice. He’s used all the things he’s learned in the past but alongside, letting his young protegees know that each experience is different, and every step is a learning curve. He’s always been open to learning and hearing about the struggles and using everything he’s learned in the past as way for the interns to have a headstart in solving the problems by themselves. It creates more independence and flexibility.
“It’s just kind of establishing what’s something that is just new to them but old for me and being able to just either walk them right through, hey, I did this happened to me before, I did this, and it worked great.”
Facing Challenges and Staying Resilient
“Wild animals find some really weird spots to get into,” he says with a laugh. “Sometimes, I’m scratching my head trying to figure out how to keep them out. It’s about using experience, creativity, and teamwork to find solutions.”
Like any job, wildlife control has its challenging moments. “There are times when I get down on myself, questioning if I could have done something differently,” Josh admits. “But I remind myself that every day is a new opportunity to improve. If I ever struggle, I talk to my supervisors, who always understand. We all have tough days, but it helps to have a supportive team.”
Josh also credits his family, especially his wife, for helping him manage work-related stress. “She’s my rock. I talk to her about my day, and she helps me keep things in perspective. I try to clean the slate and start fresh each morning.”
Life Beyond Work
Josh is one of the many loving fathers we have at Abra Kadabra. He’s proud of being a father and always thinks about his kids whenever he’s at work.
“I have two kids—my son, Kolton, who’s almost five, and my daughter, Sorin, who’s almost three,” he shares. “In the winter, we mostly stay indoors, but once it warms up, we go biking, fishing, and take the boat out. The kids love it.”
As everyone’s common hobby outside of work at Abra Kadabra, Josh is a certified outdoorsman. And when it’s cold outside, Josh does gaming to kill time.
“I play video games on my PlayStation 5, and in the fall, I love to go deer hunting. It’s great to have hobbies that help me unwind after a long day.”
Josh Then, and the Future
Josh’s journey with Abra Kadabra began in 2019 after a friend, Andy, encouraged him to apply. “I was doing construction work before, but when Andy told me about the job, I decided to go for it. I had an interview with Matt and got hired right away. I’ve never looked back.”
As Abra Kadabra grows, Josh hopes to take on more leadership responsibilities. “I’d like to lead a wildlife team of my own one day,” he says. “We’re expanding steadily, and my goal is to help maintain the high-quality work we’re known for. I’d also love to see an office closer to where I live in Hutchinson, Minnesota, to serve clients in that area better.”
Reflecting on the company’s growth, Josh is impressed by how far Abra Kadabra has come. “When I started, we were just a small team. Now, we’re growing every year. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes, and I really respect the leadership team for what they’ve done.”
In Conclusion
Josh may not be one for long speeches, but his dedication to his craft speaks volumes. “I’m not big on talking unless I know exactly what I want to say,” he laughs. But through his work, he communicates something powerful—quality, integrity, and a commitment to making homes safer and more secure for Abra Kadabra’s clients.
We’re grateful to have Josh on our team, and we look forward to seeing what he accomplishes in the years ahead. Thank you, Josh, for your hard work and dedication!
This article is the ninth part of our employee spotlight series, where we get candid with Abra Kadabra’s personalities and uncover their stories. Stay tuned for more.
If you have any pest and wildlife-related concerns, feel free to call us at 763 – 363 – 4375 or schedule an appointment. New to Abra Kadabra? Avail of a Free Initial Pest & Wildlife Inspection now. Use the code: JOSHROCKS
Abra Kadabra’s summer internship program is now open for applicants. We have a few openings, and everyone is open to apply. Learn more.
