Yes, doing good can mean good business. Take Dr. Killigan’s as an example. Pest control has never exactly been the darling of the home goods industry. It’s one of those line items that feels unavoidable but unpleasant — an expensive, chemical-laden necessity that most of us would rather not think about. You hire someone, and they show up with a gas mask and a spray can. Then, you spend the next few hours wondering if you should’ve left the house entirely.
But every once in a while, a company takes something mundane and completely reimagines it. That’s what Dr. Killigan’s has done. They haven’t just disrupted pest control; they’ve made it feel thoughtful. Almost elegant. Their innovative approach is not just a game-changer, but an inspiration for the industry that doing good is good business.
Their latest product, the Six Feet Under: Barricade Household Insect Kit ($49.97), isn’t just effective — it’s surprisingly pleasant to use. It targets over 50 insect species for up to three months without filling your home with harsh fumes. Instead, it relies on a blend of soybean oil and botanical nanotechnology. The result? A product that’s not only safer but smells fresh and looks good sitting on your shelf.
Of course, this is about more than insects. Dr. Killigan’s has crafted a blueprint for modern business: a case study in how ethics, transparency, design, and accessibility can combine into a winning formula. The lesson is clear for companies across industries: doing good isn’t just admirable — it’s commercially smart.
Here’s what they’re getting right:
1. Be transparent — and be proud of it
People are paying attention. They’re reading labels, scanning ingredient lists, and asking tougher questions than ever. And they should — it’s their homes, their families, their health.
Dr. Killigan’s doesn’t wait to be asked. They lay it all out, plain and simple. Every ingredient, every reason it’s there. No confusing names, no hidden chemicals. Just real things like cinnamon, clove, and peppermint oil — the kind of stuff that smells like your favorite holiday, not a lab.
“At Dr. Killigan’s, we specialize in ‘minimum-risk’ pest products — with ingredients recognized by the EPA to pose little to no risk to human health or the environment,” said Casey Bishop, founder and CEO of Dr. Killigan’s. “When it comes to effective pest control, there’s nothing safer.”
That kind of openness does more than inform. It builds trust. Because when a brand says, “Here’s exactly what’s inside — and here’s why,” customers listen. And more importantly, they come back. Transparency isn’t just a strategy anymore. It’s the expectation.
2. Design should do more than decorate — it should speak for the brand
Pest control products have never been designed for display; they’re the sort of items you buy out of necessity and promptly hide away, all garish colors and oversized warning labels. But Dr. Killigan’s saw an opportunity to approach this differently, creating clean, refined, and deliberately understated packaging — something you wouldn’t hesitate to leave on your kitchen counter. Beautiful, well-considered products invite trust, spark conversation, and become part of daily life. Businesses that dismiss design as superficial miss the chance to make deeper, more lasting connections with their customers.
3. Make complexity disappear so customers feel capable
There is a certain satisfaction that comes from tackling a problem yourself — a small but powerful confidence that builds loyalty far more effectively than complicated loyalty programs ever could. Dr. Killigan’s leans into this idea, offering clear, approachable, and easy-to-use kits without lengthy manuals or confusing jargon. People remember when a product made their lives simpler, and they share those experiences readily. For other companies, the lesson is simple but often overlooked: if you can strip away complexity and help your customers succeed without frustration, they’ll come back to you — not because they have to, but because they trust you will make things easier the next time, too.
4. Innovation only matters if people can afford it
Far too often, innovation is treated as synonymous with exclusivity — something meant to impress but only available to those willing to pay a premium. Dr. Killigan’s has taken a different stance, demonstrating that clever, well-executed ideas can and should be accessible. With monthly plans starting at about $16, they’ve opened the door to high-quality pest control for many customers who might otherwise have accepted inferior or unsafe alternatives. This inclusivity is a reminder for other companies that innovation loses its power if it’s out of reach. Actual progress comes when smart solutions are made available to more people — and in doing so, brands not only broaden their customer base but also strengthen their position in the market.
Dr. Killigan’s could have played by the old rules: harsh chemicals, forgettable packaging, and a transactional customer relationship. Instead, they reimagined an industry that most people had written off as dull and inconvenient, offering thoughtful, approachable, and refreshingly human products. The result is more than a clever marketing story — it’s proof that when businesses design with care, communicate with clarity, and innovate with accessibility in mind, they don’t just sell products. They build lasting relationships.
