Sugarland Exterminating Helps a Colleague in Need

NEW IBERIA, La. — For many PCOs, the pest control industry is a brotherhood. Numerous examples of camaraderie amongst these professionals were evident in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, including the generosity showed by the Sellers family, owners of New Iberia, La.-based Sugarland Exterminating & Chemical Co.
 
The Sellers family, which includes Sugarland President Carroll and wife Rexine Sellers, as well as Sugarland Co-Owners Reid and Kevin Sellers, provided food and shelter to Billiot Pest Control Manager Ernie Esteve and five of his family after their New Orleans area home was evacuated due to Hurricane Katrina.
 
Like many New Orleans area residents, Esteve, plus his sister, wife and three children, fled the area in anticipation of Katrina making landfall. The Esteve family headed to Lafayette, La., where they took up residence in a hotel for three days. Once New Orleans began flooding and it became clear that Esteve and his family would be displaced for more than a few days, Esteve called up his friend and colleague Kevin Sellers, asking for suggestions on where he could stay.
 
“Kevin said ‘It’s amazing, I was just talking to my dad (Carroll) about who we could help,’” Esteve recalled.
 
It just so happened that Carroll Sellers, who is semi-retired, had built a 1,200-square foot addition onto the company’s warehouse. The room, which had been empty before being furnished in anticipation of the Esteve’s arrival, included air conditioning, a kitchen and a bathroom. Carroll Sellers’ plan was to make it into an office.  “He said ‘You can use it as long as you like,’” Esteve said. “They really took us in like family. They put us up and cooked meals for us. I can’t express how thankful I am. It was a heartwarming and moving gesture.” The Esteve family stayed at the Sugarland building from Aug. 31 to Sept. 14.

Carroll Sellers said he was happy to help out. “Ernie’s one of the finest fellas you will ever meet. He’s helped me put on workshops for LPCA and I know he’s helped a lot of other people out in the industry. It would have killed me if I couldn’t have helped him.”

In addition, Reid Sellers also was able to find a place for friends of the Esteve’s to stay. “This is the very least we could do for these displaced citizens,” Reid Sellers said. “Remember, any one of us could be in the same situation. I must add that the Esteve family was very appreciative, kind and loving throughout their stay. They have always been positive and smiling the whole time they have been with us.”