Johnson’s skill and persistence are perfect pairing for pest control

Keep calm and call Curtis.

For nearly 40 years, Curtis Johnson has served as a pest control operator at Iowa State, making him a go-to guy for dealing with any pests that pop up on campus.

From bats and bugs to rodents and raccoons, "I've seen a little bit of everything," Johnson said.

In addition to his pest control duties, Johnson's role also includes nuisance wildlife control and grounds work such as lawn care, horticulture, lake management and snow removal.

"My favorite part of my job is working outside," Johnson said. "Pest control is never boring, and I enjoy being able to move around and not be in one position or location all day. The ISU campus is beautiful and makes for a pretty inspiring outdoor office."

Path to pest control

Johnson, who grew up in Stratford, began working at Iowa State in June 1985. He previously worked for a pest control company in Davenport for four years and spent some time studying agribusiness at DMACC, too.

As Iowa State's pest control operator, Johnson is notified whenever a building or area on campus is having trouble with pests. He then investigates and evaluates the situation to determine the best solution using integrated pest management techniques. One of the most common requests over the years has been American cockroaches, Johnson said.  

"Every once in a while, they'll pop up here or there in an office, but fortunately, they don't reproduce in our buildings," he said. "The main source seems to be through storm sewers."

Johnson said the number of pest-related problems also depends on the time of year.

"We typically see fewer problems with insects and other animals in the winter than we do the rest of the year," said Johnson, whose office in the General Services Building features a collection of bald-faced hornet nests he has preserved over the years.

Johnson said there's always something new to learn in pest control. Each year, he takes various continuing education courses to help maintain his professional licenses in interior, ornamental, aquatic and right-of-way pest control, and he often can be spotted at Iowa State's annual Shade Tree Short Course for arborists as well.

Animal tales

His most memorable encounters with pests on campus? Johnson recalls several instances when a beaver got into Lake LaVerne and started chewing down trees.  

"They were busy, which unfortunately, wasn't so great for our trees and the lakeside area," said Johnson, who helped relocate the beavers and bring their unorthodox campus meal plans to a close.  

Another memorable request featured a bat with a flair for the dramatic.

"A few years ago, we had a work order for a bat that had taken up residence in Music Hall," Johnson said. "We spent a lot of time looking for it throughout the week, but we just couldn't get the bat to reveal itself."

With a concert featuring All-State high school percussionists scheduled for the building's recital hall that weekend, however, Johnson said he got a call asking if he could come in on Saturday and try again.

"I was there for hours, just watching," Johnson said with a chuckle. "I can remember the sound of xylophones rehearsing as I was trying to wait out this bat."

As it turns out, the bat also was waiting -- for its big moment. The concert had just begun when it appeared and flew down toward the parents seated in the audience.

"The students on stage couldn't see it, but the parents were all ducking down and fully focused on the bat," Johnson said.

Armed with a net in the balcony, Johnson ran downstairs, arriving just in time to help a stage manager usher the bat out a side door.

The bat was officially gone, and the performance hadn't missed a beat.

Above and beyond

Plant services supervisor Joel Bender, who has worked with Johnson for 13 years and served as his direct supervisor for the past five, said the Music Hall incident is just one example of Johnson's dedication to his work.

"Curtis truly goes above and beyond, even if it means coming in on a Saturday to chase a bat," Bender said. "He's someone you can depend on, and he has so much knowledge."  

Bender also praised Johnson's customer service skills.

"Curtis takes time to explain a situation, including what he can and can't do to address the pest-related issue at hand, and how what he can do will help," Bender said.

My dad always kept a cot in his office during the winter, just in case bad weather meant he couldn't get home and back safely to do his job. But I also remember the times he would get up at 2 a.m. after a big winter storm to dig us out at home so he could go dig out everyone at Iowa State, too.

— Christi Johnson-Bascomb, Curtis Johnson's daughter

Johnson lives on an acreage near Webster City and has been known to stay overnight on campus when winter storms strike and there will be a lot of snow to move in the early hours.

Howe Hall custodian Christi Johnson-Bascomb, one of Johnson's two daughters, was just a toddler when her dad started working at Iowa State. She said her dad's dedication to his job made a lasting impression on her as she was growing up.

"My dad always kept a cot in his office during the winter, just in case bad weather meant he couldn't get home and back safely to do his job," she said. "But I also remember the times he would get up at 2 a.m. after a big winter storm to dig us out at home so he could go dig out everyone at Iowa State, too."

Johnson-Bascomb said these memories make her feel especially proud to now work at Iowa State -- just like her dad.  

"I love seeing my dad around campus," she said. "There are certain days I'll step outside and just happen to see him working on a project. Those moments are a true joy of mine."

Johnson-Bascomb said her father also has a passion and a gift for sharing his knowledge.

"One of the best things about Iowa State University is all of the knowledge that is shared here, and my dad is a great example of that," she said. "As we were growing up, he made sure to teach us about all of the bugs and trees and various animals we would see. It was important to my dad to help us understand how everything works together and how it all matters.

"He takes a lot of pride in his work and sharing what he has learned."

Finding beauty on campus

One of Johnson's favorite places on campus is Lake LaVerne.

In the late 1990s, Johnson was part of the lake's participation in a state Department of Natural Resources campaign to re-introduce trumpeter swans to Iowa, and he's worked for years with Extension and Outreach and the ISU Limnology Lab on algae and weed management efforts at the lake.

"The lake offers a little respite, right in the middle of everything, where you can just enjoy nature and take a deep breath," Johnson said.

And as Johnson nears retirement, he said he finds himself taking an extra moment or two to take in and appreciate his favorite spots across campus.

"Iowa State is beautiful place to work and learn."