Even though the name Billy the Exterminator sounds like the name of a movie-villain, that is not really the case. The name belongs to a reality TV series that aired during 2009 – 2012 . Headed by Billy, the series focused on the family-run pest-control firm in the state of Louisianna. And while there are several other pest control firms in Louisianna, Billy is the only one who tackles animals of all kinds. The series aired on the A&E network and focused on tackling problems relating to pest control. Billy is not your typical exterminator. He is a former Air Force veteran who has a passion for biology and entomology. He is the founder of Vexcon Animal and Pest Control, a family-run business in Louisiana. He has also appeared on reality show ‘Dirty Jobs’. Billy is known for his goth-like style, his humane approach to pest control, and his expertise in dealing with all kinds of critters, from snakes and spiders to raccoons and bats.
Wiki/Bio Facts
Early Life
William ‘Billy’ Bretherton was born on the 16th of September 1968 in Louisiana USA. Born to Big Bill and Donnie Bretherton, Billy has an older brother, Ricky. Billy is very much a private person and likes to keep his comings and goings to himself. As such, he hasn’t revealed any details about his family or his life growing up.
Professional Career
Aged 19, Billy decided to join the military force and applied to the US Air Force. The entrance exam showed that Billy had an aptitude for biology and entomology. The training provided by the US Air Force in the field proved to be instrumental to Billy late in his career. During his time at the force, Billy climbed to the position of Senior Airman and was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada.
After his time at the force, Billy moved to Venton, Louisiana. He started his own company by the name of Vexcon Animal and Pest Control. Billy revealed in an interview that his father invested his retirement money in the business. The store was collectively run by the family and each member was allocated a particular job.
A TV career
As Billy took care of some of the worst pest situations and animal removals, he became a household name in Louisianna. The new-found fame brought new opportunities to Billy who was asked to appear in the reality series, Dirty Jobs. Billy made his TV debut in 2005 alongside Mike Rowe. The series documented people with tough jobs. Billy’s appearance in the series impressed executive producers of the A&E TV who wanted to make a new series with him. So, the idea of Billy the Exterminator came to light which followed Billy and his family in pest control endeavors. The series was simply called The Exterminators at the beginning but was later renamed to Billy The Exterminator.
Why the series ended?
After a successful six-season run, the producers of A&E pulled the plug on the series. The news came after Billy left his family business and moved to Illinois in 2012. One of the major reasons for Billy’s relocation was family issues. Without its lead off man, the series crumbled and ultimately came to a close.
Net worth
Billy Bretherton net worth is estimated to be $1 million, mostly earned in “Billy the Exterminator” show, his Vexcon pest business, along with his occasional advertising deals, all of which allow him to live a comfortable lifestyle.
Personal Life
Billy is in a happily married to his wife Mary. Even though Mary made some appearances on the TV show, there is very little information on her. It remains unknown as to how and where the pair met and got married. They share a son named Bryce.
His son Bryce Bretherton
Bryce Bretherton was born on May 21, 2000. He is a social media influencer and a creative artist. He has a TikTok account with over 143k followers and 3 million likes, where he posts videos of himself doing various challenges, pranks, and dances. He also shares some glimpses of his family life and his work as an exterminator. He helps his father and uncle, Ricky, deal with various pests and animals that infest homes and businesses. He also appears on his uncle’s YouTube series ‘Vexcon The Exterminators’, which is a continuation of the original A&E show.
Controversies and Rumors
Billy Bretherton has faced several controversies and rumors in his career. They are:
- His arrest for possession of synthetic marijuana in 2012. Billy and his wife, Mary, were reportedly arrested in Louisiana, after the police found them in possession of synthetic marijuana. Billy pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to community service and a $500 fine. He also announced that he had to step away from his show due to some family emergency.
- His secret ex-wife from the 1980s. Mary is not Billy’s first wife, and he was briefly married in the 1980s after his time in the military. However, Billy has never confirmed or denied this rumor, and he is famously guarded about his personal life.
- His departure from Louisiana and his show. After his arrest and legal troubles, Billy and his family left Louisiana and moved to Illinois. He also stopped filming his show for A&E, which was abruptly canceled after six seasons. Billy later revealed that he was unhappy with how much of his private life was exposed on the show, and wanted to focus more on the extermination business.
