Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Sarah Miller: Giving Back

By Matt Solis, Editor

Sarah Miller was a newcomer to pest control when she married an industry veteran with his own business, but it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the process. “I was introduced to pest control in 2011 by my late husband, John Pape, who had been in the industry since he turned 18,” she explains. “I started running Armed Force Pest Control with him right away and kept things going after he passed away in 2016, and we’ve been growing ever since.”

Today, Sarah says her favorite part of her job is helping clients through stressful situations. “The need for pest control is huge, so I’m proud to be able to help people live more comfortable lives and run their businesses without being shut down due to pest issues. Ultimately, I just want every property to be as pest-free as my own home.”

Sarah was born and raised in Santa Rosa, but she has spent the last 20 years in the rural community of Hidden Valley Lake in Lake County, where she appreciates all that life in the country has to offer. “There’s less traffic and more land up here, so things aren’t as fast-paced,” she says. “I live in a small community where everybody knows each other, so wherever I go, I can say hi to somebody and they’ll say hi back. And of course it’s very beautiful, like all of Northern California.”

Outside of work, Sarah spends most of her free time staying active with her husband, Nick—a professional hammer thrower who will be representing England at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris—and their two bulldogs, Macy and Cleo. “We like riding quads on our property, tending our fruit orchard and vegetable garden, and just doing anything outside,” she details. “We’re both very artsy as well—Nick does wood carvings and I make all kinds of things, from jewelry to stained glass.” When she’s not busy with her creative endeavors, Sarah also likes bowling and catching up with her daughter, Mackenzie, who is currently finishing her bachelor’s degree at Cal Poly.

In terms of a personal or professional philosophy, Sarah advocates for living by the Golden Rule. “I believe in treating other people the way I want to be treated,” she affirms. “I raised my daughter that way, too. I always told her, ‘Be nice to people and you should be OK.’”

When asked the first thing she would do if she retired tomorrow, Sarah says she would spend more time volunteering for charitable causes. “I donate a lot to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital because my nephew had leukemia when he was a baby, so that organization is near and dear to my heart. I would also get more involved with charities that protect animals or anything that has to do with our local community.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Are you a dog or a cat person?

A: A dog person for sure.

Q: What was the name of your first pet?

A: A coyote/German Shepherd mix named Damien. He was a super smart dog—we had him until I was 11.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: France. Paris, specifically—hopefully I’ll be able to go this summer for the Olympics!

Q: What’s your favorite winery?

A: Six Sigma in Lake County—the people are nice, the land is beautiful and it’s always a relaxed vibe. Outside of Lake County, I like Davis Estates in Calistoga and Darioush in Napa. 

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

A: Cook. I love cooking. My favorite dish to make lately is beef bourguignon. I just started making sourdough bread, too.