Billy Bretherton

Billy Bretherton is the main character of "Billy the Exterminator" (formerly "The Exterminators") is a scripted American reality television series which airs on the A&E network.

The show follows the professional life of Billy Bretherton, an expert in the field of pest control and the proprietor of Vexcon Animal and Pest Control in Benton, Louisiana, which serves the Shreveport-Bossier metropolitan area. Bretherton, a former senior airman in the United States Air Force, had previously been featured on the Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs series on the season 1 episode "Vexcon," and the season 2 episode "Termite Controller."

Bretherton is known for his unusual fashion style, consisting mostly of black garments (many of them leather) with large silver jewelry and steel studs and spikes in various configurations. Many members of Bretherton's family, such as his parents, "Big" Bill and Donnie, and his brother, Ricky, as well as other employees, make frequent appearances. Donnie Bretherton normally acts as Vexcon's dispatcher and rarely goes out on jobs. Ricky's ex-wife, Pam, resigned during the production of the first season.

As noted in many episodes, Billy Bretherton prefers, if at all possible, to relocate captured animals and is a proponent of natural methods of control. He frequently gives a description of the pests, their preferred environment, and any diseases associated with them.

Billy Bretherton entered the United States Air Force at age 19 intent on a career in law enforcement. However, his military entrance examination indicated that he had an aptitude for biology, and he was sent to study both biology and entomology. His extermination career began in earnest while stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

Billy Bretherton is also a public speaker.