M&A News

Ecolab Pest Elimination announced it acquired Guardian Pest Solutions — a pest management business serving commercial customers in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Illinois, Michigan and Nebraska.

Founded in 1966, Guardian Pest Solutions is a family-owned business with more than 80 employees and approximately $9 million in revenue. Guardian Pest Solutions Chief Executive Officer, Jason Wick will stay on as a special adviser to Ecolab into 2026. This is to support a successful transition for employees and customers, Ecolab said.

Kemp Anderson Consulting advised Guardian Pest Solutions on the transaction, which closed on Dec. 8.

Certus acquired Smith’s Pest Management, a pest control company serving San Jose and the greater Silicon Valley area. The acquisition represents Certus’ first expansion into Silicon Valley and extends its presence across the San Francisco Bay Area.

With the addition of Smith’s, Certus now has continuous coverage around the Bay Area, from San Francisco through Silicon Valley and into the East Bay, including Oakland.

“Smith’s Pest Management has a strong reputation in San Jose and Silicon Valley,” said Patrick Kelly, senior vice president of strategy at Certus. “This acquisition supports our expansion in Northern California.”

Smith’s Pest Management will continue operating under its existing name and branding and will retain its San Jose office.

Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), a St. Louis-based private equity firm, announced that PestCo Holdings has acquired Southwest Exterminating, a Houston pest control company serving residential and commercial customers. PestCo is a TSCP portfolio company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Southwest Exterminating, founded in 1969, provides pest control services in the Houston area. TSCP said the acquisition expands PestCo’s presence in the Houston market.

“We are excited to expand our presence in Texas and specifically in the Houston market with the addition of Southwest Exterminating,” said Jay Keating, CEO of PestCo. “We will strive to earn the loyalty of these customers while expanding opportunities to our team members across the U.S.”

Blue Sky Pest Control, a pest control company in Arizona, announced the acquisition of Conquistador Pest & Termite, a family-owned company serving Tucson and Southern Arizona since 1978.

The acquisition expands Blue Sky’s footprint in Southern Arizona. “Conquistador has built a strong reputation over nearly five decades as a company rooted in integrity, reliability and deep community ties,” said Nate Woolf, president of Blue Sky Pest Control. “By joining forces, we’re bringing together two teams who share the same mission: to protect homes and businesses with unmatched expertise and care.”

As part of the acquisition, Conquistador’s staff will join the Blue Sky team, including Ken Fredrick, seller of Conquistador, who will serve as branch manager during the transition.

The Pest Rangers, a pest control company based in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., has acquired O.C.E. Pest & Termite Control in Edgewater, N.J.

O.C.E. is a family-owned company and was founded in 1976. The company provides pest and termite solutions throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“We’re really pleased with the outcome of the sale and know the company will be in good hands with The Pest Rangers,” Dave Kirn, owner of O.C.E., stated in a Cetane press release. “A big thank you to the Cetane team for making the sale run smoothly.”

Plunkett’s Pest Control announced its acquisition of Carothers Pest Control, a family-owned pest management company based in Shelby, Ohio.

Founded in 1959 by Ed Carothers, Carothers has remained a fourth-generation, family-owned business. Ownership passed from Ed to his son, also Ed, then to Mary Carothers and most recently to her son Jack Hooks, who has been owner the past three years.

Aly Silva Mulgrew, president of Plunkett’s Pest Control, praised Carothers and vowed to “carry forward the legacy they’ve built while keeping the team local and deeply connected to the community.”