Contractors Termite & Pest Control Merges with Northwest Exterminating

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Contractors Termite & Pest Control, Phoenix, Ariz. is merging with Northwest Exterminating, Tucson, Ariz., to create the largest pest control agency in the state, the companies report.

Northwest Exterminating has over 30 years of experience and became an Anticimex company in 2020. This is its first acquisition.

Northwest Exterminating President Dena Berg-Castaño said, “Northwest and Contractors have had a long, professional respect and friendship with one another. The similarities between our two companies, foundation of preconstruction termite services and emphasis on delivering quality work just made sense. We are very excited to welcome the team members to the Northwest and Anticimex family.”

Kevin Etheridge has owned Contractors since 1972. Along with residential pest control services, the company provides pretreatment services to residential home builder communities. Contractors is known for the long tenure of its associates, including Cory Malmin, who will continue as branch manager.

“It became apparent after [wife] Carali’s near fatal accident and my heart attack (all within eight months) that we are not immortal,” said Etheridge. “What to do to secure our associates’ future? This merger was just the sensible thing to do. Northwest and Contractors have for years been business friends and mentors. We share the same pretreat platform, so I am delighted that Northwest and Anticimex will be at the helm going forward.”

Terms were not disclosed, but LR Tullius represented and acted as exclusive financial advisor to Contractors on the transaction.