Plunkett’s Acquires Illiana Wildlife & Pest Control

 

“This opportunity to strengthen our team in northwest Indiana and expand into the Chicagoland area is key,” according to Jared Miller, director of Varment Guard, Plunkett’s wildlife division. “Plus, we added three wildlife techs and one pest tech that are well-trained, knowledgeable, and experienced. We’re glad they chose to come with us.” 

 

As for his reason for selling, Illiana’s owner, Bob Jansma, said, “The main reason is to take better care of my employees. As a small company owner, I tried hard to find ways to increase their wages and provide health insurance, but it just wasn’t feasible. We have great people who work hard for us; they deserve those things, and, with Plunkett’s, they’ll get it. I’ve communicated to my team that Plunkett’s can be trusted and will treat them right, and Jared has been more than willing to spend time with each of them.”

 

Jansma said he’d been flirting with selling for a little while, talking to a few interested parties, both large and small, but ultimately chose Plunkett’s/Varment Guard because “it’s all about the trust. They were the only company that asked what they needed to do to take care of my customers and documented what my customers expect. It wasn’t just about the business assets they were gaining.”

 

When asked what his next move is, Jansma said he and his wife, Brittany (also a big part of the business), and their kids will do some extensive traveling; then he’ll start writing his next chapter.