Witt Pest Management Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Albert, Tom, and Adam Witt.

PITTSBURGH — In 1908, Harry L. Witt, a Lithuanian immigrant from Pittsburgh, founded Harry L. Witt and Company based around his formulations of roach powder and other batches of pesticide and sanitary products. Today, Witt Pest Management, the thriving company that emerged from that first humble batch of boric acid and ground cloves, is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Portrayed affectionately as a professional peddler of wares by his son Albert Witt, now 93, Harry began his business by knocking door-to-door, satchel on back, offering his solutions for getting rid of unwanted pests to anyone who would listen.

Belying the crude nature of its original pest control formulation (which visitors can now find scribbled in a brown leather notebook stored at the company's headquarters on Bigelow Boulevard), Witt is now recognized as a national leader in the advancement of pest control technology to enhance the customer experience.

Adam Witt, general manager of the company and son of Tom Witt, the company's current president, said Witt has ascended to its role as an industry trailblazer by de-emphasizing traditional pest control practices and concentrating instead on Integrated Pest Management.

“Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a decision making process - a holistic, low-risk approach to protect resources and people from pests," he said. "We are true providers of IPM because it delivers results for our customers. It is the smarter and more environmentally responsible method allowing us to proactively manage pest problems in any structure."

Adam Witt further expressed that the company's success also comes from providing customers with the best possible service at a fair price, a founding philosophy established by his great-grandfather 100 years ago.

That tradition is maintained by a staff of well-trained and long-standing employees who have become experts in pest management and exhibit a real passion for customer service. "We have always treated our employees as extended family," Tom Witt added. "Over the years, we've had employees who have worked 20, 40, even over 50 years with us."

From a single door-to-door salesman in 1908, Witt now serves commercial and residential customers throughout western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia.

While Witt may be more known for its commercial service, Tom Witt explains that its residential service makes up almost 40 percent of the pest control business. To celebrate its 100th year, Witt is more actively marketing its residential services. Homeowners enjoy the same preventative techniques and advanced technology for the protection of their biggest investment - their homes!

"Many regular services are necessary in the maintenance of a home, such as landscaping, plumbing and cleaning," he explains. "We believe our residential programs, which are focused on preventative maintenance, play an essential role in the overall upkeep of a home."

Residential customers also benefit from Witt's legacy of industry innovation, which is continually evolving to bring the latest technology to customer service. One example of innovation is the proprietary mobile computer system Witt uses to collect information on-site from every home or building they service, and store it electronically. Customers are able to review their service information via the internet, while Witt uses the data to evaluate patterns of activity to better serve their customers.

Despite its national recognition in the pest control industry, Tom Witt says his company is using its 100th birthday to celebrate its roots as a Pittsburgh company serving Pittsburgh people.

"We started in the city and four generations of my family later, we're still Pittsburghers," he said. "We all live here and we all work here. As a result, we understand that we have an obligation not just to serve our customers, but to take care of our local environment as well."

For more information on Witt Pest Management visit www.wittpm.com.

A History of the Witt Businesses

1908 - Harry L. Witt founded “Harry L. Witt and Company” as a sole proprietorship. 
He was the first generation of his family to migrate to North America from Lithuania.  In the early beginnings of the business, Harry formulated a roach powder and other pest neutralizers, all mixed in a 2-story building behind his residence at 1009 Bluff Street.  He went door-to-door selling his formulas to clients who eventually suggested he perform the services.  Early clients included:  B&O Railroad, P&LE Railroad, Columbia Hospital, and others.  Later, he added the William Penn Hotel, Fort Pitt Hotel, and the then Kaufmann’s Department Store.  The company later moved to 544 Second Avenue and then to 717 Fifth Avenue in 1930.

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A History of the Witt Businesses

1916 – Harry patented the Water Level Alarm which notified people when the ice block in their “ice boxes” needed to be replaced. 

1933 – Harry decided to add a line of janitorial supplies.  Three years after that decision, he purchased the inventory of the bankrupt Janitorial Supply Company, the leading firm in the area at that time.  Some business activities continued to be operated out of his house in what was called “The Bluff” area of Pittsburgh, where Duquesne University is now located.
 
1938 – Harry’s two sons Edward and Albert became activity involved in the businesses.  The exterminating division was incorporated as Harry L. Witt, Inc. and managed by Edward.  The janitorial supply business continued on as Harry L. Witt & Co managed by Albert.
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1939 – In addition to operating out of the Fifth Ave. location, a building was purchased at 130-136 South 14th St.  However, with the advent of World War II and scarcity of personnel, the Fifth Ave. location was closed. 

1954- Harry L. Witt passed away in 1954, at the age of 74.  He was then survived by his wife Anna, two sons, three daughters and nine grandchildren.
 
1968 – Gateway Maintenance Supply Company was purchased.  The janitorial supply company operated under the name of Witt-Gateway Maintenance Supply. 

1975 – The pest control division moved to 3351 Bigelow Blvd, which it later purchased in 1980.  At this time, Harry’s grandson, Tom, ran the company with the assistance of his wife and three service people.

1986 – Watch-Gard Systems was established, which provides food safety and sanitation service for the supermarket industry, designed to create the safest possible environment for food preparation, handling, storage, and sales.  Watch-Gard Systems currently operates in five states. 

1987 – The two divisions were separated into two separate corporations:  Harry L. Witt, Inc. was turned into Witt Pest Control.  Witt-Gateway, Inc was located at 130-136 S. 14th Street.  It later moved to a Centre Ave. location where it expanded on its Watch-Gard Systems sanitation sales and service to supermarkets and the like. 

1987- W&T Investment Company was founded and is involved in the buying, renovating and renting of residential properties in the Pittsburgh area.  Harry’s grand-daughter and daughter of Al Witt, Wendy Witt-Goldberg, manages this company’s operations. 

1995 – Floor-Gard was founded.  Area of business revolved around commercial contract cleaning and maintenance.  Floor-Gard expanded, operating in 3 states and doing business as Dynatech USA.

2000 – The janitorial supply portion of the businesses was sold.  Watch-Gard Systems continued to operate independently.

2008 – Present Day:  Witt Pest Management is still housed at 3351 Bigelow Blvd, and the other divisions are housed under the same roof.  Albert Witt serves as Chairman of the Board.  Tom Witt is President/CEO of all of the businesses.  Adam Witt, Harry L. Witt’s great-grandson is general manager of Witt Pest Management.