Justin Kendall has lived in nearly half of the 50 states - while working with pest control companies, serving in the military as an Army Intelligence Specialist, and doing church mission work.
Now the nomad existence for this Las Vegas native has ended as he’s put down roots in RVA and taken up ownership of the Pestmaster Services franchise serving Greater Richmond.
“I wanted to feel good about the service I offered,” said Justin. “I ultimately found the Pestmaster brand, whose values aligned with mine. When I heard this territory was still available, I set up shop.”
Justin got started in pest control working for a family friend in Las Vegas, doing sales. From there he moved often, either opening up pest control branches or, due to military orders while serving in the Army, living on bases. The states he's called home include Arizona (where he met his wife), Illinois (where they married), Missouri, California, Texas, Georgia, and Ohio; he also spent a few years doing mission work in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Although Pestmaster Services was founded in 1979, Justin has locally owned and operated the Central Virginia location since the summer of 2018. During this time Justin has held contracts to service major customers such as the U.S. Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, the National Park Service historic homes in Yorktown and Jamestown, and the Hunter Holmes-McGuire Veterans Medical Center in Richmond, where he receives his own health care.
“I was protecting my country,” Justin says. “Now I’m protecting homes and the people who live in them here in my own community.”
Interestingly, Justin discovered after 13 years in the business that he was allergic to stinging insects and has had to stop field work. Now he's even more passionate about protecting our community from public health concerns such as stinging insects and the diseases carried by mosquitoes and ticks.
“Just as important as the products and protocols we use in your home,” Justin says, ”is who we let in your home.” All Pestmaster employees undergo background checks, drug tests, and a review of their driving records, which helps ensure reputable field staff for customers’ peace of mind and fits the company’s goal of “protecting people, places and planet.”
The company serves residential and commercial customers as well as government facilities. Common protection plans include quarterly general pest control, Sentricon termite baiting, and seasonal tick and mosquito yard treatments. Specialty services include bedbugs and pantry pests.
Justin has so much experience and training that he’s become an Associate Certified Entomologist, which requires working in the industry for five years and passing a difficult test of knowledge. Pestmaster also employs a Ph.D. and board-certified entomologist, who oversees the franchises’ use of pest control materials.
When he’s not working, Justin and his wife enjoy spending time with their six children, being involved in their church, and volunteering for local nonprofits.
“We prayed for a new direction,” Justin says. “It brought us here.”
richmond.pestmaster.com | 804-531-4940
