Pests don’t keep business hours — but neither does Humphreys Insect Control. For nearly four decades, the family-run company in Stirling has been the call homeowners make when something skitters in the attic or swarms under the eaves. Backed by a long-held QualityPro designation and a service model built on relationships, Humphreys blends old-school accountability with modern prevention to keep homes comfortable — and calm — year-round.
Humphreys Insect Control, led by Judy Peacock and her brother, Rick Binner Jr., serves customers within about an hour of its office in Stirling, New Jersey. Peacock says her father joined the company as a salesperson before purchasing it in 1986. She and her brother later took over, growing the team from four technicians to about 14.
Humphreys offers quarterly maintenance as well as customized monthly service for homes and restaurants, depending on need.
“We’re very customer-service oriented,” Peacock says. “We don’t just say that. We do everything we can to make the customer happy, if we can — and for the most part, we can.”
The company handles bat, mosquito, yellowjacket and wasp issues; provides trapping for squirrels and raccoons; and focuses on rodent prevention. Technicians seal exterior entry points to keep pests out and can remove contaminated insulation from attics and crawl spaces, clean and sanitize affected areas, then install new insulation.
Technician John Binner, Peacock’s nephew, says routes typically include 10 to 15 jobs in summer across residential and commercial sites. His day-to-day includes exterior and interior treatments, monitoring for insects and rodents, checking and setting traps, and talking with customers.
“Building relationships with our customers is one of the things that has really elevated our company,” Binner says. “We try to keep technicians in the same area and at the same houses so the customer sees a familiar face.”
The office calls customers every three months to schedule quarterly maintenance and dispatches an inspector for new accounts to diagnose issues. Peacock adds that the company now answers many questions by phone and accepts photos so customers can avoid multiple visits when appropriate.
Humphreys has held the QualityPro designation for more than 20 years, a certification Peacock says recognizes operational excellence, business practices and hiring standards.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, pest control was deemed essential, Peacock says. “When businesses and parks were closed, rodents such as rats made their way to residential homes because empty dumpsters and public garbage weren’t available,” she says. “We adapted to exterior-only treatments to keep homes protected.”
Today, Humphreys is a certified employer with the National Pest Management Association’s SkillBridge program, which supports military personnel transitioning to civilian life.
“They can apprentice with us, learn pest control and potentially start a civilian career,” Peacock says. “We value everything the military has done for our country.”
The company also supports local churches, Rotary clubs and schools, and steps in to help families facing illness, fires or loss.
“We are family oriented when it comes to our staff and giving them the time they need for certain issues and events,” Peacock says.
Humphreys Insect Control
Address: 265-267 Main Ave, Stirling, NJ 07980
Phone: (908) 647-2200
Website: humphreyspest.com