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The Idaho Orkin Man

Owner Todd Sawyer Shares How His Company Evolved and about Their Connection to the Community

Article by Julie Meyer

Photography by Ruth Novella

Originally published in Boise Lifestyle

Regular pest services are an integral part of a clean and healthy environment. Insects and rodents perpetrate many illnesses and diseases. It’s through pest control that we limit the spread of things like West Nile Virus, foodborne illnesses, Zika virus, plague, hantavirus and others. Controlling ants, mosquitos, cockroaches, mice, bedbugs and other common pests is critical to a healthy lifestyle.

How did you get started with your business?

My business runs through three generations of family ownership dating back to the 1930s. I relocated to Boise in 1981 and have been serving the Treasure Valley and beyond ever since. It was in 2011 that I had the opportunity to acquire the Orkin brand and began doing business as Orkin Pest Control.

What makes your business special and sets it apart from other companies?

I think what sets us apart is our focus on the long-term, in customer relations and team member relations. We are a locally owned and managed company that also has the benefit of being a part of Orkin. We proudly call Idaho home. Our people are at the forefront of the industry in terms of training, involvement and experience.

Our team includes Idaho’s only Associate Certified Entomologists, which is the highest standard of third-party certification available in the industry. I serve the State of Idaho Department of Agriculture on the Pest Advisory Committee and as the current president of the ECA, which is Idaho’s pest control and lawn care association.

How do you connect with our community?

We focus on three areas of great need. One is supporting Interfaith Sanctuary Homeless Shelter. Another has been providing teams for Neighborworks’ Paint the Town and Rake Up Boise, helping our seniors and those who need our support. Lastly, we support children and education through a variety of efforts and events, such as sponsoring  Zoo Boise’s Zoo Teen Program. 

For questions or help with any pest control issues, call 800.805.1499.