Orkin Celebrates 125 Years

ATLANTA - Orkin is marking its 125th anniversary, a milestone achieved by few companies, highlighting more than a century of continuous evolution in how it protects homes, businesses and communities. From its earliest days addressing basic rodent challenges to today’s advanced, science-driven pest management strategies, Orkin’s history is defined by its ability to adapt, innovate and lead in a constantly changing environment.

As pest pressures, environmental conditions and public health concerns have shifted over time, Orkin has evolved alongside them, not only responding to new challenges, but helping shape how the industry approaches them. What began as foundational pest control services has grown into a comprehensive approach grounded in entomology, data and proactive prevention, enabling customers to stay ahead of emerging threats.

“For 125 years, customers have trusted Orkin to protect what matters most,” said Patrick Chrzanowski, president of Orkin. “That trust reflects how we’ve grown as a company — by investing in our people, advancing our science and continuously improving how we serve our customers. Our Orkin Pros have always been at the center of that evolution, and their expertise ensures we keep moving forward.”

That evolution extends beyond the services delivered in the field. Orkin has expanded its focus to include ongoing training for Orkin Pros, scientific research and academic partnerships that help strengthen the future of the pest management industry. This commitment supports the development of more precise, effective and sustainable solutions.

As climate patterns shift, urban environments expand and new public health risks emerge, the demands on pest management continue to change. Orkin remains focused on evolving with these challenges, which include advancing research, enhancing education and deepening the scientific foundation that drives the industry forward.

With 125 years of progress behind it, Orkin continues to build on its legacy of innovation, shaping the future of pest management while remaining committed to protecting the people and places it serves.

Below is a timeline of milestones that shaped the company during the last 25 years.

From a Single Service Call to Pest Control Pioneer: 125 Years of Milestones that Shaped an Industry

1901: Otto Orkin establishes the company that would become Orkin, laying the foundation for a science-driven approach to pest control. 

1915: Hired to address a major rat infestation at Richmond City Hall in Virginia, the company demonstrates early recognition of pest control’s role in protecting public health. 

1925: Service expands to meet widespread rodent challenges tied to the Tennessee River dam project in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. 

1925: Headquarters relocates to Atlanta, positioning the business for long-term growth. 

First Orkin Atlanta Office opened in 1926.

Post–World War I: As construction and urban development accelerate, termite fumigation services are introduced. By 1933, the company joins the National Association of Exterminators and Fumigators, helping advocate for greater safety and professionalism across the industry. 

1937: Operations begin to standardize across branches, reinforcing consistent customer service and strengthening the foundation for national expansion. 

1940s: During World War II, just two of the 43 service industries were designated “essential”: mortuaries and pest control. Pest control’s inclusion was shaped in part by advocacy from industry leaders, including Orkin. This allowed Orkin to continue operating without interruption, supporting military training camps and safeguarding critical warehouses and shipping operations.

1947: Sanitation training programs launch for food-handling businesses, strengthening industry understanding of pest-related health risks. By 1951, the Institute of Industrial Sanitation opens, reinforcing leadership in food safety education. 

1964: O. Wayne Rollins acquires Orkin in a $62.4 million deal that would later be studied by Harvard Business School as the first leveraged buyout, a model that would reshape corporate acquisitions in the decades that followed.

1987: Orkin helps broker a landmark agreement with Velsicol Chemical and the EPA to remove chlordane from the market, reducing potential exposure and advancing safer industry standards and reinforcing the importance of pest control companies working together for safety solutions.

1990s: Innovation accelerates with new treatments and equipment developed through entomological research, including OrkinFoam, Actisol low-dosage application equipment, the Versa Tool for termite treatments, and the Flo-Meter termiticide measurement device. 

1993: A partnership with the Smithsonian launches the O. Orkin Insect Zoo, expanding public education around insects and entomology. 

1995: The first centralized customer service center opens to support growing customer needs. 

2000: The first dedicated training center opens, underscoring a long-term commitment to technician education and scientific expertise. 

2016: During the Zika virus outbreak, public education efforts expand to help communities better understand mosquito control and prevention. 

Rollins celebrated 50 years on the NYSE in 2018 by showcasing its family of brands, including Orkin.

2020: As pest control is again designated an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic, Orkin rapidly launches VitalClean™, a disinfection service to support businesses and public health efforts. The company also begins its partnership with the American Red Cross—hosting blood drives and donating funds for every new mosquito service, contributing more than $1.1 million to date.

2023: A $500,000 endowment is established at the University of Georgia to create the Orkin Professorship in Urban Entomology, supporting academic research, professional training and the next generation of entomology leaders. 

2024: Orkin established a dedicated Commercial Division to elevate service delivery nationwide — reinforcing its leadership in commercial pest control and delivering absolute confidence to businesses across the country.

2026: Building on 125 years of leadership, Orkin looks ahead to the next chapter with continued growth, new innovations, partnerships and initiatives designed to shape the future of pest management.