About Us

Our Story

In 1900, Chicago was the fastest-growing city the United States had ever seen. Growing from a population of just under 300,000 to nearly 1.7 million in the span of thirty years, the city and its flourishing economy encouraged new industry of every sort. One such business established that year was International Exterminator Company located at 1125 N. Wells St. in Chicago.

International Exterminator Company started out as a pesticide sales company with one man going door-to-door serving the neighborhoods of Chicago. The company witnessed the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 1908, the outbreak of the first world war in 1914, and the enactment of Prohibition in 1920. The year of 1920 also saw International Exterminator Company hire Rebecca Warner to sell pest control products, mainly for bed bugs

Rebecca's son-in-law, Homer McDaniel became an employee of International Exterminator in 1925 as a residential and commercial pest control technician. After the original owner became ill, Homer became the General Manager in 1930 and eventually bought the business. He managed the (now successful) business until 1943 when he passed away and his wife, Florence McDaniel, and son, Jim McDaniel, took over the business. Jim (3rd generation) was the primary owner until his brother, Wayne McDaniel joined him after his tour during the Korean War. Jim's wife, Dorothy, and Wayne's wife, Dolores both joined as part of the International Exterminator office staff.

In 1965, Jim's son, Patrick McDaniel (fourth generation) came to work for International Exterminator. At that time, minimum wage was as low as $2 per hour and gas was all the way down to 30 cents per gallon! Eventually, in 1985, Pat became the General Manager of International Exterminator. Thomas Horton, Patrick's brother-in-law, started working as a technician in 1974 and eventually became Service Supervisor.

Jim in Truck — Exterminator Company in Elk Grove Village, IL

In the mid 80's, many of our current technicians joined the International Exterminator Family. Patrick's son James (5th generation) came to work at International Exterminator in 1992, and soon after, Patrick's Daughter, Kimberly, joined the office staff in 2001. Finally, Kimberly's son, Christopher (6th generation) joined the team in 2008 as a service technician.

There you have it, that's all six generations of the McDaniel family that have been dedicated to serving you and your community for over 115 years!