1901
Otto Orkin, a Latvian immigrant to the United States, starts peddling rodenticides door-to-door.
About Orkin
We've been here from the beginning
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120+
Years in Business
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160
Hours of training for Orkin specialist
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8,000
Team Members
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400+
Locations Worldwide
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1.7M
Residential & Commercial Customers
Founded in 1901 by 14-year-old Otto Orkin, Orkin has more than 100 years of experience in pest control services and are leaders in the industry, specializing in protection against common pests, including termites, rodents, and insects. In addition to pest control, the company also offers integrated plans to help protect the whole home, including insulation and moisture control services. Orkin employs nearly 8,000 team members in more than 400 locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Central America, South America, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Asia, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Australia serving approximately 1.7 million residential and commercial customers. Orkin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins, Inc. (NYSE: ROL).
The Story of Orkin
1912
Otto Orkin, now known as “Otto the Rat Man,” opens his first office in Richmond, Va.
1926
Orkin opens the Atlanta office of Orkin Exterminating Company, Inc. and begins establishing operations in other major southeastern cities. The company introduces the Orkin diamond as its logo (newspaper advertisement pictured).
1930
After concentrating for years on rodents and eventually insects, Orkin begins to advertise termite service.
1936
Throughout the 1930s, Orkin coworkers build a strong foundation of exceptional customer service and grow the company with personal touches. Letters between business leaders demonstrate Orkin’s dedication to providing outstanding service.
1941-45
The U.S. War Manpower Commission declares pest control a “needed service;” Orkin provides pest control and fumigation for 150 military establishments (technicians rode bikes such as this one to deliver service, as gasoline was rationed).
1954
First Orkin television ad airs, featuring Otto the Orkin Man, a singing spray can, with one of the most recognized jingles in advertising history.
1964
Led by founder O. Wayne Rollins, Rollins Broadcasting, Inc. (later known as Rollins, Inc.) purchases Orkin Exterminating Company for $62 million, seven times more than Rollins revenues at the time.
1967
Orkin’s parent company, Rollins, Inc., moves its headquarters from Wilmington, Del., to Atlanta, Ga. (O. Wayne Rollins pictured in front of new Atlanta headquarters).
1967
Gary Rollins, son of O. Wayne Rollins and current Orkin president, COO and chairman of the board, joins the company as an Atlanta pest and termite sales inspector.
1968
Rollins, Inc (ROL) begins trading on the NYSE (pictured L to R: Randall Rollins; John Rollins; Robert Haack, president of NYSE; Wayne Rollins; Henry Tippie; Earl Geiger).
1977
Orkin launches its “Big Number One” advertising campaign calling attention to Orkin’s size and strength compared to the mom-and-pop companies that made up its competition.
1988
Forbes magazine recognizes Rollins, Inc. as the “Nation’s Number One Service Company,” due to the excellent reputation of Orkin and its sister companies (customer communication piece pictured).
1989
The Orkin Exterminator Robot advertising campaign makes its national debut.
1993
Orkin opens the O. Orkin Insect Zoo at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
1998
The animated “Orkin Man” dethrones the Exterminator Robot as the face of Orkin in advertisements.
1999
The acquisition of PCO Services makes Orkin the largest pest management company in Canada.
2001
Award-winning state-of the-art training center opens in Atlanta. In 2003, it expands to include life-size models of commercial kitchens, hospital and hotel rooms, and other indoor and outdoor facilities typically treated by Orkin (termite training pavilion pictured).
2004
Orkin partners with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to educate the public about pest-borne diseases in and around the home.
2008
Orkin launches two key initiatives: 1) Fight the Bite, partnering with the United Nations Foundation’s global non-profit Nothing But Nets to fight malaria in Africa, and 2) Junior Pest Investigators – a series of K-6 lesson plans designed to teach children to think “green” about pests and pest management.
2008
New innovative domestic pest control offerings include Dry Zone (a moisture control service for crawl spaces), bird and wildlife services, and OrkinHeat (a more environmentally-friendly alternative to fumigation).
2009
Orkin now has international franchises in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Dominican Republic, Honduras, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico (Costa Rica franchise team pictured).
Orkin CARES ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
At Orkin, we are involved in the communities we serve. From collaborations with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and major universities, to our work with the National Science Teachers Association, we foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world around us.
Orkin’s Commitment to Education
We help students across the country learn about pests and pest management by providing educators with learning resources they can use in their school science curriculum.
Orkin’s Commitment to Public Health
Orkin is committed to helping protect public health by helping to prevent and control pests as well as educating consumers on the potential health risks posed by these pests.
Orkin’s Commitment to Environmental Responsibility
At Orkin, we believe that it is our responsibility to care for the earth’s environment while still helping to control pests in our customers’ homes and businesses.
Awards and Recognition
Food Processing Readers’ Choice Awards
(2004, 2007, 2009)The Food Processing Readers’ Choice Awards recognize the top suppliers to the food processing industry, based on surveys of the publication’s readers.
PCT/Syngenta Best-In-Class Customer Service Award
(2006)Orkin’s excellent customer service beat out 73 other pest control companies in its category for this award from Pest Control Technology magazine and Syngenta Professional Products.
Today’s Facility Manager Readers’ Choice Award
(2003)The TFM Readers’ Choice Awards recognize companies that demonstrate the best products, services and technologies in the eyes of senior facility managers.
Training Magazine Top 125
(2003-2014, 2017)Orkin has been consistently recognized on Training magazine’s prestigious Top 125 list and has been featured among the magazine’s Editor’s Choice honorees.
What our customers have to say
The technicians are very thorough in explaining what is going on on the property concerning pests. They work with my schedule and are very knowledgeable when I do have questions. I like to know what is going on and the report they include is always helpful. They are the best pest control I have worked with.
We’re not happy until you’re happy.
- 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
- If pests return between treatments, your Orkin Tech will return for a touch up at no extra charge.
- If we are unable to solve your pest problem, we’ll refund your last service payment for as long as you are our customer