Company History

Pest control has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad, Jim Shockey, worked for Western Exterminator before I was born. When I was old enough to write, I eagerly awaited the first day of the month to fill out his three-part service slips, listing his customers’ names and addresses. I also organized and dated his route cards. I loved it! He paid me a couple of dollars, but it was never about the money—I simply enjoyed helping him. I knew all his customers by name, and my dad would share stories about many of them. My mom ran a home daycare business and always supported my dad. Our family loved hearing about my dad’s pest encounters and the challenges he faced.

Eventually, my dad grew tired of the limitations of working for a company. With a heart for service and a desire to expand his customer base, he left Western Exterminators in 1979 and opened a branch of American City Pest Control. My mom and dad worked from our home in Torrance. My mom answered the phones, handled billing, and quoted prices while my dad serviced customers. Their business grew quickly, expanding to five routes within a year, which required five trucks and five employees. In 1983, my parents bought out the founder of American City Pest Control to expand their service region. They also purchased an office in Lawndale to accommodate their employees and service trucks.

My parents worked hard every day. After school, I would go to the office to help with customer service, phones, and billing. I loved the energy of the office. My parents always engaged respectfully and graciously with their employees, setting a great example of how to treat people.

As of January 1, 2023, my parents have entrusted me with the ownership of American City Pest & Termite! I am thrilled to share this exciting news with all of you and want to take a moment to explain what this transition means for me and our valued customers.

As I assume ownership, I am committed to maintaining the high standards of excellence that have defined our company for the past four decades. Having been a part of American City Pest & Termite since 1986, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to its growth and success. I am honored to lead the company into a new era and look forward to working with our team to continue providing the best pest control services to our valued customers.

The success of our company relies on the strength of our employees, and we understand that a healthy work-life balance is crucial. At American City Pest & Termite, we value the importance of family and support our employees with competitive wages, superior training, top-notch equipment, and a great work-life balance. Our employees, in turn, understand the value and importance of the work we do and the service we provide to our customers, consistently delivering the best in the industry. Our customers will continue to benefit from our knowledge and unwavering commitment to exceptional service.

To our loyal customers, thank you for your support over the years; we truly appreciate you! To new and potential customers, we are ready to serve you and thank you for considering American City Pest & Termite. I am excited for this next chapter in the company’s history and look forward to serving the community for many years to come. Let’s all live pest-free!