You might be surprised to find a picture of a monarch butterfly on a pest control vehicle. But it’s appropriate for Royal Pest Solutions.
“It shows that Royal Pest is a planet-friendly pest control company,” says Rick DeDonato, marketing director. “The Royal Pest planet-friendly pest control program provides a much greater margin of safety, presents the lowest possible impact to the environment, and ensures highly effective control of a wide range of insect pests.”
Donna and Roy Richardson started the company in 1976 from their dining room. Now headquartered in New Castle, Royal Pest Solutions has offices in Chicago, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia.
Royal Pest remains family owned and operated. Roy is CEO. Roy’s brother, Roger, is the executive vice president. Roger Richardson Jr., Roger’s son, runs the food protection division. Erica Rice, Roger’s daughter, handles human resources. Roy’s son-in-law, Paul Prior, is development director. There’s also a “Royal family” of longtime employees, including John Achzet, vice president of operations, and Anne Bookout, vice president and general counsel.
Royal Pest tackles anything from stinkbugs, bed bugs and ants to wood-destroying insects such as termites, carpenter ants, and carpenter bees. It also offers protection from mice, bats and cockroaches, which are considered dangerous pests because they can spread disease.
The food protection division, launched in 1988, works with the USDA to protect U.S. agriculture from potential threats in imported fruit and other foods that come into the Port of Wilmington. That division has grown to include many foods, including grain, seed and cocoa beans.
Royal Pest realizes that consumers are cautious about pesticides around their home. The BBB helps ease any worries. Royal Pest has an A+ rating and is accredited by the BBB.
“Homeowners and businesses tell us they learn about Royal Pest on the BBB website,” DeDonato says. “We’re very proud of our association with the BBB, and we feature the BBB accredited logo in all of our marketing.”
