Wil-Kil Pest Control Celebrates 90 Years

SUN PRAIRIE, WI—Wil-Kil Pest Control, the Upper Midwest’s quality leader in pest management, announced the recognition and celebration of its 90th anniversary in 2014. Originally founded in Milwaukee in 1924 and now based in Sun Prairie, Wis., Wil-Kil has grown into the largest Wisconsin-based pest management company, serving residential and commercial customers across the Midwest.

“Since 1924, Wil-Kil has led the way in innovation, service and expertise in the pest management industry – and we thank the customers and employees who have made this achievement possible,” says Dale Bauerkemper, vice president and general manager of Wil-Kil. “What started with one service center and a handful of employees in Milwaukee, has grown into a team of 150 of the industry’s most talented professionals in four service centers covering Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, parts of Iowa, Chicagoland and all of Northern Illinois.”

Wil-Kil was established in Milwaukee in 1924 by Irwin Klein. Klein sold the company to Henry Turrie, who is regarded as the “founding father” of Wil-Kil and credited with the tremendous growth the company experienced throughout the 1950s as it grew from a small, local company to a large, regional company.

“When we reflect on 90 years of service, we realize just how far we’ve progressed, both as a company and as an industry entrusted with protecting homes, businesses and reputations,” Bauerkemper says. “We stand today as a proactive company, recognized as the first in the state to hire a bed bug canine scent detection dog in 2009, and an early adopter of the latest technologies and techniques of integrated pest management. Through these practices, we are able to provide our customers with the most data-driven, environmentally sound solutions to their pest challenges.

“We look forward to celebrating this significant milestone throughout the remainder of the month, paying special recognition to our outstanding team of employees who will lead Wil-Kil to future growth and success,” Bauerkemper adds.