It all started when…

My grandfather, Gene Shrum, returned from World War II in the 1940s, where he served in the Army. He quickly found work with a large regional pest management company by the name of RD Pest Control. RD was one of the largest pest control companies in the pacific northwest at that time.

Gene started as a route technician and quickly built a name for himself as a resident fumigation expert for railroads, shipping companies, and other large commercial clients. Using his knowledge and understanding of fumigation and also his reputation in the pacific NW as a rodent control expert, Gene worked his way up to Vice President until the late-1970s when the company was sold and he was laid off. Gene spent the next several years providing pest management/fumigation consulting services to local companies.

At this time my father, Terry Shrum, was working as a counselor for the Juvenile Court in Portland, Oregon. In 1984, Grandpa and Dad made an important decision…to use Gene’s reputation and commercial business network to start Shrum’s Pest Control.

When I was nine (9) years old, I remember tagging along with Grandpa and Dad as they built the business and worked in the field. What stood out to me then and is still a focus today is how they treated the customer. They would not over-sell unnecessary services and they would freely share knowledge and expertise to remove uncertainty and build trust.

Working Summers until I was 18 years old, Dad invited me to work with them until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. Later that same year, I sat for and received both my Pesticide Applicator and Operator licenses from the states of Oregon and Washington. At the age of 22 I also began taking on a more active role in the back office operations of the company.

In 2008, Grandpa officially retired from the business at the age of 90.

In 2013, when Dad passed away, the company’s reputation was above reproach and was an extension of the years of time, talent and treasure he and Grandpa had poured into serving our customers well. Both Dad and Grampy loved people first and dedicated themselves to helping others.

Today and everyday, we work hard to honor what they have built. We are confident you will agree. We look forward to having you join the Shrum’s Pest Control family.