Modern Pest Services, an Anticimex company, has acquired Guardian Pest Control, a client of The Aust Group.
“When it came time to sell my business, I contacted Stuart Aust of The Aust Group to be my agent for this process. The first thing I learned is this is not something I could not have done on my own. Sure, I’ve been in business for 28 years but the in-depth research and data collecting they did on Guardian, just to put together a formal presentation to share with potential buyers, was monumental,” said Markowich, owner of Guardian Pest Control. “If you’re thinking of selling your business, I would choose The Aust Group. These guys were owners of a pest control company prior to being The Aust Group, which gives them an understanding of what you’ll be going through and that is invaluable.”
Founded in 1997 by Fred Markowich, Guardian Pest Control is a full-service pest and termite control business serving residential and commercial clients throughout central Connecticut. Based in Plainville, Conn., Guardian has built its reputation on delivering safe, fast and effective pest management solutions. Over nearly three decades, Markowich has expanded the company to a team of approximately 20 professionals, with primary operations focused in Hartford County.
“On behalf of The Aust Group team, it was truly a pleasure to represent Fred and his business. Over the last few decades, Fred has built an incredible company and it was an honor for our team to be a part of the process of selling his business,” Stuart Aust, principal of The Aust Group said. “We are excited for Fred and his team, and the Modern team, and look forward to the future growth this acquisition will bring.”
The Aust Group represented Guardian Pest Control on the transaction. The transaction closed last December and the terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About Modern Pest Services
In 1945, Howard Stevenson, the founder of Modern Pest Services, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey as a door-to-door salesman in Woburn, Mass. That’s where he first encountered a groundbreaking new rodenticide. Recognizing an opportunity, Stevenson began selling the product and quickly pivoted to providing direct pest control services, helping store owners tackle their burgeoning rat and mice problems. This initial foray into the industry in the 1940s laid the foundation for a thriving lifelong career and a multi-generational family business in pest management.
Two years later, while treating an apartment building in Augusta, Maine, he met his future wife. Following their marriage, Stevenson relocated his growing family and nascent pest control business to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Beyond being a cherished figure in his family and community, Stevenson is widely regarded as a true pioneer and foundational hero among the New England professional pest management community.
After successfully establishing Modern Pest Services across Maine, Stevenson retired in 1973, passing the torch to his son Richard, who already possessed significant experience in the U.S. and Canadian pest control markets. Richard Stevenson was subsequently joined by his three sons, Scott, Doug, and Richard Jr., and together they strategically expanded Modern’s service area into New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Following 35 years of leadership, Richard Stevenson transitioned ownership to his sons in 2008.
The legacy of growth continued in 2017 when Modern Pest joined forces with Anticimex of Sweden. Since then, Modern has strategically acquired numerous successful pest control companies, integrating them into the Modern family.
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