General Info

Varment Guard Environmental Services, Inc. was founded in January 1983 by James J. Vaive and Michael A. Moore. The two of them started out with $25.00 and a pickup truck. Jim came to Varment Guard with 12 years experience in the pest control field, and Mike came with six. Even in the early years of the business we were, and still are, environmentally conscious. During the first year, Varment Guard operated out of Jim’s home. A small office was rented for the next year. Then in August 1985 the company purchased a building in North Columbus. After continued and steady growth, the company had to purchase a larger property in January 1993. This building is located at 5220 Westerville Road in Northeast Columbus. We continue to add on to this complex as we grow. Varment Guard’s corporate office and our Columbus branch office presently operate from this location. Varment Guard services all of Ohio, as well as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, and Indiana. Varment Guard currently has four owners, all of whom participate in daily operations. One of the original co-owners of the business, Michael Moore, left Varment Guard in 1987 to operate another business. James J. Vaive, the other original owner, has been with the company since its inception and heads the company as President. Sandra J. Vaive, also an owner since 1983, came to Varment Guard with a background in office management and the legal secretarial field. Sandy is responsible for the financial administration. Meanwhile, John D. Livingston became an owner in 1985. John had worked in the pest control industry for ten years, four of which he was branch manager. John is the operations director of the wildlife and bird control division. Gerald S. Wegner, Ph.D., B.C.E. (Board Certified Entomologist), became an owner in October 1987. Gerry, a.k.a. “Doc”, brought to Varment Guard several years of experience in the pest control field, as well as years of education and research in the field of entomology. He has in recent years authored several textbook chapters, published numerous articles in national industry magazines and manuals, and is regularly asked to speak at schools and conferences, both in Ohio and nationally. In 2012, in planning for his retirement, Gerry offered his ownership shares back to the company but remains the staff entomologist, trainer and technical director. Scott W. Steckel became an owner in 1996 by merging his company of two branches with Varment Guard. Scott brought with him four years of business ownership, computer and software savvy, and four generations of family owned pest control experience. Scott is operations director for the pest department and heads the technology department. We believe the success of Varment Guard’s owner team is due to the fact that each of the four owners has distinct strengths and works together in synergy. When Varment Guard first began, we focused on all aspects of pest control. As time went on and the company grew, we divided the company into five distinct departments and teams: Pest Control and Management; Termite Control and Treatment; Wildlife Trapping and Exclusion; Bird Control; and Consultation and Training. Also, in 2005 we created a new division dedicated to servicing commercial accounts. This division is called ProGuard Commercial Pest Solutions. Varment Guard continually trains its employees to give high quality services to our customers, and develop a spirit of teamwork. We are committed to our customers’ needs and to our employees’ personal success.