In Memoriam: Milton Zlotnik

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Milton Zlotnik, who in 1948 founded Pestco Professional Services, a leading commercial pest control service provider in the Pittsburgh, Pa. area, died in January at age 92.

 

 

Zlotnik, a Lithuanian immigrant, first learned pest control while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1946, Zlotnik went to work for his uncle, Bob Surloff, who invented the first fan-operated air freshener dispenser, Air-Scent. 

 

“While he was at accounts, people would ask him, ‘Do you do any other jobs besides servicing air fresheners?’ and that that got him to thinking that people might pay for additional services,” said Arnold Zlotnik, Milt’s son, who succeeded him as president of Pestco.

 

Milt Zlotnik decided that pest control was a good add-on opportunity and he got in touch with Edward Womack, an Air-Scent distributor who also was the founder and owner of Womack Pest Control, Rockville, Md.  Womack was instrumental in teaching Zlotnik how to run a pest control operation. Soon after further learning the trade, Zlotnik added pest control to his service offerings, and in 1948 he officially launched Pittsburgh Exterminating Service and Termite Control (which later became Pestco Professional Services) from his home, which he shared with wife, Marion (Mimi), who also worked for the company.

 

Throughout the years, Pestco developed a stellar service reputation and to this day services high-profile commercial accounts in the Pittsburgh area, including Heinz Field and PNC Park. The company now employees 20 individuals and services a 50-mile radius from its headquarters in suburban Pittsburgh.

 

One of the reasons for the company’s success is employee continuity, said Ray Czapko, COO of Air-Scent International, Pestco’s parent company, and himself a 30-year employee. “Milt had a reputation for being a kind, warm, sensitive, generous and caring person, and he passed those traits down to his sons. Like any organization, that trickles down to individuals. People want to work here and as a result many of our people have worked here for 10 and 20 years.”

 

As a Pittsburgh area pest control expert, Zlotnik became acquainted with the city’s legendary entomologist, the late-Arnold Mallis, best known in the pest control industry as author of the Mallis Handbook of Pest Control, which many consider the bible of urban entomology. While Zlotnik stepped away from the daily operations of the business in the 1980s, he never officially retired. Arnold Zlotnik, now age 60, grew up in the business and eventually bought Pestco from his father in 1985. He has carried on the company’s leadership in his father’s tradition. And now, a third-generation of Zlotnik’s are involved in the business. Arnold’s son, Bryan, 24, works in operations, while daughter Hayley (21) and son Joshua (18), work part time for the company.

 

Zlotnik is survived by wife Marion and sons Cliff (Judith) Zlotnik, Arnold Zlotnik and Stuart (Donna) Zlotnik.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sivitz Jewish Hospice, 200 JHF Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.