Company History

1978 – D&L Pest Control is founded by Leo DeProw with service to New Madrid County MO. While continuing his career in the insurance industry, Mr. DeProw works diligently during evenings and weekends to build this Company from the ground up.

1980 – D&L makes its first acquisition by purchasing Ott Pest Control of Dexter Missouri, a business that had been in continuous operation since the 1950’s. Mr. DeProw then moves the company offices to Dexter and begins service full time to Stoddard County MO.

1984 – D&L purchases Ozark Foothills Pest Control of Poplar Bluff and begins service to that city and surrounding Butler County MO.

1986 – D&L extends its service routes to include south central Missouri, including Howell, Shannon and Oregon counties.

1993 - D&L purchases Rhodes Pest Control of Hayti MO. and extends its service area even farther into southern Missouri.

1996 - After graduation from Arkansas State University, Gregory J. DeProw enters the family business as a route service technician.

1997 – D&L makes its largest acquisition to date by purchasing General Pest Control Company of Cape Girardeau MO. With this purchase D&L opens its first branch office, in Cape Girardeau. After years of steady growth in the Dexter office this merger makes D&L the largest pest control company in Southeast Missouri. By now the D&L team has grown from 1 employee in 1979 to 14 employees. Greg DeProw now takes over as branch manager in the Cape Girardeau office. The purchase of General Pest Control also introduces D&L service to southern Illinois.

1998 – D&L purchases Total Pest Elimination of Cape Girardeau. This acquisition propels D&L into the extremely difficult world of hotel, restaurant and medical services pest control. This purchase also extends our service area farther into southern Illinois and western Tennessee.

1999 – D&L proudly acquires Heartland Pest Control of St. Louis. In business since 1956 Heartland and its forerunner, Dale’s Spray Service, had established a well deserved reputation for excellent service. With this merger D&L was now firmly established in the St. Louis market. Our third branch opens.

2002 – Leo DeProw, founder and long time President of D&L retires from the pest management industry. He is succeeded by his son Gregory J. DeProw.