A Delaware County Institution: Why Bug Away Exterminating Deserves Your Trust

Here at John L. Smith Used Cars, we've spent years building relationships with the people and families of Delaware County. We know firsthand that the businesses that last in this community aren't the ones with the biggest ad budgets or the flashiest websites. They're the ones run by people who genuinely care about their neighbors. That's exactly why we wanted to take a moment to shine a light on Ken and the team at Bug Away Exterminating And Termite Control Co., a company that has quietly become one of the most trusted names in the county.

A Business Built From the Ground Up

Ken's story in the pest control world started back in March of 1987, when he took a job with a small family-owned company called Davison in Ridley Park. He learned the trade, tried a stint at Terminix, and quickly realized that corporate life wasn't for him. He found his footing at another small operation called Dockerty of Delaware Valley, where he immersed himself in every corner of the business, from answering phones and scheduling appointments to handling billing and supplies.

By the spring of 1995, with a paid-off Toyota pickup truck and every piece of equipment it carried, Ken launched Bug Away Exterminating And Termite Control Co. He was expecting his youngest son at the time, and he knew that if he was ever going to build the kind of life he wanted for his family, he had to bet on himself. That decision turned out to be the right one.

The Kind of Service You Can Actually Feel

What sets Ken apart isn't just competence, although he has plenty of that. It's the way he treats people. He'll move your belongings out of a closet to do the job properly, then put everything back exactly where he found it. He shows up when you need him, often the same day. His residential clients don't just shake his hand when he arrives; they hug him. Some of those clients have been with him for 30 years, many of them from the very neighborhoods in Delaware County where Ken grew up.

For senior citizens specifically, Ken has a standing policy that he doesn't advertise or make a big deal about. He gives them a discount. He gives them extra time. He listens, even when listening isn't strictly part of the job description. He does it because he believes it's the right thing to do, plain and simple. That kind of quiet generosity is hard to fake and impossible to manufacture.

Ken's values are equally straightforward. He describes his three core principles as professionalism, integrity, and honesty. On integrity, he puts it this way: doing the right thing even when no one is watching. That means when his team enters a home where the owners aren't present, they complete the full treatment to the highest standard, document everything thoroughly, and leave nothing to chance. That's not a marketing line. That's just how Ken runs his operation.

Rooted in the Local Business Community

Bug Away's reach goes well beyond individual homes. Ken has built deep relationships with local real estate companies, property management firms, and private investors throughout Delaware County. Over the years, those investor clients didn't just hire him for pest control; they brought him into their network and helped teach him how to purchase properties through estate auctions, short sales, and foreclosures. It's the kind of reciprocal, community-rooted relationship that defines what a truly local business looks like.

On the team side, Ken works closely with Anthony Giorgio, a licensed pest control technician whom Ken personally mentored over eight years, and Ryan Farrow, a new full-time technician who came up through a rigorous in-house training program. Ryan had no prior pest control experience, and that's exactly what Ken wanted. He was able to teach Ryan the right way from the start, and the results have been outstanding.

Both Ken and Anthony hold certifications through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in Category 11, covering residential and commercial household insects and rodents, and Category 12, covering wood-destroying insects including termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and wood-boring beetles.

Our Honest Recommendation

At John L. Smith Used Cars, we respect businesses that do things the right way without cutting corners or chasing shortcuts. Bug Away Exterminating And Termite Control Co. is exactly that kind of business. Whether you're a homeowner dealing with a pest problem, a property manager trying to stay ahead of issues across multiple units, or a real estate professional who needs reliable termite inspection and treatment reports before settlement, Ken and his team are the people to call.

If you're looking for a pest control service that treats you like a neighbor rather than a number, reach out to Bug Away Exterminating And Termite Control Co. You can visit them at bugawayexterminating.com or give them a call to schedule an inspection. Tell them your friends at John L. Smith Used Cars sent you.