About
Back in 1978, Robert Bates started a small pest control business in the local West Palm Beach area. On a drive to north Florida with his father, Robert and his dad pulled over on the side of the road to gaze at miles and miles and miles of undeveloped land. Edwin Bates said to his son, “Expand the pest control business here.” and The Villages began.
A Lake Worth native, he had a GIANT vision of growing his business in the State of Florida. His timing was perfect as Palm Beach and Martin counties developed, new homes sprung up and people steadily began moving to Florida growing his one-man pest control company. As the business grew, Bates Exterminating grew. Both Bob and his wife Melanie never stopped working.
Forty years ago, a typical residential home was treated weekly for around $8.00 monthly. Most customers were either home or left their front door open for the service technician. Because of his knowledge and expert service, Robert Bates quickly expanded his company from the many business and personal referrals he received daily. With an unparalleled level of personalized and high-quality service, Bates Exterminating quickly gained a reputation for being the premier pest control company in the area.
Today, Robert Bates continues to instill his family-like service approach in his employees who are dedicated and have worked for Bates Exterminating for decades. Once offering only general pest, lawn, and termite control, Bates Exterminating’s service offering now encompasses residential and commercial properties and includes everything from ants, bedbugs, fleas and ticks, spiders, and rodents to termite control, and prevention, wildlife management, and lawn, shrub and tree care.
Bates Exterminating offers superior service and a commitment to exceed our clients’ needs and expectations. In pursuit of this goal, we have grown to be one of the top pest control companies in the area. We’ve been able to achieve this reputation by utilizing the latest environmentally-proven technologies but with the help of our diverse team of committed and dependable employees who carry on the family-owned, personal service approach we believe in. Keeping the business in the family, Bob’s daughter Melissa also worked part-time after school, on weekends, and over summers, helping her dad. Growing up in the business, she continues to be a strong full-time Manager of Bates Exterminating.
Robert Bates is a member of many organizations including the Florida Pest Management Association, the National Pest Management Association, and served on the Pest Control Advisory Committee at Palm Beach Community College. He also taught at Palm Beach Atlantic University.