About Us
Where We Are Now
OUR STORY
Total Exterminating was founded in the spring of 1948 in Indianapolis, Indiana, by Herbert Moss, a German immigrant and Jewish refugee from World War II. The company was established to serve Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Marion County, and the surrounding counties. After 32 years, Herb retired and sold the business in 1970 to my grandfather, Patrick Miles. Grandpa Miles had been a longtime customer of Total Exterminating while running a grocery store and gas station in downtown Indianapolis. He operated the company with the same enthusiasm Herb had shown, keeping it a one-man business until his son Dan (known to customers as “Dan the Bug Man” and to me as Uncle Danny) joined him in 1977.
In 1988, Grandpa Miles was forced to retire because of a heart condition. Shortly afterward, his son-in-law Vince Povinelli (my dad) joined the company. Uncle Danny continued running the business with help from Dad and my Aunt Darcy for many years. After Uncle Danny’s untimely death in 2019, Dad took over Total Exterminating and brought me into the company to help manage it with the goal of retiring a few years after the transition. After three years of battling stage 4 lymphoma twice, my health is on its way back up and Dad has been able to retire, though he still stays active by handling termite treatments and pest-control evaluations for customers who need them, in between sight seeing and traveling across the United States and visiting family in Italy with Mom (Uncle Danny’s sister Donna).
I look at my ownership of Total Exterminating as a chance to continue Grandpa Miles, Uncle Danny, and my dad’s philosophy of providing excellent customer service at an affordable price. I want to be a good steward of the business and our customers while planning and preparing for the next generation of the family to eventually take the reins of the business. Making Total Exterminating a 4th generation family-owned business within the Indianapolis and Beech Grove, IN area.
Our Proven 4-Step Process
Homeowners and business owners in Indiana know pests all too well. Extreme seasonal temperature swings eliminate some insects, yet many common ones like spiders, ants, stink bugs, ticks, millipedes, earwigs, and others, readily survive and invade properties. Our experienced pest control technicians handle infestations of all common pests in homes and commercial spaces. Whatever appears on your property, we can address it through our proven 4-step process, which builds a multi-layered defense by combining our core methods with industry best practices such as thorough inspection, targeted residual barriers, habitat disruption, and entry-point focus.
Step 1: Foundation
We begin at the structure’s base by creating a stronger, larger protective barrier than typical competitors.
This starts with a careful inspection of the foundation for cracks, gaps around utilities, moisture issues, and signs of pest activity or entry. We then apply professional residual treatments in an extended band, typically several feet up the foundation wall and outward across the soil, landscaping or slab using liquid insecticides formulated for lasting residual control. This zone intercepts crawling insects (ants, spiders, earwigs, millipedes, and others) as they approach the building. Where soil conditions or subterranean pests warrant it, we may incorporate targeted applications into shallow trenches or along the soil-structure interface. The result is a continuous chemical and physical barrier that kills on contact or through residual exposure while deterring new invaders. This foundation treatment forms the primary line of defense for both residential and commercial buildings and is sized larger than standard industry applications for superior coverage and durability through Indiana’s weather extremes. Unlike most of our ‘door-to-door’ competitors who utilize backpack spray applicators we use powered motors with 50-gallon tanks in all of our trucks to make sure that our applications are applied not just thoroughly and efficiently but with careful consideration to use only what is necessary to eliminate your targeted pests.
Step 2: Perimeter
Moving outward from the foundation, we treat and inspect the immediate perimeter zone that surrounds the structure.
This includes the area under the dripline, along walkways, landscaping beds adjacent to the building, and potential travel corridors. Our licensed Pest Control Technicians systematically check for nesting sites, harborage areas (mulch, debris, dense vegetation, woodpiles), moisture sources, and other conducive conditions throughout the yard near the building. Targeted residual sprays and treatments are applied to these zones, focusing on entry points such as doors, windows, vents, and utility penetrations. We also address any visible pest activity or trails found during the inspection. By treating beyond the structure itself and eliminating nearby nesting or staging areas, this step stops pests before they reach the foundation barrier and reduces overall pressure on the property. The approach draws on standard professional perimeter protocols while emphasizing proactive inspection and site-specific adjustments for homes and businesses.
Step 3: Yard
We can extend protection farther into the landscape by applying water-activated granular treatments across key yard areas where liquid treatments may not be as effective.
These granules are broadcast in a strategic kill-zone targeting common nesting and harborage sites in turf, flower beds, mulch, and other outdoor spaces. Once activated by moisture (rain, irrigation, or dew), the granules release active ingredients that control insects on contact or through residual exposure, disrupting populations of ants, ticks, millipedes, earwigs, and similar pests at their source. This creates an outer defensive layer that reduces the number of insects reaching the perimeter and foundation treatments. The method aligns with industry practices of using granules for broader coverage when needed and habitat reduction while remaining focused on creating effective kill-zones rather than unnecessary blanket applications. Regular reactivation through normal weather or watering can help maintain protection between service visits.
Step 4: Eaves & Overhangs
Finally, we address upper and elevated areas of the structure where flying and nesting insects often establish themselves.
Technicians thoroughly inspect and treat eaves, overhangs, soffits, porches, entryways, and similar features. Existing wasp nests and extensive cobwebs are mechanically removed (knocked down) to eliminate active colonies and spider harborage. Residual treatments are then applied to these surfaces and surrounding entry points to prevent re-establishment. This step targets wasps, spiders, and other pests that prefer sheltered overhead locations and complements the ground-level barriers by closing off vertical and aerial pathways into the building. It is a standard best-practice component of comprehensive exterior service for both homes and commercial properties, ensuring complete coverage from ground to roofline.
A Little Bit About Our History…
With more than 75 years of continuous service since Total Exterminating was founded in Indianapolis in 1948, you can rest assured that the pest control service Beech Grove Indiana you receive from our technicians is both safe and effective. From its beginnings as a one-man operation through multiple generations of the Miles and Povinelli families, we have built lasting relationships with customers across Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Marion County, and the surrounding areas by delivering reliable results with a personal touch that larger companies and many local competitors simply cannot match.
SO, WHAT MAKES US STAND APART?
Safe, Effective and Convenient
Total Exterminating provides safe, effective, and convenient Integrated Pest Management solutions rooted in decades of hands-on experience. Our methods protect your home or business while fitting easily into your schedule.
Customer Service
Outstanding customer service is our number one priority. As a multi-generational family business, we treat every customer the way Grandpa Miles, “Dan the Bug Man,” and my dad have always treated their neighbors, with honesty, responsiveness, and genuine care.
Family-Focused
We take a caring approach to children and pets to ensure their safety. Because Total Exterminating has been family-owned and operated for generations, we understand the importance of protecting the people and animals who matter most to you.
Eco-Friendly
Our technicians use quality, eco-friendly methods to minimize environmental impact by applying proven Integrated Pest Management solutions, continuing the careful, responsible approach our family has practiced for more than seven decades.
Broad Customer Base
We offer both residential pest control and commercial pest control service Beech Grove Indiana, serving both homes and businesses, in Beech Grove and the wider Indianapolis community with the same dependable service that has defined Total Exterminating since 1948.
Pest Control service Beech Grove Indiana with Your Family in Mind
When our area’s toughest pests invade your home, they threaten your family’s health and safety, damage your property, and steal your peace of mind. The local pest experts at Total Exterminating are here to restore that peace of mind with proven solutions designed to protect you and your family. In addition to thorough extermination, we offer bed bug and termite protection plans, professional trapping and removal services, and attic and crawlspace remediation and sanitization to fully address infestations and the conditions they might leave behind.
A pest infestation can create serious problems, but the solution should never create new ones. At Total Exterminating, we prioritize the safety of your children and pets. The methods and products we use are safe for family members and pets, easy on the environment, and still tough on pests thanks to our quality, eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management approach.
We offer both residential and commercial pest control service Beech Grove Indiana, providing safe, effective, and convenient service rooted in decades of hands-on experience. Whether you need trapping and removal, attic or crawlspace cleanup and sanitization, or ongoing protection, our family-owned company understands what it means to safeguard the people and animals who matter most to you. Unlike our larger competitors, you aren’t just a customer number on the other end of the phone or the location we happen to be at. With Total Exterminating, you’re family.
Commercial Pest Control Service Beech Grove Indiana For Your Central Indiana Business
Running a business is hard work, and preventing problems before they arise is one of the smartest ways to protect your bottom line, your reputation, and the people who count on you. Pests rank among the most disruptive of those problems. They can destroy inventory, damage facilities, expose employees and customers to health risks, and quickly undermine the trust you’ve worked hard to build. Whether you need proactive prevention or fast, effective response to an active infestation, Total Exterminating delivers reliable commercial pest control service Beech Grove Indiana backed by more than 75 years of experience serving Central Indiana businesses.
Our multi-generational family company has long specialized in the unique demands of food service and restaurant environments, warehouses, medical buildings, and office spaces. We understand the strict sanitation standards, regulatory expectations, and operational realities these industries face. That depth of experience, combined with our commitment to outstanding customer service and consistent routine visits, allows us to protect your business with solutions that are both thorough and practical.
We provide free inspections to every commercial customer. No two businesses share identical pest pressures or operational constraints, so we take the time to thoroughly evaluate your facility, identify vulnerabilities, and understand your specific needs. This detailed assessment forms the foundation of a customized plan designed around your industry, schedule, and risk level. We aren’t just your everyday pest control service Beech Grove Indiana company, we are a trusted partner in the success of your business and treat your business as if it was our own.
INSPECTION
TREATMENT
Your Integrated Pest Management treatment plan is tailored precisely to your situation. Businesses focused on prevention often benefit from a comprehensive quarterly program that keeps pests from ever gaining a foothold. Properties facing more serious or recurring issues may require targeted treatment on a monthly, or even weekly, basis until the problem is fully under control. Every plan prioritizes safe, effective methods that minimize disruption to your daily operations while delivering lasting results.
Consistent routine visits are a cornerstone of our service. In addition to regularly scheduled follow-ups, we stand behind our work: if pests reappear between visits, we return promptly to re-evaluate, assess and re-treat. Our high level of customer service means you can count on responsive communication, reliable technicians, and a partnership focused on keeping your commercial property pest-free for the long term.
