Eagle Exterminating is celebrating 50 years in business, marking a milestone for the locally owned pest control company that has served generations of customers throughout Lake County.

The company was founded in 1976 by Ed Robinette Sr. and his nephew, Danny Holderfield, in Mount Dora. According to owner Kenny Driggers, the business originally operated out of Holderfield’s home before growing into the company it is today.

Kenny joined Eagle Exterminating in 1981 at age 19 after leaving his father’s roofing business.

“It was just a job at that time,” Kenny says. “Then I decided I liked meeting different people, and you’re not in one place all day. So just figured I’d make a career.”

After working in the industry for several years, Kenny became a certified operator and later served as a supervisor for the company. In 2019, Ed Robinette Jr. sold him the pest control portion of the business. Ed retained the termite division as he began transitioning toward retirement.

Today, Eagle Exterminating serves customers throughout Lake County, The Villages and parts of northern Orange County, including Apopka and South Apopka.

Asked what has helped the company remain successful for five decades, Kenny points to its relationships with customers.

“I think it’s just an old-school hometown,” he says. “Our customers are family. They’re not just a number.”

Many of those relationships have lasted for decades. Kenny says some customers have been with Eagle Exterminating since he started in 1981, and he now serves the children of customers whose homes he treated years ago.

“You go to a customer’s home and, ‘Oh, my daughter has you,’ or ‘my son has you,’ or ‘my dad’s, my parents,'” Kenny says. “There’s customers that I’m helping now that I did back in the day. The kids were are now they’re grown and I’m doing their house.”

Unlike many larger companies, Kenny says most of Eagle Exterminating’s growth has come through referrals.

“I really don’t do a lot of advertisement,” he says. “Most of it’s word of mouth from referrals from other customers. It’s just been a blessing.”

The company handles common Florida pest issues including ants, roaches and rodents, with seasonal changes often influencing service calls throughout the year.

As Eagle Exterminating celebrates its 50th anniversary, Kenny says he remains grateful for the support of customers who have helped sustain the business through decades of growth and change in Lake County.