Founded on science.
Built on trust.
For 16 years, Orkin Pests has served Austin with one non-negotiable commitment: we tell customers exactly what their property needs — no more, no less.
Built from 10 years of
watching things done wrong.
Elena Marsh spent a decade as a field entomologist for the University of Texas Brackenridge Field Laboratory, documenting urban pest pressure patterns across the Austin metro. What she observed in that role was consistent: homeowners were being sold repeated spray treatments that suppressed pest populations temporarily without addressing the underlying conditions driving infestation.
In 2009, she left the research world to build the pest control company she wished existed — one that applied the same evidence-based, species-specific approach that field entomology uses to residential and commercial pest management. Orkin Pests has operated on those principles since day one.
Today, Shield employs 24 full-time licensed technicians and serves more than 4,800 properties across the Austin metro. Elena still reviews every quarterly technician audit personally and remains the company's head of technical standards.
Austin, TX
How we make decisions.
These aren't aspirational values. They're operational policies that every technician is trained on and evaluated against.
Identify First, Always
Every treatment decision is preceded by correct species identification. We never select a treatment method before confirming what we're treating — the approaches are too different species to species to skip this step.
Minimum Necessary Scope
Technicians are evaluated on resolution accuracy, not service frequency. If a single targeted treatment resolves your situation, that's what we recommend — even if a recurring plan would generate more revenue.
Child & Pet Safety First
We never treat a property with a child or pet safety option available that we haven't explored first. Safety constraints are built into treatment design, not accommodated afterward as an exception.
Documented Accountability
Written service reports after every visit. Products used, concentrations applied, locations treated, and findings documented in writing — not summarized verbally and forgotten. You have a paper trail.
Continuous Education
Pest biology, resistance patterns, and treatment chemistry evolve. Every Shield technician completes 40+ hours of continuing education annually and maintains certifications current with Texas Department of Agriculture requirements.
Community Commitment
Shield provides discounted services to qualifying low-income households, participates in Austin Independent School District pest management programs, and supports the Travis County Master Gardeners association annually.
The team that sets
the standard.
Elena Marsh
Former UT Austin field entomologist. Board-Certified Entomologist (BCE). Texas PCO License #TDA-0012847. Leads technical standards and quarterly technician audits.
Rafael Cisneros
18-year pest management veteran. Manages all 24 technicians and production quality protocols. Texas Certified Applicator, General Pest Control and Termite categories.
Kavya Anand
Manages all client relationships, service scheduling, and the guarantee program. Has maintained a 99.2% customer satisfaction score across 4 consecutive years of tenure.
Licensed. Certified. Verified.
Every credential below can be verified with the issuing organization. We provide documentation before any contract is signed.
Texas Dept. of Agriculture
Licensed PCO #TDA-0012847. General Pest Control, Termite, and Ornamental categories.
NPMA QualityPro
National Pest Management Association quality and IPM standards certification. Annual audit required.
$2M General Liability
Full liability and Workers' Compensation insurance. Certificate of insurance available before any work begins.
BBB Accredited A+
Better Business Bureau Accredited with A+ rating. Zero unresolved complaints in 16 consecutive years.