Hydrex Pest Control: A Century of Service Enters a New Era

SAN DIEGO, CA – May 20, 2026 – One of San Diego's oldest and most trusted local businesses, Hydrex Pest Control Co., has entered a new chapter in its 105-year history. The company, a household name for generations of families in San Diego and Imperial Counties, has been acquired by GAF Partners, a business acquisition firm focused on stewarding established companies for long-term growth. The deal ensures the continuity of a cherished local brand while injecting new strategic investment into its future.

Hydrex, founded in 1921, has built an enduring reputation protecting homes from pests, termites, and rodents. The acquisition by GAF Partners marks a significant moment, blending a century of operational history with a forward-looking growth strategy. The new ownership has committed to retaining all of Hydrex's field technicians, customer service representatives, and operational staff, and will continue to operate under the well-known Hydrex Pest Control name.

A Legacy of Trust Meets New Investment

For over a century, Hydrex has been more than just a service provider; it has been a community fixture. The company's deep roots are evidenced by a customer base that spans generations, often calling the same phone number and relying on the same trusted technicians they have known for decades. This level of loyalty is the cornerstone of the brand's identity.

The new leadership from GAF Partners has emphasized its intention to honor this unique heritage. "When we first learned about Hydrex, we were immediately struck by the depth of loyalty between this company and its customers," commented Jonathan Kaplan, the company's new CEO and a co-founder of GAF Partners. "People have been calling the same phone number and working with the same team members for decades — that kind of trust is incredibly rare and genuinely special. We intend to honor it."

This sentiment is echoed by Brant Claussen, who joins as Senior Vice President. "Hydrex has built something that most businesses only dream of — authentic, enduring relationships," Claussen stated. "Our role is to be good stewards of that legacy while helping more San Diego and Imperial County residents discover the experience of working with a team that truly cares and prioritizes long-term service."

GAF Partners' investment philosophy aligns with this preservationist approach. The firm specializes in acquiring small, successful businesses with the goal of operating them for the long term, distinguishing its strategy from typical private equity models that often prioritize short-term returns and rapid restructuring.

A Strategic Play in a Booming Market

Beyond preserving a legacy, the acquisition is a calculated strategic move into one of Southern California's most resilient and active service markets. The pest control industry in the United States is experiencing robust growth, with market size projections expected to reach $29.1 billion by 2026. This growth is fueled by factors like climate change, which can extend pest seasons, and a highly fragmented market ripe for consolidation.

San Diego County's warm, temperate climate creates year-round demand for pest management, making it an especially attractive region for investment. The new ownership's investment thesis explicitly centers on the "significant organic growth opportunity" within the San Diego and Imperial County pest control and termite markets. The region is home to a competitive landscape that includes national giants like Orkin and Terminix as well as a host of strong, independent local companies such as Lloyd Pest Control and Thrasher Termite & Pest Control.

Furthermore, GAF Partners has signaled its intent to pursue a regional roll-up strategy, stating it anticipates acquiring "complementary companies" serving the greater San Diego market. This approach suggests a plan to build a larger, integrated home services platform with Hydrex as its foundational brand, potentially targeting other family-owned or specialized pest control businesses in the area.

New Leadership, Familiar Faces

The transition places Hydrex under the leadership of Kaplan and Claussen, whose backgrounds include co-founding a digital marketing agency and extensive experience in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and business development. This expertise is expected to drive innovation and growth, potentially introducing new technologies and marketing strategies to expand Hydrex's reach.

Crucially, this new strategic direction will be implemented by the familiar faces that customers and the community already know. The decision to retain the entire existing team is a core component of the acquisition, aimed at ensuring a seamless transition for both employees and clients. This move provides job security for the staff and maintains the consistent, high-quality service that underpins Hydrex's reputation.

While public reviews have long praised Hydrex's professional technicians, some past employee feedback from before the acquisition pointed to challenges common in service industries, such as heavy workloads and the need for more internal support. The new ownership's stated "people first" approach and commitment to the existing team present an opportunity to reinforce the company's internal culture and build upon its operational strengths, ensuring the employee experience matches the high-quality customer experience Hydrex is known for.

By combining the institutional knowledge of the long-serving Hydrex team with the strategic growth expertise of GAF Partners, the company is positioned to enhance its service offerings while maintaining the personal touch that has defined it for 105 years. The focus remains on the essential, hands-on work of keeping homes safe and comfortable, a mission that has not changed since 1921.