In 1975, Edward and Kathryn Seitz started their pest control business out of their home with one customer.

Since then, Seitz Bros. has expanded to three facilities, including its new headquarters at 83 Claremont Avenue (Route 309), Hometown, and now employs 75 full-time and 15 part-time employees.The new 3,000 square-foot facility on the Hometown hill employs 35 and held an official ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, Oct. 22, with family and friends in attendance, as well as representatives of Rush Township's Board of Supervisors and the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce.Prior to the construction of the new corporate office, which began in 2009 and was completed this year, Seitz Bros. was located in a facility on Route 54 in Barnesville for 30 years, said Brian P. Seitz, president."We just needed more room, so we stayed in Rush Township," he said. "We've expanded with the new buisiness we're doing, and this site came up. It's the perfect location for us."The new headquarters joins Seitz Bros. facilities in Trexlertown and Tannersville, which have been opened in the past decade. The company has also started servicing New Jersey."Seitz Bros. could have chosen any other location to expand and build their corporate headquarters, but by choosing Rush Township, it shows that they believe in our township and what it has to offer," said Rush Township Supervisors Chairman Stephen W. Simchak, during a presentation to the Seitz family. "The supervisors are grateful to have the Seitz business located in Rush Township and wish them continued success in the coming years."Seitz Bros. is known for its pest control service, but five years ago, the company opened an environmental team as well. "We do mold and asbestos testing and removal, as well as waterproofing," said Brian Seitz. "We also do wild animal control, as well as bat and squirrel exclusions, where we don't exterminate them but work to keep them out."He noted that there has been a proliferation of bed bug calls, and Seitz Bros. treats bed bugs with heat rather than chemicals."We're one of the few companys that do that," he related. "We pride ourselves on using new technology."Seitz Bros. posts a Pest of the Month on its marquee, and this month it is stink bugs."They came into the area in 1986 from Allentown, and they are overtaking the east coast," said Brian. "They are able to survive our winters, and they can be a problem for vineyards."Brian said Seitz Bros. has a program to eliminate stink bugs, but they must be sprayed in the early fall, in September and October. "With stink bugs, it's all about timing," he noted.The timing was right for Seitz Bros. to relocate into its new surroundings as well."It's a great accomplishment in these trying times of economic decline that this celebration is happening today," said Simchak.Seitz Bros. is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The phone number is (570) 668-6001 or 1-(888) 467-1008. The website is at

www.seitzbrothers.com.