About Bayonne Exterminating

Our Story

In 1926, Bayonne resident Harry Alberts saw the booming city of Bayonne and thought about its future. Witnessing the growing Manhattan suburbs and surrounding areas, he realized the people there would need relief from the pests that come with industrialization. At this point, Bayonne Exterminating was founded and began to grow providing pest control services in Jersey City, Hudson County, and surrounding areas.

Harry soon recruited a young New York worker by the name of Al Citarella. The two saw the potential in the company and began to grow things until the draft hit, landing Al in the South Pacific. This put his plans of self-employment and success on hold. Once Al returned, Harry was ready to retire in Florida, so he sold his remaining interest in the company to his apprentice. With a combination of Harry's training and his own experience, Al began to grow the company.

As Bayonne Exterminating grew through the years, many of Al's own sons worked there. As the company was booming, Al's wife was chosen as the office manager, making her one of the first women in the New Jersey pest control industry. Through the company's dedication to quality work and to its customers, Bayonne Exterminating continued to grow.

In 1976, Al's son, Ralph Citarella, joined up with his father before he retired. Soon after, Ralph brought his wife, Peggy, along to join the team. With the new family staff, the company moved further towards its goal of top-notch customer service. At this point, quality work, quality prices, and customer care became even larger priorities at Bayonne Exterminating.

In 2004, the third generation of Citarellas joined the company. After years of part-time or seasonal work, Ralph's son, Ralph Jr., joined Bayonne Exterminating. A graduate of The College of New Jersey, Ralph Jr. returned to the academic world in the slow seasons, attending entomological programs and classes at Rutgers University and Purdue University. Rounding out his education with a wealth of classes from both the New Jersey and National Pest Management Associations, Ralph Jr. joined the Entomological Society of America in 2007, becoming a fully accredited Board-Certified Entomologist (one of only nine in New Jersey) in January of 2009. He is a noted speaker throughout North America with master class topics ranging from pest control and inspections to bed bug control methodology, and industry outreach topics like hoarding and bed bug information for consumers.