Carnegie Exterminators still family owned

It's All Relative: New ownership stays in the family

Carnegie Exterminators moves to Morgan neighborhood

By Andrea Iglar

Childhood friends have taken ownership of a longtime family business and moved it to South Fayette Township.

Pavel Shlyahovsky and Ivan Shulikov assumed ownership of Carnegie Exterminators in April and moved the 64-year-old business to the Morgan neighborhood.

The family tree is a bit complicated, but in essence, the pest control company remains owned and operated by the same family. Shlyahovsky is nephew-in-law of John Vogel, whose parents started the business in Carnegie Borough in 1958.

“We’re honored to take over Johnny’s business and keep it in the family,” Shlyahovsky said.

Friends since childhood, the new owners met in Italy in 1989 when their families were fleeing the crumbling Soviet Union.

“Ivan’s from Russia, I’m from Ukraine, and we’re getting along very well,” Shlyahovsky said.

Family members Pavel Shlyahovsky, left, John Vogel, Ivan Shulikov and Victoria Shlyahovsky stand outside the Carnegie Exterminators office in South Fayette in September.

Photo by Andrea Iglar

The two men now are related by marriage, too; Shlyahovsky’s younger brother, Mark, married Shulikov’s cousin Victoria, who is the company’s customer service representative.

“It’s definitely a family legacy,” Shulikov said.

Shlyahovsky also owns Shly Construction, a deck builder next door.

Vogel had aimed to retire by 57—the age his father had died. Indeed, the business changed hands before Vogel’s 58th birthday, thanks to his relatives.

Carnegie Exterminators offers a variety of residential and commercial pest control services, including inspection, treatment and prevention.

In the winter, the company offers Christmas light installation and removal on home exteriors.

Founded in 1958 by Joseph George and Anna Marie Vogel, Carnegie Exterminators began as a supply store for small restaurants, bars and stores and expanded to pest control.

Eventually, the Vogels had five sons and at one point named the business Carnegie Pest Control and Sons. The business had other name changes also.

John, the youngest son, recalled his mother—now age 87— running the household plus answering business calls and writing contracts, all from their home in Carnegie.

“She was the backbone of the company,” he said.

Today, his niece-in-law, Victoria Shlyahovsky, fills a similar role as the first point of contact with customers.

“She has the most important position in the company,” Vogel said. “Every call that comes into the office has to be the most important call. Without the customer, the business is nothing.”

Carnegie Exterminators hosts a booth at South Fayette Community Day in August.

In the late 1960s and 1970s, the Vogels often traded services, receiving payment in the form of bicycles, snow sleds, furniture, mattresses, hardware and food.

“Back then, people who owned small stores would barter,” Vogel said.

In 1987, John’s brother Jim took over the family business, and in January 2000, it was John’s turn.

Over his decades at the helm, Vogel took pride in providing good service at a fair price.

“The business was intended to be a service, not to see what I could take from customers, but to see what I could provide for them, and make a good living for my family,” Vogel said.

The tagline of Carnegie Exterminators is “old-fashioned service with new technology.”

“We just don’t accept bicycles or sleds anymore,” Shulikov said with a laugh.

Carnegie Exterminators: 540 Millers Run Road, South Fayette: 412-983-0000; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn; carnegieexterminators.com. Holiday services: carnegielights.com.