Founded in 2017, Grizz Pest Management is a locally owned commercial and residential pest control company built on deep expertise, strong community roots, and a personal commitment to service. The business is led by husband-and-wife team Andy and Anna Novinger, both lifelong locals who set out to create a pest control company that delivers high-quality solutions with a thoughtful, neighbor-first approach.
The name “Grizz” holds special meaning for the Novingers—it was inspired by their beloved Chesapeake Bay Retriever, who has since passed. That personal connection reflects the care and pride the team brings to their work every day.
Andy Novinger holds a master’s degree in entomology from Loyola University Chicago and has spent his career studying and managing insects, rodents, and wildlife. Anna Novinger, a Loyola graduate as well, brings an MBA background and oversees operations and brand strategy. Under her leadership, Grizz Pest Management stands out as a woman-owned business in an industry where that distinction is still relatively uncommon.
In 2025, Grizz Pest Management partnered with Brookfield Zoo Chicago, where Andy previously worked as an animal care specialist. As part of the initiative, a portion of revenue from services was donated to the Zoo, supporting capital improvements including the Bramson Tropical Forests exhibit, which has since opened. The partnership reflected Grizz’s broader commitment to conservation, education, and giving back to institutions that matter to the community.
For the Grizz team, the most rewarding part of the business is independence and impact—being able to lead their own company while supporting a growing staff of 12 employees. The business has also become a family legacy in the making: their son, Colin, a graduate of Western Michigan University, is now a full-time technician with Grizz Pest Management and hopes to one day run the company.
Grizz Pest Management has been an LGBA member for at least five years and credits the organization with helping foster meaningful relationships across the community. Through LGBA connections, the business has collaborated with fellow members, participated in creative fundraising efforts, and supported local causes—efforts that reflect their belief in showing up for the community they call home.
Community involvement remains central to the Grizz mission. The company is a sponsor of the La Grange Pet Parade, where their unmistakable Grizz vehicle—complete with a giant skunk that “sprays” the crowd with white fog—has become a crowd favorite. They also support Beds Plus through sponsorship of its annual soup event and by organizing the Grizz Gives Warmth Coat Drive, collecting new and gently used coats from customers during service visits and donating them back to the organization.
Looking ahead, Grizz Pest Management continues to grow. The company has expanded its service area north into Lake County and west to Winnebago County, recently adding a technician in the Rockford area. With eyes on the future, the team hopes to continue expanding across Northern Illinois—while staying grounded in the values, relationships, and community connections that started it all.
To learn more about Grizz Pest Management, visit grizzpest.com or follow them on social media.