Townsend Pest Services was founded in 1971 in Kirkland, Washington, by Lyle Townsend.  The original company was named Townsend Pest Control, and like many small businesses was a family operation, also employing Lyle's brother.  During his career with Townsend Pest Control, Lyle was active in the Washington State Pest Control Association, presented countless seminars to that association, other industry groups, and competitors.  He authored and published a technical handbook on pest control, and invented and brought to market a specialty rodent bait station called the Rodent Rock, still widely used and available.  Lyle and his wife are now retired and living in the Las Vegas, Nevada area.

The company was renamed to Townsend Pest Services in mid-2006 to better reflect the broader range of services that the company offers and as a minor modernization of its name in conjunction with major revisions to its corporate logo, advertising, and crew vehicle appearance. 

The company is now a subsidiary of Sunrise Pest Management, Inc., one of the largest pest control operators in the state,  headquartered in Bremerton, Washington.  Together, the two companies enhance eachother's capabilities to better serve their growing customer base in the Puget Sound Area.