William Albert Flick

William Albert Flick (14 February 1890 – 10 May 1980) was an Australian bacteriologist, pest exterminator and businessman who, alongside his wife, invented a chemical compound to kill terminates. This allowed them to establish the company W. A. Flick & Co, now known as Flick Pest Control, which is the largest pest control company in Australia.

Biography Flick was born in Lismore, in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, and he grew up on a dairy farm in Ewingsdale. He was the second of eight children and his parents William and Sarah (née Atkin) Flick who, though both Australian born, had French ancestry. The developed an arsenical compound, which became known as 'Flick' (or Anticimex internationally), which they successfully used and began using on surrounding properties soon after.

The business grew significantly during World War II, as they acquired a number of government contracts in hospitals and barracks. To meet their war contracts, they incorporated and established 15 overseas branches around the Pacific. It was also around this time that Flick launched their retail products.

In 1950 Flick essentially retired from the company, although continued to be involved as the chairman of directors, and handed over its management to his sons.

During retirement the Flicks lived in Newport where he was an active lawn bowls player and involved in Freemasonry. In 1972 he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Death and legacy Flick was predeceased by his wife Phyllis, who died in 1977. He died at Newport on 10 May 1980.

After his death his family sold the company, now known as Flick Pest Control which is Australia's largest pest control company. In 2013 this company was acquired by Anticimex.