You know we’ve come a long way when women are in charge of getting rid of the creepy-crawlies. That’s what sisters Jackie Grabin and Debra Tappan do as co-presidents and co-owners of Arrow Exterminating, a family-owned and -operated residential and commercial business started by their father in 1947.

Grabin and Tappan, both college graduates with prior careers in teaching and advertising, respectively, were involved in the business since childhood . . . stuffing envelopes, answering the telephone and such. But some ten years ago they took over full time from their father, Bernard Stegman. “The company has evolved but we didn’t make any drastic changes,” says Tappan.

The women have put their own stamp on the company, though, rewarding employees for innovative ideas, as well as fostering teamwork with programs such as a company-wide “Diet Challenge.” Philanthropy is also a priority, whether it’s donating to a local food bank or becoming the title sponsor of Long Island’s 5K Women’s Run to benefit ovarian cancer research and awareness, which they did in 2007.

Like every business, the 100-employee company does face challenges. Among them: “Regulations, figuring out how to be cutting-edge, new techniques, materials, keeping people educated and trained,” says Grabin.

As for being women in a traditionally male-dominated field, well, that has its advantages. At annual conventions and meetings, “it’s the only place where we don’t have to wait on line to use the restroom!” Tappan says with a chuckle.