A good pest control company evaluates your type of infestation and recommends safe, effective treatment options within your budget. Be sure to choose a company with experience eliminating the pest you’re most concerned about.
Also, consider what kind of chemicals the company uses, read plenty of reviews, and understand how the billing works before you sign a contract. Even if the company has a good reputation, ask for references and licenses to confirm the information firsthand.
Keep scrolling for our guides to find the best pest control companies in different cities throughout the U.S.
1. Identify the pest you need to get rid of
All kinds of critters like to invade our homes. Rodents tend to come inside during the colder months; insects are more prevalent when it’s warmer outside. Not all pests are created equal, however, and neither are pest control companies.
Some companies specialize in a specific type of pest control (like Terminix for termites). Others position themselves as generalists (like Orkin, which treats bedbugs, ants, spiders, ants, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other common pests) or as the “eco-friendly” solution (like Sunday), or specialize in protection plans to prevent your home or business from infestations in the first place (like Ehrlich). Usually, it’s a good sign if there’s a certified entomologist on staff.
Your technician should assess the severity of your infestation and recommend the best treatment options to eliminate the problem, whether squirrels in the attic or ants in your kitchen.
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2. Consider your environment
Integrated pest management involves monitoring, prevention and common-sense pest control techniques to treat pest problems with minimal risk to property, occupants (especially kids and pets) and the environment.
Some exterminators use pesticides that contain harsh chemicals, such as pyrethrins and pyrethroids. Other companies specialize in more eco-friendly methods to eliminate pests using natural products like boric acid. If you have children or pets, you might consider looking for more natural options.
Technicians often use a combination of toxic substances when infestations are particularly large or hard to treat, while more gentle treatments might be appropriate when infestations are not particularly difficult.
Pest control companies are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and individual states. Local licensing requirements and regulations are typically set by your state’s Department of Agriculture.
For more information, check out the EPA’s “Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety.”
3. Look for guarantees
Many exterminators provide a free inspection and estimate.
If pests come back within a certain amount of time, will technicians come back and do another treatment at no additional cost? If not, you might end up paying more than you thought.
A standard pest control contract will outline the scope of work, agreement length and cancellation terms. It should also explain the policy for re-treatments.
4. Understand how billing works
Pest control costs vary by the severity of the infestation and frequency of service. A one-time visit typically costs between $300 and $550, but it could cost up to $2,000 or more to treat extreme infestations.
Many companies offer recurring services for a set fee to help prevent pest infestations and treat the ones that occur before they become major problems.
You might also consider recurring services, which work like an ongoing subscription. Semiregular services should cost $100 to $300 per visit, according to HomeAdvisor. Many customers who have left reviews on our site appreciate the convenience of scheduled pest control.
“Terminix is on a regular schedule, and it's automatic payment,” a reviewer from Ohio said. “So, I don't really have to worry about those things. They just come out. They give us a heads-up that they're coming out before, and then they come knock on the door and let us know the plan and all that good stuff, and then follow up once they're done.”
Just make sure that you pay attention to the cancellation fees. Even highly rated pest control companies have some negative reviews from customers upset by high cancellation fees when they try to cancel ongoing services.
5. Read pest control company reviews
Some companies have been successful at dealing with infestations for a long time; positive reviews indicate they’ll likely do a good job for you, too.
Look for comments about price transparency, scheduling flexibility and overall customer satisfaction. Avoid companies with few or no positive reviews from customers receiving treatment for the specific pest you need to get rid of.
For example, one reviewer in Connecticut mentioned the company they worked with did an excellent job dealing with flying insects and deer ticks. If reviews mention that a company does a good job on similar problems to yours, that company might be a good candidate for a shortlist of companies to use.
A good pest control company can also serve as an educational resource. A reviewer in North Carolina told us in a phone interview that their pest control technician helped educate them about different snakes in the area: “what they look like, their behaviors, which are venomous, where to look out for them, what to do if I see one. It was good to hear from an expert who is someone that not only sprays homes to prevent snakes BUT also from someone who personally loves and knows A LOT about snakes.”
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