Our team analyzed pest control companies nationwide and found that Terminix offers the most affordable pest control plans, while Orkin provides the most comprehensive wildlife management services.
Although every pest issue is unique, full-service pest control companies are better equipped to handle problems more efficiently than a DIY approach, which can take almost 40 days to resolve.
Our top choices for pest control companies
Here, the five best pest control companies to help you get rid of mice, ants, roaches and all the other creepy crawlies.
Compare top pest control companies
We chose Terminix as our top pest control company due to its integrated pest management solutions, its convenient online chat feature and certifications with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP). Other top choices include Orkin and Ehrlich Pest Control. These companies also hold certifications with the NPMA and PESP, and provide residential and commercial pest control.
The table below highlights key factors to consider when shopping for a pest control company.
Our team used a 1,652-square-foot, single-family home in Sacramento, California, with a 7,000-square-foot lot size to obtain pricing information for all providers except Ehrlich. For our Ehrlich quote, we used a 1,521-square-foot, single-family home with a 6,000-square-foot lot in Hamden, Connecticut. Your pricing will vary based on location, home and lot size, pest issue and service requests.
Best pest control companies
We rated the following pest control companies by analyzing their service plans, pricing structure, treatment frequency, service guarantees and customer service.
Best of the rest
The following companies didn’t make our list of the top pest control companies due to a lack of QualityPro and GreenPro certifications, fewer states serviced and less comprehensive pest control solutions. However, they are worth considering if you are on a budget or require treatment for common pest issues.
Making an informed choice: A guide to pest control services
You should consider multiple factors before choosing a pest control company that can tackle your specific issue. According to Craig Sansig, a Viking Pest Control service director and Entomological Society of America-certified entomologist, you should ask if the pest company you’re considering is licensed and insured, has certifications with national associations such as the NPMA and has experience dealing with your specific pest. “If they’re able to speak to that on a highly educated level, you could feel confident that you’re getting somebody that’s going to control your pest problem and do it in a way that’s safe for you and the environment,” he added.
If they’re able to speak to that on a highly educated level, you could feel confident that you’re getting somebody that’s going to control your pest problem and do it in a way that’s safe for you and the environment
Craig Sansig
Below are additional key factors to consider when shopping for a pest control professional.
DIY vs. full-service pest control
By far, DIY pest control was the most popular method the homeowners we surveyed chose to use for their most recent pest infestation — 46% of the 1,000. The next most popular method was hiring a full-service pest control company; 34% of respondents chose this method. However, how do you know which method is best for your situation?
The pest type and infestation size are key factors in determining whether to handle the pest issue yourself or hire a professional, Sansig said. “Any new infestation is easier to control and requires less pesticide and generally less knowledge of the pest because it’s localized,” he added.
However, Sansig cautioned handling pests with pesticide products since many pesticides you purchase in retail stores have strict application requirements. “Improper use could have negative environmental impacts,” he said.
Sansig further emphasized that understanding what you’re doing while performing pest control is the difference between hiring a professional and doing it yourself.
How much does pest control cost?
According to our survey results, an annual plan from a full-service pest control company costs an average of $465. Respondents reported paying an average of $234 for a single treatment from pest control companies.
The cost of a single pest treatment or a comprehensive plan depends on several factors, such as your home’s location, its square footage and lot size, the pests involved and the infestation’s severity. Below is a pricing breakdown of the average cost pest control companies charge per pest type based on our survey respondents’ reported costs. Your cost may vary.
Pest Types | Average Cost |
---|---|
Ants | $185 |
Bed bugs | $375 |
Cockroaches | $206 |
Fleas | $221 |
Mosquitoes | $149 |
Rodents (such as mice and rats) | $329 |
Silverfish | $208 |
Stinging insects (such as bees and wasps) | $193 |
Termites | $299 |
Wildlife (such as moles and raccoons) | $204 |
What are service guarantees?
Generally, pest control companies offer service guarantees for the pest treatments they apply. These service guarantees stipulate that the company will reservice your home free of charge if its pest treatments don’t eliminate your unwanted pests within a certain period. Many companies take this guarantee further and offer a money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the service — usually within 30 days.
However, we recommend reading the pest company’s terms and conditions to confirm if its service guarantee applies to your treatment type. Some companies only provide a reservice guarantee for treatments performed under a dedicated treatment plan rather than a single service. Knowing where you stand can help you avoid an issue in the future.
How do you choose the best pest control company?
Pest control services are an investment that requires some thought before hiring a professional. Below are some tips on what to consider when choosing the best pest control company for your needs.
Assess your pest situation
First, figure out the type of pest and the severity of the pest problem you have. For example, if you have a rodent problem, you should inspect areas around your home where rodents may frequent, such as your attic or garage. Telltale signs that you have a rodent problem include gnaw and rub marks around your walls, as well as rodent droppings, according to Pestworld, the consumer education division of the NPMA.
Next, determine if your pest issue is manageable. Try sealing off areas in your home that can let your pest enter, or leave traps that can capture them. If you still have a pest problem after performing multiple pest control techniques, it is likely time to hire a professional.
Look for red flags
Before hiring a pest control company, we highly recommend verifying if the company has any reputation issues. Generally speaking, common red flags are a lack of insurance or state licensing to perform pest control treatments, poor customer reviews across three or more third-party websites and little to no certifications. You can check your state’s Department of Agriculture’s license database to verify if the company you’re considering has the required licensing.
In addition, we suggest determining the service guarantee offered by the company. Avoid companies that don’t list a service guarantee or place unnecessary stipulations. For example, watch out for companies that only treat the outside of your home unless you specify you need interior treatment.
Ask questions
Many homeowners overlook the importance of asking pest control companies specific questions. For instance, inquire about the treatment methodology to get insight into whether or not the company can meet your expectations.
Here’s a list of additional questions to ask a pest control company before hiring them:
- Are you licensed and insured? Confirming that the company has the required licensing and insurance policies in place ensures that it has additional expertise and protection should something go wrong.
- What type of service guarantee do you offer? Many companies offer a service guarantee, but what does it entail? Ask what steps the company takes to re-treat your home if its initial treatment was ineffective.
- What type of experience do you have treating this pest? Confirm that the company has expertise and experience in eliminating your pest issue. Ask them to provide examples of how they classify pests and apply treatments.
- How do you perform your treatments? Understanding how the company applies the various treatments can help you gauge whether the treatments will succeed. Ask about their treatment philosophy. Do they rely heavily on pesticides? Do they focus on bait and trap methods?
- Are your treatments safe? This question is especially important if you have pets or small children since many pest treatments can harm humans. Understand the treatment application methods and whether they are safe if children and pets come into contact with the treatment or are in close proximity.
- How long is the service agreement? Confirming the time period of a pest control plan can minimize the headache of having to cancel before the contract expires. Many companies have an automatic billing function that’ll charge the card on file once a service is completed or annual renewal occurs.
How often do you need pest control services?
Generally speaking, the number of pest control services you need largely depends on the pest type and infestation size. Most companies offer treatment plans to continuously treat your pest issue until it’s eradicated. Small ant infestations may only require a single treatment, whereas a flea outbreak may require a multistep application plan with multiple visits.
Final take: Keep out unwanted critters and prevent future outbreaks with a professional pest control company
Terminix and Orkin are our top choices for pest control due to their expansive pest expertise and comprehensive treatment plans. Terminix is a great choice if you’re on a budget; Orkin makes sense if you need specialized pest control services.
You can always attempt to remove pests yourself. However, our survey results indicate that pest control companies are more successful in eliminating pests, with 98% of respondents who hired a pest control company reporting that their issue was resolved successfully, compared with an 88% success rate for homeowners who eliminated pests themselves. However, you’ll likely spend more money hiring a pest control company.
Therefore, we recommend requesting quotes from three pest control providers to compare services, plan options and costs.
Our rating methodology for pest control companies
We researched pest control companies to help you choose the best brand for your budget and pest issues. The best pest control companies offer single and comprehensive treatment plans, are certified, hold solid customer ratings and are available nationwide.
We rated companies using our comprehensive methodology. We scored them out of 100 points on their treatment plans, safety, customer service and guarantees. We then divided their scores by 20 to arrive at the 5-star ratings you see in our recommendations.
BBB, Trustpilot and Google Reviews are accurate as of March 2024.
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