10 best pest control companies in Baltimore, Maryland

Pests commonly seen in Baltimore are rats, mice and flies. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest issue, but you may need to hire a pest control company for an existing infestation. Qualified pest control professionals in Baltimore know how to accurately identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

Pests that infest your property put your home, family and pets at risk. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring pest control professionals can significantly lower the risk of an infestation. A pest professional will spot infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from plugging holes to using traps or chemicals. Once the right solution is implemented, pests can be kept in check for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Baltimore

Look for pest control companies in Baltimore with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.

What are common pests in Baltimore?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species vary. The following pests are common in the Baltimore area, and these are some signs of an infestation:

• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear scratching in your walls or ceiling, you may have a rat problem. Rats nibble through doors, food bags and walls, forming access points for themselves.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart by quickly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a noticeable musky smell and damage household items by gnawing through them. They build nests from found materials and shredded fiber. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear rustling inside your walls or ceiling.
• Termites: Termites feed on cellulose fibers found in wood. Signs of an infestation include termite swarms, mud tubes, droppings, cracked or bubbling paint and wood that emits a hollow sound when you knock on it.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes among rock piles, wood, debris and areas withovergrown grass. Signs of a snake infestation include the appearance of snake skins and snake eggs. You can test for a snake infestation by pouring some flour out where you think a snake lives. If you see trail marks in the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Fleas: If you notice your pet has black flecks on its skin and it's constantly scratching itself, you may have a flea problem. Although fleas can't live on human skin or hair, if you have an infestation, you'll often find red, itchy marks near your feet and ankles from them jumping up and biting. Fleas also transmit disease, such as the bubonic plague.
• Ticks: Though ticks typically stay close to the ground outside, they can enter your home via shoes, clothing or pets. Inside, female ticks lay eggs in carpet fibers, in upholstery or on curtains. Nests may also be hidden in corners, in the lining or pockets of clothing and along baseboards.
• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer months, but if you see a large number, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots near sink drains, on high shelves and around trash. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.

How can you prevent pests in your Baltimore home?

While an infestation will typically require professional extermination, the best way to avoid pest infestations is to take preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, insects and vermin can significantly harm your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control professional to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal cracks or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Because pests commonly seek out food sources, limiting their food access will discourage them from infesting your home. Place food at least six inches above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep food storage areas, counters and sinks clean and disinfected when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage consistently, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in tall grass, leaves, standing water and trash in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard debris-free and properly maintained with mowed grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, find out if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen operate in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off access points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just a half-inch in diameter. Repair holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest exclusion services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to ensure you get a pest control expert that can meet your specific needs.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors pest control chemical use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. In addition, restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified in accordance with EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

Maryland requires pest control professionals to get a Pesticide Applicator License from the Maryland Department of Agriculture in order to provide services.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will depend on factors such as the treatment type, infestation severity, pest type and property location. Generally, pest control providers do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different stages of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in difficult-to-reach places.

Pest professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others happening year-round. Preventative measures may also be recommended to stop infestations before they begin.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it will take for your pest problem to disappear depends on the type and severity of the infestation and the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may see a decrease in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring more treatments. You may also notice increased activity after the first treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding places. Luckily, this should taper off within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay in your home for certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing holes and cracks. Should your service provider use a pesticide, you'll most likely need to leave your home along with your family and pets while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This typically takes a few hours.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company sets up a tent over your entire home for three days to apply the pesticide. You'll have to find another place to stay during this process.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A service professional will know how much of a particular product to use, how long it takes to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the area that's been treated. Before applying any treatment, they should educate you on what you must remove from the affected space, such as food, plants and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest management companies offer green solutions for managing an infestation. This involves using products that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing areas where pests can enter, humanely trapping rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control companies provide guarantees and warranties in the event that pests reappear before a specific date. To resolve a returning pest issue, specialists may offer a single treatment or continued treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the options available.

Our methodology for selecting pest control companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score. We review national pest control companies against our full pest control methodology. We score pest control companies based on service options, safety and certifications, service guarantees and customer service.