10 best pest control companies in Charlotte, North Carolina

Common pests such as snakes, fleas and flies can easily invade living spaces in Charlotte. While you can try DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation most likely requires a pest control company's help. Experienced pest exterminators in the Charlotte area have the expertise to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

Letting a pest problem go unchecked can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause permanent damage to your home, contaminate your food and spread disease.

A professional pest control company can lower these risks. A technician will find nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as sealing entrances, capturing pests or applying chemicals. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest problem for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Charlotte

Look for pest control companies in Charlotte 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 Charlotte?

Different pests invade different places. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in Charlotte:

• Ants: Numerous ant species might invade your property. Carpenter ants target wood while fire ants go after oily or greasy food debris. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also frequently find their way indoors. Finding a trail of ants in your home means a a larger infestion is nearby.
• Beetles: Several beetle varieties can invade homes and damage your home and belongings. Carpet beetles can destroy bedding, upholstered furniture and carpets, while biscuit beetles get into spices, rice, pasta, seeds and beans. Beetles are generally harmless as they don't bite or spread disease, but they can cause allergic reactions in some people.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during warmer seasons, nesting among wood, debris, rock piles and overgrown grass. Shed snake skins and snake eggs point to infestations. To test if you have a snake infestation, sprinkle flour on the ground where you suspect they're nesting. If you see snake trails in the flour, you know it's time to contact a pest control company.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one running out of the corner of your eye or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to gnaw on furniture and emit a musky smell. They make their nests from gathered bits and torn fibers. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them in your walls or ceilings.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear humming inside your walls, notice a surge in bee activity either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. An odd smell coming from your walls is another sign of a bee infestation, as bees dying or honey seeping into the walls can lead to mold or fungi. Bees are also a risk to your family and pets in that their stings can provoke serious allergic reactions.
• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is frequently scratching, and you notice black dots on its skin. While they don’t live on human skin or hair, fleas do leap up to bite, particularly around your ankles. Fleas are also responsible for a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Moths: Clothes moths and pantry moths often invade homes. Clothes moths consume wool and cotton garments, leaving trenches, silky furrows, tunnels and small tubes behind, which are larvae casings. Pantry moths make tiny openings in plastic food bags and leave a web-like material in the corners of your pantry. Fermented sugar, ripe fruit and light all attract moths.

How can you prevent pests in your Charlotte 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

Bugs and small animals can cause serious issues for your home and health when left unchecked. The best way to stop these infestations before they start is to work with a pest control company. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Pests mainly seek food, so making food hard to reach will keep them on their way. Keep food a minimum of half a foot off the floor and a bit away from the walls. Always ensure counters, sinks and food storage areas stay clean and disinfected between uses. Get rid of food scraps and other trash regularly, and keep your trash cans and dumpster areas clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can take refuge in tall grass, trash, leaves and standing water in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clean and properly maintained with cut 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 small openings will stop insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as little as a half-inch wide. Be sure to address gaps in your roof or siding and seal damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on keeping pests out and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control provider, ask the following questions to verify they have the expertise to handle your unique situation.

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 following EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

Professionals using pesticides in North Carolina must earn a Commercial Ground Applicator, Public Ground Operator, Private Applicator or Aerial Applicator License issued by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist recommends will depend on the pest type, infestation severity, property location and treatment type. Pest control providers generally do not recommend getting a single treatment to rid a home of pests, as insects are often at different points in their life cycle, and can lay eggs in areas that are hard to access.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are year-round. They may also suggest bimonthly or quarterly preventative treatments to stop an infestation before it starts.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time it will take for your pest issue to go away depends on the nature and severity of the infestation as well as the pest's life cycle. After your home's initial treatment, you might notice a decrease in activity, but pests may reemerge after hatching, requiring additional treatments. Conversely, you could see a surge in activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should subside within a matter of 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 entry points. 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 can typically take a few hours.

Some pest control services can be particularly lengthy. During termite fumigation, the pest control professional must set up a tent around your home for three days to release the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to stay at a hotel or with friends or family.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A skilled service technician has the knowledge to determine the appropriate amount of product to apply, the drying time required and when it is safe for children and pets to re-enter the treated space. Before administering any treatment, they should instruct you on which items such as plants, food and animals must be taken out of the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest exterminators provide green solutions for addressing an infestation. This involves using products that don't impact the environment as much as conventional chemical approaches. Examples include sealing areas where pests can enter, 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 one-time treatment or ongoing treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the packages they offer.

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.