10 best pest control companies in Chicago, Illinois

Pests commonly encountered in Chicago are rats, spiders and flies. Taking preventative measures by yourself can help you prevent pest issues, but calling a pest control company is advisable if you spot signs of an existing infestation. Qualified pest experts in the Chicago area have the skills to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

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

A licensed pest control company can lower these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create custom treatment plans that may include closing off cracks, using traps or spraying chemicals. When the proper fixes are implemented, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Chicago

Look for pest control companies in Chicago 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 Chicago?

Different pests invade different regions. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in Chicago:

• Bees: Indications of a bee infestation include finding dark smears on your walls, hearing the sound of buzzing or humming inside your walls and seeing more bees than usual. A strange odor may also come from your walls. This happens when mold and fungi grow inside due to honey seeping into the walls or bees dying. Bees can also harm your family and pets, given their stings can cause allergic reactions.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and scatter when you switch a light on. With a serious infestation, however, you may see them during the day. Their nesting spots tend to be in kitchens, basements and bathrooms. Cockroaches often leave brown stains on walls and floors, droppings that look like brown or black specks and egg casings. They can spread disease and worsen respiratory issues and allergies.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is if you notice a increasing amount of spiderwebs in your home. Other telltale signs include visible egg sacs and lots of other insects, which spiders like to feed on. Most spiders in homes are not dangerous, except for the brown recluse and black widow. Both have painful, venomous bites.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless insects about the size and shape of apple seeds. They have a reddish-brown flat appearance. Apartment buildings and hotels can harbor them and follow you home by getting into secondhand furniture, purses, clothing and backpacks. They take refuge in beds and couches by day, then come out at night. If you spot the insects themselves or find bloody marks on your bedding or mattress, you may have a bed bug infestation.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but more flies than normal could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around trash, high shelves and sink drains. Another sign of an infestation is seeing maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.

How can you prevent pests in your Chicago home?

Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, but a good defense is always the best offense. While an infestation usually requires professional help, there are steps you can take on your own to mitigate the risk of pests.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are disruptive and can cause extensive damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control professional about taking proactive measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing gaps, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are often in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will deter them from settling in. Store food at least six inches above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure sinks, food storage areas and counters are kept clean and disinfected when not being used. Quickly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Tall grass, standing water, leaves and trash create ideal habitats for insects and small animals. Maintaining a debris-free yard and regularly mowing your lawn and trimming foliage are among the easiest ways to prevent an infestation from taking hold. Should you need expert lawn care assistance, look into whether national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your location.

Seal off pest entrances

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

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To find a pest control service with the proper qualifications for your individual needs, ask the following questions during the hiring process.

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.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is the governing body that provides licenses to pest control professionals servicing Illinois. Pesticide applicators should have a Commercial Applicator's License to work in the state.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest control specialist will recommend a treatment schedule based on the location of your property, type of pest, type of treatment and severity of the infestation. Pest control companies typically discourage a single-treatment approach, as insects are frequently at various stages of their life cycles and may have laid eggs in hard-to-find spots.

Pest professionals generally advise continuous treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others occurring 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 be resolved depends on the infestation type and severity 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 supplementary treatments. You may also find increased activity after the first treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding places. Luckily, this should decrease within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay in your home for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing up entry points. But if a pesticide is used, it may need hours to dry completely, and you'll have to stay in another location while it dries.

Certain treatments can be especially time-consuming like termite fumigation. The pest control provider erects a tent around your home, which is left in place for three days to release the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to stay elsewhere.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A professional will understand the proper amount of a product to apply, the duration necessary for it to dry, and when it is safe for children and pets to come back to the treated area. Your pest control provider should let you know what items you must clear from the space such as plants, food and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest exterminators provide green solutions for treating an infestation. This means they use techniques with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing areas where pests might get in, trapping rodents and using pesticides derived from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place to protect you if pests return before a predetermined date. These companies may offer a single service or ongoing treatment to tackle a recurring pest problem. Be sure to discuss the available options with your provider.

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.