10 best pest control companies in Houston, Texas

Pests frequently seen in Houston are mosquitos, flies and fleas. While you can try DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation most likely requires a pest control company's help. Qualified pest control professionals in the Houston area have the skills to inspect your home, implement the right treatments and solve your pest problems.

Letting a pest problem go untreated can introduce a variety of risks to you, your loved ones and your pets. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause significant damage to the structure of your home and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can lower these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that could include closing off entryways, using traps or spraying pesticides. The right pest solution can take care of your pest problem for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Houston

Look for pest control companies in Houston 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 Houston?

While pests are everywhere, not all of them infest the same locations. Check for the following indications of common Houston pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer, but if you see a large number, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots around trash, on high shelves and near sink drains. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.
• Mosquitos: Standing water draws mosquitoes, so nearby bodies of water and humid climates increase your infestation chances. Mosquitoes alert you to their presence with a sharp buzzing noise. They're most active at night — biting after sunset. You may not notice their bites initially, but the surrounding skin eventually swells and itches. Mosquitoes are also known to harbor diseases such as West Nile, malaria and dengue fever.
• Bees: Indications of a bee infestation include hearing the sound of buzzing or humming inside your walls, seeing more bees than usual and finding dark smears on your walls. A strange odor may also come from your walls. This happens when mold and fungi grow inside due to bees dying or honey seeping into the walls. Bees can also harm your family and pets, given their stings can cause allergic reactions.
• Rats: Signs of a rat infestation include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats can chew through walls, doors and food packaging to create access points for themselves.
• Ants: Numerous ant species might infest 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 often find their way indoors. Spotting a line of ants in your home means a a larger infestion is nearby.
• 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 tap on it.

How can you prevent pests in your Houston home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are precautions you can take before pests become a problem to keep them at bay.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Insects 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 expert. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

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

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, leaves, standing water and tall grass provide ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard free of debris and well-maintained with mowed grass and trimmed foliage is one of the most straightforward ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, check if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off small entry points will help keep insects and small animals from entering your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as small as half-inch in diameter. Inspect your roof and siding for gaps, and be sure to seal off damaged window frames. Some pest control companies specialize in keeping pests out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control company that's equipped to meet your specific needs, ask these questions.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications in line with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

Texas pest control professionals must register their business and be licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture in order to legally provide pesticide services. They should have earned either a Commercial or Private Applicator License.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist recommends will depend on the pest type, property location, infestation severity and treatment type. Pest control providers generally do not advocate for 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 professionals generally advise ongoing treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others needed 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 takes for your pest problem to go away will vary depending on the infestation nature and extent, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may notice a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring supplementary treatments. On the other hand, you might notice increased activity after the first treatment, as it can force pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should decrease within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to remain 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 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 apply the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to stay at a different location.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional knows the right amount of a product to use, the time needed for it to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the treated location. Before beginning any treatment, your service provider should inform you about what should be removed from the area, including animals, food and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer eco-friendly methods for treating infestations. This means they use products with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, using catch-and-release traps or applying pesticides made from natural ingredients.

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 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.