10 best pest control companies in Irvine, California

Pests commonly seen in Irvine are flies, rats and cockroaches. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation most likely requires a pest control expert's help. Experienced pest specialists in the Irvine area have the expertise to inspect your home, apply the right treatments and resolve your pest problems.

Pest infestations pose risks to your home and loved ones. Insects and small animals can pass on disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Hiring pest control professionals can significantly reduce the damage from an infestation. A pest professional will identify infestations and treat them with a range of methods, from plugging holes to using traps or pesticides. 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 Irvine

Look for pest control companies in Irvine 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 Irvine?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally affect the same regions. Check for these signs of common Irvine pests to determine whether you have an infestation:

• Flies: Everyone sees the occasional fly buzzing around their home during the summer months, but if you see more than usual, there’s a good chance you have an infestation. Flies leave feces that look like clusters of black dots and often appear near sink drains, high shelves and around trash. Another sign of an infestation is seeing maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Rats: Signs of rats include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scurrying in your walls or ceiling. Rats also create access points for themselves by chewing through walls, doors and food packaging.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can infest your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, while fire ants like oily food scraps. Both types sting, unlike pavement ants, which can also commonly make their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it indicates a larger infestation nearby.
• Beetles: Different kinds of beetle breeds can invade homes. Carpet beetles eat the natural fibers in carpets, bedding and upholstered furniture. Biscuit beetles infest grains, spices, beans, pasta, seeds and rice. Beetles are generally harmless to your health, but some may cause allergic reactions.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless insects about the size and shape of apple seeds. They have a reddish-brown flat appearance. Multi-unit apartments and hotels can harbor them and follow you home by getting into used furniture, clothing, purses and backpacks. They hide in beds and sleeping areas by day, then bite at night. If you see the insects themselves or find blood stains on your bedding or mattress, you may have a bed bug infestation.
• Mosquitos: If you live in a wet climate or have large bodies of water nearby, you're at a higher risk for a mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water and become more active at night. As the sun sets, you'll hear a buzzing noise that notifies you of their presence. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but later on you'll find red, swollen spots. Mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases including malaria, West Nile and dengue fever.
• Termites: Termites consume cellulose fibers in wood. You may have a termite infestation if you notice mud tubes, termite swarms, cracked or bubbling paint or droppings. Another sign is if wood sounds hollow when you tap on it.

How can you prevent pests in your Irvine home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be challenging, so preventative measures are the most effective way to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can implement the following measures to keep pests out before they make their way into your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

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

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

As pests are commonly looking for food, making food difficult to access will discourage them from sticking around. Food should be a minimum of six inches off the floor and a small distance away from the walls. Make sure to keep counters, sinks and food storage areas clean and disinfected when not in use, and dispose of food scraps and other trash consistently. Maintain the areas around your trash cans and dumpsters.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off ways will prevent 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 repair damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on pest exclusion services and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control company that's qualified 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) oversees the use of pest control chemicals. Moreover, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to hold certifications consistent with the agency's standards and the laws of the affected states, territories and tribes.

A Qualified Applicator License or Applicator Certificate issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation is required for pest control technicians to practice in California.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist recommends will depend on the treatment type, property location, pest type and infestation severity. Pest control services 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 professionals generally advise ongoing 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?

The time it will take for your pest problem to be resolved depends on the type 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 force 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 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 several hours to dry, and you'll have to vacate your home 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 apply the pesticide. During this period, you'll need to find alternative accommodations.

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 animals, plants and food must be taken out of the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer eco-friendly methods for managing an infestation. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples include sealing entry points where pests can enter, setting humane traps for rodents or using pesticides made from organic materials.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control providers offer guarantees and warranties should pests reappear before a specified date. Some companies may provide a one-time solution, while others offer ongoing treatments to address recurring pest issues. Discuss the options available with your service professional.

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.