10 best pest control companies in Jacksonville, Florida

In Jacksonville, you can come across pests such as fleas, flies and snakes. DIY prevention techniques may help your pest problem, but you may need to hire a pest control company for an existing infestation. Licensed pest experts in Jacksonville know how to correctly identify pests, apply suitable treatments and resolve your pest problem.

Pests that invade your property put your home, family and pets at risk. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause long-term damage to your home’s structure and spread disease.

Bringing in exterminators decreases these risks. A technician will identify nesting areas, and create an extermination plan, using methods such as shutting off entry points, capturing pests or spraying chemicals. Once the right solution is implemented, pests can be kept at bay for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Jacksonville

Look for pest control companies in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species differ. If you think you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in Jacksonville:

• Fleas: If your pet is continually itching, and has black specks on its skin, you might have a flea infestation. Although fleas do not live on human skin or hair, they jump up to bite, especially around the ankles. Fleas can spread various diseases, including bubonic plague.
• 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 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 black widow and brown recluse. Both have painful, venomous bites.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but a significant number could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around high shelves, sink drains and trash. Another sign of an infestation is finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Ants: Numerous ant species might nest on your property. Carpenter ants target wood while fire ants go after oily or greasy food residue. Both of these two varieties bite, while pavement ants don't. Pavement ants also frequently make their way indoors. Finding a trail of ants in your home means a larger colony has nested nearby.
• Termites: Termites consume cellulose fibers in wood. You may have a termite infestation if you notice droppings, cracked or bubbling paint, termite swarms or mud tubes. Another sign is if wood sounds hollow when you tap on it.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes in overgrown grass, debris, rock piles and wood. Signs of a snake infestation include the appearance of snake skins and snake eggs. You can test for a snake infestation by laying down some flour where you think a snake lives. If you see trail marks in the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are reddish-brown, wingless, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Often seen in hotels, hospitals and apartment buildings, they hitch a ride on used furniture, clothing, backpacks and purses. They hide in the daytime in beds or cracks and crevices. Then they come out at night. You may have an infestation if you find the bugs themselves or blood smears on mattresses or bedding.

How can you prevent pests in your Jacksonville 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 reduce the risk of infestations.

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

Pests primarily 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, food storage areas and sinks stay clean and sanitized between uses. Get rid of food scraps and other trash regularly, and keep your trash cans and dumpster areas neat.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

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 cracks 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 company 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) oversees the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Additionally, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to have certification following the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

Florida requires pest control technicians to be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Private, Public or Commercial Applicator Licenses are all available through this office.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist suggests will depend on the property location, treatment type, infestation severity and pest 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 difficult to reach.

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 be resolved depends on the type and extent 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 further 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 lessen within a matter of days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can remain 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 services take a particularly long time. During termite fumigation, the pest control company needs to erect a tent around your home for three days to apply the pesticide. You must find alternative accommodations during that time.

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 come back 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 animals, plants and food.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest specialists provide environmentally conscious methods for treating infestations. These companies employ methods that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing entry points for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for 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 one-time treatment 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.