10 best pest control companies in Los Angeles, California

In Los Angeles, you may face pests such as flies, snakes and bees. DIY prevention techniques may improve your pest issue, but you may need to bring in a pest control company for an existing infestation. A professional pest control service in Los Angeles can safely pinpoint, treat and solve your pest problems.

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

Hiring a professional pest control company can reduce these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that could include closing off cracks, using traps or applying chemicals. 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 Los Angeles

Look for pest control companies in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?

While pests are all over, not all of them infest the same regions. Here are some signs of common pests in the Los Angeles area.

• Fleas: If you notice your pet has black flecks on its skin and it's frequently scratching itself, you may have a flea problem. Although fleas can't live on human skin or hair, if you have an infestation, you'll often find red, itchy marks near your feet and ankles from them leaping up and biting. Fleas also transmit disease, such as the bubonic plague.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might scurry by briefly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a musky smell and damage household items by gnawing through them. They build nests from scavenged materials and torn fibers. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear scratching sounds inside your walls or ceiling.
• Rats: If you hear scratching in your walls or ceiling or find droppings about half an inch long, you may have a rat problem. Rats nibble through walls, doors and food bags, forming entryways for themselves.
• Flies: It's normal to find the occasional fly buzzing around your home during the summer, but if you see a significant number, you could have an infestation. Flies leave waste that looks like clusters of black dots around trash, near sink drains and on high shelves. The presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in trash or other food waste also suggests an infestation.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches come out at night and scatter when you switch a light on. With a major infestation, however, you may see them during the day. Their nesting spots tend to be in basements, bathrooms and kitchens. Cockroaches often leave egg casings, brown stains on walls and floors and droppings that look like brown or black specks. They can spread disease and worsen allergies and respiratory issues.

How can you prevent pests in your Los Angeles home?

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

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

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

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

Keep up with yard maintenance

Insects and small animals can hide in trash, standing water, tall grass and leaves. Keeping your yard clear of debris and your lawn and foliage well-maintained is one of the simplest ways to stop an infestation before it starts. If professional lawn maintenance is needed, find out if national lawn care services such as TruGreen are available in your region.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off small entrances will help keep insects and small animals from invading your home. Rats can maneuver through holes as little 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 pest exclusion.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

To ensure you hire a pest control professional that's prepared 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 according to 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 plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the severity of the infestation, the specific treatment method, the location of the property and the particular pest type. In most cases, pest control services advise against relying on a single treatment to get rid of household pests, as there will likely be insects at different stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hard-to-spot areas.

Pest pros typically suggest recurring treatments, some of which may only occur during the warmer months, while others are carried out in all seasons. 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?

How long it takes for your pest issue to disappear 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 further treatments. On the other hand, you might notice increased activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests out of hiding. Fortunately, this should get better within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when entry points are sealed. However, if your service technician applies a pesticide, it might take several hours to dry, and you'll need to leave the house during this period.

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 find alternative accommodations.

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 remove from the space such as plants, food and animals before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest specialists provide green solutions for treating an infestation. These companies employ products that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing off areas 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?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place if pests return before a certain date. Companies may offer a single treatment or ongoing treatments to resolve a stubborn pest problem. Ask your service provider what options 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.