10 best pest control companies in New York City, New York

In New York City, rats, bed bugs and mice are a regular cause of issues. Taking preventative measures by yourself can help you stop pest problems, but contacting a pest control company is recommended if you spot signs of an existing infestation. A professional pest control service in New York City can pinpoint, address and resolve your pest problems.

A pest infestation can lead to property damage and pose health risks to you and your loved ones, including your pets. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage your home's structure and contaminate food.

Hiring a professional pest control company can lower these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that may include sealing gaps, using traps or spraying chemicals. When the proper fixes are put in place, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in New York City

Look for pest control companies in New York City 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 New York City?

While pests are everywhere, the hot spots for different species differ. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in New York City:

• Rats: Signs of a rat problem include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats can nibble through doors, food packaging and walls to create more entry points for themselves.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are wingless, reddish-brown, flat insects about the size of apple seeds. Commonly seen in hotels, apartment complexes and hospitals, they get into homes through secondhand furniture, purses, backpacks and clothing. They conceal themselves during the day in beds or cracks and crevices. Then they come out at night. You may have an infestation if you see the bugs themselves or bloody marks on mattresses or bedding.
• Bees: Signs of a bee infestation include seeing more bees than usual, finding dark smears on your walls and hearing the sound of buzzing or humming inside your walls. 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, as their stings can cause allergic reactions.
• Mice: Mice that have gotten into your house might dart past you unexpectedly or leave rice grain-sized droppings. Mice characteristically give off a distinct musky smell and damage household items by chewing through them. They build nests from found materials and shredded fiber. As mice prefer tight spaces, you may hear noises inside your walls or ceiling.
• Flies: Flies often buzz around homes in the summer, but a noticeable increase could mean an infestation. Fly droppings look like black specks and are often found in around trash, sink drains and high shelves. Another sign of an infestation is seeing maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Spiders: A growing number of spiderwebs in your home is the clearest sign of a spider infestation. Plenty of insects in the area for spider food and the presence of egg sacs are some more signs you may have a spider problem. Most spiders you may find in your home are harmless, with the exception of the black widow and brown recluse. Both are venemous and can deliver painful bites that require medical attention.

How can you prevent pests in your New York City home?

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

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 service about taking preemptive 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

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, sinks and food storage areas 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

Insects, snakes, and small animals can take refuge in leaves, standing water, trash and tall grass in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard debris-free and properly maintained with cut grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, check if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off entry points will discourage insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for instance, can squeeze into holes as tiny as a half-inch in diameter. Don't neglect holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal up broken window frames. Some pest control services specialize in blocking pests.

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?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates 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.

Pest control professionals servicing New York are required to have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Technician License in order to legally practice. These licenses are issued by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

A pest expert's recommended treatment frequency will be determined by factors such as the treatment type, pest type, property location and infestation severity. Generally, pest control professionals do not recommend only a single treatment, since insects are often at different stages of their life cycle, and may have laid eggs in difficult-to-reach places.

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 needed to solve your pest problem will vary based on the type and severity of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may see less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting further treatments. Alternatively, you may notice more pests following the first treatment, as it can force pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should taper off within a few 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 while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This typically takes a few hours.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company erects a tent over your entire home for three days to apply the pesticide. You'll have to vacate your home during this process.

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 tell you what items you must clear from the space such as plants, animals and food before beginning the treatment.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

A number of pest specialists provide green solutions for addressing an infestation. These companies employ techniques 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?

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.