10 best pest control companies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, flies, mice and rats are common pests. Taking preventative measures by yourself can help you stop pest issues, but reaching out to a pest control company is best if you notice an existing infestation. Skilled pest control professionals in the Philadelphia area have the knowledge to inspect your home, implement the right treatments and resolve your pest problems.

A pest infestation can lead to damage to your property and pose health risks to you and your family, including your pets. Insects and small animals can cause irreversible damage to your home, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring pest control professionals can significantly minimize the damage from an infestation. They'll determine where pests have nested, and customize a treatment plan that could include blocking access points, using traps or applying chemicals. Once the right solution is applied, pests can be contained for the long haul.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Philadelphia

Look for pest control companies in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?

Different pests invade different places. If you suspect you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in Philadelphia:

• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is frequently scratching, and you notice black dots on its skin. While they don’t live on human skin or hair, fleas do leap up to bite, particularly around your ankles. Fleas are also responsible for a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Mice: If you have mice in your house, you may see one darting through a room or find droppings about the size of a grain of rice. Mice tend to chew on furniture and emit a musky odor. They make their nests from shredded fibers and other found materials. Mice like to nest in tight spaces, so you may hear them rustling in your walls or ceilings.
• Flies: Everyone sees the occasional fly buzzing around their home during the summer months, but if you see significantly more than is normal, there’s a good chance you have an infestation. Flies leave feces that look like clusters of black dots and often appear near kitchen sinks, high shelves and around trash. Another sign of an infestation is the presence of maggots, which are fly larvae, in waste.
• Rats: Signs of a rat infestation include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing scratching in your walls or ceiling. Rats can chew through doors, walls and food packaging to create access points for themselves.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs have flat bodies, no wings and are reddish-brown, looking similar to apple seeds in size and shape. Multi-unit apartments and hotels are usually where you come in contact with them. They spread to your home by attaching to purses, used furniture, backpacks and clothing. They are inactive during the day, concealing themselves in beds and small cracks. At night, they come out to feed. Seeing the bugs themselves or blood smears on your mattress or bedding means you may have an infestation.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches tend to be most active during nighttime and will flee when a light turns on. However, you may see them during the day if there is a serious infestation. They often nest in kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Signs of cockroaches include droppings that look like brown or black specks, brown stains on walls and floors and egg casings. Cockroaches can also carry disease and aggravate respiratory issues.

How can you prevent pests in your Philadelphia 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 mitigate the risk of pests.

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 cracks or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

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

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, tall grass, leaves and standing water offer 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 easiest ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, find out if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen cover your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off entry points will stop insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as small as half an inch wide. Be sure to address gaps in your roof or siding and fix 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 expert that's prepared 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 according to EPA requirements and the laws of relevant states, territories and tribes.

Pennslyvania pest control professionals are required to be licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Division of Health and Safety. They should have earned either a Commercial/Public Applicator License or Registered Technician Certififcation in order to practice.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

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

Pest specialists often suggest recurring treatments, some of which may be limited to the warmer months, while others happen across all seasons. As a proactive measure, they might also recommend preventive treatments every two or three months to stop infestations from developing.

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 nature 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 more 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 decrease within a matter of days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You should be able to remain in your home for some parts of the pest control treatment, such as sealing entry points. If your service professional uses a pesticide, it may take hours to dry, during which time you'll need to be out of the house.

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 stay elsewhere 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 return 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 plants, food and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest control providers offer eco-friendly methods for treating an infestation. This involves using products and techniques that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing areas where pests might get in, trapping rodents and using naturally sourced pesticides.

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 one-time treatment or continued treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the treatments 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.