10 best pest control companies in Raleigh, North Carolina

In Raleigh, snakes, bees and flies are common pests. While you can consider DIY removal and prevention methods, an active infestation most likely requires the attention of a pest control company. These licensed pest experts in Raleigh can pinpoint the problem and resolve it safely and effectively.

Letting a pest issue go unchecked can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family members and your pets. Insects and small animals can contaminate your food, cause significant damage to your home and spread disease.

Hiring pest control pros can substantially lower the risk of an infestation. A technician will find nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as sealing entrances, capturing pests or spraying pesticides. Once the right solution is administered, pests can be contained for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Raleigh

Look for pest control companies in Raleigh 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 Raleigh?

Though pests are found everywhere, they don't equally impact the same regions. If you think you have an infestation, here are some indications of common pests in the Raleigh area:

• Bees: An uptick in bees inside or around your home, humming within your walls or dark stains on your walls maysignal a bee infestation. You may also smell an unpleasant odor coming from your walls, which happens as bees die or honey seeps into the walls, leading to mold and fungi growth. Bees can easily harm your family or pets by stinging them and potentially provoking allergic reactions.
• Rats: Signs of rats include seeing a rat, finding droppings about half an inch long or hearing skittering in your walls or ceiling. Rats can chew through doors, food packaging and walls to create access points for themselves.
• Ants: Your home could be infested with various ant types. Carpenter ants nest in wood, while fire ants like greasy food scraps. Both bite, unlike pavement ants, which also frequently infest homes. Ant trails inside your home indicate larger ant nests are nearby.
• Flies: It's common to spot a few flies inside your home in the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave droppings resembling clusters of black dots by drains, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Snakes: Snakes become more active when the weather is warm, nesting among wood, overgrown grass, rock piles and debris. Snake skins and snake eggs indicate an infestation. If you think you might have a snake, sprinkle flour in the suspected areas. If you see trails in the flour, reach out to a pest control service immediately.
• Mosquitos: Standing water attracts mosquitoes, so nearby bodies of water and humid climates increase your infestation chances. Mosquitoes alert you to their presence with a distinctive buzzing noise. They're nocturnal — biting after sunset. You may not notice their bites initially, but the surrounding skin eventually becomes itchy and swollen. Mosquitoes are also known to harbor diseases such as dengue fever, West Nile and malaria.

How can you prevent pests in your Raleigh home?

A full-blown infestation probably needs professional intervention. However, there are precautions you can take before pests become a problem to to keep them from infesting your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause significant damage to your home and health if not addressed swiftly. Talk to a pest control expert about preventative measures to stop pests from entering your living space. Their recommendations may include sealing off cracks and holes, placing traps or applying pesticides around the area.

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 sinks, food storage areas and counters 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

Pests can take refuge in trash, leaves, tall grass and standing water in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clear of debris and properly maintained with a neatly trimmed lawn 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

Sealing off small access points will prevent insects and small animals from coming inside. Rats, for example, can squeeze into holes as tiny as half an inch in diameter. Don't neglect cracks 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 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) 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.

Professionals using pesticides in North Carolina must earn a Commercial Ground Applicator, Public Ground Operator, Private Applicator or Aerial Applicator License issued by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment plan a pest professional suggests will vary based on the location of the property, the specific treatment method, the particular pest type and the severity of the infestation. In most cases, pest control companies advise against relying on a single treatment to get rid of household pests, as there will likely be insects at various stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hidden locations.

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?

The time needed to treat your pest problem will vary based on the type and extent of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may notice less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting additional treatments. Alternatively, you may see more activity following the first treatment, as it can drive pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should subside within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home during certain portions of the pest control process, such as when holes and cracks are being 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.

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 release 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 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 plants, food and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Certain pest treatment companies provide environmentally friendly methods for managing an infestation. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing areas where pests might get in, using humane traps for 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 single treatment or ongoing 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.