The Best Pest Control Companies of 2024
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Few problems are more stressful for homeowners than dealing with pests. Pests can damage your home, contaminate your food, and even impact your health. The best way to completely remove pests from your home is by signing up with a professional pest control company.
We’ve researched every major provider to help you find the best pest control company. We’ve read each company’s plans, combed through customer reviews, interviewed experts, and secret-shopped pest control treatments. Below, we’ll share our findings and explain why we believe Terminix to be the best pest control company.
Key Takeaways
- Terminix offers the best overall pest control and industry-leading termite removal treatments. It backs its treatments with an impressive warranty.
- Orkin has top coverage for different pest types. It offers customized plans and covers the widest array of pests out of every company we’ve reviewed.
- Our research shows average pest control on a standard 2,000-square-foot home costs between $300 and $550.
See our list of top pest control companies based on in-depth research.
Select the company that best meets your needs.
Get a free, no-obligation quote for your home.
Who Is the Best Pest Control Company?
We recommend Terminix as the best pest control company. It offers an impressive selection of general and specialty pest control plans. Its general pest control plan covers 19 common household pests, such as spiders, wasps, ants, rodents, and cockroaches. This plan costs $249 for a one-time treatment or $119 annually.
Terminix also offers industry-learning termite removal services. It has several levels of termite removal: basic, advanced, and premium. Terminix offers a proper warranty on its termite removal services. Most other companies only provide a re-treat guarantee. Terminix’s Nix and Fix Guarantee promises to repair the damage up to $25,000 if termites return and damage your home.
The Best Pest Control Companies in 2024
- Best for Termite Control: Terminix
- Best General Pest Control: Orkin
- Best for Mosquito Control: Hawx
- Best Supplementary Services: J.C. Ehrlich
- Best for Custom Plans: Aptive
How Do The Top Pest Control Companies Compare?
| Star Rating | BBB Rating | Phone | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terminix |  | A | 866-569-4035 | GET ESTIMATE | |
| Orkin |  | A+ | 877-868-1416 | GET ESTIMATE | |
| Hawx |  | B | 818-273-1741 | GET ESTIMATE | |
| J.C. Ehrlich |  | A+ | 866-694-7028 | GET ESTIMATE | |
| Aptive |  | B+ | 844-573-7111 | GET ESTIMATE |
| Terminix | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Phone | 866-569-4035 |
| Orkin | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Phone | 877-868-1416 |
| Hawx | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Phone | 818-273-1741 |
| J.C. Ehrlich | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Phone | 866-694-7028 |
| Aptive | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B+ |
| Phone | 844-573-7111 |
What Are Signs You Need Pest Control?
Pests can disturb your home life and damage your property. Spotting pests before they become an infestation is essential to minimizing the stress and damage they inflict. Here are some common signs you might need to contact a pest control company:
- Damaged cardboard or paper food containers
- Dark streaks on walls, floorboards, or trim
- Dead insects
- Discarded wings
- Droppings or frass (small sawdust-like piles)
- Egg casings
- Foul smells
- Gnaw marks
- Scratching or rustling sounds coming from walls
Our Review of the Best Pest Control Companies
Having a pest control company to help you maintain a pest-free home is crucial in preventing damage to your property and avoiding health risks associated with pests. These companies offer a variety of services to keep your home safe from pests such as rodents, termites, and bed bugs. Here are our top picks for the best professional pest control companies:
Terminix
Best for Termite Control
Orkin
Best General Pest Control
Hawx
Best for Mosquito Control
J.C. Ehrlich
Best Supplementary Services
Aptive
Best for Custom Plans
What Is the Average Cost of Pest Control Service?
According to our sample quotes, the average cost for general pest control for a 2,000-square-foot home is $300–$550. However, this might not be applicable in all cases. The cost of pest control depends on a variety of factors, including the type of pest you’re dealing with, the degree of infestation, the number of treatments you need, and your home size.
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing the Right Pest Control?
Not all pest control companies cover every kind of pest. We recommend considering your pest infestation type when selecting a company. We cover this and other important factors to consider below:
Type of Pests
Perhaps the most important factor is which pests you want protection from. Many pest control companies offer treatment plans for common pests (such as ants and spiders) but lack coverage for more difficult-to-remove critters. Removing pests such as termites, ticks, bats, and fleas typically requires specialty treatments not included in standard plans. Some pest control companies don’t offer treatments for these kinds of pests at all.
Pest Control Costs
Your budget is key, and pest control costs can vary wildly from company to company. It’s always a good idea to shop around for several quotes before making a final decision.
Pest control companies might give you a general estimate over the phone, but they’ll need to do an in-home inspection to give you the most accurate quote. It’s also important to research the billing process. Some providers offer one-time payments, while others follow a standardized billing cycle.
Each pest control company’s plans are unique, so costs will vary among providers. The following factors determine what you’ll pay:
- Pest type: Some pests are more difficult to eliminate than others or require specialty treatments.
- Degree of pest infestation: Serious infestations will cost more to resolve than a smaller pest population.
- Number of treatments: If you need several pest control treatments, it will cost more than one standard treatment.
- Property size: The larger your property, the more you’ll have to pay for pest control services.
Plan Schedules
You can typically choose how often a pest control company will come to your home when you sign up for its services. Many companies have one-time, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, and annual treatment plans. However, some companies are more restrictive. Check a company’s scheduling options, especially if you need frequent treatments.
Guarantees
Most pest control companies offer a service guarantee, but the terms vary. Some companies offer free reservice if pests return, while others include a full refund for the unsuccessful treatment if you remain a customer.
Orkin Guarantee
Orkin offers a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee that ensures free reservice if pests return between scheduled visits. If the pest issue can’t be resolved, Orkin will refund your most recent service payment as long as you remain a customer.
Terminix Guarantees
Terminix provides different guarantees, depending on the service.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Terminix offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for its general pest control plan that states a Terminix technician will re-treat pests for free if they return. The company will also refund your latest payment if you aren’t 100% satisfied with your service.
Ultimate Protection Guarantee
Terminix offers an Ultimate Protection Guarantee for termites. Qualifying homeowners will never have to pay for treatment or repairs from termite damage as long as they maintain their plan.
Bed Bug Guarantee
Finally, Terminix offers a comprehensive Bed Bug Guarantee. The company will provide free reservice if you find bed bugs in a treated area within 30 days. The guarantee increases to 90 days if you buy a mattress encasement for every mattress and box spring in your house.
Customer Reviews
One of the most effective ways to determine if a company is reliable is by reading its history of complaints and customer reviews. Trustworthy companies will have overall positive or neutral customer reviews. Check if the company has responded to negative reviews to rectify customer problems. Even nationally recognized and trusted brands may have underperforming branch locations, so we recommend reading reviews for your local brand.
Check websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and each company’s Google My Business page for independent customer responses.
Is Hiring a Professional Pest Control Service Worth it?
The best pest control companies have highly trained technicians who are equipped with commercial-grade products inaccessible to homeowners. The experts know how to apply the products and how often, and they’re trained in continual home monitoring. Instead of spending time researching options on your own, you can hire a pest control company with proven results.
Most pest control companies also offer free returns to remedy your pest issue.
Should You DIY Pest Control?
Hiring professional pest control may be worth it if you’re experiencing a full-blown infestation. Most pest control companies offer a general plan that covers common household issues. The company will inspect your home before creating a tailored treatment plan and returning regularly to monitor the situation. However, another option is investing in insecticidal soap or a bug zapper.
Which Pest Control Company Is Right for You?
We recommend Terminix as the best general pest control provider. Its impressive termite extermination warranty, comprehensive pest control plans, and industry experience make it an excellent choice. Other providers have their own useful benefits. For example, Orkin has an extensive knowledge base that educates homeowners, and Aptive offers customizable plans and tailored pest management.
Many pest species can be hard to remove once they’ve established themselves. DIY pest control methods can help, but you’re always better off going with a pest control company in these situations.
Below are some comparative reviews of some of the best pest control companies:
FAQs About Pest Control Companies
What does a pest control company do?
Pest control companies inspect your home, develop treatment plans, treat infestations, help protect against future infestations, and monitor your home. Pest control companies use top-of-the-line equipment and products and can make recommendations on how to ensure your home isn’t susceptible to an infestation.
What is included in pest control?
Pest control companies offer protection against different pests, depending on the plan you choose and the treatment you need. Most general pest control plans cover pests such as ants, roaches, mice, stinging insects, and earwigs. Other plans target mosquitoes, ticks, termites, and bed bugs. Pest control companies start with an inspection before developing a treatment plan and monitoring your home routinely in quarterly or bi-monthly intervals.
Is monthly pest control necessary?
It depends on the degree of your pest problem and concerns. Most pest control companies we’ve reviewed do not offer a monthly schedule. Quarterly visits are the most common, followed by bi-monthly.
How do pest control companies treat termites?
In general, pest control companies start off with a free termite inspection, carefully evaluating common access points, cracks, and crevices. Then, they’ll develop a tailored treatment plan to address your termite infestation, if you have one.
The specific treatment process varies from company to company. However, it usually involves liquid termiticides, fipronil or imidacloprid, and termite bait systems. In extreme cases, pest control companies will need to fumigate your home. Baiting works well for subterranean termites, whereas fumigation is most effective against drywood termites.
How long does it take for an exterminator to get rid of roaches?
It depends on how extreme the infestation is. In general, it should take your pest control specialist approximately two weeks to eradicate roaches. If a second treatment is needed, it might take longer.
Our Reviews of 50 Other Pest Control Companies
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for plans and services, reputation and customer responses, customer service offerings, workmanship guarantees, financing, and availability to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
