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Best 5 Pest Control Companies in San Francisco, CA

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Written By Jessica Hurtault | Last Updated: February 05, 2024

In any San Francisco home, pests such as bed bugs and rats might be giving you cause for concern. These nuisance critters can damage both health and houses, but licensed exterminators can help stop them in their tracks.

Our guide to the best pest control companies in San Francisco can help you find the right team to deal with any pest problem.

Best Overall
5.0
  • Serves more than 2.8 million customers annually
  • Nearly 100 years in business
  • Service guarantees in 46 states
Best for Urgent Service
4.8
  • Over a century of experience
  • Same-day service if you call before noon local time
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Best 5 San Francisco Pest Control Companies

Orkin Logo

Orkin

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5/5
Based on 758 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Prevention Fumigation Mice Residential Wasps Cockroaches Flies Bees Termites Mosquitos Baiting Fleas Rats Commercial General Pest Control Ticks Spiders Ants Bed Bugs

Highlights

  • Continuous highly praised customer service reports
  • Transparent pricing
  • Free inspection policy
819 Cowan Rd Ste E, Burlingame, CA 415-315-9426 orkin.com Read More: Orkin Review
Dewey Pest & Termite Control Logo

Dewey Pest & Termite Control

4.6/5
Based on 64 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Ants Ticks Mice Gophers Prevention Mosquitos Cockroaches Termites Spiders Wasps Beetles Silverfish Fleas Commercial Fumigation General Pest Control Bees Green Pest Control Bed Bugs Heat Treatment Rats Residential

Highlights

  • Consistently high customer service reviews
  • Free inspection policy
  • Lack of hidden fees
6300 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 415-468-6660 deweypest.com
Alley Cat Logo

Alley Cat

5/5
Based on 554 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Flies Prevention General Pest Control Ants Green Pest Control Rats Squirrels Mice Residential

Highlights

  • Consistently high customer service reviews
  • Transparent pricing
  • No-cost inspections
3030 Ashby Ave #103b, Berkeley, CA 510-277-3303 alleycatusa.com
Kelly Pest Control Logo

Kelly Pest Control

4.2/5
Based on 17 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Ants Fleas Bees Green Pest Control Residential Spiders General Pest Control Rats Mice Cockroaches Commercial

Highlights

1312 S 50th St, Richmond, CA 510-715-8349 kellypest.net

More Local Pest Control Companies

Omega Termite & Pest Control

User Reviews: 4.5/5 

807 75th Ave
Oakland, CA 94621

First Select Pest Control

User Reviews: 4.4/5 

3220 Blume Dr Ste 154
Richmond, CA 94806

Clark Pest Control

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

485 Oneill Ave
Belmont, CA 94002

PURCOR Pest Solutions

User Reviews: 4.6/5 

28306 Industrial Blvd
Hayward, CA 94545

ATCO Pest Control

User Reviews: 4.6/5 

26 Hamilton Dr suite H
Novato, CA 94949

North Point Pest Solutions Inc.

User Reviews: 4.5/5 

21 Commercial Blvd STE 4
Novato, CA 94949

Bay Area Bed Bug

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

111 Deerwood Rd STE 200
San Ramon, CA 94583

Mighty Men Pest Control

User Reviews: 4.8/5 

831 E 2nd St Suite 101
Benicia, CA 94510

Honest Rodent Proofing

User Reviews: 4.6/5 

2872 Ygnacio Valley Rd
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.

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Facts about San Francisco
Average Max Temp: 55°F
Average Min Temp: 53°F
Average Daily Sunlight: 66%
Average Annual Snowfall: 0"
Average Monthly Precipitation: 1.81"
Average Monthly Pest Visit: $270

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How To Choose a Pest Control Company

Hiring the best company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. Important decision-making factors include a company's qualifications, its treatment methods, experience and reviews, and of course the cost of services.

Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.

  • Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?

    The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains minimum standards of competency for pesticide applicators, but licensing is regulated at the state level. All pesticide applicators and supervisors in California need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.

  • Is the company a member of any professional organizations?

    There are additional optional certifications that can help show that a pest control company is reputable. One of these is the GreenPro Service Certification. To receive this certification, a company must prove that its methods are more environmentally friendly and that its employee training is up to date. Additional certifications can be earned through QualityPro and similar trade organizations.

    Pest control companies can also join certain professional organizations. When a company becomes a member of an organization like the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it gets access to resources, education, and a network of other pest control experts with whom to compare treatment methods. This can offer added peace of mind that a company follows industry best practices.

Professional Experience and Specialties

You can get some insight into a company's level of pest management experience by finding out how long it has been in operation. Local reviews and the company's own website can also inform you whether a certain company has experience dealing with the specific species of pests that are afflicting your home. You can reach out to a representative directly to learn this information if it is not available online.

  • Reviews and Recommendations

    You can read reviews and recommendations on local review sites or social media, look up a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, or check its licensure status through the California licensing board.

  • Cost of Services and Guarantees

    Cost is an important consideration when choosing a pest control company. Cost may be determined by the type of pest being treated, your location, the size of your house, and other factors.

    A pest control company may offer a free on-site estimate to help you determine if it fits into your budget. You can also look at whether it offers a satisfaction guarantee.

Safety and Treatment Methods

Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how environmentally friendly a company's practices are, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.

  • Safety

    Your pest technician should use pesticides that are low toxicity or non-toxic when possible. If they plan to use pesticides that don't fall into one of these categories, your technician should explain what safety precautions they will put in place to protect your family, your pets, and you. Any pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk should be registered with the EPA.

  • Treatment Methods

    Many companies are using options for more environmentally friendly methods of pest control before employing harsh pesticides.

    One common way of making pest control safer and greener is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:

    1. Identify problem pests and assess whether immediate action is required.
    2. Decide on the safest course of action.
    3. Manage the pest problem using a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and physical controls.
    4. Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always along with other methods for effective long-term pest management.
    5. Observe the results and implement additional pest control as needed.


Common Household Pests in San Francisco

Not all pests are equally prevalent in San Francisco. Some species that you should be on the lookout for include the following:

  • Ants: Whether they are smaller soil ants or larger carpenter ants, these bugs can be found in most of California. Carpenter ants can pose a more urgent issue than their smaller counterparts by causing damage to your home.
  • Moths: If you've started finding holes in your linens or clothing, you may have moths in your house. Moths like dark places like closets, and they're more common in warmer places.
  • Spiders: These pests prefer damp and dark places and are often found in attics.
  • Mice: If you have a mouse infestation, you may start noticing droppings around your house, or things like chewed wires. If your home has mice, they may be found in attics or in places where food is kept.
  • Bed bugs: Bed bugs can be found throughout California and can lead to big problems if left untreated. Because bed bug infestations can be hard to get rid of, we recommend having professional extermination as soon as you discover the problem. These pests can infest wallpaper, bedsheets, furniture, and more.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pest Control in San Francisco

What are some causes of pest infestations?

Pest infestations happen when pests come into your home looking for something, generally food, water, or shelter. Pests might be looking to eat food or trash that is sitting out. Some may also be drawn by standing water collecting outside (from rain collecting in one spot) or inside (from leaky pipes). They might also enter your house simply looking for shelter. They can get in through weak spots like foundation cracks or broken screens.

What are some things I can do to prevent pest infestations?

One way to prevent pest infestations is seal off potential entrances into your home. These include things like cracks in your siding or foundation. Also try to avoid leaving food out for pests. This means keeping food in sealed containers as well as not leaving trash out. Lastly, reduce standing water in and around your house. Work to reduce places where water can collect outside, and repair leaks inside.

When should I hire a pest control professional?

When you see signs of pest activity in your San Francisco home—which could include nests, droppings, signs of damage, or the pests themselves—you should call your local pest professional. If you've had seasonal or recurrent pest infestations, we suggest getting in touch with a local pest control company to request annual pest management services.

Do I need to worry about my pets during or after pest control?

Your pest control technician will let you know how far pets need to be kept away from treated areas, and for how long. Some pesticides are non-toxic or have low toxicity, but in the vast majority of cases you'll be asked to keep pets out of the area during and for some time after application.

Will I need to clean my home after pest control services?

We recommend discussing this question with your pest technician while they are in your home, as the answer can vary depending on what treatments are done. After pesticides are applied, you may notice a lingering smell that should dissipate over time.

In most cases, vacuuming, dusting, and wiping down certain surfaces are all appropriate after pest control. However, you'll want to avoid wiping away chemical barriers, and avoid touching any traps unless explicitly told to do so. After the problem is taken care of, continue keeping your home clean. Don't let garbage pile up, take care of spills and leaks promptly, and so on. This helps keep pests from coming back.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.

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