The 6 Best Pest Control Companies (2020)

Dealing with a pest infestation can be a frustrating experience, especially when DIY remedies and store-bought cleaners don’t seem to work. Since pests can spread disease, cause physical damage to your home, and irritate allergies, it’s important to address the infestation as soon as possible.

If homemade solutions haven’t worked thus far, consider hiring a professional pest control company to remediate the issue for you and prevent future infestations from occurring. Below, we’ve reviewed the six best pest control companies and explain how to choose the best service for you and your home.

The best pest control companies

How to choose a pest control company

With multiple pest control companies available, it can be challenging to determine which one is best for you and your pest control needs. To narrow down your decision, ask yourself the following questions when hiring a professional exterminator:

• What kind of pests are you dealing with? Determine the type of pest that’s affecting your home and double check that the pest control company you’re considering hiring treats that type of pest. You’re likely dealing with rodents, insects like mosquitoes or fruit flies, or less common pests such as scorpions and bed bugs. Some companies may have experience removing rodents from your home but not specialized solutions for getting rid of insects.
• Does the pest control company service your area? Some pest control providers service a wide range or the United States while others service select areas.
• Does the company offer commercial services? Some pest control providers serve homes and businesses while others just serve one or the other.
• Does the company offer a free quote? The best way to know how much pest control services cost is to get a quote from a professional before starting treatment. Since prices can change based on the kind of pest, treatment methods, your property’s square footage, and treatment frequency, talk to a professional before treatment to get a better understanding of what you’ll be paying for.
• What are my treatment options? The best pest control companies will offer a variety of natural and chemical solutions for a more targeted and integrated pest management approach. Having the option to use green pest solutions is especially important if you have young children or pets.
• What does the remediation process look like? Most pest control providers will come to your house before starting treatment to determine the severity of the problem. This preliminary visit will also shape what remediation processes will be employed and how much the treatment will cost.
• Is the company efficient? If it’s difficult to contact an exterminator, chances are you don’t want them servicing your home. Look for providers that deliver fast, reliable, and efficient service. Pest control companies that offer 24/7 customer service support or an app that helps you manage treatments and visits are preferred.
• Is there a treatment guarantee? Trusted pest control companies will typically offer a satisfaction or money-back guarantee if your pest problem is not solved during their first visit. Having this type of guarantee ensures that you and your home are protected in the event of future infestations.
• How is the company’s payment process structured? As with any service, it’s important for homeowners to know how they’ll be billed. Companies will either charge a one-time service fee, regular payments based on seasonal service, or customized billing plans that help customers over the long-term. Read the service contract before treatment to understand how payment works.
• Can you read reviews about the company? The answer should always be, “yes.” Whether positive or negative, authentic customer reviews can help you determine if the company is worth hiring.

Types of pest control

There are three main methods: preventative, chemical, and biological.

Preventative methods

Some pest control companies will treat your house to prevent infestations from happening in the first place. These methods could include caulking holes in your wall or foundation, removing trash from the property, and spraying chemical solutions to repel pests.

Chemical methods

Pesticides are one of the most common forms of chemical pest control. Though chemical methods are not typically preferred because of their effects on the environment and human health, they tend to be used in cases of severe pest infestation.

Biological methods

These methods include fumigation, sterilization, electronic and ultrasonic devices, traps, and bait.

How much does it cost?

The cost of pest control services will depend on the type of pest you’re dealing with, where you live, and the severity of the issue. In general, the average cost is between $125 and $200. You’ll typically get a more accurate quote from a professional after they’ve inspected your home and assessed your pest problem.

Note: One-time visits generally cost more than scheduled maintenance visits. Consider signing up for ongoing pest treatments (on a quarterly, semi-annually, or annual basis) if you regularly deal with termites, roaches, rodents, and ants, or if you live in a climate conducive to pest infestations. 

What to expect with a professional exterminator

When you hire a pest control professional, here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial inspection

When an exterminator first visits your house, they’ll inspect the interior and exterior for pest problems. They’ll create a personal plan of action that addresses existing problems and future pest issues. The best companies will work with you to create a plan that addresses the current issue and prevents future infestations from occurring.

2. Application

After the initial inspection, your exterminator will schedule a follow-up appointment to apply treatments that are customized to your home’s specific needs. For internal treatments, a service representative might spray products along your baseboards and inspect areas of entry. For external treatments, a professional will likely get rid of any physical nests or webs and spray pesticides to kill bugs and prevent them from coming into your house.

The treatment frequency will likely depend on the pest plan you select, the type of pest you’re dealing with, and where you live. If you have any questions at all during the treatment process, ask your exterminator to walk you through each step of the process and explain the “why” of what they’re doing.

3. Report

You can expect an appoint summary from your exterminator that explains what treatments were applied, suggestions for preventing future pest problems, and when you can expect a follow-up treatment visit.