The 4 Best Pest Control Companies (2020)

Dealing with a pest infestation can be a frustrating and unpleasant experience, especially if you’ve spent time and money trying to fix it yourself. Since pests can spread disease, cause physical damage to your home, and trigger health issues, it’s important to address the infestation as soon as possible.

Hiring a professional pest control company can take care of current issues and prevent future infestations from occurring. Below, we’ve reviewed the four best pest control companies and explain how to choose the right company for you and your home.

The 4 best pest control companies of 2020

1. Terminix: Most Reputable
2. Orkin: Most Comprehensive Coverage
3. Rentokil: Best for Regional Expertise
4. Aptive Environmental: Best for the Environment

How to choose the best 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.

Are pest control companies worth it?

Pest control companies are worth it to handle ongoing and future pest infestations. Professional service provides homeowners with experienced technicians and commercial-grade products delivering solutions that are nearly impossible to replicate.

Buying a pest control plan gives you access to the extensive knowledge of the company’s pest control experts. They know exactly how to identify and treat pest problems, and can provide advice and treatment options to stop future problems before they arise. This saves you the time and energy of performing your own research and allows peace of mind knowing you have quality protection.

A general pest control plan is worth it for coverage against the majority of household pests. These plans are designed to protect your property from the most common problems and save homeowners the headache of dealing with it on their own. More specific coverage for pests such as termites, bed bugs, or mosquitoes is worth it for the homeowners facing current or recurring infestations.

Types of pest control

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Our research process involves a multi-step process to get real insights into the customer experience for each company. We contacted each pest control company directly, spoke to representatives via phone and online chat (if available). This helps us better understand the company’s treatment offerings and customer service. We also take into account BBB accreditation and what customer reviews say about each company. Additionally, we fact-check and update company data regularly to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. 

We developed a 100-point rating system to numerically compare the companies to each other. 

• Plan options (35 points): Companies that offer more plans and flexibility on services to address specific issues were given a higher score. 
• State Availability (5 points): Those that offer coverage in fewer than 45 states were deducted points for availability. 
• Trustworthiness (10 points): This is based on whether companies have money-back guarantees, service guarantees, and additional satisfaction assurance measures.
• Customer Service (30 points): We considered accessibility (including on weekends and holidays) of technicians and customer support. 
• Additional Benefits (20 points): Companies that offer further conveniences such as an app, comprehensive resources, and other benefits were rated higher. 

Final thoughts

Our team believes that pest control is best left to the experts. It’s best to hire a professional before an issue gets out of hand. The best pest control companies are Orkin, Terminix, Rentokil, and Aptive Environmental. Each of these companies offers quality service and expertise and provides customers with peace of mind that their property is protected from unwanted pests. 

Orkin is a great option for flexibility, as its basic plan covers 51 common pests and offers multiple add-ons. On the basis of reputation, Terminix has nearly a century’s worth of experience to back its services. It’s also accredited by the BBB and earned an A- rating. With several regional divisions, you can trust you’re getting local, tailored service from Rentokil. Finally, Aptive’s eco-friendly products make it a safe option for your home and the environment. 

We recommend receiving quotes from all of these companies before making your final decision.

Our top recommended pest control providers