Best Pest Control Companies

What do pest control companies do?

Pest control companies get rid of unwanted houseguests, like insects and rodents. Technicians or employees may poison, bait, trap and/or close off areas to pests.

Pest control companies usually break down their services by species:

• Rodent control: Companies that specialize in ridding spaces of rodents typically use traps and bait, building exclusions, and habitat modifications and other preventive measures.
• Insect control: Insect control specialists rid homes and businesses of spiders, flies, ants, roaches, silverfish, flies and other common bugs. They can also help with natural preventive methods to ensure bugs don't re-infest a home or business.
• Specialized pest control: Other companies can deal with more unusual pest problems, including snakes, spiders, scorpions and birds. You might also consider hiring wildlife control specialists who can remove beehives, opossums and other animals from your property.

Types of pest control

Pest control services can include a combination of eradication, trapping and prevention strategies.

• Preventive pest control: Some companies specialize in setting up systems that make it more difficult for a pest infestation to happen in the first place. Some preventive care measures include filling holes through which pests can enter your home, removing items that attract insects or rodents, and spraying chemicals to keep pests away.
• Chemical pest control: Chemical control is a common method of getting rid of pests. For this type of treatment, an exterminator uses harsh chemicals, like piperonyl butoxide, to remove pests.
• Pest trapping: Some companies use traps to capture pests rather than kill them with chemicals. Traps are often preferable for eco-friendly customers who don’t like the use of chemicals in their space.

How to choose a pest control company

Also, consider what kind of chemicals the company uses, read plenty of reviews, and understand how the billing works before you sign a contract. Even if the company has a good reputation, ask for references and licenses to confirm the information firsthand.

Keep scrolling for our guides to find the best pest control companies in different cities throughout the U.S.

1. Identify the pest you need to get rid of

All kinds of critters like to invade our homes. Rodents tend to come inside during the colder months; insects are more prevalent when it’s warmer outside. Not all pests are created equal, however, and neither are pest control companies.

Some companies specialize in a specific type of pest control (like Terminix for termites). Others position themselves as generalists (like Orkin, which helps get rid of ants (including carpenter ants), bedbugs, spiders, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other common pests) or as the “eco-friendly” solution (like Sunday), or specialize in protection plans to prevent your home or business from infestations in the first place (like Ehrlich). Usually, it’s a good sign if there’s a certified entomologist on staff.

Your technician should assess the severity of your infestation and recommend the best treatment options to eliminate the problem, whether squirrels in the attic or ants in your kitchen.

	Logo Roach Most common in kitchens, bathrooms, basements and crawl spaces Infestations lead to health risks, food contamination and property damage Exterminators typically use insecticides, baiting, fumigation and heat treatments
	Logo Rat Most common in large cities, agricultural areas and commercial facilities Infestations lead to property damage, fire hazards, diseases Exterminators typically use traps, poison baits, structural repairs and fumigation
	Logo Bedbug Most common in areas with high turnover and frequent travel, including college dorms, hospitals and nursing homes Infestations lead to red, itchy welts on the skin Exterminators typically use heat and steam treatments, insecticides and encasement
	Logo Stink Bug Most common in the eastern U.S. during the summer Infestations lead to garden damage and offensive odors Exterminators typically use vacuuming, traps, sealing and insecticides

2. Consider your environment

Integrated pest management involves monitoring, prevention and common-sense pest control techniques to treat pest problems with minimal risk to property, occupants (especially kids and pets) and the environment.

Some exterminators use pesticides that contain harsh chemicals, such as pyrethrins and pyrethroids. Other companies specialize in more eco-friendly methods to eliminate pests using natural products like boric acid. If you have children or pets, you might consider looking for more natural options.

Technicians often use a combination of toxic substances when infestations are particularly large or hard to treat, while more gentle treatments might be appropriate when infestations are not particularly difficult.

Pest control companies are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and individual states. Local licensing requirements and regulations are typically set by your state’s Department of Agriculture.

For more information, check out the EPA’s “Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety.”

3. Look for guarantees

Many exterminators provide a free inspection and estimate.

If pests come back within a certain amount of time, will technicians come back and do another treatment at no additional cost? If not, you might end up paying more than you thought.

A standard pest control contract will outline the scope of work, agreement length and cancellation terms. It should also explain the policy for re-treatments.

4. Understand how billing works

Pest control companies typically offer a few different billing models, depending on the type and frequency of service. The most common options include one-time service charges, recurring treatment plans and bundled contracts that include multiple visits over a set period.

Recurring plans are often billed on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. These are designed for ongoing prevention and control, and may include routine inspections and treatments. In contrast, one-time services focus on resolving a specific issue and are billed after the visit is completed.

Some companies require upfront payments for bundled services, while others may offer pay-as-you-go or installment options. Many pest control providers allow for automatic billing, where charges are made to a credit card or bank account after each visit or on a predetermined schedule.

Before agreeing to any plan, make sure you understand the cancellation policy and any associated fees. It’s also important to verify whether follow-up treatments or re-inspections are included in the initial price or billed separately.

5. Read pest control company reviews

Some companies have been successful at dealing with infestations for a long time; positive reviews indicate they’ll likely do a good job for you, too.

Look for comments about price transparency, scheduling flexibility and overall customer satisfaction. Avoid companies with few or no positive reviews from customers receiving treatment for the specific pest you need to get rid of.

For example, one reviewer in Connecticut mentioned the company they worked with did an excellent job dealing with flying insects and deer ticks. If reviews mention that a company does a good job on similar problems to yours, that company might be a good candidate for a shortlist of companies to use.

A good pest control company can also serve as an educational resource. A reviewer in North Carolina told us in a phone interview that their pest control technician helped educate them about different snakes in the area: “what they look like, their behaviors, which are venomous, where to look out for them, what to do if I see one. It was good to hear from an expert who is someone that not only sprays homes to prevent snakes BUT also from someone who personally loves and knows A LOT about snakes.”

» LEARN: Gnat facts and info

Pest control costs

Pest control costs vary by the severity of the infestation and frequency of service. A one-time visit typically costs between $300 and $550, but it could cost up to $2,000 or more to treat extreme infestations.

Many companies offer recurring services for a set fee to help prevent pest infestations and treat the ones that occur before they become major problems.

You might also consider recurring services, which work like an ongoing subscription. Semiregular services should cost $100 to $300 per visit, according to HomeAdvisor. Many customers who have left reviews on our site appreciate the convenience of scheduled pest control.

“Terminix is on a regular schedule, and it's automatic payment,” a reviewer from Ohio said. “So, I don't really have to worry about those things. They just come out. They give us a heads-up that they're coming out before, and then they come knock on the door and let us know the plan and all that good stuff, and then follow up once they're done.”

Just make sure that you pay attention to the cancellation fees. Even highly rated pest control companies have some negative reviews from customers upset by high cancellation fees when they try to cancel ongoing services.

DIY vs. professional pest control

DIY methods can be effective for small or isolated problems, like a single ant trail or a spider in the basement. However, larger infestations, especially involving termites, bedbugs or rodents, typically require professional expertise.

Professional technicians not only diagnose the type and scope of an infestation but also apply targeted treatments more safely and effectively. They also tend to offer preventative services to reduce the chances of future infestations.

What are the best pest control companies near me

Local pest control companies have extensive knowledge about the pests and vermin in your area. We compared our favorite exterminators across the U.S. so you can find professional help for your pest problem.