6 Best Pest Control Companies

Pest infestations can be a nightmare. Whether ants, cockroaches or bed bugs, these uninvited little tenants can wreak havoc in your home. If you’ve already tried DIY methods without much success, it might be time for professional help.

But how do you find the best pest control company?

We’ve done the homework and compiled a list of the best pest control companies for 2023. Read on for our reviews and a comprehensive guide to pest control.

Our Top Picks for Best Pest Control

• Orkin - Best-Trained Employees
• Terminix - Best for Termite Infestations
• Aptive - Best for Eco-Friendly Solutions
• Ehrlich by Rentokil - Best for Comprehensive Coverage
• Critter Control - Best for Wildlife Control
• Mosquito Joe - Best for Mosquito Control

Best Pest Control Reviews

Why we chose it: Orkin is our choice for the pest control company with the best-trained employees. It trains its pest experts in a specialty facility with over 50 learning stations.

With over 400 locations worldwide, Orkin is one of the country's largest residential and commercial pest control companies.

Orkin treats more than 25 common household pests, including the following:

• Bed bugs
• Termites
• Mosquitoes
• Fleas
• Ticks
• Cockroaches
• Rodents
• Some wildlife

In addition, the company offers home maintenance services, such as attic insulation, lawn care and moisture control.

What sets Orkin apart from other pest control companies is its extensive training program, which has won it a spot in Training Magazine's Top 125 list for over 13 years.

Orkin's full-size house training facility has more than 50 learning stations (including a termite pavilion and a garden center) where pest technician trainees practice for over 160 hours during their first year. Orkin also asks its technicians to participate in various learning and personal development activities throughout their careers.

Orkin backs its service with multiple guarantees, including a 30-day money-back and a satisfaction guarantee. If you're dissatisfied with its service after 30 days, you can request a refund. Similarly, an Orkin technician will re-treat the area for free if a re-infestation occurs.

Why we chose it: Terminix is the best pest control company for termites because of its long-track history of creating and innovating termite treatments.

Terminix has been in business for over 95 years, offering residential and commercial pest control. Its long history and availability in 45 states have made it one of the most well-known brands in termite control.

Terminix was one of the first pest control companies to obtain a termite control patent in 1927. In addition to termites, it treats a variety of common household pests, such as the following:

• Cockroaches
• Spiders
• Centipedes
• Ants
• Bed bugs
• Some wildlife (such as skunks, raccoons and opossums)

Its three different termite control plans include annual termite inspections and treatment for subterranean, drywood and Formosan termites. Depending on the severity of the infestation, technicians may use baiting systems, underground liquid or home fumigation.

Terminix has one of the best guarantees for termites in the industry, covering treatments or repairs from new termite damage for the duration of your plan with them. The guarantee isn’t available in some areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Why we chose it: Aptive is our choice for the best eco-friendly pest control company. It plays an active role in providing environmentally friendly solutions as a member of the EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship.

Aptive is available in 32 states and provides environmentally friendly services against typical household and garden pests, including the following:

• Roaches
• Ants
• Spiders
• Snails
• Pantry bugs
• Stinging insects
• Rodents

Aptive’s year-round protection plan includes a revisit after the first visit and four quarterly service appointments.

On the first visit, technicians inspect your residence and all risk areas to develop a customized treatment for your infestation. Like most pest control companies, Aptive offers free revisits if the pest returns in between treatments. New customers can request a quote online, whereas existing customers can create an account on Aptive’s online portal to check service bills and set up payments.

Aptive is a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pesticide Environmental Stewardship, a program that aims to reduce pesticide risk in agricultural and non-agricultural settings. The company also donates part of its profits to United to Beat Malaria to stop the spread of malaria mosquitoes in different at-risk countries.

While Aptive gets good reviews overall, customers sometimes mention aggressive sales tactics as a negative. Additionally, in 2019, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General alleged Aptive failed to provide consumers with copies of their service contracts and to cancel services agreements when consumers asked. Aptive paid $101,430 to Pennsylvania consumers in the settlement.

Why we chose it: Ehrlich by Rentokil stands out as the best pest control company for comprehensive coverage. Its annual maintenance plan covers 36 common household pests.

Ehrlich is another pest control company with a long history, offering customized pest management services since 1928. It's a subsidiary of Rentokil, a well-renowned brand known for its commercial pest control and disinfection services.

Ehrlich stands out for its pestfree365 preventative maintenance plan, which covers 36 different household pests and bed bugs. The plan also includes periodic termite inspections and monitoring, making it one of the most complete plans for ongoing pest protection.

Elrich is only available in 18 East Coast states, including New York, New Jersey and Florida. However, together with its sister companies — Western Exterminator, Anderson Pest Solutions, Presto X and Oliver Exterminating — it covers almost the entire mainland and Puerto Rico.

Why we chose it: Critter Control is our top choice for wildlife control because it handles various wild animals using safe and humane techniques.

If you’re having trouble with wild animals in your yard, basement or attic, consider calling Critter Control, one of the few national companies specializing in safely and humanely removing wildlife.

Critter Control manages many animals that most pest control companies don’t handle. Its expertise goes from removing the classic raccoons, opossums and squirrels (which some pest control companies do) to otters, porcupines, deer, coyotes, foxes and even bobcats.

The company has a service called CritterSafe, which consists of using safe and humane techniques for handling wildlife:

• Practicing species-specific no-trap animal control with one-way doors and excluders
• Reuniting offspring with parents
• Using eco-friendly repellents to discourage the animals’ return

In addition, Critter Control offers prevention services to eliminate entry points and recurring invasions along with cleanup of animal feces, sanitation, disinfection and minor animal damage home repairs.

Note that Critter Control doesn’t treat common household pests except for bed bugs. The company doesn’t remove stray cats or dogs either — if that’s the issue around your home, it’s best to contact local animal shelters or rescues.

Why we chose it: Mosquito Joe is our choice for the best pest control company for mosquitoes because it offers a variety of mosquito control services, including natural treatment options and smart mosquito repellent systems.

Mosquito Joe provides residential and commercial outdoor mosquito control services in 39 states. The company treats mosquitoes in all their stages, including larvae and eggs. It also offers treatments for ticks, fleas, gnats, cockroaches, ants and spiders. Some of the company's techniques include the following:

• Creating a spray barrier in the target perimeter
• Using automatic misting systems
• Installing mosquito traps around breeding sites

Mosquito Joe also features natural treatment options that consist of essential oils diluted in water, such as peppermint, rosemary and garlic. In addition, it's one of the few companies that offers a smart mosquito repellent called the Thermacell LIV system, which helps create a type of repellent bubble in designated areas while allowing you to control it using the app.

Mosquito Joe offers a 14-day service guarantee. If you report any mosquito recurrence during this period, a technician will reassess your property and apply a booster at no cost. The company also has a money-back guarantee if its services don’t meet industry standards.

Other Companies We Considered

The following list includes some of the companies we considered that didn’t make the cut, mainly because they don’t have nationwide availability. However, they may be worth considering if you live near their service locations.

Truly Nolen

Truly Nolen is another experienced company with more than 80 years in business. It offers specialized treatments for over 100 different types of pests. Its 4 Seasons Pest Control plan includes quarterly treatments for 16 common household pests, including ants, mice, roaches and fleas. However, Truly Nolen only offers its services in 15 states:

• Arizona
• California
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah

Saela Pest Control

Saela, formerly known as Edge Pest Control, is another company that provides quality pest control services.

Its protection program includes quarterly treatments for common pests — roaches, ants, spiders, voles and mice. You can also choose an upgraded plan which includes other rodents. Saela also provides services for bed bugs, mosquitoes and termites.

The main drawback of this company is that its services are only available in 10 states. However, it might be a good option if you live within its coverage area.

Arrow Exterminators

Arrow Exterminators is another well-known company, and it has more than 58 years of experience. It provides control of common household pests (ants, roaches, centipedes), termites and some wildlife.

This company is a Quality Pro-certified company that meets the National Pest Management Association's rigorous standards.

In addition to pest control, Arrow's home services include insulation service, lawn care and moisture control.

While Arrow Extermination is a solid option, its coverage area is limited to 12 states:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia

Insight Pest Solutions

Insight Pest Solutions offers general pest and termite control in 15 states and Canada.

Its techniques for treating household pests include the following:

• Perimeter granules
• Liquid application
• Web and nest removal
• Wall injections
• Spot treating

Insight lets you request a free quote online. In addition, it offers a $25 credit for referrals.

Bulwark Exterminating

Bulwark Exterminating serves over 25 cities in the following states:

• Washington
• Utah
• Nevada
• Texas
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Kansas
• Missouri
• Georgia
• Tennessee
• North Carolina
• South Carolina

Bulwark treats most common pest issues, including termites, mosquitoes and scorpions. The company offers free online quotes and over-the-phone consultations. In addition, it guarantees its services, so if pests return between treatments, a technician will re-treat your home free of charge.

Bulwark is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating. Although it didn’t reach our top list due to its limited availability, it may be worth considering if you live near its service areas.

Pest Control Guide

This guide covers the types of pest control methods you can expect from pest management providers, what factors to consider when looking for a pest control service and how to determine whether a pest control plan is worth your money. It also includes key information on identifying a pest infestation and prepping for a pest control visit.

What is pest control?

Pest control, also known as pest management, eliminates and prevents undesired — and sometimes health-threatening — critters, such as vermin, insects, bugs and some wild animals that may damage or harbor in your home. It consists of assessing your property to determine the type of pest you’re dealing with, its severity and the most appropriate treatment to control it.

Pest infestation signs

Not all pest infestations are easily identifiable. However, there are some signs to look for if you believe you're experiencing a pest infestation:

• Feces or droppings in areas like the kitchen or garage
• Damaged property, such as chewed cables, furniture or wood
• Pungent odors, such as ammonia or urine scents
• Pawprints on the wall or floors
• Holes in the ground, attic or walls
• Nests in or around your property
• Scratching noises inside your walls, attic, floors or ceilings

These signs can vary depending on the type of pest and may not apply to every case. But, if you suspect you're experiencing some kind of infestation, it's best to consult a pest control professional and ask for a free inspection, if possible.

Types of pest control

Pest control companies may use many different methods to prevent and manage pest infestations. Some of these techniques include the following:

• Biological pest control: Using natural predators, parasites or pathogens to suppress pest populations
• Chemical pest control: Using synthetic, non-synthetic and preventive pesticides with chemicals and/or botanical ingredients such as plants, pheromones or fungus
• Physical pest control: Includes traps, barriers or other physical means to prevent pests from accessing the area
• Electronic pest control: Less common, but can include using electromagnetic or ultrasonic devices that emit high-frequency sounds to repel rodents and insects

Integrated pest management

Generally, pest control companies use a strategy known as integrated pest management (IPM). This strategy is a standard approach within the pest control industry. It considers factors such as pests' life cycle, behavior and environment to create the best treatment plan. Its goal is to provide long-term prevention in a way that's safe for people, properties and the environment.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a solid IPM program includes four steps:

1. Setting action thresholds to define the best plan and the point at which the pest's presence may become a health hazard or nuisance
2. Identifying and monitoring the type of pest and its activity to determine the appropriate treatment
3. Preventing pests by removing all possible conditions that may attract them, such as clutter, stagnant water, possible pest shelters or food
4. Controlling pests if their presence surpasses the threshold limit

How to find the Best Pest Control Company

When looking for the best pest control company for your situation and needs, consider the following factors:

Availability

In most cases, a quick search online will suffice to find pest control companies in your area. You can also use website aggregators, such as Local Pest Control Pro or Porch, which can help you connect with contractors near you. They can also provide a free quote once you enter basic information, such as your name, zip code and email address.

Our top picks have a strong national, and sometimes international, presence with offices across most states. However, there are advantages to choosing a reputable, local company near where you live.

For one, local companies may have experience handling specific regional pests, particular geography and the types of constructions typical of the region. Nonetheless, don’t forget to evaluate whether the company has the proper certifications and licensing to provide extermination services and favorable customer reviews.

Types of Pests Covered

Most pest control providers can treat common household pests such as cockroaches, ants and spiders, but not all have experience with regional pests or challenging infestations, such as termites and bed bugs.

Depending on the type of infestation, companies may be able to offer you specialized pest control treatments. Many companies list the types of pests they’re prepared to treat and general information on how they do it. However, if you have questions on how they’ll protect your home against specific pests and what type of products they’ll use, make sure to ask the technician during the initial inspection visit.

Terms of Service

As with any type of contract, read all terms and conditions before you sign on the dotted line. If possible, ask for a sample contract during the initial inspection.

Check for the following details:

• The length of the contract
• The pests and services covered by your plan
• Payment and fees
• The calendar day you’ll be charged (most services require you to enroll in auto-pay)
• Possible increased costs and changes over the term of your contract

Additionally, verify whether the contract automatically renews, and if so, how many days in advance you must cancel services. Note that some companies may charge interest for overdue payments and disclose your information to credit reporting agencies.

Costs

Pest control companies don't generally disclose prices on their websites because prices can depend on several factors that would only be evident during an inspection.

Generally, you can request an estimate online or over the phone. Nonetheless, remember that a technician still needs to perform an in-home inspection to give you a more accurate price.

Some factors that typically influence pricing include the following:

• Home's size and location
• Level of infestation
• Type of pests
• Number of treatments

You should also check whether the company's billing process is a one-time payment or quarterly billing.

Guarantees

Most pest control companies offer service guarantees that typically include free re-treatments between visits or a partial refund if pests return.

Guarantee terms vary by provider, and some may even have different guarantees for specific services. For instance, Terminix offers a 30-day bed bug guarantee and one of the most comprehensive termite guarantees, which includes repairs from new termite damage, if you maintain your plan with them.

Be wary of companies that exaggerate their guarantees using hyperbolic phrases, such as promising that pests will “never” come back. Remember that even with ongoing pest control, some seasonal pests may return.

In addition, most reliable pest control companies typically disclose the limitations of their service guarantees. For instance, a company may limit its free-retreatment guarantee to pest recurrences within 30 days of the last treatment.

Licenses

Whether you’re considering a pest control company or an independent exterminator, it’s important to verify that they’re licensed, certified and trained to properly handle pesticides. You can typically find this information on companies’ websites or by giving them a call.

Look for companies accredited by Quality Pro. This entity sets the standards for pest management companies and ensures they follow the best pest control practices.

In addition, check if they have certifications, such as Associate Certified Entomologist or Green Pro. These are endorsed by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and let you know the company and its employees met the required standards, ensuring they’re qualified to offer effective and environmentally-safe services.

You can also check this information with your state’s Department of Agriculture.

Customer Satisfaction

You’ll want to ensure that you’re hiring a trustworthy, transparent and reliable company. The best way to check this is by asking friends and acquaintances for recommendations. However, reading online customer reviews can also be beneficial.

Note that when it comes to pest control companies, it’s common to find complaints from customers who have had problems canceling their services — companies we included in our list were also the subjects of these complaints.

We recommend that you read the cancellation process very carefully and note the number of days in advance you must request it. Keep a record with the name of the representative you speak with and the date you request the cancellation.

When to hire a pest control company

There’s no need to wait until you have a full-blown infestation in your house to take action.

The best way to deal with pests is to avoid them in the first place, which is why preventative pest control is a good idea, even if you don’t have a pest problem right now.

Are pest control companies worth it?

Hiring a pest control company may be worth it if you’re experiencing a heavy pest infestation, pests that can harm your health or those that may keep you awake at night, such as bed bugs.

Most companies offer customized plans and use commercial-grade products not usually found in retail stores. Additionally, they have specially trained technicians to eliminate pests.

A pest control company could also help you prevent vermin, termites and other wood-eating pests whose damage to your home, systems or appliances is probably not covered by your homeowners insurance or home warranty.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of hiring a pest control company:

Benefits of preventative pest control

Having a pest control expert treat your home regularly may help you save money in the long run. Preventative pest control can help you avoid significant structural damages, exposure to dangerous pests and higher costs from infestation treatments. Perhaps best of all, it will give you some peace of mind.

Prevents damage

When left unchecked, wood-destroying organisms such as termites and carpenter ants can cause severe structural and non-structural damage to your home, including:

• Floors
• Ceiling supports
• Posts
• Wall studs
• Items such as cabinets, furniture and drywall

Most of the time, homeowners insurance coverage doesn't include these damages.

Some pests may even find a habitat in major home systems and appliances, causing your home warranty claim to be denied. Most home warranty companies exclude damages caused by animals.

Regularly treating your home prevents the stress of unwanted pest encounters and allergies, giving you more peace of mind.

Prevents dangerous vermin

Preventative pest control can help you avoid vermin, such as rats, mice, raccoons, poisonous spiders and other pests that may pose a health risk. These pests can sometimes bring illnesses and allergens that aggravate pre-existing conditions or harm your pets or family.

Prevents higher costs

Ongoing pest control can help protect your pockets from the higher costs of addressing a full-blown infestation or repairing its damages. For instance, covering termite damage repairs generally costs from $600 to over $10,000, depending on the extent of the damage.

How to prepare for a pest control visit

While a pest control visit doesn’t require much preparation beforehand, you can take a few steps to help the pest technician do a more effective job or thorough inspection.

• Tidy up your space: Declutter the areas to be treated by removing objects that may interfere with the pest control technician’s job. Consider key areas like the kitchen, and remove any obstructions from counters, floors or sink.

• Move furniture: Because pests are experts at hiding, moving furniture like beds and couches away from walls may be a good idea. This way, exterminators can treat these areas more efficiently and further identify if there is any pest presence.

• Keep pets away: Although many pest control companies use safe products, it’s still a good idea to keep pets out of the way, especially if they’re territorial. Consider placing them in a kennel or a safe space until the exterminator tells you it’s safe for animals to be around. In addition, remove food plates to prevent accidental contamination.

Do-it-yourself pest control vs. professional pest control

Like many people, you may want to try do-it-yourself pest control solutions before contacting a professional. But DIY methods are not always the best option.

For instance, you may be able to get rid of a minor ant problem in the kitchen using one of the many over-the-counter products available in local stores. However, that may not be effective when it comes to a major termite infestation.

If you’re still debating whether to do it yourself or hire a professional, consider the following:

How We Chose the Best Pest Control Companies

We evaluated over 30 different pest control companies and focused on four factors:

• Availability: To ensure the selected companies were available in most areas, we considered companies with a strong national presence, offering either nationwide services or at least 30 states or more.
• Types of pests treated: We preferred companies that treated the widest ranges of pests.
• Guarantees: We favored companies that offered multiple service guarantees, including free re-treatments and partial refunds if you're not completely satisfied.
• Customer service: We checked customer reviews online and each company’s standing with the Better Business Bureau.

Summary of Money’s Best Pest Control Companies of 2023

• Orkin - Best-Trained Employees
• Terminix - Best for Termite Infestations
• Aptive - Best for Eco-Friendly Solutions
• Ehrlich by Rentokil - Best for Comprehensive Coverage
• Critter Control - Best for Wildlife Control
• Mosquito Joe - Best for Mosquito Control