Choosing a pest control service is an important step toward protecting your home and family from unwanted pests. There are many companies to choose from, and some are better than others.
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Best overall: Orkin
Orkin is one of the largest pest control companies in the country, with coverage in 47 states and more than 400 locations worldwide. With a history dating back more than a hundred years, the company has built up a solid reputation as an eliminator of termites and other pests. The company has three out of five stars from reviewers on Consumer Affairs, but with locations across the country, it might be a good idea to check out local ratings as well.
Orkin is a solid choice for pest control at your home due primarily to the wide range of services it offers beyond just termite treatments and general pest control. Orkin has specific services to treat carpenter ants, bed bugs, fleas and ticks, mosquitos, and stinging insects. Other services include attic insulation, lawn treatments, and moisture control. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the pest control treatment results.
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Best for termite problems: Terminix
Termites require specialized treatment compared to other bugs that invade your home, and Terminix is one of the best at dealing with these nefarious wood-eating insects. The company was the first to obtain a patent on termite control products back in 1932, helping the company become a major force in the pest control industry. Terminix touts the strongest guarantee in the industry, which promises to cover treatments and repairs to your home for termites so long as you keep up with your annual treatment and fee.
Terminix also offers extensive general pest control options, including services that target bed bugs, ticks, and mosquitos. Terminix is widely available with locations in 45 states. Some locations offer chemical-free and natural treatments, which is a huge plus for customers with certain sensitivities or concerns about children and pets. Terminix has an average of two out of five stars from reviewers on Consumer Affairs.
Best protection plan: Ehrlich
Some pest control companies have catchy contracts or lackluster service plans, but Ehrlich offers one of the most comprehensive protection plans in the industry. The company’s Pestfree365 plan offers protection from 36 common household pests, including bed bugs, which is usually a separate service when dealing with other companies. The plan offers unlimited service calls between scheduled treatments and includes an annual termite inspection. Best of all, there is no long-term contract involved.
Ehrlich is limited geographically to 20 states in the eastern U.S. Check local reviews as some locations have better reviews than others. The company is GreenPro certified, which means it emphasizes integrated pest management strategies such as habitat reduction and eliminating food and water sources.
Best on a budget: Massey Services
Orlando, Florida-based Massey Services proves you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for reliable pest control service. The company offers quarterly pest control, termite control, mosquito service, and landscaping services. Massey does not provide online quotes, so to get specific pricing ,you must contact them for a free on-site inspection. However, customers receiving quarterly pest control can expect to pay between $120 to $150 for an initial visit, and between $80 and $95 thereafter. Other sources put the price even lower at about $70 per visit.
Massey Services is widely available in Florida with 103 locations but also operates in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The company has mostly 3-star and 4-star reviews on Google, but reviews vary by location, so be sure to search for your local office to see how they fare. The company offers a money-back guarantee after 30 days and promises a 24-hour response time if you have pest problems between scheduled visits. The company has a policy of using “environmentally friendly mediums” when exterior spraying and avoids blanket spraying of pesticides inside the home unless it is targeting a specific pest.
Best for multiple needs: Arrow Exterminators
It is not uncommon for pest control companies to provide additional services such as lawn care or moisture control, but no leading company does quite as much as Arrow Exterminators. The Atlanta, GA-based company offers general pest control services in 11 states, mostly in the Southeast. It can take care of termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes, fire ants, scorpions, and other stinging insects. Arrow also offers wildlife control, including the management of squirrels, raccoons, bats, opossums, and snakes. In addition to lawn care and moisture control, it can also handle insulation and general handyman services. If you are looking for more than just a pest control company, Arrow is a good choice.
Another benefit is that the company has a focus on sustainable environmental practices and will aim to treat your problem in the least environmentally impactful manner possible. The company is GreenPro certified.
Best customer service: Aptive
While most pest control companies strive for good customer service, Provo, Utah-based Aptive Environmental goes the extra mile. In fact, that is part of its core values of delivering “Wow” to its customers. Another is “living by a moral compass of fairness and integrity.” The commitment to customer service has helped the company’s online ratings. For example, the company has a 4.5-star average review from Better Business Bureau users, based on more than 5,000 reviews.
Aptive operates in 25 states across the country, and Washington D.C. The company doesn’t appear to offer a money-back guarantee, but it does promise to return as often as needed to fix your issue. It is also dedicated to environmentally conscious pest prevention methods. In addition, Aptive collects donations to fund mosquito nets and other malaria treatments for communities in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. One drawback for some customers, however, is that Aptive does not treat termites.
(sources: mymove.com, thespruce.com)