The 3 Best Pest Control Companies (2021)
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Best Overall
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Most Trusted
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Best Service
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Clearing up a pest problem in your home can be extremely stressful, and before you call in professionals to deal with an infestation, there are many factors to consider. Our team has done extensive research on the market, and we've identified three pest control companies that will help you remove these disruptive visitors. Keep reading to learn more about Terminix, Orkin, and Aptive, and how to get a free quote from each.
Choosing the Best Pest Control Provider
If you're searching for a provider, here are some things to consider. It's important to identify your priorities before researching companies.
Types of Pests: When speaking to a provider, ask if the company treats the specific kind of pests that have infiltrated your home. If you are unsure of which pests are present, most reputable companies will perform a quick inspection to identify the exact problem.
Price: Receiving several quotes to compare prices is a great way to make sure you're getting the best value for your money.
Service: Find out how often each provider will make visits to your home. Some companies perform four or five services over the course of a year while others offer one-time services.
Customer Satisfaction: We recommend reading customer reviews from third-party review sites to get a sense of how each company operates. Many providers will advertise excellent service on their websites, but feedback from real customers is often more reliable. If a brand receives more negative reviews than positive ones, you'll want to steer clear.
Our Picks for Best Pest Control Companies
Best Overall: Terminix
Founded: 1927
States Served: 47 (Not available in Alaska, North Dakota, or South Dakota)
Pros
Quarterly service
All services guaranteed
One of the oldest and most reputable pest control companies
Cons
Not available in every state
C+ Better Business Bureau rating
Terminix Services
Pest control
Termite control
Bedbug treatment
Mosquito control
Wildlife control
Terminix has more than 90 years of experience in the pest control business and a nationwide network of licensed pest experts. Before completing any services, a Terminix technician will come to your home to perform a thorough inspection and build a plan and estimate for you.
If you purchase an annual plan, Terminix will visit your home four times throughout the year to ensure that it is pest-free in all seasons. Additionally, all treatments are guaranteed by the Terminix Promise. This means that the company will perform services at no extra cost if pests return between scheduled visits. That's one of the reasons why we rated Terminix the best overall pest control company in our independent review.
If you have a pest problem, call Terminix at 866-569-4035 or get a free quote online before setting up a consultation.
Most Trusted: Orkin
Founded: 1901
States Served: 47 (Not available in Alaska, South Dakota, or Wyoming)
Pros
More than 100 years of experience
More than 400 locations worldwide
30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
Not available in all 50 states
No prices listed online
Orkin Services
Pest control
Termite control
Bedbug treatment
Tick treatment
Attic insulation
Lawn treatment
Moisture control
Orkin has been in business since 1901, and the company has built an award-winning technician certification program. All Orkin technicians are trained at a 30,000-square-foot facility in Georgia, which features a full-size model home to practice pest control techniques in.
During your Orkin consultation, a technician will identify the problem, clear your home of pests, take preventative measures against future pests, and instill an open line of communication in case pests return. The company offers additional services such as attic insulation and lawn treatments to attack pest problems at the root. In addition, all chemicals used by Orkin are EPA-approved, meaning you can rid pests from your home in an environmentally conscious manner. Plus, the services come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more information on Orkin, call 877-868-1416 or get a free quote online.
Best Service: Aptive
Founded: 2015
States Served: 27
Pros
Offers free off-schedule service calls for unexpected issues or emergencies
Mobile app for plan management and connecting with customer service
Donates a portion of profits to the fight against malaria
Cons
Not available in 23 states
Fewer years in the business than many of its competitors
No termite services
Aptive Services
Offers treatments for the following pests: ants, cockroaches, spiders, rodents, stingers and biters, pantry pests, and more
Aptive is the fastest-growing pest control service in the U.S. During the consultation, a technician will come to your house and evaluate your pest control needs. Once the analysis is complete and the work begins, an Aptive technician will return four times throughout the year to make sure a change in weather or season has not brought on new pest problems.
Aptive recognizes that pests often come back, even after thorough servicing, so it offers unlimited return visits for free with the Aptive Reservice Guarantee. Customers can request visits and submit photos of infestation areas through the user-friendly mobile app.
The company is also a member of the EPA's Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, which advocates for eco-friendly company practices. On top of the green initiative, Aptive donates a portion of its profits to malaria prevention. The company has also funded the construction of roads in Ecuador and committed to planting trees in California and Utah in the wake of devastating wildfires.
For more information on Aptive's services, get a free online quote or call 866-576-7701.
Verdict and Recommendation
If your home is overrun with unwanted pests and critters, it may be time to invest in professional pest control. We recommend requesting quotes from all three companies listed above—Terminix, Orkin, and Aptive—in order to weigh your options and find the best value and service for your situation.
What Is Integrated Pest Management?
Integrated Pest Management, also known as IPM, is a holistic approach to pest control that has become standard in the industry. IPM limits the use of pesticides, which can be harmful to both the human body and the environment.
IPM systems begin with an identification of your pest problem. It uses biological, physical, and cultural controls to limit pests. Instead of jumping straight to the use of dangerous chemicals, an IPM program will create an environment that is inhospitable to pests, making it difficult for them to breed and multiply inside your home.
The goal is to rid your home of pests, and IPM will do it in the safest manner possible. When consulting with a pest control company, inquire about the IPM methods it uses during services.
Pet Insurance
Underlying research:
225 hours researched
12 companies reviewed
1,000 consumers surveyed
250+ data points collected
300+ posts analyzed on third-party review sites
Planned Additional Research in Q3/Q4
3 experts consulted
Methodology:
Before choosing a pet insurance provider to protect the health of your furry companion, consider factors such as policy coverage, plan customization, and customer experience. To save our readers' time, we spent hours researching pet insurance companies and rated each company's overall performance on a variety of metrics.
Here's a breakdown of each review factor and how much we weighted them:
Our research process involves an analysis of each company's policies, including the following:
Reviewing the fine print in each contract
Reading more than 100 customer reviews for each provider to learn about common praises and complaints from existing customers
Requesting a quote from each company to compare monthly premiums for various species and breeds of pets
Simulating the customer experience, including the initial website visit, sign-up, and claims filing
Diving into the history of each company to learn about its reputation and experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pests do pest control companies typically treat?
This list will vary depending on the provider, so make sure a company can meet your specific needs before booking an in-home consultation.
Bedbugs
Clothes moths
Termites
Cockroaches
House ants
Mice
Fleas
Rats
Scorpions
Silverfish
Spiders
Centipedes
Earwigs
House crickets
Millipedes
Paper wasps
Is it worth it to hire a pest control company?
There are many DIY remedies for pests, but their success rates depend on the pest itself and the size of the infestation. If you're finding that your own efforts are falling short, a pest control company can help.
Is Aptive a trustworthy company?
Aptive scored top of its class in our review for environmentally friendly pest control. Despite being a new company, Aptive has already earned points for its excellent service and philanthropic efforts. However, it does not offer termite services, so if your home has been invaded by termites, contact another company.
