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Finding out that your home has a pest infestation of any kind – from ants to rodents – can be very worrisome. Controlling a pest problem can quickly become costly, and using over-the-counter remedies often doesn’t do enough.

However, an expert pest control service knows exactly what to do to control an infestation safely and effectively. Here are the best companies to call when you need pest control for your home or yard:

CompanyAvailability (# of States)BBB RatingPest SpecialtyFree InspectionFree Quote
Terminix46A+Termites, bed bugs, ants, mosquitoes, some rodents✔️✔️
Orkin49A+Termites, cockroaches, spiders, moths, ants, fleas✔️ (only for termites)✔️
Ehrlich Pest Control17 + DCA+Ants, bed bugs, termites✔️✔️
Aptive Environmental34B+Several insects and small rodents✔️
Mosquito Joe38A+Mosquitoes, fleas, ticks✔️
Bulwark Exterminating15A+Termites, mosquitoes, several insects✔️✔️
Critter Control44VariesWildlife✔️
Truly Nolen15 + Puerto RicoA+Termites, bed bugs, rodents, 100+ pests✔️✔️

The best pest control companies have integrated pest management strategies to tackle common pests like stinging insects, termites, mosquitos, bed bugs, and spiders – both inside and outside your home. Let’s take a closer look.

Terminix

Terminix is one of the longest-running and most well-known companies in the pest control industry, perhaps most known for its termite control and ongoing pest monitoring and trapping services.

The company serves nearly 3 million customers across the United States, offering a free inspection to determine the level of care they need and to customize a treatment plan. From the yard to the home’s attic, Terminix experts cover all ground to adhere to their commitment to professional pest control.

Pros

  • Annual pest control plans
  • Available in most states
  • On-staff experienced entomologists
  • Online scheduling and payments

Cons

  • Non-transparent pricing
  • Some year-round treatment plans can be pricey
  • Limited wildlife control services

Highlights

  • Best for: Homeowners looking for comprehensive pest control plans from a reputable company
  • Year Founded: 1927
  • Availability: 46 states
  • BBB Rating: A+ rating; Not BBB accredited
  • Pest Specialty: Termites, bed bugs, ants, mosquitoes, and several other insects; some rodents and wildlife
  • Free Inspection: Yes
  • Free Quote: Yes

Why We Like Terminix

Terminix

Terminix doesn’t just stop at one-time pest control services. Instead, the pest control company returns to a customer’s home, if needed, to ensure that termites and other unwanted pests they treated remain a safe distance away from the property – and they do so for free.

The company also offers year-round pest management plans to keep outdoor and household pests away. Overall, Terminix’s cost is competitive with both nationwide and local providers, and it also has a 30-day guarantee your home remains pest free following its service.

Type of Pests Treated

  • Bed bugs
  • Ants
  • Spiders
  • Stinging insects (like bees and wasps)
  • Termites (most common service)
  • Wildlife (squirrels, raccoons)

Terminix treats a wide variety of bugs, including bed bugs, ants, spiders, and stinging insects, although their most common service is termite control. Customers can also contact Terminix for wildlife control to help with squirrels, raccoons, and other wild animals that may choose to take up residence in attics and other living spaces.

Other Services Provided

In addition to general pest control, Terminix provides home services to protect and seal areas of the home that are often vulnerable to pests, like attics and gutters. The company’s experts can insulate attics, seal crawlspaces, and protect gutters to keep out wildlife.

Read the full Terminix review >>


Orkin

Orkin

What originally began in 1901 as a door-to-door sales service for rodenticides is now Orkin, a pest control company that extends its services across the United States. From termite prevention and control to ridding properties of ticks, fleas, ants, and other unwanted pests, Orkin provides long-lasting and year-round treatment applications for almost any common pest.

Pros

  • Treats over 20 common pests
  • Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Highly trained technicians
  • Available in 49 states + D.C.

Cons

  • Prices are not available online
  • Custom quote process can delay the start of service
  • Charges a fee for many types of inspections

Highlights

  • Best for: Residential customers looking for reliable pest control
  • Year Founded: 1901
  • Availability: All states but Alaska
  • BBB Rating: A+ rating; Accredited
  • Pest Specialty: Numerous types of insects, including termites, cockroaches, spiders, moths, ants, fleas, and bed bugs
  • Free Inspection: Yes, for termites
  • Free Quote: Yes

Why We Like Orkin

Orkin Pest Control

Orkin’s longstanding history in the pest control industry has made it one of the most popular choices for pest control, especially termite treatment. Orkin uses innovative practices to control pest populations and prevent them from entering and harming home and business properties. Plus, the company offers year-round services to continue monitoring and treating pests.

Type of Pests Treated

  • Wildlife and rodents (limited areas)
  • Termites
  • Ants
  • Beetles
  • Bed bugs
  • Earwigs
  • Fleas
  • Flies
  • Mosquitoes
  • Spiders
  • Stinging insects

Orkin offers some wildlife and rodent control services, although they’re limited to specific areas of the United States. More commonly, Orkin treats termites and a range of other insects, including ants, beetles, bed bugs, earwigs, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, spiders, and stinging insects.

Other Services Provided

Full-property coverage from Orkin allows homeowners to receive extra protection for their homes to keep pests away, including attic insulation, moisture control services, and VitalClean cleaning and sanitation services.

Read the full Orkin review >>


Ehrlich Pest Control

Ehrlich Pest Control

Ehrlich Pest Control started in 1928 as a seller of insecticides but has since grown into a full-service pest control company offering everything from bed bug treatment to rodent control. Although still smaller than more widespread pest control companies, Ehrlich Pest Control has over 100 locations across the United States to bring one-time and all-year treatments to home and business owners.

Pros

  • Year-round pest control service plans
  • Products registered by the EPA
  • Offers online quoting tool
  • Online bill pay available

Cons

  • Only available in 19 states
  • Limited wildlife control services

Highlights

  • Best for: East Coast residents and commercial property owners in need of pest control
  • Year Founded: 1928
  • Availability: 19 states plus the District of Columbia
  • BBB Rating: A+ rating; Not BBB accredited
  • Pest Specialty: Ants, bed bugs, and termites, although it helps treat several types of infestations
  • Free Inspection: Yes
  • Free Quote: Yes

Why We Like Ehrlich Pest Control

Ehrlich Pest Control

Ehrlich Pest Control focuses on using products that are safe for the people and pets in your household. Its products are approved and registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the company uses strategic treatment processes to minimize the impact of its treatments on the environment around you.

Type of Pests Treated

  • Ants
  • Termites
  • Bed bugs
  • Stinging creatures
  • Fleas
  • Crickets
  • Flies
  • Moths
  • Mosquitoes
  • Spiders
  • Snakes (in some areas)
  • Birds (in some areas)
  • Other wildlife (in some areas)

Ants, termites, and bed bugs are the top pests that Ehrlich Pest Control helps its customers with. However, the company also protects against stinging creatures, fleas, crickets, flies, moths, mosquitoes, spiders, and other insects. Snakes, birds, and other wildlife can also be controlled in some areas.

Other Services Provided

Ehrlich Pest Control’s PestFree365+ plans can help keep dozens of pests at bay throughout the year. When you sign on for a plan, an Ehrlich technician creates a custom strategy for your home, returning as needed to monitor pest activity and prevent and treat infestations.

Read the full Ehrlich review >>


Aptive

Aptive Environmental

Aptive Environmental, better known as Aptive, provides pest control plans customized to each customer’s needs. Aptive technicians can treat the home inside and out, depending on the types of pests a customer needs help with, including basements, eaves, and bedrooms.

Aptive boasts to be one of Utah’s fastest-growing companies, currently boasting more than 700,000 customers.

Pros

  • Fast-growing company with expansions into new cities and states
  • Highly customized plans
  • Unlimited visits, as needed, while on a treatment plan
  • One-time services available for some pest problems like mosquitoes or fleas

Cons

  • Not available in all states
  • Early termination fee for canceled contracts
  • No treatment for wood-destroying insects like termites or wildlife

Highlights

  • Best For: Residential customers looking for year-round pest control
  • Year Founded: 2015
  • Availability: 30 states
  • BBB Rating: B+ rating; Not BBB accredited
  • Pest Specialty: Several insects and small rodents
  • Free Inspection: No
  • Free Quote: Yes

Why We Like Aptive

Aptive Environmental Pest Control

Despite being one of the newest pest control companies, Aptive Environmental has quickly become one of the best control services, according to customers. Aptive has expanded quickly into dozens of states and continues to open new locations in populated metro areas to serve residents conveniently. Aptive has also joined forces with United to Beat Malaria to support malaria prevention and treatments in underserved nations.

Type of Pests Treated

  • Deer mice
  • House mites
  • Silverfish
  • Spiders
  • Ticks
  • Yellow jackets
  • Millipedes
  • Cockroaches

Aptive does not treat any insects that damage wood, including termites and carpenter ants. It also doesn’t provide wildlife control services. However, some rodents, like deer mice and house mites, are covered, as are numerous types of insects, like silverfish, spiders, ticks, yellow jackets, millipedes, and cockroaches.

Other Services Provided

In addition to their year-round service plans, Aptive offers one-time treatments for some mild pest issues, like mosquito or flea control.

Read the full Aptive review >>


Mosquito Joe

Mosquito Joe Pest Control

Headquartered in Virginia Beach, Mosquito Joe is a mosquito and pest management company that’s part of the EPA-established Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. With over 100 locations in the United States, Mosquito Joe employs experienced entomologists who create custom plans for every customer to treat and control pest populations near their homes.

Pros

  • Money-back guarantee
  • Excels in mosquito control
  • Prioritizes environmental friendliness
  • Lots of praise for friendly technicians

Cons

  • No free inspection
  • Transparent pricing isn’t available on website
  • Only provides outdoor pest control services

Highlights

  • Best for: homes and businesses that need to get rid of outdoor pests like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks
  • Year Founded: 2010
  • Availability: 39 states
  • BBB Rating: A+ rating; BBB accredited
  • Pest Specialty: Mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and several other insects and rodents
  • Free Inspection: No
  • Free Quote: Yes

Why We Like Mosquito Joe

Mosquito Joe Pest Control

After only two years of its founding, Mosquito Joe franchised its business, allowing expansion into numerous areas of the United States. As it grew, the company began focusing on giving back to the community through organizations like United to Beat Malaria and MoJo Bites Back.

Mosquito Joe also offers a Neighborly Done Right Promise, giving customers a satisfaction guarantee that its services will work or they can get their money back.

Type of Pests Treated

  • Mosquitoes
  • Ticks
  • Fleas
  • Fire ants
  • Gnats
  • Flies
  • Lanternflies
  • Spiders
  • Stink bugs
  • Mice
  • Chipmunks
  • Groundhogs
  • Rats

Mosquito Joe is best known for treating mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. However, the company also services homes and businesses for the control of fire ants, gnats, flies, lanternflies, spiders, stink bugs, and more. The company can also help with some small rodents, like mice, chipmunks, groundhogs, and rats.

Other Services Provided

Aside from its traditional pest and mosquito control services, Mosquito Joe offers specialized mosquito traps and treatments and mosquito misting systems to treat stubborn mosquito populations around homes and businesses effectively.

Read the full Mosquito Joe review >>


Bulwark Exterminating

Bulwark Exterminating

Bulwark Exterminating started as a family-owned business and continues to be one today, although it has since expanded into 25 locations in 16 states, including Texas, Indiana, and Kentucky since its 1999 founding. The company provides both one-time pest control services and year-round pest control.

Pros

  • Free inspection and phone consultation
  • Extensive positive customer reviews
  • Family-owned and operated
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee

Cons

  • Pricing isn’t available on website
  • Wildlife and rodent control is limited

Highlights

Best For: Homeowners who want one-time or recurring pest control services
BBB rating: A+
Areas Served: 16 states
Plans offered (types of pests): Several types of pests, but focuses mostly on mosquitoes and termites
Average monthly cost: $50 to $62.50 per month for year-round service

Why We Like Bulwark Exterminating

photo of Bulwark Pest Control technicians

There’s a lot to be said about a business that was started by a family and has continued to be family-run more than two decades later despite growing and offering more services. Bulwark Exterminating has done just that, ensuring that its customers get treated with respect, feel heard, and get their needs met when they call the company for services.

Bulwark Exterminating has also dedicated time and finances to researching the best products to maintain safety for its customers. The company uses research-backed products that are known for being effective without being harmful to people and pets.

Type of Pests Treated

  • Termites
  • Mosquitoes
  • Spiders
  • Scorpions
  • Flying insects
  • Roaches
  • Beetles
  • Crickets
  • Ants
  • Weevils
  • Ticks
  • Mice
  • Rats

Bulwark Exterminating specializes in termites and mosquitoes but can also help with spiders, scorpions, flying insects, roaches, beetles, crickets, ants, weevils, and ticks. The company can also remove and prevent small rodents from invading your home like mice and rats.

Other Services Provided

Customers can opt into a year-round service plan from Bulwark Exterminating to keep their homes pest-free throughout the year. Experts will come to monitor pest activity and take action, if needed, to control and prevent infestations. Some indoor services are also available on these plans to treat garage floors, window and door seals, and moisture points.

Read the full Bulwark Exterminating review >>


Critter Control

Critter Control

Critter Control is a go-to company for wildlife control, whether you need help protecting your home from squirrels or bats or need a family of raccoons removed from your attic. The company has over 40 years of experience using humane methods for animal removal, working diligently to prevent harm to animals while meeting customers’ needs.

Pros

  • Specializes in humane wildlife control
  • Works with residences and businesses
  • Financing available

Cons

  • Can be expensive
  • No free inspection
  • Some locations don’t have weekend hours

Highlights

Best For: Wildlife removal and control
Year Founded: 1983
Availability: 42 states
BBB Rating: A+
Pest Specialty: Raccoons, bats, squirrels, woodchucks, voles, and more wildlife
Free Inspection: No
Free Quote: Yes

Why We Like Critter Control

Critter Control

Critter Control can meet wildlife wherever it happens to enter your home, whether it’s making its way into the attic or bothering your family on your deck or porch. Using harm-free wildlife removal tactics, Critter Control can not only trap and prevent wildlife, but it can also apply parasitic treatments and wildlife repellents and repair damages to secure your home against future infestations.

Type of Pests Treated

  • Rodents (rats, mice)
  • Squirrels
  • Raccoons
  • Bats
  • Birds
  • Moles
  • Skunks
  • Opossums
  • Snakes
  • Foxes
  • Beavers
  • Insects & Bugs (bed bugs, ants, spiders, cockroaches, etc.)

Although wildlife removal is its primary service, Critter Control also helps homeowners and businesses rid their properties of mice and other small rodents and common pests, like ants, roaches, and stinging insects.

Other Services Provided

Critter Control can provide custom solutions to keep wildlife from entering your home by blocking access to areas they find intriguing, like your attic or chimney. For example, after an inspection, the company might seal soffit gaps, remove overhanging tree limbs, or place chimney caps to keep wildlife from entering your home.

Read the full Critter Control review >>


Truly Nolen

Truly Nolen

Truly David Nolen, the founder of Truly Nolen, began working for his father’s extermination company in 1938, eventually opening his own pest control company in 1955. Since then, the company has remained in the hands of the Nolen family, with Nolen’s daughter Scarlett becoming its president in 2019.

Truly Nolen has become well-known for its eye-catching vehicles that advertise the business, like its 1923 Dodge Roadster and its more recent “Mouse Car,” complete with mouse ears and a tail.

Pros

  • Online service requests available
  • Operates its own pest research center
  • Prioritizes environmentally friendly products
  • Satisfaction guarantees on service agreements

Cons

  • Not widespread throughout the United States
  • No wildlife removal services

Highlights

  • Best for: Homeowners in need of pest control
  • Year Founded: 1955
  • Availability: 15 states + Puerto Rico
  • BBB Rating: A+
  • Pest Specialty: Pests, termites, rodents, lawn care, insulation
  • Free Inspection: Yes
  • Free Quote: Yes

Why We Like Truly Nolen

Truly Nolen Pest Control

Truly Nolen operates a pest control research and development center in Tuscon, Arizona. Experts study the habits of common pests and develop treatment methods that are effective at eliminating and preventing infestations without harming the environment, people, or pets.

The company also remains active in its communities, sharing its Mouse Car with local schools, participating in community car shows, and hosting educational events for children.

Type of Pests Treated

  • Termites
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Bed bugs
  • Stinging insects
  • Ants
  • Crickets
  • Gnats
  • Ticks
  • Mosquitoes
  • Silverfish
  • Earwigs
  • Roaches
  • Grubs

Truly Nolen specializes in termites, mice, and rats, but it also helps with numerous insects, including bed bugs, stinging insects, ants, crickets, gnats, ticks, mosquitoes, silverfish, earwigs, roaches, and grubs.

Other Services Provided

Although primarily a pest control company, Truly Nolen provides lawn care services to Florida customers. By starting with a lawn analysis, the company’s experts can customize a plan to grow and maintain a healthy lawn that thrives in Florida’s climate. Customers can also sign up for a Truly Insulation Plus plan to get high-quality insulation installed under floors, in crawl spaces, and in attics to improve efficiency, weatherproof your home, and keep pests at bay.

Read the full Truly Nolen review >>


How To Choose the Right Pest Control Company

Best Pest Control Companies

This guide answers common questions about pest control, such as “What are the best pest control companies?” and How much does pest control cost? But we also want to provide some guidance on choosing the right pest control company for your pest problem, as it’s essential to make the right choice to stop pests from becoming permanent fixtures in or around your home.

Make sure the company treats your pest issue, and whether there is a location near your home. Some companies are willing to travel an hour or so out of the way, but you might end up paying more for them to do so.

Also, look at their customer ratings on websites like BBB.org and Yelp. Have other customers had positive experiences? This is a good indicator that you might also have success with clearing up your problem if you use this company.

Take advantage of free quotes and inspections, which many of the best pest control companies offer. While a free quote can give you a ballpark idea of what you can expect to pay, a free inspection is even better. It allows the pest specialist to learn more about your problem, create a treatment plan, and give you a more accurate quote.

Do I need pest control?

If you notice a pest problem, it’s often best to contact a pest control company for help instead of trying to tackle the problem yourself. A pest control service can inspect your home to determine the source of the pest problem and use tried-and-true extermination techniques to curb the problem quickly.

How much does pest control cost?

Pest control treatments generally average between $300 and $1,000, depending on the extent of the infestation and the type of pest being treated. One-time services are usually more costly than year-round prevention plans, as they could require a few visits before the problem is solved.

Is pest control safe?

When you use a reputable company, pest control can be a safe way to prevent and eliminate pest infestations. Companies like Truly Nolen, Ehrlich Pest Control, and Mosquito Joe prioritize the use of environmentally safe products that don’t cause harm to people or pets.

What is the hardest pest to get rid of?

Termites and bed bugs are known for being very difficult to get rid of. If you notice these bugs in or around your home, you probably already have a bed bug or termite infestation, which can be time-consuming and costly to treat. Requesting help from one of the best pest control companies that’s equipped to handle your infestation provides the best line of defense to treat it quickly and prevent another infestation from happening.