Both Terminix and Orkin offer comprehensive pest control services for customers across the United States and both have been in the business for decades, firmly securing themselves as leaders in the industry. However, while similar, the two companies do have some differences between them that could influence what choice a customer ultimately ends up making for their pest control needs.
We’ve broken down the main similarities and differences between Terminix vs Orkin and gone over both companies’ plans and pricing to give consumers the information they need to make an informed choice.
Orkin vs Terminix – Overview
We’ll note upfront that as a homeowner dealing with a pest infestation, you can’t go wrong regardless of which company you choose. Both exterminators provide effective and professional services for a wide range of pests. Here’s a closer look at each company’s history and the services they each provide.
Orkin
Orkin is one of the oldest pest control companies in the country. Its origins go back to 1901 when its founder, Otto Orkin, began as a door-to-door salesman hawking his rodent control products as “Otto the Rat Man.” The company has grown impressively over the ensuing 123 years to the global giant that it is today. Currently, Orkin has offices all over the world, with more than 400 offices in the United States, and operates in all states except Alaska.
Orkin also boasts a state-of-the-art training facility called The Rollins Learning Center located in Atlanta, Georgia. Here, the Orkin Pros undergo 160 hours of rigorous training from entomologists and experts in the field, utilizing simulated environments so technicians can get first-hand experience tackling pest issues. This way you know you’re getting top-tier service no matter where you live, and the company also provides its 30-day money-back Orkin Guarantee and a 24/7 customer service line.
That said, there are a few drawbacks. For instance, Orkin does not provide free inspections on most of its services (though it does for termite infestations), and it can be difficult to get a good idea of pricing just by visiting the company’s website. This means prospective customers must take the time to call Orkin and speak with a representative before they can get an estimate of what their costs will be.
Terminix
Founded in 1927, Terminix can also claim to be one of the oldest pest control companies. Today, it serves over 2.9 million customers in 380 locations, comparable to Orkin’s 400. Terminix is available in almost all states except Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Alaska, so Orkin is able to reach more customers by serving those states. Additionally, Terminix tends to get lower customer review ratings on average than Orkin with some customers claiming they’ve had trouble canceling their recurring service.
There are many benefits of working with Terminix. The company offers its customers their Nix Pest Guarantee which provides free retreatment between scheduled services if pests are found, and overall has more transparent pricing on their website so customers can see right away what their costs will be. Another big draw for potential customers is that Terminix offers free inspections for most of their services which Orkin does not, so you can actually have a technician come out to your home free of charge to investigate before you spend a penny. Finally, Terminix has more customizable plans so customers who only need help addressing one type of pest may find the price and service that Terminix provides better for their needs.
Orkin vs Terminix – Pricing
When comparing Orkin vs Terminix prices, it’s important to note that many factors influence pricing. This includes the size of the house or property that’s being treated, the location of the house (some areas of the country will be more expensive to deal with pests), the severity of the infestation, and the type of pest that’s being treated.
| Feature | Orkin | Terminix |
|---|---|---|
| Free Inspections | Only for termites | For most services |
| One-time Treatment Cost | $247 to $425 (varies by pest) | $320 for ants, $455 to $750 for bed bugs |
| Treatment Plans | General and specialized for specific pests | General and specialized for specific pests |
Many termite infestations cost more to treat since they often cause a lot of structural damage to the home and require multiple visits. Or, if you’re trying to treat multiple pests such as household pests like cockroaches, ants, or rodents in addition to mosquitoes in your outdoor living area, your overall costs will be higher since different methods are needed for each problem.
The other factor in deciding your costs will be whether you want a one-time treatment or recurring treatments. Both companies recommend multiple treatments throughout the year to effectively deal with pest issues, though they also both offer single treatments.
For a one-time treatment from Orkin, customers can expect to pay between $247 to $425, while Terminix customers will pay around $320 for a one-time ant treatment and between $455 and $750 for a bed bug treatment.
You’ll also see a difference in the types of treatment plans offered by each company. Both Orkin and Terminix offer general plans that cover a range of pests as well as more specialized treatment plans that focus on one type of pest. Both companies offer free inspections for termite infestations, but only Terminix offers free inspections for its other services.
Orkin vs Terminix – Plans & Pests
There are very few pests that aren’t treated by Orkin and Terminix services. In general, both companies offer either one-time, monthly, or quarterly treatment plans based on your needs and budget. For customers who are looking for comprehensive treatment for several types of pests, both companies offer general treatment plans, but they also have plans targeted to a single pest.
While each company claims they can treat dozens of different types of pests including ants, ticks, rodents, silverfish, and cockroaches, there are a few pests that we’ll compare directly.
| Pest | Orkin | Terminix |
|---|---|---|
| Termites | Uses Sentricon, gas fumigation, termiticide | OnGuard system, offers repair guarantees |
| Mosquitoes | Treats with various insecticides | Quick Guard service, water-resistant spray |
| Bed Bugs | Multiple treatment methods including heat | Uses heat, steam, vacuum, RapidFreeze |
Termites
Terminix
Using its proprietary OnGuard Termite Protection System, Terminix is able to address all levels of termite infestation. All of Terminix’s termite plans include an initial inspection and then customers can choose from three levels of coverage: the Termite + Retreat Guarantee that includes regular treatment and reinspection, the Termite + Repair Guarantee that includes treatment plus repairs from termite damage that’s assessed up to $250,000, or the Termite + Repair Guarantee + Pest which includes the treatment, repairs, as well as additional treatment for 13 of the most common household pests.
Orkin
Orkin’s services address subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites and your technician will tailor your plan to the type of termite you have and the scope of the infestation. The company will approach the problem using a variety of methods including Sentricon monitoring and bait stations, gas fumigation, termiticide, and moisture removal.
Mosquitoes
Terminix
Terminix uses a water-resistant polymer spray to treat mosquitoes (called Quick Guard Mosquito Service) all around your property. Although the treatment won’t wash off easily in rain and can last for several weeks, Terminix recommends retreatments during the spring and summer months.
Orkin
Mosquito services from Orkin focus on the treatment of the perimeter of your property using synthetic chemicals, natural insecticides, or microbial insecticides to target adult mosquitoes, egg-laying females, and larvae to prevent future problems from popping up. Orkin recommends retreatment of the property during the worst of mosquito season which is typically April through October depending on where you live.
Bed Bugs
Terminix
Since bed bug infestations can be hard to manage, Terminix uses multiple treatment methods including heat, steam, vacuuming, and its RapidFreeze solution.
Orkin
Orkin almost always recommends multiple treatments for bed bugs and uses a few different treatment methods including pesticides and heat treatments.
Orkin vs Terminix – Customer Service & Reviews
| Feature | Orkin | Terminix |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | 24/7 line, online portal | 24/7 line, text, chat, online portal |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Review Trends | Higher pricing concerns, praised technicians | Mixed reviews, issues with service cancellation |
Both Terminix and Orkin provide 24-hour customer service for existing clients.
Orkin customers can call (855) 504-4664 or log into your customer portal. If you’re not yet an Orkin customer you can either call or fill out the online contact form and a representative will call you back to discuss plan options.
Terminix customers can call (877) 219-9363 or log in to their customer account on the company’s website. Terminix also offers customers a chance to text a customer care representative or chat online to get help.
Overall, both companies get relatively positive reviews from customers and both companies currently have an A+ rating from the BBB. On the whole, Orkin outperforms Terminix when it comes to customer reviews as Terminix tends to get more mixed reviews than Orkin.
The negative reviewers for Terminix mainly talked about the difficulty in canceling service and that some customers were being charged for services they were no longer receiving. That said, Terminix also gets praise for its clear communication and effective service.
Orkin’s positive reviewers cite the professional and knowledgeable technicians and the timely scheduling. There are a number of reviews saying Orkin costs more than Terminix, so if cost is a major factor then you should take this into consideration.
Orkin vs Terminix – Availability
| Feature | Orkin | Terminix |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1901 | 1927 |
| Coverage | All states except Alaska | All states except Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Alaska |
| Number of Offices | Over 400 in the U.S. | 380 locations across the U.S. |
Both companies have locations across the country with Orkin covering a little more territory. Orkin serves customers in all states except Alaska. It is also a global company with locations spanning five continents including Canada.
The only states that Terminix doesn’t yet serve are Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Alaska, but it does offer service in Puerto Rico.
Orkin vs Terminix – Treatment Guarantees
Orkin and Terminix both stand by their work and offer free reservice if their initial treatment was ineffective. Orkin offers complimentary services on its recurring plans if you see pests in between services, as well as offering a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied with the work.
Terminix also has its Nix Pest Guarantee for customers on an ongoing monthly or quarterly plan where a technician will retreat for free if needed. This guarantee also extends to customers who purchased a one-time treatment, but it’s only available for 30 days past the day of treatment.
Should You Choose Orkin Or Terminix?
There’s no doubt that Orkin and Terminix are two of the best pest control companies in the country and for good reason. When comparing Orkin vs Terminix you know no matter what you’ll end up with a reputable company that stands by their work by offering free reservicing, has decades of experience, and provides effective solutions for all your pest problems. However, there are a few differences that may sway a homeowner one way or the other.
On the whole, you’ll likely see lower overall prices from Terminix, the company offers free inspections, and it’s easier to get an idea of your costs without having to speak with a representative. On the other hand, Orkin has more offices in the country so you have a better chance of finding a location near you, it has more positive customer reviews, and it offers a money-back guarantee. We suggest asking for pricing information from both companies and comparing quotes side by side to see what makes the most sense for you.
