5 Best Pest Control Companies of July 2023

Pests are never welcome guests in your home. Some insects, such as termites, bed bugs, and cockroaches, are especially difficult to manage. Hiring a pest control company can help you eliminate these infestations. Many providers also offer preventive pest control plans to get ahead of future problems.

The This Old House Reviews Team has analyzed dozens of pest control providers and narrowed down our top five recommendations. This guide covers the pros and cons of each option to help you determine the right fit.

• Terminix: Best Overall
• Orkin: Best for Urgent Service
• Hawx: Best Mosquito Plan
• J.C. Ehrlich: Most Comprehensive Plan
• Aptive: Most Customizable

Consider the following factors when deciding between pest control companies.

Type of Pests

Perhaps the most important factor is which pests you want protection from. Are you looking for a package that covers a variety of common household pests, or a targeted plan that only tackles mosquito control? Some providers offer a broad range of plans, while others offer specialized treatments.

Pest Control Pricing Variables

Your budget is key, and it’s always a good idea to shop around for several quotes. Pest control companies might give you a general estimate over the phone, but they’ll need to do an in-home inspection to give you the most accurate quote. It’s also important to research the billing process. Some providers offer one-time payments, while others follow a standardized billing cycle.

Each pest control company’s plans are unique, so costs will vary among providers. The following factors determine what you’ll pay:

• Pest type: Some pests are more difficult to eliminate than others.
• Degree of infestation: Serious infestations will cost more to resolve than a smaller pest population.
• Number of treatments: If you need several pest control treatments, it will cost more than one standard treatment.
• Property size: The larger your property, the more you’ll have to pay for pest control services.

Plan Schedules

Not all providers offer visits in monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly intervals. Make sure you choose a plan that has visits as frequently as you want them.

Guarantees

Most pest control companies offer a service guarantee, but the terms vary. Some companies offer free reservice if pests return, while others include a full refund for the unsuccessful treatment if you remain a customer.

Orkin offers a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee that ensures free reservice if pests return between scheduled visits. If the pest issue can’t be resolved, Orkin will refund your most recent service payment as long as you remain a customer.

Terminix provides different guarantees, depending on the service. It offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for its general pest control plan that states a Terminix technician will re-treat pests for free if they return. The company will also refund your latest payment if you aren’t 100% satisfied with your service.

Terminix offers an Ultimate Protection Guarantee for termites. Qualifying homeowners will never have to pay for treatment or repairs from termite damage as long as they maintain their plan.

Finally, Terminix offers a comprehensive Bed Bug Guarantee. The company will provide free reservice if you find bed bugs in a treated area within 30 days. The guarantee increases to 90 days if you buy a mattress encasement for every mattress and box spring in your house.

Reputation

A company’s reputation says a lot about its trustworthiness, competence, and reliability. Look at the provider’s history and customer reviews to find one with the best quality of service. A company with decades of experience and a proven track record may do a better job than a newcomer.

Hiring a professional pest control company may be worth it if you’re experiencing a full-blown infestation. Most pest control companies offer a general plan that covers common household issues. The company will inspect your home before creating a tailored treatment plan and returning regularly to monitor the situation.

The best pest control companies have highly trained technicians who are equipped with commercial-grade products inaccessible to homeowners. The experts know how to apply the products and how often, and they’re trained in continual home monitoring. Instead of spending time researching options on your own, you can hire a pest control company with proven results.

Most pest control companies also offer free returns to remedy your pest issue.

Having a pest control company to help you maintain a pest-free home is crucial in preventing damage to your property and avoiding health risks associated with pests. These companies offer a variety of services to keep your home safe from pests like rodents, termites, and bed bugs. Here are our top picks for the best professional pest control companies:

Terminix

• Covered Pests: Cockroaches, ants, rodents, stinging insects, fleas, spiders, termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes
• Service Guarantee: Reservice and money-back guarantee
• 24/7 Customer Support: Yes
• States Available: 45

Why We Chose Terminix

We gave Terminix a score of 98.5 out of 100, the highest of any provider we’ve rated. The company has more than 90 years of experience in the pest control industry and services 2.8 million residential and commercial customers worldwide.

It offers easy online customer service with an efficient real-time chat function, and it’s generally more affordable than the other companies we reviewed. Terminix offers general pest control for common household critters such as wasps and moths, as well as special treatment programs for termites, bed bugs,  mosquitoes, and ticks.

Pros and Cons

Services

Terminix offers three plans for termite control and prevention.

• Basic Termite Plan: Includes an annual termite inspection, installation of a continuous termite protection system, and a reservice guarantee
• Advanced Termite Plan: Includes Basic Termite Plan services plus an extended reservice guarantee that also covers repairs for new termite damage
• Premium Termite Plan: Includes all services and guarantees in the Advanced Termite Plan plus ongoing pest control against 13 other household pests

You can also schedule one-time or quarterly treatment for broader pest control, including for ants, cockroaches, mice, and more.

Cost

For a three-bedroom home in Nashville, Tennessee, Terminix gave us the following general pest control pricing estimates:

• Quarterly Pest Control: $119 (or $39.67 monthly)
• One-Time Pest Control: $249 

To receive a quote for termite control services, you will need to contact Terminix to perform a free inspection of your home.

To get a free quote from Terminix, call 866-569-4035 or fill out Terminix’s simple form.

Learn more: Terminix Pest Control Review

Orkin

• Covered Pests: Cockroaches, ants, rodents, stinging insects, fleas, spiders, termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes
• Service Guarantee: Reservice and money-back guarantees
• 24/7 Customer Support: Yes
• States Available: 49 (All but Alaska)

Why We Chose Orkin

Orkin is a trusted name in the pest control industry, having been in business for more than 100 years. The company services 1.7 million residential and commercial customers across the country. It uses an Integrated Pest Management Approach, which aims to treat pests in the most economical way with the least hazard to people, property, and the environment.

Orkin’s general pest control plan protects against up to 20 household common pests, including ants, roaches, mice, and spiders. The company also offers targeted control for termites and bed bugs, using proprietary technology and products. We believe Orkin offers the most customer resources and rate it 94 out of 100, the second-highest score of all the pest control companies we reviewed.

Pros and Cons

Services

Orkin customizes its termite and pest control plans to your home’s needs. It uses liquid and dry foam treatments for termite prevention. For general pest control, Orkin will treat your home for ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas, mosquitoes, and other common pests. The company’s pest control specialists will fortify your home as necessary, sealing gaps and plugging holes to block pests from entering the structure.

Other Orkin services include the following: 

• Attic insulation that doubles as a pest barrier
• Gutter protection that prevents pests from building nests
• Lawn treatment for pests (Florida only)
• Wildlife control

Cost

Your local Orkin office must inspect your home to accurately formulate and price your pest control treatment plan. Cost factors include location, climate, and the personalized solution needed to eradicate and prevent pests.

To get a free quote from Orkin, call 877-868-1416 or fill out Orkin’s online form.

Learn more: Orkin Pest Control review

Hawx

• Covered Pests: Cockroaches, ants, rodents, stinging insects, fleas, spiders, termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes
• Service Guarantee: Reservice guarantee
• 24/7 Customer Support: No
• States Available: 16

Why We Chose Hawx

Though a smaller company, Hawx has glowing customer reviews across multiple review sites, including the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Best Company. We rated Hawx 88.25 out of 100. It scored highly for its plan options, guarantees, and user-friendly website.

Hawx offers a comprehensive Home Service Plan, covering spiders, ants, cockroaches, ticks, wasps, hornets, and bees. It also offers a Mosquito Abatement Plan customized to your property, including targeted treatments for mosquito larvae before they hatch.

Pros and Cons

We believe Hawx offers the best mosquito plan. In addition to treating mosquitoes, a technician will identify stagnant water puddles and other damp areas of your yard that may be nesting sites.

Services

Hawx offers residential and commercial pest control services. The pest control treatment process starts at the structure’s foundation and extends to the eaves, lawn, and perimeter of the property. For its residential plan, Hawx can service your home quarterly or bi-monthly. It claims to target more than 40 pests. 

The Mosquito Abatement Plan involves monthly treatments during peak mosquito season and comes with a satisfaction guarantee. 

Cost

Hawx must inspect your home to determine a pest control plan and provide a quote. No online pricing information is currently available. Between scheduled treatments, Hawx will provide free reservice as necessary.

Learn more: Hawx Pest Control review

J.C. Ehrlich

• Covered Pests: Ants, bees, bed bugs, crickets, fabric pests, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, moths, spiders, stink bugs, wasps, and more.
• Service Guarantee: Customer satisfaction guarantee
• 24/7 Customer Support: No
• States Available: 18

Why We Chose J.C. Ehrlich

J.C. Ehrlich, a subsidiary of Rentokil, scored 82.5 out of 100 on key metrics such as plan options, availability, trustworthiness, and customer service. The company stands out for its comprehensive general pest control plan and large support network. Though it offers a vague guarantee, it has a useful online chat function that allows you to communicate with representatives in real time.

J.C. Ehrlich provides more than 750 professionally trained pest control specialists across the United States, as well as entomologists for on-site consultations. Ehrlich’s pest control plans focus on risk assessment, reassurance, and responsiveness. The company covers approximately 40 pests with its comprehensive, year-round PestFree365+ program.

Pros and Cons

Services

J.C. Ehrlich offers residential and commercial pest control services targeting a wide range of insects, wood-destroying organisms, rodents, and more. Its treatment approach and frequency will depend on your preferences and the nature of your infestation. With J.C. Ehrlich’s PestFree365+ plan, the company provides treatment for more than 36 pests over one year. 

Additional services include pest fumigation, moisture control services, thermal acoustical pest control, and more. 

Cost

J.C. Ehrlich’s service cost will depend on several factors, including your home’s location, the pest type, and the extent of the infestation. A specialist will inspect your home to determine the best treatment options. 

J.C. Ehrlich’s website has an online pricing tool for estimating service costs. For a 2,000-square-foot home in North Carolina, the company estimated that a one-time pest control service would cost approximately $326. Its PestFree365+ plan came to $43 per month for the same property.

Learn more: J.C. Ehrlich review

Aptive

• Covered Pests: Ants, aphids, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, fleas, grain beetles, granary rice weevils, meal moths, millipedes, mud daubers, pill bugs, rodents, scorpions, silverfish, snails, ticks, wasps, yellow jackets
• Service Guarantee: Reservice guarantee
• 24/7 Customer Support: Yes
• States Available: 32

Why We Chose Aptive

Aptive is a new but fast-growing provider. It was named one of the Best Companies in America by Entrepreneur Magazine and ranks high on Pest Control Technology’s Top 100.

As a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, Aptive engages with communities to build environmental awareness and reduce pesticide risk. It’s also committed to tailoring treatments for each customer. For these reasons, we rate Aptive 91 out of 100.

Pros and Cons

Services

Aptive offers customized pest treatment plans based on your location. Its specialists conduct treatment services quarterly and provide free reservice as necessary. Aptive specialists will first treat your property by flushing active infestations. They will return in 20 to 40 days to target eggs and larvae before transitioning to a normal treatment schedule. Aptive typically services only the exterior of your home, but it may offer interior treatments per customer request.

Cost

Aptive does not provide online pricing information and requires you to undergo the inspection process with a specialist who will tailor a plan to your home’s needs. The company published a post on its blog stating the average cost of a single pest control treatment in Sacramento is roughly $500. However, this cost can vary considerably depending on your home’s needs and location.

Learn more: Aptive Pest Control review

We believe serious pest issues are best left to the professionals. The top companies in the industry are Terminix, Orkin, Hawx, Ehrlich, and Aptive. Each one offers comprehensive pest control, decades of experience, and expert technicians.

Terminix values customer service highly, which is clear through its real-time online chat function. Orkin offers the most customer resources, helping to educate customers about what to expect from the process. Aptive offers customizable plans and tailors its pest management approach to specific pest control needs.

We recommend getting quotes from at least three companies to determine your best fit.

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for plan options, additional benefits and convenience factors, availability, trustworthiness, and customer service to arrive at a final score out of 100.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.