Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Jesus Sanchez Garcia is a senior writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His expertise focuses on home warranties, with over 50 hours spent reviewing provider sample contracts to understand their benefits. He also regularly performs consumer research, such as surveys and customer interviews with an eye on incorporating data into his writing. Jesus has a bachelor’s in business administration from California State University, Stanislaus, and is still located within California’s vibrant Central Valley. When he is not researching or writing, he enjoys supporting his favorite sports teams, spending time with loved ones and chasing new adventures outdoors.
Pest infestations can be tricky to resolve. According to our February 2024 survey of 1,000 homeowners who experienced a pest problem within the last two years, respondents who resolved their pest issue themselves spent an average of 38 days applying treatments. Although every infestation is different, pest control companies have the knowledge and expertise to resolve a slew of pest problems efficiently and safely.
Terminix and Orkin are our top two picks for companies that specialize in general and specialty pest removal. Terminix offers affordable pest control plans, and Orkin provides comprehensive wildlife management services. Both providers are available in many U.S. states.
To help you with your research, our team analyzed and reviewed the best pest control companies available nationwide. We picked the top five companies by scoring them using our comprehensive methodology.
To get started, request a quote from one of the companies below.
Check out our list of top pest control companies, which we rated through our proprietary review standards:
We chose Terminix as our top pest control company due to its integrated pest management solutions, its convenient online chat feature and certifications with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP). Other top choices include Orkin and Ehrlich Pest Control. These companies also hold certifications with the NPMA and PESP, and provide residential and commercial pest control.
The table below highlights key factors to consider when shopping for a pest control company.
Our team used a 1,652-square-foot, single-family home in Sacramento, California, with a 7,000-square-foot lot size to obtain pricing information for all providers except Ehrlich. For our Ehrlich quote, we used a 1,521-square-foot, single-family home with a 6,000-square-foot lot in Hamden, Connecticut. Your pricing will vary based on location, home and lot size, pest issue and service requests.
We rated the following pest control companies by analyzing their service plans, pricing structure, treatment frequency, service guarantees and customer service.
What we like
Terminix offers the most variety of pest control plans compared with other providers. Its plans handle many common household pests, such as termites and wasps. Its PestFree365 plans protect your home from up to 25 pests for less than the cost of a single service. Additionally, its pest plans are more affordable than those from the other providers we featured in this article.
Terminix also offers a dedicated online chat tool that connects you to a representative within minutes. We used this tool during our secret shopping and experienced a quick connection with a Terminix representative, who helpfully answered all our questions.
What we don’t like
Terminix doesn’t provide treatments for some insects, such as flies and lawn grubs. Through our brand comparisons, we found that Terminix charges higher prices for single services than other providers we’ve reviewed. In addition, Terminix isn’t available nationwide — it excludes Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Vermont.
Terminix offers two general pest plans and three termite control plans. We could not obtain pricing figures for its termite control plans in our quote. The company must inspect your home and determine the severity of your termite problem before disclosing pricing.
Below is a pricing and service overview of Terminix’s pest and termite plans:
Terminix provides additional services such as wildlife control and crawl space services. Below is the list of additional services it offers:
Terminix also holds a solid A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). That said, its customer rating on the site is a poor 1.1 out of 5 stars. The most recent complaints on BBB center on Terminix pest technicians arriving late or showing up for unauthorized treatments. For every negative review we read on the site, we found that Terminix responded to each one to attempt a resolution.
However, Terminix’s local branches generally have more positive customer reviews. The Terminix branch in Merced, California, holds a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. These customers report that Terminix’s technicians arrive on time and provide professional service during their visits.
Orkin offers a large variety of pest control treatments and nationwide availability — it services all states except Alaska. Alongside its general pest treatment plans, Orkin provides additional services such as wildlife management and home improvement services.
In addition, Orkin has a 24/7 phone line. According to the representative we spoke with, you can call any time a pest issue arises, and Orkin will send a technician to your door within 24–48 hours.
Although Orkin’s list of treatable pests is extensive, it doesn’t treat certain uncommon pests such as bats. Also, Orkin doesn’t disclose pricing online. You must call and speak with a sales representative to obtain pricing.
Orkin has general pest control and termite treatment plans. We contacted Orkin and requested a quote for a rodent treatment plan. The representative said that treatment costs vary based on the pest. He added that Orkin will tailor your treatment plan depending on your pest control needs. In addition, Orkin has a 30-day money-back guarantee for in-between services.
Below is a pricing and service overview of Orkin’s pest plans:
Orkin provides various additional products and services aside from pest control. They consist of the following:
Orkin holds a solid A+ rating on BBB. However, its customer rating is 2.9 out of 5 stars, which is slightly below BBB’s average customer ratings. In some recent positive reviews, several customers praised Orkin’s technicians’ thorough and helpful manner. That said, multiple customers complained about Orkin’s ineffective treatments for certain pests.
Ehrlich Pest Control features the most in-depth pest control treatments of all the pest companies we’ve reviewed via its PestFree365+ plan. According to the representative we spoke with, Ehrlich provides three service visits within the first 30 days. One of those service visits involves a detailed inspection to ensure the treatments are safe and effective. After the initial 30 days, Ehrlich will continue to service your home every four months.
Additionally, Ehrlich has a solid service guarantee if you purchase its pest program. It’ll reservice in between visits free of charge if the pest issue returns during your plan term. Ehrlich provides a 30-day service guarantee for single-service treatments.
Ehrlich charges higher prices for its single treatments and dedicated pest control plan than others. Ehrlich only services 20 states — fewer than Orkin and Terminix. It excludes Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
Ehrlich Pest Control treats a large number of household and specialty pests via single-service treatments or its PestFree365+ plan. Below is a pricing and service overview of Ehrlich’s plans:
Ehrlich Pest Control provides six additional pest and home improvement services. They consist of the following:
Ehrlich Pest Control holds an A+ rating on BBB. Similar to Orkin and Terminix, Ehrlich has a poor customer rating on the site. This is due to customers generally using BBB to submit complaints, although customers also rate Ehrlich poorly on other third-party review sites such as Trustpilot. Complaints center on technician no-shows and billing frustrations. We found customers scored Ehrlich’s local branches higher on Google Reviews — the Novi, Michigan, branch holds a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars.
The following companies didn’t make our list of the top pest control companies due to a lack of QualityPro and GreenPro certifications, fewer states serviced and less comprehensive pest control solutions. However, they are worth considering if you are on a budget or require treatment for common pest issues.
Aptive Environmental offers a wide variety of pest control services, ranging from millipede treatment to mosquito control. Aptive will treat all corners of your property, such as your home’s eaves, foundation and basement. In addition, Aptive will customize your service plan based on the frequency of your pest problem and adjust accordingly.
According to a BBB alert on its profile page, Aptive entered a consent order with the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office in May 2023 due to the company violating its 2019 settlement agreement. Pennsylvania’s attorney general alleged that Aptive failed to honor cancellation requests and obtain solicitation permits for door-to-door sales. However, Aptive settled the consent order by paying a fee.
Aptive doesn’t offer wildlife management services outside of rodent control. Aptive also doesn’t service the following states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Aptive offers two pest control service plans. It doesn’t offer additional services, unlike other pest control companies we’ve analyzed. Here is a pricing and treatment overview of Aptive’s plans:
Aptive holds a B+ rating on BBB. However, BBB states that it revoked Aptive’s accreditation due to its failure to maintain a positive track record. That said, customers give Aptive fairly positive ratings — it holds a customer rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. Upon further digging, we found that most of Aptive’s recent customer reviews are negative, with many complaining about pushy sales tactics and mediocre treatments.
However, we did find many positive reviews on Aptive’s Sacramento, California, branch; it has 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers praise the quality of Aptive’s pest control methods, with many noting a specific technician’s professionalism.
Hawx provides affordable pest control services and treatment plans. Our team spoke with a representative, who mentioned that Hawx offers several discounts when you request an initial service over the phone. She added that you can schedule treatment frequency based on your preference, depending on the pest problem. Hawx also provides a plan-length service guarantee and a convenient online chat tool.
Like Aptive, Hawx doesn’t offer wildlife management services other than mice and rat control. Through our secret shopping, we found that Hawx services the fewest states out of all the providers we reviewed. It excludes Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Hawx offers a tailored pest control plan that targets specific and common household pests. The company doesn’t offer additional services. Below is a pricing and service overview of Hawx’s custom plan:
Hawx has a B rating and a decent customer rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars on BBB. However, its most recent customer reviews rate the company 1 star, with many experiencing inconsistent service from customer service representatives and pest technicians. While reading these reviews, we found that Hawx attempts to respond to each positive and negative review.
Its local branches have higher customer ratings on Google Reviews — it holds at least 4.4 out of 5 stars across multiple California branches we checked. These customers experienced more positive customer service, with several mentioning the same Hawx technician by name.
You should consider multiple factors before choosing a pest control company that can tackle your specific issue. According to Craig Sansig, a Viking Pest Control service director and Entomological Society of America-certified entomologist, you should ask if the pest company you’re considering is licensed and insured, has certifications with national associations such as the NPMA and has experience dealing with your specific pest. “If they’re able to speak to that on a highly educated level, you could feel confident that you’re getting somebody that’s going to control your pest problem and do it in a way that’s safe for you and the environment,” he added.
If they’re able to speak to that on a highly educated level, you could feel confident that you’re getting somebody that’s going to control your pest problem and do it in a way that’s safe for you and the environment Craig Sansig
If they’re able to speak to that on a highly educated level, you could feel confident that you’re getting somebody that’s going to control your pest problem and do it in a way that’s safe for you and the environment
Below are additional key factors to consider when shopping for a pest control professional.
By far, DIY pest control was the most popular method the homeowners we surveyed chose to use for their most recent pest infestation — 46% of the 1,000. The next most popular method was hiring a full-service pest control company; 34% of respondents chose this method. However, how do you know which method is best for your situation?
The pest type and infestation size are key factors in determining whether to handle the pest issue yourself or hire a professional, Sansig said. “Any new infestation is easier to control and requires less pesticide and generally less knowledge of the pest because it’s localized,” he added.
However, Sansig cautioned handling pests with pesticide products since many pesticides you purchase in retail stores have strict application requirements. “Improper use could have negative environmental impacts,” he said.
Sansig further emphasized that understanding what you’re doing while performing pest control is the difference between hiring a professional and doing it yourself.
According to our survey results, an annual plan from a full-service pest control company costs an average of $465. Respondents reported paying an average of $234 for a single treatment from pest control companies.
The cost of a single pest treatment or a comprehensive plan depends on several factors, such as your home’s location, its square footage and lot size, the pests involved and the infestation’s severity. Below is a pricing breakdown of the average cost pest control companies charge per pest type based on our survey respondents’ reported costs. Your cost may vary.
Generally, pest control companies offer service guarantees for the pest treatments they apply. These service guarantees stipulate that the company will reservice your home free of charge if its pest treatments don’t eliminate your unwanted pests within a certain period. Many companies take this guarantee further and offer a money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the service — usually within 30 days.
However, we recommend reading the pest company’s terms and conditions to confirm if its service guarantee applies to your treatment type. Some companies only provide a reservice guarantee for treatments performed under a dedicated treatment plan rather than a single service. Knowing where you stand can help you avoid an issue in the future.
Pest control services are an investment that requires some thought before hiring a professional. Below are some tips on what to consider when choosing the best pest control company for your needs.
First, figure out the type of pest and the severity of the pest problem you have. For example, if you have a rodent problem, you should inspect areas around your home where rodents may frequent, such as your attic or garage. Telltale signs that you have a rodent problem include gnaw and rub marks around your walls, as well as rodent droppings, according to Pestworld, the consumer education division of the NPMA.
Next, determine if your pest issue is manageable. Try sealing off areas in your home that can let your pest enter, or leave traps that can capture them. If you still have a pest problem after performing multiple pest control techniques, it is likely time to hire a professional.
Before hiring a pest control company, we highly recommend verifying if the company has any reputation issues. Generally speaking, common red flags are a lack of insurance or state licensing to perform pest control treatments, poor customer reviews across three or more third-party websites and little to no certifications. You can check your state’s Department of Agriculture’s license database to verify if the company you’re considering has the required licensing.
In addition, we suggest determining the service guarantee offered by the company. Avoid companies that don’t list a service guarantee or place unnecessary stipulations. For example, watch out for companies that only treat the outside of your home unless you specify you need interior treatment.
Many homeowners overlook the importance of asking pest control companies specific questions. For instance, inquire about the treatment methodology to get insight into whether or not the company can meet your expectations.
Here’s a list of additional questions to ask a pest control company before hiring them:
Generally speaking, the number of pest control services you need largely depends on the pest type and infestation size. Most companies offer treatment plans to continuously treat your pest issue until it’s eradicated. Small ant infestations may only require a single treatment, whereas a flea outbreak may require a multistep application plan with multiple visits.
Terminix and Orkin are our top choices for pest control due to their expansive pest expertise and comprehensive treatment plans. Terminix is a great choice if you’re on a budget; Orkin makes sense if you need specialized pest control services.
You can always attempt to remove pests yourself. However, our survey results indicate that pest control companies are more successful in eliminating pests, with 98% of respondents who hired a pest control company reporting that their issue was resolved successfully, compared with an 88% success rate for homeowners who eliminated pests themselves. However, you’ll likely spend more money hiring a pest control company.
Therefore, we recommend requesting quotes from three pest control providers to compare services, plan options and costs.
We researched pest control companies to help you choose the best brand for your budget and pest issues. The best pest control companies offer single and comprehensive treatment plans, are certified, hold solid customer ratings and are available nationwide.
We rated companies using our comprehensive methodology. We scored them out of 100 points on their treatment plans, safety, customer service and guarantees. We then divided their scores by 20 to arrive at the 5-star ratings you see in our recommendations.
BBB, Trustpilot and Google Reviews are accurate as of March 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
Terminix is a leading pest control company that specializes in treating termites. The company stands out due to its generous list of treatments for common household pests and its tenure in the industry. In addition, Terminix charges affordable rates if you sign up for a pest control program. Our team researched and rated Terminix using…
Few pest control companies feature pest and termite control as comprehensive as Orkin’s. The company is one of the longest-serving pest control providers and has built a reputation as an industry leader. It offers standard pest control services, such as bed bug and cockroach removal, alongside specialized services, including attic insulation. However, you’ll pay a…
Termites are small pests with a big impact. They cause billions of dollars in structural damage to homes each year — after all, they’re widespread in North America, invading every U.S. state except Alaska. Unlike cockroaches, termites’ distant ancestor, these bugs don’t scutter around but live in hidden spaces, making it challenging to figure out…
Bats are misunderstood — if you spot one near your house you might wonder how to get rid of bats pronto. Lacking the movie star allure of sharks or the cuteness of bears and raccoons, they are generally regarded with fear and distaste. But bats are pretty amazing creatures. According to Bat Conservation International, bats…
TEST Our editorial team is committed to creating independent and objective content focused on helping our readers make informed decisions. To help support these efforts we receive compensation from companies that advertise with us.
The compensation we receive from these companies may impact how and where products appear on this site. This compensation does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides within our content. We do not include all companies, products or offers that may be available.