How to pick a pest control business  

Pest insects like rodents and insects spread diseases, impair property, increase allergies, and affect people in other ways. It could be time to hire experts if you anticipate a vermin nuisance. 

Many businesses have years of experience dealing with pest infestations and can assist you in rapidly and safely removing pests from your house. They can then assist property owners in taking precautions to make sure their residences and places of business don’t become infested once more. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and different states regulate pest control businesses. The agriculture department of your state often sets local licensing standards and laws. The steps you can take to select a pest control business are listed below.

1.Accurately identify the pest you wish to eradicate.

Property invasions by pests are common, but not all pests are the same. The most frequent pests that pest control businesses deal with are termites, spiders, ants, bedbugs, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Pick a business that specializes in the kind of pest that worries you the most. 

• Rodents: Rats and mice are among the vermin that certain businesses specialize in eliminating from areas. They might not have sophisticated pest control methods. Technicians in pest control frequently use steel wool, traps, and facility upkeep. 
• Insects: Businesses that focus on controlling insects frequently offer specialized poisons that may be sprayed on homes to get rid of pests. They are also knowledgeable about natural preventative measures and can utilize traps to catch and kill pests to prevent a pest infestation in a building (house or company). 
• Less prevalent pests: Some businesses specialize in controlling bedbugs, raccoons, or termites. While some large, generic pest treatment businesses are knowledgeable about more prevalent insects like ants, roaches, and mosquitoes, more specialist businesses may handle issues that are more uncommon (like bedbugs) or localized (like scorpions).                                               
  

  Take into account the business’s dedication to sustainability.

Using harsh pesticides to get rid of pests is common, but businesses can also employ products with different levels of toxicity to stop infestations. 

In fact, several environmentally aware businesses use natural pest control methods rather than chemicals. 

• Traditional Pest control businesses: Pest control businesses with a history of using harsh chemicals, like pyrethrin and pyrethroids, in their traditional services. These might damage the environment more than some eco-friendly practices. Fipronil, hydramethylnon, and piperonyl butoxide are further typical compounds. 
• Green Pest Control Companies: Using less hazardous chemicals or natural goods like boric acid, green pest control firms use techniques or materials that are gentler to the environment to get rid of pests. 
• Multifaceted pest control companies: When treating large or difficult-to-treat infestations, many businesses combine harmful chemicals with more delicate, environmentally friendly methods. Conversely, for smaller or less-severe infestations, these methods are often used. 

3. Understand how the business bills customers.

It’s crucial for homeowners to do their homework on the price and billing structure of a pest control service. When comparing businesses, look at their payment choices. 

•  Cost of a one-time service: Depending on the business, you can pay with cash, a credit card, or a personal check for one-time services to deal with pests. 
• Regular service and billing: To prevent and cure seasonal or year-round pests, several pest control businesses offer routine services. When compared to one-time services, these plans are frequently more affordable. 
• Customized charging structures: Some of the greatest pest control businesses develop a special long-term pest control strategy based on the client’s pest history, the features of the property, and the client’s budget. 

Top 5 Pest Control Firms for 2023 

Terminix: Best All Around 

Best for Urgent Service: Orkin 

Hawx: Best Malaria Prevention 

John C. Ehrlich Most Complete Strategy 

Terminix 

Cockroaches, ants, rodents, stinging insects, fleas, spiders, termites, bed bugs, and mosquitoes are among the pests covered by Terminix. 

Reservice and money-back guarantees are included in the service. 

24/7 Accessible: Yes 

States on hand: 46 (Not accessible in Vermont, North Dakota, Montana, or Alaska) 

Reasons We Selected Terminix 

With a score of 98.5 out of 100, Terminix received the highest rating of any provider we’ve evaluated. With 2.8 million residential and commercial clients globally, the business has more than 90 years of experience in the pest control sector. 

In comparison to the other businesses we studied, it provides simple online customer support with a useful real-time chat feature. In addition to offering specialized treatment plans for termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and ticks, Terminix provides basic pest management for common home pests like wasps and moths. 

Terminix’s benefits and drawbacks include serving more than 2.8 million customers nationwide. 

• Offers real-time online chat. 
• Provides excellent service promises. 
•   Not accessible in each of the 50 states 
•  Customer feedback varies by area. 

Call 866-569-4035 or complete the short form on Terminix’s website to for a free quote. 

Orkin 

cockroaches, ants, rodents, stinging insects, fleas, spiders, termites, bed bugs, and mosquitoes are among the pests covered by Orkin. 

Reservice and money-back guarantees are included with the service. 

24/7 Accessible: Yes 

Available States: 47 (Not accessible in Wyoming, South Dakota, or Alaska) 

Why We chose Orkin.  

With more than a century of experience in the pest control industry, Orkin is a reputable brand. 1.7 million residential and business clients are served nationwide by the corporation. It employs an integrated pest management strategy, which strives to eradicate pests with the least amount of expense and damage to people, property, and the environment possible. 

The standard pest control plan from Orkin offers defence against up to 20 typical household pests, such as ants, roaches, mice, and spiders. The business uses unique products and technology to provide tailored management for termites and bed bugs. Orkin receives a score of 94 out of 100, which is the second-highest rating of all the pest control firms we evaluated because we think it provides the most client resources. 

Read: Tesla Employee Benefits 2022

Hawx 

Cockroaches, ants, rodents, stinging insects, fleas, spiders, termites, bed bugs, and mosquitoes are among the pests covered by Hawx. 

Service Promise: Refund guarantee 

24/7 State of availability: None 16 are accessible * This product is accessible in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. Study more: Review of Orkin Pest Control 

Ehrlich, J.C. 

Ants, bees, bed bugs, crickets, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, moths, spiders, stink bugs, wasps, and other pests are covered. 

• Service Promise: Client satisfaction is ensured 
• 24/7 State of availability 
• None Present: 20* 

It is accessible in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Why We Decided Ehrlich, J.C. 

J.C. Ehrlich, a division of Rentokil, received an 82.5 out of 100 rating for important factors like plan alternatives, accessibility, dependability, and customer service. The business is distinguished by its extensive general pest management plan and broad support network. It includes a helpful online chat feature that enables you to interact with professionals in real time even though it provides a hazy guarantee. 

More than 750 professionally trained pest management experts and entomologists are available from J.C. Ehrlich across the country for on-site consultations. Ehrlich’s pest control strategies put a heavy emphasis on risk analysis, assurance, and responsiveness. The company’s extensive, year-round Pestfree365 program protects against around 40 pests. 

Aptive 

Ants, aphids, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, fleas, meal moths, millipedes, mud daubers, pill bugs, rodents, scorpions, silverfish, snails, ticks, wasps, and yellow jackets are examples of Aptive covered pests. 

• Service Promise: Refund guarantee 
• 24/7 Accessible: Yes 
• Available States: 24 

 Why We Selected Aptive 

Aptive is a young yet rapidly expanding supplier. It ranks well on Pest Control Technology’s Top 100 and was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the Best Companies in America. 

Aptive works with communities to raise environmental awareness and lower pesticide risk as a participant in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. Additionally, it is dedicated to customizing therapies for each client. Aptive receives a score of 91 out of 100 for these reasons. 

Conclusion 

We think it’s better to leave major insect problems to the experts. The leading businesses in the sector include Ehrlich, Terminix, Orkin, Hawx, and Aptive. Each one offers thorough pest control, a wealth of knowledge, and knowledgeable staff. 

Through its real-time online chat feature, Terminix makes it very evident how highly it values customer service. Orkin provides the greatest customer resources, which helps inform clients about what to anticipate from the procedure. Aptive offers adaptable solutions and customises its pest management strategy to meet certain pest control requirements. 

To find the greatest fit, we advise requesting quotations from at least three businesses.