Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Pests are just the worst, aren't they? Especially when the weather warms up and the bugs start wandering in your house where they aren't supposed to be. Getting rid of the creepy crawlies quickly becomes a top priority. But where can you find the best pest control services? Is it better to go with a well-known brand or a smaller, local pest control company?
The answer isn't straightforward. Sometimes, a smaller, local exterminator might spend more time understanding your specific needs, while a larger company might offer a wider range of services beyond just extermination, such as lawn and landscape management, wildlife removal, or even irrigation maintenance. So, where should you start?
Sunday, March 23rd
Arrow Exterminators began in 1964 as a family-owned pest control company and it remains so today. The company is now a third-generation family-owned pest control company, which is impressive if you're looking to support something with a "local feel”. Despite its humble beginnings, Arrow Exterminators is now the sixth-largest pest control operation in the country. You'll be able to use its services in 12 states: Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Say "goodbye” to all types of bugs
When you choose Arrow Exterminators, you have a wide range of services to select from. They offer treatments for common pests like ants, cockroaches, spiders, stink bugs, silverfish, millipedes, centipedes, earwigs, house crickets, and pill bugs, as well as mosquito control. Their "Additional Pest Control Services" section includes options for fire ants, fleas and ticks, bed bugs, stinging insects, and scorpions. They also have specialized termite control services.
One-stop shop for your home concerns
Arrow Exterminators also handle wildlife issues. If you have problems with rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, birds, or even more unusual animals like bats, opossums, or snakes, Arrow can take care of those too. Arrow Exterminators is a one-stop shop for many home services. They offer handyman services, insulation, lawn care, and moisture control. Customers often praise Arrow for providing solutions such as removing wildlife, preventing their return, and repairing any damage caused by the animals.
Schedule or ask for a free estimate
To start with Arrow Exterminators, fill out their online form for a free in-home pest inspection. You can choose the services you need and provide details about your property. A local representative will then contact you to schedule the inspection. If you already know what services you need, you can click on the "I'd like to Order Services" box on their website. Select the pests or services you're targeting, answer a few questions about your home, and submit your information to get an estimate.
Get some deals on your first service
While details about contracts weren't available on Arrow Exterminators' website, we did find some pricing deals in the Special Offers section. At the time of this review, there were discounts of $100 on the Sentricon termite protection system, $50 off the initial service for pest control/fire ants/mosquitoes, and $25 off the initial service for lawn care.
Environmentally-friendly practices
Arrow focuses on environmentally-friendly pest control. Their approach, called STEPS (Sustainability Through Environmental Practices and Solutions), involves a thorough inspection to identify not just the pests but also the root cause of the problem. They then treat the issue in the most eco-friendly way possible to prevent future infestations. Arrow Exterminators is Green Pro Certified by the National Pest Management Association.
Top scores and positive reviews
If you're looking for a pest control provider with a guarantee, you're in luck. Arrow Exterminators offers a Total Satisfaction Guarantee with its STEPS Total Protection System. As for reviews, like most exterminators, your experience with Arrow may vary depending on your local office. However, Arrow currently holds a top "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. Further, the local reviews in our area show an average of 4.5 stars out of 5, and some other areas with reviews on Yelp had 5 stars on average.
Top pick for customer service
Arrow Exterminators offers an impressive range of services, environmentally-conscious treatments, and a strong reputation. For these reasons, Arrow Exterminators receives our highest recommendation among pest control services. You can expect top-notch support and a guarantee of satisfaction which sets Arrow Exterminators apart, even with some location limitations. With its assistance outside of pest control too, Arrow Exterminators takes our first place spot.
Since 1999, Bulwark Exterminating has been tackling pest problems in areas across Washington, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This family-owned business, run by three brothers and their father - the Bulwark family - is accredited and holds an "A-" rating from the Better Business Bureau. They have also earned the Angie's List Super Service Award.
Get rid of all your pests
Bulwark Exterminating offers services to handle a wide range of pests, even if they don't list every single one upfront. By exploring their Pest Library, you can see they cover ants, beetles, bloodsuckers, centipedes, millipedes, clover mites, crickets, earwigs, fleas, flying pests, grasshoppers, mosquitoes, pill bugs, fire ants, roaches, rodents, silverfish, sowbugs, spiders, springtails, wasps, and weevils. This extensive list means they can handle just about any common pest you might encounter.
Totally focused on pests
If you're looking for services outside of pest control, you won't find them here. Bulwark Exterminating does exactly what it says on the "label”: exterminate pests. This specialization means all their services will focus on getting your home pest-free, but it does fall behind other services that offer one-stop shops for home help.
Estimate from online chat
Although there's no automated quote tool on the Bulwark website, you can quickly get an estimate using their online chat feature. When we tried it, a representative immediately joined the chat to ask about the services we needed. However, after answering a series of questions, we had to wait around 10-15 minutes to actually get a price quote. Most of this was just spent sitting on the browser and waiting for the rep to come back. For a 6,000 sq. ft. home in the Atlanta metro area, we were quoted $350 as the initial fee. Afterward, bimonthly treatments were recommended for $101.31 per month. All we had to provide was our zip code and the size of our home - no additional contact information was necessary to get the estimate.
Contract not required
Bulwark Exterminating doesn't require any formal contract. You do need to commit to 12 months of extermination for their pest control services, but after that, the services are available to you as needed. There are no cancellation fees if you decide to go with another service, but you will need to pay for the services you used in full rather than the 1-year package price.
Extra safety with exterminators on staff
Bulwark Exterminating goes above and beyond for customer safety and satisfaction. All their technicians undergo drug screening and background checks, providing extra peace of mind that not every pest control company offers. They are certified organic, meaning they prioritize organic methods before resorting to pesticides. The products they use are safe for pets and people, less toxic than toothpaste, and developed from research conducted by colleges and universities. Plus, if you notice pests between scheduled visits, your Bulwark technician will return at no additional charge.
Top marks across the board
These efforts have clearly paid off. Out of over 2,700 reviews, the average rating from customers is a perfect five-star rating. Their Better Business Bureau listing shows an impressive average rating of 4.95 out of 5 stars. Bulwark Exterminating currently holds an "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB as well. Customers consistently mention that technicians are respectful of their property, attentive to their concerns, and thorough in their work. While this might not be the cheapest pest control service, clients feel that the pricing is fair and well worth the investment.
Top pick with perfect scores
There's a lot to like about Bulwark Exterminating. If you have a pest problem that needs addressing, this company is a solid choice. Unlike big-name exterminators that might not provide personalized service, Bulwark offers reasonably priced, effective pest control with a family touch. If you live in one of their service areas, we highly recommend making Bulwark Exterminating your first stop for pest control services. With its top marks across the board, Bulwark stands out as with their customers, and they earn an excellent rating from us as well.
Orkin is one of the most well-known names in pest control, largely because they have been in business for over a century. With more than 400 offices worldwide, one advantage of choosing a big-name pest control company like Orkin is its broad availability. You can contact their customer care team 24/7, and there's likely a local office near you. However, customers in Alaska, Wyoming, and South Dakota might find it harder to locate an Orkin branch that services their area.
Remove and prevent pests
Orkin targets a wide range of pests including ants, bed bugs, beetles, carpenter ants, centipedes and millipedes, cockroaches, flies, crickets, earwigs, fleas, mites, mosquitoes, moths, rodents, silverfish, spiders, stinging pests, stink bugs, termites, and ticks. Basically, if it crawls or flies, you can get Orkin to take care of the problem for you. On top of removal, you can also get preventative services with Orkin.
Get your estimate by calling
In the past, you could get a preliminary quote directly from the Orkin website. However, this has changed in recent years. The only way to get a quote now is to call Orkin directly or enter your information for a callback. Luckily, Orkin offers quotes at no charge, but these are generally based on your description of the problem rather than an in-person assessment. Some customers have reported frequent upselling and additional charges from one treatment to the next. Also, Orkin does require a contract. The contracts have an option to run from one to three years, and you can renew after your first contract on a month-to-month basis. After your first contract is concluded, you can cancel with 60 days written notice, but at any time during the initial contract, you may be subject to a cancellation fee.
60 days of free service if you're unsatisfied
Orkin offers the "Orkin Guarantee," which promises 60 days of free service if you're not satisfied. Like other pest control services, they promise to come back between scheduled treatments if pests are still present; this way you can get rid of those pesky invaders without extra costs. Orkin stands by their services, and on top of the guarantee, the company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you don't see results. For treatments for pests like ants or rats you'll be able to see results right away, so you'll be able to avail yourself of the refund if Orkin doesn't deliver on its promises. But according to customer feedback, you don't need to worry about that.
Customers love Orkin technicians
Orkin's listing with the Better Business Bureau is solid, showing a perfect "A+” rating and accreditation. On third-party review sites, the news was just as good. According to reviews in our area, our local Orkin provider had a 4.2-star average, and the company in general showed a 4.7-star average on ConsumerAffairs. Customer feedback about Orkin varies widely, heavily depending on the local branch and individual technicians. In general, customers love the service and results, but some complaints show that Orkin tries to upsell them frequently. However, they note that the actual technicians are more honest, and only recommend services that are actually required when they arrive, to help keep costs down.
Top big-name service
Orkin is one of our favorites for big-name companies. There's a reason they've been around for over a century, and customers generally have few to no complaints about the service. With a 30-day money-back guarantee and a promise of 60 days of free service, Orkin offers plenty of security for you. While we're slightly more impressed by services that don't charge cancellation fees, Orkin remains competitive for its high ratings. For this reason, it earns a solid rating in our review.
If you've ever seen a yellow vehicle with big mouse ears and a tail driving around, you probably have Truly Nolen exterminators in your neighborhood. Established in Miami in 1938 by a man named Truly Nolen, this company now serves over 150,000 customers in the US, its territories, and Canada The service area includes Texas, New Mexico, California, Georgia, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Ohio, Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Nevada, as well as Canadian provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan.
Seasonal treatment for all pests
You'll find all the standard pests included in the Truly Nolan services. If you're worried about ants, crickets, fleas, mice, roaches, scorpions, spiders, ticks, wasps, and more, you'll be covered with Truly Nolen. Most packages come with 4 services per year, allowing you to get treatment for pests in every major season.
Lawn and insulation for your home
On top of pest control, Truly Nolen also offers lawn care, termite control, and rodent control services. The company also offers something unique: insulation installation for attics, crawl spaces, and under the floor. On top of these home services, Truly Nolen offers commercial services as well.
Fill out a form for a quote
Truly Nolen stands out by offering free inspections, a service many of their competitors charge for by including it in their service fees. You can request an inspection directly on their website by specifying whether the inspection is for a home, business, or real estate transaction, along with the type of service you need and your contact details. A representative will contact you within one business day to schedule the visit. If you're ready to set up pest control services, Truly Nolen asks you to fill out a form and wait for a quote to be sent to you. While you used to be able to get a quote online, this is not a service Truly Nolen offers anymore.
Sustainable and satisfaction guaranteed
Truly Nolen stands by their work with a strong satisfaction guarantee. If you continue to see signs of pests between scheduled visits, they will retreat your property at no additional cost. If you're still not satisfied, they will refund the cost of your last scheduled service, taking their guarantee a step further than most competitors. This company is also committed to environmental care. One of the ways that Truly Nolen commits to sustainable practices is through technician routing. Using the most efficient routes, the trip to and from your home will max out eco-friendliness and minimize gas consumption. On top of that, Truly Nolen is committed to using paperless billing to promote complete eco-friendliness wherever possible within its business.
Mixed reviews overall
Truly Nolen has a decent reputation. The company holds an "A-" rating from the Better Business Bureau, with only nine complaints filed against its headquarters in the past three years, which is impressive for such a large company. Customer feedback is generally positive, but many sites show a mid-tier 3-star average rather than the higher ratings seen with other companies. Happy clients praised the effectiveness of the Truly Nolen services for treating and preventing issues with scorpions, cockroaches, and other pests. However, customers who were unhappy noted that quoted prices changed after signing, and customer service with Truly Nolen was lackluster.
Middle of the pack for major providers
For most pest control needs, Truly Nolen is still a solid choice, but it doesn't stand out from the pack. While we love the refund policy and guarantee, the company doesn't stand up as well in customer reviews. With other competitors offering better transparency and better customer feedback, Truly Nolen comes out about average. However, its wide range of service areas including Canada earns it a good rating overall.
Coming up on nearly a century of service, Ehrlich is one of the two pest control companies in our review owned by Rentokil. Ehrlich Pest Control has been around since 1928, when it was founded by Julius C. Ehrlich in Reading, Pennsylvania. Back then, Julius was a salesman who sold insecticides and equipment to help people control pests. At the time, pest control was often a DIY task, but the company has since grown to provide professional solutions. Today this particular service has over 100 locations and operates in states like Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as Washington DC.
Bugs, snakes, and birds, oh my!
Ehrlich offers a wide range of pest control services, tackling insects, spiders, and rodents. They are one of the few companies that also deal with snakes and birds. Your experience with Ehrlich begins with a complimentary inspection to assess your property and determine the best approach to resolve the pest issue and prevent future problems. Their methods prioritize environmentally friendly treatments. As a Green Pro-certified company, Ehrlich employs non-pesticidal strategies first for a safer approach to pest control.
Score preventative products as well
While Ehrlich works on just pests, you can expect preventative services as well as control. Ehrlich offers products that focus on sealing up entry points, attics, and crawl spaces, giving you extra peace of mind knowing that rodents and other unwanted critters won't be able to get in. This is something that may need to be replaced occasionally and can be completed at the same time as your regular pest control service. The pricing, of course, is available when you get your complete quote. Plus, Ehrlich offers services for homes and businesses as well as termite-specific services.
Get your price from an in-person inspection
Ehrlich's pricing is based on the findings of your initial inspection, and they don't provide estimates without conducting this first step. What really caught our attention, however, is their policy of "no long-term contracts." They believe in earning your business every month, a rarity in the pest control industry where long-term commitments and hefty cancellation fees are common. This approach offers significant advantages for residential customers, making Ehrlich stand out in the market.
Mixed reviews for reliability
As part of Rentokil, it can sometimes be hard to separate Ehrlich's reputation from the other brands under the same umbrella. However, Ehrlich holds its own with an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. Over the past three years, there have been only three complaints filed against them with the BBB, an impressively low number in this industry. On the other hand, reviews show mixed feelings from customers. On Trustpilot, there aren't many reviews but the ones up there say that Ehrlich has a problem with not showing up for appointments. Other customers struggled to determine how much they were actually being charged for the service as it changed each time. On ConsumerAffairs, the reviews are a little better with a 3.6-star average. Many of the positive reviews point to specific technicians. So, you may get better (or worse) service depending on which Ehrlich location you're closest to.
Worth looking at if you want no contract
With free inspections, no long-term contracts, and a proven track record of excellent service, Ehrlich is an attractive choice for pest control. However, with the mid-tier reviews and complaints about costs and no-shows for appointments, there is some question about Ehrlich's reliability. While we like the features for control and prevention, Ehrlich has some work to do to move out of the mid-tier.
Massey Services has been operating for over 40 years and currently has 175 branches spread across Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. While its service area is smaller than some competitors, Massey is dedicated to protecting the environment by minimizing the use of pesticides and conserving water resources, earning accolades from the EPA and the Council for Sustainable Florida.
All the creepy crawlies
Massey Services offers pest control that handles all the common pests you might expect. You'll find fleas, ticks, spiders, ants, cockroaches, rodents, centipedes, silverfish, and earwigs all on their list. Plus, Massey goes beyond the basics. If you need help with more stubborn bugs like a nasty termite infestation, Massey also has a separate service for that. Since this is a more involved removal process, it makes sense that it's a separate service, but we're glad Massey includes them.
Add lawn service to your pest control
In addition to pest control, they provide lawn care, irrigation system management, and landscape services. Massey's service includes targeted control and prevention of weeds, insects, and diseases to keep your lawn looking its best. If you need to fertilize, Massey uses a custom-blended fertilizer that meets all local regulations and adds micro-nutrients for extra growth. With the service, you'll also get annual lawn aeration to help your lawn get the oxygen, water, and nutrients it needs to stay strong and resistant to drought and heat. This makes Massey an excellent choice for those looking to streamline multiple home services with one provider.
Free in-person estimate
Massey stands out by offering a free, thorough inspection. Unlike many other pest control companies, Massey provides this service at no charge. Expect the inspection to take around 45 minutes, during which the technician will need access to your entire property, including the attic and crawlspace if applicable. The technician will document any issues found and develop a custom treatment plan. Massey does not provide price quotes on their website because each home requires a unique approach. Your pest control plan could involve quarterly treatments or monthly services, depending on the severity of your pest problem.
30-day money-back guarantee
Massey offers a money-back guarantee, which is somewhat rare among pest control companies. If you continue to see pests between treatments, they will come back for additional service calls at no extra charge. If your pest issue is not resolved after 30 days, they will either continue treatments for free or refund your last regular service payment.
Mixed reviews and complaints
At first glance, Massey Services seems promising. They hold a "B" rating from the Better Business Bureau. But that's where the good news ends, sadly. In the past three years, Massey had 233 complaints, and customer feedback is mixed across different platforms. While some clients have remained loyal for years, others have reported significant issues. Photos of damaged lawns and accounts of difficulties in getting the company to honor their money-back guarantees are concerning. Some clients experienced technicians not showing up for scheduled treatments, making it hard to rely on Massey's services.
A good choice, but you could do better
There are reasons to consider Massey Services. The free inspection comes with no obligation to sign up for their services, and you can use the inspection results to compare with other providers. The money-back guarantee also provides some reassurance. But there isn't anything particularly stellar about Massey. It's a good pest control provider, but it doesn't shine compared to its competition. So, if you have access to a higher-ranked pest control service in your area, it might be wise to explore your options before committing to Massey, unless lawn care is one of your must-haves alongside pest control.
Moxie Pest Control, founded in 2001, operates in several states including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Much of their expansion is due to former employees being encouraged to open branches in their own communities. You might have seen Moxie representatives going door-to-door in your neighborhood. However, this service lacks transparency on how to get your prices, which may be a drawback for some.
Handles over 50 types of bugs and pests
Moxie's approach to pest control covers the typical pests you might encounter and more. Their General Pest Package addresses common invaders like ants, cockroaches, ticks, spiders, beetles, centipedes and millipedes, earwigs, crickets, fleas, stinging insects, pill bugs, scorpions, silverfish, mice, and rats. Their list of pests is impressively large, and you'll find over 50 different critters on the list. Considering the wide range of bugs Moxie can handle, if you have a tough bug infestation or something you don't recognize, you may want to check this provider.
Take care of gophers and voles
Bugs aren't the only things Moxie handles, though. For issues with gophers, voles, and moles, you can call up Moxie to remove them from your yard. Other extra services provided at Moxie include removal for bed bugs, or if you need rodent exclusion measures (beyond just removing existing rodents). These services are all available as add-ons. However, you may find that different branches offer different add-ons, so you'll want to make sure the service you need is provided by your local Moxie branch. You'll need to contact Moxie directly to find out if that's available in your area.
No transparency on inspections or pricing
Moxie isn't very transparent about its pest control services. Important details like whether you'll need to sign an annual contract, the types of pesticides used, and whether you'll pay for the initial inspection are unclear until you speak with a local Moxie representative. You can request a quote through their website and wait for a callback or directly contact the nearest branch. During our research, we found that Moxie generally requires a one-year contract, with a cancellation fee exceeding $200 if you terminate early. This could change depending on your location and the specific branch, though. Sadly, some customers reported being promised one thing verbally by a Moxie sales rep, only to find different terms in their contract.
Feedback varies by branch
Moxie Pest Control holds an impressive "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), though the complaints don't exactly match the "A+” rating. Moxie shows 243 complaints filed against their headquarters in the last three years. Customer feedback for Moxie varies widely based on location. Some branches receive numerous five-star ratings, while others average around three stars. Customers who really liked Moxie praised the professionalism and effectiveness of the treatments. Others complained about late arrivals for technicians. So, if you are considering Moxie for your pest control needs, it's a good idea to research the reputation of the specific branch that will serve your area.
A decent choice for tons of pests
Is Moxie Pest Control the right choice for your pest issues? Possibly. Requesting a quote through their website carries no obligation, but make sure to thoroughly review the contract before committing. While we'd love to see more transparency in general, the "A+” rating from the BBB gives us some confidence in Moxie's services. They take care of an impressive range of bugs and pests, so you can ideally get all your pest issues handled at once. In the future, we hope Moxie will provide more detailed information about their services to compete more effectively with the higher-ranked exterminators in our review.
Aptive is one of the newer pest control services, having started in 2015. Since then, they have made a significant impact, donating nearly a million dollars to Nothing But Nets since 2017. This funding has helped provide treated bed nets to prevent malaria for almost 300,000 people around the world.
Large service area
In terms of its service area, Aptive serves a wide range of locations. You can find their services in most metro areas across 32 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
See their pest library
If you're looking for a site that handles tons of pests, Aptive is going to impress. To see their full range of services, you can check out their "Pest Library”. Here are some of the pests you can expect to have treated through Aptive:
No services outside of pests
Unlike some competitors who offer other services outside of pest control, Aptive is entirely focused on pests and only pests. They promise to cover your whole home with a "neighborly” approach. But if you need things like a handyman, you'll have to look elsewhere. Aptive is only a one-stop shop for bugs and pests.
Wait for your estimate
To begin with Aptive, you need to either call their toll-free number or use their online platform to get a quote or purchase services. You'll start by providing your contact information and specifying the type of pest issue you're facing, such as ants, spiders, cockroaches, stinging insects, rodents, pantry pests, or others. However, you won't receive an immediate estimate or the option to purchase services directly online; instead, you'll have to wait for a representative to reach out to you.
12-month initial contract
Based on our research, it seems Aptive requires a one-year contract initially. After the first 12 months, the billing shifts to a month-to-month plan with no further commitment. This is pretty standard in the industry, and it follows the practices of many competitors. There is no cancellation fee, but if you cancel and have used a promotional discount for your initial service, you'll need to pay the full price for that treatment.
Falling reputation raises red flags
There are some red flags in Aptive's rating in recent years. The company's Better Business Bureau rating is a seemingly solid "A-”; however, there is an alert on the BBB site that Aptive's accreditation has been revoked for not following BBB guidelines. According to the cited articles, Aptive has not met the ethical guidelines for the BBB to maintain its accreditation. Further, Aptive's ratings on review sites like Trustpilot have fallen in recent years. The company used to have a 4.5-star average, but now it shows a 2.9-star average from Sitejabber with a range of complaints about customer service and scheduling. Some people were also put off by door-to-door sales tactics.
Not worth the trouble
Overall, Aptive doesn't seem worth the trouble considering the ratings and reviews in recent years. With alerts from the BBB as well as lower-than average review scores, it raises a few red flags. On top of that, the company has a severe lack of transparency about their pricing, contracts, and terms and conditions, preventing us from giving them a higher ranking. We encourage you to reach out for a quote and compare their services with other providers in your area, but it may not be worth the trouble if their practices aren't ethical or you run into poor customer service.
Presto-x, established in Nebraska in 1932, is one of two pest control services owned by Rentokil in our review. The company was originally started by Ward Combs and it was later taken over by his son when Combs retired. In the 2000s, Presto-x was acquired by Rentokill. This brand primarily serves the central areas of America, operating in states like Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, northwest Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
Get rid of 36 types of pests
Presto-x's residential treatment plan, called "pestfree365+," covers protection from 36 common household pests. Treatment is for most common bugs and crawlies, like spiders, ants, centipedes, fleas, wasps, and more. This plan includes bed bug treatment and termite inspections which other companies often charge extra for. Your plan will start with an initial service followed by three scheduled maintenance visits. If you continue to see pests between these appointments, you can call for unlimited service visits at no extra charge.
Updated website
Presto-x has done some recent work on its website. Formerly, the website had an outdated look, which made you question if the company was still operational. Now, the site is designed with a modern eye and you can easily find services for any sector of home or business pest treatment. Though most of the site is still heavy on text, you can find the nearest location or request an inspection.
No pests in your business
The site gives the impression that Presto-x focuses more on commercial customers than homeowners. Many of the details we found during our research focus on managing pests in very specific industries. From their main page, we found that Presto serves 5 separate industries with specialized needs for pest control; most of these industries would be in some serious trouble if pests turned up, so Presto-x is providing a public health service in these cases.
Business focus
If you're looking for a service that specializes in saving your business from creepy crawlies, Preso-x is worth a look. Here are the industries they specialize in:
However, if you're a homeowner, it seems like Presto-x might not be the best fit for you. They do offer home services, but this section of the website is pretty bare bones and requires you to call or submit your details for a quote to get more information.
Concerns about cancellation
Presto-x currently has an "A-” rating from the Better Business Bureau, but this is undermined by extremely low ratings and 300+ complaints in the last three years. From third-party review sites, the reviews are minimal. Unlike most of the other companies in our review, even the sample of reviews on the BBB was pretty slim pickings. The few reviews that we found online were all from employees reviewing what working for the company is like. While this is great if you're interested in fair compensation for your Presto-x technicians, it doesn't really tell us about the service. The only place we found any customer reviews about the actual pest control was Yelp, but with only 8 total reviews, it wasn't a great sample. In general, customers complained about extra charges and difficulties canceling the service.
Best for business owners
Presto-x appears to be a decent choice if you need pest control for your business. It excels at providing custom services to major industries like healthcare or food service. However, with some of the reputation issues, it's a little questionable whether you want to deal with this company for your home. We couldn't find many reviews for the home services and the ones we did find weren't very positive. With insufficient details about their pest control specifics (contracts, guarantees, products used), it's hard to recommend Presto-x over their more transparent and widely reviewed competitors.
Terminix, a well-established player in the pest control industry, has a nearly century-long history. If you live in one of its service areas, you've definitely seen a green Terminix truck driving around, maybe even in your neighborhood. With a staggering 300 locations and over 50,000 homes serviced daily, there's probably a Terminix branch conveniently located near you. Terminix offers service in 45 states. The only places you won't find support from Terminix are Montana, South and North Dakota, Vermont, and Alaska. Otherwise, you can expect multiple locations in each state.
Get rid of bugs and wildlife
Terminix has a massive list of pests that it treats for. Some of the most popular ones in its packages include ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, rodents, termites, spiders, mosquitoes, ticks, and more. You can also get help with wildlife pest control with Terminix. While it doesn't state which wildlife, this usually includes things like birds or rodents that you don't want making homes on (or in) your property. You can also expect help with other household bugs like clothing moths, centipedes, scorpions, flying and stinging bugs, and more. Terminix uses chemical and non-chemical methods to treat pests across your property.
Three ways to treat bugs
The Terminix website makes it convenient to obtain pricing by entering your property address. There are three plans to choose from. For our area, we received the following quotes:
The base plan comes with a detailed inspection and pest treatment for both inside and outside your home. It protects against 25 common household pests, offers scheduled pest treatments, and includes a Nix Pest Guarantee. If pests return between treatments, the company will come back at no extra cost. The "plus” plan includes the same features as the base plan and protection from 39 household pests, including 14 that might need special treatments and can be expensive to remove. Plus, it offers unlimited protection from out-of-pocket costs.
Guarantee doesn't offer money back
Terminix's "Nix Guarantee" promises free return visits if pests reappear between scheduled treatments. While standard, it falls short of offering refunds if you're dissatisfied with the service or technician. Given that for two of the treatment plans you are required to have an annual contract, free return visits ought to be included already. We're not sure what the guarantee actually does to protect customers, and given some of the service concerns we've seen in reviews, customers aren't really sure how much it helps either.
High levels of customer complaints
While Terminix holds an "A+" rating with the Better Business Bureau, its review presence is somewhat concerning. There are over 3,000 complaints filed within the past three years, which is the highest number of complaints that we've seen in this review. Customer reviews echo these sentiments, with the majority of reviews for local branches expressing dissatisfaction and citing issues with administrative processes. Two separate branches in our area had 2-star or lower average ratings. Further, Trustpilot shows a 1.4-star average rating. Customers complain that Terminix doesn't come out enough and that once you sign the contract, their customer service disappears.
Not worth the trouble
Given the widespread disappointment expressed by customers and the abundance of complaints, choosing Terminix for pest control seems unwise unless it's your only option. With issues where the service only seems good on the first appointment or prior to signing a contract, Terminix comes across as untrustworthy. Across the board, clients report recurring pest issues and subpar customer service, placing Terminix at the bottom of our rankings. You (and your home) will be safer if you check out one of our top-rated services instead.
Begin by assessing the problem yourself. Identify the pests you're dealing with. Are they appearing only occasionally, or do you see them all the time? Have you noticed them in specific areas of your house or yard? This information will help the pest control company understand the extent of your problem. The type, number, and location of pests can determine if you need treatments once in a while or if you need a more in-depth solution.
Next, decide whether to schedule an inspection or go straight to treatment. Some exterminators offer free inspections, while others charge a fee that's often applied to your first treatment. You might be able to schedule this directly on the company's website, or you may need to call for a quote and set up an appointment with your local branch. Once you get the inspection completed (or have someone come out for treatment), you'll know more about the pest situation around your home and can jump right into solving it.
Your ultimate pest control plan will depend on several factors: your location, the size of your home and property, the severity of the infestation, and the number of treatments needed to get things under control. Most pest control companies recommend at least quarterly treatments, but you might need monthly services initially, especially if dealing with pests like cockroaches that have quick breeding cycles. Your plan will likely include unlimited service calls between scheduled visits, so you're covered if pests persist.
Before committing to a pest control company, make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions. Many plans require a year-long contract, and breaking it early can result in hefty cancellation fees, even if you're not satisfied with the service. Considering the importance of picking the right service, here are some factors that can help you narrow the field so you never have to worry about breaking a contract:
To help you eliminate pests from your home for good, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked some of the most popular pest control providers available today. We hope this information helps you find a pest control service that is both effective and affordable. This way you can keep your home free of creepy crawly freeloaders and go back to enjoying the peace of a pest-free home!
Select any 2 Pest Control Companies to compare them head to head