Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
If you live in an area that has hot summers like Houston, it’s likely you experience a good amount of pests, like crickets and wasps. Setting up routine pest control with a good company can help you avoid encounters with these pests later on.
We take pest control seriously. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team has researched and ranked the best pest control companies in Houston for you. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
Proactive approach to pest control
Transparent pricing
Free inspection policy
Commitment to customer education
Consistently high customer service reviews
Services Offered
Lack of hidden fees
Commitment to customer education
No-cost inspections
Reviews praise customer service
Services Offered
Lack of hidden fees
No-cost inspections
Punctuality
Preventative pest control services
Commitment to customer education
Positive customer service reviews
Services Offered
Offerings of preventative treatments
Free inspection policy
Positive customer service reviews
Transparent pricing
Commitment to customer education
Services Offered
Proactive solutions for pest control
Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Commitment to customer education
Services Offered
Positive customer service reviews
Educational web content
Transparent pricing
Free inspection policy
Reliable exterminators
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Free inspections
Consistently high customer service reviews
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Reviews praise customer service
Free inspection policy
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
Punctuality
Services Offered
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Free inspections
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Commitment to customer education
Reviews praise customer service
Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on pest control companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
When ranking these pest control providers, we took into consideration several factors including coverage, customer service, types of pest control treatments offered, industry experience, and more.
This is how the top pest control companies ranked in Houston:
Terminix ranks as one of the top four pest control companies in the world, and it has been helping homeowners and businesses stay pest-free for over 90 years. The company offers effective pest control treatments that are safe for your family and pets.
Terminix helps with many types of pests in Houston, and it guarantees that your pest problems will be solved. Their service also includes follow-up visits and annual inspections for guaranteed results.
Founded in 1901 by a rat poison salesman named Otto, the Orkin brand has become one of the most reputable in the pest control industry. Its pest control specialists complete 160 hours of training. Plus, because of its large network, it can usually offer next-day — or even same-day — service.
Pests Orkin handles are flies, fleas, hornets, earwigs, termites, bed bugs, cockroaches, ticks, crickets, silverfish, and more. Orkin can set up regular follow-up visits. Also, if you end up with recurrent problems or any other immediate pest control needs, you can contact a customer service representative.
Rentokil, a business service group, is the world's largest pest control company, representing hundreds of brands worldwide. Rentokil is the parent company of several North American pest control providers such as Presto-X, Western Exterminator, and J.C. Ehrlich, which provide individual services.
It handles 36 of the most common pests such as cockroaches, moths, bed bugs, rats, spiders, flies, mice, and more. Depending on where you live, Rentokil and its partners may cover wildlife like rodents, snakes, and birds.
Not all pest control companies are identical when it comes to credibility, qualifications, and effectiveness. It's important to do your research to determine the ideal option for your specific pest problem. Here are the key factors to consider when hiring a pest control provider:
Look for a pest control company that has experience treating the type of pest you're dealing with, whether it's termites, bed bugs, roaches, rodents, or something else. The company should provide detailed explanations of its area of expertise.
When choosing a pest control provider, look for technicians that are licensed by the state and certified in pest control methods by industry associations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Possessing these credentials shows that a technician has adequate training. Question the company about its policies for continuing education and the total training hours required for technicians.
Before scheduling an appointment, spend time reading online reviews on sites such as Google or Yelp to verify that the company has a proven track record of providing effective service and positive customer experiences. Also check for any complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Inquire about the ongoing training the company’s technicians receive to ensure they stay up to date on current pest control best practices. When you select a company from our list of the top pest control in Houston, you can feel confident knowing that you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
If you prefer natural pest control methods, look for providers that advertise “green” certifications. For bigger animals such as mice or snakes, ask if a provider offers humane trapping and relocation. But keep in mind natural options may not work as well for significant infestations. If you have a moderate to serious pest problem, you may need stronger traditional solutions. Regardless of what methods you choose, any pesticides that are classified as greater than minimal risk must be registered with the EPA.
Quality pest control providers typically offer service guarantees for ongoing plans. The guarantees mean the provider will make another visit and re-treat for free if you still have pests in your home after the initial visit. One-time treatments may not come with reservice guarantees.
Once you have selected your top exterminators, contact each one and ask questions such as:
Take the time to thoroughly review pest control companies using these questions. This will help you select the right provider to safely and successfully eliminate your pest problem at a fair price.
Pests vary by location. In Houston, there are a few different ones that residents have to deal with. We studied around 10 million online discussions to determine the most common pests in the city.
Our top picks for pest control companies in Houston are Terminix and Orkin. They're well-respected in the industry and cover all common pests.
The best way to prevent a pest infestation is having a pest control company come to your house once every two or three months. Regularly spraying your property will stop insects and other wildlife from returning.
The key to finding the best exterminator for you is to get in touch with several companies and get estimates from them. You should also make sure you read reviews to check their reputation and customer satisfaction.
Whether you should do DIY pest control or hire a company depends on your situation. You’ll want to take into consideration factors like what chemicals need to be used, the size of the infestation, and how much the pest control will cost. Additionally, you may want to also consider professional pest control if you're concerned about safety.
In a big city like Houston, where the cost of living is high compared to other cities, the cost of pest control is most likely a concern. The cost of pest control depends on several factors, including what kind of pests are troubling you and how bad the infestation is. A single visit can cost between $300 and $500, but a quarterly treatment plan is usually cheaper — around $100 to $300 a visit.
We advise quarterly pest control, or even bi-monthly in Houston, where the heat can make pests more prevalent. For more serious infestations, your exterminator may recommend monthly treatments for the first three to six months.
