3 Top Pest Control Companies

What to check before you hire a pest control company

Pest control ranges from a single visit for a wasp nest to year-round plans with scheduled treatments. Some companies send a technician to your home; others mail sprays, traps and kits for you to apply yourself. Decide which you need before you compare prices.

• Licensing: in many places, anyone applying pesticides commercially must hold a license. Ask for the technician's details and check them with the local authority.
• Inspection before the quote: termites, bed bugs and rodents are hard to price without a look. Be cautious of a fixed figure given over the phone.
• Contract length: find out how long a plan runs, whether it renews automatically and how much notice you need to give to cancel.
• Call-backs: ask whether extra visits between scheduled treatments are free and for how long.
• Products used: ask what will be applied and what precautions to take around children, pets and food.

Each company page on CandorRated shows who runs the website, how long the domain has existed, contact details found and reviews. Filter the list by country or city to see who covers your area.

Common problems and how to avoid them

Complaints here often involve plans that renew without a reminder, surcharges added after the technician arrives, and pests returning once the guarantee ends. Get the price, the treatment schedule and the cancellation terms in writing. For mail-order products, read the return policy first, since opened chemicals usually cannot be sent back.

Frequently asked questions

Is a yearly service plan worth it?

It can be for recurring pests such as termites or cockroaches. For a one-off problem, a single treatment with a short guarantee is often enough.

Can I handle pests myself?

Many minor problems respond to retail products used as the label directs. Large infestations usually need professional equipment.