Pests are like bad houseguests. They arrive uninvited, eat your food, and refuse to leave. Whether it’s ants forming a military parade in the kitchen or rodents treating the attic like a timeshare, pests demand eviction. And not just any eviction—a professional one.
This is where choosing the right pest control company becomes more important.
Choosing the wrong company can mean repeated visits, empty promises, and a dilapidated bank account. The right company, however, will handle the problem efficiently without charging you an arm and a leg.
Before signing anything, consider experience, licensing, reputation, pricing, and customer service. While the guy down the street might swear their homemade rat repellent works wonders, trust is better placed in professionals with actual credentials.
Here’s how to choose wisely so you don’t wish you’d just move out instead.
1. Look for Experience and Licensing
Nothing says “trustworthy” like an official license and years of experience. A pest control company that’s been in business for a decade or more has likely encountered every infestation imaginable—roaches that refuse to die, ants, and rats that could outsmart a trap.
Experience means they’ve seen it all and, more importantly, know how to handle it without just setting fire to your kitchen and calling it a day. Furthermore, they must have experience working in your local area as every place has different conditions and challenges. For instance, if you live in Boise, you should hire a pest control company in Boise that has local expertise.
Licensing isn’t just bureaucratic red tape—it’s proof that the company adheres to industry standards. Unlicensed pest control companies can be cheap but risky and likely to leave you with more problems than you started with.
A licensed company follows safety regulations, uses approved chemicals, and isn’t just mixing bleach with dish soap and hoping for the best.
Verifying these credentials should be the first step. A quick call to your state’s pest control board can confirm licensing status. If a company hesitates to provide proof of certification, it’s probably because they’re running their business out of the back of a pickup truck.
2. Check Their Reputation and Reviews
A company can claim to be the best in town, but if its online reviews read like a horror novel, take that as a red flag. Customers who’ve been overcharged, ignored, or left with more pests than they started with are rarely quiet about it.
Reviews on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau can tell whether a company solves problems or makes them more expensive.
Reputation isn’t built overnight. A good pest control company has a track record of satisfied customers who aren’t waking up to cockroaches performing Broadway routines in their kitchens.
Look for specific praise—did they arrive on time? Did they explain their process? Did they seem competent, or did they just spray some mystery liquid and leave?
A few negative reviews are inevitable. Some people expect miracles, even when their house is an all-you-can-eat buffet for termites. However, if complaints about poor service and price gouging outnumber the positive feedback, it’s best to keep looking.
3. Compare Pricing Without Falling for Bargains
Pest control isn’t where you want to bargain-hunt. The cheapest option often means cutting corners—weak chemicals, inexperienced technicians, or methods that require them to return.
A professional pest control company charges fair rates based on labor, equipment, and effectiveness, not just whatever number sounds good over the phone.
Get multiple quotes. If one company’s pricing seems suspiciously low, ask why. Are they using non-toxic but ineffective treatments? Do they skip follow-ups? Is their plan just to scare the pests away with loud noises?
A reputable company provides transparent pricing upfront, without hidden fees that pop up like bedbugs in a mattress seam.
Quality pest control is an investment. Spending more on a company that does the job correctly the first time is cheaper than hiring a discount exterminator and then paying another professional to fix their mistakes.
4. Ask About Their Treatment Methods
Not all pest control methods are created equal. Some companies use chemicals that could double as biological warfare agents, while others take a more environmentally friendly approach. Knowing what’s being sprayed around your home is essential, especially if pets or small children are involved.
A company that refuses to disclose its treatment methods shouldn’t be trusted near anything living.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the gold standard—an approach that combines safe chemicals, traps, and preventative strategies. If a company’s plan is “spray and pray,” they probably aren’t the best choice.
A responsible pest control company doesn’t just kill bugs; it prevents them from returning. They should offer maintenance plans or at least advice on how to avoid future infestations.
5. Evaluate Their Customer Service
Even the most effective exterminator is useless if the company’s customer service is not appealing. A good pest control company picks up the phone, answers questions clearly, and doesn’t treat you as an inconvenience for wanting to know what they’re spraying inside your home.
Customer service also extends to technician behavior. If a technician shows up looking like they just rolled out of bed and mumbles their way through an explanation, that’s a sign they might not take their job seriously.
Professionalism matters—both in the office and on the job site.
A pest control company should make you feel confident, unlike you’ve just handed over your money to a stranger with a can of chemicals. If they don’t respect your time, concerns, or questions, they probably won’t respect your home.
Bottom Line
Pest control is more than just spraying chemicals and hoping for the best. A good company knows the problem, has solutions, and doesn’t leave you wondering if you got scammed.
Experience, reputation, price, treatment methods, and customer service all ensure you are left with an infestation and an empty wallet.
A bad pest control company is worse than the pests themselves. At least mice don’t charge you for doing nothing. Choose wisely, and you’ll have fewer headaches, fewer return visits, and fewer surprises in the middle of the night.
