How to Choose a Pest Control Company

Guide to selecting a pest control company. What to look for, questions to ask, and how to verify credentials.

TL;DR: Get 2-3 quotes from licensed, insured companies. Verify credentials, check references, understand warranty terms, and ask detailed questions about treatment approach. — Compare treatment types, then pricing factors. Prefer to talk? (833) 404-3632.

Always verify licensing and insurance.
Get multiple quotes for comparison.
Understand warranty and guarantee terms.

Red flags: Pressure to treat immediately, vague pricing, no written estimate, unwillingness to answer questions, or claims of guaranteed results.

Choosing the right pest control company is critical for effective termite treatment. This guide helps you evaluate companies and make an informed decision.

Essential Credentials to Verify

Licensing

What to verify:

Current state pest control license
License number and expiration date
Applicator certifications (specific to termites)
Company registration with state

How to verify: Contact your state's pest management regulatory board or check online license database

Insurance

Required coverage:

General liability insurance
Workers' compensation insurance
Pesticide liability insurance

What to ask: Request proof of current insurance and verify coverage limits

Professional Memberships

Positive indicators:

National Pest Management Association (NPMA) member
State pest management association member
Local chamber of commerce member
Better Business Bureau accreditation

Significance: Indicates commitment to professional standards and continuing education

Questions to Ask

About the Company

How long have you been in business?
Are you licensed and insured?
Do you belong to professional associations?
Can you provide references?
Do you offer emergency service?

About the Inspection

Will you perform a thorough inspection?
How long will the inspection take?
Will you provide a written report?
Can I be present during inspection?
What areas will you inspect?

About Treatment Options

What treatment methods do you recommend?
Why do you recommend this method?
What are alternative options?
Do you offer eco-friendly treatments?
What are the pros and cons of each method?

About Pricing

What is included in the quoted price?
Are there any additional fees?
What is your payment policy?
Do you offer financing options?
Can you provide a written estimate?

About Warranty & Follow-Up

What warranty or guarantee do you offer?
How long is the warranty valid?
What does the warranty cover?
What happens if termites return?
How often will you inspect?
What are the annual monitoring costs?

Getting Quotes

How Many Quotes to Get

Recommended: 2-3 quotes from different companies

Benefits:

Compare pricing and services
Evaluate different treatment approaches
Assess professionalism and communication
Identify outliers (unusually high or low)

What to Provide When Getting Quotes

Property square footage
Foundation type (crawl space, slab, basement)
Approximate linear feet of foundation
Termite species (if known)
Infestation locations and extent
Previous treatments (if any)
Desired warranty period

Comparing Quotes

Don't just compare price:

What's included in each quote?
Are treatment methods comparable?
What warranty is offered?
What monitoring/follow-up is included?
Are there hidden fees?

Red flag: Quote significantly lower than others may indicate inadequate service

Evaluating Professionalism

Communication & Responsiveness

Do they answer your questions thoroughly?
Are they willing to explain their recommendations?
Do they listen to your concerns?
Are they responsive to your calls/emails?
Do they provide clear written information?

Inspection Quality

Do they inspect thoroughly (not just quick walk-through)?
Do they check crawl spaces and attics?
Do they use moisture meters or other tools?
Do they provide detailed written report?
Do they explain findings clearly?

Professionalism & Appearance

Are technicians uniformed and professional?
Is equipment well-maintained?
Do they respect your property?
Do they explain what they're doing?
Do they clean up after themselves?

Red Flags to Avoid

Warning Signs

Pressure tactics: Pushing to treat immediately without inspection
Vague pricing: Won't provide written estimate
No inspection: Recommends treatment without thorough inspection
Guaranteed results: Claims 100% guarantee or "never return"
Unwilling to answer: Avoids your questions or gets defensive
No credentials: Can't provide proof of licensing/insurance
Unusually cheap: Price significantly lower than competitors
No warranty: Unwilling to provide written warranty

Checking References

What to Ask References

Were they satisfied with the service?
Was the treatment effective?
Did termites return after treatment?
Was the company professional and courteous?
Did they honor the warranty?
Would they use them again?

Online Reviews

Check:

Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings
Google reviews
Yelp ratings
HomeAdvisor or Angie's List

What to look for: Consistent positive feedback, professional responses to complaints, high ratings

After Choosing a Company

Before Treatment

Get everything in writing (estimate, warranty, timeline)
Understand preparation requirements
Know how long treatment will take
Understand safety precautions
Know when you can return/use treated areas