Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Pests are never welcome in your home, whether they're silverfish, roaches, rats, or bed bugs. If the problem isn’t solved quickly, you could end up with a serious infestation. This is why acting as soon as you notice the pests, and also setting up routine pest control, is important.
There are many exterminators to choose from, which makes finding the right one for your family difficult. For that reason, we’ve put together a list of the top pest control companies in Palo Alto. Read on to discover the top providers near you.
Proactive approach to pest control
Free inspection policy
Transparent pricing
Educational web content
Services Offered
Consistently high customer service reviews
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
No-cost inspections
Proactive approach to pest control
Consistently high customer service reviews
Lack of hidden fees
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Services Offered
Our Rating
Reviews praise customer service
Free inspection policy
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Our Rating
Lack of hidden fees
Positive customer service reviews
Free inspection policy
Commitment to customer education
Services Offered
Our Rating
Educational web content
No-cost inspections
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Our Rating
Preventative pest control services
Free inspections
Educational web content
Reviews praise customer service
Transparent pricing
Punctuality
Services Offered
Our Rating
Proactive approach to pest control
Lack of hidden fees
Free inspections
Reviews praise customer service
Educational web content
Services Offered
Our Rating
Educational web content
No-cost inspections
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Our Rating
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Educational web content
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:
Today's Homeowner narrowed it down to these pest control companies by analyzing contracts, costs, state availability, customer reviews, pest control treatments offered, and more.
Here’s how Palo Alto’s top companies ranked:
Terminix has several hundred branches in more than 22 countries and has been in the pest control industry for about 100 years. Terminix has received multiple awards for its service, including Pest Control Technology Magazine’s Top 100 Pest Control Companies, Watauga County Best of the Best, and NCPMA’s Technician of the Year.
Terminix offers both one-time extermination services and routine pest control. Plus, every contract comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Terminix’s typical pest regimen includes a home inspection and initial treatment, followed by three seasonal treatments during the year.
Orkin Pest Control’s headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the oldest pest control companies with a expansive network of branches. It has positive consumer reviews and skilled pest control specialists who all complete 160 hours of training.
Orkin deals with many common pests, such as ants, cockroaches, spiders, and silverfish. Orkin can book regular follow-up visits. Also, if you end up with recurrent pest problems or any other immediate pest control needs, you can contact Orkin’s customer service line.
Rentokil has been helping homeowners remove common pests for over 90 years. In North America, Rentokil is the parent company of several local pest control branches like Western Exterminator, Presto-X, and J.C. Ehrlich.
Rentokil offers integrated pest management (IPM) services, which means your pest control specialist will focus on both exterminating current pests and preventing future infestations. After the initial inspection and treatment of your property, a technician will service your property every four months.
Not all pest control companies are the identical in credibility, qualifications, and effectiveness. Evaluating services helps you identify the right choice for your pest situation. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a pest control professional:
Look for a pest control company that has experience treating the type of pest you're dealing with, whether it's roaches, bed bugs, termites, 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 have the proper state licensing and are certified in pest control methods by industry associations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Obtaining these credentials indicates that a technician has adequate training. Question the company about its policies for continuing education and the total training hours required for technicians.
We highly recommend reading customer reviews prior to scheduling a pest control appointment. Google, Yelp, and other sites will show whether a company consistently provides quality service and has happy customers. Also check the Better Business Bureau website for any complaints that have been filed. Ask about the kind of continuing education technicians receive to stay current on the latest pest control techniques and treatment methods. When you choose a provider from our list of Palo Alto's best pest control, you can rest easy knowing you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
If you prefer natural pest control methods, look for providers offering “green” accreditation. For larger pests like mice or squirrels, 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 considerable pest problem, you may need more potent traditional methods. Whether you choose eco-friendly or traditional options, any pesticides (besides those classified as minimal risk) are required to be registered with the EPA.
Leading pest control provides usually offer service guarantees for ongoing plans. This means that if pests remain after the initial treatment, the provider will make another visit and re-treat your home for free until the infestation is taken care of. One-time treatments may not have reservice guarantees.
Once you have reduced your options to your top pest management companies, contact each one to ask questions such as:
Analyze potential pest control companies based on their answers to these questions. This will allow you to pick the right provider to effectively fix your pest problem at a reasonable cost.
It's important to be aware of the pests you're bound to encounter as a resident of Palo Alto. We created a list of the most common pests in the city by analyzing what pests were frequently mentioned on social media platforms.
The best pest control companies are Terminix and Orkin. They help with all common pests, have locations all around the country, and have been in business for several decades.
Hiring a pest control company and having a professional spray your property once every quarter is the best way to prevent future pest infestations. This deters insects and animals from coming inside your home.
Whether you should do DIY pest control or hire a company depends on your situation. You’ll want to take into consideration factors like how much the pest control will cost, the size of the infestation, and what chemicals need to be used. Additionally, you may want to also consider professional pest control if you're concerned about safety.
A pest control company removes unwanted insects or animals that have infested your property. Pest control also consists of preventative measures taken to stop those pests from returning, which can happen at any point in a warm place like Palo Alto.
Many Palo Alto homeowners are concerned about the cost of pest control. Monthly pest control usually costs $40 to $70 a visit. Quarterly pest control costs about $110 to $250 per visit. To find out exactly how much it will cost for you, we recommend contacting several pest control companies for an estimate.
Spring is the best time for proactive pest control. This is because nests and colony numbers will grow much larger when it's hotter, so pest control in the spring can help prevent you from getting too many pests later.