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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Pests can be a living nightmare, particularly in a place like San Diego, which typically has hot summers. Without a pest control treatment plan in place, the chance of recurring infestation is high.
There are many exterminators to select from, which makes finding the best one for your needs difficult. For that reason, we’ve put together a list of the best pest control companies in San Diego. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
No-cost inspections
Commitment to customer education
Transparent pricing
Positive customer service reviews
Preventative pest control services
Services Offered
No-cost inspections
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Our Rating
Positive customer service reviews
Transparent pricing
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Free inspections
Services Offered
Our Rating
Educational web content
Transparent pricing
Reviews praise customer service
Free inspections
Services Offered
Our Rating
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Our Rating
Commitment to customer education
Reviews praise customer service
Punctual arrival
Lack of hidden fees
Free inspections
Services Offered
Our Rating
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Positive customer service reviews
Transparent pricing
Timeliness of service
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
Reviews praise customer service
Transparent pricing
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
Educational web content
No-cost inspections
Reviews praise customer service
Reliable appointment windows
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Our Rating
Transparent pricing
Free inspections
Commitment to customer education
Consistently high customer service reviews
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:
The team at Today's Homeowner narrowed it down to these pest control companies by analyzing contracts, customer reviews, costs, pest control treatments offered, state availability, and more.
This is how we ranked the top pest control companies in San Diego:
Founded in 1927, Terminix has almost 100 years of experience in the pest control business. Terminix has received numerous 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 can help you with all types of pest problems for residential and commercial customers. These include roaches, spiders, raccoons, rodents, ants, termites, and opossums. In addition to pest control, Terminix has services, like moisture control, home disinfection services, attic insulation, and mechanical exclusion.
If you need immediate pest control service in San Diego, Orkin could be the right company for you. Since 1901, Orkin has become one of the largest pest control companies in the country. Its pest control specialists must undergo 160 hours of training. In addition, due to its big network, it can often offer next-day — or even same-day — service.
Pests Orkin handles are wasps, fleas, yellow jackets, crickets, carpenter ants, bed bugs, hornets, mice, scorpions, centipedes, and more. Once the initial treatment, your Orkin exterminator will follow up to check that the pests haven’t returned. If they have, your local technicians can assist.
Rentokil is a respected name in pest control, with branches across the world and close to a century of experience in the industry. Rentokil is the parent company of top North American pest control providers including Presto-X, Western Exterminator, and J.C. Ehrlich, which provide individual services.
Rentokil handles the common pests in San Diego, including crickets, bed bugs, moths, mosquitoes, wasps, cockroaches, ants, bees, spiders, and flies. After the initial inspection of your property, a technician will treat your property every four months.
Pest control companies aren't all the same when it comes to credibility, expertise, and capability. It’s important to research services to find the right one for your specific circumstance. Focus on these key factors when hiring a pest control company:
Look for a pest control company that is able to handle the type of pest you have, whether it’s termites, bed bugs, roaches, rodents, or something else. The company should be able to provide an overview of how they treat your type of pest.
When selecting a pest control provider, look for technicians that hold certifications from respected industry associations, such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), in addition to proper state licensing. Solid credentials indicate that the technicians have completed adequate training. Also inquire about continuing education policies and total training hours.
We advise reading customer reviews before scheduling a pest control appointment. Google, Yelp, and other review sites can tell you whether a company consistently provides quality service and has happy customers. Also check for any Better Business Bureau complaints that have been filed. Ask about the kind of ongoing education technicians receive to stay current on the latest pest control techniques and treatment methods. When you choose a company from our list of San Diego'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 that advertise “green” certifications. For larger pests like mice or squirrels, ask if a provider offers humane trapping and relocation. Bear in mind natural options may not work as well for major infestations. If you have a moderate to serious pest problem, you may need more potent traditional methods. Regardless of what methods you choose, all pesticides (besides those classified as minimal risk) are required to be registered with the EPA.
Reliable pest control professionals normally offer service guarantees for recurring plans. These guarantees mean the company will return and re-treat your home at no cost if there are still pests after the first treatment. One-time services may not include reservice guarantees.
Once you have found your top exterminators, contact each one with these questions:
Take the time to thoroughly evaluate pest control providers using these questions. This will help you select the most qualified provider to safely and successfully eliminate your pest problem at a fair price.
Many types of pests like to find their way into San Diego residences. Some are relatively harmless, but others can damage your home and carry diseases. All of them can cause anxiety. We generated a list of the most common pests in the city by examining what pests were often mentioned on social media sites.
Our top picks for the best pest control companies in San Diego are Orkin and Terminix. They're highly regarded in the industry and cover all common pests.
Hiring a pest control company and having a professional spray your property every quarter is the best way to prevent future pest infestations. This deters insects and animals from coming inside your home.
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 to read reviews to check their reputation and customer satisfaction.
Pest control involves removing unwanted insects like bed bugs, cockroaches, and other unwanted bugs or animals from your home. When you hire a pest control company, an exterminator will come and inspect your property. Then they will use various methods to remove the pests and prevent them from returning, such as chemical or natural sprays, bait, and traps.
In a big city like San Diego, where the cost of living is really 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 type of pests you have an issue with and how bad the infestation is. A single visit can cost between $300 and $500, while a quarterly treatment plan is typically cheaper — around $100 to $300 a visit.
For apartments and homes, quarterly or even bi-monthly pest control treatments are recommended. If you have a more serious infestation, however, you may have to get monthly treatments for a few months until the infestation is resolved.