Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Pests in the home are never welcome, whether they're ants, cockroaches, rats, or bed bugs. If the issue isn’t solved quickly, you could end up with a bad infestation. This is why taking action the moment you see the pests, and also arranging routine pest control, is important.
There are many great exterminator options, so the team at Today's Homeowner has done the research and made a list of some of the best pest control companies in Santa Maria to help you make the right decision. Read on to discover the top providers near you.
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Preventative pest control services
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No-cost inspections
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Reviews praise customer service
Commitment to customer education
Services Offered
Educational web content
Transparent pricing
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Commitment to customer education
Positive customer service reviews
Services Offered
Positive customer service reviews
No-cost inspections
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
No-cost inspections
Commitment to customer education
Reviews praise customer service
Services Offered
Educational web content
Positive customer service reviews
Free inspections
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Reviews praise customer service
No-cost inspections
Transparent pricing
Helpful homeowner content on its website
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:
We've narrowed down the best pest control experts so you can find the right provider for you. We analyzed contracts, state availability, customer reviews, pest control treatments offered, costs, and more.
Here’s how the top providers ranked:
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 Triad's Best Exterminator.
Terminix offers both one-off extermination services and routine pest control. In addition, every contract comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Terminix’s typical pest regimen consists of a home inspection and preliminary treatment, followed by three seasonal treatments during the year.
Orkin has been around for over 100 years. Its exterminators must complete 160 hours of training. In addition, due to its large network, it can usually provide next-day — or even same-day — visits.
Orkin offers an expert property inspection to identify issues and develop treatment plan. Orkin’s general pest control service plan is also seasonal, so your home will be treated several times over the course of a year.
Rentokil is a well-known 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 several North American pest control providers including Presto-X, Western Exterminator, and J.C. Ehrlich, which can provide tailored services.
Rentokil and its partners take care of the following pests: cockroaches, moths, crickets, ants, mosquitoes, bees, flies, wasps, spiders, and bed bugs. The company guarantees satisfaction with its treatments. If you still have pest problems after service, Rentokil will visit again until the issue is resolved.
Pest control companies aren't all equal when it comes to credibility, understanding, and capability. It’s important to research companies to find the right one for your specific circumstance. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a pest control company:
Look for a pest control company that can address the type of pest you have, whether it’s bed bugs, termites, roaches, rodents, or something else. The company should be able to describe how they treat your type of pest.
The ideal exterminator will employ technicians that have state licenses and are certified in pest control methods by organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). These credentials show that the technicians have completed proper training. You'll also want to question each company about continuing training for their employees.
We highly recommend looking at 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 best pest control practices. When you choose an exterminator from our list of the top pest control in Santa Maria, you can rest easy knowing you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
Search for companies with “green” certifications if you want more natural, eco-friendly pest control. You can also ask about humane trapping programs that don't harm pests like mice or snakes. Keep in mind that stronger treatments might be a better option for significant infestations. Whether you choose eco-friendly or traditional options, all pesticides (besides those classified as minimal risk) must be registered with the EPA.
Reputable pest control companies usually offer service guarantees for continuing plans. The warranties mean that a provider will return to re-treat your home free of charge if pests remain after the first treatment. One-off treatments might not include these reservice warranties.
Once you have found your top exterminators, reach out to each one to ask these questions:
Analyze potential pest control providers using these questions. This will help you hire the right provider to safely and effectively get rid of your pest problem at a reasonable price.
Pests vary by location. In Santa Maria, there are several that residents have to deal with. We generated a list of the most common pests in the city by analyzing which pests were often posted about on social media platforms.
The top pest control providers are Terminix and Orkin. They help with all common pests, service many locations, and have been in business for several decades.
The best way to prevent a pest infestation is getting a pest control company to come to your home once every quarter. Getting your property sprayed regularly will stop insects and other wildlife from coming back.
There are some pests you can control yourself. For example, if you see some ants or a rogue cockroach, chances are you can get rid of it on your own. But some pest infestations warrant calling the professionals. If you have a large infestation, you aren’t sure what the pest is, or would like preventative pest control, you should hire a pest control company.
In a city like Santa Maria, where the cost of living is noticeably 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 kind of pests are infesting your home 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.
If you already have a serious pest infestation, you should seek pest control as soon as possible. However, if you’d just like preventative pest control, the best time of year to have a professional spray your home is in the spring before colony numbers get too high in the hotter part of the year. But it’s never too late for pest control. You can still spray in the summer or in other seasons and see effective results.
