Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
With warm, rainy summers, it’s no wonder homeowners in Portland experience lots of pest problems. Without a pest control regimen in place, the chance of severe infestation is high.
There are many exterminators to choose from, which can make difficult for you to know which is best for you. That’s why we've examined plenty of options to find the best pest control companies in Portland. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
Commitment to customer education
Free inspection policy
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Preventative pest control services
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Free inspections
Educational web content
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Free inspections
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
No-cost inspections
Proactive solutions for pest control
Transparent pricing
Positive customer service reviews
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Services Offered
Educational web content
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
No-cost inspections
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
No-cost inspections
Punctuality
Reviews praise customer service
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Free inspections
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Transparent pricing
Commitment to customer education
Services Offered
Free inspections
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Commitment to customer education
Reviews praise customer service
No-cost inspections
Offerings of preventative treatments
Services Offered
Timeliness of service
Positive customer service reviews
Transparent pricing
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:
When ranking these pest control providers, we considered factors like types of pest control treatments offered, coverage, industry experience, customer service, and more.
Here’s how Portland’s top companies ranked:
Terminix has 300 branches in over 22 countries and has been in the pest control industry for almost 100 years. The company provides state-of-the-art pest control treatments that are safe for your family.
Terminix helps with many types of pests in Portland, and it guarantees that your pest problems will be solved. Terminix offers a free inspection. A qualified technician will assess your situation and detail a suitable control plan.
Orkin Pest Control’s headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the longest-running pest control companies with a expansive network of branches. It has excellent consumer reviews and trained pest control specialists who all complete 160 hours of training.
Orkin offers an expert property inspection to identify potential problems and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Orkin’s general pest control service is also seasonal, so your home will be treated several times during the year.
Founded in 1925, Rentokil has almost a century’s worth of experience handling pests. The large brand owns the North American pest control companies Western Exterminator, J.C. Ehrlich, and Presto-X.
It deals with 36 of the most common pests including bed bugs, mice, flies, rats, moths, spiders, cockroaches, and more. Depending on where you live, the pest control company may cover wildlife like rodents, snakes, and birds.
Pest control businesses aren't all the same when it comes to credibility, understanding, and capability. It’s important to research companies to find the right one for your specific situation. Focus on these key factors when hiring 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 termites, bed bugs, roaches, rodents, or something else. The company should clearly lay out its area of expertise.
When selecting a pest control company, look for technicians that are licensed by the state and certified in pest control methods by industry associations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Having these credentials demonstrates that the technicians have adequate training. Ask the company about its policies for continuing education and the total training hours required for technicians.
We highly recommend reading customer reviews before 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 for any Better Business Bureau complaints that have been filed. Ask about the kind of continuing education technicians receive to stay current on best pest control practices. When you select a company from our list of the top pest control in Portland, you can feel confident knowing that you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
If you prefer natural pest control methods, look for companies with “green” accreditation. For larger pests like mice or snakes, ask if a provider offers humane trapping and relocation. But keep in mind natural options may not work as well for major infestations. If you have a considerable pest problem, you may need more potent traditional solutions. Whether you choose eco-friendly or traditional options, all pesticides that are classified as greater than minimal risk must be registered with the EPA.
Leading pest control professionals usually offer service guarantees for ongoing plans. This means that if pests remain after the initial treatment, the company will come back and re-treat your home for free until the infestation is eliminated. One-time treatments may not have reservice guarantees.
After picking your top pest control companies, reach out to each one with questions such as these:
Take the time to thoroughly review pest control companies using these questions. This will allow you to choose the right provider to effectively control your pest situation at a fair price.
You should know which pests you could come across as a resident of Portland. Our team analyzed around 10 million social media conversations to pinpoint the pests that pose the most problems in the area.
The top pest control providers are Terminix and Orkin. They cover all common pests, service many locations, and have been in business for a long time.
The best way to prevent a pest infestation is having a pest control company come to your house once every quarter. Regularly spraying your property will stop insects and animals from coming back.
There are some pests you can handle 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 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 town like Portland, where the cost of living is high compared to other cities, the cost of pest control is most likely a concern. How much pest control costs varies depending on several factors, including what type of pests are troubling you 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 pest control treatments are recommended. If you have a more serious infestation, however, you may need to get monthly treatments for a few months until the problem is resolved.
