Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Charleston’s plentiful rainfall and hot summers mean homeowners deal with a range of pest problems, including rats and cockroaches. Homeowners who have a preventative pest control plan can avoid encounters with these unwelcome creatures. Fortunately, pest control companies can help take care of this for you.
There are plenty of exterminators to select from, which makes finding the best one for your needs a challenge. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top pest control companies in Charleston. Read on to learn more about each exterminator.
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Preventative pest control services
Transparent pricing
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Positive customer service reviews
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Free inspection policy
Lack of hidden fees
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Offerings of preventative treatments
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Helpful homeowner content on its website
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Free inspection policy
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Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Free inspection policy
Commitment to customer education
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Educational web content
Consistently high customer service reviews
Proactive solutions for pest control
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
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Services Offered
Positive customer service reviews
Free inspection policy
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Commitment to customer education
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Reviews praise customer service
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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 Today's Homeowner team narrowed down the top pest control companies by comparing factors like coverage, customer satisfaction, types of pest control treatments offered, industry experience, and more.
This is how we ranked the top pest control companies in Charleston:
Founded in 1927, Terminix has almost 100 years of experience in the pest control business. It uses the latest technology in pest control to exterminate pests no matter where you find them.
Terminix treats many types of pests in Charleston, and it offers a 30-day guarantee. Their service also comes with follow-up visits and annual inspections for guaranteed results.
Started in 1901 by a rat poison salesman named Otto, the Orkin brand has become one of the most trustworthy in the pest control industry. Due to its vast network, Orkin can provide same-day or next-day service.
Orkin offers an expert property inspection to identify issues and draw up treatment plan. Orkin’s typical pest control service is also seasonal, meaning your home will be treated several times during the year.
Rentokil has been helping homeowners get rid of common pests for over 90 years. In North America, Rentokil is the parent company of quite a few regional pest control companies like J.C. Ehrlich, Presto-X, and Western Exterminator.
Rentokil and its partners handle the following pests: bees, ants, crickets, flies, spiders, cockroaches, moths, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and wasps. Its treatments are child- and pet-friendly.
Pest control providers vary in reputation, expertise, and skill. It's important to research services to find the right fit for your pest problem. Focus on these key factors when selecting a pest control professional:
Look for a pest control company that has extensive experience treating the type of pest you're dealing with, whether it's termites, bed bugs, roaches, rodents, or something else. The company should thoroughly describe on their website its area of expertise.
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. These credentials show that the technicians have completed adequate training. Also inquire about continuing education policies and total training hours.
Before booking an appointment, spend time reading online reviews on sites such as Google or Yelp to see which providers have a reputation for providing effective service and positive customer experiences. Also check for complaints via the Better Business Bureau. Ask about the ongoing training the company’s technicians receive to ensure they stay up to date on current pest control best practices. When you select an exterminator from our list of Charleston's best pest control, you can feel confident knowing that you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
Homeowners who want natural, eco-friendly pest control should look for services that use “green” certified solutions. You can also ask about trapping options that don't harm larger pests like mice or other burrowing rodents. However, natural options may be less effective for serious infestations; if you’re dealing with a major pest problem you may need more potent chemical treatments. Regardless of what methods you choose, any pesticides (besides those classified as minimal risk) are required to be registered with the EPA.
Quality pest control companies typically offer service guarantees for recurring plans. The guarantees mean the provider will make another visit and re-treat at no cost if you still have pests in your home after the initial visit. One-time treatments may not come with reservice guarantees.
Once you have selected a few top-rated pest management providers, talk to each one and come prepared to ask these types of questions:
Review potential pest control companies based on their answers to these questions. This will allow you to select the right provider to effectively resolve your pest problem at a reasonable cost.
A variety of pests end up finding their way into Charleston houses. Some are relatively harmless, but others can damage your home and your health. All of them can cause anxiety. To help you identify the most commonly seen pests, we analyzed various social media sites and made a list of the ones mentioned the most.
Our top picks for pest control companies are Orkin and Terminix. They're highly regarded in the industry and help get rid of all common pests.
Hiring a pest control company and having a professional spray your property routinely is the best way to prevent future pest infestations. This deters insects and other wildlife from coming inside your home.
Pest control involves removing unwanted insects like bees, fleas, and other unwanted bugs or animals from your property. When you hire a pest control company, a professional exterminator will come and inspect your property. Then they will use various techniques to remove the pests and prevent them from returning, such as chemical or natural sprays, bait, and traps.
Many Charleston homeowners wonder 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 determine exactly how much it will cost for you, we recommend getting in touch with several companies for an estimate.
We recommend quarterly pest control, or even bi-monthly if needed. For larger infestations, your exterminator may recommend monthly treatments over the course of the first three to six months.
