Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
No matter where you live, pests are a fact of life and encountering them is an annoyance. If the problem isn’t solved fast, you could have an infestation on your hands. This is why acting the moment you see the pests, and also arranging routine pest control, is important.
There are many exterminators to choose from, which makes finding the best one for your needs a challenge. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best pest control companies in Altoona. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
No-cost inspections
Transparent pricing
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Positive customer service reviews
Proactive approach to pest control
Services Offered
No-cost inspections
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
Consistently high customer service reviews
Services Offered
Educational web content
No-cost inspections
Consistently high customer service reviews
Reliable appointment windows
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Preventative pest control services
Free inspection policy
Commitment to customer education
Positive customer service reviews
Services Offered
Reliable appointment windows
No-cost inspections
Positive customer service reviews
Lack of hidden fees
Commitment to customer education
Services Offered
Services Offered
No-cost inspections
Consistently high customer service reviews
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Educational web content
Reviews praise customer service
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Reviews praise customer service
Transparent pricing
Educational web content
No-cost inspections
Punctuality
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 narrowed down the top pest control providers by looking at factors like types of pest control treatments offered, customer satisfaction, industry experience, coverage, and more.
This is how we ranked the top pest control companies in Altoona:
Terminix is one of the biggest and longest running pest control companies in the world, with many branches in 45 states and 22 other countries. Terminix has received multiple awards for its service, including Angie's List Super Service Award 2017, Watauga County Best of the Best, and NCPMA’s Technician of the Year.
Terminix has both one-off extermination services and routine pest control. In addition, every contract comes with a 30-day guarantee. Their service also comes with follow-up visits and annual inspections for guaranteed results.
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 customer reviews and competent pest control specialists who all complete 160 hours of training.
Pests Orkin helps with are rats, earwigs, yellow jackets, crickets, spiders, moths, centipedes, fleas, bees, hornets, and more. Each contract with Orkin comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If your pest problem isn't handled, your pest control specialist will come back for another visit.
Founded in 1925, Rentokil has nearly 100 years’ worth of experience getting rid of pests. In North America, Rentokil is the parent company of several regional pest control providers like Western Exterminator, J.C. Ehrlich, and Presto-X.
Rentokil and its partners take care of the following pests: bees, wasps, cockroaches, flies, moths, ants, bed bugs, mosquitoes, spiders, and crickets. After the initial inspection of your property, a technician will treat your property every quarter.
Pest control providers vary in reputation, proficiency, and competence. 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 focuses their business on the pest you have, like termites, bed bugs, roaches, or rodents. The company should provide an overview of how they treat your type of pest.
Look for pest control companies that employ technicians with certifications in pest control methods from qualified industry groups, such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), in addition to state licensing. Having the proper credentials indicates that the technicians have received adequate training. Also ask about continuing education opportunities.
We highly recommend reading customer reviews before scheduling a pest control appointment. Google, Yelp, and similar sites can tell you 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 ongoing education technicians receive to stay current on the latest pest control techniques and treatment methods. When you select an exterminator from our list of the top pest control in Altoona, 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” certifications. For larger pests like mice or snakes, ask if a provider offers gentle catch and release programs. Bear in mind natural options may not work as well for major infestations. If you have a substantial pest problem, you may need more potent traditional solutions. No matter your approach to pest control, all pesticides that are classified as greater than minimal risk must be registered with the EPA.
Quality pest control providers typically offer service guarantees for ongoing plans. The guarantees mean the provider will make another visit and re-treat for free if you still have pests in your home following the initial treatment. One-time treatments don't typically include reservice guarantees.
Once you have determined your top pest control providers, contact each one to ask these questions:
Take the time to thoroughly evaluate pest control companies using these questions. This will enable you to select the best provider to effectively control your pest situation at a fair price.
Which pests you may see depends on where you live. In Altoona, there are a few different ones that residents have to deal with. To help you prepare for the most common pests, we studied posts on social media and created a list of the ones mentioned the most.
The best pest control companies are Orkin and Terminix. They cover all common pests, have locations nationwide, and have been in the industry for several decades.
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.
For the most part, pest control chemicals are safe. However, they need to be handled by a trained professional to make sure they’re used properly and safely. After your house has been sprayed, the exterminator will recommend staying away from your home for a certain amount of time. This is generally 2 to 4 hours, but can be a maximum of 24 hours.
The key to finding the best exterminator for you is to get in touch with multiple companies and get quotes from them. You should also make sure to read reviews to check their reputation and customer satisfaction.
Many Altoona homeowners wonder about the cost of pest control. Monthly pest control generally costs $40 to $70 a visit. Quarterly pest control costs about $110 to $250 a visit. To find out exactly how much it will cost for you, we recommend contacting several pest control companies for a quote.
Spring is the best time for preventative pest control. This is because nests and colony numbers will get much higher as it gets warmer, so spraying in the spring can help prevent your property from getting too many pests later.
