Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Regardless of what city you live in, pests are an unavoidable fact of life and dealing with them is a pain. If the issue isn’t solved fast, you could end up with an infestation. This is why taking action when you notice the pests, and also setting up routine pest control, is important.
There are many exterminators to choose from, which can make difficult for homeowners to know which is best for them. That’s why we've examined plenty of options to find the best pest control companies in Iowa City. Read on to discover the top providers near you.
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Transparent pricing
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Free inspection policy
Proactive approach to pest control
Services Offered
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Lack of hidden fees
Free inspections
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Services Offered
No-cost inspections
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
Reviews praise customer service
Proactive approach to pest control
Services Offered
Lack of hidden fees
Commitment to customer education
Reviews praise customer service
Timeliness of service
Free inspection policy
Proactive solutions for pest control
Services Offered
Free inspections
Preventative pest control services
Consistently high customer service reviews
Lack of hidden fees
Educational web content
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Consistently high customer service reviews
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Commitment to customer education
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
Consistently high customer service reviews
Free inspection policy
Offerings of preventative treatments
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Services Offered
Commitment to customer education
Consistently high customer service reviews
Free inspections
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:
Today's Homeowner has narrowed down the top pest control experts to help you find the best provider for you. We assessed pest control treatments offered, costs, customer reviews, contracts, state availability, and more.
This is how we ranked the top pest control companies in Iowa City:
Terminix has 300 branches in over 22 countries and has been in the pest control industry for almost 100 years. It utilizes the latest pest control techniques to eliminate pests no matter where you find them.
Terminix is widely known for its specialty termite services, but they help with much more than just that. Their other services include: spiders, cockroaches, ticks, rodents, ants, mosquitoes, and wildlife control including skunks, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, and more. Terminix’s general pest regimen includes a home inspection and initial treatment, followed by three additional treatments over the course of a year.
Started in 1901 by a rat poison salesman named Otto, the Orkin brand has become one of the most reputable in the pest control industry. It has positive customer reviews and qualified exterminators who all complete 160 hours of training.
Orkin’s typical pest control plan is its annual pest control contract. Once the initial treatment, your Orkin specialist will follow up to check that the pests haven’t returned. If they have, your local technicians can help.
Rentokil is a service group with over 90 years of experience in the pest control industry. The company provides professional pest control treatments for homeowners and business owners. In North America, Rentokil is the parent company of several regional pest control companies like J.C. Ehrlich, Presto-X, and Western Exterminator.
Rentokil can help you with the common pests in Iowa City, including wasps, spiders, flies, mosquitoes, crickets, cockroaches, ants, bees, bed bugs, and moths. Rentokil’s services consist of preventative maintenance, treatment, and monitoring for pest infestations.
Pest control providers aren't all identical when it comes to credibility, understanding, and effectiveness. It’s important to research services to find the right one for your specific circumstance. Here are the key factors to consider when hiring a pest control provider:
Look for a pest control company that focuses their business on the pest you have, like rodents, roaches, bed bugs, or termites. The company should describe how they go about treating 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 shows that the technicians have received adequate training. You'll also want to ask about regular training updates.
Read through reviews on Google, Yelp, and similar sites prior to scheduling a pest control appointment. Ensure by reading reviews that the company reliably provides effective service and a positive customer experience. Also check the Better Business Bureau website for any complaints that have been filed. Ask whether technicians receive ongoing education on the latest and most innovative pest control treatments. When you choose a provider from our list of Iowa City's best pest control, 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 providers that advertise “green” accreditation. For bigger animals such as mice or squirrels, ask if a provider offers gentle catch and release programs. But keep in mind natural options may not work as well for major infestations. If you have a substantial pest problem, you may need stronger traditional solutions. Regardless of what methods you choose, 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 make another visit to re-treat your home at no cost if pests remain after the first treatment. One-off treatments typically don't include these reservice guarantees.
Once you have selected your top exterminators, reach out to each one with questions such as:
Take the time to thoroughly analyze pest control companies using these questions. This will allow you to choose the right provider to effectively handle your pest situation at a fair price.
Which pests you may see depends on where you live. In Iowa City, there are several that residents have to deal with. Our team examined around 10 million social media posts to identify the pests that are the biggest headache in the area.
Our top picks for the best pest control companies in Iowa City are Terminix and Orkin. They're well known in the industry and cover all common pests.
The best way to prevent a pest infestation is getting a pest control company to come to your home once every two or three months. Spraying your property regularly will stop insects and other wildlife from coming back.
To find the right pest control company for you, the key is to take your time and do thorough research. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies and reading through reviews to help figure out which company is the right one for you.
In a city like Iowa City, 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 based on several factors, including what kind of pests are troubling you and how bad the infestation is. A single visit can cost between $300 and $500, but a quarterly treatment plan is typically cheaper — around $100 to $300 a visit.
We recommend quarterly pest control treatments, or even bi-monthly if needed. For more serious infestations, your exterminator may recommend monthly treatments over the course of the first three to six months.
