Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Columbia’s ample rainfall and warm summers mean homeowners deal with a variety of pest issues, including ticks and ants. Setting up routine pest control with a good company can help you avoid encounters with these pests later on.
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 reviewed plenty of options to find the best pest control companies in Columbia. Read on to discover the top companies near you.
Transparent pricing
Free inspection policy
Reviews praise customer service
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Offerings of preventative treatments
Services Offered
Commitment to customer education
No-cost inspections
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Consistently high customer service reviews
Commitment to customer education
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
Offerings of preventative treatments
Free inspection policy
Positive customer service reviews
Educational web content
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Positive customer service reviews
Lack of hidden fees
Educational web content
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Consistently high customer service reviews
Free inspection policy
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Consistently high customer service reviews
Free inspection policy
Proactive solutions for pest control
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Proactive solutions for pest control
Consistently high customer service reviews
Free inspections
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Positive customer service reviews
No-cost inspections
Services Offered
Proactive solutions for pest control
Educational web content
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
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:
The team at Today's Homeowner narrowed it down to these pest control providers by analyzing state availability, costs, customer reviews, pest control treatments offered, contracts, and more.
Here’s how the top providers ranked:
Founded in 1927, Terminix has almost 100 years of pest control experience. It utilizes the latest pest control techniques to get rid of insects and unwanted wildlife wherever they are.
Terminix’s specialty is termites, but they help with much more than that. Their other services include: cockroaches, spiders, ticks, mosquitoes, ants, rodents, and wildlife control including raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, and more. Terminix offers a free inspection. A qualified pest control expert will take a look at your situation and give you a suitable control plan.
Orkin Pest Control is based in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the longest-running pest control companies with a expansive network of branches. Its exterminators must complete 160 hours of training. And, due to its big network, it can usually offer next-day — or even same-day — service.
Orkin offers an expert property inspection to identify issues and develop a suitable treatment plan. After the first treatment, your Orkin specialist will follow up to check that the pests haven’t come back. If they have, your local technicians can assist.
Founded in 1925, Rentokil has close to a century’s worth of experience exterminating pests. The global brand owns the North American pest control providers Presto-X, Western Exterminator, and J.C. Ehrlich.
Rentokil and its partners control for the following pests: mosquitoes, crickets, spiders, bees, flies, moths, ants, wasps, cockroaches, and bed bugs. After the initial inspection of your property, a technician will return to your property as often as your contract states.
Not all pest control businesses are identical when it comes to reputation, qualifications, and effectiveness. It's important to do your research to determine the most suitable option for your specific pest problem. Focus on these key factors when selecting a pest control company:
You should choose a pest control company that is equipped to handle your specific problem, whether it's rodents, roaches, bed bugs, termites, or something else. The company should provide detailed explanations of its expertise with your specific pest.
When choosing a pest control company, look for technicians that hold certifications from respected industry associations, such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), in addition to proper state licensing. Solid credentials show that the technicians have completed proper training. Also inquire about continuing education policies and total training hours.
Take some time to read online reviews on Google and Yelp before committing to a pest control provider. This can help you verify whether the company consistently provides quality service and positive experiences. Also check the Better Business Bureau for any complaints. Ask the provider whether technicians receive consistent training to stay current on the latest pest control methods. When you choose an exterminator from our list of Columbia's best pest control, you can rest easy knowing 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” accredited solutions. You can also ask about humane catch and release methods for larger pests like mice or squirrels in your attic. However, natural options may be less effective for serious infestations; if you’re dealing with a major pest problem you may need stronger traditional methods. 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 companies typically offer service guarantees for ongoing plans. The guarantees mean the provider will return and re-treat for free if you still have pests in your home following the initial visit. One-time treatments don't typically include reservice guarantees.
Once you have narrowed down your top pest management companies, reach out to each one with questions such as:
Take the time to thoroughly assess pest control providers using these questions. This will help you hire the right provider to safely and successfully get rid of your pest problem at a fair price.
It's important to know which pests you could see while living in Columbia. To help you identify the most problematic pests, we examined various social media sites and created a list of the ones mentioned the most.
The best pest control companies are Orkin and Terminix. They can treat all common pests, service locations nationwide, and have been in the industry for decades.
Hiring a pest control company and having a professional spray your property once every quarter is the best way to prevent future pest infestations. This deters insects and animals from coming inside your home.
Pest control chemicals are safe but have to be handled by a professional. If you have any questions about the safety of the chemicals — such as if they're safe around children and pets — and how long you should stay out of your house after using them, you can ask the exterminator. Typically, you should stay away from your home for two to four hours after spraying.
In a city like Columbia, where the cost of living is noticeably 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, such as what kind of pests you have an issue with 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.
For apartments and homes, quarterly pest control treatments are recommended. If you have a more serious infestation, on the other hand, you may need to get monthly treatments for a few months until the infestation is resolved.
