Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Oakland often has many problems with common pests, similar to any city of that size. If the issue isn’t solved quickly, you could end up with an infestation. This is why acting when you see the pests, and also setting up routine pest control, is important.
There are many exterminators to choose from, which can make hard for you to know which is best for you. That’s why we've reviewed plenty of options to find the best pest control companies in Oakland. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
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Positive customer service reviews
Commitment to customer education
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Preventative pest control services
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Transparent pricing
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Commitment to customer education
Reviews praise customer service
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Free inspections
Consistently high customer service reviews
Lack of hidden fees
Commitment to customer education
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Free inspection policy
Commitment to customer education
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Positive customer service reviews
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Preventative pest control services
Services Offered
Commitment to customer education
No-cost inspections
Punctuality
Transparent pricing
Consistently high customer service reviews
Services Offered
Reviews praise customer service
Proactive approach to pest control
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 companies, we considered several factors such as coverage, industry experience, customer service, types of pest control treatments offered, and more.
This is how we ranked the top pest control companies in Oakland:
Terminix has 300 branches in more than 22 countries and has been in business for over 90 years. Terminix has received numerous awards for its service, including Pest Control Technology Magazine’s Top 100 Pest Control Companies, The Business Journal’s FAST 50, and Triad's Best Exterminator.
Terminix’s specialty termite services are their most widely known service, but they take care of much more than just that. Their other services include: cockroaches, ants, mosquitoes, rodents, spiders, ticks, and wildlife control such as squirrels, skunks, raccoons, opossums, and more. Along with pest control, Terminix provides services, like home disinfection services, mechanical exclusion, attic insulation, and moisture control.
With more than 100 years of experience, Orkin is one of the most trustworthy pest control companies in the country. It has great customer reviews and trained pest control specialists who all complete 160 hours of training.
Orkin’s typical pest control service plan is its annual pest control contract. Orkin’s typical pest control service is also seasonal, so your home will be treated several times during the year.
Rentokil is a service group with over 90 years of experience in the pest control industry. The company provides expert pest control solutions all around the world. This large service group is the parent company of several regional pest control providers in North America. These include Western Exterminator, Presto-X, and J.C. Ehrlich.
Rentokil offers integrated pest management (IPM) services, which means your pest control specialist will focus on both getting rid of current pests and preventing future infestations. The company has a satisfaction guarantee for its treatments. If you still have pests after service, Rentokil will make as many visits as needed to resolve the issue.
Not all pest control services are the equal in reputation, skill set, and effectiveness. Researching providers helps you identify the right choice for your pest circumstance. Focus on these key factors when selecting a pest control provider:
Choose a pest control company that can effectively address your specific problem, whether it's rodents, roaches, bed bugs, termites, or something else. The company should have clearly laid out its expertise with your specific pest.
The ideal pest control company will employ technicians that have state licenses and are certified in pest control methods by associations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). These credentials demonstrate that the technicians have finished proper training. You'll also want to ask each company about continuing training for their employees.
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 look 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 choose a company from our list of the top pest control in Oakland, you can feel confident knowing that you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
Search for companies with “green” certifications to get more natural, eco-friendly pest control. You can also ask about humane trapping programs that don't harm pests like mice or squirrels. Keep in mind that traditional solutions might be a better option for major infestations. No matter your approach to pest control, all pesticides that are classified as greater than minimal risk must be registered with the EPA.
Leading pest control provides usually offer service guarantees for ongoing plans. The guarantees mean if pests remain after the initial treatment, the provider will make another visit and re-treat your home at no cost until the infestation is taken care of. One-time treatments may not come with reservice guarantees.
Once you have selected a few top contending pest control companies, talk to each of them and be prepared to ask these kinds of questions:
Assess potential pest control companies based on their answers to these questions. This will allow you to choose a qualified provider to effectively solve your pest problem at a reasonable cost.
There are various types of pests in Oakland, ranging from harmless annoyances to disease-carrying insects. We compiled a list of the most common pests in the city by analyzing which pests were frequently posted about on social media platforms.
The best pest control providers are Orkin and Terminix. They help with all common pests, have many locations, and have been in the industry for a long time.
Hiring a pest control company and getting a professional to spray your property regularly is the best way to prevent future pest infestations. This deters insects and other wildlife from coming inside your home.
Pest control involves exterminating unwanted insects like bees, fleas, and other unwanted bugs or animals from your home. 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 stop them from coming back, such as chemical or natural sprays, bait, and traps.
In a town like Oakland, where the cost of living is high compared to other cities, the cost of pest control is most likely a concern. The cost of pest control depends 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, but a quarterly treatment plan is usually cheaper — around $100 to $300 a visit.
Spring is the best time for proactive pest control. The reason is nests and colony numbers will get much higher as it gets warmer, so pest control in the spring can help prevent you from getting too many pests later.
