Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With an average high of 68 degrees in Columbia, there’s a huge variety of pests in the area that can be a headache for those who live there. Without a pest control treatment plan in place, the chance of recurring infestation is high.
There are plenty of exterminators to pick from, which makes finding the best one for you difficult. That’s why we’ve put together a guide on the top pest control companies in Columbia. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
Positive customer service reviews
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
No-cost inspections
Proactive approach to pest control
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Positive customer service reviews
Transparent pricing
Commitment to customer education
Services Offered
Commitment to customer education
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Timeliness of service
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Punctuality
Transparent pricing
Commitment to customer education
Free inspections
Services Offered
Services Offered
Commitment to customer education
Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Punctual arrival
Positive customer service reviews
Services Offered
Services Offered
Free inspections
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Transparent pricing
Preventative pest control services
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Positive customer service reviews
Timeliness of service
Free inspections
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Proactive solutions for pest control
Lack of hidden fees
Free inspection policy
Commitment to customer education
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've narrowed down the top pest control companies to help you find the right provider for you. We assessed pest control treatments offered, customer reviews, costs, state availability, contracts, and more.
Here’s how Columbia’s top companies ranked:
Founded in 1927, Terminix has almost 100 years of pest control experience. Terminix has received several 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 is termites, but they take care of much more than just that. Their other services include: spiders, ticks, rodents, ants, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and wildlife control such as raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels, and more. In addition to pest control, Terminix offers other services, including moisture control, mechanical exclusion, home disinfection services, and attic insulation.
Orkin Pest Control’s headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the oldest pest control companies with a expansive network of branches. Its pest control specialists have to complete 160 hours of training. In addition, because of its large network, it can often offer next-day — or even same-day — pest control.
Orkin will send a pest control expert to inspect your property to identify potential problems and develop a suitable treatment plan. After the initial visit, your pest control specialist will follow up regularly to ensure that the pests have stayed away for good. If they have, your local technicians can help
Founded in 1925, Rentokil has close to 100 years’ worth of experience dealing with pests. Rentokil is the parent company of top North American pest control providers like J.C. Ehrlich, Presto-X, and Western Exterminator, which provide tailored services.
Rentokil deals with the common pests in Columbia, including crickets, bed bugs, flies, bees, spiders, mosquitoes, ants, moths, wasps, and cockroaches. After the initial inspection of your home, a technician will treat your property every four months.
Pest control services aren't all equal when it comes to reputation, understanding, and competence. It’s important to research providers to find the right one for your specific situation. Here are the key factors to consider when selecting a pest control company:
Look for a pest control company that is able to handle the type of pest you have, whether it’s bed bugs, termites, roaches, rodents, or something else. The company should be able to describe how they treat your type of pest.
The ideal pest management provider will employ technicians that have state licenses and are certified in pest control methods by organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). These credentials indicate that the technicians have received proper training. You'll also want to ask each company about regular education updates for their employees.
We advise looking at customer reviews prior to scheduling a pest control appointment. Google, Yelp, and similar sites can tell you whether a company consistently provides quality service and a good customer experience. Also check for any Better Business Bureau complaints that have been filed. Ask about the kind of continuing education technicians receive to stay current on best pest control practices. When you select a professional from our list of Columbia'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 larger pests like mice or squirrels, ask if a provider offers humane trapping and relocation. 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 methods. Regardless of what methods you choose, all pesticides (besides those classified as minimal risk) are required to be registered with the EPA.
Reliable pest control companies typically offer service guarantees for recurring plans. These guarantees mean the provider will make another visit and re-treat your home at no cost if pests remain after the first treatment. One-time services may not come with reservice guarantees.
After selecting your top pest management services, reach out to each one and ask questions such as these:
Evaluate potential pest control companies based on their answers to these questions. This will allow you to choose a qualified provider to effectively resolve your pest problem at a reasonable cost.
There are a variety of pests in Columbia, ranging from harmless bothers to ones that can damage your home. Our team examined around 10 million online discussions to determine the pests that create the most issues in the area.
The best pest control companies are Orkin and Terminix. They can treat all common pests, have locations all around the country, and have been in business for decades.
Hiring a pest control company and having a professional spray your property regularly is the best way to prevent future pest infestations. This deters insects and animals from coming inside your house.
The key to finding the best exterminator for you is to get in touch with several companies and get quotes from them. You should also make sure to read reviews to check their reputation and customer satisfaction.
In a city like Columbia, where the cost of living is above average compared to other cities, the cost of pest control is most likely a concern. The cost of pest control depends on several factors, such as what kind of pests are troubling you and how bad the infestation is. A single visit can cost between $300 and $500, while a quarterly treatment plan is generally cheaper — around $100 to $300 a visit.
We advise quarterly pest control, or even bi-monthly in Columbia, where the heat can make pests more prevalent. For more serious infestations, your exterminator may recommend monthly treatments over the course of the first three to six months.
