Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Oakland’s ample rainfall and warm summers mean homeowners experience a range of pest issues, including ticks and cockroaches. Homeowners who have a preventative pest control plan can avoid encounters with these unwanted creatures. Fortunately, pest control companies can help take care of this for you.
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. Read on to learn more about each exterminator.
Commitment to customer education
Reviews praise customer service
Proactive approach to pest control
Free inspection policy
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Free inspections
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
No-cost inspections
Positive customer service reviews
Services Offered
Services Offered
Educational web content
Proactive solutions for pest control
Consistently high customer service reviews
Lack of hidden fees
Free inspections
Services Offered
No-cost inspections
Consistently high customer service reviews
Services Offered
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Timeliness of service
No-cost inspections
Proactive solutions for pest control
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Educational web content
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Free inspections
Services Offered
Lack of hidden fees
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Positive customer service reviews
Services Offered
Lack of hidden fees
No-cost inspections
Helpful homeowner content on its website
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:
We narrowed down the top pest control companies by looking at factors like industry experience, customer satisfaction, types of pest control treatments offered, coverage, and more.
Here’s how the top companies in Oakland ranked:
Terminix is one of the top four pest control companies in the world, and it has been helping homeowners and businesses stay pest-free for over 90 years. The company offers effective pest control services that are safe for your family.
Terminix exterminates all kinds of pest issues for homeowners and business owners. These include termites, spiders, opossums, roaches, raccoons, rodents, and ants. Along with pest control, Terminix offers services, like mechanical exclusion, moisture control, home disinfection services, and attic insulation.
Founded in 1901 by a rat poison salesman named Otto, the Orkin brand has grown to be one of the most reputable in the pest control industry. Due to its vast network, Orkin can provide same-day or next-day service.
Orkin takes care of many common pests, such as silverfish, spiders, cockroaches, and ants. Orkin’s typical pest control service plan is also quarterly, so your home will be treated several times during the year.
Rentokil is a service group with over 90 years of industry experience. The company provides expert pest control treatments for homeowners and business owners. This large service group is the parent company of several regional pest control companies in North America. These include Western Exterminator, Presto-X, and J.C. Ehrlich.
Rentokil handles the common pests in Oakland, including spiders, mosquitoes, moths, flies, cockroaches, bees, bed bugs, crickets, ants, and wasps. Its treatments are child- and pet-friendly.
Not all pest control businesses are the equal in reputation, background, and capability. Researching businesses helps you identify the right choice for your pest circumstance. Focus on these key factors when choosing a pest control company:
Look for a pest control company that has experience handling the type of pest you have, whether it’s bed bugs, termites, roaches, rodents, or something else. The company should be able to 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. Possessing the proper credentials shows that the technicians have received adequate training. Also ask about regular training updates.
We advise reading customer reviews prior to scheduling a pest control appointment. Google, Yelp, and other review sites will show 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 continuing education technicians receive to stay current on best pest control practices. When you choose a provider from our list of Oakland's best pest control, you can rest easy knowing you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
Search for providers that have “green” accreditations if you want 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 more potent methods might be a better option for significant infestations. Whether you choose eco-friendly or traditional options, all pesticides that are classified as greater than minimal risk are required to be registered with the EPA.
Reliable pest control companies normally 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 usually don't come with reservice guarantees.
Once you have found your top pest management companies, reach out to each one with these questions:
Take the time to thoroughly evaluate pest control companies using these questions. This will allow you to choose the best provider to effectively handle your pest situation at a fair price.
It's important to be aware of the pests you could see as a resident of Oakland. To help you identify the most common pests, we studied online discussions and compiled a list of the ones mentioned the most.
Our top picks for the best pest control companies are Orkin and Terminix. They're well known in the industry and help get rid of all common pests.
The best way to prevent a pest infestation is getting a pest control company to come to your house once every two or three months. Spraying your property regularly will stop insects and animals from returning.
For the most part, pest control chemicals are safe. Even so, they must be handled by a trained exterminator to ensure they’re used safely. After your house has been sprayed, the exterminator will recommend staying away from your home for a certain period of time. This is usually 2 to 4 hours, but can be as much as 24 hours.
Whether you should do pest control yourself or hire an exterminator depends on your situation. You’ll want to take into consideration factors like what chemicals need to be used, how much the pest control will cost, and the size of the infestation. Additionally, you may want to also get professional pest control if you're concerned about safety or pets.
Many Oakland homeowners are concerned about the cost of pest control. Monthly pest control usually costs $40 to $70 per visit. Quarterly pest control costs about $110 to $250 a visit. To find out exactly how much it will cost for you, we recommend getting in touch with several providers for an estimate.
Spring is the best time for proactive pest control. The reason is nests and colony numbers will grow much larger when it's hotter, so spraying in the spring can help prevent your property from getting too many pests later.
