Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Living in a place such as Austin, which has rather hot summers, often means seeing lots of pests too. Without a pest control routine in place, the chance of recurring infestation is high.
Pest control is an important matter. That’s why the team at Today's Homeowner has done the work and put together this list of the top pest control companies in Austin for you. Read on to learn more about each exterminator.
No-cost inspections
Proactive approach to pest control
Reviews praise customer service
Transparent pricing
Reliable appointment windows
Educational web content
Services Offered
Lack of hidden fees
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Free inspections
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Consistently high customer service reviews
Free inspections
Transparent pricing
Preventative pest control services
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Lack of hidden fees
Reliable exterminators
Commitment to customer education
Positive customer service reviews
Services Offered
Positive customer service reviews
Lack of hidden fees
No-cost inspections
Services Offered
Commitment to customer education
Offerings of preventative treatments
Consistently high customer service reviews
Free inspection policy
Punctual arrival
Lack of hidden fees
Services Offered
Reviews praise customer service
Transparent pricing
Free inspections
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Services Offered
Free inspections
Punctuality
Commitment to customer education
Transparent pricing
Consistently high customer service reviews
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Free inspection policy
Educational web content
Positive customer service reviews
Offerings of preventative treatments
Services Offered
Proactive approach to pest control
Positive customer service reviews
Commitment to customer education
Free inspections
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 narrowed it down to these pest control providers by comparing costs, pest control treatments offered, state availability, customer reviews, contracts, and more.
Here’s how Austin’s top companies ranked:
Terminix has several hundred branches in over 22 countries and has been in business for almost 100 years. With this breadth of experience, it’s easy to see why Terminix is one of the top companies in the country.
Terminix helps with all kinds of pests in Austin, and it offers a 30-day guarantee. Along with pest control, Terminix provides other services, including moisture control, mechanical exclusion, attic insulation, and home disinfection services.
Orkin has been in the business for over 100 years. It has positive consumer reviews and professional pest control specialists who all complete 160 hours of training.
Orkin will send a pest control expert to inspect your property to identify issues and draw up an appropriate treatment plan. Orkin’s most common pest control service is also seasonal, so your home will be treated several times over the course of a year.
Rentokil, a service group, is the world's largest and most widely recognized pest control company, which owns hundreds of brands worldwide. The brand owns the North American pest control companies Western Exterminator, Presto-X, and J.C. Ehrlich.
Rentokil handles the common pests in Austin, including wasps, crickets, bed bugs, flies, bees, spiders, mosquitoes, moths, cockroaches, and ants. 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.
Pest control providers vary in credibility, expertise, and competence. It's important to research providers to find the right fit for your pest problem. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a pest control provider:
Look for a pest control company that has experience treating the type of pest you're dealing with, whether it's bed bugs, termites, roaches, rodents, or something else. The company should provide detailed explanations of its area of expertise.
The ideal pest management provider 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 received proper training. You'll also want to ask each company about ongoing education for their employees.
We highly recommend checking out customer reviews before 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 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 the latest pest control techniques and treatment methods. When you select a professional from our list of the top pest control in Austin, you can feel confident knowing that you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
Homeowners who want natural, eco-friendly pest control should look for providers that specialize in “green” accredited solutions. You can also ask about trapping options that don't harm larger pests like mice or other burrowing rodents. 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 are required to be registered with the EPA.
Leading pest control provides typically offer service guarantees for ongoing plans. The guarantees mean if pests remain after the initial treatment, the company will return and re-treat your home at no cost until the infestation is eliminated. One-time treatments might not have reservice guarantees.
Once you have found your top pest management companies, contact each one to ask these questions:
Take the time to thoroughly assess pest control companies using these questions. This will help you select the best provider to safely and successfully resolve your pest problem at a fair price.
Which pests you may see depends on where you live. In Austin, there are several that residents may deal with. To give you an idea of the most common pests in the city, we analyzed the pests discussed in around 10 million social media posts.
The best pest control companies are Terminix and Orkin. They can treat all common pests, have many locations, and have been in the industry for several 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 home.
Chemicals used in pest control are safe but must be handled by a professional. If you have any questions or concerns 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 home after using them, you can ask the exterminator. Typically, you should remain outside your home for two to four hours after spraying.
There are some pests you can handle yourself. For example, if you see a few ants or a stray wasp, chances are you can take care of it on your own. But some pest infestations warrant calling the professionals. If you have a big infestation, you aren’t sure what the pest is, or would like preventative pest control, you should hire a pest control company.
Many Austin 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 a quote.
We advise quarterly pest control, or even bi-monthly in Austin, 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.
