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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
No matter where you call home, pests are uninvited little residents that can wreak havoc in your home and cause you a lot of stress. Homeowners who have a preventative pest control plan can avoid encounters with these unwelcome tenants. Luckily, pest control companies can help you with this problem.
There are many exterminators to choose from, which makes finding the best one for you difficult. For that reason, we’ve put together a guide on the top pest control companies in Chicago. Read on to learn more about each exterminator.
Reviews praise customer service
Educational web content
Proactive approach to pest control
Transparent pricing
No-cost inspections
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Free inspection policy
Transparent pricing
Reviews praise customer service
Educational web content
Services Offered
Consistently high customer service reviews
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Lack of hidden fees
Free inspections
Proactive solutions for pest control
Services Offered
Free inspections
Positive customer service reviews
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Preventative pest control services
Transparent pricing
Timeliness of service
Positive customer service reviews
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Transparent pricing
Free inspections
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Transparent pricing
Reviews praise customer service
Commitment to customer education
Services Offered
Consistently high customer service reviews
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
No-cost inspections
Preventative pest control services
Services Offered
Proactive approach to pest control
Transparent pricing
Commitment to customer education
Free inspection policy
Reviews praise customer service
Services Offered
Commitment to customer education
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Preventative pest control services
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 has narrowed down the best pest control experts so you can find the best provider for you. We analyzed state availability, costs, contracts, customer reviews, pest control treatments offered, and more.
Here’s how Chicago’s top companies ranked:
Founded in 1927, Terminix has almost 100 years of experience in the pest control industry. With this experience, you can see why Terminix is a top choice for many homeowners.
Terminix takes care of all types of pest issues for residential and commercial customers. These include termites, spiders, raccoons, rodents, roaches, ants, and opossums. Terminix’s typical pest regimen includes a home inspection and initial treatment, with three additional treatments during the year.
Orkin Pest Control’s headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the oldest pest control companies with a large network of branches. Because of its vast network, Orkin can offer next-day, or sometimes even same-day, service.
Orkin can protect your property from many common pests, such as ants, spiders, silverfish, and cockroaches. Orkin’s general pest control plan is also quarterly, meaning your home will be treated several times over the course of a year.
Rentokil has been helping homeowners remove common pests for over 90 years. Rentokil is the parent company of top North American pest control providers like Western Exterminator, Presto-X, and J.C. Ehrlich, which provide individual services.
Rentokil and its partners take care of the following pests: cockroaches, ants, crickets, spiders, flies, moths, mosquitoes, bees, bed bugs, and wasps. Depending on where you live, the pest control company may cover wildlife like rodents, snakes, and birds.
Not all pest control businesses are the equal in credibility, background, and competence. Evaluating providers helps you identify the right choice for your pest situation. Focus on these key factors 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 roaches, bed bugs, termites, rodents, or something else. The company should provide detailed explanations of its area of expertise.
Look for pest control companies with technicians that have 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 continuing education opportunities.
Before scheduling an appointment, take the time to read online reviews on sites such as Google or Yelp to verify that the company has a proven track record of providing effective service and positive customer experiences. Also check for any 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 select a professional from our list of the top pest control in Chicago, 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 humane catch and release methods for 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. Regardless of what methods you choose, any pesticides (besides those classified as minimal risk) are required to be registered with the EPA.
Reliable pest control providers typically offer service guarantees for recurring plans. These guarantees mean the company will make another visit and re-treat your home for free if pests remain after the first treatment. One-time services may not come with reservice guarantees.
Once you have selected your top pest management companies, contact each one and ask questions such as:
Take the time to thoroughly review pest control companies using these questions. This will allow you to choose a qualified provider to effectively manage your pest situation at a fair price.
There are various kinds of pests in Chicago, ranging from harmless bothers to disease-carrying insects. To help you prepare for the most problematic pests, we examined various social media sites and put together a list of the ones mentioned the most.
The top pest control companies are Orkin and Terminix. They cover all common pests, service many locations, and have been in the industry for decades.
The best way to prevent a pest infestation is having a pest control company come to your home once every quarter. Getting your property sprayed regularly will stop insects and other wildlife from returning.
To find the best pest control company for you, the key is to take your time and do diligent research. We recommend obtaining quotes from several companies and reading through reviews to help determine which company is the best for you.
There are some pests you can handle yourself. For example, if you see a few ants or a stray cockroach, chances are you can get rid of it on your own. But some infestations warrant calling the professionals. If you have a large infestation, you don’t know what the pest is, or would like preventative pest control, you should hire a pest control company.
Many Chicago homeowners are concerned about the cost of pest control. Monthly pest control generally costs $40 to $70 a visit. Quarterly pest control costs about $110 to $250 a visit. To find out exactly how much it will cost for you, we recommend contacting several companies for a quote.
We advise quarterly pest control, or even bi-monthly if needed. For larger infestations, your exterminator may recommend monthly treatments over the course of the first three to six months.