Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There’s a big range of insects and rodents to keep an eye out for in Skokie and, unfortunately, they will often end up inside your home. Without a pest control routine in place, the chance of recurring infestation is high.
There are many great exterminator options, so the Today's Homeowner team has researched some of the top pest control companies in Skokie to help you make the right choice. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
No-cost inspections
Positive customer service reviews
Transparent pricing
Preventative pest control services
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Services Offered
Free inspections
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Lack of hidden fees
Educational web content
Services Offered
Punctual arrival
Transparent pricing
Commitment to customer education
No-cost inspections
Consistently high customer service reviews
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Timeliness of service
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Transparent pricing
Offerings of preventative treatments
Services Offered
No-cost inspections
Preventative pest control services
Transparent pricing
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Lack of hidden fees
Consistently high customer service reviews
Free inspection policy
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Services Offered
Educational web content
Offerings of preventative treatments
No-cost inspections
Lack of hidden fees
Reliable exterminators
Consistently high customer service reviews
Services Offered
No-cost inspections
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Lack of hidden fees
Positive customer service reviews
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
Reliable appointment windows
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
Free inspection policy
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Preventative pest control services
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 providers by considering factors like customer satisfaction, types of pest control treatments offered, coverage, industry experience, and more.
This is how they ranked:
Terminix is one of the top four pest control companies worldwide, and it has been helping homeowners and businesses stay pest-free for over 90 years. The company provides state-of-the-art pest control services that are safe for your family.
Terminix provides both one-time extermination services and routine pest control. Plus, every contract comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Terminix’s typical pest regimen consists of a home inspection and initial treatment, with three additional treatments during the year.
Orkin has more than 100 years of experience in the industry and is one of the most reputable pest control companies in the country. It has great customer reviews and professional 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 most common pest control plan is also quarterly, meaning your home will be treated several times over the course of a year.
Rentokil, a service group, is the world's largest pest control company, representing hundreds of brands worldwide. Rentokil is the parent company of top North American pest control providers including Western Exterminator, J.C. Ehrlich, and Presto-X, which can provide tailored services.
It handles 36 of the most common pests such as mice, spiders, bed bugs, cockroaches, moths, rats, flies, and more. Rentokil’s treatments are child- and pet-friendly.
Pest control companies aren't all the same when it comes to credibility, understanding, and capability. It’s important to research services to find the right one for your specific situation. Focus on these key factors when selecting a pest control provider:
Choose a pest control company that has expertise handling your specific problem, whether it's roaches, bed bugs, termites, rodents, or something else. The company should provide detailed explanations of its expertise with your specific pest.
When choosing a pest control provider, look for technicians that hold certifications from respected industry associations, such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), in addition to proper state licensing. The right credentials indicate that the technicians have completed adequate training. Also inquire about required training hours and continuing education.
We highly recommend 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 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 choose a professional from our list of the top pest control in Skokie, you can feel confident knowing that you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
Search for companies with “green” accreditations 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 treatments might be a better option for major infestations. Whether you choose eco-friendly or traditional options, all pesticides (besides those classified as minimal risk) must be registered with the EPA.
Quality pest control providers typically offer service guarantees for ongoing plans. The guarantees mean the provider will come back and re-treat at no cost if your home still has pests following the initial treatment. One-time treatments don't typically include reservice guarantees.
Once you have narrowed down your top exterminators, reach out to each one to ask questions such as:
Evaluate potential pest control companies based on their answers to these questions. This will enable you to select the right provider to effectively solve your pest problem at a reasonable cost.
It's important to know which pests you could encounter as a resident of Skokie. To help you identify the most commonly seen pests, we reviewed online discussions and created a list of the ones mentioned the most.
Our top picks for pest control companies in Skokie are Terminix and Orkin. They're highly regarded in the industry and cover all common pests.
Hiring a pest control company and having a professional spray your property every quarter is the best way to prevent future pest infestations. This deters insects and other wildlife from coming inside your home.
Pest control chemicals 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 — or are wondering how long you should stay out of your home after using them, you can ask the exterminator. Typically, you should stay away from 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 rogue wasp, chances are you can take care of it on your own. But some infestations warrant calling the professionals. If you have an out-of-control infestation, you don’t know what the pest is, or would like preventative pest control, you should hire a pest control company.
Many Skokie homeowners are concerned about the cost of pest control. Monthly pest control usually costs $40 to $70 a visit. Quarterly pest control costs about $110 to $250 per 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 preventative pest control. This is because nests and colony numbers will grow much larger as it gets warmer, so spraying in the spring can help prevent you from getting too many pests later.
