Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Portland’s ample rainfall and hot summers mean homeowners experience a range of pest issues, including rats and wasps. Homeowners and apartment dwellers who have a preventative pest control plan can avoid encounters with these unwelcome tenants. Luckily, 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 Portland. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
Lack of hidden fees
Reviews praise customer service
Helpful homeowner content on its website
No-cost inspections
Services Offered
Reliable exterminators
Free inspection policy
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
No-cost inspections
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
Preventative pest control services
Reliable appointment windows
Positive customer service reviews
Services Offered
Free inspection policy
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Proactive solutions for pest control
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Commitment to customer education
Timeliness of service
Offerings of preventative treatments
Transparent pricing
No-cost inspections
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Reviews praise customer service
Proactive solutions for pest control
Educational web content
Punctuality
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
Lack of hidden fees
No-cost inspections
Reviews praise customer service
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Services Offered
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Free inspection policy
Transparent pricing
Educational web content
Services Offered
Preventative pest control services
Reliable exterminators
Free inspection policy
Positive customer service reviews
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Services Offered
Positive customer service reviews
Transparent pricing
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:
The team at Today's Homeowner narrowed down the top pest control companies by looking at factors like coverage, types of pest control treatments offered, customer satisfaction, industry experience, and more.
Here’s how they ranked:
Terminix is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, but it has branches in 45 states and several countries around the globe. It has also been in business for about 100 years. The company offers state-of-the-art pest control treatments that are safe for your family.
Terminix has both one-time extermination services and routine pest control. In addition, every contract comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Their service also comes with follow-up visits and annual inspections for guaranteed results.
Orkin has been in the business for over 100 years. Its pest control specialists complete 160 hours of training. Additionally, due to its big network, it can often offer next-day — or even same-day — service.
Orkin offers a professional property inspection to identify problem pests and areas and develop a suitable treatment plan. Once the first treatment, your Orkin exterminator will follow up to check that the pests haven’t come back. If they have, your local technicians can assist.
Founded in 1925, Rentokil has close to a century’s worth of experience getting rid of pests. The well-known brand owns the North American pest control providers Presto-X, Western Exterminator, and J.C. Ehrlich.
Rentokil offers integrated pest management (IPM) services, which means your pest control specialist will focus on both getting rid of existing pests and preventing future infestations. After the initial inspection of your property, a technician will service your property every four months.
Not all pest control providers are identical when it comes to credibility, knowledge, and competence. It's important to do your research to determine the right option for your specific pest problem. Focus on these key factors when hiring a pest control company:
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 indicate that the technicians have finished proper training. You'll also want to inquire with each company about regular education updates for their employees.
Take some time to read online reviews on Google and Yelp before committing to a pest control provider. This can help you verify whether the company consistently provides quality service and positive experiences. Also check the Better Business Bureau for any complaints. Ask the provider whether technicians receive consistent training to stay current on the most up-to-date pest control methods. When you select an exterminator from our list of the top pest control in Portland, you can rest easy knowing you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
Search for providers offering “green” certifications if you want more natural, eco-friendly pest control. You can also ask about gentle catch and release methods for larger animals like mice or squirrels. Keep in mind that traditional solutions might be a better option for significant infestations. Regardless of what methods you choose, all pesticides (besides those classified as minimal risk) are required to be registered with the EPA.
Reputable pest control providers usually offer service warranties for continuing plans. The guarantees mean that a provider will come back to re-treat your home free of charge if pests remain after the initial treatment. One-off treatments might not include these reservice warranties.
Once you have identified a few top contending pest control companies, reach out to each of them and be prepared to ask these kinds of questions:
Evaluate potential pest control companies based on their answers to these questions. This will enable you to pick a qualified provider to effectively solve your pest problem at a reasonable cost.
There are a variety of pests in Portland, ranging from harmless nuisances to disease-carrying insects. To give you an idea of the most prevalent pests in the city, we analyzed the pests talked about in around 10 million posts on various social media sites.
Our top picks for pest control companies are Orkin and Terminix. They're respected in the industry and help get rid of all common pests.
The best way to prevent a pest infestation is having a pest control company come to your house once every two or three months. Getting your property sprayed regularly will stop insects and animals from returning.
For the most part, the chemicals used in pest control are safe. That being said, they have to be handled by a trained professional to make sure they’re used safely. After your house has been sprayed, your exterminator will recommend staying away from your home for a certain amount of time. This is usually 2 to 4 hours, but can be as much as 24 hours.
A pest control company removes unwanted bugs or animals that have infested your property. Pest control also includes preventative measures that stop those pests from returning, which can happen at any point in Portland, but usually during the warm summers.
In a big city like Portland, 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, including what kind of pests you have an issue with and how bad the infestation is. A single visit can cost between $300 and $500, but a quarterly treatment plan is generally cheaper — around $100 to $300 a visit.
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 your property from getting too many pests later.
