Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Pests can be a living nightmare, particularly in a city like Charleston, which typically has hot summers. Homeowners who have a routine pest control plan can avoid encounters with these unwanted guests. Fortunately, pest control companies can help you with this.
There are many exterminators to choose from, which can make a challenge for you to know which is best for you. That’s why we've examined plenty of options to find the best pest control companies in Charleston. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
Lack of hidden fees
Free inspections
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Proactive approach to pest control
Commitment to customer education
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Lack of hidden fees
Reliable exterminators
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
Proactive solutions for pest control
Free inspection policy
Educational web content
Transparent pricing
Consistently high customer service reviews
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Lack of hidden fees
Consistently high customer service reviews
Free inspection policy
Services Offered
No-cost inspections
Lack of hidden fees
Reviews praise customer service
Commitment to customer education
Reliable exterminators
Services Offered
Proactive solutions for pest control
Transparent pricing
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
No-cost inspections
Educational web content
Services Offered
Helpful homeowner content on its website
Transparent pricing
Reliable appointment windows
No-cost inspections
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
Services Offered
Transparent pricing
No-cost inspections
Consistently high customer service reviews
Educational web content
Services Offered
Free inspections
Consistently high customer service reviews
Educational web content
Transparent pricing
Services Offered
Commitment to customer education
Reliable exterminators
No-cost inspections
Consistently high customer service reviews
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 it down to these pest control providers by comparing customer reviews, contracts, state availability, costs, pest control treatments offered, and more.
Here’s how they ranked:
Terminix has several hundred branches in more than 22 countries and has been in the pest control industry for about 100 years. It uses the latest innovations in pest control to rid your home of insects and unwanted wildlife wherever they are.
Terminix’s specialty termite services are their most widely known service, but they help with much more than that. Their other services include: ticks, spiders, rodents, ants, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and wildlife control including squirrels, skunks, opossums, raccoons, and more. Their service also comes with follow-up visits and annual inspections for guaranteed results.
Orkin has been in the industry for over 100 years. Its pest control specialists have to complete 160 hours of training. Plus, due to its big network, it can usually provide next-day — or even same-day — visits.
Orkin takes care of many common pests, such as ants, cockroaches, silverfish, and spiders. Orkin’s most common pest control plan is also seasonal, which means your home will be treated several times during the year.
Founded in 1925, Rentokil has nearly a century’s worth of experience dealing with pests. The global brand owns the North American pest control providers J.C. Ehrlich, Presto-X, and Western Exterminator.
Rentokil provides integrated pest management (IPM) services, focusing on both eliminating current pests and preventing future infestations. Rentokil’s services include preventative maintenance, treatment, and monitoring for pest infestations.
Pest control providers aren't all the same when it comes to credibility, understanding, and capability. It’s important to research companies to find the right one for your specific circumstance. Here are the key factors to consider when selecting a pest control provider:
You should choose a pest control company that is equipped to handle your specific problem, whether it's bed bugs, termites, roaches, rodents, or something else. The company should provide detailed explanations of its expertise with your specific pest.
When choosing a pest control company, look for technicians with certifications in pest control methods from respected industry associations, like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), in addition to proper state licensing. These credentials show that the technicians have completed proper training. Also inquire about continuing education policies and total training hours.
Before booking an appointment, spend time reading online reviews on sites such as Google or Yelp to verify that the company has a reputation for providing effective service and positive customer experiences. Also look 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 Charleston's best pest control, you can rest easy knowing you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
If you prefer more eco-friendly and natural pest control solutions, look for providers that have "green" certifications. If you’re dealing with larger pests, such as mice or other rodents coming inside, you can also inquire about humane catch and release methods. Keep in mind that natural pest control options may be less effective; consider a more traditional route if dealing with a serious infestation. Whether you choose eco-friendly or traditional options, any pesticides that are classified as greater than minimal risk are required to be registered with the EPA.
Quality pest control professionals typically offer service guarantees for ongoing plans. The guarantees mean the provider will return and re-treat at no cost if your home still has pests following the initial visit. One-time treatments don't typically include reservice guarantees.
Once you have selected your top pest control providers, contact each one to ask questions such as:
Analyze potential pest control companies based on their answers to these questions. This will allow you to pick the best provider to effectively address your pest problem at a reasonable cost.
It's important to know which pests you could encounter as a resident of Charleston. To help you prepare for the most problematic pests, we studied various social media sites and compiled a list of the ones mentioned the most.
The best pest control companies are Terminix and Orkin. They can treat all common pests, have locations all around the country, and have been in business for decades.
The best way to prevent a pest infestation is getting a pest control company to come to your house once every quarter or every two to three months. Getting your property sprayed regularly will stop insects and animals from returning.
Pest control involves exterminating unwanted insects like termites, rodents, and other unwanted bugs or animals from your home. When you hire a pest control company, a professional will inspect your property. Then they will use various techniques to remove the pests and prevent them from returning, such as chemical or natural sprays, bait, and traps.
In a city like Charleston, 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 varies depending on several factors, such as what kind of pests are infesting your home and how bad the infestation is. A single visit can cost between $300 and $500, while a quarterly treatment plan is generally cheaper — around $100 to $300 a visit.
Spring is the best time for proactive pest control. This is because nests and colony numbers will get much higher when it's hotter, so pest control in the spring can help prevent you from getting too many pests later.
