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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
No matter where you call home, pests are uninvited little creatures that can wreak havoc in your home and cause you a lot of stress. Without a pest control regimen in place, the chance of recurring infestation is high.
There are many exterminators to choose from, which can make difficult for homeowners to know which is best for them. That’s why we've reviewed plenty of options to find the best pest control companies in San Francisco. Keep reading to learn more about each exterminator.
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Consistently high customer service reviews
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Lack of hidden fees
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Helpful homeowner content on its website
Continuous highly praised customer service reports
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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 looking at factors like industry experience, types of pest control treatments offered, customer satisfaction, coverage, and more.
Here’s how we ranked them:
Terminix’s headquarters are in Memphis, Tennessee, but it has branches in 45 states and several countries globally. It has also been in business for about 100 years. The company provides professional pest control treatments that are safe for your family and pets.
Terminix can help you with all types of pest issues for residential and commercial customers. These include raccoons, roaches, opossums, ants, spiders, rodents, and termites. Their service also comes with follow-up visits and annual inspections to help keep your home pest-free.
If you need quick pest control service in San Francisco, consider Orkin. Since 1901, Orkin has grown to be one of the largest pest control companies in the country. Its exterminators undergo 160 hours of training. Additionally, due to its big network, it can often provide next-day — or even same-day — pest control.
Orkin’s most common pest control service plan is its annual pest control contract. Once the first treatment, your Orkin specialist will follow up to make sure the pests haven’t come back. If they have, your local technicians can assist.
Rentokil is a well-known name in pest control, with branches across the globe and nearly a century of experience in the industry. In North America, Rentokil is the parent company of quite a few regional pest control companies like Western Exterminator, J.C. Ehrlich, and Presto-X.
It deals with 36 of the most common pests including mice, moths, bed bugs, spiders, cockroaches, rats, flies, and more. Rentokil’s services consist of preventative maintenance, treatment, and monitoring for pest infestations.
Not all pest control companies are the same in reputation, skill set, and proficiency. Researching companies helps you identify the right choice for your pest issue. Focus on these key factors when hiring a pest control provider:
You should look for a pest control company that primarily handles the pest you have, like termites, bed bugs, roaches, or rodents. The company should provide an overview of how they treat your type of pest.
When selecting a pest control company, look for technicians that are licensed by the state and certified in pest control methods by industry associations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Having these credentials demonstrates that a technician has adequate training. Question the company about the training hours required for its technicians as well as its policies for continuing education.
Take some time to read online reviews on Google and Yelp before scheduling a pest control appointment. This can help you confirm 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 ongoing regular training to stay current on the latest pest control methods. When you choose an exterminator from our list of the top pest control in San Francisco, you can rest easy knowing you're hiring an expert that meets our quality and review standards.
If you prefer natural pest control methods, look for providers that advertise “green” certifications. For bigger animals such as mice or snakes, ask if a provider offers humane trapping and relocation. Bear in mind natural options may not work as well for significant infestations. If you have a considerable pest problem, you may need more effective traditional solutions. No matter your approach to pest control, any pesticides that are classified as greater than minimal risk must be registered with the EPA.
Quality pest control companies typically offer service guarantees for recurring plans. The guarantees mean the company will return and re-treat at no cost if you still have pests in your home following the initial treatment. One-time treatments don't typically include reservice guarantees.
Once you have identified your top pest management companies, reach out to each one with these questions:
Analyze potential pest control companies based on their answers to these questions. This will allow you to pick a qualified provider to effectively solve your pest problem at a reasonable cost.
Many types of pests find their way into San Francisco houses. Some are relatively harmless, but others can damage your home and your health. All of them can give homeowners anxiety. We analyzed around 10 million online conversations to uncover the most common pests plaguing local homes.
Our top picks for pest control companies in San Francisco are Orkin and Terminix. They're well-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 home once every quarter or every two to three months. Spraying your property regularly will stop insects and animals from returning.
Whether you should do DIY pest control or hire an exterminator depends on the situation. You’ll want to take into consideration factors like how much the pest control will cost, what chemicals need to be used, and the size of the infestation. Additionally, you may want to also consider professional pest control if you're concerned about your young children or pets.
A pest control company gets rid of unwanted insects or animals that have infested your property. Pest control also consists of preventative measures that help stop said pests from returning, which can happen at any point in San Francisco, but usually during the warm summers.
Many San Francisco homeowners are concerned about the cost of pest control. Monthly pest control typically costs $40 to $70 a visit. Quarterly pest control costs about $110 to $250 a visit. To determine exactly how much it will cost for you, we recommend contacting several pest control companies for an estimate.
Spring is the best time for preventative pest control. The reason is nests and colony numbers will get much higher as it gets warmer, so pest control in the spring can help prevent you from getting too many pests later.
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