Pest control companies all claim to effectively rid your home of pests, but it’s important to take a closer look at several companies to weigh your options. In this article, we’ll discuss six of the top pest control companies in the Bay Area and include information on price, services, and scheduling. Our team at This Old House has reviewed dozens of top pest control providers to find the best pest control company for your specific needs. We recommend reaching out to multiple companies on our list.
Top Pest Control Companies in San Francisco, CA
Best of the Best San Francisco Pest Control Companies
1. Best Overall: Terminix
Terminix is our top overall choice for pest control in San Francisco due in part to its wide array of pest control services and seasonal treatment plan. Terminix was founded in 1927 and has since expanded to cover most of the country, including California. Bay Area residents have access to Terminix support 24/7, which is an advantage that a company of Terminix’s size has over its local competitors. ✔ 24/7 customer support ✔ Termite control and bed bug removal available ✔ Professional entomologists on staff The Bay Area is one of the few regions in the United States with drywood termites. Drywood termites can remain undetected for five years, feeding on wood and damaging your home’s structure. Terminix has a three-step solution to rid your home of drywood termites. And its termite guarantee stands out as among the strongest in the industry. Terminix is a great choice for any San Francisco resident seeking pest control. We recommend filling out this form to learn more about Terminix’s services and satisfaction guarantee.
2. Best for Urgent Service: Orkin
Founded in 1901, Orkin is the most experienced provider on our list. Orkin is our top choice for urgent service. If you discover a pest infestation, need to exterminate quickly for a gathering, or want the peace of mind that pest control provides, Orkin can provide next-day service to Bay Area residents. ✔ Next-day service available ✔ Several specialized treatments, including treatments for mosquitoes and termites ✔ 30-day money back guarantee Similarly to Terminix, Orkin offers year-round pest control services that ensure your home is protected from seasonal changes. Every pest control plan is customized to your specific needs and begins with a home inspection. Once the initial treatment is performed, a technician will revisit your home throughout the year to continue fortifying your home against pests. After your scheduled treatments are done, Orkin will continue to follow up to make sure the pests haven’t returned. If you need expert pest control in a timely manner, fill out this form to get a free quote from Orkin.
3. Hitmen Termite and Pest Control
Hitmen Termite and Pest Control has been serving Bay Area residents since 1978. Customers can choose from several services, including pest control for homes, apartments, businesses, rental properties, and even entire homeowners associations. Hitmen can protect your home against ants, bed bugs, bees, wasps, birds, roaches, spiders, and many other pests. Hitmen Termite and Pest Control has inspected more than 125,000 homes for termites. Hitmen has also received a GreenPro certification from the National Pest Management Association for its adherence to eco-friendly practices when treating termites. Hitmen has experts standing by online to assist you with any pest control questions you may have or set up an appointment for an inspection. Quotes are not available through This Old House.
4. Dewey Pest Control
Dewey Pest Control offers both residential and commercial pest control services to Bay Area residents. Dewey Pest Control was founded in 1929 as a one-man operation. Today, it serves much of California with 32 total branches. Dewey utilizes an Integrated Pest Management solution, which means all treatments are eco-friendly and use state-of-the-art pest control techniques. Dewey provides free initial consultations, during which a certified technician will diagnose your pest problem and formulate a plan of action. Dewey is capable of exterminating more than 17 common household pests, including bed bugs, termites, and rodents. Since it serves California exclusively, Dewey has the knowledge and experience to handle any pest problems in San Francisco. Quotes are not available through This Old House.
5. ATCO Pest Control
ATCO Pest Control is a family-owned independent company that has been protecting Bay Area homes from pests since 1985. ATCO offers general pest control, bed bug treatment, termite treatment, rodent control, and flea and tick control. ATCO prides itself on its eco-friendly treatments and holds several certifications, including EcoWise and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). ATCO Pest Control can provide service on Saturdays, making it a great choice for a busy homeowner. All services begin with a home inspection to identify the problem. After treatments are performed, ATCO will provide free re-service if the pests return. For every pest problem, ATCO has an eco-friendly solution that is safe for the entire family, including pets. Quotes are not available through This Old House.
6. Lingruen Associates
Lingruen Associates provides structural pest control to the San Francisco area. San Francisco and the surrounding areas are among the most termite-infested areas in the United States. An infestation can create thousands of dollars worth of structural damage. For this reason, we included Lingruen Associates on our list as our top choice for San Francisco residents worried about termite damage. When you receive service from Lingruen Associates, a technician will come to your home and perform a thorough inspection, looking for signs of a termite or wood-boring insect infestation. Your technician will also look for signs of wood rot due to moisture and mold. Heavily damaged wood must be repaired to maintain safety, and Lingruen Associates employs union craftsmen with years of experience to perform structural repairs. Quotes are not available through This Old House.
Our Recommendation
We were impressed with many pest control companies local to the San Francisco area, but Terminix and Orkin’s experience and thorough approach to year-round pest control earns them our recommendation. Receive an instant quote from each by following the links below.
Common Pests in San Francisco
San Francisco is home to several pests. Many are common to most of the country, such as roaches, mosquitoes, ants, flies, and rodents. However, San Francisco is also a hotspot for termites, with three different types of termites found in the Bay Area. Western subterranean termites, Pacific dampwood termites, and drywood termites can all cause costly structural damage to your home. Termites are also notoriously difficult to detect. For example, it is estimated that drywood termites can damage your home’s structure for several years without detection. A pest control company can quickly identify if you have a termite infestation.
Why You Should Hire Exterminators in San Francisco
If you live in San Francisco, you may not have the time to diagnose and exterminate a pest outbreak on your own. Furthermore, you may not be able to properly rid your home of the pests. Hiring a pest control service can save you time and money in the long run. A professional pest control technician from a reputable company can quickly identify and formulate a plan for whatever pests are in your home. We recommend Terminix and Orkin, two national providers with over 200 combined years of experience.
How To Choose Pest Control in San Francisco
When you are determining which company to hire in San Francisco, here are some factors to consider.
Type of pest—San Francisco is home to several dangerous and costly pests, including termites. If you can identify the type of pest that has invaded your home, make sure your pest control company offers treatment for it. Cost—Cost is always an important factor when selecting a provider. We recommend getting quotes from several companies to get the best service at an affordable price. Schedules—Find out how often your provider will perform service. Many pest control companies, such as Terminix and Orkin, come to your home multiple times over the course of a year. Others perform one-time service. Reputation—We recommend reading customer reviews and testimonials online. If a provider consistently receives complaints from customers, it may be wise to hire a different company.
Pest Control Companies Methodology
Our team at This Old House surveyed dozens of the top pest control companies, grading each on this scale.
Plan options (35): Every home and every pest problem has its specific needs when it comes to prevention and remediation. Companies with multiple plans and service offerings were given higher scores than those without. State Availability (5): Where you live determines which providers are available. Companies available in more states were rated higher than those with less. Trustworthiness (15): We consider companies that offer service guarantees and others more trustworthy and therefore scored higher. Customer Service (35): This factor is based on our own research from calling providers, as well as their availability and guarantees for responses. Additional Benefits (10): Companies who offer things like information about the products they use, have an app for customers, and other benefits were given higher ratings.
What types of termites are found in San Francisco? San Francisco is a hub for Western subterranean termites, drywood termites, and Pacific dampwood termites. All three types are capable of damaging the structure of your home, causing costly repairs. Each classification of termite behaves differently and requires different extermination methods. A professional pest control company can quickly identify the type of termite infestation and perform a timely and safe extermination. How much does pest control in San Francisco cost? Your rate will depend on the size of your home, your location, the size of your infestation, and the type of pest you need exterminated. For a year of service from a top provider, you can expect to pay between $500 and $700. Do I need to hire a professional pest control service? For some common pests, there are DIY methods that can prove effective. DIY methods are usually less expensive than hiring a professional service, but the average homeowner will not be able to exterminate certain pests or handle larger infestations. A professional pest control company will also send trained technicians to inspect your home to prevent further outbreaks from unknown pests. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
