Detroit, also known as “Motor City,” is known for its ties to the automotive industry and is the birthplace of Motown Records. It’s the largest city in Michigan and, as of 2019, it had a population of 670,031. Other major cities around Detroit include Ann Arbor and Sterling Heights and the Ohio cities of Toledo, Cleveland, and Akron—all areas that require pest control services. The best pest control companies offer decades of experience, highly trained specialists, high quality equipment and products, and more. The This Old House Reviews Team believes that Terminix, Orkin, and Aptive are the top pest control providers in the Detroit area, offering broad general pest control plans along with targeted control for termites and bed bugs.
Top 3 Pest Control Companies in Detroit
The highest-rated pest control companies in Detroit, MI include:
1. Terminix
Address: 25231 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071 Phone number: 866-569-4035 We give Terminix a score of 98.5 out of 100 and named it the best overall pest control company. Terminix doesn’t just provide targeted treatments for termites. The pest control provider, which has been in the business for almost 100 years, protects against more than a dozen common household pests as part of its general pest control plan. ✔ Serves 2.8 million customers across the U.S. ✔ Online, real-time chat function with customer service representatives ✔ Expert team of PhD-level entomologists and members of the Entomological Society of America
Terminix Coverage
Terminix Pest Control Plan Terminix’s general pest control plan eliminates cockroaches, non-dangerous spiders, rats, mice, scorpions, clothes moths, silverfish, centipedes, earwigs, crickets, millipedes, paper wasps, and house ants. Terminix Termite Control Terminix follows a four-step method to eliminate termites from homes: (1) Place poisonous bait stations roughly 15 feet apart in the soil encircling a home.(2) Put appealing substances in the bait stations to attract termites.(3) Allow termites to eat poisonous bait and bring it to their colonies.(4) Monitor bait stations annually and move them as needed. Other Terminix Pest Services Terminix also provides treatment for additional pests such as ticks and bed bugs.
Terminix Service Areas
Terminix serves areas in and around Detroit, including Algonac, Allenton, Almont, Anchorville, Armada, Avoca, Birmingham, Capac, Center Line, Clawson, Eastpointe, Emmett, Fair Haven, Franklin, Fraser, Goodells, Harsens Island, Hazel Park, Jeddo, Southfield, Clinton Township, Marine City, Marysville, and more.
Terminix Pricing
Terminix plans cost about $550–$700 per year for a 2,000-square-foot home. The type of pest infestation and the size of a home may impact the cost of treatment. Tick services start at about $80 per month and mosquito services start at about $60 per month.
Terminix Reviews
Here are a few BBB reviews from Terminix customers: “Fantastic service. This service is well worth the price. Spraying the cellar kills the termites in the cellar, but Terminix goes the extra step by placing bait outside the house. This lures the termites away from the house and they carry poison back to their nest. Terminix also guarantees their work as a protection against future damage to the house. Fantastic and professional service. I definitely recommend Terminix.” — Mary L. “Terminix came out and sprayed…even did a second spray a week later for free. The technician that came out (Casey V) was very careful with my kid’s toys, picking each one up and went as far as standing the figures back up on her doll house for her. Major kudos to Casey and the company. Decent pricing, too!” — Jansen V.
2. Orkin
Address: 20998 Bridge Street, Southfield, MI 48033 Phone number: 877-868-1416 We named Orkin the best pest control company for urgent service and rated it a score of 94 out of 100. The provider uses an Integrated Pest Management approach involving assessment, monitoring, and prevention. ✔ Pest control specialists must undergo 160 hours of targeted training ✔ Offers a variety of online resources for customers✔ More than 100 years of experience serving 1.7 million customers nationwide
Orkin Coverage
Orkin Pest Control Plan Orkin’s pest control plan covers 15 to 20 household pests, including mice, spiders, centipedes, earwigs, ants, moths, crickets, fleas, hornets, scorpions, silverfish, and roaches. Orkin Termite Control Orkin eliminates termites using the following methods:
Sentricon monitoring and bait: Sentricon disrupts the termite molting process and inhibits termite growth. Termidor treatments: Termidor is applied within building foundations to create a protective barrier around a home. Dry foam and Orkinfoam: OrkinFoam is used to treat voids in interior and exterior walls, around heating ducts and water pipes, and under slabs.
Other Orkin Pest Services Orkin offers treatment plans for other bugs such as bed bugs and mosquitoes.
Orkin Service Areas
Orkin offers pest control services to cities in and around Detroit, including in Ann Arbor, Canton, Clinton Township, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Farmington, Howell, Livonia, Macomb, New Baltimore, Novi, Pontiac, Redford, Rochester, Royal Oak, Saint Clair Shores, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Troy, Utica, Warren, Waterford, West Bloomfield, Westland, and Ypsilanti.
Orkin Pricing
Orkin Pros provide free at-home inspections for Detroit homeowners and then develop a customized treatment plan. Cost will depend on the size and location of your home, the type of treatment, number of treatments, type of pests, and the severity of the infestation.
Orkin Reviews
Here are a few BBB reviews from Orkin customers: “I have used Orkin to handle pest control for 38 years and they are capable, dependable, and courteous always. I highly recommend.” — John S. “Andrew, my Orkin technician, took a good amount of time to assess my problem and provided me with several areas in my home to repair so no little critters are able to enter again! Andrew was professional and knowledgeable and gave me sound advice to improve my situation. And, by the way, he removed the remains and disinfected the entire area for me.” — Grace G.
3. Aptive
Address: 27300 Haggerty Road #F-30, Farmington Hills, MI 48331 Phone number: 855-697-0130 We named Aptive as the most customizable pest control provider and gave it a score of 91 out of 100. The company can create specialized plans based on your specific pest control needs and will address any issues between scheduled visits at no additional cost. ✔ Offers a comprehensive Four-Seasons Protection Plan that involves quarterly visits✔ Recognized as one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Best Companies in America✔ Helps fight malaria and is committed to giving back to the community
Aptive Coverage
Aptive Pest Control Plan Aptive’s comprehensive Four-Seasons Protection Plan is its only pest control service. After a thorough initial inspection, Aptive professionals design a customized treatment plan for every homeowner that consists of one pest control visit per season. During these visits, Aptive uses a power sprayer with a special micro-encapsulated product that doesn’t wash away in the rain. Aptive exterminates ants, roaches, rodents, spiders, fleas, stinging insects, biting insects, pantry pests, aphids, crickets, earwigs, millipedes, pill bugs, silverfish, and snails. Other Aptive Pest Services Unlike Terminix and Orkin, Aptive doesn’t offer bed bug removal or termite treatment services.
Aptive Pricing
Aptive’s Four-Seasons Protection Plan costs between $560–$620 annually for a 2,000-square-foot home. To obtain the specific cost for your home, get a free quote using the tool below.
Aptive Reviews
Here are a few BBB reviews from Aptive customers: “Homer did the initial treatment on my home today. I was impressed with his work ethic to get the job done fast and [efficiently]. He explained exactly what he would do before he started and answered any questions I had. [He] assured me if I had any issues before he returned [to] call the office and they would send someone out.” — Judith M. “Donavan L. did a great job. He sent me a text letting me know when he would be at my home and proactively asked if I had any requests or concerns before the treatment. Even though I didn’t need anything extra, this was a nice touch that I appreciated.” — Robert W.
Our Recommendation
According to our research, Terminix, Orkin, and Aptive are the best pest control companies in Detroit. With the highest overall score from our review team, Terminix is the best overall pest control provider. Homeowners who want a customizable pest control provider should consider Aptive, and homeowners who need urgent service should contact Orkin.
Why You Should Hire Pest Control in Detroit
Homeowners already have a lot on their hands without taking pesky pest invasions into account. Finding a way to eradicate swarms of mosquitoes or a swelling population of bed bugs takes a great deal of time, energy, and expertise. No one wants to devote that much effort into tackling an issue they may not resolve—especially when a professional pest control company can guarantee the effectiveness of their treatment plan. Pest control specialists can correctly identify, assess, treat, monitor, and prevent pest issues. Hiring a pest control company trades in guesswork for knowledge and certainty.
Common Pests in Detroit
There are a variety of different pests that are common in Detroit. The type and number of treatments for them differ, which is why hiring a professional pest control company may be a good option. Here are some of the most common pests Detroit homeowners may come across in their residence.
Bed bugs: Bed bugs can multiply quickly and remain out of sight, hiding in cracks and crevices and only coming out to bite at night. Bed bugs can infest entire rooms. Mosquitoes: These humidity-loving pests can bite, leaving itchy welts as well as potentially spreading serious illnesses. Rodents: Rats and mice can contaminate food, spread disease, and cause fire hazards by chewing through electrical wires. Cockroaches: These pests are extremely adaptable and difficult to eliminate—problematic, especially as they cause disease and can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions. Carpenter ants: Carpenter ants can cause serious structural damage to wood buildings.
How to Choose Pest Control in Detroit
Before making your final decision, there are several important factors to consider. You must confirm that the company offers the services you need at the price you want, among other things.
Type of pests—Make sure the company you choose protects against the specific pests—or pests—you want control for. Some companies offer a broader roster of pests covered than others. Cost—Several different factors determine the cost of pest control services, including the type of pest, the degree of infestation, type of treatment, and size of your home. Some companies may charge more than others, but actually offer more value. You can request a free quote by filling out your name, address, and basic contact information online. Reputation—Reading expert reviews can help you determine if a company is reliable, competent, and trustworthy. Going with a trusted name may yield better results. Guarantees—The best pest companies offer guarantees that their treatments will be effective. Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive all promise that a pest control specialist will return to your home as many times as needed in between treatments to re-treat the area at no extra cost if you see a pest. Orkin and Terminix both offer to refund your latest treatment if you aren’t 100% satisfied. Plan schedules—Pest control specialists can determine the best frequency of treatments based on your particular needs, but if you have a preference for monthly, bi-monthly, or another schedule, this is something to explore.
Do I need an exterminator to get rid of bed bugs? There are some DIY methods for removing bed bugs, like diatomaceous earth and bed bug interceptors. However, neither of these methods are suited for a large-scale infestation. Pest control specialists have experience battling bed bugs and access to equipment you might not, like heat chambers. How much does pest control cost? There is no general, one-size-fits-all cost for pest control services. The price you pay will depend on several factors, including the size of your home, where you live, the type of pest you’re dealing with, the degree of the infestation, and the type of treatment needed. For a general pest control plan for a 2,000-square-foot home, Orkin charges $790–$980, Aptive charges $560-$620, and Terminix charges between $550–$700. Is professional pest control worth it? It depends on the trade-off—whether you think it’s worth it to trade money for saved time and effort, and convenience. Professional pest control can come with a satisfaction guarantee, potentially making it more worthwhile than attempting pest control on your own. Do carpenter ants bite? Carpenter ants may bite it if they feel threatened, leaving a painful mark. The more pressing concern homeowners have with carpenter ants tends to be their ability to damage the wood structures they nest in. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
