Spotting cockroaches in your kitchen, bed bugs in your bedroom, or ants in your garage can be a nerve-wracking experience. The most effective way to make sure that you not only get rid of annoying and possibly dangerous pests in your home, but also prevent future infestations from happening in the first place, is to call an extermination service.
Of course, if you’re spending money on a service, you want to know that you’re choosing a professional, courteous and knowledgeable company. And since you might be dealing with potentially hazardous pests that can threaten the structural integrity of your home (or even create health hazards for you or your family), you want to be certain that you’re hiring someone who knows how to address the right pest issue with the right treatment. But how can you be sure you’re hiring the right company? Read on to find out more about Terminix and how At Home Pros has evaluated their service for 2021.
Terminix History
Terminix was founded in 1927 in Memphis, Tennessee, by E.L. Bruce in order to combat termites. In fact, their senior chemist created the first termiticide in 1932. Today, Terminix has offices and franchises in 47 states, offering a range of services for controlling many pests beyond just termites. They are now the #1 provider of pest and termite management services, servicing more than 2.8 million customers every year. Their team of 10,000+ employees is highly trained. And due to its sheer number of offices and technicians, Terminix is able to offer many different services that other companies cannot match. Additionally, Terminix is part of the larger ServiceMaster network, which itself provides a variety of services to more than 75,000 homes.
Pros and Cons of Terminix
Pros:
Terminix has a lengthy history of more than 90 years of pest control management. Terminix has been given an A+ rating through the Better Business Bureau. They also have an operational customer service line where you can reach a helpful agent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in case of an emergency. Terminix employs several PhD-level entomologists and other ACE- and BCE- accredited members of the Entomological Society of America — which means they remain on the cutting edge of pest behavior and pest control science.
Cons:
Terminix is not available in all states, so if you live in Alaska, North Dakota or South Dakota, you will be unable to access their services. Terminix’s general pest control service does not cover all pests, and you may have to add specialized services to eliminate all the pests in your home. The vast network of branch offices as part of their franchise model means that quality might differ from one service team to another.
Terminix Services
Terminix offers several plans from which to choose. Their basic pest control plan covers 13 prevalent household pests including:
- House Ants
- Cockroaches
- Clothes Moths
- Mice
- Rats
- Spiders
- Scorpions
- Silverfish
- Centipedes
- Earwigs
- House Crickets
- Millipedes
- Paper Wasps
Other Terminix Services:
- Termite treatment
- Mosquito control
- Wildlife control, including rodents, armadillos, squirrels, moles, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and snakes
- Insulation service
- Encapsulation
- Wood treatment service
- Bed bugs
- Bird control
Quarterly Pest Control
Terminix’s most comprehensive pest control plan is their quarterly pest control that offers year-round pest protection. This plan includes an initial visit, where Terminix technicians will treat the interior and exterior of your home and establish a customized plan for your individual needs. This customization is designed to adapt and address each season’s specific pest activity in your area. The plan also includes exterior re-treatments four times a year, including the initial service. Terminix guarantees their quarterly pest control plan, stating that if any pest issues return, they will re-treat your home for free.
Tick Defend System and Quick Guard Mosquito Service
Terminix offers two different services that control parasitic insects that carry disease and can be harmful to you and your family:
- Tick Defend System: Terminix offers both a one-time only tick treatment, as well as an ongoing service to address ticks in your yard. Their ongoing service is a four-step approach that targets common species and kills ticks instantly.
- Quick Guard Mosquito Service: This is a monthly service plan under which a Terminix technician creates a customized treatment strategy based on areas around your home where mosquitos are most likely to live and breed. From there, your technician creates a protection zone using an active ingredient that kills mosquitoes immediately and lasts for weeks due to an ingredient that protects the efficacy of the treatment from any weather conditions.
Terminix Cost Breakdown
Prices for Terminix services generally range from $550 to $700 for a year-long service plan for a 2,000-square-foot home. The cost of pest control service will always vary due to factors such as:
- The type of pest you are dealing with.
- The size of your home.
- The type and number of treatments it will take to deal with the infestation.
- The severity of the infestation.
- The location of your home and its geographic elements
Mosquito services can start at around $60 a month, with tick treatments being a bit higher at $80 a month. To determine the exact estimate for your home and particular circumstances, a Terminix pest care professional will visit to your home and perform a free inspection and appraisal of the cost of service.
The At Home Pros Verdict
It’s tough to beat Terminix in terms of plan options, availability, customer service and pest knowledge. Terminix is widely regarded as one of the best pest control companies in the United States, with a customer service approach that shows its dedication to its customers. Their availability is impressive, both in answering questions online and via the phone, as well as having technicians available to come to your home. Overall, it’s clear that Terminix offers the best in the industry for the most difficult of pest problems.
Learn how much you should be paying for pest control near you.