The Best Pest Control Companies in Tampa, Florida,

While pests are a problem for homeowners in cities throughout the country, they’re an even larger threat in Tampa, Florida. Termites, cockroaches, ants, and bed bugs thrive in the city’s year-round warm, humid climate. Such pest-friendly conditions make it especially difficult for residents to manage pest control through DIY methods such as pest control traps. Luckily, there are several top pest control companies in Tampa that will help keep these pests at bay.

These home pest control companies are backed by certifications from top trade organizations and have highly trained technicians that know how to identify and treat pests effectively and safely. In addition to treating the issue with pesticides, many of these companies offer other services for keeping pests out of the home, including sealing cracks and gaps that serve as entrances for insects and rodents as well as cutting back foliage that attracts pests. Homeowners can discover more about what characteristics to look for in a pest control company and find out which companies offer the best pest control in Tampa.

1. BEST OVERALL: Orkin
2. RUNNER-UP: Terminix
3. BEST FOR PREVENTION: Ehrlich Pest Control
4. BEST WILDLIFE CONTROL: Critter Control
5. ALSO CONSIDER: Chet’s Termite & Pest Management

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Pest Control Companies in Tampa

When selecting a pest control company in Tampa, customers will want to look for a company that knows how to identify and treat different types of pests, provides transparent quotes, and has the proper licensing and certifications. These are just a few of the most important factors to consider when vetting a pest control company.

Types of Pests Treated

When selecting a pest control company, customers will first want to look for a company that matches the needs of their property by reviewing the pests a company’s treatments cover. While most companies offer pest control for ants, roaches, mice, and spiders, there are other types that require specialized services. For example, many national pest control companies offer termite pest control and bed bug treatments as separate services. Removal of larger mammals, such as raccoons, squirrels, and snakes, usually requires a pest control company that specializes in removing larger wildlife.

Quote Process

A reputable pest control service will provide its customers with a clear and detailed quote. During the quote process, a pest control company will typically send a representative to the home to assess both its pest control needs as well as the size of the home to produce a quote that states how much pest control costs. If the customer is purchasing an annual preventive service, the quote will also detail the number of visits included in the service each year, the frequency of visits, and whether the service allows the homeowner to request spot treatments at no additional cost as needed.

Scheduling and Recurring Visits

When choosing a pest control service, customers will want to consider whether they need a one-time treatment to eliminate an existing pest problem or periodic preventive treatments. One-time treatments are the best choice for customers who have an existing pest infestation they need to resolve right away. Depending on what the pest control company offers, customers can schedule one-time treatments online or by phone.

Customers can also sign an annual contract for recurring treatment, which is ideal for pest prevention. An annual contract typically includes four quarterly treatments. For customers who purchase a recurring service, the company will typically notify them a few days before each scheduled visit. Customers can also request additional visits free of charge between those quarterly treatments if they notice any pest activity.

Insurance, Certifications, and Licensing

When vetting a pest control company, customers will want to pay attention to the insurance, certifications, and licensing the service has. All pest control companies in the state of Florida are required to have a license from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The best pest control companies in Tampa go above and beyond those minimum standards by earning third-party certifications from the National Pest Management Association. This is achieved by adopting certain quality standards and requiring their pest control technicians to have additional training.

Guarantees

A pest control company that’s committed to providing a good service will stand behind its work with a guarantee. Some companies offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if the customer isn’t satisfied with the service, while other companies agree to come back and provide additional treatments until the pest problem is resolved. Most companies that offer subscription-based pest control services allow their customers to schedule additional treatments beyond their regular quarterly treatments if they spot pest activity between those scheduled treatments. Customers will want to carefully review a pest control company’s guarantee before signing a service contract.

Customer Support

When making the unpleasant discovery of an infestation, most homeowners want to solve the problem right away. How quickly one can schedule pest control is key in those circumstances. While some pest control companies offer 24/7 customer service, others have more limited operating hours. Response times can vary from company to company. Some companies pledge to have a technician at the home within 24 hours of the initial call, while others have a 48-hour response time. Pest control companies also vary in the ways customers can reach them. Some allow their customers to schedule service online or via text, while others may require one to call to make an appointment.

Our Top Picks

Our selections include pest control companies that have highly trained technicians, competitive rates, and a clear quote process. All of the companies on our list stand behind their services with solid guarantees.

Best Overall

Orkin

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Specs

• Types of pest treated: Insects, rodents, termites, bed bugs
• Scheduling: Online, phone
• Certifications: National Pest Management Association QualityPro, state and locally certified
• Guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee
• Customer support: 24/7 by phone

Pros

• Technicians receive 160 hours of award-winning training
• National Pest Management Association QualityPro accreditation
• Technicians receive annual education from the CDC on pest-related diseases

Cons

• Customer support only available by phone

Why It Made the Cut: With its rigorous training requirements for technicians and numerous accreditations, Orkin is a top pest control option for Tampa residents. Orkin takes an above-and-beyond approach to training its technicians. In addition to the mandatory state licensing, Orkin requires its technicians to complete 160 hours of training before they can begin treating homes. This has led Orkin to receive recognition on its training techniques from Training magazine, where the company has appeared consistently on the Top 125 list. What’s more, Orkin also requires its technicians to complete continuing education credits on pest-related diseases each year through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This additional training means Orkin technicians are familiar with the health risks posed by certain pests, and therefore the urgency in removing them from residential homes. Finally, Orkin is accredited by QualityPro—one of the leading credentialing programs specializing in pest control and management. This accreditation signifies that the company has high standards with regard to the training and expertise of its technicians, which can give potential customers additional peace of mind when hiring out for pest control. Although Orkin is a large, national pest control company, it only offers customer support over the phone, which some customers may find to be inconvenient. However, others will appreciate the ability to speak with a representative over the phone rather than by email or live chat. And customers still have the ability to schedule service via the Orkin website, which could make up for this potential shortcoming. Orkin offers pest management service for common insects and rodents, and the company also offers specialized services for hard-to-remove pests such as termites and bed bugs. The company offers commercial pest control services as well as residential pest control, so customers can use the came company to treat their home and their business.  

Runner-Up

Terminix

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Why It Made the Cut:

Terminix’s nonchemical pest prevention services, online customer education library of content, and competitive prices make it a worthy choice for pest control in Tampa.

Terminix has a lot to offer Tampa residents looking for pest control services, starting with its readily available discounts and promotions. According to Terminix, customers save an average of $175 when they bundle different pest control services with the company, and Terminix also offers frequent discounts and promotions that are easily found on the company website. Also on the website is a useful library of content designed to help educate customers on the different types of pest that could be in their homes. The content is written by Terminix’s team of entomologists and covers a variety of topics such as pest prevention, signs of infestation, health risks, remediation methods, and more.

Some customers may find online scheduling to be difficult through Terminix; online scheduling links are buried within individual pest pages rather than on the home page, which may mean customers need to search for a while before finding the correct button. However, Terminix also offers additional services, including attic insulation, crawl space encapsulation, and gutter protection, which may make the potentially difficult scheduling process worth it. These additional services allow customers to treat pest infestations and prevent future ones through one company rather than needing to hire two or more companies.

 

Specs

• Types of pest treated: Insects, rodents, termites, bed bugs
• Scheduling: Online, phone
• Certifications: State and locally certified
• Guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee
• Customer support: 24/7 by phone and live chat

Pros

• Readily available discounts and promotions
• Additional home services include attic insulation, crawl space encapsulation, and gutter protection
• Comprehensive pest management resources and blog

Cons

• Online scheduling can be difficult

Best for Prevention

Ehrlich Pest Control

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Why It Made the Cut:

Ehrlich offers a preventive pest control plan, as well as additional services to prevent pest infestation, making it an excellent choice for residents looking for proactive pest control.

The best way to deal with a pest infestation is to avoid having one in the first place. Tampa residents looking to prevent future pest infestations will want to consider Ehrlich. The company’s PestFree365+ pest prevention plan offers year-round service to both prevent infestations and treat any that do occur. The PestFree365+ plan covers 36 types of pests that Tampa residents may find in their homes, including cockroaches, fleas, rats, and mice. Other preventive services include vegetation management and moisture control—especially important in Tampa’s humid climate that can create the perfect environment for pests.

Tampa residents will want to check with Ehrlich to make sure the company serves their precise location, since coverage may not extend to the entire region. In addition, customers may find Ehrlich’s online pricing tool to be somewhat misleading since the customer can only select certain types of services. However, Ehrlich remains a strong contender thanks to its National Pest Management Association GreenPro accreditation—this shows that the company has high training standards and uses environmentally responsible pest control supplies and products when treating a home.

 

Specs

• Types of pest treated: Insects, rodents, termites, bed bugs
• Scheduling: Phone
• Certifications: National Pest Management Association GreenPro, state and locally certified
• Guarantee: Customer satisfaction guarantee
• Customer support: 24/7 by phone and live chat

Pros

• PestFree365+ plan treats and prevents 36 of the most common household pests year-round
• Additional services include moisture control and vegetation management
• National Pest Management Association GreenPro accreditation

Cons

• Pest control services may not be available for all Tampa-area locations
• Online pricing tool is somewhat misleading

Best Wildlife Control

Critter Control

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Why It Made the Cut:

Tampa residents who need wildlife removal or similar services will want to consider hiring Critter Control.

Critter Control technicians, or certified wildlife specialists, are trained to deal with a relatively large range of wildlife, including bats, armadillos, opossums, snakes, and iguanas. The company is focused on humane and environmentally friendly wildlife management methods, including removal and relocation, so Tampa customers can feel confident that the animals won’t be euthanized once removed from their home unless absolutely necessary.

Although Critter Control offers an online chat feature, customers will only be able to reach a customer service representative during business hours, which some may find limiting. However, Critter Control has relatively long business hours (7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.), so this may not be a limitation for many potential customers. As an added benefit, Tampa Critter Control locations offer a limited warranty on exclusion or damage repairs. As part of this warranty, customers can request follow-up work (to bolster exclusion efforts, for example) at no additional cost, giving them extra peace of mind and saving money on future wildlife removal costs.

 

Specs

• Types of pest treated: Wildlife, rodents
• Scheduling: Phone
• Certifications: Certified wildlife specialists, state and locally certified
• Guarantee: Lifetime warranty available
• Customer support: Available by phone and live chat during business hours

Pros

• “Certified wildlife specialist” technicians
• Relatively wide variety of wildlife removed
• Lifetime warranty on exclusion or damage repairs available

Cons

• No 24/7 customer support

Also Consider

Chet’s Termite u0026 Pest Management

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Why It Made the Cut:

Chet’s personalized services and impressive unlimited guarantee make it the city’s best local option.

Those who’d rather opt for a local pest control company to handle their pest control needs may want to consider Chet’s Termite & Pest Management. This locally owned Tampa pest control service is an expert on pests in the area thanks to its decades of experience. Although Chet’s doesn’t list the specific certifications held by its technicians, the company specifies that the average experience level of its technicians is 12 years; therefore, customers can rest assured that their technician knows how to handle their pest problem. As a local company, Chet’s Termite & Pest Management is only available to answer customers’ questions during business hours, which are set at 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside of these hours, customers can call an emergency number, but they may need to wait for a call-back as the phone is only manned by one person at a time.

Chet’s offers a free 57-point inspection to help identify exactly where infestations are located so they can be completely addressed without any pests remaining in the home. The company is so confident in its inspection and treatment methods that it offers an unrestricted money-back guarantee on its services. The company promises to refund a customer’s money if they have any future problems with termites, cockroaches, spiders, ants, or rodents after their treatment service—even if the problem returns several years later. This shows that Chet’s stands behind its techniques and employees and feels confident that its services will take care of the customer’s pest problems once and for all.

 

Specs

• Types of pest treated: Insects, rodents, termites, bed bugs
• Scheduling: Phone
• Certifications: Not specified
• Guarantee: Money-back guarantee
• Customer support: Available by phone during business hours

Pros

• Specialty in Tampa-area pest control services
• Unrestricted money-back guarantee
• Thorough and free 57-point inspection

Cons

• Unspecified technician certifications
• No 24/7 customer support

Our Verdict

With its team of highly trained technicians and its ability to treat a broad range of pests, Orkin earns Best Overall in our list of the preferred pest control companies in the Tampa area. Our Runner-Up pick, Terminix, offers discounts when customers choose to bundle multiple pest control services.

How We Chose the Best Pest Control Companies in Tampa

When building our list of the top pest management companies in Tampa, we considered several factors. A good pest control company needs to know how to effectively and safely administer pesticides, so we selected companies with many years of experience that put their technicians through rigorous training. Many of these companies have certifications that go beyond the basic licensing required by the state of Florida. Since customers’ pest control needs can vary, we included companies that handle common insects and rodents along with those that can handle specialized pest control for bed bugs, termites, and larger wildlife. All of the selections on our list offer competitive rates and good customer service.

Before You Hire One of the Best Pest Control Companies in Tampa

When choosing a pest control company, it’s crucial for customers to consider all of their options first. Most pest control companies offer both one-time treatments to handle an existing problem and annual contracts for preventive services that include three or four treatments each year. Though these services may be the most effective way to keep pests out of one’s home, they may not suit a customer’s budget. As an alternative to professional pest control services, customers may want to consider choosing one of the best DIY pest control subscription services, which use similar pesticides. While these services require the homeowner to apply the pesticides themselves, they are more affordable than hiring a pest control service.

Cost of Hiring One of the Best Pest Control Companies in Tampa

The average national cost of hiring one of the top pest control services ranges from $200 to $600, though this cost may be higher or lower for customers in the Tampa area. Several factors impact the price of pest control services, including the square footage of the property (for preventive services) and the size of the infestation (for one-time treatments). While paying for annual treatments may seem like a pricey recurring expense, homeowners will want to keep in mind that treating severe infestations can easily cost thousands of dollars. The type of pest being treated will also impact price. Customers can expect to pay an average of $598 for termite treatment costs and an average of $1,750 for bed bug treatment costs.

The Advantages of Using One of the Best Pest Control Companies in Tampa

While there are cheaper pest control options in the Tampa area, there are several good reasons to spring for one of the best pest control companies on this list. The top pest control companies will know how to identify different types of pests and come up with the most effective treatment plan to eliminate the problem. These companies also have highly trained technicians that understand how to apply pesticides effectively and safely, ensuring they don’t come into contact with people and pets in the home. A good pest control company is also familiar with the best ways to prevent future pest infestations. The top pest control companies also stand behind their work with money-back guarantees or promises to treat the issue until it’s resolved. In general, the best pest control companies will check a certain number of boxes, including:

• Offering solutions to eliminate existing infections and prevent pests from getting into the home;
• Having highly trained technicians that know how to safely administer pesticides; and
• Standing behind their work with guarantees.

FAQs

Those struggling with how to choose the right pest control company or wondering how often they should treat their home for pests will want to read on for answers to these and other questions about pest control.

Q. How do I choose a good pest control company?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are several strategies you can use for selecting the top pest control company. One of the best ways to choose a good pest control company is to check to see if it’s certified by the National Pest Management Association. Also, check online reviews of the company’s Tampa locations to see how past customers rate the company. Finally, ask several companies to give you a quote for services, then compare quotes and choose the best option for your home. Pest control is worth it to keep your home clean and clear of bugs, and finding the best company for your needs and budget is an important part of that.

Q. What is the hardest pest to get rid of?

Pest control experts generally agree that termites, bed bugs, and cockroaches are the most difficult pests to evict from your home. Since these particular pests are capable of causing significant damage to your home or present a threat to the health of its inhabitants, it’s best to call in a service that specializes in termite, cockroach, or bed bug removal when dealing with these pests.

Q. How often should you spray your house for bugs in Florida?

In most cases, it’s best to treat the home quarterly to prevent pests from invading your home. That said, Florida’s humid and warm climate makes homes in this state more susceptible to pest problems than states with more temperate climates. As such, it may be necessary to apply pest control more often to keep pests at bay, or to hire one of the best pest control companies in Florida to perform regular checks and treatments.

Q. Is termite control necessary in Florida?

Florida is home to many species of termites and hence a major threat to homes in Florida, so treating your home for termite prevention is necessary. In fact, termites cause more damage to homes in this state than storms, floods, and fires, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Since identifying the species of termite is key to properly treating the problem, it’s crucial to hire a professional pest control service to handle these pests. Make sure you choose a termite company that’s certified and has a good reputation, such as the ones included in this list.

Q. Does Florida have a pest problem?

With its subtropical and tropical climates, Florida is a breeding ground for a wide variety of pests, including cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, and termites. As a result, Florida often ranks as one of the worst states in the country for insect infestations.

Q. What is the safest method of pest control?

While most people turn to pesticides when they spot cockroaches, ants, or rodents in their home, there are other safer and more effective means of keeping pests out. The EPA explains that the safest method of pest control is creating barriers to prevent pests from entering homes. It’s relatively easy to create a DIY pest-free home by sealing cracks and gaps around doors and windows, minimizing mulch and landscaping against the exterior walls of your home, keeping the lids on trash cans and recycling bins tightly closed, and eliminating any leaks or other sources of moisture inside your home.