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Alexandria residents are no strangers to creepy-crawlies. People living in this northern Virginia city will commonly find themselves contending with such unwanted visitors as roaches, termites, ants, mosquitoes, bed bugs, and rodents. Luckily, there are several reputable bug and pest control companies Alexandrians can choose from to handle these problems when they arise. These companies, which are some of the best-known pest control services in the business, have highly trained technicians who know how to administer chemicals to control pests. Many also go beyond merely applying chemicals to help homeowners pest-proof their homes through such nonchemical solutions as sealing cracks, eliminating areas of moisture, and cutting back foliage. Ahead, Alexandria residents can find out more about the best pest control in Alexandria.
- BEST OVERALL: Orkin
- RUNNER-UP: Terminix
- BEST FOR PREVENTION: Ehrlich Pest Control
- BEST WILDLIFE CONTROL: Critter Control
- ALSO CONSIDER: Alexandria Pest Services
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Pest Control Companies in Alexandria
Finding the best pest control company is crucial, whether it’s for Old Town, Eisenhower Valley, or any of the other neighborhoods in Alexandria. Customers will want to look for a service that treats the right pests, has a clear quote process, and is licensed and certified. Ahead, residents can learn more about these and other features to look for in the best pest control company in Alexandria.
Types of Pests Treated
While pest control services typically cover rodents and a broad range of insects, most do not cover every uninvited critter under the sun. When choosing a pest control service, customers will want to look for one that handles pests that are common to Alexandria, including cockroaches, rodents, ants, and stinging insects. Not every company treats every type of pest. For example, the best mouse exterminators may excel in that area but aren’t as effective at treating termites as the best termite control companies.
Many companies also offer nonchemical solutions for protecting homes, including clearing foliage and wet areas that can attract pests, filling gaps that pests can use to enter the home, and encapsulating crawl spaces to reduce moisture. When shopping for a pest control company, homeowners will want to consider which pests pose a threat to their home, then look for a service that matches their needs.
Quote Process
Most pest control services in Alexandria and throughout the nation will provide a free quote for their services. The process usually involves a representative or technician visiting the home to inspect the home, identify any pest problems, and consider the best control methods. This quote is based on the square footage of the property and the types of pests present. The quote may also include extra services the customer might request, such as mosquito and termite pest control treatments.
Scheduling and Recurring Visits
It’s common to schedule a pest control service for a one-time visit to apply pest control treatments. Most pest control companies, including the best cockroach exterminators and best bed bug exterminators, also offer recurring preventive services in which they come to the home multiple times a year to treat various pests. In addition to these recurring visits, subscribers can call to have the service come out and provide targeted treatment in the event they spot cockroaches in the home, a new wasp nest on their covered patio, or any other covered pest issues that may arise. Most pest control companies give their customers the option to schedule service either by phone or online.
Insurance, Certification, and Licensing
When searching for Alexandria pest control, customers will want to be sure they’re hiring a service that is licensed, insured, and has the proper certifications. A licensed pro will know how to safely and effectively apply treatments, how long the treatment will last, and how to identify problem areas in the home. Registered technicians in Virginia must receive 40 hours of supervised training and pass an exam. Customers can also look for companies with third-party certifications, like those from National Pest Management Association. These certifications signal a commitment to ongoing training and high service standards.
Guarantees
Reputable pest control companies will back up their services with some sort of guarantee, commonly offering a money-back guarantee or agreeing to return and re-treat the property if the customer isn’t satisfied. If the customer is subscribing to an annual service, a good pest control company will agree to make additional service calls to spot treat specific problems between each regularly scheduled treatment without any additional charge. Customers can find a pest control company’s guarantee in their contract for services and will want to review it before signing.
Customer Support
Pest control services make themselves available to their customers either via chat or by phone. While some only offer customer service during normal business hours, others provide 24/7 customer support. While most pest control companies have a response time of about 48 hours, some will make service calls within 24 hours of being contacted. Being able to schedule service quickly can be crucial should one make the unfortunate discovery of an infestation in their home.
Our Top Picks
Our top picks below include some of the most reputable companies in the pest control business. These companies have highly trained technicians and competitive pricing, and they treat a broad range of pests.
Best Overall
Orkin
Specs
- Types of pests 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: Orkin puts its technicians through highly comprehensive training, ensuring quality and effective service. Orkin technicians are committed to safe and effective pest treatment. The company puts its technicians through a rigorous 160 hours of training. Technicians also undergo continuous training each year through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given the extent of rigorous training, it comes as little surprise that Orkin holds a National Pest Management Association Quality Pro accreditation, which signals a commitment to high service and environmental standards. Orkin covers a broad range of pests, including termites, bed bugs, and rodents. Customer support is available 24/7 by phone, and customers can often get same-day service, which is ideal for occasions when one discovers a surprise infestation. Orkin also stands behind its services with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Runner-Up
Terminix
Why It Made the Cut:
Terminix has a commitment to services that educate customers and help them keep pests out of the home.
With its affordable services and commitment to pest prevention and customer education, Terminix is a great pest control service in northern Virginia. Terminix frequently offers promotions and discounts for its services that allow customers to take advantage of competitive prices for pest control. In addition to pest control, the company also offers a range of other services designed to prevent pests from infiltrating the home, including gutters guards, crawl space encapsulation, and attic insulation. The company is also committed to educating its customers with a team of entomologists that maintain various online resources for researching different types of pests. The online interface can take some time to get used to, but customers can schedule service with Terminix via phone or online.
Specs
- Types of pests 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, gutter guards, and crawl space encapsulation
- Comprehensive pest management resources and blog
Cons
- Online scheduling can be difficult
Best for Prevention
Ehrlich Pest Control
Specs
- Types of pests 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
- Online pricing tool is somewhat misleading
Why It Made the Cut: Ehrlich Pest Control offers a comprehensive plan to prevent homeowners from ever having to deal with an infestation. Customers who don’t want to deal with a pest infestation will want to consider Ehrlich. The company’s PestFree365+ plan is one of the most comprehensive in the business. The company creates a specialized plan to provide protection from the 36 most common household pets, then provides year-round treatments to keep them at bay. Customers can also call for additional spot treatments at no additional cost if they observe any creepy-crawlies in or around their home. Along with its pest control services, Ehrlich offers related services to help customers make their homes less hospitable to pests, including moisture control and vegetation management. Ehrlich also has National Pest Management Association GreenPro accreditation for its commitment to using environmentally friendly pest control products. The best way to get a quote is to reach out to the company directly.
Best Wildlife Control
Critter Control
Specs
- Types of pests treated: Wildlife, rodents
- Scheduling: Phone
- Certifications: Certified wildlife specialists, state and locally certified
- Guarantee: Varies by location
- Customer support: Available by phone and live chat during business hours
Pros
- “Certified wildlife specialist” technicians
- Relatively wide variety of wildlife removed
- Limited lifetime warranty on exclusion or damage repairs
Cons
- Service hours and guarantees may vary by location
Why It Made the Cut: Critter Control is a specialized wildlife control company that will remove skunks, snakes, squirrels, and other large vertebrates. While most pest control companies focus their services on rodents and insects, Critter Control, as one of the best wildlife removal services, goes after vertebrate pests, including skunks, squirrels, and snakes. Since Critter Control uses certified wildlife specialists to handle its pest removal services, customers can feel confident that they’ll be successful at evicting and humanely rehoming unwanted visitors. The company will also repair any resulting damage from the removal, and it offers a lifetime warranty on those repairs. While many Critter Control locations offer guarantees on their work, customers will want to look carefully at the terms since they can vary from location to location. Customers can schedule service via both phone and live chat; however, customer service hours will vary based on location.
Also Consider
Alexandria Pest Services
Why It Made the Cut
: Alexandria Pest Services offers frequent discounts and promotions, quick response times, and a solid local reputation.
With its low pricing and quick response times, Alexandria Pest Services is a standout local pest control company in the city of Alexandria. The company offers frequent promotions and discounts to make pest control services more affordable. Customers who need a pest removal service fast will also like the company’s quick 24-hour response time.
Alexandria Pest Services has a solid reputation locally. Its technicians receive extensive training, and the company has its own on-staff entomologists. It also provides commercial and government pest control services as well as residential pest control. Preventive services are also available, such as caulking gaps to close entry points, installing screens, and baiting, and the company only resorts to chemicals when needed. Interested customers can reach out to the company by phone.
Specs
- Types of pests treated: Insects, rodents, termites, bed bugs, wildlife
- Scheduling: Phone
- Certifications: State and locally certified
- Guarantee: Not specified
- Customer support: Available by phone during business hours
Pros
- Government, commercial, and residential services offered
- Quick 24-hour response time
- Readily available discounts and promotions
Cons
- Customer support only available by phone
Our Verdict
Orkin puts its technicians through an intense training program, holds national accreditations, and treats a broad range of pests, making it the best all-around pest control choice for residents of Alexandria and beyond. Those looking for a solution that offers competitive pricing and comprehensive preventive services may want to consider Terminix.
How We Chose the Best Pest Control Companies in Alexandria
We researched dozens of different pest control options in Alexandria, Virginia, to find the best choices. Our selections include some of the best-known names in pest control throughout the country as well as a reputable local service. These companies offer competitive rates and highly skilled technicians. We included companies that cover not only common pests, such as insects and rodents, but also larger wildlife and specialty pest problems, including mosquitoes, bed bugs, and termites. Our selections have the proper licenses and accreditations to provide residential pest control services.
Before You Hire One of the Best Pest Control Companies in Alexandria
Before shopping for a pest control company, homeowners will want to consider what type of services are needed. Pest control companies offer one-time treatments to eliminate existing infestations and ongoing contracts for treatment and prevention. With a preventive service, the company will typically come to the home once each quarter to treat the house. This type of service typically includes additional spot treatments on demand at no additional charge.
If a homeowner chooses to sign a contract for ongoing treatments, they’ll want to carefully go over what their needs are with the company representative before signing a contract. A reputable pest control company will list in the contract what pests it covers, how often the home will be treated, and whether free spot treatments are included.
Cost of Hiring One of the Best Pest Control Companies in Alexandria
Pest control costs can vary based on the issue at hand. The size of the home, severity of the infestation, and type of treatment will all impact cost. For treating existing infestations, a homeowner can expect to pay between $200 and $600 for most treatments. However, if there is a full-blown infestation that requires fumigation and other more extensive treatments, the homeowner could end up paying more. Termite inspection costs can be as high as $400, and termite treatment costs can be almost $1,000. On the upper end of the pest control spectrum, bed bug treatment costs can be as high as $5,000.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Pest Control Companies in Alexandria
There are many good reasons to use a professional to take care of pest control needs. First, pest control companies have trained technicians that know how to identify pest problems and employ the best possible methods to eliminate them. These technicians will know the most effective ways to get rid of termites, bed bugs, or any other stubborn pest. Pest control technicians also know how to use the best insecticides and pesticides safely, minimizing the odds that they come into contact with people or pets. A good professional pest control company will also know what methods to use to help prevent infestation. While pest control comes with a cost, by hiring a service, a homeowner won’t have to take on this job themselves, saving money in pest control supplies and leaving time to attend to other things.
- More effective than DIY solutions
- Safe administration of chemicals
- Prevents future pest infestations
- Reduces burden on the homeowner
FAQs
Those searching online for “exterminator Alexandria, VA” can read on to find out if pest control companies in Alexandria will inspect the home for free and how to determine whether or not the home is infested.
Q. Do pest control companies in Alexandria offer free inspections?
Most exterminators in Alexandria and throughout the U.S. offer free inspections. During this inspection, the company will assess the home’s pest control needs and come up with a plan and a quote for those services. There are exceptions. Pest control companies will often charge for termite inspections, especially if they’re creating a termite report for the sale of a home. Those looking for termite inspections can specifically search for “termite inspection Alexandria, VA.”
Q. How do I differentiate infestation from a simple pest occurrence?
There are several ways to identify if you’re dealing with an infestation. Look for droppings, nests, and foul or unusual odors. If you identify these problems in your home, then you likely have an infestation that requires professional pest control.
Q. How much do pest control companies in Alexandria charge on average?
You can expect to pay between $200 and $600 for a one-time pest control treatment in Alexandria, though those costs can go up significantly depending on the severity of the infestation. For example, it may cost more to get rid of bed bugs in multiple areas of the house than it would to get rid of rats that have only made it into the garage.
Q. Are pest control companies worth it?
While the price that pest control companies charge for their treatment and preventive services may seem steep, pest control companies have the experience and expertise to spot signs of pest infestation, like signs of bed bugs, termites, or other household pests, and treat any issues more effectively than DIY methods.
Q. What do pest control companies use for ants?
Professional pest control companies usually use boric acid or gel baits to treat ants.
Q. What do pest control companies use?
Pest control companies use a variety of chemicals to take out pests. These companies use pyrethrins and pyrethroids, which mimic natural pesticides found in some plants, including chrysanthemums.