Choosing a pest control company isn’t like choosing a housecleaner or a lawn service. You’re inviting technicians to apply regulated chemicals in the spaces where you eat, sleep, and raise kids or pets. When things go right, infestations shrink, property damage stops, and indoor air stays safe. When things go wrong, problems linger for months, termites keep chewing behind the walls, and you’re left paying for repeat visits that never seem to stick. I’ve been on both sides of this: as a facilities manager vetting contractors for a multi-building portfolio, and as a homeowner dealing with stubborn carpenter ants that wouldn’t read the brochure. The difference between a good exterminator service and a forgettable one almost always comes down to the questions you ask before you sign.
This guide offers the questions that reveal substance over salesmanship. It explains the answers you should expect, how to recognize red flags, and where nuance matters, from termite control services to bed bug extermination.
Start with what you actually need
An honest assessment upfront saves money and frustration. A general pest control service might handle occasional ants and spiders with quarterly barrier treatments. That same contractor may be out of their depth on a German cockroach infestation in a restaurant kitchen or an active subterranean termite colony. A reputable pest control company will ask about pest type, activity levels, building construction, prior treatments, and constraints like pets or asthma. They might request photos, droppings counts, or a brief site walk before quoting. If a salesperson prices over the phone for a complex issue, assume that price is either padded or blind.
When I supervised a mixed-use building, a low-bid contractor sprayed the perimeter for “ants.” They never looked at the roof drains where the real problem lived. Six weeks later we were paying for a second contractor who started with a ladder and a flashlight, not a sprayer. The second invoice was higher, but the ants stopped.
Licensing, insurance, and the paper trail that protects you
Ask which licenses the company and technicians hold, and in what states or municipalities. Pest control licenses are specific to categories, such as structural pests, wood-destroying organisms, or fumigation. For termite work, many states require a wood-destroying organism endorsement and, for real estate transactions, special inspection credentials for WDO reports. A legitimate exterminator company will supply license numbers without hesitation and point you to the state database where you can verify status and any disciplinary actions.
Insurance matters just as much. You want general liability and workers’ compensation at a minimum. If a technician falls through an attic or a bait station damages a dog, you don’t want to learn after the fact that coverage is thin. Ask for a certificate of insurance naming you as additional insured for large projects, especially for tent fumigation or multi-unit bed bug extermination.
If they hedge, talk fast, or change the subject, move on. Paperwork isn’t glamorous, but it is the cleanest early filter between pros and pretenders.
Methods and materials: what they use and why
Every reputable pest control contractor should be comfortable discussing active ingredients, formulations, and application methods in plain language. You don’t need a chemistry degree, but you should understand the strategy.
For general crawling insects, perimeter sprays might use a pyrethroid or a non-repellent like fipronil or bifenthrin. Non-repellents allow insects to traverse treated zones and transfer the toxin, which can knock down colonies rather than push them somewhere else. For ants, gel baits with specific carbohydrates or proteins can be more effective than broad sprays, especially if the foraging preference has shifted due to season or colony needs. For roaches, I look for rotation among bait actives to avoid resistance, crack-and-crevice applications rather than broad-surface sprays, and strong sanitation coaching.
Termite control services are their own universe. Soil treatments with non-repellents create a treated zone around the structure; baiting systems intercept and eliminate colonies with slow-acting insect growth regulators. Soil treatments can give faster relief for known entry points, while baiting shines in high water tables or complex slabs where trenching isn’t feasible. There’s also direct wood treatment in accessible areas and foam injections into voids. A thoughtful company will discuss structure type, slab breaks, crawlspace access, and prior work before proposing a method. If they propose only one tool for every house, they aren’t tailoring the solution.
Bed bug extermination brings high stakes. Chemical-only programs can work with meticulous preparation and follow-up, but heat treatment can be faster and more reliable if executed correctly. Heat requires specialized equipment and careful monitoring to reach lethal temperatures without damaging contents. A solid exterminator service will outline pre- and post-heat protocols, what they will move, what they won’t, and how they monitor temperatures in hard-to-reach spots. If they quote heat from a single 20-minute walkthrough without measuring cubic volume or discussing electrical capacity, be cautious.
Ask specifically about low-odor and reduced-risk products around infants, pregnant people, and pets. Many modern formulations are compatible with daily living, but “safe” doesn’t mean “careless.” You should hear about re-entry times, ventilation, and how they protect fish tanks, aquariums, and sensitive electronics.
Inspection philosophy: flashlights matter more than sprayers
An inspection is not a formality. It is the backbone of a successful plan. The tech should arrive with a headlamp or flashlight, basic hand tools, sticky monitors, maybe a moisture meter for termite and carpenter ant work. For multi-unit buildings, they should ask to inspect adjacent units when activity is heavy. Exterior inspections should include eaves, conduit penetrations, utility lines, vegetation contact, and grading near the foundation.
Good inspectors crawl under, climb above, and get dirty. They use monitors strategically rather than by habit, recording counts and locations to inform bait placement or targeted dusting. They take photos and share them with you. They look for conducive conditions, such as stored firewood against the house, clogged gutters, or gaps bigger than a pencil under doors. The best pest control companies turn those observations into plain recommendations, not just a list of add-ons for sale.
Integrated pest management: the approach that makes treatments stick
Integrated pest management, or IPM, isn’t a buzzword. It’s the reason a treatment holds beyond the first few days. An IPM-driven pest control company layers sanitation, exclusion, habitat modification, and targeted chemical use.
If you are battling mice, for example, exterior bait stations help, but exclusion is the long pole in the tent. That means sealing quarter-inch gaps, screening vents, installing door sweeps, and trimming trees away from the roofline. Expect a candid conversation about what they will do versus what falls to you or a handyman. Some exterminator companies have in-house exclusion teams who can seal penetrations and install rodent-proof screens. Others will provide a punch list. Either model can work, but it needs to be explicit.
IPM also includes sensible monitoring and thresholds. Seeing a single scout ant on a windowsill in spring is not cause for monthly interior spraying. Seeing pheromone trap counts climbing in a commercial kitchen demands a focused response. A good contractor will explain thresholds in understandable terms and set expectations that match the biology.
Frequency, contracts, and what “guarantee” really means
Service cadence should match the pest and the property. Quarterly exterior service is common for general prevention. For active cockroaches, expect initial weekly or biweekly visits tapering as counts drop. For bed bug extermination with chemicals, two to four visits are typical over two to six weeks. Heat treatments are often one long day plus a follow-up inspection.
Contracts come in many flavors. Month-to-month allows more freedom but can be pricier per visit. Annual agreements offer cost stability and encourage the contractor to think long term about exclusion and habitat changes. Read the cancellation terms and any automatic renewal clause. Ask whether pricing includes retreatments between scheduled visits if activity returns. Some companies provide a 30 to 60 day free retreatment window; for termites, warranties often run one to five years. Understand the fine print on termite warranties, because many cover retreatment only, not structural repair. There are repair bonds out there, but they cost more and require annual inspections. For older crawlspace homes or properties with chronic moisture issues, that premium can be worth it.
A guarantee is only as good as the inspection and the plan. If the contractor doesn’t document conducive conditions or set expectations around sanitation and sealing, you will argue later about scope. Put it in writing now.
Pricing that makes sense: what to expect by service type
Prices vary by market and property complexity, but ranges help you sanity-check quotes. A basic quarterly general pest control service for a standard single-family home might run 80 to 150 dollars per visit. Active roach remediation in a multi-unit property can start around 200 to 300 dollars for the initial visit with tapered follow-ups, and rise quickly if sanitation is poor or units are inaccessible.
Termite control services are typically quoted per linear foot for soil treatments, often 4 to 12 dollars per foot depending on chemical and obstacles. Bait systems involve an initial install fee, sometimes 800 to 2,000 dollars for an average home, plus annual monitoring around 250 to 400 dollars. Heat treatment for bed bug extermination is usually priced by room or square footage, often 1,000 to 3,000 dollars for a small home and more for cluttered or multi-story properties. Chemical-only bed bug programs may appear cheaper at first, but total cost with multiple visits can approach the same ballpark.
Beware of unusually low bids that don’t include follow-ups, monitoring, or realistic prep support. The cheapest number on paper often ends up expensive in practice when the contractor charges separately for every return visit.
Questions that separate pros from pretenders
Here are the questions I use when interviewing a pest control contractor. These work for single-family homes, multi-unit buildings, and commercial spaces.
- What specific pests are you proposing to treat, and how did you confirm they are the right target? Which products and methods will you use, and why did you choose them over alternatives? What does your inspection cover, how long will it take, and will you document conducive conditions with photos? How will you incorporate sanitation and exclusion, and who is responsible for which tasks? What is the visit schedule, what constitutes a retreatment, and what are the exact terms of your warranty?
If a representative answers clearly, without hedging or jargon fog, you’re likely in good hands. If they dismiss the questions as unnecessary or promise to handle “everything” without specifics, keep interviewing.
Bed bugs: special case, special scrutiny
Bed bug jobs unravel when preparation is vague and accountability is fuzzy. Good companies provide detailed prep sheets that make sense for real people, not just theoretical tidy homes. Expect instructions on laundering and bagging linens, reducing clutter without driving bugs into new hiding places, and handling delicate items during heat. During chemical programs, they should explain which rooms will be treated, where residuals will be applied, and how long to stay out. They should set realistic expectations: you may still see live bugs for a week after treatment as eggs hatch into late-contact zones, which is why follow-ups matter.
Ask how they confirm success. Passive monitors under bed legs, interceptor traps, and a final canine inspection are all reasonable options. Be careful with canine inspections when they are the sole basis for declaring all-clear. Dog teams vary in accuracy. If a company uses canines, ask about handler certification, alert documentation, and whether a second inspector will visually confirm.
Termites: wood, water, and structural nuance
Termites are unforgiving. A sloppy trench or a missing drill line around a garage slab can leave a clear runway into your framing. A thorough termite proposal includes a diagram with linear footage, foundation type by side, slab notes, inaccessible voids, and specific drilling locations with bit sizes. If baiting, ask how many stations, what spacing, which active, and how they handle high-traffic or flood-prone zones. The technician should probe baseboards and sill plates, check for moisture with a meter, and inspect gutters, downspouts, and grade slopes. They should ask about past infestations and look for shelter tubes, frass, or blistered paint.
I prefer companies that don’t treat blindly. If the inspector can’t access a crawlspace because a hatch is sealed, they should ask to return after access is provided, not guess.
Communication and culture: you’re hiring a team, not a salesperson
You will spend more time with technicians than with the salesperson who quoted you. Ask whether the same tech will service your account or if a rotating crew will. Consistency matters because trend awareness catches small changes before they grow into big problems. Ask how techs document visits and whether you’ll receive digital service reports with products used, quantities, and notes. These records are useful for warranty claims and, in commercial spaces, for health inspections.
Training and turnover make a visible difference. Companies that invest in ongoing education tend to have techs who identify pests correctly at a glance, know seasonal patterns, and adjust methods accordingly. Ask how often techs receive training, who provides it, and whether the company participates in state or national pest management associations. pest control Membership isn’t proof of excellence, but it correlates with professionalism.
Safety and regulatory compliance: the details you don’t want to learn after the fact
Proper labels and Safety Data Sheets should be available on request for every product applied. In regulated environments like food service, schools, or healthcare, the contractor must follow specific posting and notification rules, often dictated by local ordinance. Ask how they will handle locks on exterior bait stations, how they’ll prevent non-target exposure, and what spill protocols they follow. If your property backs into a creek or you maintain pollinator gardens, say so. Responsible pest control services will adjust formulations, avoid bloom times, and use physical controls where possible.
If a company arrives to do a first service without reviewing any safety details or asking about pets, allergies, or aquariums, they are not taking their job seriously.
Access, preparation, and cooperation
Access issues sink more treatments than bad chemistry. If your property has a gated yard or a dog that is anxious with strangers, coordinate. For multi-unit properties, set a reasonable entry window, post notices, and consider master key access for scheduled visits. The best companies work with you to reduce the hassle. Some offer courtesy calls before arrival, text notifications, or app-based appointment management. These small operational details keep momentum, especially for pests that require multiple visits.
Preparation isn’t busywork. Cleaning grease under cooklines, decluttering closets, or fixing a slow leak under a sink removes the food, water, and shelter that keep pests coming back. A contractor that hands you a one-page prep list tailored to your situation shows respect for your time and your success.
Red flags that deserve a hard pass
A few patterns rarely end well. Beware of contractors who promise permanent eradication of a complex pest in a single visit without caveats. Be skeptical of anyone unwilling to name active ingredients or provide labels. Walk away from companies that suggest routine interior baseboard spraying for homes with no active infestations, especially if children or pets are present. Be cautious of all-chemical plans for bed bugs with no follow-up schedule or monitoring. Watch for pricing that requires immediate payment in full for long-term services without transparent cancellation terms.
Another subtle red flag is constant upselling unrelated services during inspections. If you called for rodent exclusion and spend half the visit hearing about mosquito fogging and attic deodorizing, you may be dealing with a quota problem rather than a service problem.
How to compare two good bids without getting lost in jargon
Once you’ve screened out the bad fits, you may have two solid proposals. At that point, look at four things. First, the inspection notes: which contractor noticed the details that matter to your structure. Second, the plan’s specificity and flexibility: are there clear milestones and decision points if results lag. Third, total cost of ownership over the first year, not just the first visit. Fourth, communication and documentation: sample reports, online portals, and who answers the phone when you call.
I’ve chosen a slightly more expensive contractor more than once because their documentation made compliance easier with health inspectors and their techs communicated cleanly with tenants. That saved headaches that never appear on a quote.
The homeowner and property manager’s quick reference
Use this as a lightweight checklist when interviewing an exterminator company, and add your specifics as needed.
- Verify licenses and insurance, and ask for license categories relevant to your pest. Demand a real inspection with documented conducive conditions and photos. Ask for method rationales, product names, labels, and safety guidance tailored to your household. Clarify service cadence, retreatment policies, and warranty terms in writing. Confirm responsibility for sanitation and exclusion tasks, along with access logistics.
If you check all five boxes and you feel heard, you’re probably choosing well.
A few edge cases worth considering
Historic homes with plaster and lathe walls behave differently than modern drywall construction. Dust formulations that work in modern voids may backfire in fragile walls. High-rise buildings share chaseways that make unit-by-unit treatments less effective without coordination with building management. Food manufacturing facilities may require non-chemical controls and inspection logs that pass third-party audits, which means your contractor needs specific experience, not just good intentions.
Short-term rentals present another twist. Turnovers create clutter churn, and guest compliance with preparation is unpredictable. Look for a pest control service that can set up interceptors, tidy prep guides for hosts, and rapid response windows between check-outs and check-ins.
Final advice from the trenches
Pest control is less about products than about the quality of thinking applied to your property. Hire people who ask good questions and listen to your answers. You want a partner who understands that sealing a half-inch gap under a garage door can do more for your mouse problem than another bait block, and who will say so even if it reduces billable spray time.
A great exterminator service leaves you with fewer surprises and more control. They document, communicate, and adjust. They do not promise outcomes they can’t deliver. Whether you need routine prevention, urgent bed bug extermination, or a comprehensive plan for termites, the right pest control company will earn trust one inspection, one clear report, and one solved problem at a time.
Howie the Bugman Pest Control
Address: 3281 SW 3rd St, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Phone: (954) 427-1784