Pest control hiring guide
How to choose a pest control company
How to compare pest control companies for your home or business. Updated October 2026.
Know what you are dealing with
General insects, termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes and wildlife are often handled differently, and not every company treats all of them. Wildlife removal is usually a separate specialty. Tell each company what you are seeing and where.
Check licensing
Kansas and Missouri both license commercial pesticide applicators through their state departments of agriculture. Ask the company for its license information and whether the technician treating your home is licensed or working under a licensed applicator.
Ask how they treat
- What products will be used, and where?
- What should you do before and after a visit, including with children and pets?
- Is the plan a one-time treatment, or recurring visits? How often?
- For termites: is it a liquid treatment, a bait system, or both, and what does ongoing monitoring cost?
Understand the guarantee
Many companies offer re-treatment between scheduled visits if pests return. Ask exactly what is covered, how long the guarantee lasts and how to cancel a recurring plan.
Get the agreement in writing
Before work starts, ask for a written estimate or contract that lists the work, materials, price, payment schedule, start date and any warranty terms. Keep copies of everything you sign and every receipt.
How we can help
Our rankings list local companies with details taken from each company’s own website and public business listings. We don’t publish ratings we can’t verify. Use a list to build a short list, then call two or three companies and compare what they tell you.
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