Conveniently, some of the best pest control companies in the country service the Birmingham area. The This Old House Reviews Team believes Orkin and Terminix are the top pest control providers in the area, with highly trained specialists, decades of experience, and expertise protecting against a broad variety of pests.
Why You Should Hire Pest Control in Birmingham
Birmingham homeowners have a lot on their plate, with the responsibility of keeping their home running smoothly—on top of everything else in their busy lives. Pest control is just one extra thing on the to-do list and unfortunately, it’s not always simple. Homeowners can’t just lay out a few roach traps and call it a day. They can benefit instead from hiring a professional pest control company with knowledge and expertise in eradicating many different types of pests. Pest control specialists can remediate many different pest issues, including the ones most commonly found in Birmingham. They can assess, treat, monitor, and prevent infestations effectively and efficiently, saving homeowners time and effort.
The Most Common Birmingham Pests
The pests in Birmingham range from harmless but irritating nuisances to actually dangerous creatures that can spread disease. Seeing a single pest may not seem like a big deal, but it could just be the the beginning of a full-blown infestation of pests you may not be able to identify on your own. Here are some of the most common pests Birmingham homeowners might encounter.
Ants: There are many species of ants in Alabama, and some are actually destructive. Carpenter ants can cause damage to wooden structures. Meanwhile, no one wants to get bitten by fire ants or find their mounds all over their yard. Cockroaches: Cockroaches are not only disgusting to look at. They can contaminate food, stain fabric, and spread diseases like salmonella and typhoid fever. Rodents: Rats and mice are both prevalent in Birmingham, able to sneak through small openings into residences, where they can contaminate food, leave feces, and chew through electrical wiring. Spiders: While most spiders in Birmingham are harmless, they will spend irritating webs and lay eggs in your home. But brown widow spiders are actually venomous and could cause you harm. Bed bugs: This pest can bite you in the night, multiply quickly, and infest your entire room—leaving you with a huge infestation you can’t eradicate on your own. Termites: Termites can cause serious damage to the wood in your home, setting you back thousands of dollars in repairs.
Pest Control Providers in Birmingham
Orkin
Orkin, a company with more than 100 years of experience in the pest control space and 1.7 million residential and commercial customers across the country, is The This Old House Team’s top recommended pest control provider. Its general pest control plan protects against almost 20 common household pests. Orkin takes an Integrated Pest Management approach, highlighting the assessment, monitoring, and prevention aspects of pest control. The company’s specialists undergo a rigorous, targeted 160-hour training before they can go out in the field. Orkin’s customer focus features a comprehensive selection of online resources designed to introduce customers to common pest problems and the Orkin process. We give Orkin a score of 94 out of 100.
Terminix
Terminix may be best-known for its termite control, but the pest control provider also offers protection against more than a dozen common household pests with its general pest control plan, in addition to specialty control for bed bugs and more. Terminix has nearly 100 years of experience and services 2.8 million residential and commercial customers across the country. Terminix’s pest control expert team is composed of graduate-level entomologists and members of the Entomological Society of America. The pest control provider offers an online, real-time chat function with Terminix representatives. We give Terminix a score of 92 out of 100.
Rentokil
International company Rentokil provides pest control throughout the U.S. through its regional divisions like Presto-X, J.C. Ehrlich, and Western Exterminator. The company’s pest control specialists bring together Rentokil’s wide-reaching resources and local expertise. Rentokil uses Integrated Pest Management through its annual Pestfree365 program. All of its divisions offer this plan, which protects homes against nearly 40 common household pests. We give Rentokil a score of 85 out of 100. *N/A signals inconsistent accreditations and ratings
How to Choose Pest Control in Birmingham
When choosing a pest control company there are several important factors to consider in order to make the best decision. You should look into key pieces of information, like the types of pests the company controls against, whether or not its services are in your budget, and more.
Type of pests
Companies differ in the comprehensiveness of their general pest control plans—some might cover a greater number of pests than others, and some might cover different types of pests than others. Always look into the selection a pest control company offers.
Cost
The exact amount you’ll pay for pest control services will depend on several different factors, including the type of pest, the degree of infestation, the size of your home, and more. Companies vary in price, based on their offerings. But overall price doesn’t dictate value, so you should compare what the company provides to how much it charges. You can request a free quote online by filling out your name, address, and basic contact information on the company’s site.
Reputation
Reading expert reviews and information from real customers can help you learn about whether a company is competent, reliable, and trustworthy.
Guarantees
The top pest control companies guarantee the efficacy of their services by offering free service calls, a refund, or both. Orkin and Terminix both promise that a specialist will return to re-treat any areas where you see pests at no extra cost. Orkin and Terminix also offer to refund your most recent treatment if you’re not 100% satisfied.
Plan schedules
The pest control specialist can help you decide the optimal schedule for your needs—monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or another schedule, for example. If you have a personal preference, this could be worth exploring.
Are spiders dangerous?
The majority of spiders you’ll come across in Alabama are nuisance pests—they may be annoying, but they are not venomous and cannot harm you. But the brown widow spider is venomous, and its bite may require medical attention.
Can you get rid of bed bugs naturally?
There are several ways you can attempt to eliminate bed bugs without chemicals or professional intervention, but they are less likely to be effective at eradicating an entire infestation. These include vacuuming, steam cleaning, laundering, purchasing mattress and box spring encasements, using sunlight to bake them to death, diatomaceous earth to dehydrate them, and essential oils to repel them.
How do you know if you have termites?
Signs of termites include mud tubes, the sound of termites banging their heads against the wood, peeling paint, shed wings, hollow-sounding wood, and excrement.
How do you get rid of mice humanely?
There are humane mechanical traps that lure mice into a container with bait, then snap shut over them without harming them. You can then release them outside. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
