Few pest control companies feature pest and termite control as comprehensive as Orkin’s. The company is one of the longest-serving pest control providers and has built a reputation as an industry leader. It offers standard pest control services, such as bed bug and cockroach removal, alongside specialized services, including attic insulation.
However, you’ll pay a premium for Orkin’s expertise. We found its initial service visit pricing to be higher than other companies we reviewed.
Our team analyzed Orkin’s pricing structure, pest plans and additional services to determine if it’s one of the best pest control companies. After reviewing Orkin with our stringent review process, we consider it one of our top choices for pest control.
Our thoughts about Orkin
We rated Orkin 4.7 out of 5 stars per our comprehensive review standards. Orkin stands out due to its certifications with industry and government associations, such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. Orkin is also widely available, servicing all states except Alaska.
However, Orkin lost points for its lack of an online chat tool and a fairly low average customer rating on review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot.
What we like
Orkin takes a scientific approach when dealing with pests. The company hires entomologists, wildlife biologists and microbiologists to help develop its pest management solutions. In addition, Orkin trains all its pest technicians for at least 160 hours to ensure they are experts in diagnosing and eliminating pest problems.
The company provides a 24/7 customer service phone line. According to the Orkin representative we spoke with, Orkin will accept service requests regardless of time or day and will book a service appointment as soon as the next business day.
In addition, Orkin stands out due to its expansive library of pest-related resources on its website. For example, Orkin has an inspection checklist for new homeowners who are moving into new homes.
What we don’t like
Through our secret shopping, we found that Orkin charges higher service rates than other companies we’ve reviewed for both its initial and follow-up service visits. If you opt for a single service treatment rather than its pest plan, expect to pay a higher upfront fee.
Although not necessarily a major con, Orkin doesn’t provide pricing for its service plans online or provide an online chat tool. Other companies, such as Terminix, do provide these convenient features.
Compare top pest control companies
The table below highlights key factors you should consider when shopping for a pest control company.
Orkin pest control plans and services
Orkin provides a general pest control program, a termite-specific plan and additional services, such as wildlife management. Below is an overview of each.
General pest control services
Orkin’s general pest control plan treats up to 20 pests, including common household pests, such as ants and wasps. Orkin will tailor your initial service treatment based on your current pest issue. For instance, if you have a mouse problem, a technician will seal off any entryways they find on your property and treat your home for rodents, according to the Orkin representative we spoke with.
During the initial visit, Orkin’s technicians will install pest monitors that will be used to continually monitor your home. Orkin provides a second service visit within the first 30 days of the initial visit. After that, Orkin generally services your home every other month. Note that Orkin’s specific treatment schedule depends on the pest it’s treating.
Here is the list of pests Orkin covers in its pest control plan:
- Ants
- Bed bugs
- Beetles
- Carpenter ants
- Centipedes and
millipedes - Cockroaches
- Flies
- Crickets
- Earwigs
- Fleas
- Mites
- Mosquitoes
- Moths
- Rodents
- Silverfish
- Spiders
- Stinging pests
- Stink bugs
- Termites
- Ticks
Termite services
Orkin must first perform a termite inspection to determine the severity of your infestation before developing a plan. According to Orkin’s website, it treats termites using the following methods:
- Termidor liquid treatment: Orkin technicians apply liquid termite treatment around your home’s foundations to serve as a barrier for current and future infestations.
- Dry foam and Orkinfoam: Orkinfoam is a proprietary termite foam that seals up areas of your home where termites can enter.
- Sentricon bait and monitoring: This treatment prevents termites from growing into adults and prevents additional termite damage.
Once Orkin inspects your home, it’ll develop a treatment plan and provide a schedule for treatment applications.
Additional services
Alongside its pest and termite control plans, Orkin provides home improvement services under its Full Property Coverage section. These services include the following:
- Attic Insulation: Orkin installs proprietary OrkinTherm and Orkin ComfortZone insulation in your home’s attic, crawl space and basement. This insulation also prevents new pests from entering your home.
- Leaf Stopper: Orkin installs its proprietary Leaf Stopper gutter inserts to block entry for unwanted pests and keep your gutters clean.
- Moisture Control: Orkin develops and implements a custom program to reduce moisture buildup around your home.
- Wildlife Management: Orkin will barricade entry points and remove certain animals, such as opossums and raccoons, from your property. However, this service isn’t available in all locations.
- VitalClean: Orkin applies disinfectant across your property to kill bacteria and harmful microorganisms.
Quotes and pricing
Orkin requires a phone call before disclosing pricing for its pest control services. When we asked the Orkin representative why it doesn’t provide pricing online, he said an Orkin representative must speak with you to obtain specifics of your pest issue.
To obtain our quote, our team used a 1,652-square-foot, single-family home in Sacramento, California, with a 7,000-square-foot lot size and stated we had a rodent issue. The prices in the table below reflect the costs of Orkin’s general pest control plan focusing on rodent control and a single-service rodent treatment.
| Name | Cost (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| General pest control plan — Rodent | $347 initial visit; $103 per subsequent visit |
| Single treatment | $468 |
We conducted a survey in February 2024 to obtain the average cost of an Orkin annual plan and a single service, which we listed in the table below. The survey pricing data differs widely due to many factors, such as the respondent’s geographical location, lot size, pest service and pest issue severity.
| Service Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual service plan | $527 |
| Single treatment | $256 |
Customer thoughts
Orkin has a solid A+ rating and accreditation with BBB since 2001. However, its rating doesn’t account for the relatively poor customer reviews on the BBB site. Customers gave Orkin a rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars. It’s important to note that BBB customer ratings tend to be low, as customers often use BBB to file complaints against companies.
However, Orkin holds better customer ratings on Google Reviews, specifically for local branches. For instance, customers rated the Orkin branch in Camarillo, California, 4.8 out of 5 stars. A review from Bonita B. highlights the professionalism of Orkin’s service technicians, noting how communicative and flexible they are when scheduling service appointments.
What should you expect from Orkin’s pest control service?
Orkin’s treatment frequency and methods differ depending on the pest services you select and the size of your pest infestation. We spoke with an Orkin representative to understand how it performs treatments. Below is an overview of what to expect once you sign up for an Orkin treatment plan or single service.
Before service
Orkin will schedule an appointment and send a technician to your door to perform a top-to-bottom inspection of your home. After the inspection, the technician will review their findings and explain what treatments they will apply to control and remove your pest. If you have small children or pets, the technician will ask you to keep them away from the treatment areas.
During service
After confirming the treatment application and methods, the Orkin technician will begin applying treatments around your home. The technician will also seal up entryways and install traps in the areas your pests frequent.
After service
Once the Orkin technician completes their service, they will provide you with a detailed report of what they did. They will also answer any questions and provide recommendations on keeping pests out between service visits. Orkin will also follow up with you to ensure pests no longer enter your home.
Service guarantee
Orkin provides a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the pest treatments it applied to your home, whether you purchased a plan or a single service. If you have a pest or termite plan, Orkin will reservice your home in between service visits for free if pests appear before your scheduled treatment.
If you purchase a single treatment, the Orkin technician will reservice your home free of charge if pests return within 30 days.
Does Orkin have a cancellation policy?
Through our secret shopping, we found that Orkin provides little information on how to cancel your pest control plan. On its website, an FAQ page states that Orkin has two cancellation options: call Orkin’s customer service number or contact your local branch. Aside from that, there is no other information on cancellations.
Orkin does provide more details about its cancellation process for its commercial customers. However, when we spoke with an Orkin representative, he explained that its commercial division has different policies than its residential division.
Final take: Orkin offers premium pest control services at a premium price
Orkin has more than 120 years of experience in the pest industry. Its tenure in the industry allowed it to develop a rigorous training program for new technicians, which ensures you receive professional service from a certified pest control expert.
Orkin treats many pests, such as hornets and scorpions. Orkin doesn’t treat all pests, though, and its prices tend to be higher than those of other popular pest control companies.
Before signing up with Orkin, we suggest requesting quotes from two additional pest control companies to compare costs and pest services.
Our rating methodology for pest control companies
We researched pest control companies to help you choose the best brand for your budget and pest issues. The best pest control companies offer single and comprehensive treatment plans, are certified, hold solid customer ratings and are available nationwide.
We rated companies using our comprehensive methodology. We scored them out of 100 points on their treatment plans, safety, customer service and guarantees. We then divided their scores by 20 to arrive at the 5-star ratings you see in our recommendations.
BBB, Trustpilot and Google Reviews are accurate as of March 2024.
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Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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