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By Dan Simms, Alora Bopray and Roxanne Downer, CNN Underscored
Published 10:59 AM EDT, Thu June 27, 2024
What's in this review
- Orkin at a glance
- Orkin pros and cons
- How much does Orkin cost?
- What plans and services does Orkin offer?
- Orkin add-ons and optional features
- What pests does Orkin not treat?
- Orkin customer experience
- The fine print: Terms and conditions you should know
- Orkin vs. competitors
- Methodology
- FAQs
Orkin Pest Control
With over 1.7 million residential and commercial customers worldwide, Orkin is a pest control company with over 120 years of experience. Specializing in treatments against common pests, such as rodents, termites and bedbugs, the company is known for its expert technicians, who complete 160 hours of training.
Our rating: 3.8 out of 5
Best for: Experience technicians
No. of pests treated: 40
Orkin at a glance
Orkin is one of the country’s most experienced and best pest control companies. With over 120 years in the industry, it offers its services in 49 states.
Fast facts
- Orkin has more experience than any other major pest company we’ve reviewed.
- The company has the best-trained technicians in the industry, with a mandated 160 hours of hands-on training in year one alone.
- Orkin also has the largest service area of any pest control company, with all of the United States covered except Alaska.
What we like
Orkin is a one-stop shop for most pest services, including some pests for which smaller companies don’t offer treatment, like bedbugs and termites. The company has over 120 years of experience and maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)*, so a call to Orkin will likely result in a permanent solution, regardless of what pest you’re dealing with.
Orkin also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee to instill confidence in its customers. In case that wasn’t enough, the number of complaints filed against the company is about 75% lower than that of its direct competitor, Terminix. All of that means that you’re all but guaranteed outstanding service and a resolution you’ll be pleased with.
What we don’t like
Orkin doesn’t offer free termite or bedbug inspections, and its prices for these pests can cost between $225 to $5,000, likely more than its competitors.
* BBB ratings are accurate as of June 2024.
Orkin pros and cons
Orkin is our top recommendation for people who want experienced and professional technicians. However, its expertise comes at a cost, making it not the best company for a tight budget.
Pros
- Wide range of services covering most pests
- Transparent about technician training
- Uses preventative treatment instead of just chemicals
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- More expensive than most competitors for termite and bedbug treatments
- No online quotes available
- 1.4-star rating on TrustPilot suggests poor customer service
- Negative reviews note problems with communication
How much does Orkin cost?
Unfortunately, Orkin doesn’t publish service pricing on its website. Rather than providing standard pricing based on location or property size, as many other pest control companies do, Orkin customizes prices based on the property, the pest and the magnitude of an infestation.
Nonstandard pricing is a positive because it means you’re likely to get a customized solution for your home, but it also makes setting your budget without getting a quote a challenge.
We’ve collected data from third-party sites to give you an idea of what treatment will cost from Orkin:
- Standard pest control: $50 to $99 per month
- One-time treatment: $150 to $400
- Termite treatments: Pricing unavailable because of customized treatments
- Bedbug treatments: Pricing unavailable because of customized treatments
- Wildlife removal: Pricing unavailable because of customized removal plans
Savings and discounts
Orkin occasionally posts discounts on its website — typically during the off-season — but these are not always available. You might save money in the long run by taking advantage of the company’s 60-day satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not pleased with the service you receive, you can get a free re-treatment, which otherwise would cost between $150 and $400.
What plans and services does Orkin offer?
Orkin is unlike most pest control companies we’ve reviewed because it customizes all pricing and treatment plans but still offers different tiers of services depending on the pest you’re confronting. Its commitment allows you to maximize customization, and you’ll get advice on preventing those specific pests from returning. Plans include:
- General pest control: Covers all household insects, excluding termites. Although services are lumped under general pest control, services are customized for your home.
- Termite treatment: Covers termite extermination and prevention.
- Wildlife removal: Includes removal of rodents, birds, bats, reptiles and other animals, plus measures to reduce the risk of re-infestation.
Orkin Pest Control services
| Pests treated | Treatment frequency | Guarantee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General pest control | Ants, bedbugs, beetles, centipedes, co*ckroaches, crickets, earwigs, fleas, flies, millipedes, mites, mosquitoes, moths, rodents, silverfish, spiders, stinging pests, stink bugs and ticks | Every 60 days | 60 days |
| Termite treatment | Termites | Customized | 60 days |
| Wildlife removal | All other wildlife, including squirrels, raccoons and more | Customized | 60 days |
Orkin add-ons and optional features
While many pest control companies only perform pest management services, Orkin also has home services related to pest control. They include insulation installation, gutter protection, moisture control, wildlife management and its VitalClean services.
Insulation installation
Orkin installs insulation for attics, crawl spaces, basem*nts and garages. Its OrkinTherm service includes sealing your attic and adding blown-in insulation that can help boost your home’s energy efficiency. Its ComfortZone service consists of a radiant heat barrier and insulation that can help with efficiency in your garage and underhome area. Insulation can also help avoid moisture, which can reduce the risk of pest infestation.
LeafStopper
Much like Terminix, Orkin’s largest competitor, Orkin installs gutter guards to prevent gutters from attracting pests. Its LeafStopper service includes gutter guard installation, which reduces the risk of clogs.
Moisture control
Orkin’s moisture-control program includes insulating pipes and installing dehumidifiers to reduce the risk of pest infestation and property damage.
Wildlife management
Orkin can remove wildlife from your home and keep animals away. From sealing entry points to employing repellants, Orkin offers an array of wildlife-related services.
VitalClean
Companies like Terminix also install insulation and gutter guards, but one area where Orkin stands out is its VitalClean service. This cleaning service cleans and disinfects various surfaces throughout your home or business.
What pests does Orkin not treat?
Orkin provides comprehensive pest services, including treatment or removal for almost any insect, rodent or animal in your home.
Unlike competitors with less experience, such as Aptive, Orkin tackles more challenging and pervasive insects like termites and bedbugs. It also handles comprehensive wildlife removal and trapping, which some other companies don’t.
Orkin customer experience
Orkin’s technicians are known for professionalism and timeliness, so the company offers a better customer experience than many competitors. The company has an A+ rating with the BBB. Although its customer reviews are 2.91 out of 5 stars, which is less than impressive, the number is higher than that of top competitors. Those include Terminix (with a 1.1 rating), Arrow Exterminating (1.52) and JC Ehrlich (1.2).
We contacted a local Orkin branch to see how quickly we could get a quote. After answering a few general questions with an automated receptionist, we waited only a few seconds to connect to a representative. The process was simple and quick, although not as satisfying as getting an online quote.
You should expect good communication with Orkin and expert opinions from its techs, although customer reviews reveal that the company’s size sometimes interferes with the quality of service.
Below are two Orkin pest control reviews from customers we found online that should paint a picture of the kind of service you will receive from Orkin:
The fine print: Terms and conditions you should know
We looked for a sample contract for Orkin but could only find a commercial agreement. However, we’ve seen a few things in contracts from other pest management companies that we recommend you look for in an Orkin contract.
- Pests included: Because all Orkin’s plans are customized, the insects and animals included in your contract will vary.
- Service frequency: Your contract should detail how often an Orkin representative will visit your home. Make sure it meets your expectations. If it doesn’t, ask Orkin to alter the timeline.
- Price and payment: Your contract should detail the exact costs and payment method. Double-check the figures and be aware of any autopay agreements to avoid unexpected charges to your account.
- Guarantee: The contract should clearly spell out the satisfaction guarantee. Make sure it’s what you expect.
Orkin vs. competitors
Orkin is a well-regarded national brand for pest management. Its service area spans most of the United States and handles virtually every pest you might have in your home. In that respect, it’s similar to Terminix, although Orkin has more positive customer reviews than most competitors, including Terminix.
Orkin’s customized services are more likely to lead to positive results than general treatments, but it also means you can’t get quotes or sign up for a recurring treatment plan online.
We recommend Orkin for anyone looking for true experts to deal with ongoing pest problems. Given the positive customer reviews and customized nature of its services, the biggest value seems to come from hiring Orkin to eradicate the more challenging pests. Still, given its above-average pricing, there are better options for renters or homeowners on a tight budget.
Orkin competitor comparison
| Our score | Best for | State availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orkin | 3.8 | Experienced technicians | 49 |
| Arrow Exterminators | 4.1 | Wildlife control | 12 |
| Ehrlich Pest Control | 3.9 | Comprehensive plans | 19 |
| Truly Nolen | 3.9 | Rodent control | 16 |
| Viking Pest Control | 3.8 | Customer satisfaction | 4 |
| Terminix | 3.7 | Convenience | 45 |
| Aptive | 3.6 | Eco-friendly solutions | 31 |
| Bulwark | 3.6 | Customizability | 15 |
Methodology
The author of this article has worked with numerous pest management companies during his five years as a property manager in New York, so he knew what to look for when hiring a pest control provider. We also researched more than 40 companies and compared them based on 1,500 data points and 50 company features to ensure we only recommend the best of the best.
FAQs
As far as we can see, Orkin’s services do not have hidden costs. The pricing and payment schedule should be clearly laid out in your contract, and there are no additional costs you need to worry about. However, we read a few customer complaints about the company accidentally charging customers using autopay when asked not to, so keep that in mind if you’re on a tight budget.
Orkin isn’t entirely transparent about the chemicals it uses, although this isn’t out of the ordinary for a pest control company. However, it provides explicit instructions on managing pets and kids during treatment. You don’t need to evacuate the house, but you will need to keep pets and children away from treated surfaces until they dry, usually within a few hours.
Yes, Orkin treats co*ckroaches and virtually any other insect or pest you might have in your home. Unlike most other pest control companies, Orkin doesn’t have a specific co*ckroach control plan. Instead, the technicians who come to inspect your home will determine what pests are an issue and what treatments will suffice.
Orkin doesn’t publicize the specific chemicals it uses but confirms that it only uses chemicals approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, Orkin’s technicians are trained in integrated pest management, which involves making small changes to your home to make it less enticing to pests. This includes keeping gutters clean, removing wood piles from outside, sealing cracks in your home and more.
Orkin is one of the few major pest control companies that doesn’t offer online quotes. While not having access to fast online quotes is a drawback, getting personalized treatment and recommendations for preventing pests in your home is a major upside to choosing Orkin.
Yes, Orkin offers a 60-day service guarantee for all its pest solutions, including general insects, termites and wildlife. If you’re unsatisfied with the results within 60 days, the company will come out for a free re-treatment to resolve your issue. Commercial customers get an even better guarantee with the 360-degree satisfaction guarantee. That includes the standard 60-day satisfaction guarantee, 60 days of free service if you’re unhappy with the results at any point after the first treatment, and then 60 days of complementary treatment from another pest company if you’re still not satisfied.
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