Orkin Review | The Pros and Cons

Mosquitos, roaches, and bed bugs are only a few of the common pests the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists as significant threats to public health. Luckily, pest control companies are here to help.

But when you’re searching for the best professional pest control company, how can you decide? In this Orkin review, we’ll tell you why we think the Orkin Man is one of the best pest control solutions for homeowners like you.

Want to know why we love Orkin and think you will, too? Then keep reading this guide for information about Orkin, its services, and the pros and cons of choosing it over competitors.

Who Is Orkin?

Orkin is an Atlanta-based company founded in 1901. It’s the oldest professional pest control company. And legend has it that Orkin founded the pest control industry as it is today.

Rollins, Inc. purchased Orkin in the 1960s. Rollins now owns more than 13 pest control companies in North America, plus, businesses in the UK, Australia, and across the globe.

Today, Orkin is a $950 million company. It has over 400 locations and employs nearly 8,000 employees. And the company serves more than 1.7 million residential customers around the world.

What’s the #1 reason so many people choose Orkin? All Orkin technicians must undergo at least 160 hours of training in Orkin’s state-of-the-art 28,000 square foot training campus.

Another major draw to Orkin is the company’s scientific approach to pest control. The company is constantly innovating and has access to cutting-edge technology to ensure they get the job done right the first time every time.

Orkin Services

All Orkin technicians are trained in the company’s proprietary six-step process — the Points of Service. With every Orkin pest control plan, residential customers get a thorough investigation and three types of treatment.

The first treatment protects the perimeter of your home. The second treatment targets the interior of your home, sealing gaps and crack to deter pests from getting inside. The third treatment involves installing pest monitors, so you know where the root of the problem lies.

Once treatment is over, Orkin technicians write a detailed report about your home’s pest problem. The report will include recommendations for the future and a follow-up date for your next pest control treatment.

General Pest Control Services

Orkin technicians are known as pest control specialists for a reason. The company treats all common household pests with its general pest control plan. Types of pests Orkin’s general plan handles include:

• Moths
• Hornets
• Fleas
• Crickets
• Scorpions
• Silverfish
• Ants
• Centipedes
• Roaches
• Mice
• Spiders
• Earwigs
• Ticks
• Fruit flies

In addition to general pest control, Orkin offers more targeted services. If you have bed bugs, termites, mosquitos, or ticks, Orkin has you covered.

Bed Bug Services

Bed bugs are almost impossible to get rid of once they settle in your home. Orkin is one of the only solutions offering treatment and ongoing monitoring to eliminate your bed bug problem once and for all.

Termite Services

Orkin offers three types of termite control treatments for residential customers.

Technicians will spray the interior and exterior of your home with a protective barrier. Then, they’ll apply low-moisture foam to the inside of your walls, ducts, and pipes to keep termites out of your home’s structure.

Finally, Orkin offers bait and monitoring services to at-risk areas around your home’s exterior. This is the best way to combat your current termite problem and reduce the risk of future infestations.

Mosquito Services

Orkin’s mosquito services target the life cycle of these insects. Homeowners can choose an affordable one-time application or thorough ongoing services to protect against these invaders.

Hiring Orkin to get rid of your mosquito problem can prevent viruses these critters carry, including Zika and West Nile.

Other Orkin Services

Did you know Orkin doesn’t just offer pest control treatments?

The company also provides services for your home. You can get attic insulation to reduce the risk of pest infestations while also decreasing energy costs.

Orkin’s moisture control services help prevent damaging mold and termites. And with the company’s lawn care services, you can say goodbye to weeds and the pests that hide in them.

Orkin Service Locations

Orkin serves locations worldwide. In the US, this pest control company offers its services to all US states except for Alaska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Washington D.C.

Orkin FAQs

Before we get into our Orkin pros and cons, we want to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this company. Keep reading for the top Orkin pest control FAQs.

What Chemicals Does Orkin Use?

Orkin uses different chemicals for different pests and rodents. However, rest assured that all chemicals Orkin uses are EPA-approved and safe for you and your family.

When your Orkin technician treats your home, he or she will provide you with a list of chemicals used. You can then go online to Orkin.com to find an ingredient list for each product.

Is Orkin Safe for Pets?

The best thing about Orkin’s chemicals is that they’re 100% safe for pets and kids. Of course, you’ll have to keep pets and children away from wet chemicals until the area is dry. This can take up to two hours.

How Long Is an Orkin Contract?

Orkin contracts tend to last one year. Customers then have the opportunity to renew their contract after it expires.

The new contract can be for another year or on a month-to-month basis. If you choose a month-to-month contract, you can cancel at any time with 30 days notice.

Orkin Review

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to lay out the pros and cons of using Orkin.

Orkin Pros

Orkin’s top pro is that it has 100+ years of experience and millions of happy customers. Perhaps that’s due in part to the fact that Orkin creates customized treatment plans for every unique customer situation.

Another plus side to Orkin is that you can get a free inspection before you sign up for a plan. There’s also a satisfaction guarantee, with free touch-ups between regular visits included.

Plus, if you’re unsatisfied with the results you get with Orkin, the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for month-to-month customers. This is one reason why Orkin is so highly rated among pest control companies.

If all that isn’t enough already, Orkin provides additional services for commercial customers. And for those who prefer to DIY their pest control, Orkin’s website provides a wealth of valuable customer resources.

Orkin Cons

Of course, Orkin’s pest control does come with a few downsides. For example, Orkin’s services aren’t available in all 50 states. Residents in Alaska, South Dakota, and Wyoming will have to look elsewhere for pest control.

Another con, for some, is that Orkin operates on a franchise model. Each location is independently owned, which can affect customer service and pest control consistency from one location to another.

The last thing you need to consider is that Orkin specializes in general pest control only. It’s not focused on any one type of pest. So, if you have a severe infestation, Orkin may not be the pest control company for you. Overall, the cons really aren’t a big deal, and the pros far outweigh them, and we highly recommend Orkin for pest control services.

Orkin Competitors

Don’t think Orkin is for you? You have other options. Two of the most comparable pest control companies in the US are Terminiz and Aptive. Keep reading to learn more about these Orkin competitors.

Terminix

Terminix is Orkin’s top competitor. It’s been around for nearly as long, having been founded in 1927 in Memphis, Tennessee. The company started off as a termite control specialist before expanding into additional pest offerings.

Today, homeowners rate Terminix #1 in the US for termite and bed bug control. It’s also the go-to exterminator for large or severe infestations of any pest. Terminix is also the only big-name pest control company that exterminates wildlife.

Aptive

Aptive is a newer pest control company that focuses on environmentally-friendly services. David Royce founded the company in 2016 in Provo, Utah. It has quickly become a favorite among commercial and residential customers.

Aptive is top-rated for ants, roaches, spiders, and rodents. However, the company handles fewer types of pests compared to Orkin and Terminix. If you need flea, hornet, scorpion, or wasp services, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

How Much Does Orkin Pest Control Cost?

If this Orkin review has convinced you that this is the pest control service for you, it’s time to compare costs.

Wondering about the cost of pest control services before you book your free inspection? You’ve come to the right place. Compare the cost of professional pest control companies near you today!