How to Identify and Avoid Pest Control Scams

Most local exterminators are hard-working pros you can rely on. But unfortunately, you could run into some pest control scams in your search for help with removing bed bugs, biting ants, termites, roaches, and other creepy crawlies.

Don’t sweat it: Pest control scams are easy to avoid if you know the warning signs. Here are some of the most common types of scams—and tips to avoid them—when hiring a pest control specialist.

Common Pest Control Scams

Most pest control companies are reputable. They have solid online reviews, they follow honest business practices, and they charge what they say they’ll charge.

But mixed in with the good ones are the con artists out to take advantage of you in your time of need.

Here are some of most common pest control scams that questionable companies will try to slip past you:

1. Door-to-Door Pest Control Offers

In today’s world, it’s hard to imagine a person literally knocking on your door and offering a free service or product demonstration. While that can still happen, the door-to-door pest control scam is wider reaching. Maybe you get a mailer offering free consults, or maybe you see an ad online or on a billboard promising no-fee inspections.

The scam, which involves a free inspection even when you haven’t seen any signs of an infestation yourself, seems innocent enough. It never hurts to have a professional check things out, especially if it’s free, right.

The issue—some unscrupulous pest control companies may plant traces of an infestation during their inspection. A few dead bugs here, a few rodent droppings there.

And now suddenly you’re paying for a treatment to get rid of pests you don’t actually have.

2. Unclear or Unfair Pricing

Honest pest control companies can tell you what a service will cost upfront. Their quote should be thorough, based on the scope of the problem and the required treatment. There shouldn’t be any surprises.

Disreputable companies, on the other hand, may not give clear pricing upfront because “who knows what they’ll find during treatment?” Others may quote you one rate and bill you a higher one. Make sure your contract is clear about the services you’re getting and the total pest control cost you’ll be expected to pay.

3. Never-Ending Contracts

A reliable local exterminator will offer you a clear contract, explaining how many treatments you’re paying for. They’ll let you know when the pests should disappear and may even offer free or discounted follow-ups if the pests return.

On the other hand, scammers may ask you to sign a contract after their services are complete. In this case, the tech will often say it’s for continued services to manage the problem. The contract may contain language about automatic renewals if the pest problem occurs—and the company may intentionally do a poor job to ensure the pests keep returning.

Always read contracts thoroughly before any services begin.

4. The Unlicensed Bait-and-Switch

When you’re dealing with pest control services, you expect bait—just not a bait-and-switch. In this scam, a licensed pest control technician may visit your home for the initial inspection, but an unlicensed, inexperienced (and thus less-expensive-to-employ) technician may return to finish the job.

In these instances, companies may only employ a single licensed technician, who operates as the “face” of the company and meets the legal requirements of licensure. This person may answer calls, “train” employees on the job, and provide consults to lure you in, but then, to save money, the company dispatches unqualified techs to perform the actual services.

And the last thing you want is an untrained contractor spraying poisonous chemicals all over your home.

How to Avoid Pest Control Scams

The key to avoiding pest control scams is to familiarize yourself with the approaches of the disreputable businesses—and go with your gut when something feels off.

Here are five tips for avoiding scams the next time you need to hire an exterminator:

1. Check (and Double Check) the License

Ask to see a pest control company’s professional license. You can check on the status of a professional license online. These online services conduct real-time license verification checks and cross-reference them with federal and state regulatory agencies.

To double check your research, you can also contact your city or municipality’s regulatory agency to inquire about the status of a pest control company’s license. Finally, verify this information with the technician on-site.

To avoid the common scam in which a company sends unlicensed techs, verify that the technician working in your home is the person who carries the license. If not, ask the company to reschedule with the licensed operator—or find a different pest control company.

2. Verify Your Pest Pro’s Insurance

Pest control companies will usually be required to purchase liability insurance, though the specifics will vary depending on where you live. Reputable pest control agencies will go even further, adding more coverage to their insurance plans. This extra coverage can include general liability, professional liability, crime, property damage, and personal injury.

Ask your pro to provide you with the relevant documents before you allow them to spray chemicals in your home.

3. Get a Second Opinion on Pest Control

Many pest control companies will offer free consultations in which they will send a technician to your home. Great news, right? Not always. What starts out innocently enough sometimes turns into a minor emergency where the person finds evidence of termites, ants, or bed bugs. In extreme cases, pest control scammers deposit the corpses of a few dead bugs on your floor while walking around and then "discover" them.

The solution? Always get a second opinion when it comes to pests in your home. Once another pro verifies the issue, you are free to choose your preferred pest control specialist. Price is an important factor when selecting a contractor—but so is feeling comfortable with the professional in your home.

4. Read Your Contract Carefully

The self-renewing contract is one of the most insidious pest control scams out there. You’ll contact a pest control pro who provides a solid estimate, shows up on time, and completes the job, so you think you’re in the clear. 

But when they finish spraying, they may tell you a single application won't eliminate all of your pests, urging you to sign a year-long contract to ensure complete eradication. These contracts can auto-renew year after year, whether you use them or not.

Avoid this scam by refusing to sign any contract that extends beyond the service appointment. A qualified pro can resolve most infestations in a single pesticide application. Reputable companies should be able to explain why a second round of treatment will be necessary and they should never pressure you into signing anything.

5. Research and Read Reviews

Take some time to research any pest control pros you are thinking of hiring. Reputable exterminators should have an active web presence and may even have social media pages for you to peruse. 

Read reviews and don’t hesitate to ask for and reach out to references to get a feel for the company’s professionalism. If an exterminator engages in shady business practices, it is likely there will be plenty of unhappy customers in their wake.

Red Flags of Potential Pest Control Scams

If you request a quote or service from a pest control company and they show any of the following red flags, vet them extremely carefully, request a second opinion, and strongly consider using a different company.

• Absence of a business address

• Unusually low prices

• Absence of an updated professional website

• Aggressive service sale tactics

• Unwilling to answer questions about services or treatments

• Unverifiable credentials

• Absence of professional liability insurance

• Only accepting cash payments

Are Pest Control Memberships Worth It?

If you’re considering investing in a pest control company’s membership program, you’re likely debating whether it’s worth the cost. Many pest control services offer quarterly or pre-scheduled services for returning customers, with a one-time initiation fee. The benefit of this type of membership is that it can help remove pest infestations of all kinds, depending on your home’s needs. If you live in an older home or one that’s prone to pesky issues, the price of ongoing services may be worth it. However, if you only need to hire a pest control pro for a one-time, minor pest infestation, it may not be worth the investment for unnecessary services.