Orkin vs. Rentokil: Pest Control Companies Compared

When it comes to the oldest pest control companies in the U.S., Orkin and Rentokil are two of the largest. Which one is better for your home or business?

In our research we did a side-by-side comparison of Orkin and Rentokil and looked at many factors such as pests they exterminate, locations, how to get quotes and pricing, and customer reviews to help you choose the best pest control company to fit your needs.

Though Pest Gnome has an affiliate relationship with Orkin, this Orkin vs. Rentokil pest control review is fair and unbiased because of the depth of our research.

Orkin vs. Rentokil: Side-by-Side

Pests They Treat
Pricing
Main Features

Pests They Treat

Pests	Orkin	Rentokil
Ants	✓	✓
Bed bugs	✓	✓
Beetles	✓	✓
Carpenter ants	✓	✓
Centipedes and millipedes	✓	✓
Cockroaches	✓	✓
Crickets	✓	✓
Earwigs	✓	✓
Fleas	✓	✓
Flies	✓	✓
Mites	✓	✓
Mosquitoes	✓	✓
Moths	✓	✓
Pantry pests	Pantry beetles only	✓
Rodents (mice, rats, etc.)	✓	✓
Scorpions	✓	✓
Silverfish	✓	✓
Spiders	✓	✓
Stinging pests (bees, wasps, etc.)	✓	✓
Stink bugs	✓	✓
Termites	✓	✓
Ticks	✓	✓
Wildlife	✓	✓

Pricing

Services	Orkin	Rentokil
Basic Pest Services	$45-$85 per month	$50-$100 per month
Termite Treatment	$950-$1,550	$700-$1,500
Bed Bug Treatment	$500-$1,500	$700-$1,500
Single Treatment	$250-$600	N/A

Main Features

Feature	Orkin	Rentokil
How many states do they serve?	47 (Excluding AK, SD, WY)	46 (Excluding AK, HI, MT, ND)
Service Plans Offered
One-time service?	✓	✓
Monthly service?	✓	✗
Quarterly service?	✗	✓
Offers eco-friendly options?	✓	✓
Does it serve commercial properties?	✓	✓
Customer Service
Gives instant quotes online?	✗	✗
Has an online portal for scheduling, billing, etc?	✓	✓
24/7 customer support?	✓	✓
Better Business Bureau rating (if applicable)	A+	N/A
Additional Services Offered
Attic insulation	✓	Location-specific
Moisture control	✓	Location-specific
Sanitation	✓	Only available to commercial customers
Gutter guards	✓	✗
Lawn treatments for pests weeds, and diseases	Only available in FL	Available to commercial customers in all 46 states and residents of AZ and FL
Air purification	Only available to commercial customers	✓
Handyman services	✗	Location-specific

You won’t find big differences between Orkin and Rentokil aside from Orkin’s lack of free inspections. Both companies use similar approaches and provide one-time and recurring services. Both also offer specialized options to tackle specific jobs. 

Rentokil will get rid of all pantry pests while Orkin gets rid of pantry beetles. Both companies also offer bed bug and mosquito control as part of their general pest control plan. These services are considered specialty add-ons with Orkin.

Overall, you need to consider your location and pest needs. If you need a company that can treat scorpions, Rentokil might be the better option, however, if you need to treat crickets and prevent a moist crawl space environment, then you want to call Orkin.

Orkin offers more specialized services outside of general pest control than Rentokil, such as gutter guard installation and moisture control. 

Orkin Highlights

What began as a small, family-owned business in Walnutport, Pennsylvania, has grown to be the oldest and largest pest control company in the United States. Founded in 1901 and operating in more than 50 countries, Orkin uses its 120 years of experience to ensure every technician is field-ready. Technicians undergo 160 hours of training before performing on the job.

Satisfaction Guarantee

Orkin goes all out to ensure customer satisfaction. Technicians develop customized plans for each homeowner to treat and prevent your problems from recurring. All services are backed with a guarantee for as long as you remain a customer.

Integrated Pest Management

When you think of pest control, you often think about chemicals and poisons. Orkin’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach uses eco-friendly solutions before turning to the use of traditional products. IPM focuses on long-term prevention through a combination of pesticide-free techniques and traditional chemicals. These techniques work to minimize the risk to beneficial organisms like pollinators such as butterflies and honeybees.

Extended Services

Orkin’s services extend beyond pest control. Orkin offers sanitation services for homes and businesses. The pest control company works with numerous property types including food services locations, health care facilities, and schools. These non-pest control services include gutter guards, moisture control, and insulation installation.

Orkin Pricing

Being an industry leader like Orkin has its perks. Orkin’s years of experience have driven up the cost of its services. Orkin’s pricing can be hard to find and is largely based on customized services considering different factors: the size of your home and yard, how difficult it is to access the infestation, how bad the infestation is, and your location. 

The bad news, Orkin’s inspections come at a cost, so you’re paying before you even decide to commit to its pest control services.

How to Get a Quote and Order Service from Orkin

Orkin does not offer instant quotes. However, Orkin makes it easy to schedule a callback for a free quote from a local branch representative in your area. All you have to do is enter some basic information. 

Step 1. Start by clicking on “Get a Quote” or “Get a Free Quote” anywhere on Orkin’s website.

Step 2. Next, you will select the reason for your inquiry and enter some basic contact information. Here, you have the option to select a date and time that best suits your schedule to receive your callback and quote.

It is important to note that some pest control services will require an inspection to diagnose. The service representative who contacts you will likely ask what pest you are dealing with, how long the issue has been occurring, and how large your property is. 

States Covered: 47; not available in AR, SD, WY

Pests Covered: Ants, bed bugs, beetles, carpenter ants, centipedes, millipedes, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, fleas, flies, mites, mosquitoes, moths, pantry beetles, rodents, silverfish, spiders, stinging pests, stink bugs, termites, ticks, wildlife 

Pros:

• 100+ years of experience
• Same-day service
• Money-back guarantee
• Highly trained technicians

Cons:

• Costly inspections
• Customer service variations with a franchise model
• No instant quotes

Customer Reviews: 

Easy scheduling: “When we moved to San Antonio, we had no idea we were going to encounter so many bugs and fleas! Our 10-year-old dog had never had fleas. Poor thing! We finally got rid of them after hiring Orkin. The guys who have come to our house have been very nice and helpful. I appreciate how easy is to make an appointment or reschedule by email or on the phone.” – Aide M., Yelp

Punctual service: “Orkin always gives advance notice of our appointment, and our technician always arrives within the specified time. He is courteous, thorough, and efficient. Whenever we have specific issues, he takes care of them quickly. I highly recommend Orkin.” – Era S., Google

No hidden fees: “Great service. Came out on time. Friendly and courteous. Up front with cost.” – Alice T., BBB

Rentokil Highlights

Founded in 1925, British Rentokil was created by an entomologist and professor who pioneered a method to eliminate death watch beetles. Since supplying extermination services during World War II, Rentokil has developed a global presence in 80 countries. It is the world’s largest pest control company, and as of 2015, it is the third-largest in the United States.

Rentokil Brands

In the U.S. Rentokil is better known by its regional brands Ehrlich, Western Exterminator, and Presto-X. In 2021, Rentokil announced it will be purchasing Terminix, the third-largest pest control company in the U.S. This acquisition will strengthen the Rentokil brand and seeks to combine Terminix’s U.S. footprint with Rentokil’s global stronghold.

PestFree365

Unlike many companies, Rentokil combines bed bug control with its general pest prevention plan. Its recurring option, PestFree365 preventative maintenance plan, treats 36 household pests, more than any other company. Included in this plan are bed bug and mosquito prevention as well as ongoing termite inspections, making it one of the most comprehensive offerings on the market, a service most companies charge for. 

Integrated Pest Management

Rentokil does its part to help the environment, but its services are not as eco-friendly as some other companies in the market. Rentokil uses an Integrated Pest Management approach to minimize the use of pesticides. Its pesticides are designed to minimize environmental impact, but they are not natural or organic options.

PestNetOnline

Rentokil’s customer service is available by phone 24/7. Residential customers have access to PestNetOnline where you can schedule services, update account information, and pay your bills. Additionally, commercial customers have access to myRentokil, a proprietary data management system that allows businesses to track recommendations and problem areas and produce full audit reports for their pest management solutions.  

Rentokil Pricing

Rentokil offers quarterly and one-time services. Pricing is customized based on several factors including pest type, size of the infestation, property size, number of treatments required, and type of treatment. This makes it difficult to know an exact price for the services you will be receiving, however, Rentokil offers free inspections and quotes. 

How to Get Quote and Order Service from Rentokil

Like Orkin, Rentokil does not offer instant online quotes. Rentokil’s online form makes getting in contact with a local representative fast and easy.

Step 1. Clicking “Contact us” or “Get in touch” anywhere on Rentokil’s website will bring you to an online form and phone number.

Step 2. Here, you will be asked to provide some basic information and your reason for contacting Rentokil. You can provide additional details regarding your infestation and select whether you would like to be called back or schedule a free inspection.

Step 3. Whichever option you select, you can expect a local representative to contact you shortly. Rentokil’s ability to provide you with a quote over the phone will be based on a number of factors. Some infestations and problems will require a free inspection to diagnose and properly quote.

States Covered: 46; Not available in AR, HI, MT, ND

Pests Covered: Ants, bed bugs, beetles, carpenter ants, centipedes. millipedes, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, fleas, flies, mites, mosquitoes, moths, pantry pests, rodents, scorpions, silverfish, spiders, stinging pests, stink bugs, termites, ticks, wildlife

Pros:

• Free initial inspection with upfront estimate
• Comprehensive packages
• Bed bug and mosquito control included in preventative packages

Cons:

• No online chat
• Website is hard to navigate

Customer Reviews: 

No hidden fees: “I took in a cat from a friend, and a week later my apartment was totally infested with fleas. They were jumping everywhere. I tried spray, flea bombs, you name it, nothing worked. I bit the bullet and called the exterminator. Their service was excellent. They had to come back four times but they got them all, and no hidden charges.” – Phil R., Yelp

Punctual service: “They always show up eager to know our problem areas and to recommend strategies to keep the little buggers away.” – Access Control, Google

Thorough service breakdowns: “Our service representative is great. He always gives me a heads-up before coming and takes the time to meet with me after the service call to review the issues and help me with solutions to prevent future issues. I appreciate all his help with our service calls.” – Kimberly, Consumer Affairs

Buyers Guide to Choosing Between Orkin and Rentokil

Orkin and Rentokil are both global companies with years of experience. If you are struggling to choose between the two, consider the following factors to help you make a decision.

Your Location

First and foremost, make sure Orkin and Rentokil both serve your area.

Orkin: Has over 400 branch offices and 58 franchises in the U.S. 

Rentokil: Western Exterminator, Presto-X, and Ehrlich cover multiple locations in 46 states

Pests Covered

Next, you want to consider the types of pests you are dealing with. Both Orkin and Rentokil handle specialty jobs like termites, bed bugs, and wildlife. 

Orkin: Does not treat all pantry pests, just pantry beetles

Rentokil: Treats all types of pests and wildlife

Eco-Friendly Options

If you are concerned about the environment or want to protect your family, talk directly with Orkin and Rentokil to see what options are available in your area and for your specific needs. 

Orkin and Rentokil: GreenPro certified and use Integrated Pest Management approaches to minimize their environmental impact

Customer Testimonials

Read how others view Orkin and Rentokil’s services and products on Yelp, Google, Trustpilot, BBB, Consumer Affairs, and Nextdoor. 

Orkin: Customers commend Orkin on its punctual service, ease of scheduling, and helpful technicians while they complain about their higher-than-average prices

Rentokil: Upfront pricing, knowledgeable technicians, and thorough service are all positive areas for Rentokil while some customers complained they needed more advanced notice for scheduling appointments

Cost

Both Orkin and Rentokil offer similar services, operate in similar areas, and use similar approaches to pricing and treatment options.

Orkin: On average, online sources suggest that Orkin’s annual cost without specialized services is between $700 to $1,000 per year. This includes inspection but does not include specialized treatments for large infestations, termites, bed bugs, or mosquitoes. Both estimates and inspections cost.

Rentokil: PestFree365 program costs between $600 to $1,200 annually. It includes bed bug and mosquito control and yearly termite inspections. Free inspection and an upfront initial cost estimate.

The cost of pest control is going to depend on several factors like the size of your home, the location of the infestation, the type of infestation you are dealing with, and the number of treatments needed to eliminate your problem.

FAQ About Pest Control

DIY Pest Control

Many common pest infestations can safely be handled by store-bought pesticides or pantry ingredients. Before spending money on a pest control professional, check out these resources on Pest Gnome.

Here are some helpful articles to get you started:

• Integrated Pest Management for the Home
• How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Home and Yard – A Basic Guide
• The Limits, Dangers of DIY Pest Control

Other National Pest Control Companies to Consider

There are a lot of factors that go into deciding which pest control company is right for you. For a thorough approach, check out these other available options.

• Orkin vs. Terminix
• Orkin vs. Aptive Environmental
• Orkin vs. Massey Services

When to Call a Pest Control Pro

DIY methods can be great, but sometimes they aren’t enough to tackle large infestations. When your pantry ingredients, baits, and traps fail, a pest control pro is your best option. This comparison will help you decide whether you should call Orkin or Rentokil to treat your pest problem.

Main Photo Credit: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade / CC BY 2.0 / via Wikimedia Commons, with text and logos overlaid