Advion Ant Gel

Assuming you’re in the U.S., my practical shortlist is:

Best pest control companies / brands

1. Orkin — best all-around national pick
   Good for general pests, termites, roaches, ants, spiders, rodents, and recurring service. Forbes Home ranked Orkin “Best Overall,” and Rollins—the parent company behind Orkin—is the largest firm on PCT’s 2026 Top 100 by 2025 North American pest-control revenue. (forbes.com)

2. Terminix — best major competitor, especially for termites
   Terminix is the other national brand people most commonly compare with Orkin. Forbes Home rated Terminix highly and called it “Best for Termite Control,” while PCT lists Rentokil Terminix as the No. 2 North American pest-control firm by 2025 revenue. (forbes.com)

3. Ehrlich / Western Exterminator / Rentokil brands — best if strong in your region
   These are under the Rentokil umbrella and can be excellent depending on your local branch. I’d include them in quotes if they serve your ZIP code.

4. Arrow Exterminators, Massey Services, Cook’s Pest Control, Moxie, Aptive — strong regional/national-scale options
   These show up near the top of the industry by revenue/scale, but availability and quality are very branch-dependent. Arrow, Massey, Moxie, Cook’s, and Aptive all ranked in the PCT Top 10 for 2025 North American service revenue. (giecdn.blob.core.windows.net)

5. Mosquito Joe / Mosquito Authority / Mosquito Squad — best for mosquito-only yard programs
   Use these if your main issue is outdoor mosquitoes, ticks, or seasonal yard treatments—not if you have termites, German roaches, bed bugs, or rodents inside.

6. A highly rated local independent exterminator — often the best value
   For roaches, ants, rodents, bed bugs, and wildlife, a good local company can beat a national chain on price and accountability. Look for a licensed company with recent local reviews, a written treatment plan, and a retreatment guarantee.

My “actually use this” DIY product shortlist

Ants

• Terro T300 Liquid Ant Baits — best easy over-the-counter option for common sugar-feeding ants. Wirecutter’s pest episode lists Terro T300 as its recommended ant bait trap. (podcasts.apple.com)
• Advion Ant Gel — stronger “pro-style” option for persistent indoor ant trails.
• Amdro Ant Block / outdoor granular bait — useful outside around the perimeter, depending on ant type.

Avoid: spraying ants with contact killer indoors unless you know the species; sprays can scatter some colonies. Baits usually work better because ants carry them back.

Roaches

• Advion Cockroach Gel Bait — one of the most commonly recommended pro-grade roach baits; EPA lists it as registered, non-restricted-use, with indoxacarb as the active ingredient and labeled for German, American, Oriental, smoky brown, and other cockroach species. (ordspub.epa.gov)
• Terro T500 roach bait stations / Terro T502 roach gel — Wirecutter’s show notes list these as recommended roach bait products. (podcasts.apple.com)
• Combat Max bait stations — widely available, simple, decent for light/moderate roach issues.
• Gentrol Point Source or another IGR — helpful for German roaches because it disrupts reproduction. Pair with bait; don’t rely on it alone.
• Glue traps — not a cure, but great for monitoring where activity is highest.

Avoid: bug bombs/foggers. Wirecutter explicitly warns against foggers because they often miss hiding spots and can create safety risks. (podcasts.apple.com)

Mosquitoes

• Mosquito Dunks / Mosquito Bits with Bti — use in standing water you can’t drain. EPA says Bti is used to kill developing mosquito larvae in standing water and is registered for residential, commercial, and agricultural settings. (epa.gov)
• Thermacell devices — good for patios/decks when you’re sitting in one area.
• Sawyer 20% Picaridin, OFF!, Ben’s, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus — for personal repellent. Consumer Reports has consistently found that active ingredient and concentration matter more than brand; 20% picaridin, 25–30% DEET, and 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus are among the better-performing categories. (consumerreports.org)

Mice / rats

• Victor snap traps — cheap, effective, no poison risk.
• Enclosed bait stations only if needed — EPA recommends reading labels carefully and notes consumer rodenticide products are sold in ready-to-use bait stations with child/pet/weather-resistance labeling. (epa.gov)
• For rats, attic activity, wall noises, or repeat infestations: hire a pro. Exclusion/sealing is more important than poison.

Termites

• Call a professional. Termite treatment is not a casual DIY job. EPA says termiticide application in most cases can only be properly performed by a trained pest management professional. (epa.gov)
• Best company picks: Terminix, Orkin, Arrow, Massey, Cook’s, or a strong local termite specialist.

Bed bugs

• Call a professional if you have more than a very early, isolated case.
• Ask about heat treatment, follow-up inspections, mattress encasements, and a written retreatment policy. Avoid random aerosol sprays; they often scatter bugs.

What I’d do if hiring today

Get quotes from Orkin, Terminix, one strong regional company, and one local independent. Don’t just pick the cheapest—ask:

• What pest are you treating, exactly?
• Is this bait, crack-and-crevice, perimeter, heat, exclusion, or a spray-only plan?
• What products and EPA registration numbers will be used?
• Is there a retreatment guarantee?
• Am I locked into a quarterly contract?
• Will you seal entry points or just spray?

EPA recommends pest control that identifies and corrects the source of the problem first, uses baits and crack-and-crevice treatments when feasible, and only uses chemicals approved for home use. (epa.gov)

Bottom line:

• Best national company: Orkin
• Best termite-focused national: Terminix
• Best value: a well-reviewed local independent
• Best DIY ant product: Terro T300
• Best DIY roach product: Advion Cockroach Gel + glue traps + sanitation
• Best mosquito product: Bti dunks for standing water + Thermacell/picaridin for outdoor comfort

Whether you are looking to hire professional exterminators or want to handle the issue yourself using the same products the pros use, choosing the right name makes all the difference.

Part 1: The Best Professional Pest Control Companies

If you have a major, structurally damaging, or highly resilient infestation (like termites, bedbugs, or a severe rodent problem), hiring a professional is often the safest and most effective route. The top-rated national and global brands include:

• Orkin (Best Overall & General Pest Control): With over 120 years in the industry, Orkin is widely considered the gold standard. Their technicians go through rigorous, award-winning training. They are highly reliable for general pest maintenance, bed bugs, and immediate emergency visits.
• Terminix (Best for Termites): Now operating under the Rentokil Initial umbrella while maintaining its historic name, Terminix is globally famous for its advanced, proprietary termite baiting systems and thermal remediation. They offer some of the strongest termite-damage guarantees in the industry.
• Rentokil (Best Commercial & Global Service): Rentokil is a massive global pest control provider. They excel in both residential and heavy-duty commercial pest management, using cutting-edge digital tracking hardware and highly targeted integrated pest management (IPM) systems.
• Aptive Environmental (Best Customer Service & Eco-Friendlier Approach): Aptive is a younger, rapidly growing company that focuses on using environmentally conscious products (like pyrethrin-based treatments) and offers highly customizable, recurring seasonal protection plans.
• Arrow Exterminators (Best Regional/Suburban Care): Particularly strong in the southern United States, Arrow is highly rated for its "STEPS" (Sustainable Technology and Evaluation Pest Services) program, offering a holistic approach to pest control and wildlife exclusion.

Part 2: The Best DIY Pest Control Products (What the Pros Actually Use)

If you prefer to save money and do it yourself, skip the standard "Raid" aerosol cans (which often act as repellents, scattering the bugs and making infestations harder to treat).

Instead, buy the professional-grade, non-repellent chemicals that pest control experts and dedicated DIY communities (such as Reddit's r/pestcontrol) actually use:

1. The "Gold Standard" General Sprays

• Alpine WSG (Active Ingredient: Dinotefuran): Hands down the most highly recommended indoor spray on the market. It is a non-repellent, meaning pests cannot detect it; they walk right through it, carry it back to their nests, and die. It has no odor, is classified by the EPA as a "Reduced Risk" pesticide, and is incredibly effective against ants, roaches, and spiders. (Sold as Seclira WSG in Canada and Australia).
• Advion WDG (Active Ingredient: Indoxacarb): A stellar alternative to Alpine WSG. It is also non-repellent and has a very long-lasting residual effect on surfaces.
• Taurus SC or Termidor SC (Active Ingredient: Fipronil): The ultimate outdoor perimeter spray. Fipronil is highly toxic to ants and termites. Sprayed around the exterior foundation of your home, it creates an invisible barrier that completely eradicates entire ant colonies. (Do not use fipronil indoors unless specifically allowed by the label).

2. Top-Tier Baits (For Ants and Roaches)

• Advion Cockroach Gel Bait & Advion Ant Gel Bait: Made by Syngenta, this is the industry standard. It uses indoxacarb, which is highly palatable to pests. Roaches and ants eat it, return to their harborages, die, and their colony-mates eat their remains/droppings, triggering a massive domino-effect kill.
• Terro Liquid Ant Baits (Consumer Brand): An incredibly popular, easily accessible consumer brand that actually works. Because it is borax-based, it works slowly enough to allow sweet-loving sugar ants to carry the poison back to the queen before they die.

3. Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)

• Gentrol IGR (or Tekko Pro / NyGuard): These products do not kill pests directly; instead, they act as "birth control" for bugs. They prevent juvenile roaches, fleas, or bedbugs from shedding their skins or growing into reproductive adults. Mixing an IGR with a spray like Alpine WSG is how professionals instantly halt a rapid insect breeding cycle.

4. Rodent Control

• Contrac Blox: A highly effective, professional-grade multi-feed rodenticide block used in locked bait stations to keep rats and mice out of homes.
• T-Rex Snap Traps or Jawz Traps: These heavy-duty plastic snap traps are much easier to set and clean than traditional wooden traps, and they deliver a swift, humane kill.

Where to Buy DIY Professional Products:

You won’t find professional-grade concentrates like Alpine WSG or Taurus SC on the shelves of standard hardware chains. You can buy them legally online through specialty DIY pest control suppliers like DoMyOwn.com, HowToPest.com, or DIY Pest Control.

Always read the safety label before mixing and applying any professional-grade chemical.

Orkin and Terminix (now part of Rentokil Terminix) consistently rank among the top national pest control companies, based on industry revenue rankings (PCT Top 100), consumer review sites, and expert roundups from sources like Forbes Home, Money.com, and This Old House.

Other strong national or large regional players include Aptive Environmental (eco-focused), Ehrlich (comprehensive coverage, under Rentokil), Arrow Exterminators, Massey Services, and specialists like Critter Control (wildlife) and Mosquito Joe (mosquitoes). Local companies often deliver excellent results too—check the National Pest Management Association (NPMA/pestworld.org), BBB ratings, Angi/HomeAdvisor reviews, and state licensing for options near you, as service quality can vary by branch and technician.

Top Professional Pest Control Companies

Here’s a summary of frequently recommended national options (availability, pricing, and effectiveness vary by location, pest type, home size, and infestation severity; always get multiple free quotes and confirm guarantees):

• Orkin (Rollins): Frequently rated best overall or best-trained. Over 120 years in business, extensive technician training (including a full-size house facility), broad pest coverage (insects, rodents, some wildlife, termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, and strong guarantees (e.g., free retreatments, money-back options). Widely available (most states). Good for general residential/commercial needs.

• Terminix (Rentokil Terminix): Often tops lists for termites due to long history, patented treatments, baiting/liquid/fumigation options, and damage repair guarantees (where available). Covers many common pests plus some wildlife; offers ongoing plans like PestFree365. Large national footprint (around 45 states). Strong for serious infestations. Note: Now under the larger Rentokil umbrella.

• Aptive Environmental: Praised for eco-friendlier solutions and modern approach. Good for general household pests (ants, roaches, spiders, rodents, etc.); quarterly plans common. Available in many states but not all; may not cover termites/bed bugs in all cases.

• Ehrlich (Rentokil): Strong for comprehensive/ongoing management and commercial work. Solid residential options too.

• Others of note: Arrow Exterminators and Massey Services (large regional/national presence from PCT rankings); Critter Control (wildlife/nuisance animals); Mosquito Joe (mosquito-focused outdoor treatments). Ecolab and Anticimex are major players, often more commercial-oriented.

Costs typically range from ~$150–600+ for one-time treatments and $100–300+ per visit (or $40–100+/month) for quarterly/ongoing plans, plus higher for termites, bed bugs, or wildlife. Factors include pest type, severity, and home size. Look for free inspections, retreatment guarantees, and pet/child-safe options.

Tips for choosing a company: Verify licensing/insurance, read recent local reviews (BBB, Google, Angi), ask about IPM (least-toxic first), specific treatment methods, and warranties. National brands offer consistency and resources; locals may provide more personalized service and better pricing. Avoid high-pressure sales.

Top Brands and Products People Actually Use (DIY and Consumer)

For milder issues or prevention, many homeowners successfully use store-bought or pro-grade DIY products (available at big-box stores, Amazon, or specialty sites like DoMyOwn). Results depend on correct identification, application, sanitation (clean up food/water sources, seal entry points), and persistence. Severe infestations (e.g., termites, heavy bed bugs/rodents) usually need pros.

Popular consumer brands/products:

• Ortho Home Defense: Highly rated spray/barrier for indoor/outdoor insects (ants, roaches, spiders, etc.). Long residual; easy ready-to-use versions. Often tops “best overall” lists.
• Raid and Hot Shot: Ubiquitous contact sprays, aerosols, and baits for ants/roaches/spiders. Fast knockdown (Raid) or residual (some Hot Shot). Gel baits and powders also popular.
• Terro: Excellent liquid and bait stations, especially for ants (and some roach options). Simple and effective for trails.
• Advion (Syngenta) gel baits: Pro-favorite (and consumer-available) for cockroaches—highly attractive gel that spreads through colonies. Frequently called one of the best by exterminators and testers (e.g., Wirecutter, BHG). Also versions for ants/fire ants.
• Other baits/gels: Maxforce, Hot Shot gels, and similar. Boric acid/borax powders or homemade baits (sugar + borax) for roaches/ants.

Pro-grade DIY favorites (concentrates for mixing/spraying; more cost-effective long-term; use carefully per label, with PPE):

• Bifenthrin-based like Bifen IT (or equivalents) for perimeter/yard barriers—broad-spectrum residual spray widely recommended on forums and by DIYers.
• Tempo SC Ultra or similar pyrethroids for insects.
• Insect growth regulators (IGRs) like Gentrol for roaches (disrupts reproduction).
• Diatomaceous earth (food-grade) for crawling insects—mechanical killer, pet-safer when dry.

Subscription/DIY kit services (convenient, customized shipments with instructions; cheaper than full pro service):

• Pestie: Professional-grade rotating treatments (e.g., indoxacarb, pyrethroids); easy disposable applicators. Strong runner-up in reviews.
• DoMyOwn Pest Box: Pro chemicals tailored by location/home size; also sells individual products (baits, concentrates, etc.). Affordable monthly options.
• Sunday Lawn Care: More natural/lower-risk ingredients (oils, pyrethrin, spinosad); customizable and pet/family-friendlier. Good overall pick for many.

Natural/home remedies that people use successfully as supplements: Peppermint oil sprays, vinegar, essential oil mixes, sealing cracks, and sticky traps. These work best for prevention or light pressure, not heavy infestations.

Final Recommendations

• For most people with ongoing or serious problems: Start with quotes from Orkin and Terminix (or strong locals), plus specialists if needed (e.g., mosquitoes/wildlife). They have the scale, training, and guarantees.
• For prevention or mild DIY: Ortho Home Defense + Advion/Terro baits + perimeter spray (Bifen-type) + sanitation. Or try a subscription like Pestie/DoMyOwn/Sunday.
• Always: Identify the pest accurately (use company pest libraries or extension services), follow labels strictly (safety for kids/pets), combine methods (IPM), and re-treat/monitor. Climate, season, and region affect what works best (e.g., more mosquitoes/termites in the South).

Prices, availability, and formulations change—verify current reviews and get professional advice for valuable property or health-risk pests (e.g., bed bugs, termites, venomous spiders). Local regulations may restrict certain chemicals.