Orkin vs. Aptive: Which Is Best For You? (2023)

When you notice pests crawling, flying or creeping around your home, you only want the best pest control company. But how do you decide who to call? Here, we’ll outline two top options for you to consider: Orkin vs. Aptive.

Orkin is probably the most recognized brand in pest control, with more than 100 years in business. The company provides extensive training for personnel, which means you can be sure that your pest control professional is passionate about what they do.

Aptive on the other hand, is a newcomer in this space. But that’s not always a bad thing: with a fresh perspective on pests and a solid commitment to using only environmentally friendly practices (their pest spray is naturally derived and the company is a member of the EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program), Aptive may be the best choice for consumers looking for the safest products.

Highly trained employees and well-tested products means that your Orkin experience is likely to be pretty comprehensive. Orkin tackles a wide variety of pests using an effective combination of their patented Sentricon bait system, liquid soil treatments, and tent fumigation services. The company can also install spray foam insulation to prevent insects and other pests from entering your home through microscopic cracks or crevices in walls.

Orkin’s pricing structure isn’t readily apparent from viewing their website. The company claims to provide a customized price that suits each customer’s individual needs. However, a price estimate for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a medium-sized yard came back at $52per month with a $206 one-time inspection fee.

After your initial visit, your Orkin team will draw up a specific plan for eradicating any pests you’re dealing with, inside or out. You can then choose to have the company return periodically or to stick with one-time service.

Pests Orkin Treats

According to the company’s site, the 13 standard pests the company treats for are as follows: ants, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, mice, millipedes, pillbugs, rats, scorpions, silverfish, sowbugs and spiders. The company is known for their termite treatment and prevention plans, however, and can also handle mosquitos, both for an additional charge.

Orkin State Availability

Orkin provides pest control services in all but three states: Alaska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Company	companylogo	BBB Rating	States Serviced	Effectiveness Guarantee	learnmorectatext	learnmorectabelowtext	Learn More
ORKIN		A+	47	Yes	Learn More	On ORKIN's Website
Viking Pest Control		A	4	Yes	Learn More	On Viking's Website
TERMINIX		C-	45	Yes	Learn More	On Terminix's Website

Anyone considering using Orkin for pest control services could just as easily opt for Terminix as an alternative. As far as service offerings are concerned, the companies are virtually identical. Customers should be aware, however, of Terminix’s lower BBB rating, which could be a result of an increasing number of negative reviews online. Viking Pest Control has a similar BBB rating as Orkin, but the number of states they service is vastly different; Viking only has a presence in four of the Mid-Atlantic states.

Using a product that’s naturally derived from chrysanthemum flowers, Aptive has become one of the fastest-growing pest control companies in recent years. Its environmentally friendly approach to pest control makes it a favorite among younger families and those concerned with the safety of children and pets. Aptive prefers to take a defensive approach against pests, spraying the exterior of your home to prevent them.

However, the company does offer extermination services as well, but for a much smaller list of pests than industry giants Orkin and Terminix.

Aptive’s main product is their Seasonal Pest Control Service, and that service is estimated to cost between $560 to $620 per year. However, there may be some variations due to the degree of your infestation, and the size of your home and yard. When it comes to Orkin vs. Aptive cost per year, the two companies actually charge very similar amounts for their basic service offerings, but again, customers should be open to the possibility of wide variations due to the factors listed above.

Pests Aptive Treats

Aptive does not offer pest control service for bed bugs, termites or mosquitoes. The pests they will handle include the following: ants, cockroaches, spiders, rodents, bed bugs, fleas and ticks, bees, pantry pests, centipedes, snails, silverfish, pillbugs, millipedes, crickets and aphids.

Aptive State Availability

Aptive provides services in 24 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

Company	companylogo	BBB Rating	States Serviced	Effectiveness Guarantee	learnmorectatext	learnmorectabelowtext	Learn More
Aptive Environmental		A+	33	Yes	Learn More	On Aptive's Website
Mosquito Authority		A-	28	Yes	-
TERMINIX		C-	45	Yes	Learn More	On Terminix's Website

You’ll likely find that Aptive stacks up against Terminix in much the same way as Orkin vs. Aptive. That’s because on the surface, Orkin and Terminix are very similar in nature. Both have extensive industry experience, offer a wide suite of services and engage in one-time or repeated visits in almost any state in the U.S.

We found Aptive and Mosquito Authority to be pest control companies that are similar in nature, since both are relative newcomers who service about half the nation: 24 vs. 28 states respectively. Both companies have an A- BBB rating and both offer an effectiveness guarantee to customers.

Orkin and Aptive are two very different pest control companies and as a result, they will likely attract different sets of potential customers. With its naturally derived pest control solutions and limited list of pests handled, Aptive is more likely to attract urban or suburban people and families who tend to be concerned about the environment.

Orkin, on the other hand, offers a complete line of pesticides and termiticides to eradicate even the most invasive pests, like bed bugs and termites. The products they use are gold standards in the industry as far as effectiveness but aren’t always safe for application around kids and pets.

With a rating of 4.05 out of 5 and a BBB rating of A+, Orkin wins the top spot for Best Pest Control Company Overall. Notably, the company was also named in this category by The Spruce and Pest Strategies in 2022