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Choosing the right pest control company comes with its challenges: Finding a local provider that offers comprehensive services, has a good reputation and customer reviews, and all at a reasonable cost can be especially stressful for those whose homes are actively infested by pests. Those who want to prioritize safe, eco-friendly pest control services are likely to come across Aptive in their search. Aptive is a relative newcomer to the pest control industry. The company operates in 31 U.S. states and treats a wide variety of common household pests. In just a few short years, the name has become almost synonymous with environmentally conscious pest control. Aptive has also built a reputation for giving back to the community. The company’s top-tier service has even earned it awards from Best Company and the Best in Biz Awards.
But are Aptive’s values enough to allow it to meaningfully compete with its big-name peers in the pest control industry? How effective are the services offered? Customers will need to evaluate Aptive’s offerings against other top options to find out which service is best equipped to help them rid their homes of pests.
See more of the best pest control companies, best mouse exterminators, and the best cockroach exterminators.
At a Glance
Aptive
SPECS
- Types of pests treated: Insects, rodents
- Service area: 31 states
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Certifications: Not specified
- Guarantee: Reservice guarantee
- Customer support: 24/7 by phone and live chat
PROS
- Straightforward online quote process and scheduling
- Member of EPA Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program
- Portion of company profits go to United Nations Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria campaign to stop the spread of malaria
- Guaranteed re-treatment between appointments
CONS
- Limited 31-state service area
- Limited information available online
- Termites and bed bugs not treated
- Reports of aggressive marketing tactics
Our Verdict: Aptive has successfully made a name for itself in a relatively short period of time as a result of its excellent customer reviews, easy scheduling, re-treatment guarantee, and emphasis on public health and environmental responsibility. Aptive treats 42 of the most common household pests, excluding termites, bed bugs, and wildlife. While it doesn’t yet operate in all 50 states, Aptive does have over 120 locations in the U.S. Customers can receive a free quote by speaking to a representative on the phone. Aptive’s sleek and user-friendly website makes it simple to initiate service; however, there is relatively limited information available online. Customers may need to get in touch with their local branch or Aptive’s corporate office for more detailed pricing information. The company primarily stands out through its partnerships and environmental focus. It works with two major charitable causes including United to Beat Malaria, a project of the United Nations Foundations, and Ecuadorian K-12 school Saminay-El Legado. Aptive is also a member of the EPA Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), which encourages the use of sustainable materials and practices in the pest control industry.
Aptive Review: Claims
Aptive attempts to set itself apart from competitors by claiming to be “more than just pest control.” The company cites its individualized pest treatment plans, highly trained technicians, emphasis on community outreach, and safe and sustainable products as its standout features. But does Aptive actually live up to these values and standards?
About Aptive Environmental
Founded in 2015, Aptive is relatively new to the pest control scene. In less than a decade, the company has expanded from 200 to over 2,400 employees. While not quite a nationwide company, Aptive now boasts 120 locations in 31 states across the continental U.S. and continues to grow. This growth has already attracted an impressive amount of attention. In 2021, the Best Company site honored it with the #1 Overall Company award in the pest control category. Aptive also won gold in the Business to Consumer category in the 2021 Best in Biz Awards.
Aptive treats a selection of 42 common household insects and rodents. The company cites its individualized pest treatment process, highly trained technicians, emphasis on community outreach, and safe and sustainable products as its standout features. Its seasonal approach to pest control ensures that customers’ homes are protected year-round. In the event a pest problem re-emerges, the company offers free additional treatments between preplanned visits so that customers can be confident that they are protected.
What to Expect From Aptive
A key aspect of Aptive’s brand is its commitment to communities and the environment, which is demonstrated through partnerships with humanitarian organizations as well as the EPA. Aptive’s website lists partnerships with the nonprofit organization United to Beat Malaria as well as Saminay-El Legado, a K-12 school located in the Andes Mountains in Ecuador. The company claims to have raised millions of dollars for these causes and has donated thousands of hours of volunteer time.
Aptive has also become a popular choice for homeowners who are wary of the potentially hazardous chemicals that are often present in pesticides. According to their website, “Aptive uses EPA approved products and follows all guidelines for the appropriate use of the products. Aptive is also a member of the EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, a program that engages communities in building awareness and reducing pesticide risk.” The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program encourages pest control companies to adopt an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. The goal of IPM is to reduce the harmful effects of pesticides while delivering effective pest control solutions. Additionally, Aptive’s website provides a list of chemicals used in its treatments so customers know exactly what is being used in their homes. Potential customers who value philanthropy and who are environmentally conscious may consider these key aspects to be the main benefits of choosing Aptive as their preferred pest management company.
Aptive’s Services and Plans
Aptive specializes in treating common household pests, such as ants, cockroaches, mice, and more. Unlike many other pest control services, however, Aptive does not list any treatment plan options on its website. Instead, potential customers can request a quote online or call their local branch. At this point, an Aptive representative will gather information about the home and the pest problem. The representative will then be able to make a customized treatment recommendation and schedule the first visit. During this appointment, a technician will do a thorough inspection of the home and share their findings with the homeowner. They will also begin the treatment process, which includes going around the property three times to remove any nests or webs, then identifying and sealing potential entry points for pests while applying pesticides. Finally, the technician will inspect the area within a 30-yard radius of the property for other signs of pests and spot-treat them as needed. These initial treatments aren’t effective against eggs or larvae, so the technician may need to return 20 to 40 days later to re-treat the area for the insects that have hatched in the time since the first visit.
Homeowners can also schedule ongoing maintenance services to keep pests at bay. Aptive’s treatments last around 90 days, so technicians will reservice the home once per season to avoid reinfestation. Customers who begin seeing signs of pests again between these seasonal appointments can call and have a technician come out right away at no additional cost. Aptive’s list of covered pests includes the following:
- American cockroach
- Aphid
- Argentine ant
- Black widow
- Brown-banded cockroach
- Brown recluse spider
- Centipede
- Cricket
- Deer mouse
- Earwig
- Fire ant
- Flea
- German cockroach
- Grain beetle
- Granary & rice weevil
- Harvester ant
- Hobo spider
- Housefly
- House mouse
- Indian meal moth
- Jumping spider
- Millipede
- Mosquito
- Mud dauber
- Norway rat
- Odorous ant
- Oriental cockroach
- Paper wasp
- Pavement ant
- Pharaoh ant
- Pill bug
- Roof rat
- Scorpion
- Silverfish
- Smokybrown cockroach
- Snail
- Thief ant
- Tick
- Vole
- Wolf spider
- Yellow garden spider
- Yellow jacket
Getting a Quote
First-time Aptive customers can initiate service in several ways. One option is to type in their address on the home page of Aptive’s website under “Get a tailored pest plan with unlimited support.” If the address is within the service area of an Aptive office, the customer will be prompted to create a profile by providing the following information:
- Name
- Phone number
- Email address
- ZIP code
- Discount code (if applicable)
An Aptive representative from the nearest local branch will then reach out to gather information and provide a quote. Alternatively, customers can click on “Find My Branch” and type in their ZIP code to find the nearest Aptive franchise, then call the phone number that is listed.
Scheduling
Customers can schedule their initial appointment with Aptive by requesting a quote online or calling their local branch. Unfortunately, there is no option to schedule visits on an as-needed basis. If customers opt for ongoing seasonal service, return visits will be scheduled automatically every 90 days. It may be necessary to arrange to be out of the house during the treatment, so customers can work with their representative to schedule the appointment on a day that this is possible. Aptive recommends that those who are pregnant, have breathing difficulties, or are under the age of 2 avoid contact with the treated area for at least 2 to 3 hours after application. Pets may also need to be out of the house or yard.
Customers who would like to take advantage of Aptive’s satisfaction guarantee by requesting treatment in between appointments can do so by contacting the company or their local branch. After creating an account, customers can also pay their bills and manage their appointments via the customer portal. If they need to cancel or reschedule, they can do so online or by calling their Aptive office.
Aptive Environmental Pricing
Because Aptive’s pest control services are tailored to each individual home, prices will vary from one customer to the next. Aptive does not list any prices on its website, but potential customers can call their local branch to receive a quote based on the pest, their home size, and the extent of the problem. From that point forward, customers are billed each quarter for their seasonal visits. Costs for each service will be listed in the customer’s online portal, and bills can be paid online.
Additional Services
Many big-name pest control companies offer additional services that complement their pest control treatment. For example, some can provide basement waterproofing services to remedy damp conditions that attract certain pests. Others install insulation in attics to block out potential entry points for animals and insects. Currently, Aptive’s service offerings appear to be limited to treating the 42 household pests listed on its website. Customers can confirm with their pest control technician the services their Aptive location offers.
Customer Service and Support
Anyone who finds themselves dealing with a pest infestation will want to know that the exterminator they choose can be reached at a moment’s notice. Whether they are looking to schedule a first appointment, take advantage of the Aptive guarantee, or ask a specific pest-related question, Aptive customers have three options for getting in touch with the company: calling the corporate office or their local branch, emailing customer support, or messaging the website’s virtual assistant. Aptive’s flagship office in Provo, UT is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. MT, and hours may vary among other franchise locations. The virtual chat option on Aptive’s website is available 24/7.
Aptive Guarantee
Aptive’s seasonal approach to pest control is designed to keep pests at bay all year long. But what happens if customers find signs of pests around the house before they are due for an appointment? According to Aptive’s website, “If pests come back, so will Aptive, at no additional cost.” Aptive will send a technician to the home to apply another treatment completely free of charge. Customers who need to take advantage of this guarantee can do so by calling the company’s main corporate phone number or getting in touch with their local branch.
Pest Control Resources
Most of the leading pest control companies have comprehensive pest libraries on their sites with information about the insects and animals they treat. Aptive is no exception—clicking on “Pest Library” from the menu on the right side of the website will lead to a page listing all of the covered pests in alphabetical order. Clicking on any one of these pests directs the user to a page with information about the pest’s characteristics and behavior, as well as a brief description of how Aptive treats that specific pest. The pest library also includes a search bar and some broad search topics such as “flyers” or “pest bites.” Those who click on these topics will be directed to helpful related blog posts written by Aptive’s pest experts answering specific pest questions, such as “Do You Need Pest Control in the Winter?” and “What Attracts Ants to Your Home?” These articles feature useful DIY and preventive measures that customers can take to complement their professional pest control service.
Aptive Reviews by Customers
Aptive has relatively high ratings on most customer review sites. Its profile on Best Company has an impressive score of 9.7 out of 10. However, reading individual reviews provides more insight into customer experiences. Those who rate Aptive poorly often cite aggressive door-to-door sales tactics and difficulty getting out of contracts. Several reviewers on Facebook report that Aptive representatives came to the door despite “No Soliciting” signs and refused to leave when asked. Another common complaint was that customer service representatives were rude or unhelpful. On the other hand, a significant number of Aptive reviews on Sitejabber mention how helpful, friendly, and professional the technicians and sales representatives that they interacted with were. These kinds of varying reports can often be attributed to the sheer number of franchise locations that the company has. It’s a good idea to look into customer satisfaction with Aptive as a whole as well as reviews of the nearest local branch while deciding whether or not to choose the company’s services.
How Aptive Stacks Up to the Competition
Compared to its competitors, Aptive is one of the newest pest control companies in the market. In less than a decade, its presence has exploded to over 120 locations. On one hand, the company’s rapid growth can be viewed as evidence of its success. On the other hand, some homeowners may find it preferable to select a service that has built up a solid reputation over the course of many years. Terminix is a good example—founded in 1927 as a termite control service, the company has been a trusted name in pest control for almost a century. In this time its services have expanded to cover a wide range of pests, and the company also offers services such as gutter protection and crawl space encapsulation (a Terminix review can shed light on everything clients love about Terminix). Similarly, Orkin has a long history of excellent service for most household pests with additional prevention offerings. Despite not necessarily being the first company that comes to mind with the phrase “eco-friendly pest control,” Orkin adheres to the same Integrated Pest Management approach as Aptive, and all products are registered with the EPA. Comparing Aptive to information found in an Orkin review can be useful in narrowing down which company to choose. Lastly, Ehrlich is another big-name pest control company that prioritizes environmentally friendly practices. Ehrlich’s technicians are National Pest Management Association GreenPro certified, and like Aptive, there’s a focus on ongoing seasonal pest control with the company’s PestFree365+ plan. Ehrlich has been around since 1928, but it only operates in 18 states and customers report relatively high prices. Ultimately, choosing the right pest control company comes down to finding a service that ticks all the boxes: operating in a customer’s area, providing the specific services that are needed, offering a fair price, and aligning with the customer’s priorities and values. Depending on a customer’s needs, Aptive, Terminix, Orkin, Ehrlich, or another local pest control company could potentially be the best fit.
Should you hire Aptive?
Admittedly, Aptive has a few drawbacks that potential customers will want to keep in mind. The company does not offer any additional services, treat for bed bugs or termites, or remove wildlife. It also has a relatively limited service area compared with some of its main competitors. The company initially stands out for its explicit emphasis on using safe and environmentally responsible treatments. But with limited information available online, it is unclear exactly what measures are taken toward this end that differ from Aptive’s competitors. The company does include a list of chemicals and pesticides used in its treatments; however, the average customer may not have the expertise to understand what this means for their home.
With that being said, Aptive is one of the best pest control companies for a number of reasons:
- Year-round protection: Aptive’s seasonal pest control approach takes the guesswork out of choosing from a wide array of plans.
- Community involvement: Aptive displays an impressive commitment to humanitarian causes through its partnerships with United to Beat Malaria and Saminay-El Legado.
- Easy scheduling: Aptive’s intuitive website makes it simple to request a quote and initiate service.
- EPA approval: Aptive is a member of the EPA Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program.
- Aptive guarantee: Aptive promises to re-treat whenever pests appear, which provides significant peace of mind to homeowners who are worried about reinfestation.
- Customer satisfaction: Aptive has excellent scores on customer review sites.
Ultimately, homeowners and renters who find themselves facing infestation by one of the 42 pests covered by Aptive could do a lot worse than hiring this award-winning pest control company.
FAQs
When choosing a pest control company, homeowners and renters are bound to have questions before allowing technicians to enter their homes. Here are the answers to a few additional questions about Aptive.
Q. Is Aptive a reputable company? How long has Aptive been around?
Aptive is a legitimate pest control company that was founded in 2015. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has been named the “fastest growing pest control company in the US” by Pest Control Technology (PCT) Magazine. It was named one of the “Best Companies in America” by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2019 and the “#1 Overall Company” among pest control services by the website Best Company in 2021. That being said, Aptive has over 120 locations, so customer experiences, services, and quality may vary somewhat by franchise.
Q. Is Aptive a franchise? What states is Aptive pest control in? How many locations does Aptive have?
Aptive is a franchise that operates in 31 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The company has more than 120 locations across these states. Customers can type their ZIP code into the “Find My Branch” section of Aptive’s website to find out if they have a local office nearby.
Q. Does Aptive spray for bed bugs? Does Aptive spray for mosquitoes?
Unfortunately, Aptive does not cover bed bugs. Some other common pests that are not treated are termites, carpenter ants, bees, carpet beetles, and wildlife. Aptive treats a variety of pests, mosquitoes being a recent addition to an already lengthy list.
We independently reviewed this service by weighing the company’s claims against first-hand experience with its professionals. However, due to factors such as franchising, human error, and more, please note that individual experiences with this company may vary.
