The Difference Between Pest Control and Extermination

Exterminators use pesticides to get rid of unwanted pests, while pest control professionals focus on why the pests are present in the first place and seek long-term solutions.

The Difference Between Pest Control and Extermination

Are pest control and extermination the same thing? Not quite. Exterminators use pesticides to get rid of unwanted pests, but these chemicals can be more toxic than necessary. On the other hand, pest control professionals focus on why the pests are present in the first place and seek to alter the conditions that attracted them. Pest control is a programmed pest management program.

The first step may involve an exterminator to immediately eradicate a current infestation. Long-term pest control focuses on controlling the influx of daily pests that tend to attack or appear. The difference is to exterminate an invasion of spiders versus routine preventive pest control measures that help prevent the problem from recurring. There are many distinctions between pest control professionals and exterminators, but the goal of eliminating pests can be similar.

Pest control is used to reduce most pests in and around the house; however, this will not eliminate all pests 100%. Since problem pests often returned, this led to the development of pest control rather than the extermination of pests. Pest control companies tend to be more informed about effective ways to eliminate each specific pest. Professional pest control will be necessary to completely eliminate bed bugs or any other pests from your home.

Rather than simply applying pesticides to destroy the pests you encounter, the main change is that pest control professionals are looking for long-term solutions. Rather than simply using pesticides to destroy the pests you see, PCPs are looking for long-term solutions to their pest problems. Pest control companies strive to be more knowledgeable about successful ways to eliminate each particular pest, in addition to using fewer chemicals. But now you know that no matter what term you use, professional pest control offers the best solution.

Evelyn Roma
Evelyn Roma

General wildlife advocate. Wine aficionado. Hiking enthusiast. Incurable yoga practitioner. Total coffee advocate.