# Better Termite & Pest Control

> Family-owned pest and termite control company serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland (the DMV) since 1968. Headquartered at 2647 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. 4.9-star rated by 1,800+ customers, with a 58+ year track record across termite inspections, Sentricon termite baiting, year-round home pest control, mosquito and tick programs, rodent exclusion, and stinging-insect removal. Known for using safer chemistries — we avoid 9 of the harshest pesticides still common in the industry. Free phone quotes at 703-683-2000.

## Core Services (Pillar Pages)
- [Home Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/pest-control/): Year-round protection plan for homes across the DMV.
- [Termite Control](https://bettertermite.com/termite-control/): Inspections & treatments for homes across the DMV.
- [Rodent Control](https://bettertermite.com/rodent-control/): Mice, rats & exclusion for homes across the DMV.
- [Mosquito & Tick Control](https://bettertermite.com/mosquito-control/): Seasonal yard programs for homes across the DMV.
- [Extermination Services](https://bettertermite.com/extermination-services/): Year-round protection plans for homes across the DMV.
- [Eco-Friendly Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/eco-friendly-pest-control/): EPA-approved, low-impact program for homes across the DMV.
- [Sentricon® Termite Baiting](https://bettertermite.com/sentricon/): Colony elimination, no drilling for homes across the DMV.
- [IN2CARE® Mosquito System](https://bettertermite.com/in2care/): Auto-dissemination station for homes across the DMV.
- [Commercial Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/commercial-pest-control/): Offices, historic sites, HOAs for homes across the DMV.
- [Pre-Construction Termite Control](https://bettertermite.com/pre-construction-termite-control/): Builder soil treatment programs for homes across the DMV.

## Pest Library — Pillar Categories
- [Ants](https://bettertermite.com/pests/ants/): Ants invading your home? Expert ant control stops infestations at the source and prevents them from returning. Discover common species and get help today.
- [Aquatic Insects](https://bettertermite.com/pests/aquatic-insects/): A list of 20 aquatic insects, which bugs can swim, which ones bite in pools, and what lives in Northern Virginia streams, from a local pest expert.
- [Assassin Bugs](https://bettertermite.com/pests/assassin-bugs/): Learn about assassin bugs including wheel bugs and masked hunters. Discover how to identify these predators and when they may become a concern in homes.
- [Bed Bugs](https://bettertermite.com/pests/bed-bugs/): Learn how to identify bed bugs, understand their behavior and warning signs, and what bed bug treatment involves. Better Termite does not treat bed bugs.
- [Bees](https://bettertermite.com/pests/bees/): Bee problem near your home? Learn to identify common bees and get professional bee control and removal services. Expert assessment for your situation.
- [Carpet Beetles](https://bettertermite.com/pests/carpet-beetles/): Learn to identify carpet beetles and their damaging larvae. Discover what attracts them to homes and how professional treatment eliminates infestations.
- [Centipedes](https://bettertermite.com/pests/centipedes/): Centipedes in your home? Learn to identify common species and discover expert treatment methods. Better Termite and Pest Control eliminates them fast.
- [Cicadas](https://bettertermite.com/pests/cicadas/): Learn about cicadas, their identification, lifecycle, and when they emerge. Discover the difference between annual and periodical cicadas in North America.
- [Cockroaches](https://bettertermite.com/pests/cockroaches/): Cockroach problem? Expert cockroach control that eliminates infestations and prevents them from returning to your home. Learn how to identify them.
- [Crickets](https://bettertermite.com/pests/crickets/): Learn about cricket species, their distinctive chirping behavior, and effective control methods. From house crickets to lawn-damaging mole crickets.
- [Earwigs](https://bettertermite.com/pests/earwigs/): Learn how to identify and control earwigs in your home. Our expert treatments eliminate these pincher bugs and prevent them from coming back.
- [Fleas](https://bettertermite.com/pests/fleas/): Learn how to identify, prevent, and eliminate flea infestations. Expert flea control services for your home and pets from Better Termite & Pest Control.
- [Flies](https://bettertermite.com/pests/flies/): Learn about common household flies, what attracts them, and effective control methods. Identify drain flies, fruit flies, and other fly species.
- [Garden Pests](https://bettertermite.com/pests/garden-pests/): Garden pests damaging your plants? Learn to identify aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, and other common garden pests. Get effective control tips.
- [Gnats](https://bettertermite.com/pests/gnats/): See the common types of gnats in a simple ID chart, what a gnat looks like up close, and which ones bite. A plain guide from a Northern Virginia tech.
- [Grasshoppers](https://bettertermite.com/pests/grasshoppers/): Learn about grasshoppers, their identification, behavior, and garden damage. Discover what attracts these jumping insects and effective control methods.
- [Lace Bugs](https://bettertermite.com/pests/lace-bugs/): Lace bugs damaging your azaleas, rhododendrons, or other ornamentals? Learn about identification, damage symptoms, and effective control options.
- [Millipedes](https://bettertermite.com/pests/millipedes/): Millipedes creeping inside your home? Learn what attracts these moisture-loving pests and discover proven treatments to eliminate them for good.
- [Mites](https://bettertermite.com/pests/mites/): What do mites look like? See the common types of mites in a simple ID chart, from clover mites to chiggers, and which ones bite. Northern Virginia guide.
- [Moles](https://bettertermite.com/pests/moles/): Moles destroying your lawn? Learn about mole behavior, signs of yard damage, and professional control methods to protect your landscaping.
- [Mosquitoes](https://bettertermite.com/pests/mosquitoes/): Take back your yard with expert mosquito control. Our treatments reduce bites fast and provide lasting protection. Learn how to prevent mosquitoes.
- [Moths](https://bettertermite.com/pests/moths/): Learn to identify clothes moths and pantry moths, understand damage signs, and discover effective treatments. Expert moth control from Better Termite.
- [Other Pests](https://bettertermite.com/pests/other/): Stink bugs, earwigs, or other occasional invaders in your home? Learn to identify these nuisance pests and get effective control from Better Termite.
- [Pantry Pests](https://bettertermite.com/pests/pantry-pests/): Learn to identify and eliminate pantry pests including Indian meal moths, flour beetles, and grain weevils. Expert pest control from Better Termite.
- [Pillbugs](https://bettertermite.com/pests/pillbugs/): Pillbugs invading your home? Learn why roly-polies get inside, how to identify them, and proven prevention and treatment methods from pest experts.
- [Plant Bugs](https://bettertermite.com/pests/plant-bugs/): Plant bugs damaging your garden or landscape? Learn to identify common species, understand the damage they cause, and discover effective control methods.
- [Rodents](https://bettertermite.com/pests/rodents/): Mice or rats in your home? Expert rodent control that eliminates infestations and seals entry points to keep them out. Learn more here.
- [Silverfish](https://bettertermite.com/pests/silverfish/): Silverfish damaging your books and fabrics? Learn to identify these moisture-loving pests and discover expert treatments to protect your home.
- [Slugs](https://bettertermite.com/pests/slugs/): Types of slugs in Virginia and Maryland and what each looks like: gray field, leopard, yellow, dusky and Carolina mantleslug. Size, color and ID chart.
- [Spiders](https://bettertermite.com/pests/spiders/): Spiders invading your home? Expert spider control that eliminates infestations and prevents them from coming back. Learn how to identify species.
- [Stink Bugs](https://bettertermite.com/pests/stink-bugs/): Learn how to identify, prevent, and treat stink bug infestations. Discover common species in Northern Virginia and expert pest control solutions.
- [Termites](https://bettertermite.com/pests/termites/): Stop termites before they cause costly damage. Get year-round protection with our proven termite control solutions. Learn the warning signs.
- [Ticks](https://bettertermite.com/pests/ticks/): Learn how to identify, prevent, and treat ticks in Northern Virginia. Expert tick control keeps your yard protected with seasonal treatments.
- [Wasps](https://bettertermite.com/pests/wasps/): Wasp nest on your property? Our professional wasp removal eliminates nests and prevents wasps from returning. Get a free inspection today.
- [Wood Boring Beetles](https://bettertermite.com/pests/wood-boring-beetles/): Spot wood boring beetle damage before it spreads. Learn to identify infestations, recognize warning signs, and discover proven treatment options.

## Top Service Areas
- [Pest Control Alexandria](https://bettertermite.com/locations/pest-control-alexandria/)
- [Fairfax Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/locations/fairfax-pest-control/)
- [Germantown Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/locations/germantown-pest-control/)
- [Bethesda Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/locations/bethesda-pest-control/)
- [Montclair Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/locations/montclair-pest-control/)
- [Severn Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/locations/severn-pest-control/)
- [Northern Virginia Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/locations/northern-virginia-pest-control/)
- [Burke Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/locations/burke-pest-control/)
- [Kensington Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/locations/kensington-pest-control/)
- [Takoma Park Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/locations/takoma-park-pest-control/)
- [All Service Areas](https://bettertermite.com/locations/)

## Specialty Services
- [Free Termite Inspection](https://bettertermite.com/termite-inspection/)
- [Wood-Destroying Insect Report (WDI Letter)](https://bettertermite.com/wood-destroying-insect-report/)
- [VA Loan Termite Letter](https://bettertermite.com/va-termite-letter/)
- [Termite Bonds & Warranties](https://bettertermite.com/termite-bonds/)
- [Ant Control](https://bettertermite.com/ant-control/)
- [Carpenter Ant Control](https://bettertermite.com/carpenter-ant-control/)
- [Sugar Ant Control](https://bettertermite.com/sugar-ant-control/)
- [Spider Control](https://bettertermite.com/spider-control/)
- [Roach Control](https://bettertermite.com/roach-control/)
- [German Cockroach Control](https://bettertermite.com/german-cockroach-control/)
- [Oriental Cockroach Control](https://bettertermite.com/oriental-cockroach-control/)
- [American Cockroach Control](https://bettertermite.com/american-cockroach-control/)
- [Flea Control](https://bettertermite.com/flea-control/)
- [Silverfish Control](https://bettertermite.com/silverfish-control/)
- [Carpet Beetle Control](https://bettertermite.com/carpet-beetle-control/)
- [Pantry Pest Control](https://bettertermite.com/pantry-pest-control/)
- [Stink Bug Control](https://bettertermite.com/stink-bug-control/)
- [Lady Bug Control](https://bettertermite.com/lady-bug-control/)
- [Boxelder Bug Control](https://bettertermite.com/boxelder-bug-control/)
- [Cricket Control](https://bettertermite.com/cricket-control/)
- [Tick Control](https://bettertermite.com/tick-control/)
- [Earwig Control](https://bettertermite.com/earwig-control/)
- [Millipede Control](https://bettertermite.com/millipede-control/)
- [Centipede Control](https://bettertermite.com/centipede-control/)
- [Pill Bug Control](https://bettertermite.com/pill-bug-control/)
- [Springtail Control](https://bettertermite.com/springtail-control/)
- [Clover Mite Control](https://bettertermite.com/clover-mite-control/)
- [Stinging Insect Control](https://bettertermite.com/stinging-insects/)
- [Wasp Control](https://bettertermite.com/wasp-control/)
- [Hornet Nest Removal](https://bettertermite.com/hornet-nest-removal/)
- [Yellow Jacket Nest Removal](https://bettertermite.com/yellow-jacket-nest-removal/)
- [Bee Removal](https://bettertermite.com/bee-removal/)
- [Bee & Wasp Nest Removal](https://bettertermite.com/bee-nest-removal/)
- [Carpenter Bee Control](https://bettertermite.com/carpenter-bee-control/)
- [Mouse Control](https://bettertermite.com/mouse-control/)
- [Rat Control](https://bettertermite.com/rat-control/)
- [Rodent Exclusion Services](https://bettertermite.com/exclusion-services/)

## Company
- [About Better Termite](https://bettertermite.com/about/): Founded 1968, 3rd-generation family ownership, based in Alexandria, VA.
- [Contact](https://bettertermite.com/contact/): Phone 703-683-2000, email info@bettertermite.com.
- [Reviews](https://bettertermite.com/reviews/): 1,800+ reviews, 4.9-star average across Google and other platforms.
- [Service Areas Index](https://bettertermite.com/locations/): Full list of Virginia, Maryland, and DC cities we cover.

## Optional
- [Full Pest Library](https://bettertermite.com/pests/all/): 600+ identification pages for individual species.
- [Blog Index](https://bettertermite.com/blog/): Pest identification, seasonality, and DIY guidance articles.
- [German Cockroach Infestation: How to Identify, Prevent, and Eliminate These Pests](https://bettertermite.com/blog/german-cockroach-infestation/): Learn how to identify and eliminate a German cockroach infestation. Expert tips on signs, health risks, prevention, and professional treatment options.
- [How Fast Do Cockroaches Reproduce? A Pest Control Expert Explains](https://bettertermite.com/blog/how-fast-do-cockroaches-reproduce/): Learn how fast cockroaches reproduce. German roaches can produce 30,000 offspring per year. Expert tips to stop infestations before they explode.
- [How to Get Rid of Roaches Permanently: A Complete Guide](https://bettertermite.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-roaches-permanently/): Learn how to get rid of roaches permanently with proven methods from pest control experts. Covers gel baits, IPM strategies, and when to call a pro.
- [How to Get Rid of Small Roaches: A Complete Guide](https://bettertermite.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-small-roaches/): Learn how to get rid of small roaches in your home. Expert tips on identifying German cockroaches, effective DIY treatment methods, and when to call a pro.
- [How to Get Rid of Wood Roaches (And Why They're Not as Bad as You Think)](https://bettertermite.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-wood-roaches/): Learn how to get rid of wood roaches with proven DIY methods. Discover why wood roaches aren't like German roaches and how to keep them out of your home.
- [Roaches in Bathroom: Why They're There and How to Get Rid of Them](https://bettertermite.com/blog/roaches-in-bathroom/): Discover why cockroaches love your bathroom and learn proven methods to eliminate them. Expert tips from a licensed pest control technician in Northern VA.
- [Roaches in Kitchen: Why They're There & How to Get Rid of Them](https://bettertermite.com/blog/roaches-in-kitchen/): Find roaches in your kitchen? Learn why cockroaches love kitchens, where they hide, and how to eliminate them with tips from a licensed pest technician.
- [7 Signs of a Cockroach Infestation (And What to Do Next)](https://bettertermite.com/blog/signs-of-cockroach-infestation/): Learn the 7 warning signs of a cockroach infestation in your home. Find out what attracts roaches, where they hide, and when to call a professional.
- [Termite Larvae: What They Look Like and What They Mean for Your Home](https://bettertermite.com/blog/termite-larvae/): Learn what termite larvae look like, how to identify them, and what finding them means for your home. Expert guide from Better Termite & Pest Control.
- [What Do German Cockroaches Look Like? Complete ID Guide](https://bettertermite.com/blog/what-do-german-cockroaches-look-like/): Learn what German cockroaches look like with photos. Identify size, color, markings, and how to tell them apart from other common roach species.
- [Where Do Cockroaches Hide? 9 Common Spots in Your Home](https://bettertermite.com/blog/where-do-cockroaches-hide/): Learn where cockroaches hide in your home. Expert guide covers kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and more. Find roach hiding spots before infestations grow.
- [Wolf Spider Pictures: Photo ID Guide for Homeowners](https://bettertermite.com/blog/wolf-spider-pictures/): See real wolf spider pictures and learn to identify these common spiders. Expert photo guide from Better Termite covers size, markings, and eye patterns.
- [I Accidentally Vacuumed Mouse Droppings: What to Do Now](https://bettertermite.com/blog/accidentally-vacuumed-mouse-droppings/): Accidentally vacuumed mouse droppings? Don't panic. Here's what to do now, how to clean the vacuum, and which symptoms over the next 8 weeks need a doctor.
- [Drywall Signs of Carpenter Ants: 7 Clues Hiding Behind Your Walls](https://bettertermite.com/blog/drywall-signs-of-carpenter-ants/): Drywall signs of carpenter ants: sawdust at the baseboard, rustling in the wall, slit holes in trim and winged ants indoors. How to check and what to do next.
- [Yellow Jacket Sting Won't Stop Hurting? What It Means](https://bettertermite.com/blog/yellow-jacket-sting-wont-stop-hurting/): Yellow jacket sting pain usually fades in hours. If it won't stop hurting, it may be a large local reaction or an infection. See when to call a doctor or 911.
- [Does Salt Kill Fleas? What the Research Actually Shows](https://bettertermite.com/blog/does-salt-kill-fleas/): Does salt kill fleas? There's no proof it does. It can't reach cocooned fleas or fleas on your pet, and it's toxic to dogs and cats. Here's what works instead.
- [Lone Star Tick Map: Where Lone Star Ticks Live in 2026](https://bettertermite.com/blog/lone-star-tick-map/): See where lone star ticks live on the CDC range map, how far north they've spread, and what health officials say about them in Virginia, Maryland, and DC.
- [My House Is Clean, So Why Do I Have Mice? 7 Real Reasons](https://bettertermite.com/blog/why-do-i-have-mice/): Mice in a clean house usually mean a gap, not a mess. See the 7 real reasons mice move into tidy homes, why fall is worse, and what actually keeps them out.
- [Mice in Walls but Not in the House? Here's Why (and What to Do)](https://bettertermite.com/blog/mice-in-walls-but-not-in-house/): Hear mice in your walls but never see them in the house? Here's why mice stay hidden in wall voids, how to confirm it's mice, and how to get them out for good.
- [Can Rats Climb Walls? Yes, Here's How High They Go](https://bettertermite.com/blog/can-rats-climb-walls/): Can rats climb walls? Yes. Rats scale brick, wood and concrete, shimmy up pipes and run along wires. See what stops them and how to keep them off your home.
- [What Happens If You Get Bit by a Lone Star Tick?](https://bettertermite.com/blog/lone-star-tick-bite/): Bit by a lone star tick? Here's what usually happens, the symptoms the CDC says to watch for, how alpha-gal fits in, and when to call a doctor about the bite.
- [What Happens If You Kill a Wasp in Your House?](https://bettertermite.com/blog/what-happens-if-you-kill-a-wasp-in-your-house/): Kill a wasp in your house and usually nothing happens. More wasps only come if a nest is close by. Here's when one wasp indoors points to a nest in the wall.
- [Do Mothballs Repel Mice? Why They Won't Keep Mice Away](https://bettertermite.com/blog/do-mothballs-repel-mice/): Do mothballs repel mice? No. The fumes that would drive mice out are strong enough to make your family sick, and using them for mice breaks the label. See why.
- [Rodent Poop Chart: Identify Droppings by Size and Shape](https://bettertermite.com/blog/rodent-poop-chart/): Use this rodent poop chart to match droppings by size, shape and location. Compare mouse, rat, squirrel, chipmunk and bat droppings plus common look-alikes.
- [Do Coffee Grounds Repel Ants? Barely, and Not for Long](https://bettertermite.com/blog/do-coffee-grounds-repel-ants/): Do coffee grounds repel ants? Only a little, and only where you sprinkle them. Some research shows coffee scent can even attract ants. See what works instead.
- [Does Baking Soda and Sugar Kill Roaches? What the Research Shows](https://bettertermite.com/blog/does-baking-soda-kill-roaches/): Does baking soda and sugar kill roaches? It can kill a few that eat it, but extension experts say it does little to cut roach numbers. See what works instead.
- [Does Cinnamon Deter Ants? Briefly, But It Won't Stop Them](https://bettertermite.com/blog/does-cinnamon-deter-ants/): Does cinnamon deter ants? Briefly. Cinnamon oil repels ants in lab tests, but ground cinnamon fades fast and never reaches the nest. See what actually works.
- [Bay Leaves for Roaches: Do They Actually Work?](https://bettertermite.com/blog/bay-leaves-for-roaches/): Do bay leaves repel roaches? Lab extracts did for a short time, but no study shows dried leaves clear a home. Here's what bay leaves can do and what works.
- [Does Citronella Repel Mosquitoes? Oil, Candles and Plants Tested](https://bettertermite.com/blog/does-citronella-repel-mosquitoes/): Does citronella repel mosquitoes? A little, for a short time. See how citronella oil, candles and plants did in studies, and what works better in your yard.
- [How Many Yellow Jacket Stings Are Dangerous?](https://bettertermite.com/blog/how-many-yellow-jacket-stings-are-dangerous/): One yellow jacket sting can be dangerous if you're allergic. With no allergy, doctors want labs after 50+ stings in adults or 1 per kg in kids. See the signs.
- [Do Mice Carry Rabies? What the CDC and Local Data Say](https://bettertermite.com/blog/do-mice-carry-rabies/): Do mice carry rabies? Almost never. The CDC says small rodents are rarely infected, and Virginia had zero rabid mice in 2024. See what to do after a mouse bite.
- [Wasp Sting Swelling After 48 Hours: Is It Normal?](https://bettertermite.com/blog/wasp-sting-swelling-after-48-hours/): Wasp sting swelling after 48 hours is often a large local reaction that peaks at 2-3 days and fades in about a week. Signs of infection and when to call 911.
- [What Does a Brown Recluse Bite Look Like? Stages, Signs, and Look-Alikes](https://bettertermite.com/blog/what-does-a-brown-recluse-bite-look-like/): What a brown recluse bite looks like hour by hour and week by week, the red, white and blue sign, common look-alikes like MRSA, and when to see a doctor.
- [Do Dryer Sheets Repel Mice? No, and Mice May Nest in Them](https://bettertermite.com/blog/do-dryer-sheets-repel-mice/): Do dryer sheets repel mice? No. There is no rodent research behind it, the scent fades in days, and mice can shred the sheets for nests. Here is what works.
- [Does Peppermint Oil Repel Spiders? What the Research Really Shows](https://bettertermite.com/blog/does-peppermint-oil-repel-spiders/): Does peppermint oil repel spiders? Some species, yes. A study found it worked on 2 of 3 spiders tested. See which ones, how long it lasts and what works better.
- [Do Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Work? What the Research Shows](https://bettertermite.com/blog/does-ultrasonic-pest-repeller-work/): Does an ultrasonic pest repeller work? Not reliably. Studies show mice and rats get used to the sound, and roaches, ants and mosquitoes ignore it. Here's why.
- [Are Mice in Walls Dangerous? Yes, Here Are the 5 Real Risks](https://bettertermite.com/blog/are-mice-in-walls-dangerous/): Are mice in walls dangerous? Yes. They chew wiring, ruin insulation, spread germs and allergens, and leave odors. Here are the 5 real risks and what to do next.
- [Does Peppermint Oil Repel Roaches? What Lab Studies Actually Show](https://bettertermite.com/blog/does-peppermint-oil-repel-roaches/): Does peppermint oil repel roaches? In lab tests, yes. But it won't reach roaches in your walls or stop eggs from hatching. See what works on German roaches.
- [What States Have Hantavirus? Cases by State From CDC Data](https://bettertermite.com/blog/hantavirus-cases-by-state/): 40 states plus DC have reported hantavirus. See the state-by-state CDC case counts, the 10 states with zero cases, and what it means for Virginia and Maryland.
- [Brown Recluse vs House Spider: How to Tell Them Apart](https://bettertermite.com/blog/brown-recluse-vs-house-spider/): Brown recluse vs house spider: compare eyes, legs, webs, and size side by side with photos, and learn which one is really in your Virginia or Maryland home.