4.9 — Star Rated
By 1500+ Customers
9 Fewer Harsh
industry products
Targeted treatment — handled by licensed technicians, with a 30-day warranty on every treatment.
Free quote for wasp & hornet treatment
Same-week service available · 30-day warranty
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Why Better Termite for Stinging Insects
Yellowjackets, paper wasps, hornets, and carpenter bees each call for a different method. We identify the species before we treat — no generic 'spray and hope'.
Active nest near a door, deck, or play area? We treat stinging insect calls as urgent. In most cases we can be at your home within 24–48 hours.
Most wasp, hornet, and yellowjacket treatments come with a 30-day warranty. If activity returns within that window, we come back at no extra cost.
From Your Neighbors
Real homeowners on getting nests out — and keeping the deck usable again. Same Better Promise, 30-day warranty on every treatment.
Nests we treat
The species and the nest's location both shape how we treat it. Here's how we handle the most common nests in Northern Virginia and Maryland homes.
Paper wasp umbrellas under eaves, bald-faced hornet balls in trees, mud dauber tubes on siding. Direct residual treatment applied to the nest with appropriate equipment and protective gear.
Yellowjackets coming out of a hole in the lawn, or wasps slipping behind soffits. We treat the entry point with insecticidal dust or foam, which carries through the colony.
Round holes in deck rails, fascia, or trim. We apply non-repellent dust to active galleries.
Know what's stinging
Each species nests differently and reacts differently to disturbance — which is why a single 'wasp spray' approach so often makes things worse.
½–⅝ in. Vespula spp.
The most aggressive stinging insect in Northern Virginia and Maryland. Late-summer colonies can reach thousands. They sting repeatedly, especially when their nest is disturbed near foot traffic.
Learn more
¾–1 in. Polistes spp.
The umbrella-shaped open nests under your eaves. Less aggressive than yellowjackets but defensive when you're near the nest — and impossible to ignore once they're on the porch.
Learn more
¾–1 in. Dolichovespula maculata
The football-sized gray ball in a tree. Highly defensive — they can sting through clothing and don't need to be touched to attack. Treatment is a job for protective gear and a licensed technician.
Learn more
¾–1 in. Xylocopa virginica
Less about stings, more about structural damage. Females drill into untreated wood to lay eggs, and woodpeckers tear apart siding to get at the larvae. Treatment timed for spring is what holds the next generation off.
Learn moreNot sure what you have? Snap a photo and text it to (703) 683-2000 — we'll identify it before we come out.
Why It Matters
A single defensive insect can sting dozens of times. A small nest in spring becomes a colony of thousands by late summer. And carpenter bees quietly weaken the wood holding your deck up.
Roughly 1 in 20 people will have a severe reaction to a sting. Anaphylaxis from yellowjacket or hornet stings is a leading cause of insect-related ER visits.
Unlike honeybees, wasps and hornets don't lose their stinger. A single defensive insect can sting dozens of times before retreating.
Yellowjackets often nest underground or inside wall voids. Mowing or vibration near an unseen nest is the most common trigger for an attack.
Carpenter bees tunnel into untreated wood every spring. Years of unchecked activity weakens decks, soffits, and fascia — and invites woodpecker damage.
You're never locked into a contract—stay because you want to.
Unlimited re-treats if pests return, no long-term contracts, and if we can't get results, you don't pay for your last service. Cancel anytime.
Including areas south of Fredericksburg, west to Winchester and Frederick, MD and up to Baltimore. Type in your zip code above to check your home, or give us a call to check to ensure you are in our service area.
1500+ 5 Star Reviews on Google "I highly recommend this company for your home pest control. Their technicians are thorough and have prevented any unwanted problems from happening on our property. During our last treatment, Jasmine took care of our outdoor spider webs without us even asking. Last summer they removed a mud dauber's nest under our deck and above our patio door. That attention to detail speaks volumes. Thank you for taking care of us!"
"The team at Better Termite & Pest control are phenomenal! I feel like my family and my home are in good hands. Everyone I have come into contact with has been responsive, pleasant and professional. The price is right and the service is superb!"
"Joann is amazing! She always takes time to talk with me and check inside boxes. I so appreciate her!! I have been using Better Termite and Pest Management for over 20 years."
"I love Darren over at Better Termite. He is always so attentive and kind, and really goes, IMO, out of his way to do a fantastic job. And I am so happy that I had NO MOSQUITOES this summer in my backyard in spite of the fact that there is a drainage area right behind my house, and that is 100% because of Better Termites services."
"Daren and Shay were prompt, courteous and professional. Daren has been maintaining my property for a while now. He's passionate about his work and the environment. Definitely glad I found them!"
"Better Termite has been keeping our house bug free for years with regular perimeter treatments. As a small, family owned business, they are able to personalize their approach based on your needs. It's clear that they prioritize customer service and communication. We recently had a swarm of a stinging insect take shelter under our ground-level deck, and they researched, bought necessary equipment, and came up with the best way to treat it. Highly recommend!"
"Steve was very accommodating and patient in explaining what we're dealing with and what measures he recommended to address our rodent issue. He walked through and assessed our home thoroughly for areas of concern and walked my wife and I through the treatment plan and why he recommended the treatments. Steve's customer service skills were fantastic. He spoke clearly and concisely, alleviated our concerns, and assured us of their treatment service. I also want to recognize Cindy who promptly made the service call to check up on us the next day. She confirmed the treatment that had taken place and also provided reassurance of the work. Cindy's customer service was attentive and kind. My wife and I are extremely grateful for you both!"
"I called the office to get a quote, and Kamaal was very patient in explaining the process. He stayed on the call for 30+ minutes and provided a lot of valuable information. I truly appreciate his time and professionalism. Although we ultimately went with a different company because the latter were available sooner during the holiday season, I highly recommend checking out Better if you're looking for an honest and trustworthy service team to work with."
"Better Terminate and Pest Control provide my termite inspection annually. They have kept my home termite free for over 30 years. Throughout those years they have been a pleasure to work with and they are always respectful each time they've been to my home. I would not hesitate to recommend them to others for their pest control needs."
"They have been servicing my home since 1999. Their inspector always does a good job looking indoors and outdoors for termite activities."
"Serviced my home for annual termite inspection for over 35 years! I think that speaks for itself. Technicians are thorough, polite, and trustworthy. They are quick to point out any pest concerns and offer resolutions. Highly recommend!"
"My initial review was one star. However, they reached to me to explain the situation with their new system to contact customers and schedule visits. They came out to look at the problem on time. They seemed very experienced and quickly provided assessment of the problem and made recommendation to address the issue. They were honest in their assessment and did not try to mislead me in anyway. The most important part for me was to have someone experienced and honest company provide the estimate and resolution. Once I have fixed the water leak issue and replaced the damaged material, I will call them to treat the insects. I changed my rating to five stars."
"Better Termite & Pest Control has been providing us effective and reliable service for over 20 years. Darren is our current technician, and he is wonderful. We couldn't be more pleased. Based on our experience, we would highly recommend Better Termite to anyone looking for a termite and pest control provider."
"I am a longtime (+20 year) customer of Better Termite & Pest Control because of the awesome customer service provided by Cindy. She always answers the phone with cheer and makes sure my needs for a pest free house are conveniently scheduled."
"24 years with Better Termite & Pest Control. They always have done a great job. Cindy in the main office is also so helpful. Greatly appreciated!"
"We've been a customer of Better Termite and Pest Control since moving into our Reston townhouse over 40 years ago and only stopped service because we finally moved out of the neighborhood. They have always provided great service. They treated a problem that we had many years ago, inspect for it regularly, and it has never recurred. Their regular inspections and preventive treatments avert pest problems and give great peace of mind. Cindy is especially helpful in scheduling visits and ensuring that the work is done properly. I highly recommend this business to anyone needing such services."
"Been using BT & PC for our annual inspection for over 30 years. Great service, always call ahead and leave no trace behind"
"We were blown away by the outstanding service received from Better Termite! We required a specific inspection for closing on a VA loan refinance and time was of the essence. Not only did they fully understand what was needed but they were able to accommodate our tight timeline. Every employee we spoke to or welcomed into our home was professional and courteous. We can't thank you enough for your assistance! We have been happy customers for over 10 years and will continue!"
"We've used Better Termite for 30 years. They are very professional, courteous and most of all, knowledgeable."
"We have been with Better Termite & Pest Control for 15 years & would highly recommend the company. We just renewed our service & Cindy at Better Termites was professional & helped answer all our questions regarding the renewal terms & schedule an extra service for our house. The services for general pest control & termites monitoring stations is reliable & performed on time!"
"I have been a client of Better Termite & Pest Control for decades. Their service is always A+. Cindy has always been helpful with clear explanations and quick to follow up. Being my main contact Cindy gives me great confidence in the company."
"I signed up for a plan and have been truly happy with it. This company is highly professional and very responsive. When I saw fence damage from a carpenter bee, they came out quickly to address the issue right away! Accolades to Cindy the dispatcher, and all the technicians from Juan to Daren to Fredie. I appreciate your service!"
"Edited to add: this company CONTINUES to amaze me! Last night, we found some super scary nests of stinging beasts embedded in the window screen right next to our front door. We are hosting a birthday party for our toddler on Saturday, so I was obviously distraught about potentially having to cancel given the location/danger to little kids. I left them a message AFTER they were closed, and BEFORE they were open this morning, I got an automated call from their scheduling system stating they'd be here today. It is 10:19am, and their employee is here, bravely tackling what I'm way too scared to address myself. Seriously y'all, if you have pests, and you call anyone else, you're shortchanging yourself. These pros GET. IT. DONE! We've had a subscription service with this company for yrs, since moving into our current house, and realizing it was rather...spidery. 🤮 But NO MORE! Better Termite uses pet-friendly, but not spider-friendly products, and we are now creepy crawly-free! Over the years, they've also tackled ants, bees, and HORRIBLE paper wasps! Further, Cindy and Darren are awesome to work with, and really know their stuff! I can't recommend this company enough."
"I've had nothing but great experiences for 3 years now. Their consistent, reliable service really stands out for me, and everyone is always kind and easy to talk to. I also like that they're a local, family-run business. They came with my new house protention plan and I've had no reason to ever switch. Kamaal, who I'm gonna call my customer consultant, is fantastic—he really listens to my concerns and works with me to come up with the best plan for whatever pest issues I'm dealing with. He even keeps me updated on pest trends in my area so we can stay ahead of any problems. I even had them go and take care of a mouse problem for my grandmother. Cleared out an infestation! I highly recommend them."
"Daren did an outstanding job conducting my termite inspection today. He was right on time and extremely professional thorough throughout the entire process. I did not have any problems, and he was very good with some solid advice about how to continue to guard against not only termites but other rodents as well. Cindy also expertly took care of me throughout the process. I know if I have any problems in the future.I will definitely call these folks. Outstanding job!!"
"After several months of on-again off-again rodent issues inside our house, I decided to look for a new exterminator team to partner with. Thanks to a quick ChatGPT search, I was able to cut through all the noise on the internet and find Better Termite & Pest. Following a review of their informative website, I called and spoke with Hussam—and he's awesome! He listened patiently to my issues and thoughtfully suggested services that fit my particular needs. Hussam also made it a point to pair me with a technician whose expertise aligns with the issues I am facing. My first consultation with Better Pest is this Friday, it could have been sooner but this worked best for me, and I look forward to tackling our pest problems with them!"
"Outstanding Customer Service Experience with Mr. Hussam! I want to take a moment to recognize the exceptional service I received from Mr. Hussam. From the start, he was highly professional, personable, and attentive to my needs. What truly stood out was his ability to recall our previous conversations, making the experience feel personalized and valued. His dedication and loyalty to both his job and the business were evident in the way he handled every interaction with care and expertise. He went above and beyond to ensure that I had the best experience possible. His positive attitude, commitment to excellence, and genuine concern for customer satisfaction truly set him apart. Thank you, Mr. Hussam, for your outstanding service—your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed!"
"We have used Better Termite since 1996 and we're very pleased with the results. The techs and the staff are flexible and prompt with appointments. Their price is reasonable. In 2023 we started using their pest control service for bugs and mice. Again we have been happy with the results of their service. Kamaal, I appreciate your customer satisfaction call to check us."
"Transfered my pest control service to someone new as my old service no longer served the area. My old service was fantastic and I didn't expect a business to beat it. First impression they might beat the other business! The set up of my account was easy and affordable and the best part was the actual service! Steve came by and was just the sweetest and knowledgeable guy ever! He answered all my questions and provided information on things I didn't know i needed! Just an awesome experience thus far and I have a feeling it will continue to be great. Thanks Better Termite & Pest Control!"
"They offer a reasonable termite warranty, do a good check, and no nonsense."
"We had a bad cockroach problem - we knew it was bad because of all the baby cockroaches we spotted. It took a while but Better Termite ultimately solved it and our house is cockroach free. I signed up for a plan, but ultimately when I got laid off I had to cancel it. Fortunately their customer service, Cindy in particular, was quick to help out and made it pain free"
"I highly recommend this company for your home pest control. Their technicians are thorough and have prevented any unwanted problems from happening on our property. During our last treatment, Jasmine took care of our outdoor spider webs without us even asking. Last summer they removed a mud dauber's nest under our deck and above our patio door. That attention to detail speaks volumes. Thank you for taking care of us!"
"The team at Better Termite & Pest control are phenomenal! I feel like my family and my home are in good hands. Everyone I have come into contact with has been responsive, pleasant and professional. The price is right and the service is superb!"
"Joann is amazing! She always takes time to talk with me and check inside boxes. I so appreciate her!! I have been using Better Termite and Pest Management for over 20 years."
"I love Darren over at Better Termite. He is always so attentive and kind, and really goes, IMO, out of his way to do a fantastic job. And I am so happy that I had NO MOSQUITOES this summer in my backyard in spite of the fact that there is a drainage area right behind my house, and that is 100% because of Better Termites services."
"Daren and Shay were prompt, courteous and professional. Daren has been maintaining my property for a while now. He's passionate about his work and the environment. Definitely glad I found them!"
"Better Termite has been keeping our house bug free for years with regular perimeter treatments. As a small, family owned business, they are able to personalize their approach based on your needs. It's clear that they prioritize customer service and communication. We recently had a swarm of a stinging insect take shelter under our ground-level deck, and they researched, bought necessary equipment, and came up with the best way to treat it. Highly recommend!"
"Steve was very accommodating and patient in explaining what we're dealing with and what measures he recommended to address our rodent issue. He walked through and assessed our home thoroughly for areas of concern and walked my wife and I through the treatment plan and why he recommended the treatments. Steve's customer service skills were fantastic. He spoke clearly and concisely, alleviated our concerns, and assured us of their treatment service. I also want to recognize Cindy who promptly made the service call to check up on us the next day. She confirmed the treatment that had taken place and also provided reassurance of the work. Cindy's customer service was attentive and kind. My wife and I are extremely grateful for you both!"
"I called the office to get a quote, and Kamaal was very patient in explaining the process. He stayed on the call for 30+ minutes and provided a lot of valuable information. I truly appreciate his time and professionalism. Although we ultimately went with a different company because the latter were available sooner during the holiday season, I highly recommend checking out Better if you're looking for an honest and trustworthy service team to work with."
"Better Terminate and Pest Control provide my termite inspection annually. They have kept my home termite free for over 30 years. Throughout those years they have been a pleasure to work with and they are always respectful each time they've been to my home. I would not hesitate to recommend them to others for their pest control needs."
"They have been servicing my home since 1999. Their inspector always does a good job looking indoors and outdoors for termite activities."
"Serviced my home for annual termite inspection for over 35 years! I think that speaks for itself. Technicians are thorough, polite, and trustworthy. They are quick to point out any pest concerns and offer resolutions. Highly recommend!"
"My initial review was one star. However, they reached to me to explain the situation with their new system to contact customers and schedule visits. They came out to look at the problem on time. They seemed very experienced and quickly provided assessment of the problem and made recommendation to address the issue. They were honest in their assessment and did not try to mislead me in anyway. The most important part for me was to have someone experienced and honest company provide the estimate and resolution. Once I have fixed the water leak issue and replaced the damaged material, I will call them to treat the insects. I changed my rating to five stars."
"Better Termite & Pest Control has been providing us effective and reliable service for over 20 years. Darren is our current technician, and he is wonderful. We couldn't be more pleased. Based on our experience, we would highly recommend Better Termite to anyone looking for a termite and pest control provider."
"I am a longtime (+20 year) customer of Better Termite & Pest Control because of the awesome customer service provided by Cindy. She always answers the phone with cheer and makes sure my needs for a pest free house are conveniently scheduled."
"24 years with Better Termite & Pest Control. They always have done a great job. Cindy in the main office is also so helpful. Greatly appreciated!"
"We've been a customer of Better Termite and Pest Control since moving into our Reston townhouse over 40 years ago and only stopped service because we finally moved out of the neighborhood. They have always provided great service. They treated a problem that we had many years ago, inspect for it regularly, and it has never recurred. Their regular inspections and preventive treatments avert pest problems and give great peace of mind. Cindy is especially helpful in scheduling visits and ensuring that the work is done properly. I highly recommend this business to anyone needing such services."
"Been using BT & PC for our annual inspection for over 30 years. Great service, always call ahead and leave no trace behind"
"We were blown away by the outstanding service received from Better Termite! We required a specific inspection for closing on a VA loan refinance and time was of the essence. Not only did they fully understand what was needed but they were able to accommodate our tight timeline. Every employee we spoke to or welcomed into our home was professional and courteous. We can't thank you enough for your assistance! We have been happy customers for over 10 years and will continue!"
"We've used Better Termite for 30 years. They are very professional, courteous and most of all, knowledgeable."
"We have been with Better Termite & Pest Control for 15 years & would highly recommend the company. We just renewed our service & Cindy at Better Termites was professional & helped answer all our questions regarding the renewal terms & schedule an extra service for our house. The services for general pest control & termites monitoring stations is reliable & performed on time!"
"I have been a client of Better Termite & Pest Control for decades. Their service is always A+. Cindy has always been helpful with clear explanations and quick to follow up. Being my main contact Cindy gives me great confidence in the company."
"I signed up for a plan and have been truly happy with it. This company is highly professional and very responsive. When I saw fence damage from a carpenter bee, they came out quickly to address the issue right away! Accolades to Cindy the dispatcher, and all the technicians from Juan to Daren to Fredie. I appreciate your service!"
"Edited to add: this company CONTINUES to amaze me! Last night, we found some super scary nests of stinging beasts embedded in the window screen right next to our front door. We are hosting a birthday party for our toddler on Saturday, so I was obviously distraught about potentially having to cancel given the location/danger to little kids. I left them a message AFTER they were closed, and BEFORE they were open this morning, I got an automated call from their scheduling system stating they'd be here today. It is 10:19am, and their employee is here, bravely tackling what I'm way too scared to address myself. Seriously y'all, if you have pests, and you call anyone else, you're shortchanging yourself. These pros GET. IT. DONE! We've had a subscription service with this company for yrs, since moving into our current house, and realizing it was rather...spidery. 🤮 But NO MORE! Better Termite uses pet-friendly, but not spider-friendly products, and we are now creepy crawly-free! Over the years, they've also tackled ants, bees, and HORRIBLE paper wasps! Further, Cindy and Darren are awesome to work with, and really know their stuff! I can't recommend this company enough."
"I've had nothing but great experiences for 3 years now. Their consistent, reliable service really stands out for me, and everyone is always kind and easy to talk to. I also like that they're a local, family-run business. They came with my new house protention plan and I've had no reason to ever switch. Kamaal, who I'm gonna call my customer consultant, is fantastic—he really listens to my concerns and works with me to come up with the best plan for whatever pest issues I'm dealing with. He even keeps me updated on pest trends in my area so we can stay ahead of any problems. I even had them go and take care of a mouse problem for my grandmother. Cleared out an infestation! I highly recommend them."
"Daren did an outstanding job conducting my termite inspection today. He was right on time and extremely professional thorough throughout the entire process. I did not have any problems, and he was very good with some solid advice about how to continue to guard against not only termites but other rodents as well. Cindy also expertly took care of me throughout the process. I know if I have any problems in the future.I will definitely call these folks. Outstanding job!!"
"After several months of on-again off-again rodent issues inside our house, I decided to look for a new exterminator team to partner with. Thanks to a quick ChatGPT search, I was able to cut through all the noise on the internet and find Better Termite & Pest. Following a review of their informative website, I called and spoke with Hussam—and he's awesome! He listened patiently to my issues and thoughtfully suggested services that fit my particular needs. Hussam also made it a point to pair me with a technician whose expertise aligns with the issues I am facing. My first consultation with Better Pest is this Friday, it could have been sooner but this worked best for me, and I look forward to tackling our pest problems with them!"
"Outstanding Customer Service Experience with Mr. Hussam! I want to take a moment to recognize the exceptional service I received from Mr. Hussam. From the start, he was highly professional, personable, and attentive to my needs. What truly stood out was his ability to recall our previous conversations, making the experience feel personalized and valued. His dedication and loyalty to both his job and the business were evident in the way he handled every interaction with care and expertise. He went above and beyond to ensure that I had the best experience possible. His positive attitude, commitment to excellence, and genuine concern for customer satisfaction truly set him apart. Thank you, Mr. Hussam, for your outstanding service—your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed!"
"We have used Better Termite since 1996 and we're very pleased with the results. The techs and the staff are flexible and prompt with appointments. Their price is reasonable. In 2023 we started using their pest control service for bugs and mice. Again we have been happy with the results of their service. Kamaal, I appreciate your customer satisfaction call to check us."
"Transfered my pest control service to someone new as my old service no longer served the area. My old service was fantastic and I didn't expect a business to beat it. First impression they might beat the other business! The set up of my account was easy and affordable and the best part was the actual service! Steve came by and was just the sweetest and knowledgeable guy ever! He answered all my questions and provided information on things I didn't know i needed! Just an awesome experience thus far and I have a feeling it will continue to be great. Thanks Better Termite & Pest Control!"
"They offer a reasonable termite warranty, do a good check, and no nonsense."
"We had a bad cockroach problem - we knew it was bad because of all the baby cockroaches we spotted. It took a while but Better Termite ultimately solved it and our house is cockroach free. I signed up for a plan, but ultimately when I got laid off I had to cancel it. Fortunately their customer service, Cindy in particular, was quick to help out and made it pain free"
In most cases we can have a licensed technician at your home within 24–48 hours. Nests near doors, decks, or play areas usually qualify for next-day service. Call our Alexandria office — a real local person picks up.
Approach depends on the species and nest location. Ground-nesting yellowjackets get residual insecticide and dust at the entrance. Aerial paper wasp and bald-faced hornet nests get direct residual treatment. Wall-void colonies get insecticidal dust or foam. Carpenter bees get non-repellent dust applied to active galleries.
Yes — most wasp, hornet, and yellowjacket treatments come with a 30-day warranty. If activity returns within that window, we come back at no additional cost.
No — honeybees are protected pollinators. If you have a honeybee swarm or colony, we'll refer you to a local beekeeper who can relocate them. We do treat carpenter bees, which are not honeybees.
Our materials are EPA-approved and ones our team uses around their own homes. Treatments target the nest directly rather than broadcast spraying, which keeps non-target areas — and pollinators — out of the path.
Many stinging insect issues are resolved with a one-time treatment of the active nest. If you have repeated activity year over year (common with carpenter bees and paper wasps), an annual visit timed before peak season is usually more effective than reactive calls.
We strongly recommend against it. Wasps and hornets can sting repeatedly and become highly defensive when a nest is disturbed. Even with store-bought spray, nests in wall voids or underground often aren't fully treated, and aggressive insects can pour out in numbers.
Yes, depending on the industry and property type. Contact our team with the details and we'll let you know if we can help.
No binding contracts. You'll sign a simple service proposal so we're clear on what we're providing, and you can cancel anytime with 30 days notice.
Better Termite & Pest Control has been family-owned since 1968 and has served Northern Virginia and Maryland continuously through three generations of the Schulz family. We currently maintain a 4.9 rating across 1500+ verified reviews and an A+ rating with the BBB.
Yes — in addition to our Alexandria and Northern Virginia footprint, we service most of Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland. Stinging insect control in Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Takoma Park, Hyattsville, College Park, Bowie, and surrounding zip codes is on the route. Call (703) 683-2000 and we'll confirm coverage for your specific zip code.
