Analyzing 7,185,9777.2M ReviewsFor 20,38520.4K Experts
We graded 10 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 52,155 Google reviews of 73 top-rated rodent control nationwide; 10 of them in Richmond, VA. Updated November 2, 2026.
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of rodent control).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  GreenShield Home & Pest Solutions - RichmondRichmond, VA | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%97+52.9Reliability 24%100+24.2Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Experts Score= 98Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAA | 4.97 | $88 |
| 2 | ClearDefense Pest ControlRichmond, VA | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%98+53.5Reliability 24%98+23.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 98Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.98 | $113 |
| 3 |  James River Pest SolutionsRichmond, VA | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%96+52.4Reliability 24%96+23.3Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Experts Score= 97Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.97 | $147 |
| 4 |  Cedar Pest Control of RichmondRichmond, VA | A 93How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%93+50.7Reliability 24%94+22.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%82+5.8Craft & service penalty94−0.6Experts Score= 93Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.92 | $93 |
| 5 |  Accel Pest & Termite ControlRichmond, VA | A 93How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%91+49.6Reliability 24%93+22.5Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty94−0.6Experts Score= 93Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.91 | $108 |
| 6 |  Landlock Pest ControlRichmond, VA | A 93How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%90+49.1Reliability 24%93+22.5Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Experts Score= 93Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAA | 4.90 | $91 |
| 7 |  Go-Forth Pest ControlRichmond, VA | A 91How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%89+48.5Reliability 24%88+21.3Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 91Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.90 | $83 |
| 8 |  Mitchell Pest ServicesRichmond, VA | A 86How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%92+50.2Reliability 24%91+22.1Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty92−0.8Momentum penalty33−6.7Experts Score= 86Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAADA | 4.90 | $190 |
| 9 |  Solve Pest ProsRichmond, VA | A 86How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%88+48Reliability 24%88+21.3Value 14%90+12.7Replies to reviews 7%76+5.4Craft & service penalty90−1Experts Score= 86Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAB | 4.86 | $53 |
| 10 |  Frontline Pest and Termite of RichmondRichmond, VA | B 74How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%85+46.4Reliability 24%82+19.9Value 14%93+13.2Replies to reviews 7%65+4.6Momentum penalty0−10Experts Score= 74Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AFB | 4.88 | $54 |
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General pest inspection | $50 | $83 | $119 | 99% |
| Ant extermination | $58 | $128 | $173 | 99% |
| Spider extermination | $86 | $126 | $181 | 99% |
| Rodent extermination | $96 | $191 | $323 | 98% |
| Bug & insect extermination | $58 | $99 | $136 | 99% |
| Hornet & wasp extermination | $83 | $141 | $199 | 98% |
| Cockroach extermination | $83 | $119 | $214 | 98% |
| Home inspection | $56 | $101 | $151 | 99% |
| Mosquito extermination | $58 | $79 | $103 | 98% |
| Termite inspection | $85 | $133 | $214 | 96% |
| Flea & mite extermination | $93 | $140 | $246 | 98% |
| Termite extermination | $198 | $282 | $426 | 97% |
How the 10 rodent control we rated in Richmond, VA compare, and what customers praise most.
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
Average stars per company.
Share of Google review highlights.
All price verdicts left with reviews.
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
The 10 best-rated rodent control in Richmond, VA average 4.9★ on Google across 15,427 reviews. ClearDefense Pest Control has the top rating (5.0★). Updated November 1, 2026.
10 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (15,427 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.
“We previously used EcoShield. Switching was the best decision we could have made. Everyone we have talked to has been incredibly kind and knowledgeable. Great customer service from a local company, the way you want…” — Google review
“James River Pest is an awesome company! They are highly responsive and truly care about their customers. They incapsulated my crawlspace and my AC company came out to do some work and commented on what an incredible…” — Google review
“Had our first visit today, you can tell a lot about companies by the professionalism and friendliness of staff. Chandler was on time, friendly, and thorough in his explanations and questions. Pretty sure my dog…” — Google review
“My technician Dylan was Great 👍 awesome to talk to very hands on with walking me through exactly what he was doing on time and communicated very while before and while at my property explained everything in detail…” — Google review
“Jonathan was very pleasant, thorough and knowledgeable with the service(s). definitely look forward to working with him again..” — Google review
“We had scratching sounds in the attic at night and suspected rodents. The technician inspected roof edges and ventilation points and found a small entry gap. He placed traps and bait carefully without making a mess.…” — Google review
“Debbie is proud of Accel Pest and Termite control. I must love her outstanding service today @ my location. Thanks Miss. Dabbie.” — Google review
“Bailey communicated well, was very friendly. Explained everything, asked us what our preferences were for service. It made us feel glad we chose Solve Pest Pros and confident it was the right decision.” — Google review
“Long-time customer of Landlock and Anthony is one of the best techs we've had, friendly and professional. Hope he continues to service our home. Thanks Anthony!” — Google review
“We signed up for their service today after meeting with Ryan, the sales rep who came to our home. He was absolutely fantastic!!! He was so thorough, informative & educating, not pushy at all... He was so incredibly…” — Google review
We scan Google Maps for rodent control listings in and around Richmond, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
ClearDefense Pest Control has the highest Google rating on our Richmond list: 5.0 out of 5 from 5,461 reviews (as of November 1, 2026).
ClearDefense Pest Control has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 5,461, with a 5.0★ average.
Only open Richmond-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.
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Analyzing 7,185,9777.2M ReviewsFor 20,38520.4K Experts