The last thing you want to see is a line of ants running across your kitchen counter while preparing dinner.
Proper pest control promises to keep pests like these out of their habitat at a price that is below many domestic competitors. Here’s what we found in this Aptive pest control review and who will benefit the most.
See suitability at a glance
- Perfect for: Homeowners who want customizable and environmentally friendly coverage for common pests
- Average cost: $50/month
- contract: 12-month agreement, early cancellation may require payment of up to $199 with promotional discount
- Compatible area: 36 states
- Biggest limitation: Not BBB certified. We do not treat bed bugs or wild animals.
- Conclusion: There is definitely value in routine pest problems, but it is not appropriate to seek specialized pest control.
Founded in 2015 in Provo, Utah, Aptive Pest Control has over 10 years of experience as one of the nation’s budget-friendly providers.
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Services provided
Aptive’s standard plan uses EPA-approved products to cover the most common pests, including ants, spiders, cockroaches, wasps, other biting pests, crickets, earwigs, silverfish, and outdoor nuisances like box bugs and stink bugs. Rodent control and mosquito treatment are available depending on the plan you choose.
Aptive plans and packages
Aptive offers three plans depending on your needs. Each plan comes with a guarantee that if the pests come back, Aptive will come back for free too. After a visit with any plan, Aptive will send you a diagnostic report with photos, notes, and recommended next steps.
- Basics: Covers 30 common household pests, including black widow spiders, brown recluse spiders, fire ants, and indoor rodents, with four service visits per year
- professional: Covers common insects and garden pests, indoor and outdoor rodent control, fly and wasp leaving devices, and six service visits per year.
- Premium: Covers mosquito and other insect protection, indoor and outdoor rodent control, fly and wasp leaving devices, and service visits every 30 days in warmer months and every 60 days in cooler months.
Aptive provides termite protection, but none of the above plans come with it, so you’ll need a separate service.
price and value
Aptive does not publish its prices online, which is standard practice for most pest control companies. Treatments vary depending on individual factors such as region, type of pest, and extent of treatment area. Based on available pricing data, the average cost of Aptive pest control services is $50 per month.
As of this writing, Aptive is offering a summer promotion where new and returning customers can get their first treatment for $49 with a 12-month service agreement. The standard initial treatment price is $399, but monthly payments under the contract are not discounted. Visit Aptive to see current offers.
Please read carefully before signing the contract. “The most commonly overlooked items are the length of the contract (the industry standard is 12 months), whether the contract auto-renew after that, and any cancellation fees that should be clearly stated,” says Eduardo Saucedo, co-founder of Pointer Pest Control in the Sacramento metropolitan area.
Aptive may require you to repay up to $199 in promotional discounts if you cancel before the end of the 12-month period.
Efficacy and quality of treatment
Aptive’s main focus is pest prevention. Visits are made seasonally and in line with local pest activity, and we focus on areas around your home to target entry points and treat pests before they invade.
This prevention-first approach is consistent with what pest control experts consider best practices. “There’s a clear difference between a company that inspects your home and tells you what you can do to prevent pests, and a company that says, ‘We’ll spray it for you,'” says Brandon Runyon, a certified entomologist with Swat Pest Management, which serves Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.
Guarantee and Guarantee
Aptive backs its services with a satisfaction guarantee. If the pests return between scheduled visits, the company will visit as many times as necessary at no additional cost.
This is a meaningful initiative with important differences. It is a reprocessing guarantee, not a pest free guarantee. Aptive will continue to appear, but we cannot promise that the issue will be completely resolved.
“The guarantee that actually protects you says that if a target pest appears during a scheduled visit, we will return for a free return visit,” Saucedo says. “The types that leave you at risk are vague about which pests and services are covered.”
Specialized insects, such as German cockroaches, are not covered by Aptive’s standard plan and are not covered by the warranty that comes with it.
Advantages and disadvantages
Aptive has real strengths for the right homeowner, but it also has limitations that are worth knowing before committing.
Strong Points
- Environmentally friendly EPA certified product
- Prevention-first approach with seasonal visits
- Diagnostic report with photos and notes after each visit
- If the target pest returns between regular visits, we will re-treat it free of charge
- Available in 36 states
Cons
- Not BBB certified
- Standard plan does not cover termites, bedbugs, or wildlife
- Aggressive sales tactics and deceptive marketing cited in customer reviews
Customer reviews and reputation
Aptive currently has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot based on over 38,000 reviews, which Trustpilot classifies as “Excellent.” Although Aptive is not a BBB accredited company, it has a BBB rating of 1.07 out of 5 based on customer reviews.
Positive reviews note courteous and knowledgeable technicians, appreciation for taking photos related to areas of concern, and effective service. Negative reviews report continued pest problems, dissatisfaction with the products used, and difficulty canceling service.
Aptive also faces multiple class action lawsuits related to deceptive marketing practices and contract terms.
Aptiv and competitors
Aptive’s closest domestic competitors are Orkin and Terminix. Orkin covers a wide range of pests, including bed bugs and wildlife, and offers a more customized treatment plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee, but it can’t match Aptive. Terminix is a more aggressive termite option, with eligible plans offering up to $250,000 in damage repairs.
The advantage of Aptive is the price. It has a lower monthly fee than either, and its three-tier plan structure allows homeowners to get more value than what its competitors offer at a comparable price.
Final verdict: Who should use Aptive?
If you are dealing with a minor pest problem on a budget, Aptive may be right for your needs. For bed bug, wildlife, and termite problems, Orkin and Terminix are better choices.
FAQ
Is Aptive a reputable company?
Aptive has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on over 38,000 reviews, which shows that most customers are satisfied with its service. However, the company is not accredited by the BBB and faces multiple class action lawsuits.
Why did Aptive lose its BBB certification?
The BBB does not publicly state why the companies lost their accreditation. Aptive may have lost accreditation based on BBB standards and Aptive’s history of legal actions related to deceptive marketing practices and contract terms.
