Companies in our line of work are sometimes referred to as exterminators and/or pest control providers.  To exterminate something is to eliminate or to get rid of it entirely.  To control something is to suppress, subdue, dominate or to change something.

The two terms are both applicable in our industry and may be used appropriately at differing times depending on the target pest that is being pursued.

An example of extermination may be the goal to eliminate a bed bug infestation that has been introduced into a structure.  The goal of the “exterminator” regarding this pest problem would be to eliminate, as quickly as possible, this insidious insect.  Some pests only become a problem when they are specifically introduced by means other than the immediate outside natural environment to a structure.  These are usually the situations where the call for an exterminator and extermination of the problem is needed.  Pests that would come under this classification would include bed bugs and German cockroaches to name a couple.

Pest control on the other hand would take into account the fact that certain pests may continue to be a chronic problem because they originate from the immediate exterior environment or they are introduced into the structure on a recurring basis, therefore, measures are implemented in the long run to minimize the presence of  the target pest(s) by methods that are feasibly possible.  If somebody were dealing with spiders continually entering their home (possibly because of the age and dilapidation of the home), the requesting party may enlist the services of a pest control company to provide suggestions and treatment to reduce the amount of activity that would otherwise be present without pest control service.  Pests that fall under this category may include but are not limited to ants, earwigs, mice, spiders, wasps, etc.

Some pests may fall under both categories depending on geography, temperature and other factors.