Your Pest, Our Problem
Pest Control Service in Columbus, OH
Boydes Exterminating Co inspects, treats and seals out ants, roaches, bed bugs, mice, rats and stinging insects for Columbus homes and businesses. We have worked from Dunning Rd since 1990, and same-day visits happen when the schedule allows.
- Serving Columbus since 1990
- 4.5★ from 55 Google reviews
- Owner-run, based on Dunning Rd
- One-time or recurring service
A pest control service (exterminator services) in Columbus, OH means someone finds the pest, works out how it got in, treats it and tells you what keeps it out. That is the whole job, and it is the job we have done around central Ohio since 1990. One phone number, one shop on the east side, and an owner customers know by name.
Most calls start with something specific: an ant trail on the counter, roaches when the kitchen light comes on, scratching in a wall at night, a nest under the eaves. Tell us what you are seeing and where. We will tell you what it likely is, what the visit involves and what it will cost before any work starts.
Pest control services for Columbus homes and businesses
Bed Bug ControlInspection, treatment options and prep help
Cockroach ControlAll four Ohio species, kitchens to basements
Insect ControlAnts, fleas, spiders, flies and the rest
Stinging Insect RemovalWasps, hornets, yellow jackets and bees
Rodent ControlMice and rats, trapped and sealed out
Commercial Pest ControlRestaurants, hotels and apartment managersFor homeowners and property owners
Residential Pest Control
Pest Inspections & Prevention
Termite & Timber-Pest Inspection
Termite Treatment
Recurring Pest Control Plans
One-Time Pest Treatment
Pest Exclusion & Sealing
Pet-Friendly Pest ControlWhat does a pest control service in Columbus, OH include?
Every job comes down to four things. The order stays the same, whether it is one visit for hornets or a follow-up schedule for a building full of apartments. A recurring pest control plan in Columbus covers the same four parts, on a schedule.
We look where the pest lives and travels: basement, kitchen, baths, attic access and the outside of the house. For food businesses, that means prep lines, drains and storage.
Interior treatment starts with crack and crevice work, which puts product into the narrow gaps where insects hide, such as baseboard seams and the space behind appliances. Perimeter treatment covers the outside band of the foundation, sometimes with a granular barrier, a product spread on the soil that pests cross. Rodents get traps or bait stations.
Spraying deals with what is there today. Exclusion deals with how it got in. We point out the gaps that matter, and our pest exclusion and sealing work closes them.
Some jobs need one visit. Others need a return trip. We have always offered follow-up visits biweekly, monthly, bimonthly or as needed, so you pay for the schedule the pest calls for.
Which pests are most common in Columbus homes?
These are the seven we get asked about most. Each one leaves a sign you can check tonight.
| Pest | What you will notice |
|---|---|
| Ants | A trail along the counter or floor that leads back to a hidden entry point |
| Cockroaches | Roaches scattering when the kitchen light turns on, or droppings like ground pepper in cabinets |
| Mice and rats | Scratching in walls at night, mouse droppings near the pantry or under the sink |
| Spiders | Webs at the eaves, in the basement and behind stored boxes |
| Bed bugs | Small dark spots on mattress seams and itchy bites after sleeping, often in a line. Bite marks alone do not confirm bed bugs, so an inspection settles it |
| Termites | Mud tubes running up the basement foundation |
| Wasps and hornets | Steady traffic at the eaves or a growing paper nest |
Ant control in Columbus, Ohio and the work of a cockroach exterminator in Columbus lean on baits and crack and crevice work, while Columbus rodent control pairs traps with sealing. For bed bug treatment in Columbus, we have used residual treatment, Aprehend and heat, and we can talk through a preparation service if getting ready is more than you can manage. We also handle termite treatment, mosquito control, spider control and wasp nest removal across Columbus, so one call usually covers it.
How does a pest control treatment work, step by step?
- You call and describe itWe ask what you see, where, and for how long. Many stinging insect jobs can be identified from a description alone.
- We ask about people and petsAllergies, babies, pets and fish tanks all change the plan, so we ask before anything is applied, at every visit.
- We inspect and identifyThe product and the method change with the species, so the pest gets identified first.
- We treat the right placesCrack and crevice work indoors, perimeter treatment outside, traps or bait stations for rodents, and label directions followed every time.
- We show you the entry pointsYou get a plain account of what let the pest in and what would close it off.
- We set the follow-upYou leave knowing whether a return visit is needed, when it would happen and what to do in the meantime.
Can you get same-day pest control in Columbus, OH?
Yes, when the schedule allows. It depends on where we are that day and how many urgent pests are already on the list, so the earlier you call, the better your odds. We will tell you straight whether today is realistic.
- Wasps and hornets at a door or near someone with an allergy. Stay clear and keep kids and pets away. Trouble breathing after a sting is a 911 call, not a call to us.
- Rodents: fresh droppings, scratching in the walls or a mouse in the kitchen.
- Bed bugs: new spots on mattress seams or fresh bites.
- Cockroaches out in daylight, and any pest in a food business.
Have the address and the pest ready, plus a photo if you can get one. We work Monday to Thursday 8 am to 7 pm, Friday 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday 10 am to 5 pm. We are closed Sunday, so this is not a round-the-clock service. See same-day pest control in Columbus for how a same-day request works.
Seeing something right now?
Tell us what it is and where. We will tell you what it likely is and what happens next.
- Serving Columbus since 1990
- 4.5★ from 55 Google reviews
- Owner-run, based on Dunning Rd
- One-time or recurring service
Tell us what you are dealing with
Calling is fastest. The form comes to the same desk, and we call you back during business hours.
Call (209) 563-1650Why Columbus calls Boydes Exterminating
Same trade, same part of town. We are based at 1967 Dunning Rd in the 43219 ZIP, on the east side of Columbus.
Customers write about Mr. Boyde, Rob and Mr. B by name. There is no sales team between you and the person doing the work.
Price depends on the pest and how far it has spread, so we explain the cost before we start. Reviewers call out fair pricing again and again.
Need a nest gone? That can be one trip. Managing rentals? We can set a recurring schedule instead. You choose what fits. See residential pest control in Columbus for how that works at home.
Over the years we have worked with hundreds of homeowners, hotels and restaurants across central Ohio, and apartment managers too.
Reviewers say Mr. Boyde is honest, explains what to look for and has a sense of humor about the whole thing.
A Columbus company with its name on the truck
Boyde's Exterminating Company was established in 1990 by Mr. Robert Boyde. It has worked with hundreds of homeowners, hotels and restaurants in central Ohio and has earned a reputation for getting the job done.
Today the owner is Robert J. Boyde Jr., known to customers as Mr. Boyde, Rob, Robert or Mr. B.
The motto has not changed either: Your Pest, Our Problem. Neither has the way we work: honest, professional, affordable.
How much does pest control cost in Columbus, OH?
We price by the type of pest and the extent of the infestation, so we quote your job rather than quote a menu. Third-party estimates give you a rough frame: one 2026 price aggregator shows $90 to $550 for a one-time visit in Columbus, and CityCostData (December 2025) shows $99 to $605 per visit. Those figures are estimates from other sources, not our prices.
Five things move the price per visit: the pest type, the home size and layout, how far the problem has spread, how many entry points need attention, and whether you want one visit or a schedule. Our guide to pest control cost in Columbus walks through each one.
| Option | Best for | Visits |
|---|---|---|
| One-time treatment | A single active pest, such as a wasp nest or an ant trail | One visit, with a return trip if the job calls for it |
| Recurring plan | Older homes, rentals and food businesses that see repeat pressure | Biweekly, monthly, bimonthly or as needed |
| Rodent proofing | Mice or rats coming in through foundation gaps | Varies by the number of openings |
| Termite inspection | Mud tubes, wood damage or a Columbus home purchase | One inspection |
Should you choose a recurring pest control plan or a one-time treatment?
Choose a one-time treatment for a single active pest, such as a wasp nest or an ant trail. Choose a recurring plan for prevention when pests keep coming back, which is common in older homes, rentals and food businesses. Many companies sell quarterly pest control in Columbus. We set the visit frequency to the building instead, and our one-time vs recurring guide helps you decide.
How do you compare pest control quotes in Columbus?
Put each written quote side by side and check these lines:
- Scope: which pests, which rooms and whether exclusion work is included.
- Visit count: one-time or recurring, with the schedule stated.
- Initial treatment and ongoing price: a first-service discount lowers one visit, not the plan price, so read the promo terms.
- Re-treatment: a pest control guarantee covers re-treatments only when the written terms say so. Ask for the service window on a callback and the exclusions.
- Reviews: read the recent ones along with the review count.
Pest pressure in Columbus: older homes, rentals and the half-inch rule
Columbus has roughly 188,000 homes built before 1978, about 45% of the city's housing units, and about 46% of Franklin County's units are that old too (Census ACS). Pre-1978 housing likely gives mice and insects more ways in through foundation cracks, aging vents and sill plates. That is our read from the trade, not a published statistic, and the basement is where it usually shows first. Columbus Health Code §221.03 sets the bar: openings of half an inch or more within 48 inches of ground level should be sealed (Columbus Public Health). A mouse-sized gap is smaller than most people expect.
What is the half-inch rule in the Columbus rodent code?
Columbus Health Code §221.03, updated December 1, 2025, requires rodent-proofing material where an opening of half an inch or more, within 48 inches of ground level, could reasonably admit rodents (Columbus Public Health). Walk your foundation with a flashlight and check:
- Pipes and utility lines where they enter the wall
- Foundation and crawl space vents
- The sill plate, where the wood meets the foundation
- Foundation cracks and open mortar joints along the basement wall
- Garage door corners and worn seals
City Code §4123.49 also calls for a rodent-proof apron around the full building perimeter, at least 4 inches thick when built of masonry or concrete. Foam patches around pipes are a common weak spot, because mice chew through them. Spraying closes none of this. Rodent exclusion does.
Rentals change the picture too. About 56% of Columbus homes are renter-occupied (ACS 2019-23), and roaches and bed bugs travel between shared walls. Under the Columbus Health Code, the owner of a building with two or more units is responsible for eliminating pests. See who pays for pest control in an Ohio rental. Rental pest control in Columbus starts with paperwork: send written notice, keep dated photos of droppings, damage and bites, and note when you first saw the problem. Property owners can start with Columbus pest control for renters and landlords.
A Columbus seasonal pest calendar
This is our working guide, not a published study. Columbus averages about 39.3 inches of rain a year, with July the wettest month, and about 53°F, so a wet spring or a warm fall moves these windows.
| Season | Seasonal pests | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Ants, termite swarmers, wasp queens starting nests | Follow ant trails to the entry point and check the foundation line |
| Summer | Paper wasps, mosquitoes, fleas, flies | Check the eaves, dump standing water, treat pets and carpets together |
| Late summer and fall | Yellow jackets, stink bugs, boxelder bugs, mice | Deal with nests early and seal gaps before the first cold snap |
| Winter | Mice, cockroaches, bed bugs | Check the basement and storage areas, since indoor pests do not take the winter off |
The seasons run in a loop here. Ants and wasps build through spring and summer, yellow jacket nests peak in late summer, and when the cold comes, mice and stink bugs look for a way indoors. Pests also seem to like this town: Columbus was No. 11 on Orkin's 2024 bed bug cities list and No. 15 on its 2026 rattiest cities list.
Found a gap, droppings or a nest?
Call and tell us what you found and where. A photo helps.
- Serving Columbus since 1990
- 4.5★ from 55 Google reviews
- Owner-run, based on Dunning Rd
- One-time or recurring service
Pest control across Columbus and central Ohio
We work from Dunning Rd in Franklin County and cover Columbus and the central Ohio towns around it. Pick your town to see what we run into there. Whether you need an exterminator in Columbus, Ohio, pest control in Worthington, pest control in Gahanna, pest control in Dublin or pest control in Upper Arlington, the shop is the same. We work across pest control in Franklin County and into Delaware County, Licking County and Fairfield County.
What Columbus customers say
4.5 stars from 55 Google reviews, checked November 2026. Read more reviews · Leave a review
Mr. Boyde’s company is responsive and honest. They answer phone calls, give estimates, and come to your home quickly. Pricing is true to market price with no surprise charges.
Rob is a great find. Today was the second time he came out because I found two more yellow jacket nests. One in the ground and one at the foundation of the house. He came out the same day I called.
Great service. Super dependable. Calls right back. This time he was able to come out same day.
Mr. Boyde made everything a breeze and put me at ease!
Had a large hornets nest in a tree in front of my home. They knew exactly what type it was with just a description and explained how they would remove the nest.
Excellent service, very easy to schedule appointments. No inspection needed to get the job done sooner and very forward about the cost.
From the blog
Found a Hornet Nest in Columbus? What to Do FirstFound a hornet nest? Skip the spray, then ask if same-day removal is possible in Columbus.
Pest Seen in Your Restaurant? Your First 24 HoursPest in a Columbus restaurant? What to do in the first 24 hours, before the next service. 
Stung by Yellow Jackets? When a Ground Nest Is UrgentYellow jacket ground nest emergency? Learn when it is urgent in Westerville and Columbus. Find us on Dunning Rd
Boydes Exterminating Co
1967 Dunning Rd, Columbus, OH 43219
- Mon-Thu: 8am to 7pm
- Fri: 8am to 6pm
- Sat: 10am to 5pm
- Sun: Closed
We take cash, check, debit card, credit card.
Pest control in Columbus: your questions
How much does pest control cost in Columbus?
It depends on the pest type, the home size and how far the problem has spread, so we price the job after hearing the details. Third-party estimates put a one-time Columbus visit around $90 to $605 per visit, but those are not our quotes. Call (209) 563-1650 and we will talk through your situation.
Why do clean Columbus homes still get pests?
Because pests want warmth, water and a way in, not dirt. Mice follow heat through a half-inch gap, ants follow moisture, and bed bugs ride in on luggage or furniture. A clean house makes treatment easier, but it does not close a gap in the foundation.
What happens during a Boydes visit?
We ask about allergies and pets, inspect, identify the pest and treat the places it lives and travels. Then we show you the entry points and tell you whether a follow-up is needed. Most homeowners are surprised by how much of the visit is looking rather than spraying.
Do you handle pests that are not listed on this page?
Yes, in most cases, so call and ask. Our service list runs from ants and earwigs to pantry moths and carpenter bees. If it turns out to be something we do not treat, we will say so and point you in a better direction instead of booking a visit.
Do I have to sign a contract?
No, not for one-time work. You call, we treat, you pay for that job. If a recurring schedule makes sense, we will explain the terms before you agree to anything. Plenty of customers call only when something shows up, and you decide how often we come back.
Can you come out today?
Yes, often. Customers tell us we came the same day they called, and we do it when the schedule allows. Stinging insects near a door and pests in a food business go to the front of the line. Call early in the day for the best chance.
When should I start pest control in Columbus?
At the first sign: droppings, an ant trail or a nest at the eaves. Waiting usually means a bigger job, because ant colonies and rodent numbers both grow. If you would rather stay ahead of it, a seasonal or quarterly schedule works well for older homes.
Is the landlord or the tenant responsible in a Columbus rental?
For a building with two or more units, the Columbus Health Code puts pest elimination on the owner (Columbus Public Health). Tenants should send written notice with dated photos. We work with both tenants and property managers, and our apartment pest control page explains how.
What should I know about pest treatment around kids and pets?
Tell us about children, pets and allergies before we start, because they change the plan. The product's label directions set the dry time and re-entry period, so keep kids and pets out of treated areas until that passes. Ask us for the product name and re-entry time. The OSU Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program also answers questions at 614-292-4070.
How do you get rid of mice in a Columbus basement?
Trap them and seal the openings. Photograph the droppings and note where they sit, since placement points to travel paths. Set traps along walls near the droppings, then seal openings of half an inch or more within 48 inches of ground level with rodent-proof material. If mice keep returning, a Columbus mouse exterminator can handle the exclusion work. Our mouse removal page explains how.
Sources
- Columbus Public Health, Columbus Health Code §221.03 and owner duties in multi-unit dwellings
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-23 (housing tenure and year built)
- CityCostData, Columbus pest control cost estimates, December 2025
- Orkin Top 50 Bed Bug Cities 2024 and Rattiest Cities 2026 press lists
- Columbus City Code §4123.49, rodent-proof apron requirements
- NOAA climate normals for Columbus, Ohio (1991-2020)
- OSU Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program
Your pest, our problem
Call the shop on Dunning Rd. If we can get there today, we will say so.
- Serving Columbus since 1990
- 4.5★ from 55 Google reviews
- Owner-run, based on Dunning Rd
- One-time or recurring service