Are All Pest Control Companies the Same? Not Even Close.
No — pest control companies are not all the same. While most use similar products and cover the same common pests, how they treat your home, your family, and your community is where the real differences show up. Here's what actually matters when choosing a pest control company in Northwest Florida.
Do All Pest Control Companies Use the Same Products?
Mostly yes — the core chemistry (pyrethroids, baits, growth regulators) is available to all licensed companies. But products are only part of the equation. What separates a good company from a great one is how the technician applies them — the inspection thoroughness, placement precision, and whether they're treating the source or just the symptom.
A technician who's been treating NW Florida homes for decades knows where Formosan termites like to hide in Crestview construction, how palmetto bug pressure shifts after the summer rains, and which entry points get missed on slab homes in Niceville. That local knowledge isn't in any bottle.
What Actually Separates Pest Control Companies?
1. Local Knowledge vs. National Scripts
National pest control franchises train technicians on generic regional protocols. A locally-owned company like Cadenhead Services has spent 40+ years learning the specific pest pressure patterns, soil conditions, and construction styles of Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties. That difference shows up on your first visit.
2. Contracts vs. No Contracts
Many large companies lock you into annual contracts with cancellation fees. Cadenhead Services has never required a contract. We earn your business every single visit — which means we have to actually show up and do the job right.
3. Consistent Technicians vs. Whoever's Available
With high-turnover national franchises, a different face shows up every quarter. Our technicians know your property, your pets, your concerns. That consistency matters — especially for ongoing pest management where history is everything.
4. Reviews That Reflect Real Work
Cadenhead Services holds a 4.9★ Google rating built over years of real NW Florida customers — not review incentive campaigns. We've earned Nextdoor's Neighborhood Fave award every year from 2020 through 2024. Check us, then check the competition.
5. Community Investment
When you hire a national franchise, your money leaves Northwest Florida. When you hire Cadenhead Services, a portion of every service helps fund Okaloosa Read — our free monthly book program delivering age-appropriate books to children birth to age 5 across Okaloosa County, through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. We protect homes and invest in the families inside them.
How to Compare Pest Control Companies — A Quick Checklist
- ✅ Are they locally owned, or a national franchise?
- ✅ Do they require a contract?
- ✅ Are they licensed in Florida? (Look for a valid JB license number)
- ✅ What's their actual Google review score — and how many reviews?
- ✅ Will you get the same technician each visit?
- ✅ Do they offer a service guarantee?
- ✅ Are their technicians familiar with NW Florida's specific pest pressures?
Cadenhead Services checks every box. Licensed under FL JB365, locally owned since 1983, no contracts, 4.9★ reviews, and technicians who know Okaloosa County like their own backyard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pest control worth it if I only see bugs occasionally?
Yes — occasional sightings usually mean a larger hidden population. Regular quarterly service prevents infestations before they start, which is far less expensive than reactive treatment.
How do I know if a pest control company is licensed in Florida?
Ask for their Florida pest control license number and verify it at the Florida Department of Agriculture website. Cadenhead Services' license is JB365.
Do I need a contract for pest control service?
Not with every company. Cadenhead Services has never required a contract — you can cancel anytime. We believe in earning your loyalty through results, not paperwork.
Are national pest control franchises better than local companies?
Not in our experience. Local companies often provide more consistent technicians, deeper regional knowledge, and better customer relationships — without the overhead and profit-extraction of a national brand.
What makes Cadenhead Services different from other pest control companies in Crestview FL?
Family-owned since 1983, no contracts, 4.9★ Google rating, FL license JB365, consistent local technicians, and a community program — Okaloosa Read — that puts free books in the hands of NW Florida children every month.
Ready to work with a company that actually knows your neighborhood? Call us at (850) 682-4333 or schedule online.
