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Truly Nolen vs. Orkin in Orlando, Florida: Buyer’s Guide

Comparing pest control in Orlando, FL? See why Orkin outperforms Truly Nolen in coverage, guarantees & local service. Get your Orkin quote today!
Key Takeaways
- Central Florida’s year-round warm, humid climate keeps ants, cockroaches, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, and stinging insects active continuously, so recurring service is essential.
- Truly Nolen is a legitimate, family-owned company founded in 1938 with an Orlando presence, but its published materials do not document a first-year training requirement comparable to Orkin’s 160 hours.
- Orkin Pros complete 160 hours of training in their first year, follow the five-step Orkin Pro Process on every visit, and deliver a detailed service report listing findings, treatments, and EPA-registered products.
- The Orkin Guarantee covers free return visits if pests reappear between scheduled services, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee, and Orkin’s local Orlando branch trains technicians on Central Florida-specific pests and regulations.
- Orkin is the best Orlando pest control choice for a Central Florida home. Every visit comes from a local Orlando branch, and every Orkin Pro completes 160 hours of first-year training, follows the five-step Orkin Pro Process, and stands behind the work with the Orkin Guarantee.
Truly Nolen Pest Control Background in Orlando, Florida
Truly Nolen is an established, family-owned pest control company with more than 85 years in business and an Orlando presence. The company describes itself as one of the largest family-owned pest control providers in the United States, with company branches across several states and additional franchises. For your home, the decision comes down to what happens at the door: how thoroughly the technician inspects, how well trained that person is, what the plan includes, and what support you receive if pests return between visits.
For quick contact, Truly Nolen lists a dedicated Orlando, Florida community page and separate phone lines for new and current customers. For Orkin, you can call 877-819-5061, answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, get a free online quote, request a callback, or text. Same-day service is available in many areas when you call before noon.
Orkin in Orlando, Florida: Local Branch, National Support
Orkin operates in Orlando through a local branch that focuses on Central Florida conditions. Local Orkin Pros live and work in the community and receive training on Orlando’s specific pests, climate, and regulations. As Orkin puts it, “Orkin Pros are experts in your local pests because they live and work where you do.”
Orkin’s local presence covers Orlando and surrounding communities including Kissimmee, Winter Garden, Lake Mary, and Alafaya. Each local page describes nearby neighborhoods, climate, and the pest calendar, so the Orkin Pro arriving at your door already knows what is active in your part of Orlando.
Here is what the local Orkin Pro brings to your home:

- 160 hours of training in the first year, delivered through live broadcast classes, e-learning, and hands-on field demonstrations, in a program recognized on Training Magazine’s Top 125 list.
- A science team that includes Board Certified Entomologists who review protocols, approaches, and materials so every Orkin Pro arrives prepared.
- The same five-step Orkin Pro Process on every visit: Inspect, Diagnose, Protect, Monitor, Report.
- A detailed service report after every visit, listing what was found, what was treated, every product used with its EPA registration number, and what to expect next.
On speed and access, Orkin’s phone line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Same-day service is available in many areas when you call before noon, with next-day service available after that.
What Orlando, Florida Homeowners Are Actually Fighting
Orlando’s hot, humid climate keeps pest activity going almost all year. UF/IFAS urban entomology research notes that warm, humid conditions create an ideal environment for cockroaches, termites, and rodents. It also finds that pest seasons are lengthening as temperatures rise. Orkin’s Seasons of Pest Protection maps this reality across six pest seasons: Swarm, Breeding, High, Prep, Invader, and Shelter. In much of Central Florida, those transitions compress together, so year-round recurring protection becomes the practical approach.
Six pests drive most calls from Orlando-area single-family homes, and each one shows how fast populations rebound. Continuous breeding is the main reason one-time treatments rarely hold.

- Ants: With over 15,000 different species of ants, control requires a tailored solution. A typical colony holds over 100,000 ants, so a surface spray reaches only a fraction of it. Fire ant colonies often have multiple queens and large colonies can have up to 250,000 workers, which makes DIY treatment especially difficult. Ghost ants and white-footed ants add to the problem because they dominate Florida household infestations and thrive in constant humidity.
- Cockroaches: Orkin Pros use expert knowledge of over 30 common cockroach species. The American cockroach, commonly called the palmetto bug in Florida, is a frequent unwelcome guest. German cockroach egg capsules hold about 30 to 40 eggs, and nymphs can mature in as little as 54 days. Infestations grow quickly, so a multi-step approach is necessary.
- Rodents: House mice can squeeze through gaps the size of a dime, and rats need only an opening the size of a quarter. Roof rats are skilled climbers that reach Orlando attics through tree canopies and roofline gaps. UF/IFAS Extension recommends exclusion as the primary prevention strategy. Orkin’s Protect step includes sealing entry points as standard practice. Wildlife and rodent rules vary by state, and Orkin follows state and local regulations.
- Stinging Insects: A yellow jacket colony may contain 1,000 or more workers by fall. Most nest in the ground, at the base of trees, in sidewalk cracks, in house siding, or under porches. UF/IFAS Extension advises homeowners to consider hiring a professional pest control company when stinging insects must be removed near a structure. Do not attempt to disturb nests yourself. For Orlando-area yellow jacket and wasp concerns, see Yellow Jacket Control in College Park, Orlando: Safe and Fast and Wasp Control Near Lake Nona, Orlando: Fast Nest Removal.
- Termites: UF/IFAS Extension reports that 20 termite species are established in Florida, six of which exclusively or often infest structures. Subterranean termites typically swarm in spring after warm rains. Orkin offers free termite inspections.
- Mosquitoes: Orlando’s wet season, roughly June through September, fuels heavy mosquito breeding. UF/IFAS Extension notes that Florida’s climate allows mosquitoes to remain part of outdoor life year-round. For mosquito concerns in the Orlando area, see Mosquito Control Near College Park, Orlando: 32804 Zip Code.
Quarterly or recurring service matters in Central Florida because pest populations breed continuously. A one-time spray rarely finishes the job when new pressure arrives with every season.
What Pest Control in Orlando, Florida Costs and How to Compare
Because pest pressure never fully stops in Orlando, most homeowners focus on what year-round protection costs and what it includes. Pest control cost in Orlando depends on the type of pest, the size of the home, how severe the infestation is, the treatment method, and how many visits are needed. No honest provider quotes a single flat number for every home. Orkin builds a customized plan and provides a free, personalized, no-obligation quote instead of a generic monthly figure.
On value, the difference usually appears over a year rather than on a single invoice. Orkin plans include more frequent visits and follow-ups, and the Orkin Guarantee covers free touch-up visits if pests return between scheduled services. Specialty services such as rodent exclusion, termite treatment, and dedicated mosquito programs are typically quoted separately from a general pest plan, whichever provider you choose.
Before signing with any Orlando pest control company, ask these questions:
- Training: How many hours of training does the person at the door complete, and is that training specific to Central Florida pests? Orkin Pros complete 160 hours in their first year.
- Inspection Depth: Does the technician inspect for the root cause, or does the visit begin with a routine spray? Orkin’s Orkin Pro Process starts with Inspect and Diagnose before any treatment.
- Root Cause Targeting: Does the plan address entry points, moisture, and harborage, or only the pests in sight?
- Follow-Up Policy: If pests return between visits, does the company come back at no extra charge? The Orkin Guarantee covers free return visits between scheduled services.
- Reporting and Transparency: Do you receive a written record of what was found, what was treated, and every product used? Orkin provides a detailed service report after every visit.
- Local Presence: Does the company have a local branch with local people who know Orlando’s specific pest pressures and regulations? Orkin does.
Florida pest control businesses are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Homeowners can verify any provider’s current license status before hiring.
The Orkin Pro Process and the Orkin Guarantee
Every Orkin service follows the same five steps, so homeowners know what to expect on every visit with every Orkin Pro.
- Inspect: A complete inside-and-out inspection to identify active pests, potential problem areas, and conditions that may attract future infestations. Orkin spends real time finding why pests are there.
- Diagnose: Using training and tools including moisture meters, telescoping cameras, UV lights, and pest monitors, the Orkin Pro identifies the specific pest and the underlying factors driving activity, such as entry points, food sources, or moisture.
- Protect: Targeted treatments around the perimeter and interior, removal of accessible webs and nests, and sealing of entry points. EPA-registered products are applied according to the label, only where needed, and treatment is customized to the home’s location, climate, and situation. As the EPA requires, pesticides must be applied according to their label.
- Monitor: Pest monitors installed in high-risk areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, and garages track ongoing activity and support year-round prevention.
- Report: After every visit, the homeowner receives a detailed service report showing what was found, what was treated, every product used with its EPA registration number and where it was applied, post-treatment guidelines, and what is coming next.
On safety, keep people and pets off treated surfaces until dry, which may take one to two hours. Many homes receive routine treatment only on the outside. Product labels are available for review at any time.
The Orkin Guarantee states that if pests return between scheduled visits, the Orkin Pro comes back at no extra charge. A 30-day money-back guarantee also applies. See your service agreement for details.

Why Orkin Over Truly Nolen for an Orlando, Florida Home
Truly Nolen is a legitimate, established company with an Orlando presence, a family-owned history dating to 1938, and a service menu that includes pest, termite, and rodent control. Its quarterly Four Seasons plan includes unlimited callbacks between scheduled visits, and the company describes itself as offering local attention with national resources.
Several documented trade-offs matter when you compare plans for an Orlando home.
- Training: Orkin Pros complete 160 hours of training in their first year, in a program recognized on Training Magazine’s Top 125 list. Truly Nolen’s published materials do not document a comparable first-year training hour requirement.
- Science Team: Orkin’s technical team includes Board Certified Entomologists (BCE), Associate Certified Entomologists (ACE), chemists, wildlife biologists, and microbiologists. They continuously review protocols and materials. Truly Nolen lists one Associated Certified Entomologist available through its Ask an Expert feature.
- Process Consistency: The Orkin Pro Process applies the same five steps on every visit. The service report after every visit documents what was found, what was treated, and every product used with its EPA registration number.
- Guarantee Terms: The Orkin Guarantee covers free return visits between scheduled services and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Truly Nolen’s service agreement includes a cancellation fee, and its written policy requires a 30-day resolution window before that fee is waived for unresolved issues.
- Contract Terms: Truly Nolen’s core plan is a 13-month agreement. Orkin’s service agreements are flexible, with no specific cancellation fee, though ending service before the initial term may require payment of the remaining balance.
- Local Presence: Both companies have an Orlando presence. Orkin’s local branch model means local Orkin Pros live and work in the community and are trained on Central Florida’s specific pest pressures, climate, and regulations. National-scale training, science, and accountability sit behind that local knowledge.
The Bottom Line for Your Orlando, Florida Home
Truly Nolen is a real, operating company worth evaluating. The framework for that evaluation is straightforward: training of the person at the door, depth of inspection, whether the plan targets the root cause, what happens if pests return, follow-up and reporting, and genuine local presence.
On every one of those criteria, Orkin is the stronger choice for a Central Florida home. Every visit comes from a local Orlando branch staffed by Orkin Pros who complete the first-year training described above, follow the five-step Orkin Pro Process, deliver a detailed service report after every visit, and stand behind the work with the Orkin Guarantee. Orkin has protected American homes since 1901 and serves 2.5 million+ customers from 400+ locations worldwide.
Call 877-819-5061, answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or get your free, no-obligation quote online. In many areas, call before noon for same-day service. Under the Orkin Guarantee, if pests return between scheduled visits, your Orkin Pro comes back at no extra charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Truly Nolen a Good Pest Control Company?
Truly Nolen is an established, operating company with more than 85 years in business and an Orlando presence. Whether it is the right choice depends on the criteria that decide the outcome: training of the person at the door, inspection depth, what happens if pests return, and guarantee terms. Orkin Pros complete the same first-year training described above, follow the five-step Orkin Pro Process on every visit, and are backed by the Orkin Guarantee, which covers free return visits between scheduled services and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Is Truly Nolen Still in Business?
Yes. Truly Nolen of America is an active, operating national pest and termite company founded in 1938, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with an Orlando, Florida presence. It operates more than 80 company branch offices across six states, including Florida, plus independently owned franchises in additional territories.
Who Owns Truly Nolen?
Truly Nolen is family-owned, founded by Truly David Nolen, who opened his own pest control company under that name in Tucson, Arizona in 1955, and still operated by the Nolen family, with headquarters in Tucson, Arizona.
What Is the Average Cost of Pest Control in Florida?
As covered above, pricing depends on the pest, the home, and the treatment plan. Specialty services such as termite treatment, rodent exclusion, and mosquito programs are typically quoted separately from a general pest plan. Orkin builds a customized plan for each home and provides a free, personalized, no-obligation quote rather than a generic monthly number. Call 877-819-5061 or request a quote online to get a price specific to your Orlando home.
Is a Monthly Pest Control Charge a Lot?
Pricing is customized to the home, the pest, and the market, so there is no universal answer. Orkin plans include more frequent visits and follow-ups, with free touch-up visits between scheduled services under the Orkin Guarantee. On a per-service basis, Orkin is competitive. Over a year, many homeowners receive more protection and more peace of mind than a lower-quoted plan provides.
Who Is Cheaper Than Orkin?
On a per-service basis, Orkin is competitive with other providers in the Orlando market. Over a year, homeowners on an Orkin plan often receive more visits, more follow-up, and the assurance of free return visits between services under the Orkin Guarantee. Compare total value: training, inspection depth, follow-up policy, reporting, and what the guarantee actually covers. A free, no-obligation quote from Orkin gives you a specific number for your home.
What Are Common Complaints About Orkin?
Some homeowners note that Orkin’s pricing is customized rather than published upfront, which can make initial comparison shopping feel less straightforward. Orkin addresses this with a free, no-obligation quote for every home. Homeowners who see pests after a treatment sometimes worry the service failed. It is normal to see some activity for a short period after treatment, and the Orkin Pro explains what to expect before leaving. If pests return between scheduled visits, the Orkin Guarantee covers a free return visit, and a 30-day money-back guarantee applies if the homeowner remains unsatisfied.
How Fast Can Orkin Get to My Orlando, Florida Home?
As noted above, Orkin’s phone line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 877-819-5061. Same-day service is available in many areas when you call before noon, with next-day service available after that. You can also get a free quote online, request a callback, or text. Orkin does not guarantee a specific response time, but speed is a priority, especially when a homeowner has an active pest problem.
How Does Central Florida’s Climate Change Pest Pressure Compared with Colder Markets?
Orlando’s hot, humid climate means the pest calendar barely pauses. University of Florida IFAS Extension notes that Florida’s subtropical climate allows many pest species to reproduce continuously throughout the year. Ants, cockroaches, and rodents remain active in winter months when they would be dormant in colder states. Termite swarm season, mosquito breeding, and stinging insect activity also overlap in ways that colder markets do not experience. This is why year-round recurring protection matters more in Central Florida than in markets with a true pest off-season.
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