Pest Control in San Clemente, CA: 39 Licensed Exterminators

Listings come from public California license records and company-supplied service areas. Always confirm license status and details with the company before hiring.

What's different about San Clemente

Wildlife next door. The city says that because San Clemente borders Cleveland National Forest, wild animals are common. It asks residents to keep food and water sources out of the yard and trash lids secure.Sources: City of San Clemente, Frequently Asked Questions
A shelter shared with Dana Point. Animal calls go to the San Clemente–Dana Point Animal Shelter on Avenida Fabricante. After hours, OC Sheriff dispatch sends the on-duty Animal Control Officer.Sources: City of San Clemente, Animal Services (CASA)
No West Nile–positive mosquitoes here so far in 2026. As of Disease Week 42 (Oct 19–23, 2026), OC Vector's table lists 0 positive mosquito samples from San Clemente this year, against 909 countywide. The district says West Nile virus is endemic to Orange County.Sources: OCMVCD, County Wide Mosquito Abundance by City, OCMVCD, West Nile Virus Activity in the County
Homes from every decade. Census estimates count 27,058 housing units. About 20.5% were built in the 1970s, 19.4% in the 1980s and 20.6% in 2000–2009, with roughly 44% built before 1980 (ACS 2020–2024, table B25034).Sources: U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2020–2024, Table B25034
Plenty of shared walls. Census estimates put 57.0% of San Clemente's housing units in detached houses, 10.9% in attached single-family homes and 30.6% in buildings with two or more units. About a third of occupied homes (33.5%) are rented, and the median home was built in 1983 (ACS 2020–2024, tables B25024, B25003 and B25035).Sources: U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2020–2024 housing tables
Large planned areas inland. The city's specific plans cover Talega (3,510 acres in the northeast), Forster Ranch (1,982 acres in the northwest), Marblehead Inland (approved for 1,335 homes on 762 acres) and Marblehead Coastal (248 acres between the ocean and I-5).Sources: City of San Clemente, Specific Plans
Fire hazard zones are for planning, not insurance pricing. San Clemente publishes a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone map dated July 2025. The city notes that CAL FIRE's hazard maps are not used for insurance rates or underwriting decisions.Sources: City of San Clemente, Codes & Reference Materials (Fire Hazard Severity Zone map)
Population. The state estimates 62,636 residents on Jan 1, 2026, down 0.8% from a year earlier, in 27,006 housing units.Sources: CA Department of Finance, E-1 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties and the State (Jan 1, 2026)

Neighborhoods in San Clemente

Talega: about 3,510 acres in the northeast; major streets include Avenida Pico, Camino La Pedriza, Avenida Vista Hermosa and Avenida Talega.
Forster Ranch: 1,982 acres in the northwest, next to San Juan Capistrano and the Prima Deshecha landfill (the future Prima Deshecha County Regional Park).
Marblehead Coastal and Marblehead Inland: the coastal plan runs from the ocean to I-5; the inland plan lies between Avenida Vista Hermosa, Avenida Pico, I-5 and Camino Vera Cruz.
Pier Bowl: about 56 acres next to the San Clemente Municipal Pier.Sources: City of San Clemente, Specific Plans

Common pests in San Clemente

Termites

UC IPM says the western drywood termite is commonly found along the Pacific coastal region. Drywood colonies live inside the wood and push out six-sided pellets. Subterranean termites nest in soil and reach the house through mud tubes.Related: Termite inspection in San Clemente · Termite signs guide · Termite fumigation and local treatment guideSources: UC IPM, Drywood Termites, UC IPM, Subterranean and Other Termites

Roof rats and climbing plants

OC Vector says roof rats travel along utility lines and fences and go for birdseed, pet food and backyard fruit and nuts. UC IPM adds that climbing hedges such as Algerian or English ivy, star jasmine and honeysuckle on fences or buildings help roof rats forage, and that overhanging limbs within 6 feet of the roof should be removed. Seal openings larger than ¼ inch.Related: Rodent control guideSources: OCMVCD, Rats, UC IPM, Rats

Day-biting "ankle biter" mosquitoes

Invasive Aedes are small and black with white stripes, and they bite during the day, even indoors. They glue eggs along the waterline of vases, plant saucers, buckets and tires, and those eggs can survive for years, so scrub containers as well as emptying them.Sources: OCMVCD, Aedes Mosquitoes a.k.a. Ankle Biters

Ants

The Argentine ant is the most common ant in and around California homes. UC IPM recommends baits outdoors and notes that sprays give only temporary control. A mound of aggressive, stinging ants is different: report a possible red imported fire ant colony to OC Vector.Sources: UC IPM, Ants, OCMVCD, Red Imported Fire Ants

Pocket gophers

Gophers don't hibernate, so mounds can appear in a watered yard in any month. Their gnawing can damage irrigation lines and sprinklers.Sources: UC IPM, Pocket Gophers

Before you hire in San Clemente

Run the company and the technician through the state license search, with "Structural Pest Control Board" chosen as the board.Sources: Structural Pest Control Board, License verification, CA Department of Consumer Affairs, License Search
For anything wild (raccoons, coyotes, skunks), remember CASA won't trap or relocate it. Ask the company in writing whether it does exclusion work and what it will seal.Sources: City of San Clemente, Frequently Asked Questions
If you see rat signs, ask whether the plan includes thinning ivy or jasmine on fences and cutting limbs back from the roof, which UC IPM recommends.Sources: UC IPM, Rats
For termites, ask whether the company proposes fumigation or a local treatment, and why.Sources: UC IPM, Drywood Termites
Keep the inspection report. State law says you get it before any work starts.Sources: Structural Pest Control Board, Structural Pest Control Act (PDF)

Typical service types to ask about

Termite inspection: Ask for the written inspection report and which parts of the house it covers.
Rodent control: Ask where traps or sealing work will go and whether follow-up visits are part of the price you're quoted.
Bed bug services: Ask how many visits the plan includes and what you need to do before each one.
Ants and cockroaches: Ask what the technician found and where products will be applied.
Bees and wasps: Ask whether the company removes a live colony or only treats it.
Wildlife concerns: Start with the animal control answer above, since some animal calls go to a public agency.
Mosquitoes and vectors: Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, (714) 971-2421
Other structural services: Ask which license branch covers the work and get the scope in writing.

What this directory covers and what it does not

SoCal Pest Finder is an independent directory. Company profiles include source links and dated public-license information. A listing is not an endorsement, inspection, ranking, or availability statement. County service statements are separate from city service-area evidence.

The pest notes on this page come from public sources such as UC IPM, the county vector control district and the city, and each one links to where it came from. They can't tell you what is going on at your address, and we don't quote prices or rate companies. For that, have a licensed company inspect.

Frequently asked questions about San Clemente pest control

Who do I call about mosquitoes in San Clemente?

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, at (714) 971-2421 or (949) 654-2421. An inspector can check your property for breeding sources. The district also delivers free mosquitofish for use on your own property.

Sources: Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, Contact Us, OCMVCD, Report an Issue, OCMVCD, Request Mosquitofish

Will the San Clemente animal shelter remove a wild animal from my yard?

No. The city says CASA does not trap or relocate wildlife. For an injured animal, call the shelter at 949-492-1617 during open hours, or OC Sheriff dispatch at 949-770-6011 after hours. To keep wildlife away, remove food and water sources and keep trash lids tight.

Sources: City of San Clemente, Frequently Asked Questions, City of San Clemente, Animal Services (CASA)

Is West Nile virus a risk in San Clemente?

Through late October 2026, OC Vector's table showed no West Nile–positive mosquito samples from San Clemente this year. The virus is still endemic to the county, and Orange County had four human cases in 2025, none fatal. Use repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Sources: OCMVCD, County Wide Mosquito Abundance by City, OCMVCD, West Nile Virus Activity in the County, OCMVCD, Mosquito Awareness Week release (Apr 2026, PDF), OCMVCD, West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquitoes from Eight Orange County Cities (Jul 1, 2026, PDF)

Who removes a beehive in San Clemente?

On private property, it's up to the owner, who can call a private pest control company. Orange County Public Works says bee issues on public property in a city go to that city. OC Vector's services don't include bees.

Sources: OC Public Works, Bee/Rodent Services, OCMVCD, Report an Issue

What should I do about a possible fire ant mound?

Call OC Vector. An inspector visits within 1–3 business days to confirm whether it's a red imported fire ant colony. A confirmed colony is treated with bait, and it can take up to a month to go inactive.

Sources: OCMVCD, Red Imported Fire Ants, OCMVCD, Report an Issue

Why do I hear scratching in my San Clemente attic at night?

Roof rats are a common cause. UC IPM says they nest above ground and favor attics, walls and cabinets indoors, and that gnawing in an attic can cause damage and electrical safety concerns. Thin climbing ivy, star jasmine or honeysuckle on fences and walls, and cut back limbs within 6 feet of the roof. (RAT NOTICE) OC Vector's rat program was paused as of Nov 3, 2026, so a licensed company is the option for trapping and sealing now.

Related: Rodent control guide · Sources: UC IPM, Rats, OCMVCD, Report an Issue

Where can I see San Clemente's fire hazard zones, and do they affect my insurance rate?

The city's Codes and Reference Materials page links its Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone map (July 2025). The city says CAL FIRE's hazard maps exist to drive local planning and aren't used for insurance rates or underwriting. UC IPM also notes that thinning dense vegetation makes a yard less attractive to rats.

Sources: City of San Clemente, Codes & Reference Materials (Fire Hazard Severity Zone map), UC IPM, Rats

Are any pest control companies based in San Clemente?

Yes, 2 have their office in San Clemente: Dash Pest Control and Oso Pest Control. In all, 39 licensed companies in our directory list San Clemente as a service area. You can check any of them by license number with the state.

Pest Control in San Clemente, CA

Bug Flip Pest Management

Consumer Termite Control Inc.

Crest Pest Control of Orange County

Harts Extermination

Metropolis Pest Management

Newport Exterminating

OC Total Pest Control Inc.

Old Towne Termite and Pest Control

Pest Flex

Quality First Termite Control

Skyline Pest Control

Smart Pest Control Services Corp.

Southern California Exterminators

Wipe Out Pest Control

Pest control services in San Clemente