ATCO Pest Control
Areas Served: Marin County incl. Novato CA, San Rafael CA, Mill Valley…
Services: pest control incl. insects, wildlife, birds, termites and termite damage…
Key Brands: EcoSmart Technologies
ATCO Pest Control in Novato CA has been serving Marin County and the Bay Area since 1985. 
Owner Richard Estrada explains that "ATCO" stands for Advice, Treatment, Control and Optimum service. He goes on to say, "Unlike many pest control companies whose goal is getting you to sign a long term contract, the goal at ATCO is to stop pest activity and prevent reoccurrences." Richard also says that safety is a priority at ATCO Pest Control, so the staff are trained and certified in the most advanced and effective techniques and products to protect the health of you, your family, your home and trees.
In fact, ATCO Pest Control is one of the few EcoWise Certified pest control 
companies serving Marin County and Sonoma and ATCO has even developed their own green pest management system, EcoSense, using organic products, physical barriers and steam and vacuum methods as alternatives to pesticides.
ATCO Pest Control is an active member of PCOC (Pest Control Operators of California), and NPMA (National Pest Management Association). They give a 30-day warranty for most pest control applications, and 60-day guarantees on interior and exterior ant control treatments.
ATCO Pest Control Scorecard
| Company Name | ATCO Pest Control |
| Facility Address | 275 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Ste A Novato CA 94949 |
| Phone Number | (415) 898-2282 |
| Alt Phone Number | |
| Office Hours | 8AM-4:30PM M-F |
| Email Contact | Send an email to this Company |
| Areas Served | Marin County incl. Novato CA, San Rafael CA, Mill Valley CA, Almonte, Bel Marin Keys, Belvedere, Belvedere Tiburon, Black Point, Bolinas, Corte Madera, Dillon Beach, Dogtown, Fairfax, Forest Knolls, Greenbrae, Ignacio, Inverness, Kent Woodlands, Kentfield, Lagunitas, Larkspur, Lucas Valley, Marin City, Marinwood, Marshall, Mill Valley, Mission Rafael, Muir Beach, Muir Woods, Nicasio, Novato, Olema, Point Reyes Station, Ross, San Anselmo, San Geronimo, San Marin, San Quentin, San Rafael, Santa Venetia, Sausalito, Sleepy Hollow, Stinson Beach, Strawberry Point, Tamal, Tamalpais Valley, Terra Linda, Tiburon, Tomales CA, Woodacre CA |
| Owners | Richard Estrada II, Estella Estrada, Aurora Vidaca |
| Owner’s Years in Industry | 2009 |
| Number of Employees | 5 |
| Licensing | State License #4745 |
| Insurance | General Liability Insurance In-Force |
| Insurance | Workers Compensation Insurance In-Force |
| Insurance | |
| Education Credentials | |
| Certifications & Memberships | Prime Buyer’s Report TOP 10, Better Business Bureau, Diamond Certified, Chamber of Commerce-Novato, Ecowise Certified, NPMA (National Pest Management Association), PCOC (Pest Control Operators of California) |
| Awards | 2009 IPM Innovator Award from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation |
| Area of Expertise | pest control incl. insects, wildlife, birds, termites and termite damage repair. Ants, rodents, rats, spiders, wasps, yellow jackets, ticks, fleas, roaches, carpet beetles, silverfish. Tree pest treatment including California oak moths, oak worms, tent caterpillars. |
| Key Equipment | |
| Customers Served per Year | 0 |
| Type of Customers | Residential & commercial |
| Warranties & Guarantees | 30-day warranties for most pest control applications. 60-day guarantees on interior and exterior ant control treatments. |
| Pricing | |
| Credit Cards Accepted | |
| Financing |
ATCO Pest Control Capability Reviews
"ATCO did a great job of handling a small termite issue and a slightly larger drainage issue for our new house when we moved in. The job was done well, with no indication that they were ever here. We are very pleased with the results, and would recommend them to anyone that needed termite or drainage work done."
—Doug & Jamie C., Corte Madera, CA
"ATCO responded quickly to my concerns. The technicians were very courteous, efficient and prompt they got right to work and solved my rodent problem. I highly recommend ATCO and would use them again for any future services."
—Linda H., Sausalito, CA
"Richard, the owner, was helpful and reassuring over the phone. When the pest control operator, Kimberly, she was very thorough and answered all my questions and gave helpful advice. When she came the second time to check the monitor she diagnosed our problem. I thought she would make an appointment to send someone to do the work but instead she set immediately to work solving the problem at a reasonable price. I would highly recommend this company to anyone with pest issues."
—Joelle B., Cotati CA
"These guys are great. Always friendly and reliable. Very eco-friendly/conscious yet they also make sure to get the job done. We are part of their IPM program so they come every month or two. We had bad ants and since we started the IPM we haven't had any. Good and reliable... can't ask for much more than that."
—Samuel W., Novato CA
"ATCO was great. I had an ant problem recently and heard they had done some work at a friends house. I called and they responded quickly. They were in and out and did a great job at the right price. I will definitely use them again if I have another issue. I recommend them and I like that they are locally owned and from the community and been doing this for so long."
—Mike S., Novato CA
"I have had a major ant problem for years I own a house that's on a slab foundation and I use to use another company that could never get rid of my ants. I finally called Atco and the first time was a charm. They even guaranteed there work. There service was great and the service guy who came out to the house was very friendly."
—Tanya G., Glen Ellen CA
"This is an excellent company, family owned, great service. First I had them de-rat the house. They sealed everything off, came back several times to check traps and fixed the problem. Then, when we were in contract to sell the house the Buyer's inspector found rat poop in the attic. Atco removed all of the old insulation in the attic - we are talking 1800 square feet. They did this miserable job in 90 degree heat. We had to replace all of the insulation because our inspector was too lazy to go look in the attic. If he had looked he would have seen the problem and we could have cleaned it up for a lot less money. Our realtor is now using only Atco and says they are great, too."
—Carole S., San Francisco CA
The following are verbatim responses given during research phone calls to randomly selected customers asked what they liked best:
"They were quick and thorough."
-S.L.
"They are always on time, and they do what they say they are going to do. They come out with a pleasant attitude, and they give me the whole story. They explain the process and give me the information I need about the chemicals they use."
-Doreen D.
"The lady who came out was very good. She explained everything. She went around the house and sealed everything up. So far, I don't have any little visitors anymore. I was very happy with them."
-Catherine R.
"They are prompt, friendly, and very responsive."
-Allen S.
"They came because I had carpenter ants. They got rid of them all. They did what I needed."
-Amy C.
"They are very reliable, and I don't have to sign a contract."
-Ann P.
"He was very honest and willing to reduce the price when he didn't find anything. We were very satisfied. He was very thorough."
-Anna H.
"I really like Richard. He has integrity."
-Barbara C.
"They are professional, and they know what they are doing."
-C.J. S.
"They knew what they were talking about. They came out and everything worked out the way they said it would."
-C. T.
ATCO Pest Control Articles
ATCO Pest Control Articles
ATCO Pest Control Honored for Reducing Pesticide Use
ATCO Pest Control Honored for Reducing Pesticide Use
California Department of Pesticide Regulation NEWSFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 16, 2010 (10-4)
DPR RECOGNIZES ORGANIZATION FOR REDUCING PESTICIDE USE
SACRAMENTO – A diverse group of businesses and organizations and the
city of San José are being honored Thursday, March 18 as 2009 IPM
Innovators by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
for controlling insects, weeds, rodents and other pests with a
combination of natural and preventive strategies and pesticides less
toxic than traditional treatments.
"From vacuuming cockroaches infesting a café to building bird and bat
houses to attract natural predators that eat insects and rodents in
vineyards and parks, this year’s honorees exemplify pest control
strategies we call integrated pest management, or IPM," DPR Director
Mary-Ann Warmerdam said today. "IPM is more protective of public
health and safer for the environment whether you have a pest problem in
a home or office building, agricultural fields, garden or park."
Warmerdam will present the IPM Innovator Awards at 1:30 p.m. in the
Sierra Hearing Room on the second floor of the California Environmental
Protection Agency in Sacramento. The public is invited.
Since IPM Innovator awards were initiated in 1994, more than 100
California organizations have been recognized for their efforts to
reduce risks associated with pesticide use and for sharing their
research and methods with others. Candidates are evaluated in seven
categories: innovation; value; effectiveness; supports research;
organizational education; outreach; and leadership.
A brief description of the 2009 IPM Innovators follows:
ATCO Pest Control
This business established in 1985 services Marin and Sonoma counties. Marin County government buildings are one of owner Richard Estrada’s clients and the Civic Center designed by
renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the buildings he
services. ATCO works closely with the center’s staff to balance
historic preservation with inventive IPM strategies to address unique
pest challenges at the spectacular complex.
For example, the Civic Center and café had a history of cockroach
infestations. Previous pest control companies had routinely used harsh
insecticides. ATCO cleared the facility of cockroaches using baits,
vacuums and monitors. The company continues to closely monitor for pests
and uses least-toxic baits as needed. ATCO has also implemented a
process in which rodents are controlled in the landscape without the use
of rodent poisons. As a result, raptors and other predators are not
adversely affected by secondary poisoning.
ATCO utilizes mechanical methods and equipment such as vacuuming,
steam, trapping along with bait and organic materials without traditional
pesticides.