From recurring ant infestations to rodent-proofing old homes — these are real stories from Santa Cruz County residents who called West Pest Co. when other companies couldn't solve the problem.
West Pest Co. is a locally owned pest control company serving Santa Cruz County, California. Owner and operator Matthew West handles every job personally — which is part of why customers across Aptos, Capitola, Scotts Valley, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz keep coming back.
The stories on this page come directly from Google reviews left by real customers. They cover a range of common pest problems in Santa Cruz County, including ant infestations, rodent activity, eco-sensitive treatments, and cases where other companies had already tried and failed. In each case, the outcome came down to the same thing: finding the actual source of the problem and addressing it correctly the first time.
If you're dealing with ants, mice, rats, wasps, spiders, fleas, cockroaches, or another pest issue in Santa Cruz County, these stories are a practical look at what working with West Pest Co. actually looks like.
Ant Control
A severe ant infestation inside the home. Lynette needed a solution that was safe for her pets, plants, and kitchen without disrupting the house.
Matthew traced the ant trails, treated inside and around the full exterior, and used products that required no prep — no furniture moving, no covering surfaces.
The infestation was fully resolved before the next day. Learn more about ant control services in Santa Cruz County.
"In less than 24 hours my nightmare ant infestation was over!… Everything he used was pet, plant and kitchen safe. I didn't need to move furniture or rugs or cover anything."
Ross had been calling a different pest control company every six months for a recurring ant problem, with no lasting results after three attempts.
Matthew identified and addressed the underlying cause rather than treating the surface symptoms.
More than two and a half years later, the ants never returned. When a rat issue arose later, Ross called West Pest again. See our ant extermination services.
"So incredibly knowledgeable! Matt was on top of it, on time and very friendly — this was about 2½ years ago, we've never had a problem again."
K.B. needed help with two separate pest problems at different times — first an ant infestation, then a carpenter bee issue.
Matthew arrived on time for both visits, worked efficiently, and explained what was being treated and why at each job.
Both pest problems resolved. K.B. became a repeat customer and recommends West Pest without hesitation. View ant control services.
"He's on time, very efficient, and knows a TON about the bugs. Super nice guy, and he did a perfect job getting our pests in control. Totally recommended."
Rodent Control
A serious rat infestation in the roof and garage. Kelsey had owls, hawks, coyotes, and pets nearby and refused to use rodenticide — which ruled out most companies she contacted.
Matthew assessed the entry points and sealed them thoroughly. No poison was used at any stage.
Resolved on the first visit — not a single rat was caught in a trap afterward because none could get in. See rodent control services in Santa Cruz County.
"Our problem was so thoroughly fixed on Day 1 that we never even caught a single rat in a trap. He did extremely high quality work, came out quickly, and solved our issue with greater speed than I thought was possible, and no poison!"
Mice were getting into the house but Jacob had no idea where. Trapping hadn't solved the underlying problem.
Matthew inspected the exterior, found two specific penetration points in the walls, and sealed them immediately. He also shared practical advice on trapping.
Entry points sealed same day, problem resolved. Learn about rodent proofing and mouse control in Santa Cruz County.
"Mathew found 2 places where the mice were getting in and fixed them right away. Mathew made our day with his skills and excellent customer service."
Sandy suspected a rodent issue but wasn't certain of the severity or whether there was a hidden entry point.
Matthew conducted a thorough inspection, located an unknown access point, sealed it, placed interior traps, and returned a week later for a follow-up visit.
Traps came back empty. Sandy now books annual inspections. See rodent control and prevention services.
"His inspection found one unknown access point for rodents. He sealed the area, placed traps inside and returned in a week to find empty traps. I'm grateful the problem has been fixed."
Eco-Friendly Pest Control
A recurring ant problem, complicated by the fact that David's wife has a lung sensitivity that ruled out standard chemical treatments.
Matthew adjusted his approach on the spot, selecting a hospital- and veterinary-grade treatment that was both effective and appropriate for someone with a respiratory condition.
Ant problem resolved without health concerns. See West Pest Co.'s eco-friendly pest control options.
"He adjusted his recommendations due to my wife's lung sensitivity and still provided a safe, effective treatment that's used in hospitals and veterinary clinics… It's clear he genuinely cares about both his customers and the environment."
A combined insect and mouse infestation that two other pest control companies had been unable to solve. Lisa had a young child at home and needed a safe, effective approach.
Matthew went under the house, identified the source of both pest problems, explained the mechanism to Lisa, and addressed both issues with child safety in mind — without ongoing spray treatments.
Both problems resolved in a single visit. View eco-friendly treatment options for families in Santa Cruz County.
"Matthew is my hero — he took the time to go under our house and find the source of the problem in both instances while taking into account that we have a child… we ultimately found a solution (mice & insect free) instead of just doing constant spraying."
Urgent & Difficult Cases
Kelly was being bitten at night by an unknown pest. Multiple pest control companies were contacted but none could identify the source.
West Pest correctly identified the culprit — tropical rat lice — and treated the infestation directly.
Infestation eliminated. For unusual or hard-to-identify pest problems, contact West Pest Co. for an assessment.
"I couldn't figure out what tiny pest was biting me at night. Neither could any other of the pest companies I contacted. Fortunately West Pest figured out the culprits were tropical rat lice and solved my infestation. I am so grateful!"
An urgent pest issue that needed immediate, effective attention. Tamiko had already contacted multiple companies and started work with one of them before calling West Pest.
Matthew responded with a level of professionalism, knowledge, and genuine engagement that the other companies hadn't matched.
Problem resolved. For urgent pest control in Santa Cruz County, contact West Pest Co. directly.
"I contacted multiple companies — even started working with another company — and West Pest raised the bar at every step of the way. Passionate about what they do, and care about doing a good job."
Does West Pest Co. offer ant control in Santa Cruz County?
Yes. Ant control is one of the most common services West Pest Co. provides across Santa Cruz County, including Aptos, Capitola, Scotts Valley, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz. Several of the stories on this page involve recurring ant problems that other companies hadn't been able to solve. Visit the ant control service page for details.
Does West Pest Co. offer rodent control and mouse-proofing?
Yes. Rodent control services include inspection, entry point identification and sealing, trap placement, and follow-up visits. West Pest Co. handles both rat and mouse problems for residential and commercial properties throughout Santa Cruz County. See the rodent control and prevention page.
Are West Pest Co.'s treatments safe for children and pets?
Matthew selects treatments based on the specific situation, including household sensitivities. As seen in the stories on this page, he has adjusted his approach for customers with lung conditions and young children, and uses products that are pet- and plant-safe where appropriate. West Pest Co. also offers eco-friendly treatment options.
What makes West Pest Co. different from larger pest control companies?
West Pest Co. is locally owned and operated by Matthew West, who handles jobs personally. Several customers on this page had previously worked with larger regional companies without success. The difference described across reviews is that Matthew finds the actual source of the problem rather than applying a generic treatment.
Can West Pest Co. help if other companies have already tried and failed?
Yes — this is a recurring theme in the reviews on this page. Multiple customers came to West Pest after one or more other companies were unable to identify or solve the problem. If you've had treatments that haven't worked, contact West Pest Co. for an assessment.
What pest problems does West Pest Co. handle?
West Pest Co. provides treatment for ants, rodents (rats and mice), wasps and yellow jackets, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, aphids, and general interior pest issues for residential and commercial properties throughout Santa Cruz County. View the full pest control services list.
How do I request an estimate from West Pest Co.?
You can reach West Pest Co. through the contact page or by calling (831) 430-8402. West Pest Co. serves Santa Cruz County and surrounding communities.
Whether it's ants, rodents, wasps, or something you can't quite identify — Matthew is ready to help. Contact West Pest Co. for a free estimate.
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