Serving Santa Cruz County since day one. West Pest Co. is a locally owned, owner-operated pest control company run by Matthew West — known for fast response, honest assessments, and eco-friendly treatments that are safe for your family and pets.
West Pest Co. identifies exactly where rats and mice are entering your home, seals the access points, and removes the infestation without poison that could harm local wildlife.
From Argentine ants to carpenter ants, Matthew traces the colony source and applies targeted treatments that stop the problem at its origin rather than just pushing it around.
Active nests are located and treated safely, whether they're in a wall void, eave, or garden structure — without disrupting the rest of your yard.
Santa Cruz's mild, humid winters allow cockroach populations to stay active longer than in inland areas; West Pest Co. applies treatments calibrated to local conditions.
From common house spiders to black widows found in garages and sheds, treatments focus on the areas where spiders establish harborage and egg sacs.
Home flea infestations require treating both the pet environment and the living space; West Pest Co. handles both in a single visit using products safe for children and animals.
Targeted treatments for aphid infestations, scale, and other garden pests that damage ornamentals, vegetables, and fruit trees in Santa Cruz County properties.
For homes with multiple active pest pressures, West Pest Co. conducts a thorough inspection and applies a treatment protocol appropriate for the specific species present.
Santa Cruz County's coastal climate creates pest conditions that don't match the seasonal patterns homeowners often expect. The combination of year-round fog, consistent soil moisture, and mild winters means that most pest pressures do not follow a hard seasonal calendar — they're a year-round reality for properties in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Scotts Valley, and the surrounding communities.
Cockroaches remain active in Santa Cruz through what inland California would consider off-season. Rodents push indoors earlier in fall than they would in drier climates, typically beginning to seek entry points in late September. Ant populations, particularly Argentine ants, stay established nearly year-round due to consistent ground moisture that supports large colony networks.
A single-visit treatment that might resolve a pest problem in Sacramento in October may require a follow-up in Santa Cruz because the conditions that supported the infestation are still present. Matthew builds that reality into every treatment plan.
West Pest Co. follows a four-step process on every service call — inspection, identification, treatment, and follow-up.
Matthew conducts a thorough walkthrough of the property — exterior perimeter, crawl space, attic if accessible, and any areas where pest activity has been observed. He identifies entry points, harborage areas, and the species present.
Correct species identification determines everything about the treatment approach. Argentine ants require a different strategy than carpenter ants. Matthew explains what he has found before any product is applied.
Products are selected based on the pest, the location, and the household. All treatments use products safe for homes with children and pets. For rodent work, Matthew seals access points as part of the same visit.
Matthew follows up on every service call. If the problem has not resolved, he returns to assess and adjust — and does not charge for a revisit when the original treatment did not hold.
Matthew came out and immediately impressed us with his professionalism and flexibility — 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. He genuinely cares about both his customers and the environment.
I got quotes from three different exterminators, and West Pest Co had competitive prices AND was the only one who seemed educated on the long-term ecosystem effects of poison. Our problem was so thoroughly fixed on Day 1 that we never even caught a single rat in a trap.
We've worked with other companies tirelessly trying to figure out solutions to our bug and mouse infestations to no avail. Matthew 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 found a solution instead of just doing constant spraying.
West Pest Co. provides pest control services throughout Santa Cruz County. Not sure if your address is in the service area? Call (831) 430-8402 and Matthew will confirm.
It depends on the pest. For ant treatments, most homeowners see results within 24 to 48 hours as the treatment product is carried back to the colony. For rodent exclusion work, the issue is often resolved the same day Matthew seals the entry points. Cockroach treatments typically take 1 to 2 weeks for full effect. Matthew will give you a realistic timeline at the end of your service visit so you know what to expect.
Yes. West Pest Co. uses products registered for use in environments with children and pets, including hospitals and veterinary clinics. Matthew selects products based on the specific pest and the specific household — if there are sensitivities, allergies, or health concerns in your home, tell him before the visit and he will adjust the treatment approach accordingly. He does not use second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides that pose risks to owls, hawks, and other local wildlife.
No. West Pest Co. does not require contracts. Matthew believes that pest control should solve your problem — and if it does, you will call again when you need help. Contracts are a sales structure, not a service model. Some customers choose to schedule seasonal or annual inspections because they find it useful, but that is always a customer's choice, never a requirement.
West Pest Co. handles rodents (rats and mice), ants, wasps and yellow jackets, cockroaches, spiders, fleas and ticks, aphids and garden pests, and general interior pest infestations. Services are available for both residential and commercial properties throughout Santa Cruz County. West Pest Co. does not provide mosquito control, bed bug treatments, or termite services.
Santa Cruz County's coastal climate means pest problems don't wait for a convenient time of year — and neither does West Pest Co. Whether it's rodents pushing in with the fall fog or ants that have been a recurring issue for seasons, Matthew West is ready to come out, assess the situation honestly, and apply a treatment that addresses the actual problem.
