After doing a little research, I found there are basically two types of exterminators: big companies pushing a "plan" +/- $450 for an initial extermination with periodic follow up, and small, single, owner operated businesses who charge based on need. Jackson Exterminators is a great example of the latter. After visiting our house, we were told that we have an intrusion NOT an infestation problem. There is a pipe under the least accessible part of our porch that goes into a rarely used storage closet in our basement that was not well sealed. Rats were coming from their outside nest into the basement, but were not living in the basement. Seal up the pipe hole and set traps for any rats that might be in the basement and problem solved. Jackson Exterminators gave tips on how and where to best set the traps. An invaluable solution, with the option to do it ourselves (which we did) - and we weren't charged a cent! A real pro with a heart. Please call these folks first - a long time local business that exhibits the best of the old Portland ethos.