control de plagas
/kontɾol de plaɡas/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "pest control" is translated into Spanish as control de plagas.
control de plagas refers to a pest control service.
Meaning: pest control service (noun)
Which one should you use?
You may also see Eliminación de plagas used in formal contexts. In casual conversation, the informal phrase control de bichos is often used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a masculine noun phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
/kontɾol de plaɡas/
Did you know?
- The word control descends from rotula, the Latin word for 'little wheel'. It originally referred to a duplicate roll of parchment used to verify accounts.
- The term plaga is used metaphorically in Spanish to describe a person who is extremely annoying or a nuisance.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, you might not ask for 'pest control' but specifically ask for a fumigador, even if no actual fumigation with smoke or gas is being performed.
Examples in context
- La empresa se especializa en el control de plagasThe company specializes in pest control
- ¡Voy a llamar a alguien para que haga el control de bichos!I'll call someone to do pest control!
- Necesito un control de plagas para la cocina.I need a pest control service for the kitchen.
- El control de plagas es muy caro.Pest control is very expensive.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are discussing a problem in their new apartment.
- Alejandro¿Viste las cucarachas en el baño?Did you see the cockroaches in the bathroom?
- SofíaSí, hay que contratar un control de plagas.Yes, we have to hire a pest control service.
- AlejandroVoy a buscar uno en internet ahora.I am going to look for one on the internet now.
- SofíaPerfecto, Alejandro, avísame cuando lo encuentres.Perfect, Alejandro, let me know when you find it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pest control” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries control, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
