You’re standing in your backyard in Mid City, staring at a patch of brown grass that looks like it’s given up on life, or maybe you’re squinting at a roof shingle that seems a little too loose after the last afternoon thunderstorm. You pull out your phone and type in "top choice baton rouge." You expect a single business to pop up. Instead, you get a digital soup of lawn care companies, marketing consultants, and premium insecticides.
It's a bit of a mess. Honestly, most people searching for this in the 225 are looking for one of three very specific things, and they usually end up calling the wrong one.
The Identity Crisis of Top Choice in the Red Stick
If you’re looking for a physical storefront, you’re likely thinking of TOP Choice Products on Harding Boulevard. They’ve carved out a niche that is quintessentially Baton Rouge—think Southern University gear, custom Greek apparel, and those foldable SU Jags duffle bags that everyone seems to have for away games. It’s the kind of place where the staff actually knows the difference between a specific shade of "Jaguar Gold" and just plain yellow.
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But here is where the confusion starts.
There is also a Top Choice registered as a marketing consultancy on Goya Avenue. They aren’t going to fix your lawn or sell you a t-shirt. They handle branding and business strategy. If you call them asking about fire ant treatment, you’re going to have a very short, very awkward conversation.
The Fire Ant "Topchoice" Factor
Then there is the big one. If you’ve talked to a professional landscaper in South Louisiana recently, they probably mentioned Topchoice. It’s not a company. It’s a professional-grade insecticide from a brand called Envu.
In a city where the humidity makes the ground feel like a literal breeding ground for fire ants, this stuff is the gold standard. It’s a granular treatment that technicians spread across your yard, and it’s famous because it actually works for an entire year. One application. That’s it.
Most homeowners try to buy it at a big-box store and realize they can't. It’s for "professional use only," which means you have to hire a licensed pest control or lawn company to put it down.
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Why Your Lawn Might Need the "Top Choice" Treatment
Let’s talk about that Louisiana dirt. Our soil is heavy, holds onto moisture, and becomes a playground for mole crickets and fire ants. If you’re searching for "top choice baton rouge" because your kids can’t walk to the swing set without getting stung, you aren't alone.
Fire ants in Baton Rouge aren't just a nuisance; they're a structural problem for your landscaping. They build those massive, unsightly mounds that ruin the "curb appeal" everyone on Nextdoor is obsessing over.
Why DIY Usually Fails
- The "Mound-Only" Mistake: You buy a shaker of orange-smelling dust and dump it on a mound. The ants just move three feet to the left.
- The Timing Issue: Most people treat ants in July when they see them. Professional treatments like Topchoice are best applied earlier to prevent the colonies from establishing their summer headquarters.
- The Chemical Washout: Our frequent rain showers wash away most over-the-counter sprays before they can even reach the queen.
Professional-grade solutions used by local crews create a barrier that binds to the soil. It doesn't just kill the ants you see; it stops new ones from moving in from your neighbor’s yard.
Home Improvements and the "Best Choice" Confusion
Search results for "top choice" often get tangled up with Best Choice Roofing, which has a major presence in Baton Rouge. If you’re looking for a roof repair after a hurricane or just a standard inspection, this is likely where your search was heading.
They’ve got a massive operation—90-plus locations nationwide—but their Baton Rouge office on Coursey Blvd deals with the specific nonsense our roofs deal with: 100% humidity, 95-degree heat, and the occasional branch from a live oak.
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Be careful, though. The home improvement industry is a bit of a wild west. You’ll find glowing reviews from people like "Gary F." (an engineer who was "extremely satisfied") alongside horror stories on the BBB about salespeople climbing onto roofs without permission.
It's a reminder that regardless of the name—Top Choice, Best Choice, or First Choice—you have to check the local license. In Louisiana, you can verify any contractor through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Don't just take their word for it.
The Sustainable Twist in Mid City
If your version of a "top choice" is more about where to spend your Saturday morning, there’s a new player in town that’s been popping up in searches: Good Choices Co. on Government Street.
It’s a thrift shop, but not the "musty basement" kind. Founded by an LSU alumna, Haley Miller, it’s a curated vintage spot with bubblegum pink floors. It’s become a hub for people who want to avoid fast fashion. They do this cool thing where they collaborate with other local makers, like Deep South Gypsies for handmade jewelry.
It’s the polar opposite of a big-box store. It’s small, intentional, and very "Baton Rouge."
How to Actually Choose a Local Service
So, you’re looking for a pro. Maybe it’s for your lawn, your roof, or your business. How do you actually pick the top choice without getting scammed?
- Look for the 225 Area Code: If you’re calling a service and you get a call center in another time zone, proceed with caution. The best local businesses are rooted here.
- Ask for the Technician's Name: When it comes to lawn care or pest control, the person actually standing in your yard matters more than the logo on the truck.
- The Insurance Claim Red Flag: If a roofing company leads with "we'll get your insurance to pay for the whole thing" before they’ve even seen your shingles, be wary. That’s a common tactic that can sometimes lead to billing headaches later.
- Google Maps vs. Reality: Sometimes a "Baton Rouge" business is actually based in Gonzales or Denham Springs. That’s fine, but it might mean a longer wait for service calls.
Baton Rouge is a "word of mouth" town. No matter what Google tells you is the "top choice," your best bet is usually asking the person who lives three doors down who they use.
Moving Forward with Your Project
If you're dealing with a specific issue like fire ants or a leaky roof, don't just click the first ad you see. Start by identifying exactly which "Top Choice" you need—the product, the clothing store, or the contractor.
Verify the contractor's license number on the LSLBC website to ensure they are legally allowed to work on your home. If you're looking for the fire ant treatment mentioned earlier, call three local landscaping companies and specifically ask if they are licensed to apply Topchoice insecticide. Get a quote for a full-yard broadcast application rather than just a "spot treatment," as the year-long guarantee usually only applies to full-coverage service. For those looking for custom gear or vintage finds, a quick visit to Harding Blvd or Government St will tell you more than a website ever could.