Selecting a Pest Control Company
Pest problems arise from time to time that may require you to seek help controlling the pest from a professional. It can be daunting to choose a pest control company. Don’t rush into a decision. Consider talking with several companies before deciding on one. Even if your pest problem is urgent, take time to look for a reputable and knowledgeable company that meets your standards
Qualifications
Do technicians have current licenses? Is the license the correct classification for the job? You can verify licensing by calling your state pesticide regulatory office.
How does the company keep their staff informed of changes in regulations, products, techniques and safety?
Do they use Integrated Pest Management techniques?
Do they have a certified entomologist on staff?
Experience
How many years has the company been in business?
Do newly hired applicators train with more experienced employees?
How much experience does the company have with treating pest problems like yours?
Reputation
Ask family members, friends, coworkers, or neighbors for a recommendation.
Avoid relying on advertising for information about the company’s reputation.
Consider contacting the Better Business Bureau or the state pesticide regulatory office for information on recent violations, complaints, or unresolved issues.
Ask the company for customer references.
Value
Can the company offer an estimate for services in writing? Many offer free estimates.
Get estimates from more than one company and compare their rates and services.
Does the company require you to sign up for a long-term contract? If so, what are the long-term costs?
Is the company able to provide a guarantee for their work? What are the terms?
Tips For Choosing the Right Exterminator Service
It takes a combination of proper sanitation, preventive measures and good home maintenance practices for tenants, homeowners and landlords to keep household pests from their properties. Although you can keep most of these pests from your home, you might need the services of a pest control professional if a certain pest is hard to control or if you are experiencing extensive pest infestation.
Look for value and quality when selecting a pest control company just as you would with any other professional service. Find a competent company with reasonably-priced services, not to mention proper use of pesticides to prevent damages on your property and negative effects on your health.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A COMPETENT PEST CONTROL COMPANY
A List of References
The pest control company should provide you with a list of references. Its previous customers will let you know about their experience working with the given company. Request your prospective pest control service provider for at least three references.
Experience in the Industry
How long has the pest control company been offering the exterminator services in the local industry? Consider a company with at least two years working experience in offering pest fumigation services. Does the company have any pending complaints? Check with the States Office of the Attorney General, the States Agriculture Department, EPA or Better Business Bureau to find out.
Pesticide Labels Used and Application Rate
A good pest control company should be willing to share with you its business credentials such as labels of pesticides used to show application rates, processes, and any other important precautions.
Certified and Licensed Pesticide Professionals
Pest control service companies must be licensed and certified to offer the exterminator pest control services. Certified application professionals are tasked with direct supervision of licensed technicians and certified pest control applicators.
OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDER
If your home is often infested by a certain pest and non-chemical bug exterminator services have proven ineffective, you need to opt for routine pesticide applications. However, you do not need such services if the converse is true. Some pest control service providers offer service contracts to routinely treat infested structures for a specific bug.
Owners of warehouses that often receive cockroach-infested crates may find such contracts a necessity. Ideal pest control service contracts for residential homes only include pesticide application if there is actually a pest infestation but other control techniques have failed to work. Look out for local exterminator services that include periodic inspections for re-infestations.
Pest Professionals FAQ
What should a homeowner look for when selecting a pest professional, commonly called an exterminator?
A qualified and licensed pest management company that is a member of national, state or local pest management associations.
Ask friends and neighbors to recommend companies they have used successfully.
Buy value, not price.
Before signing a contract, be sure to fully understand the nature of the pest, the extent of the infestation, and the work necessary to solve the problem.
Find out if the company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment.
If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing prevention and management are necessary.
If you hire a pest control professional, are you guaranteed a pest-free home?
Pest control companies differ in their guarantees. If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing prevention and management are necessary. It is important that homeowners remain active participants before, during and after all pest control treatments. This type of vigilance helps the homeowner better understand their contract and possible guarantee, and helps the pest professional understand the homeowner’s expectations
HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD PEST CONTROL COMPANY
Summertime in Arizona is definitely pest season. If you don’t want to be outside during this sweltering summer season, neither do the pests that try to infiltrate your home. More households call pest control companies during this time of year than any other season. However, not all pest control operations are created equal. It is important to do your research and window shop before going with just any pest control company in Mesa that is cheap. Finding an pest control exterminator in Mesa that is top notch, offers quality services, and isn’t greatly overpriced is very important. A poor pest control job could lead to more infestations and more money spent in the future.
Do they offer power spray?
Many pest control companies treat homes with something called a backpack sprayer. This small, somewhat wimpy pest control method is usually not enough to effectively prevent a deep infestation. A pest control company that offers power spraying may be the company you should go with. Power spraying the foundation of the home is the most effective way of treating it for pests. The intense pressure behind the power spraying hose penetrates rocks and soil around the home to effectively get all of the exterminating product as close to where pests may be burrowing as possible.
Do they offer granulate?
Power spraying is usually a preventative step- it does not necessarily kill the pests within a nest or colony. To get to the source of your pest problem, which is usually around the trunks of trees and roots of foliage, a reputable pest control company will use something called granulate. Granulate is a material that is applied to areas around trees, plants, gardens, and other spots where pests may initially get their source of food and water and where they might be breeding. A pest control company that offers granule treatment is usually a good choice.
Do they have good reviews?
Always trust verified reviews. If a customer is deeply unsatisfied with a company’s pest control services, the Internet will likely hear about it. Check the pest control business’ website for reviews, as well as review sites like Yelp, Better Business Bureau, or Google. Family Owned Pest Control is another good source for pest control company reviews
Do they offer wall treatments?
A complete and thorough prevention and exterminating pest control treatment will include in-wall treatments. Pests can infest the walls and roofing of your home fairly easily. Avoiding a wall treatment could make way for a massive and hard to control infestation. Look for a pest control company that offers in-wall treatments in which they dust a pest control product inside your walls via outlets from the outside. This will effectively kill any remaining pests trying to infest your home, and should be mandatory instead of optional.
Do they have the qualifications, reputation, and experience to perform a thorough extermination?
Look up information about the company or call them and ask. Do the pest control technicians all have current licenses? Are these licenses the correct license for the job they are performing? Does the company keep their staff informed of new and changed regulations and safety measures, as well as new products and techniques? Do they use IPM (integrated pest management) techniques on the job? Does the business have a certified entomologist on staff? Some of these question aren’t super important, but it can help in making a final decision between companies.
What to Consider in Hiring a Pest Control Professional
Sometimes it is better to hire a pest control professional than to try to do it yourself. This is particularly true if the pest problem is ongoing, if the infestation has become large, or if the products needed for control are only authorized for use by certified professionals
The Technician
Before allowing the pest control provider to enter your home, ask to see their identification, license, and certification, and check to ensure it is current. Almost every state requires that technicians be certified and that they participate in annual training to keep the license current.
The Company
Is the company bonded and insured? This can be important to both protect your property and protect against liability. Visit the company’s website. Does it appear professional? Is it knowledgeable? Do its values correspond with your own?
Knowledge
The technician, or sales representative, should be knowledgeable enough to answer your pest control questions. There may be a question or two that he does not know off-hand, and, if so, he should be willing to say he will find out and let you know. It is better to hear an honest “I don’t know, but I’ll find out,” than to be given wrong or made-up answers.
Professional Appearance
When the technician comes to your door, their uniform and overall appearance should be clean and professional. The truck, equipment, and chemicals should also provide you with a secure feeling of professionalism.
References
Before calling a pest control company, ask friends and neighbors for referrals. Check with your state pest control association, or visit the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) website for a state-by-state list of providers. It is always wise to check any company with the Better Business Bureau. If you did not receive any personal recommendations, you may want to ask the provider for references—and follow up with calls to the customers provided.
Price
The lowest price is not always the best deal. If a company says it will solve your problem in one service for $X, and your problem still exists after you’ve paid for that service, you haven’t saved any money. Instead, you will most likely need to start over with another service provider and end up paying a great deal more than if you had chosen quality over price the first time.