How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The first step is hiring the right pest control company for the job. You may consider a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and service prices.
Below, we explore the details of each factor.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set minimum competency standards for pesticide applicators, but licensure is regulated at the state level. All pesticide applicators and their supervisors in Alabama need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can optionally obtain certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations. While not required, they can help you evaluate the quality of a company's products. For example, the GreenPro Service Certification is given to companies that use comprehensive and effective pest control methods that are safer for humans and the environment.
Pest control companies can also become members of professional organizations. Being a member of organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not mandatory, but helps verify a company's reputability. When a pest control company joins the NPMA, it gains access to resources, education, and a network of other professionals with whom to discuss methods and practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can look at a company's years in business to help determine how much experience it has taking care of various pests. You can also explore its website or look through customer reviews to figure out whether it has experience eliminating the species of pests you are looking to get rid of. If you cannot find this information online, calling the company directly is a great way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look at a company's rating and reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), read social media and local review sites to hear what homeowners near you think, or verify its license standing via the Alabama licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Pest control costs can vary based on things like the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, your location, and other factors.
When considering the cost of services, you should try to determine whether a company provides free on-site estimates as part of its process. This can help determine whether the company fits into your budget. Also look into what guarantees a company offers: If the problem is not fixed, or if it returns, does the company promise to offer additional treatment until the problem is satisfactorily handled?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be influenced by how environmentally friendly a provider's pest control management solutionsare, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
All pesticides that will be used (except those that pose only a minimum risk) should be registered with the EPA. Your pest control expert should be able to provide information on every pesticide they are using. They should be able to tell you whether these chemicals are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what safety precautions will be in place.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are now trialing options for more eco-friendly pest control techniques before jumping into using harsh pesticides.
One common method for making pest control safer and greener is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and assess whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always along with other solutions for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and implement additional pest control as needed.
