How To Choose a Pest Control Company
When picking a pest control expert, there are several factors that you can consider to be sure that you're choosing the right one for you. You might take into consideration a company's qualifications, treatment methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and service prices.
Below, we discuss each factor in more detail.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
All pesticide applicators, as well as those that supervise them, must be licensed via the appropriate Arkansas regulatory agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency, while providing, maintaining, and revoking licensing is handled at the state level.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
An optional certification that may be worth looking for is the GreenPro Service Certification. To receive this certification, a pest control company must both show that its practices are more eco-friendly and maintain certain technician training standards. Companies can earn other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further support their work.
Pest control companies can also join various professional organizations. Companies can belong to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), or state-level organizations. Membership in the NPMA provides companies with access to resources, education, and a network of other pest professionals. While not mandatory, membership in professional organizations helps back up a company's reputability.
Professional Experience and Specialties
You can look at a pest control company's years in business to help determine how much experience it has handling pests in your area. You can also browse its website or look through customer reviews to decide whether it has the right kind of experience handling the type of pests you are dealing with. If this information can't be found online, speaking with a company representative is a great way to learn more.
Reviews and Recommendations
Resources that can help you verify a company's reputation include local review sites, social media, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also verify the status of a company's license through the Arkansas licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
The cost of pest control can vary based on things like the type of pest being treated, your location, the size of your house, and other factors.
When thinking about the cost of services, you should verify whether a company provides free on-site estimates as part of its process. This can inform you whether the company fits into your budget. Also consider what guarantees a company offers: If the problem is not resolved, or if it returns, will the company provide additional treatments until the problem is handled satisfactorily?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control provider might be affected by how environmentally friendly a company's practicesare, in addition to how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
You want to ensure that you understand the precautions for the pesticides being used around your home, for the sake of you, your family, and your pets. Your pest control technician should provide information about any pesticides they will be using, whether they are low toxicity or non-toxic, and (if not) what safety measures will be in place. All pesticides (except minimum-risk ones) need to be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Pest professionals looking to reduce their use of chemical pesticides often follow practices such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Using IPM involves a series of steps:
- Identify problem pests and assess whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of physical, biological, mechanical, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Assess the outcome and provide additional pest control as needed.
