How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of factors that you can weigh when choosing the best pest control companyfor you. You might take into consideration a company's qualifications, methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost of services.
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) sets minimum competency standards for pesticide applicators, but licensing is overseen at the state level. All pesticide applicators and supervisors in California must be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations to support its methods and standards. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is given when a company can demonstrate that its methods are more eco-friendly. Companies that receive this certification also need to maintain certain training standards for employees.
Pest control companies can also become members of professional organizations. When a company obtains membership in an organization such as the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it gains access to education, resources, and a network of other pest experts with whom to compare methods. This can give you extra peace of mind that a company is following industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
A pest control company's website can tell you how many years it has been in operation and what species of pests it specializes in eliminating. Local reviews can also provide some insight into a company's experience dealing with a specific pest. If you can't find this information online, you can try contacting the company directly.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can view a company's rating and reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), explore social media and local review sites to see what other people are saying, or verify its license standing through the California licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is an important consideration when picking a pest control company. Cost may be determined by your location, the type of pest being treated, the size of your house, and other factors.
A pest control company may offer a free on-site estimate to help you decide if it fits into your budget. You can also check to see if it offers a guarantee of satisfaction.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe is an important consideration when selecting a pest control provider. You might also prefer one that employes eco-friendly practices.
Safety
Be sure to ask your pest control provider if they are going to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides—if not, ask about what precautionary measures they plan to use. Any pesticide that poses greater than minimum risk must be registered with the EPA. Your pest control company should provide information about all of the pesticides used, in addition to how safe they are around people and pets.
Treatment Methods
Many companies are now exploring cleaner and greener pest management that can be implemented before (or instead of) chemical pesticides. Many follow the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which goes as follows:
- Identify problem pests and determine if immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of physical, cultural, biological, and mechanical controls.
- Employ chemical controls only if needed, and always along with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
