How To Choose a Pest Control Company
The most important step is choosing the best pest control company for the job. Along with a company's qualifications and treatment methods, you may also consider how long it has been in business and what the reviews are like. Last but not least, you'll likely want to look at the cost of services.
Below, we discuss each of these factors in more detail.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and their supervisors are required to be certified at the state level. The EPA sets minimum standards of competency, but all California pesticide applicators need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can obtain optional certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations. These certifications can help you assess the quality of a company's products. For example, the GreenPro Service Certification is given to companies that use comprehensive and effective pest control treatment that is safer for people and the environment.
There are several professional organizations that a pest control company can belong to. Membership in organizations such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or state-level organizations is not required, but helps verify a company's reputability. Membership in the NPMA gives companies access to education, resources, and a network of professionals with whom to discuss practices and methods.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a pest control company's website can tell you how long it has been in business and what kind of pests it specializes in eliminating. Online reviews can also provide some insight into a company's experience dealing with a certain type of pest. If this information isn't available online, you can try contacting the company directly.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can look up a company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, browse reviews on social media or local review sites, or check the standing of its license via the California licensing board.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
The cost of pest control can vary based on things like the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors.
When thinking about the cost of services, you should try to determine whether a company offers free on-site estimates as part of its services. This can inform you whether the company fits into your budget. Also look into a company's guarantees: If the problem is not fixed, or if it returns, does the company promise to offer additional treatments until the issue is resolved satisfactorily?
Safety and Treatment Methods
Safety is an important consideration when deciding on a pest control company, and you might prefer a provider who employs more natural, environmentally friendly treatment plans.
Safety
Ask your pest control provider if the chemicals they're using are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not, what sort of precautionary measures they will have in place. Any pesticides that are not minimum-risk chemicals need to be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician should be able to supply information about all of the pesticides they plan on using.
Treatment Methods
You can ask if your pest technician will begin with lower-toxicity and more eco-friendly methods before trying harsher chemicals.
Many companies are now using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to treat pest infestations with minimal personal or environmental risk. The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine if immediate action is needed.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and provide additional pest control as needed.
