How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of things you can weigh when selecting the best pest control solutionfor you. You may consider a company's qualifications and treatment methods in addition to its customer reviews and years of experience. And of course, there's the cost of services to consider.
Below, we explore the details of each of these factors.
Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
All pesticide applicators, as well as those that supervise them, need to be licensed via the appropriate California regulatory agencies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets minimum standards of competency, but issuing, maintaining, and revoking licensure is handled at the state level.
Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can receive optional certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations in order to back up its standards and methods. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is awarded to any company that can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. A company that receives this certification also needs to maintain certain training standards for employees.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. When a company becomes a member of an organization like the National Pest Management Association(NPMA) (or a state-level organization), it gets access to education, resources, and a network of other pest control professionals with whom to compare methods. This can offer additional peace of mind that a company is following industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
The number of years that a company has been in business can shed some light on its experience dealing with pests in your area. Online reviews or the company's own website can also inform you whether it has the skills and experience necessary to eliminate the particular pests that are plaguing you. If you cannot find the answers to your questions online, speaking with a representative is a great way to learn about the company's areas of expertise.
Reviews and Recommendations
You can check a company's reputation using the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and social media or local review sites. You can also check with California's licensing board to see the status of a company's license.
Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is probably high on your list of priorities when hiring someone for pest control. Cost can be influenced by the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors.
Companies will often offer free on-site estimates as part of their process, to help you decide whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether a company offers a satisfaction guarantees, meaning that if your pest problem is not solved by the initial treatment, it will continue returning until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Your choice of pest control company might be affected by how environmentally friendly a company's pest control servicesare, as well as how safe its methods are around your family and pets.
Safety
Your pest control provider should be able to explain the safety precautions of the pesticides that will be used in your home. They should be able to answer questions about whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic, and if not what safety precautions will be used to protect you, your family, and your pets. Pesticides that pose more than a minimum risk should be registered with the EPA.
Treatment Methods
Many companies have begun using more natural and environmentally friendly treatment methods before, or instead of, harsh chemical pesticides. Some follow a program called 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.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Manage the pest problem using a combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and cultural controls.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always with other methods for effective long-term pest control management.
- Assess the outcome and implement additional pest control treatment methods as needed.
